On July 16, during a session of the National Assembly Standing Committee, General Phan Văn Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, presented the draft Law on Preventing the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. This marks the first time such a law has been proposed in Vietnam, aiming to create a legal basis to preemptively address potential threats to national security.

General Giang emphasized the urgent need for this legislation, which aligns with the Party's policy on national defense, promotes scientific and technological advancement, and ensures proactive international integration. The law is also designed to fulfill Vietnam's obligations under international treaties regarding the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The government highlighted the increasingly complex international situation, where the risk of proliferation and financing of weapons of mass destruction is rising, often linked to terrorism and transnational crime. Individuals and organizations may exploit commercial activities, logistics, investments, or scientific cooperation to research, develop, or finance the proliferation of such weapons.

To address these challenges, Vietnam requires a robust legal framework to prevent, detect, and manage risks early. The draft law aims to meet international standards for targeted financial sanctions, asset freezing, and preventing the provision of funds, assets, or financial services to designated individuals or entities.

These requirements are expected to directly impact trade, investment, and international payment activities, as well as the reputation of Vietnam's financial system and legal environment. Therefore, the draft establishes a unified management and control mechanism for activities that pose risks related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, while ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals without creating redundant administrative procedures.

The scope of the law extends beyond military weapons and materials to include goods, materials, equipment, software, technology, services, and activities that could be misused for the development or proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Additionally, the draft introduces a mechanism to control goods outside the designated list if there is evidence of a risk of being used for such purposes.

A new aspect of the draft is the establishment of an information system, database, and early warning mechanism to manage risks. The national database on the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction will compile information on controlled items, transactions, management activities, inspection results, and risk assessment data, facilitating a shift from administrative management to data-driven management.

During the review of the draft law, the National Defense, Security, and Foreign Affairs Committee recommended that the drafting agency continue to refine the scope of data collection, clarify the responsibilities for updating, exploiting, and sharing information among various agencies, and ensure connectivity with national databases to avoid redundant investments.

The committee also suggested clarifying the coordination mechanism and information exchange between relevant authorities when handling suspicious transactions related to the financing of weapons of mass destruction, ensuring consistency with anti-money laundering laws and enhancing the feasibility of implementation.

The draft Law on Preventing the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction is expected to be reviewed and approved by the National Assembly during an extraordinary session in August.