NA passes law to combat proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
VOV.VN - The National Assembly has passed a new law on preventing and combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), providing a legal framework to identify, prevent and respond early to proliferation and proliferation-financing risks.
The law was approved on the afternoon of August 23 during the first extraordinary session of the 16th National Assembly. A total of 473 out of 474 lawmakers supported the law, representing 94.6%.
Before the vote, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang presented the Government’s report on the explanation, review and revision of the draft law.
The legislation clarifies its scope, covered entities, terminology and guiding principles to ensure consistency with Vietnamese law, compatibility with international treaties and alignment with practical requirements.
Risk-based control and clear responsibilities
A key feature of the law is its approach to controlling the proliferation and financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction based on risk assessment.
The legislation sets out clearer grounds, powers and responsibilities for relevant agencies and organisations, while seeking to avoid overlap with sector-specific regulations and protect the lawful rights and interests of organisations and individuals.
It also establishes mechanisms for implementation and coordination, including data sharing, inter-agency cooperation and the allocation of personnel and resources.
Responsibilities are distributed among relevant authorities without creating new agencies or staffing arrangements.
The framework involves multiple sectors, ranging from national defence and security to science and technology, trade, finance and the control of activities that could potentially be misused for proliferation purposes.
Preventing risks before they emerge
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phan Van Giang said preventing and combating WMD proliferation is an intersectoral, multidisciplinary and highly international task.
The new law is intended to strengthen Vietnam’s legal foundation for preventing, detecting and responding promptly to proliferation risks, helping protect national independence and sovereignty, national security, and the lives and health of the people.
“Preventing and combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is an urgent task that is intersectoral, multidisciplinary and international in scope,” he stressed.
The law is also expected to support a safe and transparent environment for cooperation, investment, trade and scientific and technological activities, while reinforcing Vietnam’s responsibilities under relevant international treaties and UN Security Council resolutions.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, strengthening the legal framework in this area will also contribute to Vietnam’s international standing and credibility.
With the law now adopted, Vietnam has strengthened its legal capacity to move from responding to proliferation risks after they emerge toward identifying, controlling and preventing them at an early stage, in line with national security needs and international commitments.
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