Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has signed a Decision on the establishment of a Vietnam sub-committee of the Coordinating Committee for Geosciences Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP). 

Under the decision, the sub-committee will represent the Government to join activities of CCOP and serve as a coordinator of activities from Vietnam’s agencies and units in the framework of CCOP’s operation. 

It will be responsible for building a detailed plan on scenarios, contents and its level of participation in CCOP. 

The sub-committee will work to timely detect sensitive issues related to territorial sovereignty, thus effectively fighting and reserving legal and legitimate national rights and interests of Vietnam in necessary cases. 

Besides, it will monitor the implementation of research projects and programmes concerning geology, geophysics, mineral and water resources, energy, geological heritage, geological park, geological change and environment; as well as join regular meetings and other activities of COOP. 

In term of operation, the COOP Vietnam sub-committee will also propose relevant policies and laws, serving the target of sea and island preservation and sustainable development, contributing to safeguarding sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction in Vietnam's waters and enhancing international cooperation in the work.-VNA