The workshop aimed to disseminate the results of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, promote actions to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework and respond to the International Day of Biodiversity (May 22) in Vietnam.
Attending the workshop were Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan; Standing Vice Chairman of Bac Kan Provincial People's Committee Dinh Quang Tuyen; Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh, Vice President of Vietnam Association for Nature and Environment Protection – ASEAN Biodiversity Hero; Director of the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Nguyen Van Tai. Also attending were representatives of units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; representatives of the Ministries: Agriculture and Rural Development; Diplomatic; Culture, Sports and Tourism; leaders of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and representatives of other departments, departments and branches of Bac Kan province; representatives of international organizations, experts, scientists, national park management boards of some northern mountainous provinces.
Harmonious relationship between man and nature
The 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) organized by the United Nations in December 12 in the city of Montreal-Canada adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which sets out goals and measures to reverse the rapid global decline in biodiversity over the past decades.
Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Minister Vo Tuan Nhan said: At COP 15, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, representing the Government of Vietnam, has clearly demonstrated its commitment to the world that Vietnam has been participating in, once again demonstrating the Government's responsibility and determination in biodiversity conservation and restoration of natural values.
Vietnam is one of 12 biodiversity centers, one of 16 countries possessing the highest biodiversity globally with rare and precious genetic resources. However, Vietnam is facing rapid degradation of biodiversity along with other great challenges such as environmental pollution, land degradation, ocean plastic waste and the extreme effects of climate change. "That situation forces us to be more aware of the importance of conserving nature and biodiversity, protecting the environment, and ensuring a harmonious relationship between people and nature," emphasized Deputy Minister Vo Tuan Nhan.
According to Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan, Deputy Director of the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework has identified 23 goals to be achieved by 2030, with very ambitious targets, requiring countries around the world to take drastic action, even fundamental transformations to reduce impacts on biodiversity. In addition to the efforts of countries, it is very important to create mechanisms to support resources for developing and least developed countries, including financial mechanisms, transfer of science, technology and knowledge to support conservation actions.
In Vietnam, the Prime Minister has approved the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030, with a vision to 2050. The Strategy sets out five groups of priority tasks, including: Conservation and restoration of important ecosystems; Protection and restoration of wild species; control activities that have negative impacts on biodiversity; Evaluation and sustainable use of biodiversity; Conservation of genetic resources and benefit sharing. "The successful implementation of this Strategy will contribute to Vietnam's efforts to realize the global goal of biodiversity," said Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan.
As the focal point for the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has issued Decision 3220/QD-BTNMT on the implementation plan of the Prime Minister's Decision No. 149/QD-TTg approving the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030, with a vision to 2050; at the same time, research and concretize GBF implementation actions at the national level.
The key tasks that have been identified include: Developing and completing the policy framework, legislation, and technical guidance; strengthening capacity for biodiversity law enforcement and management; survey, monitor and build database on biodiversity; propaganda and awareness raising; implementing scientific and technological tasks and international cooperation in service of biodiversity management and conservation; implement solutions and pilot models on conservation, restoration and sustainable use of ecosystems, species, genetic resources and control of impacts on biodiversity; Monitor and evaluate the implementation of plans and strategies.
Promote cooperation and action
Sharing local practice, Mr. Dinh Quang Tuyen said that Bac Kan has the largest forest cover rate in the country, nearly 74%. The province has Ba Be National Park, Kim Hy Nature Reserve, Nam Xuan Lac Species and Habitat Conservation Area, and Thac Gieng Landscape Protection Area with a rich, diverse ecosystem and high biodiversity value.
In the management and conservation of biodiversity, the big challenge is that the promotion of socio-economic development activities has partly led to the exploitation of biological resources. Besides, many new varieties introduced into the province have not been controlled; Some relevant mechanisms, policies and regulations are still inadequate, including responsibilities related to biodiversity conservation planning, species conservation, genetic resource conservation, access to genetic resources and benefit sharing, etc.
Giving recommendations to help Vietnam promote GBF implementation, Ms. Pham Minh Thao, Conservation Director of WWF Vietnam, said that Vietnam needs to strengthen the leadership of the government at all levels from the country to the commune/village level in conservation work. Thereby, promoting cooperation between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and the community; Build breakthrough partnerships.
The development of a National Financial Plan for Biodiversity is essential to address the financial shortfall. In addition, a regulatory framework for carbon credits should be introduced to attract investment in carbon sequestration for terrestrial, oceanic, wetland and freshwater biodiversity systems.
WWF also recommends strengthening community-based conservation and implementing monitoring and evaluation solutions, building data systems. The project approval process needs to be faster and simpler to get the most out of funding and accelerate the necessary partnerships.
Referring to President Ho Chi Minh, who has always focused on environmental protection and biodiversity, Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh shared: Even when the country was still facing many difficulties, President Ho Chi Minh made a call to all Vietnamese people to try to protect mother nature. The implementation of his teachings is also a demonstration of Vietnam's efforts in implementing the Global Convention on Biological Diversity, both bringing happiness to people and sharing responsibility with nature. Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh emphasized that the implementation of the Action Framework in the coming time should ensure to attract the community, local authorities, agencies and organizations to actively participate.
Presenting the research results and developing the BD Financial Plan, the representative of the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) shared about solutions to increase financial resources to contribute to the implementation of the objectives of the National Strategy on Biodiversity. Specifically, promoting sustainable tourism and collecting entrance fees and services in protected areas; expanding payments for ecosystem services to marine and wetland protected areas; promote cooperation to increase funding from ODA, the private sector for conservation; promote the BD offset mechanism and apply the environmental accounting system; using the state budget index code for BD conservation and applying results-based budgeting.
At the workshop, representatives of the Department of Forestry (MARD), Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Bac Kan province, Xuan Thuy National Park and experts shared shortcomings and difficulties in the practice of payment for forest environmental services, management and protection of national parks, as well as promoting cooperation and calling on the community to participate in these activities.
Noting the comments, Deputy Minister Vo Tuan Nhan said that these are very meaningful suggestions for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in Vietnam. Currently, MONRE is finalizing the National Biodiversity Conservation Plan for the period of 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050. In which, it will clearly state how to implement 23 criteria under the Global Framework with the goal of improving the efficiency of biodiversity conservation and protection in Vietnam in the near future.
