Speech of the General Secretary at the National Conference to disseminate and implement Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW of the Politburo

Full text of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's speech: "The Southeast region needs to further promote its heroic tradition, experience in innovation and creativity, strive to fulfill its role as the locomotive for development of the whole country":

“Dear leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front,
Dear delegates and comrades,

Following the 3 National Conferences to disseminate and implement the new Resolutions of the 13th Politburo on socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security in the Mekong Delta; the Northern Midlands and Mountains; and most recently the Central Highlands, which were successfully held last week, today the Politburo organizes a National Cadre Conference (directly combined with online) to disseminate and disseminate the basic contents of Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW on the direction of socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the Southeast region to 2030, with a vision to 2045 (just issued by the Politburo on October 7, 2022), in order to disseminate widely throughout the entire political system and the whole country, especially the Southeast region, creating high unity in awareness and action in the entire Party, people and army to effectively implement this important Resolution. (In the near future, we will also organize two more National Conferences to continue implementing the Politburo's Resolution on socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security in two more important regions: the Red River Delta and the North Central and Central Coast regions).

The full presence of the Politburo, the Secretariat, the Central Executive Committee members, the key leaders of the Central Committees, Ministries, and Branches and all 6 provinces and cities in the Region demonstrated our seriousness, will, and determination in innovating, building, promulgating, and organizing the implementation of the Politburo's Resolutions on Regional development - an issue of strategic significance, not only for each region but also for the whole country, in the spirit as I have said many times: "First call, then support", "One call, one response", "Unanimity from top to bottom" and "Consistency across the board"!

First of all, on behalf of the Politburo and the Secretariat, and with my personal feelings, I would like to warmly welcome and congratulate all comrades attending the Conference in the center of Hanoi as well as at the connecting points across the country, especially the connecting points of provinces and cities in the Southeast region. I hope that comrades will focus on studying, discussing, deeply absorbing and organizing the implementation of this important Resolution of the Politburo, fully meeting the set goals and requirements; trying to avoid the situation that we have long been mocking about the implementation of the Resolution: "It is really good, but it seems that the implementation is still difficult in many ways!".

Dear comrades,

Resolution No. 24 of the Politburo has been sent to you; the content is very clear and easy to understand; you need to study it directly and thoroughly. Comrade Le Minh Khai, Deputy Prime Minister, on behalf of the Government Party Committee, reported on the Government's Action Program; Comrade Nguyen Duc Hai, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, on behalf of the National Assembly Party Delegation, reported on the National Assembly's Action Program to implement the Resolution of the Politburo. The comments of some Central Party Committee comrades representing central and local departments, ministries, and branches at today's Conference have also enriched and deepened a number of issues, which are very specific and practical.

To help comrades understand more clearly and deeply the content of the Resolution, I would like to analyze and emphasize some more issues, and also focus on answering 3 questions: (1) Why at this time does the Politburo have to discuss and issue a Resolution on the direction of socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the Southeast region until 2030, with a vision to 2045? (2) What are the new ideas, new spirit, and new content of this Resolution? (3) What do we need to do and how to do it to effectively implement the Resolution of the Politburo, turning the Resolution into a vivid reality?

1. Regarding the first question: Why does the Politburo now have to discuss and issue a new Resolution on the Southeast region?

As you all know, the Southeast region includes Ho Chi Minh City and 5 provinces directly under the Central Government: Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau. This is a region with a wide, open terrain; most of the area is plain, semi-plain, very favorable for agricultural, industrial and urban development, construction of transportation systems...; the North borders the provinces of the South Central Coast and the Southern Central Highlands, which are regions rich in natural resources and minerals; the West and Southwest borders the Mekong Delta, which has the greatest agricultural potential in the country; the East and Southeast borders the East Sea, rich in potential for marine economic development, especially seafood, oil and gas resources, as well as convenient connection to the most important and busiest international sea route in the world, connecting the Pacific Ocean with the Indian Ocean; The Northwest borders Cambodia, with Moc Bai and Xa Mat border gates (Tay Ninh), facilitating exchange and cooperation with Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar along the trans-Asian road route.

The Southeast region is a region with a particularly important position and role in socio-economic development, ensuring national defense, security and foreign affairs of the country. With its outstanding potential and advantages, the region is always the leading center of innovation, dynamism and creativity of the whole country; the economic locomotive and the largest center of industrial, tourism and service development in the country with the core being the special urban area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City "brilliant with the name of Gold" - the largest center of economy, culture, education - training, science - technology; the hub of international exchange and integration; the driving force, with great attraction and influence of the region.

To promote the particularly important position and role of the Region, on August 29, 2005, the 9th Politburo issued Resolution No. 53-NQ/TW; and on August 2, 2012, the 11th Politburo issued Conclusion No. 27-KL/TW on the direction of socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the Southeast region and the Southern key economic region to 2010 and the period 2011 - 2020 with the goal: "To mobilize the highest resources, effectively exploit the potential and advantages of the Region for rapid, stable and sustainable development; to take the lead in the cause of industrialization and modernization with high economic growth rate; to be among the top in the country in terms of education - training, culture, society and health; to ensure political stability and solid national defense and security; to actively contribute to the overall development of the Southern region and the whole country; to be a bridge for effective economic integration and cooperation with countries in the region".

After 17 years of implementing the Resolution and Conclusion of the 9th and 11th Politburo, Party committees, authorities and people in the Region have promoted the tradition of solidarity, revolution and the spirit of innovation and creativity, overcoming many difficulties and challenges, continuously striving to achieve many important achievements. Notably: In 2020, the scale of gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of the Southeast region increased 4.9 times compared to 2005 and 2.6 times compared to 2010, exceeding the set target. The Southeast region contributed 32% of the country's GDP and 44.7% of the total state budget revenue.

Per capita income in 2020 is the highest in the country. The economic structure of the Region has shifted towards modernization, the proportion of processing and manufacturing industry has increased rapidly; the proportion of the service sector has exceeded the set target; the growth rate of the service sector is the highest in the country. A leading industrial center has been formed with many of the largest industrial parks and export processing zones in the country. The private economy has developed dynamically, with the number of enterprises leading the country; it is the area attracting the largest foreign direct investment (FDI), accounting for 41.1% of total FDI capital. A number of high-tech industries have been developed, such as: Information technology, precision mechanics, automation, new materials.

Ho Chi Minh City has gradually become a center of science - technology, innovation and information technology of the region and the whole country. The urbanization rate of the Southeast region has reached 67%; the urban appearance is increasingly renewed and modern; the rate of communes meeting new rural standards is 79.5%, ranking second among regions in the country. The cultural and social fields have achieved a number of important results. Hunger eradication, poverty reduction, social policy settlement, education and training innovation have achieved many positive results; the poverty rate is the lowest in the country. The rate of trained workers with degrees and certificates is leading the country. The specialized medical field has achieved achievements on par with the region and the world. Environmental protection and climate change response have received attention. Administrative reform has been promoted; the investment and business environment has been improved. National defense and security have been strengthened; political security and social order and safety have been ensured; Foreign affairs and international integration are promoted. The work of building and rectifying the Party and the political system is focused on and has made progress,...

However, the socio-economic situation of the Region still has many shortcomings, limitations, difficulties and major challenges: Development is not commensurate with potential and advantages. Some important targets have not been achieved. The economic growth rate of the Region tends to slow down and is lower than the whole country; contribution to the total state budget revenue decreases; labor productivity growth rate is low; the implementation of planning is still slow, the regional and inter-regional infrastructure network, especially the intra-regional and inter-regional transport infrastructure, is still lacking and weak, not synchronous, is a bottleneck hindering development. Some key construction projects are still behind schedule compared to the set targets. The situation of traffic congestion and serious flooding in Ho Chi Minh City has not been overcome. Science - technology, innovation has not contributed much to promoting growth model innovation; has not mastered high technology, core technology, source technology in key industries.

Industry develops rapidly but is not sustainable; mainly processing and assembling, with low added value; supporting industry develops slowly; the distribution of export processing zones and industrial parks is not reasonable. The quality of human resources has not met the development requirements. The overload situation in schools, training facilities, vocational education, and public medical examination and treatment facilities has been slowly resolved; the capacity of preventive medicine and grassroots health care is still weak, not meeting the needs of medical examination and treatment of people, especially when unusual epidemics occur. The development of social housing has not met the requirements, especially housing for workers in industrial parks and export processing zones. The pollution of water sources, air, plastic waste, medical waste and solid waste is still a pressing issue in society but has not been improved. The gap in development level between localities in the Region is slow to narrow. Intra-regional and inter-regional linkages are still formal, loose, and ineffective. Political security, social order and safety still contain many complex factors, even at risk of instability. The capacity of officials at all levels, especially at the grassroots level, in social governance and handling unusual situations is still limited.

Meanwhile, the 13th National Congress of the Party has proposed the Socio-Economic Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, striving to make our country a developing country with modern industry and high average income by 2030; and a developed country with high income by 2045; at the same time, orienting the development of the Region in the direction of: "better exploiting and promoting the best advantages of each region in terms of infrastructure, natural conditions, geo-economic and political position, human resources and strengthening intra-regional and inter-regional connectivity to participate in global value chains, creating new development space...". The situation in the world, the region and the country, as well as in the Southeast region, has many opportunities, advantages and difficulties, new challenges intertwined.

The above practical situation has raised the requirement to urgently and seriously conduct a summary of the implementation of Resolution No. 53-NQ/TW of the 9th Politburo; Conclusion No. 27-KL/TW of the 11th Politburo and study, develop and promulgate a new Resolution on this particularly important issue, contributing to creating a breakthrough change in the renovation, socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security in the Southeast region in the new development period. This is also a very meaningful work for the "hard-working but heroic East", which has always been the locomotive and driving force for the development of the whole country over the past 35 years of renovation; as well as for the Southern citadel of the Fatherland, the beloved, revolutionary and heroic South.

2. Regarding the second question: What are the new ideas, new spirit, and new content of this Politburo Resolution?

There are 3 notable points as follows:

First, in terms of viewpoints, perceptions and guiding thoughts:

This Resolution has thoroughly grasped the spirit of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress; inherited, supplemented and developed the viewpoints of Resolution No. 53-NQ/TW into new guiding viewpoints, suitable for the new context and situation. There are many contents here that clearly demonstrate the spirit of innovation and the high will of our Party to create a strong and breakthrough change in the development of the Southeast region, contributing to the successful implementation of the goals until 2030 and the vision until 2045 set by the 13th National Party Congress. In order to create a breakthrough change in further promoting the potential and advantages of the Region and thoroughly overcoming the limitations and weaknesses that have existed in the past, this Resolution continues to affirm the strategic position and especially important role of the Region in politics, economy, culture, society, national defense, security and foreign affairs.

It is required to develop rapidly and sustainably, in accordance with the strategic position and role of the largest development driving force, the economic locomotive of the whole country; considering this a cross-cutting task of the entire political system, of great significance to the development of localities in the Region and the whole country. The Politburo especially emphasized: It is necessary to innovate more strongly, dynamically, creatively, creating breakthrough changes in continuing to build and develop the Southeast region to become a center of economics, finance, trade, education and training, developing high-quality human resources, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation leading the country and the Southeast Asia region, playing a leading role in linking the development of the Mekong Delta, the Central Highlands, the South Central Coast and the whole country. In particular, Ho Chi Minh City is a knowledge-based economic city, an international financial center, a destination for the middle class, intellectuals, especially young intellectuals, to live and work; has a level of development on par with major cities in Asia, playing the role of a growth pole of the Southeast region and the whole country.

The development of the Southeast region must be consistent with the socio-economic development strategy of the whole country, ensuring consistency with the national planning system, consistent with the sustainable development strategy, the national green growth strategy, and adaptation to climate change. Restructuring the region's economy towards modernity, focusing on digital economy, sharing economy, green economy, and circular economy. Taking the lead in developing high-tech industries, high-end and high-quality service industries. Focusing on building industrial, urban, service, and logistics belts associated with transport corridors. Mobilizing and effectively using all resources for development, in which internal resources are decisive, strategic, fundamental, and long-term, harmoniously combining with external resources is important and breakthrough; creating the foundation and favorable conditions for the development of an independent and autonomous economy associated with proactive and active international integration.

It is necessary to innovate thinking, promote the dynamism and creativity of localities so that the Southeast region becomes a typical and highly effective model in regional cooperation. Take planning as the basis for managing regional development. Strengthen regional linkages, perfect institutions and policies for effective regional coordination, promote linkages between localities in the region, between the region and the Mekong Delta, the Central Highlands, the South Central Coast and the Mekong sub-region countries, ASEAN and the world. Promote decentralization and delegation of power in accordance with the capacity and actual conditions of each locality. Pilot new outstanding models, mechanisms and policies with high international competitiveness, creating a breakthrough in maximizing the potential and advantages of the region.

Rapid and sustainable development; closely linking economic, cultural and social development with ecological environment protection, adaptation to climate change, rising sea levels and ensuring national defense, security and foreign affairs. Improving the health, material and spiritual life of the people, especially low-income people, workers in industrial parks and export processing zones. Building the Southeast into a highly developed region, where people have a prosperous and happy life; a civilized, modern lifestyle, and international integration. Narrowing the gap in development levels between localities in the region... "

“Second, regarding goals and vision: This can be considered a completely new content. This Resolution has clearly defined the general goals and some specific targets by 2030, with a vision to 2045. Strive by 2030: "The Southeast region becomes a dynamically developing region with high economic growth rate, the largest growth driver in the country; a center of science - technology and innovation, high-tech industry, logistics and a highly competitive international financial center in the region. Take the lead in innovating growth models, digital transformation, building "digital government", "digital economy", "digital society". Rapidly develop a smart and modern urban system.

Basically complete the intra-regional, inter-regional and regional transportation system; a hub for trade, regional and international integration. The fields of culture, society, education - training, and health care develop, leading the country. The situation of environmental pollution, traffic congestion and flooding is basically resolved. National defense, political security, order and social safety are firmly ensured; the Party organization and political system are clean and strong; the great solidarity bloc of ethnic groups is strengthened. The material and spiritual life of the people is clearly improved and leading the country. Ho Chi Minh City must be a civilized, modern, dynamic and creative city; a place to attract talents, experts, scientists, especially high-quality human resources to live and work; an international financial center, developing on par with major cities in Asia, playing the role of a growth pole of the Region; "where international financial institutions and major economic corporations of the world gather".

Vision to 2045: "The Southeast becomes a developed region with strong economic potential, modern economic structure; a center of science - technology and innovation, high-tech industry, logistics and an international financial center among the top in the region and the world; modern and synchronous infrastructure. Harmonious development between economy and culture, society, environmental protection and national defense and security; high quality of life, with medical and educational standards among the leading in Southeast Asia. Ho Chi Minh City is the nucleus and growth pole of the Region; a place to attract talents, experts, scientists, especially high-quality human resources, young intellectuals, to live and work; a place where international financial institutions and large economic groups in the world are concentrated. National defense, political security, social order and safety are firmly ensured; foreign affairs and international integration are increasingly deepened; the Party organization and political system in clean, strong in all aspects; the strength of the great solidarity bloc of ethnic groups is strengthened and firmly consolidated".

Third, on tasks and solutions: This Resolution sets out quite complete, synchronous and new solutions, meeting the requirements of the new development stage, including groups of tasks and solutions on rapid and sustainable development, creating breakthroughs in the regional economy; focusing on perfecting institutions and development policies and promoting regional linkages; on developing science and technology, innovation, developing human resources and perfecting urban infrastructure; on developing culture and society, improving the material and spiritual life of the people; on firmly ensuring national defense and security; on building and rectifying the Party and the political system;... with high determination and great efforts, aiming to successfully implement strategic breakthroughs in outstanding institutions and policies; on building a synchronous and modern infrastructure system; and on developing high-quality human resources, especially leaders and managers - which are currently the biggest difficulties and challenges of the Region, especially Ho Chi Minh City.

3. Regarding the third question: What must we do, and how, to effectively implement and achieve concrete results from this Politburo Resolution on the Southeast Region?

I would like to suggest that special attention be paid to the following issues:

Firstly, we must fully and deeply perceive the purpose, meaning, requirements and content of the Resolution, firmly grasp the viewpoints, guiding thoughts and tasks to be done; on that basis, there must be a high consensus on the will and determination of the whole country, the whole Region, and each locality in the Region; of all levels and sectors from the Central to the local level. Clearly identify this as the responsibility of the entire political system, not just the task of the Region and the localities in the Region. At the same time, we must correctly perceive and properly resolve the relationship between the development of the Region and the overall development of the whole country - the Whole country for the Region and the Region for the Whole country. Create a high consensus in perception at all levels and sectors about the role, position and importance of the Region and Regional linkage. Regional linkage must become the main thinking leading the development of the whole Region and each locality in the Region.

Second, it is necessary to arouse and promote more strongly the revolutionary tradition, patriotism, innovation, dynamism, creativity; the will, determination and aspiration to rise up of cadres, party members and people of localities in the Region; to be determined to surpass oneself, overcome complacency, and be satisfied with what has been done and achieved; on the contrary, it is necessary to have a more correct and complete perception of the role, position and special importance of the Region as the largest development driving force and the strongest economic locomotive of the country at all levels of Party committees, authorities and people in the Region; to clearly identify the potential, advantages and difficulties, challenges and bottlenecks for socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the Region, which play a particularly important role in order to propose specific, appropriate and highly feasible policies and measures, creating a breakthrough change in the development of the Region.

Third, on the basis of innovation in thinking and awareness, it is necessary to promote the building and improvement of institutions and policies for the development of the Region. Innovation in thinking and vision, promoting dynamism and creativity in directing and managing the development of each locality, taking science - technology, innovation and high-quality human resources as the driving force for the development of the Region. Maximally mobilizing resources for the development of the Region, in which internal resources are determined to be fundamental, strategic, long-term and decisive; harmoniously combining with external resources is important and breakthrough.

I propose that the Government and central agencies need to strengthen coordination with localities in the Region, urgently develop, complete, promulgate and implement laws and priority policies specific to the development of the Region. Organize the effective implementation of the Regional development plan for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2045 in a green, sustainable and comprehensive direction; in line with the national master plan, ensuring integration and multi-sectoral; linking agricultural development with industrial and service development; urban development with new rural construction; economic development with resource management and environmental protection; responding to natural disasters and adapting to climate change, rising sea levels, and saline intrusion; forming value chains for the Region's industries and products. Promote administrative reform, improve the investment and business environment, attract and effectively use all resources for development investment. Prioritize the allocation of state budget capital, combined with the mobilization and effective promotion of social resources for investment in the development of key projects with widespread impact, solving regional and inter-regional development issues.

Fourth, strengthen, improve, and do better the work of building the organizational apparatus and cadres; improve the leadership capacity and quality, and fighting strength of Party committees and Party organizations at all levels; the effectiveness and efficiency of management at all levels of government; and strengthen the training and fostering of cadres. Strictly implement the Conclusion of the 4th Central Conference, Session XIII, on building and rectifying the Party and a truly clean and strong political system in conjunction with Directive No. 05-CT/TW of the Politburo. Persistently and resolutely fight against corruption and negativity; practice thrift and combat waste. Strengthen the leadership of the Party; the effectiveness and efficiency of management at all levels of government. Build a contingent of cadres and Party members who truly have steadfast political will, are pioneers, and are exemplary in ethics and lifestyle. Strictly implement policies on innovation, organizational arrangement, streamlined apparatus, and effective, efficient, honest, and clean operations. Educate, foster and improve revolutionary ethics for cadres and party members, especially the young generation.

Building a contingent of cadres, civil servants and public employees with strong political will, high professionalism and creativity. Continuing administrative reform, developing e-government, towards digital government, digital economy and digital society, smart cities; promoting the responsibility of leaders; encouraging, creating favorable conditions and protecting cadres who are bold in innovation and creativity; dare to think, dare to speak, dare to do, dare to take responsibility for the common good; arousing the spirit of dedication of cadres and civil servants. Innovating mass mobilization work and social supervision and criticism activities of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; consolidating the great national unity bloc. Building solidarity and friendship between our people and friendly countries.

Fifth, immediately after this Conference, based on the Resolution and Plan of the Politburo; the direction and guidance of the Central Party Committees, Party committees, Party organizations and agencies at the Central level, as well as all levels, sectors, agencies and units in the entire political system of localities in the Region, it is necessary to urgently develop action plans, study programs, thoroughly grasp and seriously implement the Resolution in conjunction with continuing to promote the implementation of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and the resolutions of the provincial Party Congresses.

The Party Central Committee of the Government needs to urgently direct, develop and promulgate the Action Program to implement the Resolution, assigning specific tasks to ministries, branches at the Central level and localities in the Region. The Action Program must closely follow the viewpoints, guiding ideas and contents of the Resolution, ensuring that it is suitable for each locality in the Region and sub-region. Central ministries, branches and localities in the Region need to concretize the Resolution and the Government's Action Program into specific, highly feasible mechanisms, policies, plans, projects and resources to implement them.

Dear comrades,

I earnestly hope and believe that: The Party Committees, authorities and people of the provinces in the Southeast region will definitely promote more strongly the experience of innovation, the revolutionary tradition, the glorious heroism and the noble, very good, dynamic, creative and affectionate qualities of the people of the Southeast region; together with the Central Committees, ministries and branches and Party Committees and authorities at all levels in the whole country, strive even more strongly, determined to successfully implement the Resolution of the Politburo this time, creating a new, breakthrough change in socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the Southeast region in the spirit: The whole country for the Southeast region; and the Southeast region is determined to rise up with the whole country and for the whole country; always be the locomotive and the strongest driving force for development of the whole country, making even greater contributions to the cause of innovation, construction and protection of our beloved socialist Vietnam Fatherland!

Once again, I wish you good health, happiness, new joys, new faith, new spirit, and new victories!

I sincerely thank you".

According to VNA