Conclusions of General Secretary To Lam at the meeting with the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute

The General Secretary acknowledged the important achievements that VINATOM and the atomic energy industry have achieved over the past 50 years, especially in scientific research, human resource training, application in health, agriculture, industry and environmental protection; advising on mechanisms, policies and building the legal system according to international practices. These efforts have contributed to laying the foundation for the resumption of the nuclear power program in Vietnam.

However, Vietnam's atomic energy industry still has many limitations. Specifically:

1. There are no specific mechanisms and policies to facilitate the development of the atomic energy sector.

2. The investment budget for the atomic energy sector has not met the requirements, is scattered and inefficient.

3. Nuclear safety and security infrastructure has not yet met the requirements of international standards.

4. Laboratories are outdated and seriously degraded; slow implementation of several important projects of the sector.

5. The capacity for independent safety analysis of nuclear radiation, the capacity for measurement and certification and the supply chain are still limited.

6. The system of calculation codes has not been completed; domestic and cross-border scenario rehearsals are not frequent.

7. The organizational model of VINATOM is still inadequate, not fully promoting the role, tasks and development capabilities of the Institute.

8. The capacity, qualifications, infrastructure and human resources of the Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety have not met the requirements. Meanwhile:

In the context that many countries, especially the US, EU, France, the UK and ASEAN countries, are restarting or expanding nuclear power programs with advanced, safe and environmentally friendly technology, the General Secretary emphasized: Vietnam needs to have a strategic vision, absolutely not trade safety for progress; building a safety culture is the foundation; develop endogenous capacity to master technology; at the same time, international cooperation on the principle of "co-design, co-manufacture, co-operate, co-manage".

From the above situation, General Secretary To Lam requested that it is necessary to agree on several key task orientations as follows:

The first - Long-term strategy: Identify atomic energy as a strategic goal in socio-economic development, ensure national defense and security and enhance national position. Nuclear power development must ensure absolute safety and strict compliance with international standards.

The Second- Completing mechanisms, policies and organization: Studying the model of reorganizing VINATOM in the direction of separating state management from scientific research; considering the plan to merge with the Institute of Physics or under the National Energy and Industry Group. VINATOM needs to play a key role in research, technology application and training of high-quality human resources.

The Third - Investment in research infrastructure: Accelerate the progress of the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Center project in Dong Nai to be put into operation by 2030 at the latest; upgrading the Da Lat Research Reactor; investing in and modernizing the system of laboratories and environmental radiation monitoring networks, applying artificial intelligence in risk monitoring and assessment.

The Fourth - Human resource development: There is a specific mechanism on training, salaries and allowances; attracting domestic and foreign experts; supporting students and scientists to participate in research at international centers; forming a strong research group of Vietnamese people abroad.

The Fifth - International cooperation: Strengthen cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and prestigious research institutes; take advantage of international resources; closely follow the nuclear trend in the ASEAN region to learn from experience and promptly respond to the risk of environmental impacts and cross-border nuclear safety.

The General Secretary assigned the Government and the Ministry of Science and Technology to urgently prepare the Scheme "Promoting the development and application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes in service of national development in the new period", ensuring the schedule and quality, and submitting it to the Politburo for consideration and decision./.