The 8th ASEAN Heritage Gardens Conference and the Commitment for a Green ASEAN

The ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP) has become a symbol of regional solidarity, demonstrating ASEAN's strong commitment to nature conservation and sustainable development.

On the morning of December 3, 2025, the 8th ASEAN Heritage Gardens Conference (AHP8) was officially opened in Quang Ninh province.

The program is co-organized by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) in coordination with the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (NBCA), Ministry of Agriculture and Environment - the focal point of the ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity of Vietnam.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri delivered the opening speech at the 8th ASEAN Heritage Gardens Conference. Photo: Viet Cuong.

Transforming commitment into practical action

The ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference, held every three years, is an important cooperation forum between managers, scientists and development partners to exchange experiences, promote nature-based solutions, enhance resilience to climate change, and contribute to the implementation of the Montreal-Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework as well as the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan.

With the theme “ASEAN Heritage Parks: ASEAN’s Contribution to the Implementation of the Biodiversity Plan”, the AHP8 Conference brings together national park managers, protected area management agencies, technical experts, institutional partners and key stakeholders to promote cross-sectoral dialogue, strengthen regional cooperation, and showcase how ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) contribute to global biodiversity goals through nature-based solutions, climate action, sustainable resource management and inclusive governance.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri and Dr. Jerome Montemayor - Executive Director of ACB discussed the value of ASEAN Heritage Gardens through documents displayed at the exhibition. Photo: Viet Cuong.

In his opening speech, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Quoc Tri said that Vietnam's honor to host this Conference is a testament to Vietnam's proactive, positive and responsible role in ASEAN's common efforts.

With the theme “ASEAN Heritage Gardens - ASEAN's Contribution to the Implementation of the Biodiversity Plan”, it is an opportunity for member countries to share experiences, identify common directions and transform commitments into practical actions.

Expressing his pleasure to cooperate with the Government of Vietnam through NBCA in organizing AHP8 - a forum for knowledge exchange, partnership building and capacity development, Dr. Jerome Montemayor - Executive Director of ACB hopes that this will be an opportunity to emphasize the key role of indigenous peoples, local communities, women and youth in achieving biodiversity goals.

Vietnam pledges to join hands for a green ASEAN

Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri said that Vietnam is one of the countries with high biodiversity in the world, with many rich ecosystems such as forests, seas, limestone mountains, wetlands, corals and seagrass. In recent years, Vietnam has achieved many important results in nature conservation: perfecting the legal policy system, perfecting the management organization from the central to local levels, enhancing decentralization, mobilizing the participation of communities, businesses and social organizations.

In the coming time, Vietnam will continue to effectively implement the National Strategy on Biodiversity and the Regional Action Plan on ASEAN Heritage Parks to 2030, aiming at harmonious management between conservation and development, equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources, and building green livelihoods and sustainable ecotourism. Vietnam will also strengthen cooperation with the ASEAN Biodiversity Centre, the AHP Secretariat and development partners to share knowledge, mobilize resources and expand cooperation in the field of conservation.

“Vietnam pledges to continue accompanying member countries, joining hands for a green, sustainable and prosperous ASEAN,” Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri affirmed.

Mr. Nguyen Van Cong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province, expects "solutions from Ha Long" to be formed after the APH8 Conference. Photo: Viet Cuong.

Citing this commitment, on the side of Quang Ninh province, Mr. Nguyen Van Cong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province, said that Quang Ninh has been strictly implementing biodiversity conservation planning. Saying "no" to projects that harm the environment, no matter how great the immediate economic benefits are. Pioneering initiatives to reduce ocean plastic waste and restore coastal ecosystems.

“These efforts are not only to protect the “common home” for the people of Quang Ninh, but also our responsibility towards the heritages that the world and ASEAN have entrusted to us,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Cong.

In the coming working days, managers, experts and scientists will discuss openly and frankly to come up with breakthrough initiatives for the ASEAN Heritage Park system. Quang Ninh province expects that "solutions from Ha Long" will be formed, contributing to solving common challenges in the region, improving the management capacity of Heritage Parks and connecting international resources more effectively.

The AHP8 conference will include plenary sessions, parallel technical discussions, interactive exhibitions and field tours to showcase best practices in protected area management and ecosystem restoration. Technical sessions will focus on nature-based solutions to climate change, the link between health and biodiversity, the involvement of indigenous peoples, local communities, youth and women in conservation, ecosystem restoration, the 30x30 biodiversity target, and sustainable finance for protected areas.

On the sidelines of the AHP8 Conference, there will be an exhibition and trading area for biodiversity-based products and many other events.

The AHP8 conference takes place from December 2-5, 2025 in Quang Ninh province. Photo: Viet Cuong.

To date, the ASEAN region has 69 ASEAN Heritage Gardens. Vietnam is proud to be one of the pioneering and most active countries, currently having 15 areas recognized as ASEAN Heritage Gardens.

On this occasion, ACB and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will award Certificates to 5 ASEAN Heritage Parks, including: Bach Ma National Park, Con Dao National Park, Xuan Thuy National Park, Pu Mat National Park, and Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/hoi-nghi-vuon-di-san-asean-lan-thu-8-va-loi-cam-ket-vi-mot-asean-xanh-d787842.html