1. Function
The Vietnam Academy of Forest Sciences has the functions of conducting basic research and applied research; baseline surveys, planning, design, and development of development schemes; development, application and transfer of technologies; innovation, information technology and digital transformation; training of science and technology human resources; international integration and cooperation in the fields of forestry, rural development, biodiversity, land, natural resources and environment in service of the state management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment; and provision of public services, consultancy, scientific and technological services, and other services in accordance with its assigned functions and duties as prescribed by law.
2. Tasks and Powers
- To develop and submit to the Ministry for approval the Academy’s development strategy; plans for scientific research, technology development, application and transfer; production and business activities; and science and technology tasks (programs, schemes, projects, and research topics) within the Academy’s functions and mandates; and to organize their implementation upon approval.
- To provide scientific evidence, tools and technical solutions, policy solutions, databases, and statistical information to support the state management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment within the Academy’s scope of responsibilities.
- To develop and participate in the development of strategies, master plans, programs, plans, legal normative documents, standards, technical regulations, techno-economic norms, processes, procedures, technical guidelines, and professional guidelines in the fields within the Academy’s scope of responsibilities.
- Scientific research and technological development in:
- a) Conservation and development of genetic resources in the forestry sector, biological genetic resources related to forestry and environmental protection; biodiversity conservation;
- b) Biotechnology and genetic engineering;
- c) Selection, breeding and production of forest tree varieties, non-timber forest crops, fungi and microorganisms;
- d) Gene identification, biodiversity assessment, biosafety assessment for the management of genetically modified organisms and crops;
đ) Forest restoration, afforestation, sustainable forest management, agroforestry, scattered tree planting, urban forestry and landscape forestry;
- e) Processes and solutions for the management, protection, efficient and sustainable use of forest land; survey, assessment and monitoring of soil health and soil environmental quality; lands at risk of desertification; planning for the use, protection and improvement of forest soil fertility; prevention of erosion, leaching, degradation, desertification and landslides;
- g) Biology, ecology and solutions for the prevention and control of forest pests and harmful organisms; forecasting and warning of pest risks; phytosanitary measures;
- h) Forecasting and warning of forest fire risks; solutions for forest fire prevention and control;
- i) Production and use of products in forestry (biological products, fertilizers, growth regulators, environmental protection and treatment products, plant protection chemicals; materials for seed production, afforestation, forest restoration, processing and preservation of forest products);
- k) Design and manufacture of machinery and equipment for forest management and production, and for processing and preservation of forest products;
- l) Technical processes, development and application of new and advanced technologies in forestry; forest inventory, planning, protection, harvesting, preservation and processing of forest products;
- m) Sustainable forestry systems, organic forestry; circular forestry; low-emission forestry; green forestry; climate-resilient forestry; high-tech forestry; smart forestry; forestry associated with industry and services; ecological forestry linked with education, tourism and experiential activities; landscape forestry;
- n) Models and solutions for the development of forestry economy, rural development and environment; mechanisms, policies and solutions for forestry planning and development; forms of organization for forestry production and business; branding and market development for forest products;
- o) Impacts of forestry activities and socio-economic development on soil, water, biodiversity, rural areas, natural resources and forest product quality; solutions for protection, restoration and remediation of forest and rural environmental pollution and forest ecosystems;
- p) Impacts of climate change on forestry; solutions for greenhouse gas emission reduction, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation; development of databases and national emission factors in forestry and environment;
- q) Forest inventory and forestry planning; survey, monitoring and planning of biodiversity; environmental monitoring and environmental protection planning in forestry.
- Application and transfer of scientific research results, technology development, agricultural and industrial extension in the fields of operation of the Academy.
- Baseline surveys, database development, estimation and forecasting in the fields of biodiversity, forestry, plant protection, land, environment and rural development in accordance with regulations.
- Application of remote sensing technology, digital technology and artificial intelligence in the Academy’s research and management fields; innovation solutions to enhance the effectiveness of research and technology transfer.
- Training and capacity building of science and technology human resources in the forestry sector:
- a) Postgraduate education; participation in undergraduate education and vocational training in accordance with the law;
- b) Capacity building and training to enhance competencies for organizations and individuals based on demand.
- International integration and cooperation in scientific research and technology development, technology transfer, information technology, digital transformation and innovation; exchange of experts and joint training with international organizations, research institutes, universities and foreign enterprises; organization and participation in international conferences, workshops, programs, plans and cooperation forums in accordance with assigned functions and legal regulations.
- Provision and implementation of public products and services in the fields of forestry, rural development, natural resources and environment, plant protection, forestry engineering and mechanization, harvesting, processing and preservation of forest products in accordance with the law:
- a) Forest protection and development;
- b) Conservation and restoration of forest ecosystems and resources;
- c) Survey and planning;
- d) Statistics and inventory;
đ) Museums and specimen preservation;
- e) Risk analysis and pest assessment; identification and quarantine of harmful organisms;
- g) Implementation of tasks related to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and responsibilities of the CITES Scientific Authority of Viet Nam in accordance with regulations;;
- h) Implementation of tasks under the Vietnam Forest Certification System (VFCS).
- Consultancy, scientific and technological services and other services:
- a) Testing, experimentation, inspection, verification, assessment and certification of conformity in the fields of forestry and environment;
- b) Technology transfer, industrial extension and agricultural extension; production and trading of forest plant varieties, forest products, machinery, materials, equipment and technologies serving production, harvesting, processing, preservation and conservation of timber and forest products;
- c) Survey, investigation, planning, inventory and land assessment and land use in forestry; forest inventory, planning, monitoring of forest changes and forest resource monitoring; survey and planning of forest product processing;
- d) Development and updating of databases and maps in forestry, biodiversity, land and forest environment;
đ) Survey, assessment, design, construction and supervision of forestry works, agroforestry and urban landscape projects;
- e) Management and implementation of certification activities on sustainable forest management, chain of custody for timber and forest products, forest carbon credits and other forest ecosystem services in Viet Nam;
- g) Survey, assessment and inventory of greenhouse gas emissions; potential of forest carbon credits;
- h) Control and traceability of forest product origins; issuance of plantation forest codes;
- i) Organization or joint ventures/associations to provide experiential tourism, ecotourism, resort and recreational services; forest leasing and forest environmental leasing;
- k) Provision of other services in accordance with the law..
- Consultancy for appraisal and verification of projects and works at national, regional and local levels; environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment in accordance with regulations.
- Joint ventures and partnerships in scientific research, technology development and transfer, technical and technological experimentation; production, export, import and trading of products and materials in the forestry sector; commercialization of products, scientific research results, technology development and innovation in accordance with the law.
- Publication of scientific journals and other publications on scientific research results and technology transfer in the fields of forestry, rural development, natural resources and environment; dissemination of knowledge and research and technology development results to meet market demands in accordance with regulations.
- Registration, protection and exploitation of intellectual property rights for scientific and technological research products.
- Management of organizational structure, job positions, structure of public employees, number of employees, public employees and workers in accordance with regulations; implementation of administrative reform; practice of thrift; prevention of corruption, wastefulness and negativity in accordance with regulations and the Ministry’s programs and plans.
- Management of finance, assets, facilities, equipment and other assigned resources; fulfillment of responsibilities of a budget-using unit for affiliated units of the Academy in accordance with the law.
- Statistical reporting, both periodic and ad hoc, on assigned tasks in accordance with regulations.
- Performance of other tasks and powers as assigned by the Minister.
