Attending the meeting at the Government site were Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam - Standing Vice Chairman of the National Committee on Digital Transformation; members of the National Committee on Digital Transformation; leader of the Steering Committee for digital transformation/e-Government of the Government Office; leaders of corporations, enterprises in the field of digital technology. Attending at the Vietnam Social Security's (VSS) site were General Director Nguyen The Manh - Head of the Steering Committee for Digital Transformation of the VSS; Deputy General Directors Pham Luong Son, Tran Dinh Lieu, Dao Viet Anh and heads of units under the VSS.

Speaking at the opening of the session, PM Pham Minh Chinh said that digital transformation is not only a general trend of the world, but also an objective requirement of the country’s development process. The first meeting launching the Committee is the step to implement the Resolution of the 13^th National Party Congress on digital transformation, with 3 main pillars: digital government, digital economy and digital society.

Raising awareness, unifying actions to develop digital transformation

At this meeting, the Committee will discuss to further raise awareness and unify actions; at the same time, propose plans, methods and contents for the Committee to operate in a scientific and effective manner, suitable to Vietnam's conditions. In the immediate future, it is to serve the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic; socio-economic recovery and development; ensure security and national defense; raise the position, role and potential of Vietnam in the international arena; all for the sake of the nation.

Vietnam is one of the fastest countries in the world in promulgating documents on national guidelines and strategies. Therefore, the results of the ranking index "Digital Riser" of countries in 2021 implemented by the  European Center for Digital Competitiveness, evaluated in 3 years (2018-2020) of 137 countries, Vietnam is ranked first in terms of pace of progress in the East Asia and Pacific group.

PM Pham Minh Chinh presides over the online meeting of the National Committee on Digital Transformation

At the meeting, the delegates focused on discussing the digital transformation plan in the coming years. Accordingly, the Committee sets a target from 2022 to 2025 to realize about 53 targets towards digital government, digital economy and digital society. Particularly in 2022, 18 tasks will be implemented, including: universalizing smartphones and fiber optic cable to the entire population; universalizing the digital identity of the entire population; safety dissemination of network information to the entire population; dissemination of electronic health records among the entire population; universalization of online learning; universalization of digital transformation in small and medium enterprises; popularizing electronic invoices; promoting e-commerce; developing a national database on cadres, civil servants, public employees.

Leaders of ministries, branches and localities also pay attention to the advantages, difficulties and challenges in the digital transformation process such as infrastructure for digital transformation; human resources for digital transformation; people's awareness about digital transformation; security, information network safety.

After discussions of representatives of leaders of ministries, branches and localities, PM Pham Minh Chinh delivered a speech concluding the meeting. He said that digital transformation in our country has achieved positive results in recent years; accordingly, the content of digital transformation has been included in the resolutions of the Party and Government and has been strongly implemented by the Government, ministries, branches and localities in all three pillars: digital government, digital economy and digital society.

Actively perfecting the institution

The PM suggested that, in the coming time, the National Committee on Digital Transformation and ministries, branches and localities should focus on perfecting a favorable institution to promote digital transformation; develop mechanisms and policies for testing the application of new solutions and technologies in a creative and appropriate manner.

Regarding the digital government, the PM requested to promote the provision of quality and effective online public services to serve the people and society; to step up the implementation of national and specialized database systems; promote sharing and connection between systems; renovate working methods in state administrative agencies to promote digital transformation within the administrative bloc at all levels; apply information technology to all aspects of state agencies' activities, especially the work of direction and administration.

Government headquarters

The PM requested ministries, branches and localities to actively complete the database; invest in, pay attention to and promote the implementation of the digital citizenship development program; actively cooperate between localities to avoid partial situations, putting national interests first.

Regarding the national digital transformation plan in 2022, the PM suggested that ministries, branches and localities be determined to perform tasks to create a breakthrough in order to lead, spread and promote digital transformation nationwide in the new period. The PM came to agreement in terms of guidelines with 18 groups of tasks and a number of policies to promote digital transformation mentioned at the meeting.

The PM requested the completion of the Committee's Work Plan in 2022. Accordingly, the plan must have a focus, clear goals, substantive and effective activities, individualize responsibility and increase strengthen the role of the Committee's Assistance Group; and ensure the principle that the Committee does not change the functions and tasks of ministries, branches and localities.

At the headquarters of VSS

The PM shall directly assign ministries and branches to immediately implement specific tasks such as: Formulating and submitting to the Government for promulgation decrees related to digital transformation; on electronic identification and authentication of personal data protection; regulations on management, operation and exploitation of the national database on population; promoting the development of digital infrastructure, ensuring information security, connecting and sharing data in national digital transformation; promoting the use of electronic invoices, associated with the development of the digital economy, universalization of digital signatures; promoting digital transformation in small and medium enterprises to promote digital economy development; promoting close linkage between administrative reform and digital transformation, digital Government; building a national database on cadres, civil servants and public employees; promoting the application of electronic health records for citizens, etc. Chinh requested the ministries, branches and localities to urgently consolidate and change the name of the Steering Committee for Building e-Government to the Steering Committee for Digital Transformation led by the leader; prioritize, allocate resources and funding to implement and complete the tasks assigned in the National Digital Transformation Program, the e-Government development strategy towards digital government, and the digital society and digital economy development strategy, especially the key tasks in 2022 according to the Plan approved by the National Committee. Localities shall have policies to promote the formation of networks to support the implementation of digital transformation at the grassroots level, mobilizing the participation of society, including socio-political organizations, businesses, and volunteers./.