THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

DECIDES:

Article 1.- To promulgate together with this Decision the Regulation on Organization and Operation of the National Sponsoring Agency, the Steering Board, the Coordinating Agency and agencies implementing components of the National Project within the Project on "the prevention of trend of environmental deterioration in the East Sea and the Gulf of Thailand", which is financed by the Global Environment Facility with the coordination of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

Article 2.- This Regulation takes effect 15 days after its signing and shall cease to be effective upon the completion of the Project.

Article 3.- Members of the Steering Board, the Coordinating Agency, the agencies implementing components of the National Project, the director of the Environment Department, the director of the International Cooperation Department and the concerned units shall have to implement this Decision.

Minister of Science, Technology and Environment
CHU TUAN NHA

Article 1.- Governing scope

This Regulation prescribes the organization and operation of the National Sponsoring Agency, the Steering Board, the Coordinating Agency and agencies implementing components of the National Project, with a view to well realizing Vietnam�s participation in the project on "the prevention of trend of environmental deterioration in the East Sea and the Gulf of Thailand" and ensuring requirements of national security and environmental protection cooperation for regional sustainable development.

Article 2.- The National Sponsoring Agency

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment is designated by the Government to be the National Sponsoring Agency of the Regional Project.

In order to organize the implementation of the Project, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment shall set up the Steering Board, and designate agencies to implement the Project�s components and the Coordinating Agency of the National Project.

The National Sponsoring Agency shall be responsible for the entire operation of the Project, which is related to Vietnam, appraise and coordinate operations among the Project�s components and other concerned agencies.

Article 3.- The Steering Board of the National Project

1. The Steering Board of the National Project has the following responsibilities and powers:

a/ To be answerable to the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment for the entire operation of the National Project, and direct the organization of implementation thereof.

b/ To consider and approve the Vietnamese side�s master plan for the implementation of the Project, approve specific plans for implementation of components, appraise reports, information and data before forwarding them to the Coordinating Committee of the Regional Project.

c/ To join delegations for inspection of the project implementation by the agencies implementing the Project�s components at proposals of the Project Coordinating Agency.

d/ To appoint representatives to join the Regional Project Steering Board.

2. The head of the National Project Steering Board shall be answerable to the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment for the entire operation of the Steering Board. The Steering Board�s head shall chair the Board�s meetings. In cases where the Steering Board�s head is absent, he/she may authorize his/her deputy to chair those meetings.

3. The Steering Board shall meet once every three months. In case of necessity, the Steering Board�s head may convene extraordinary meetings to solve unexpected problems.

4. The Steering Board shall decide on matters according to the principle of majority at its meetings or adopt opinions thereat in writing.

5. Regarding the gathering of opinions in writing: the Steering Board�s members are tasked to consider and give their written opinions on matters requiring their opinions within 5 days after receiving written requests for opinions.

6. The Steering Board shall use the National Project Coordinating Agency as its secretariat.

Article 4.- The National Project Coordinating Agency

1. The National Project Coordinating Agency shall be designated by the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment.

2. The National Project Coordinating Agency shall assist the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment in coordinating Vietnam�s activities of participating in the Regional Project.

3. Responsibilities and powers of the National Project Coordinating Agency:

a/ To act as the office for liaison with the Regional Project Management Board and agencies implementing the Vietnamese side�s components of the Project.

b/ To monitor and supervise the implementation of the Project�s components and report it to the Project Steering Board�s head.

c/ To set up and coordinate operation of the National Technical Experts Group to advise the Steering Board on the technical aspect of the Project.

d/ To organize meetings of the National Project Steering Board, prepare documents and information for such meetings.

e/ To organize the appraisal of national reports to be submitted to the Steering Committee for approval before they are sent to the Regional Project Management Board.

Article 5.- Agencies implementing components of the National Project

1. Agencies implementing components of the National Project shall be designated by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.

2. Responsibilities and powers of the agencies implementing components of the National Project

a/ Under the direction of the Steering Board and coordination of the Project Coordinating Agency, the agencies implementing components of the National Project shall perform the tasks agreed upon by the UNEP, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment and the agencies implementing the Project�s components.

b/ To work out and send annual implementation plans to the National Project Coordinating Agency for further submission to the Project Steering Board for approval. Those plans, after being approved, shall serve as basis for implementation of contents agreed upon with the UNEP and basis for the Project Steering Board to direct and supervise activities of implementing components, and coordinate the general operation of the National Project.

c/ To report to the Project Coordinating Agency on the project implementation tempo once every three months and at the end of each quarter.

d/ To report and submit reports on the Project�s products, data and information related to the implementation of the Project�s components to the National Project Coordinating Agency for appraisal before submitting them to the Project Steering Board for approval and subsequent sending thereof to the Regional Project Management Board.

e/ To report to the National Project Coordinating Agency on relevant activities in which the project component implementing agencies have taken part.

f/ The project component implementing agencies shall have to arrange resources to maintain the Project�s activities.

Minister of Science, Technology and Environment
CHU TUAN NHA