Vietnam strives to participate in international commitments on conservation

On the occasion of the International Day for Biodiversity 2023 (May 22, 2023), the Natural Resources and Environment Newspaper interviewed Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan - Deputy Director of the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity about Vietnam's efforts to prevent biodiversity loss and protect ecosystems.

PV: Madam, could you please tell us some of Vietnam's outstanding achievements in implementing international commitments on nature conservation and biodiversity in recent times?

Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan: Vietnam has participated in many international treaties related to nature and biodiversity conservation, specifically the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (joined in 1987), the Convention on Biodiversity (joined in 1994) and the Protocols within the framework of the Convention, the Ramsar Convention on the Conservation of Wetlands (Ramsar Convention, joined in 1989), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (joined in 1994)...

Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan - Deputy Director of the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity

Entering the new decade (2021 - 2030), in the context that all of humanity is facing serious degradation of nature and biodiversity, along with the impact of climate change, Vietnam has strongly promoted the implementation of international commitments on nature and biodiversity conservation.

The Government also passed Resolution 05/NQ-CP dated January 15, 2021 supporting the Leaders' Statement for Nature at the Biodiversity Summit within the framework of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly; responding to the United Nations' declaration on the "Decade of Ecosystem Restoration" for the period 2021 - 2030; the declaration on forests and land use within the framework of the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to aim at sustainable development goals such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change, maintaining ecosystem services; supporting the Kunming Declaration at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Biodiversity Convention in 2021; Support and commit to implementing the Global Framework on Biodiversity after 2020, with 23 ambitious global targets to be achieved by 2030 to reduce biodiversity loss and gradually restore nature.

In recent times, Vietnam has actively participated in the process of developing strategic documents, resolutions and decisions of the Treaties. Vietnam has also proactively and actively implemented the Treaties and commitments at the national level as well as cooperated with international organizations and countries around the world to solve global issues. Some outstanding results in recent times can be mentioned as follows:

A full legal and policy framework has been established to promote nature and biodiversity conservation: International legal obligations and responsibilities for nature and biodiversity conservation have been focused on internalizing and specifying for implementation in national strategies and policies, including a comprehensive approach to the conservation and sustainable development of ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. In particular, the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030, with a vision to 2050, approved by the Prime Minister, has specified specific tasks to implement national conservation goals and contribute to the successful implementation of global goals adopted in the Global Framework for Biodiversity after 2020.

The network of nature reserves is increasingly expanding: By 2023, the country will have established 178 nature reserves, including 34 national parks; 59 nature reserves; 23 species and habitat conservation areas; and 62 landscape protection areas.

The number of natural areas of international importance for conservation has also increased. In the past 5 years, there have been 4 more Internationally Important Wetlands (Ramsar); 7 ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP). Up to now, Vietnam has 9 areas recognized as Ramsar; 11 World Biosphere Reserves recognized by UNESCO; 12 ASEAN Heritage Parks - the top in the region; 1 internationally important migratory waterbird area on the East Asia - Australasia Flyway (EAAFP).

Forest ecosystems have been focused on restoration: Forest area is increasing. If in 1995 (right after Vietnam joined the Convention on Biological Diversity), forest cover was only 28.2%, by 2022, the coverage had reached 42.02%. Notably, in 2021, the Prime Minister approved the Project "Planting one billion trees in the period 2021 - 2025" to contribute to protecting the ecological environment, improving the landscape and responding to climate change, developing the socio-economy, improving the quality of people's lives and the sustainable development of the country.

Conservation of endangered species in danger of extinction: Conservation programs for endangered, rare species prioritized for protection (elephants, tigers, primates, turtles) and species on the list of endangered, rare, and precious species prioritized for protection have been developed and implemented. Through the promulgation and implementation of plans, programs, and projects for the conservation of endangered species, some populations of endangered species have gradually recovered in the wild, such as the populations of Cat Ba langurs and Delacour's langurs in Van Long Nature Reserve (Ninh Binh), Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys in Khau Ca (Ha Giang)... Siamese crocodiles were considered extinct in Vietnam in the 2000s, but thanks to the recovery program, there are now nearly 300 Siamese crocodiles living in Cat Tien National Park and this population continues to develop well.

Endangered, precious and rare plant species that are prioritized for protection are also focused on research, conservation, restoration and development, typically Ngoc Linh ginseng, slipper orchids...

In 2022, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 04/CT-TTg, dated May 17, 2022 of the Prime Minister on a number of urgent tasks and solutions to conserve wild and migratory birds in Vietnam, in order to conserve wild and migratory birds in Vietnam as well as implement the commitments of the East Asia-Australia Migratory Waterbird Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), which is highly appreciated by international partners. Implementing the Prime Minister's Directive, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, localities and international partners and organizations are also implementing specific actions to protect and restore a number of endangered migratory birds and their habitats such as Sarus Cranes...

Butterfly season in Cuc Phuong National Park

Genetic resources are collected and preserved for sustainable development, mechanisms for accessing genetic resources and reasonably sharing benefits from genetic resources are established: In 2020, Vietnam collected a total of 88,968 genetic resources, an increase of 3.12 times compared to 2010. Currently, more than 3,179 genetic resources are shared for research and application in production.

Vietnam is one of the leading countries participating in the Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and benefit sharing, and has issued Decree No. 59/2017/ND-CP of the Government on management of access to genetic resources and benefit sharing from the use of genetic resources, regulating the management of access to use and benefit sharing from the use of genetic resources under the sovereignty of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This has created a legal corridor allowing access to genetic resources for non-commercial research; research for commercial purposes; development of commercial products... opening up potential for sustainable use of biodiversity.

PV: Vietnam is assessed to have a high level of biodiversity, but is also facing the risk of alarming biodiversity loss. How meaningful is proactive participation in conventions and international joint efforts in preventing biodiversity loss, as well as moving towards nature conservation and ecosystem restoration in Vietnam, madam?

Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan: The world is facing a context where the rate of change and degradation of nature globally in the past 50 years is unprecedented in human history. According to research by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), 75% of land area has been significantly changed, 66% of ocean area is suffering from increasing cumulative impacts and more than 85% of wetland area has been lost, rapidly reducing ecosystem services that nature provides to humans, 25% of species are assessed as being threatened. Vietnam is known as one of the countries with high biodiversity in the world and is not out of this trend.

According to the 2021 National Biodiversity Report, despite efforts to conserve biodiversity, trends of biodiversity degradation and decline are recorded in all types of ecosystems, including: terrestrial ecosystems; wetland ecosystems (including inland wetlands and coastal wetlands) and marine ecosystems. The shrinking of natural ecosystems leads to a decrease in species richness, and a reduction in the ability to provide ecosystem services to humans.

The Red List Index, assessed by IUCN, has shown that our country's species are at increasing risk of extinction at an increasingly high rate. Preventing the rate of biodiversity loss in Vietnam not only fulfills national goals, but also contributes to the achievement of global biodiversity goals. Therefore, Vietnam has also promoted cooperation with regional and international organizations and countries on biodiversity conservation, implementing many strategies, programs, initiatives and projects on biodiversity.

Currently, Vietnam is also participating with other countries in implementing actions to implement the Global Framework for Biodiversity Post-2020 (GBF), the Global Initiative for Biodiversity Finance (Biofin), cooperation programs in the Lower Mekong sub-region, and many other multilateral and bilateral cooperation efforts. Participation in and implementation of international conventions and commitments demonstrates Vietnam's role and responsibility in working with the international community to address global issues. Through this, we have established partnerships, mobilized resources, promoted initiatives, learned from international experiences in implementing tasks and commitments on biodiversity conservation at the national level.

Specific actions to protect and restore some endangered migratory bird species and their habitats are being implemented by Vietnam in coordination with international organizations.

PV: In the context of biodiversity decline and ambitious global and national biodiversity goals , what solutions do you think need to be implemented to achieve these goals?

Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan: The Global Framework for Biodiversity Post-2020 (GBF) is a strategic document for biodiversity conservation until 2030, with a vision to 2050. The GBF has identified 23 targets to be achieved by 2030, with extremely ambitious targets, requiring countries around the world to take drastic actions, even fundamental changes to reduce impacts on biodiversity. In addition to the efforts of countries, the creation of resource support mechanisms for developing and underdeveloped countries, including financial mechanisms, science-technology and knowledge transfer to support conservation actions, is extremely important.

The Prime Minister has approved the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030, with a vision to 2050. The successful implementation of this Strategy will contribute to the realization of global biodiversity goals. In particular, the priority solution is to continue to improve policies and laws, and strengthen biodiversity conservation capacity. The system of policies and laws needs to be reviewed to ensure systematicity, consistency and update new requirements to implement international commitments and Vietnam's practices. In addition, it is necessary to focus on reviewing and strengthening the capacity of organizations and human resources working on biodiversity conservation from central to local levels; improving the effectiveness of biodiversity law enforcement; implementing preferential policies and support for officials working on conservation in remote areas in nature reserves.

The Strategy also focuses on continuing to promote awareness and consciousness of nature and biodiversity conservation for all levels, sectors and the whole society; building a responsible lifestyle towards nature, living in harmony with nature; promoting the integration and implementation of biodiversity conservation requirements in policy making and public investment projects; promoting scientific research, development, transfer and application of advanced technology in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Another priority issue is to ensure financial resources for biodiversity conservation, especially budget resources, and to develop mechanisms to mobilize additional financial resources to meet financial needs for achieving biodiversity conservation goals. On the other hand, to strengthen international integration and cooperation on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, and to continue to cooperate closely with international partners to mobilize resources for biodiversity conservation effectively; at the same time, to demonstrate national responsibility to the international community.

PV: What tasks will the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment prioritize in the coming time to effectively implement the GBF and the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030, with a vision to 2050, Madam?

Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan: As the focal point for the Convention on Biodiversity, and at the same time the agency assigned by the Prime Minister to preside over and coordinate with ministries, branches and localities to organize the implementation of the National Strategy on Biodiversity, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has issued Decision 3220/QD-BTNMT on the Plan to implement Decision No. 149/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030, with a vision to 2050; at the same time, research and specify actions to implement GBF at the national level.

The key tasks identified include: developing and completing policy documents, legal regulations, and technical guidelines on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use; strengthening management and law enforcement capacity on biodiversity; investigating, monitoring, and building a database on biodiversity; disseminating and raising awareness about biodiversity; implementing scientific and technological tasks to serve biodiversity management and conservation; promoting international cooperation on biodiversity conservation; implementing solutions and pilot models on conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of ecosystems, species, genetic resources, and controlling impacts on biodiversity; monitoring and evaluating the implementation of plans and strategies.

In order to mobilize the participation of sectors and levels, the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity continues to advise the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to issue documents guiding the implementation of the Strategy and GBF; review and identify new requirements for countries in the GBF to develop an implementation plan; research, develop and apply new mechanisms to successfully implement the goals of nature conservation and biodiversity such as the application of effective conservation measures outside protected areas (OECM), biodiversity compensation, new financial mechanisms for biodiversity, building a partnership forum on biodiversity and ecosystem services, etc.

PV: Thank you very much, Deputy Director Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan!

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