Deputy Prime Minister Lê Thành Long gives instruction at the conference. — VNA/VNS Photo Hiền Hạnh

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Lê Thành Long has called for discipline, order, unity and consistency in carrying out ethnic and religious affairs, while urging the proactive proposal of special and superior mechanisms and policies for areas inhabited by ethnic groups.

Chairing a conference in Hà Nội on Wednesday reviewing ethnic and religious work last year and setting out tasks for this year, the Deputy Prime Minister called for a shift from a mindset of support to one of development investment and for awakening the spirit of self-reliance and self-strength among the people.

He stressed that ethnic and religious work holds a particularly important role and position in the revolutionary cause. The Party and State have always paid close attention to building the great national unity bloc and religious unity, viewing them as key factors in protecting, building and developing the country.

Last year, in implementing the Central Party Committee's Resolution No. 18, the National Assembly and the Government decided to establish the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

This move further demonstrates the Party and State’s viewpoint and priority for ethnic and religious work, providing a foundation for the effective implementation of related policies and serving as a strong driving force for national development in the current period.

"We are pleased to see that the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion, in just over nine months since its establishment, has united with localities and especially ethnic minority compatriots and religious compatriots, striving together to achieve many of the targets and indicators set for 2025," Deputy PM Long said.

He noted that production and living conditions for ethnic and religious communities have continued to improve, while culture and information, education and training and healthcare have further developed. Social order and safety have been maintained.

The Deputy Prime Minister also pointed to shortcomings and limitations, including slow advisory work in drafting documents and implementing national target programmes and ethnic policies.

In some areas, the grasp of developments in ethnic minority regions and religious situations has not been timely, while grassroots officials working in ethnic and religious affairs still require more in-depth training and skills development.

Regarding future orientations, tasks and solutions, he asked the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion to focus on several key priorities.

These include thoroughly understanding and effectively implementing the resolution of the 14th Party Congress, along with directives, resolutions and conclusions of the Party, National Assembly, Government and Prime Minister on ethnic and religious work and translating them into specific programmes and action plans with clear objectives, tasks, solutions and assignments.

He also urged proactive monitoring to avoid passivity and surprises, enhanced analytical and forecasting capacity, and timely, appropriate and effective policy responses, as well as the prompt resolution of difficulties arising in leadership, direction and organisation of policy implementation from the grassroots level.

At the same time, discipline, order, unity and consistency must be upheld in deploying tasks related to ethnic affairs, beliefs and religion, alongside the proactive proposal of special and superior mechanisms and policies for ethnic groups and mountainous areas.

The Deputy Prime Minister further stressed the need to strengthen training and capacity building to raise the theoretical level, professional skills and practical knowledge of public employees working in ethnic and religious affairs.

He also called for effective information, education and policy communication, with official, comprehensive, timely, public and transparent information to help people understand and build consensus in implementing ethnic and religious policies and laws.

Responding to the instructions, Minister Đào Ngọc Dung said that within this month the ministry will concretise its action programme to implement the 14th National Party Congress' Resolution and new thinking on ethnic policies, including work with prestigious individuals and religious communities.

He added that the ministry will also promptly finalise the Ethnic Affairs Strategy towards 2030. — VNS