Merging Two Ministries: The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will be in operation from March 1, 2025

(Chinhphu.vn) – Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan and Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy chaired the Implementation of the Scheme on Establishing the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to implement Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW dated October 25, 2017.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan and Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy chaired the Conference on Implementing the Establishment Project of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

The Conference on Implementing the Establishment Scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was recently held in Hanoi to implement Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, dated October 25, 2017, of the 6th Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee on “Certain Issues on Continuing to renovate, restructure the political system for streamlined, effective and efficient operations”. The Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan and the Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy hosted the conference. Attendees include: Deputy Ministers Tran Quy Kien, Le Cong Thanh, Phung Duc Tien, Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Nguyen Quoc Tri, Vo Van Hung, along with leaders from various units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Merging 2 Ministries; establishing the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

At the meeting, Mr. Phan Tan Tuyen, Director General of the Department of Personnel Organization, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, informed the conference of Official Dispatch No. 08/CV-BCĐ on the implementation of tasks related to the consolidation and restructuring of the organizational apparatus of the Steering Committee for developing the Scheme on merging the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development..

At the 9th Extraordinary Session of the 15th National Assembly, the National Assembly voted to pass the Resolution on the organizational structure of the Government for the 15th National Assembly term. Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was Established based on the merger of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Reorganizing the apparatus and personnel to ensure the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment becomes operational from March 1, 2025.

To fully prepare the necessary conditions for the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and its affiliated agencies, organizations and units to operate under the new organizational model from March 1, 2025, the Steering Committee for the Merger Proposal of the Two Ministries has requested the heads of agencies and units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to focus on directing and implementing several key tasks:

Regarding the organizational structure arrangement: Units need to review and complete the proposal for reorganizing and streamlining their structure. 

The functions and tasks of the units must be reviewed to ensure logical consistency, avoid duplication, and align with the merger of the two ministries. 

The organizational structure of the units should be reorganized to be more streamlined, reducing unnecessary administrative levels.

Regarding personnel work, civil servants, public employees, and workers need to be reassigned and rearranged to ensure they align with the tasks and requirements of the units in the new organizational structure.

Assigning leadership to units should be done transparently and based on clear criteria, with specific evaluation standards.

Implement policies for civil servants, public employees, and workers according to Decree No. 178/2024/ND-CP of the Government, especially for those wishing to retire early or transfer to other positions.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan and the Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy take a commemorative photo with delegates at the Conference on Implementing the Proposal for the Establishment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

Merging small-scale, low-efficiency public service units.

Regarding the task of reorganizing public service units, those under the two ministries will be reviewed and rearranged to avoid duplication and ensure work efficiency.

Units with small scale and low efficiency will be merged or reorganized to enhance autonomy and operational effectiveness.

Regarding Party and political work, the Steering Committee requests preparing documents and working regulations for the Party Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Carry out the steps to consolidate Party work within the new structure, including assigning tasks to members of the Party Committee of the Ministry, adding members to the Executive Committee, the Inspection Committee.

Finalize the guiding documents for implementing the organizational structure.

In terms of legal and legislative work, ensure the review and resolution of issues within the legal framework related to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Update and complete the guiding documents to support the practical implementation of the organizational structure.

For financial and asset management: Units must review and propose solutions for handling public finances and assets during the restructuring process, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the use of state funds.

Regarding administrative organization and offices, units need to prepare the necessary conditions for seals, document management systems, and required IT infrastructure for the new structure.

Administrative procedures should be finalized to avoid disrupting management activities and the operations of citizens and businesses.

The report clearly states that to ensure the successful implementation of the plan, merging the two ministries is not only a process of reorganizing the apparatus but also requires high determination and close cooperation between leadership levels, functional units, and civil servants throughout the implementation process. Both ministries need to proactively carry out specific tasks, complete them on time, and ensure that the professional work of the ministries and their affiliated units is not interrupted.

Minister Do Duc Duy: The establishment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is an important step in implementing the administrative reform strategy, aiming for a streamlined and strong state apparatus.

A significant milestone for the Agriculture and Environment sector

Speaking at the Conference, the Minister of Agriculture and Environment Đỗ Đức Duy emphasized that one of the first major achievements of the Steering Committee was the 15th National Assembly’s adoption of the Resolution on the Government’s organizational structure for the 15th National Assembly. 

Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was established through the merging of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, along with taking over poverty reduction responsibilities from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

At the same time, the National Assembly also elected and approved several leadership positions within the National Assembly and the Government, including Mr. Le Minh Hoan as Vice Chairman of the National Assembly. 

“This is a great joy, an honor, and a source of pride for our Agriculture and Environment sector,” Minister Do Duc Duy expressed.

According to the National Assembly’s Resolution, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and other newly formed ministries will officially begin operations on March 1, 2025, from which point the appointed ministers will assume their assigned roles.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will operate under a stronger management mechanism

According to Minister Do Duc Duy, this merger is not merely a structural change but also an opportunity to restructure and enhance the efficiency of both ministries. It will improve the effectiveness of environmental protection and agricultural development, which are two closely linked sectors. 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will adopt a stronger management mechanism to better address environmental issues in agriculture, from protecting soil and water resources to controlling pollution and promoting sustainable development in the agriculture sector.

One key aspect of this merger is the reorganization of the administrative apparatus, including a review of subordinate units and the optimization of workflows to conserve resources and improve work efficiency. 

The Minister emphasized that during this process, officials, civil servants, and employees from both ministries need to unite, be determined, and work cohesively, as this effort will directly impact each individual in every unit.

Restructuring and streamlining the organization is an incredibly challenging, sensitive, and complex task. It requires strong consensus among officials, party members, civil servants, public employees, and workers, and it also demands personal sacrifices for the greater good of the sector and the country. 

Therefore, party committees, party organizations, agencies, and units need to pay particular attention to political and ideological work, enhance responsibility, and set an example, especially for the leaders of the agencies and units.

Preparation for the establishment of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

One of the key tasks is preparing for the establishment of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. The Ministry's leadership has instructed the Department of Organization and Personnel to collaborate with relevant units, particularly the Office of the Party Committee of the Government, to complete the documents and submit them to the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of the Government for a decision on the establishment of the Party Committee and the appointment of members for the Party's Executive Committee, Standing Committee, and Inspection Committee.

The Minister Do Duc Duy shared that the submitted documents are now sufficient for the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of the Government to review and decide on the establishment of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. The organizational plans and appointments have been ensured to comply with the Central Party's regulations, particularly in the context of ministries and party organizations undergoing the merging process.

In addition, the Party Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will soon approve the working regulations of the Party's Executive Committee and Standing Committee, and will decide on the assignment of tasks to the members within the party structure. 

It is expected that the Party Committee of the Ministry will hold its first meeting around February 22-23, 2025, to begin the implementation of personnel tasks and carry out specific duties.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Le Minh Hoan, congratulated Minister Do Duc Duy of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Reorganizing public service units: Streamlined, without overlapping functions and tasks

One of the key elements in the merger plan is the reorganization of public service units. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, being one of the ministries with a large number of public service units, will need to reorganize these units into a more streamlined and efficient model.

Specifically, each major field of state management such as land, minerals, water resources, crop production, plant protection, and animal husbandry, will include three types of public service units: scientific research units (research institutes), human resource training units (universities, academies, colleges), and economic public service units (public service centers). 

However, the Minister emphasized that these units must operate under the principles of streamlining and avoiding overlapping functions and responsibilities.

Encouraging financial autonomy for public service units

, the Minister stated they will be encouraged to be financially autonomous, at least in terms of regular expenditures. 

The goal is to reduce reliance on the state budget while fostering a fair competitive environment between public units and private enterprises. 

Units capable of full autonomy may be converted into enterprises, such as joint-stock companies.

Urgently develop and submit a work assignment plan for ministry leaders

One key factor for the successful merging of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is personnel work. 

The Minister has tasked the Personnel Department with urgently developing a plan and submitting it to the Minister of Agriculture and Environment for approval regarding the assignment of duties to ministry leaders, along with the criteria and guidelines for the arrangement of leadership and management positions within the ministry. All plans must be finalized and submitted for approval before March 1, 2025.

Minister Do Duc Duy stated that the proposed personnel arrangements fall into three main categories: retaining current positions after merging; reassignment to other units better suited to one’s expertise and duties; or appointment as deputy heads in the new units. 

Particularly for department heads, the options are designed to ensure fairness and efficiency, while supporting those wishing to continue contributing or advancing their careers in new roles.

The Party Committee’s Standing Board will continue monitoring and adjusting the arrangements to ensure transparency and alignment with each official’s strengths. Final decisions will be approved by the Board based on set criteria and the ministry’s operational needs.

Ensuring benefits for officials during organizational restructuring under Decree No. 178/2024

Regarding the protection of rights and benefits for officials, civil servants, and employees during the restructuring process under the Decree No. 178/2024 on policies for public officials and employees, Minister Do Duc Duy stated that the ministry encourages voluntary early retirement, accompanied by appropriate commendation policies includes awards based on their contributions throughout their careers. 

These officials will receive certificates or labor medals based on their actual service time and contributions.

Additionally, one of the top priorities is to review the current legal documents to adjust and supplement them to align with the new organizational model of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. 

Minister Do Duc Duy mentioned that this is a task that requires close cooperation between the units and relevant authorities to clearly identify which documents need to be amended or supplemented. 

Documents within the Government's authority will be reported to the Government, while documents within the authority of the National Assembly, such as laws, ordinances, or resolutions, will be reported to the National Assembly for timely amendments or additions.

Regarding financial matters, the Ministry requires its affiliated units to conduct a comprehensive review and inventory of their assets and finances in order to implement the proper procedures for asset and financial handovers as per regulations. 

The Planning and Finance Departments of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, along with the Planning and Finance Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, will continue to provide advisory support on reviewing and addressing issues related to assets and public finances.

The Steering Committee calls on all officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers within the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to uphold the tradition of solidarity, striving to overcome difficulties and challenges, in order to quickly stabilize the organizational structure from the very beginning of its establishment.

The Steering Committee calls on all officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers within the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to uphold the tradition of solidarity, striving to overcome difficulties and challenges, in order to quickly stabilize the organizational structure from the very beginning of its establishment.

Minister Do Duc Duy stated that the merging of the two ministries not only creates significant opportunities for sustainable development but also helps address economic, social, and environmental issues in a harmonious manner.

The Steering Committee for the merger of the two ministries has praised the preparation and implementation efforts of the departments. The leadership of the ministries, together with various agencies and units, has proactively and urgently carried out a large volume of work to develop the merger proposal with high quality, ensuring it is completed on time. 

In particular, the merger proposal of the two ministries has been highly regarded by the Government Steering Committee for its proactivity, thoroughness, and systematic approach.

The Steering Committee also called on all officials, civil servants, employees, and workers in the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to promote the tradition of solidarity, strive to overcome difficulties and challenges, quickly stabilize the organizational structure from the first days of establishment, and work towards maintaining steady development and growth, making positive contributions to the development of the sector and the nation.

Source: According to the Electronic Government Newspaper, "Implementing the Proposal to Establish the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment," published on February 20, 2025, available at the link: https://xaydungchinhsach.chinhphu.vn/trien-khai-de-an-thanh-lap-bo-nong-nghiep-va-moi-truong-119250220121252904.htm, accessed on February 20, 2025