On the afternoon of 12/3, General Secretary To Lam chaired a meeting of the Standing Board of the Central Steering Committee on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

The General Secretary assessed that after more than one year of implementing Resolution 57, many important foundations have been established. Awareness within the political system and society has shifted markedly. Ministries, sectors, and localities have developed numerous programs and plans, integrating science, technology, and digital transformation with socioeconomic development goals. Some areas demonstrate creative, effective approaches, and institutions, mechanisms, and policies are gradually being perfected. Numerous tasks related to database development, digital infrastructure expansion, innovation promotion, strategic technology development, and human resource training are being implemented more synchronously.

However, much work remains. Implementation needs a strong shift from "task execution" to "generating substantive, measurable results," moving from scattered approaches to concentrating resources on solving major, strategically significant national problems.

The Party leader called for more resolute, systematic, robust, and effective implementation of Resolution 57. Each task must yield specific outcomes; each program must address major national development challenges. Every level and sector must clearly define its responsibilities in organizing implementation, adhering to the motto that 2026 will be a year of "breakthrough action, spreading results."

General Secretary To Lam speaking on the afternoon of 12/3. *Photo: Communist Party of Vietnam Portal*

General Secretary To Lam requested accelerating the development and application of scientific, technological, innovation, and digital transformation achievements to directly serve the production and business activities of enterprises and the economy. Science and technology development must strongly focus on solving practical economic problems.

The Party Committees of the National Assembly, Government, and Ministry of Justice, along with related agencies, are tasked with urgently conducting a comprehensive review of laws concerning science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. They must supplement the legislative agenda for the 16th National Assembly term and the strategy for building and perfecting laws in the upcoming period. Urgent issues needing resolution must be added to the agenda of the first session of the 16th National Assembly.

General Secretary To Lam noted that contents within the purview of the Government and ministries need to be issued immediately, especially controlled experimental mechanisms (sandbox) and flexible financial mechanisms. Foundational infrastructure and strategic technology require focused development, prioritizing investment in national data infrastructure, big data databases, shared digital platforms, research and development infrastructure, key laboratories, innovation infrastructure, and the startup ecosystem.

According to General Secretary To Lam, strategic technology must be considered a pillar for breakthrough growth, a measure of technological mastery, and an affirmation of the stature and intellect of the Vietnamese people. Agencies need to develop stronger policies to train, attract, and effectively utilize experts and scientists, particularly in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, data science, cybersecurity, and foundational technologies.

The heads of ministries, sectors, and localities bear the highest responsibility for registering, disbursing, and effectively using funds for assigned tasks. Major bottlenecks in data, shared platforms, infrastructure, equipment, human resources, and financial mechanisms must be decisively resolved, "to avoid vague directives that no one implements or implements incompletely."

General Secretary To Lam also emphasized strengthening security and cybersecurity. Vietnam has signed the Cybersecurity Convention (Hanoi Convention), therefore, its implementation needs to be more effective and resolute, with particular emphasis on protecting national data.

Vu Tuan