Practical actions to address the issue of nature conservation and biodiversity

Attending the program were leaders of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment , the Provincial People's Committee, units under the Ministry, leaders of departments, branches, organizations and a large number of local people.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, May 22 of each year is chosen by the United Nations as the International Day for Biological Diversity, with the goal of raising awareness, responsibility and action on biodiversity.

The International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22) in 2024 was launched by the United Nations with the theme "Be part of the Biodiversity Plan", calling on stakeholders to contribute to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) to prevent biodiversity loss in the decade of "Ecosystem Restoration", and at the same time, raising stakeholders' awareness of the GBF Framework and the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) which will take place from October 21 to November 1, 2024 in Cali, Colombia.

Speaking at the Celebration, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh said: According to the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, over the past half century, the world has witnessed an unprecedented rate of biodiversity and ecosystem degradation in human history, with an estimated one million species of animals and plants on the brink of extinction; 75% of ecosystems on the earth's surface have been transformed, terrestrial ecosystems have lost 23% of their productivity; 85% of wetland areas have been lost; 14/18 basic biodiversity services for maintaining human life and development are on a declining trend globally.

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Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh spoke at the ceremony.

The main causes leading to the above situation are the disappearance of the natural environment, overexploitation of natural resources, climate change, environmental pollution from the use of products that are harmful to biodiversity such as pesticides, plastic products... and even invasive species.

Vietnam is considered one of the 12 centers of biodiversity, one of the 16 countries with the highest biodiversity in the world with valuable and rare genetic resources, rich and diverse ecosystems.

With efforts to protect the country's invaluable natural values, to date, Vietnam has established a system of 178 nature reserves, with a total area of over 2.6 million hectares including terrestrial and marine areas; nine wetlands recognized as wetlands of international importance (Ramsar Sites); 11 World Biosphere Reserves; six World Natural Heritage sites; 12 ASEAN Heritage Parks. There are approximately more than 62 thousand species of organisms that have been identified and new species are constantly being discovered for science , among which the number of endemic species that only appear in Vietnam is very high.

However, Vietnam is currently facing biodiversity loss along with other major challenges such as environmental and water pollution, land degradation, ocean plastic waste and the extreme impacts of climate change. This situation forces us to be more aware of the importance of environmental protection, nature conservation and biodiversity conservation in parallel with the development process, ensuring a harmonious relationship between people.

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh emphasized: Responding to the International Day for Biological Diversity in 2024, with the theme "Be part of the Biodiversity Plan", is an opportunity for us to affirm our determination, change our awareness, unify our actions, proactively overcome difficulties and challenges, prevent the increase in the rate of biodiversity loss, and ensure ecological balance. Urgently implement the contents of the Global Biodiversity Framework with specific actions, towards building a future of "Living in harmony with nature" by 2050. Therefore, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment calls on ministries, branches, local authorities, organizations and individuals to take practical actions to solve the problem of nature conservation and biodiversity, focusing on the following tasks and solutions:

Firstly, strengthen communication and raise awareness about biodiversity and the values of biodiversity in improving sustainable livelihoods, poverty reduction and the national sustainable development strategy; build a lifestyle in harmony with nature.

Second, effectively implement the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030, with a vision to 2050; integrate biodiversity conservation requirements into the process of developing and implementing policies, strategies, planning, and plans of ministries, sectors, and localities to ensure fairness, comprehensiveness, and consistency in the decision-making process related to biodiversity.

Third, control activities that have negative impacts on biodiversity and natural landscapes; strengthen urgent activities to prevent overexploitation and illegal trade of wild animals and plants, minimize the appearance and impact of invasive alien species on biodiversity; and control environmental pollution.

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Delegates participated in the activity of releasing fish to supplement native aquatic species and endemic aquatic species into natural waters in the Hoi An area.

Fourth, research and apply nature-based solutions to conserve and restore biodiversity and adapt to climate change; promote good practices that are friendly to biodiversity in production sectors; enhance capacity for investigation, inventory, monitoring, and supervision of information and data on biodiversity; promote capacity for applying science and technology in biodiversity monitoring, and develop innovative solutions to improve the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Fifth, promote and establish partnerships with domestic and foreign organizations and individuals to mobilize support for nature conservation and biodiversity; discover and honor individuals, groups, and communities that have made efforts to prevent and reduce biodiversity.

Speaking at the Celebration Ceremony, Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Nam province, Bui Ngoc Anh, said: Quang Nam is an area with many unique forest and marine ecosystems, bringing many landscape and economic values; is the distribution place of many rare and endemic species such as: Sao la, Tiger, Elephant, Douc langur, Truong Son Mang, Ngoc Linh ginseng, coral, seagrass... is ranked as a locality with high biodiversity in the country, located in the Central Truong Son priority landscape area and is one of the 200 "hot spots" of biodiversity in the world.

Quang Nam province is one of the pioneering provinces in biodiversity action, and is one of the localities that has issued a conservation strategy and action plan early. In particular, the province has mobilized funding from international organizations to implement many conservation tasks, restore ecosystems, and promote the establishment of conservation areas and biodiversity corridors in the province. Notably, in the Quang Nam Provincial Development Plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, it has determined the development orientation of Quang Nam as one of the pioneering provinces in developing a green growth economy, a circular economy, and a harmonious balance between the environment and development.

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Leaders of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Nam province spoke at the celebration.

To continue demonstrating the local responsibility to contribute to the national and global biodiversity restoration process, Quang Nam province has initiated the organization of the National Biodiversity Restoration Year - Quang Nam 2024 - Living in harmony with nature with more than 40 related activities organized from March to December 2024 throughout the province. With the aim of contributing to the implementation of the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030, vision 2050; associated with participating in responding to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030; implementing Vietnam's international commitments at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, at the same time, continuing to promote the implementation of many activities to investigate, survey, and restore ecosystems in national parks and conservation areas; Promote and raise awareness of biodiversity for local people.

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Delegates attending the workshop.

On this occasion, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment organized a workshop on “Implementing the Kunming - Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the National Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, vision to 2050 in Vietnam”. At the workshop, delegates focused on discussing contents such as: Programs, projects, and initiatives being implemented contributing to the implementation of GBF in Vietnam; participation of stakeholders in the implementation of GBF; nature conservation and biodiversity work in Quang Nam province; exchanging experiences and solutions to implement the goals of GBF and the National Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, vision to 2050 in Vietnam.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hanh-dong-thiet-thuc-de-giai-quyet-van-de-bao-ton-thien-nhien-da-dang-bi-hoc-post810519.html