Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of forest management, protection and development

The conference to review 5 years of implementing Directive No. 13-CT/TW, dated January 12, 2017 of the Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership in forest management, protection and development in the Northern Midlands and Mountains was recently organized by the Central Economic Commission in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee on May 9, 2023.

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The conference aims to assess the current situation and discuss the goals, tasks, solutions for forest management, protection and development in the coming period, serving the review of 5 years of implementing Directive No. 13. The conference is also an opportunity for delegates to discuss and propose tasks and solutions for forest economic development, focusing on the following contents: Perfecting mechanisms and policies for developing carbon credit markets; forest canopy economy; forest environmental services; wood and non-timber forest product processing; ecotourism.

Speaking at the Conference, Mr. Dang Xuan Phong, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee, said that Lao Cai province wishes to join ministries, branches, localities in the region, experts and scientists to participate in discussions, contribute opinions and propose to the Central Government new ideas, creative approaches, strategic solutions in forest management, protection and development so that forest resources become an important driving force in economic development in line with the world forestry development trend, a sustainable source of livelihood for the people and play an important role in responding to climate change.

Lao Cai province also hopes that the Central Steering Committee will acknowledge the positive results of this Conference along with the contents of the preliminary review in the Central Highlands and the North Central region to report to the Secretariat to continue to pay attention to and direct the removal and resolution of difficulties and problems in the forestry sector of localities to further promote the will and leadership role of the Party as well as improve the effectiveness and efficiency of State management in forest management, protection and development in the new situation.

Chairing the Conference, Mr. Tran Tuan Anh, Politburo member, Head of the Central Economic Commission, Head of the Steering Committee for the review of 5 years of implementing Directive 13, stated that in the past 5 years, localities in the Region have proactively and actively implemented the Party's policies and guidelines on forest management, protection and development, especially Directive 13, and have achieved many important results, creating a strong change in awareness, raising the sense of responsibility of the entire political system and society.

The forestry sector has made good progress, gradually affirming its position and role in the socio-economic development of the region, contributing to improving people's lives. The area of planted forests has increased; the area of natural forests, forest ecosystems and biodiversity are well protected, the coverage rate reaches 54.02%, much higher than the national average (42%) and an increase of 0.6% compared to before Directive 13. The wood processing industry and non-timber forest products have developed quite well. Mechanisms and policies on forestry development have been gradually improved.

Localities in the region have made efforts to overcome the shortcomings and limitations mentioned in Directive 13 such as: Strictly implementing the policy of closing natural forests and stopping the exploitation of natural forest timber; forest planning, protection and development are carried out synchronously with land use planning and socio-economic development planning; hydropower projects, mineral exploitation, tourism services... in the area are implemented in accordance with the provisions of law; forest development, replacement forest planting and socialization of forest management, protection and development have many changes...

However, in addition to the positive results achieved, there are still limitations and problems that need to be overcome, such as: There are still hot spots of deforestation and illegal exploitation of forest products, especially natural forest destruction; The current decentralization of special-use forest management is still inadequate; The budget for management, protection and conservation of nature is limited; The application of science and technology to forestry development has not really received due attention; There are many conflicts and land disputes between forest management boards, agricultural and forestry companies and people, posing potential risks of instability in security and order in many places...

At the Conference, representatives of localities in the Region presented a 5-year summary report on the implementation of Directive 13, assessing the achievements, limitations and causes of localities in the implementation, and at the same time proposing viewpoints, tasks and main solutions to continue strengthening the Party's leadership in forest management, protection and development.

Most delegates proposed that there should be a new Resolution of the Politburo on forest management, protection, development and sustainable forestry development. This Resolution will introduce new policies and guidelines, ensuring both main directions: forest protection and forestry economic development.

Mr. Tran Tuan Anh highly appreciated the dedicated and responsible contributions at the Conference; agreed with the recommendations and proposals and emphasized some contents that need to be focused on in the future.

Firstly, improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management in forest management, protection and development, and thoroughly resolve the backlog and problems in the management and use of forestry land originating from state-owned forestry farms and farms; and the situation of spontaneous migration.

Second, there are strong enough mechanisms and policies to develop the forest economy associated with forest protection and development.

Third, there are solutions to improve the effectiveness of forest environmental service payment policies, sustainable development of forest environmental services; urgently complete mechanisms and policies for the carbon credit market.

Fourth, protect all existing forest areas, especially special-use forests, protection forests, and natural forests, ensuring the implementation of the commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 as committed at COP26.

Fifth, apply new scientific and technological achievements in forest management, protection and development.

Sixth, create sustainable jobs for people in forested areas.

Seventh, international cooperation and integration in the field of forest management, protection and development.

Mr. Tran Tuan Anh requested the Conference Organizing Committee to synthesize, filter, and absorb the maximum content presented and discussed opinions to serve the work of summarizing 5 years of implementing Directive No. 13 and advising and proposing to the Party and State effective and efficient policies, mechanisms, and strategies in forest management, protection, and development in the new context.

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