Socialization of biodiversity conservation in Vietnam: needs and solutions

On the morning of October 17, 2023, in Hanoi, the Center for Natural Resources and Environment Communication ( Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment ) in collaboration with the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, the International Organization for Nature Conservation - WWF Vietnam organized a seminar "Socialization of biodiversity conservation in Vietnam: needs and solutions", an event under the Project "Speak up to protect ecosystems for nature and people".

The seminar was organized in both in-person and online formats, with the participation of National Assembly Deputies, units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and related departments/agencies/sectors; WWF Vietnam; Representatives of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union; Socio-political organizations, domestic and international NGOs; Enterprises, national parks and nature reserves; Centers and research institutes on biodiversity conservation; Experts and central and local mass media agencies.

Mr. Vu Minh Ly - Deputy Director of the Center for Natural Resources and Environment Communication delivered the opening speech.

The objectives of the Seminar include: exchanging information on the need for socialization of conservation work, aiming to build a responsible community of all social classes, increasing voluntary participation in biodiversity conservation, thereby attracting resources, economic sectors, organizations and individuals at home and abroad to participate in biodiversity conservation, implementing the National Strategy on Biodiversity and the Kunming - Montreal Framework Convention on Global Biodiversity; Discussing activities in biodiversity conservation that need to promote socialization; Exchanging information on successful biodiversity conservation models with the participation of social organizations, businesses and communities in Vietnam; Necessary incentive policies to promote socialization of biodiversity conservation; Opportunities for OECM (other effective regional conservation measures) and Benefit Sharing in Biodiversity Restoration and Conservation; At the same time, share information on barriers, challenges and directions, propose solutions/actions of each stakeholder to promote socialization of biodiversity conservation work.

The seminar was attended by experts, researchers, and organizations working in the field of biodiversity conservation in Vietnam.

Vietnam is currently one of the 16 countries with the highest level of biodiversity in the world, home to more than 13,000 plant species, about 3,000 fish species, more than 1,000 bird species and more than 300 mammal species. This biodiversity resource is a valuable genetic resource for Vietnam's sustainable development. However, the current illegal exploitation, transportation, trade and consumption of wild animals and plants have been and are major threats leading to an increase in the rate of extinction of many wild animals, degradation of natural habitats, loss of biodiversity; potentially negative impacts on the living environment and human health and creating great pressure on nature conservation in Vietnam over the past 30 years.

Aware of the importance of protecting endangered, precious and rare wildlife species to serve socio-economic development, protect the environment and ensure sustainable development of the country, in recent times, the Prime Minister has issued many policies to strengthen effective management of this work.

On July 23, 2020, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 29/CT-TTg on a number of urgent solutions for wildlife management; On May 17, 2022, Directive No. 04/CT-TTg on urgent solutions to conserve wild and migratory birds in Vietnam was issued; On January 28, 2022, the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030 and vision to 2050 was issued with the goals, tasks and key solutions to be implemented in the period from now to 2030: strengthening biodiversity conservation and restoration; conserving and restoring endangered wildlife species, especially endangered, precious and rare animals prioritized for protection, migratory species; assessing and promoting the benefits of biodiversity for sustainable development, natural disaster prevention and climate change adaptation; control activities that negatively impact biodiversity.

Efforts in biodiversity conservation, according to data by 2021, Vietnam has established 181 nature reserves, including 34 national parks, 60 nature reserves, 22 species and habitat conservation areas and 65 landscape protection areas, with a total area of ​​over 2.64 million hectares. In addition, the country has nine wetlands recognized as world Ramsar sites and more than 20 localities have approved biodiversity conservation plans at the provincial and municipal levels.

View of the seminar.

However, to sustainably maintain and operate these areas, and at the same time create sustainable livelihoods for local residents, further cooperation from the whole society is indispensable. Therefore, to promote and develop the role of central and local government agencies, social organizations, businesses, organizations and individuals in biodiversity conservation, contributing to reducing the demand for consumption of wildlife and products derived from wildlife; at the same time, identify barriers, challenges and contribute ideas to develop incentive policies to attract resources, economic sectors, organizations, individuals and communities at home and abroad to participate in implementing the National Strategy and Action Plan on Biodiversity.

Yanjiang