At the sixth meeting of the Government’s steering committee to review the implementation of Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, issued by the 12th Party Central Committee in 2017, which seeks to streamline the political system for greater efficiency, PM Chinh, who chairs the committee, ordered competent sides to continue adjusting and supplementing the plan, ensuring a lean, strong, and effective administrative structure with 13 ministries, four ministerial-level agencies, and four government-affiliated bodies.
The restructuring must be coupled with staff optimisation and improvement in civil servant quality, he said, underscoring it must reduce intermediary layers and assure no overlap or omission of functions, duties and authority.
Regarding the merger of certain ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government-affiliated bodies, PM Chinh ordered a continued study and presentation of suitable proposals. Alongside the organisational restructuring, he highlighted the need to address personnel arrangements and thoroughly review and resolve any issues within these entities.
While acknowledging the challenges during such extensive administrative reform, he urged the steering committee members to promote their responsibility, focus on their work, and maintain their commitment to the quality and timely implementation of the reorganisation plan.
According to the steering committee, the reform aims at eliminating 12 out of 13 general departments and equivalent organisations, 500 department-level entities, 177 divisions, and 190 public service units. It also sees ministries and agencies consolidating their structures and improving workforce quality. Besides, local administrations in all the 63 provinces and centrally-run cities are aligning their reform with the Government’s structural overhaul.
