Decision to establish the Government Delegation on international economic and trade negotiations. (Source: VGP)

The Government delegation is tasked with assisting the Prime Minister in directing ministries, sectors and localities in the negotiation, signing, coordination of ratification and approval, as well as implementation of international treaties and agreements on economic and trade matters involving the Vietnamese State and Government. Its mandate covers multilateral, bilateral and regional agreements, along with other international cooperation mechanisms.

Responsibilities and authority of the Government delegation

Under Decision No. 883/QD-TTg, the delegation will advise the Government leader on developing negotiation guidelines, strategies, plans and frameworks for Vietnam’s participation in international economic and trade treaties and agreements. It will also propose objectives, viewpoints and roadmaps for negotiation with partners or groups of partners in flexible forms aligned with national interests and the country’s socio-economic development orientation.

It is responsible for coordinating with ministries and agencies in preparing, organising and conducting negotiations, while recommending solutions to difficulties and obstacles arising during the negotiation process. It will formulate negotiation plans, carry out negotiations at various levels and scopes, and implement negotiated outcomes after obtaining approval from the Prime Minister and competent authorities.

Additionally, the delegation is tasked with leading and coordinating with ministries and sectors in participating in activities to exercise Vietnam's rights and obligations as a member in the mechanisms of international treaties and agreements on economic and trade matters (standing bodies, secretariats, councils, joint committees, implementation committees...); participating in negotiations to expand and upgrade international treaties and agreements on economic and trade matters in which Vietnam is a member (WTO, APEC, ASEM, ASEAN, bilateral and multilateral FTAs...) to meet the cooperation and development needs of countries, regions, and globally, while better exploiting existing markets.

Organizing consultations and gathering opinions from the business community and related parties on negotiation contents in appropriate forms, based on impact assessment, opportunities, challenges, and risks to the economy, thereby developing negotiation plans to protect and enhance Vietnam's international economic and trade interests.

Coordinating with ministries and sectors to monitor, evaluate, and propose solutions to resolve obstacles in the implementation of international treaties and agreements on economic and trade matters of Vietnam; organizing information dissemination, guidance for ministries, sectors, organizations, and enterprises in implementing Vietnam's commitments. Performing other tasks related to negotiation, signing, coordination of ratification, approval, and implementation of international treaties and agreements on economic and trade matters as assigned by competent authorities.

Organization and activities of the Government delegation

According to the Decision, the Minister of Industry and Trade serves as the Head of the Government Negotiation delegation.

The Deputy Heads include: 1 Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Standing Deputy Head, assisting the Head in coordinating the overall activities of the Government Negotiation Team, directly responsible for professional work on international economic and trade negotiations, overseeing areas within the functions and duties of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and representing the Head when authorized.

1 Deputy Minister of Finance, Deputy Head, responsible for areas within the functions and duties of the Ministry of Finance, including Vietnam's market opening on taxes, customs, investment, financial services (insurance, securities), government procurement, and other areas, representing the Head when authorized within the scope of the responsible areas.

1 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Head, responsible for foreign affairs, diplomatic lobbying, bilateral, and multilateral relations in economic and trade negotiations, and other areas as required by functions and duties, representing the Head when authorized within the scope of the responsible areas.

Members include: 1 Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment; 1 Deputy Minister of Science and Technology; 1 Deputy Minister of Justice; 1 Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; 1 Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam; 1 Deputy Minister of Public Security; 1 Deputy Minister of Health; 1 Deputy Minister of Home Affairs; 3 department-level or bureau-level leaders responsible for international trade of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, participating in supporting the standing work of the Government Negotiation Team.

In necessary cases, upon the proposal of the Head of the Government Negotiation delegation, the Prime Minister will consider and decide to supplement members who are leaders of other relevant ministries, sectors, and agencies.

Technical-level Negotiation Groups

The Technical-Level Negotiation Groups of the Government Negotiation delegation will be established as required by each international trade agreement, with representatives being technical-level officials from relevant ministries and sectors, and may mobilize expert consultants when necessary.

Ministries and sectors are responsible for appointing representatives who are experienced negotiators with deep expertise in their respective fields to ensure quality, effectiveness, and consistency in the negotiation process.

In special cases involving urgent and strategic issues related to national interests, the Prime Minister may decide to establish separate negotiation delegations, with their composition, leadership and operational regulations determined directly by the Government leader.