Artistic programme marks 25 years of action for biodiversity
An artistic programme was held in Hanoi on May 22 to celebrate a quarter century of action for biodiversity, marking the 25th anniversary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Red-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus) in Dong Chau-Khe Nuoc Trong forest in Quang Binh province (Phôt: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Anartistic programme was held in Hanoi on May 22 to celebrate a quarter centuryof action for biodiversity, marking the 25th anniversary of the Convention onBiological Diversity (CBD).
The event, held by the Ministry of NaturalResources and Environment and the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP), was attended by guests from Vietnamese and foreign agencies andorganisations, experts in biodiversity conservation and students.
Since Vietnam ratified the CBD on October 17,1994, it has made great strides in nature and biodiversity conservation,including building a system of managerial agencies and a policy and legalframework on biodiversity, setting up nature reserves and implementing actionplans to protect endangered fauna and flora species.
The country has stepped up efforts in newbiodiversity conservation issues like biological safety, access to geneticresources and sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources. Meanwhile,awareness of the importance of biodiversity to life and sustainable developmenthas been improved.
Vietnam boasts high biodiversity with varioustypes of forests, swamps, rivers, streams and coral reefs, making it home toabout 10 percent of the world’s animal species.
However, the country is facing risks ofbiodiversity degradation and ecological imbalance, which will affect the humanliving environment and the Earth’s development. Therefore, biodiversityconservation needs multilateral cooperation and engagement from the entiresociety to reach the targets in the CBD and the National Biodiversity Strategy.
Addressing the ceremony, UNDP Deputy CountryDirector in Vietnam Akiko Fujii said biodiversity in Vietnam has broughtbenefits to the people and contributed to the economy.
She noted it is a fact that biodiversity in thecountry is being degraded, and the number of endangered species is increasing.Hence, it is critically important to improve public awareness of biodiversityand reasonably use biodiversity resources.
At the ceremony, participants also joined adiscussion on conservation with representatives of the Vietnam EnvironmentAdministration, the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature andEnvironment, the UNDP and ASEAN Biodiversity Hero Dang Huy Huynh.-VNA
As many as 140 hectares of forest will be planted in U Minh Thuong National Mark in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang in 2018, while various measures will be carried out to preserve biodiversity in the park, said director of the park Pham Quoc Dan.
The central province of Quang Nam, in cooperation with the Centre of Biodiversity Conservation, GreenViet, has begun an urgent conservation project for two herds of gray-shanked douc langurs (pygathrix cinerea) in a forest of Nui Thanh district’s Tam My Tay commune.
The Central Highlands province of Lam Dong has recently approved the development and management plan of the Langbiang Biosphere Reserve in five years from 2018.
Relevant agencies and localities have taken drastic measures to promote law enforcement on and increase public awareness of wildlife protection, said the Education for Nature Vietnam on May 11.
The northern mountainous province of Cao Bang announced the Prime Minister’s decision on the establishment of Phia Oac – Phia Den National Park on May 14.
Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said the World Bank remains committed to working with the Vietnamese government to develop the next phase of climate resilience and transformation for the Mekong Delta.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
Red-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus) in Dong Chau-Khe Nuoc Trong forest in Quang Binh province (Phôt: VNA) 
