Forum spotlights partnership in biodiversity protection
A biodiversity conservation partnership forum was held in Hanoi on May 22 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment and CropLife Vietnam.
A view of Ru Cha submerged forest in Huong Tra township, Thua Thien-Hue province (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – A biodiversity conservation partnership forum was held in Hanoi onMay 22 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the VietnamAssociation for Conservation of Nature and Environment and CropLife Vietnam.
Accordingto the Vietnam Environment Administration, since Vietnam ratified theConvention on Biological Diversity in October 17, 1994, the country has made stridesin protecting the nature and biodiversity, building a system of managementagencies as well as legal and policy frameworks on biodiversity.
A system ofwildlife reserves has been set up, while many endangered species of animals andplants have been protected by the law and through action plans. Vietnam hasalso sped up the settlement of new issues related to biodiversity conservationsuch as biological safety, genetic resource access and interest sharing fromusing genetic resources.
The publicawareness of the significance and role of biodiversity to the life and nationalsustainable development has been improved.
Participantsat the event agreed that with diverse terrains, land types, landscapes andclimate, Vietnam is one of the countries that have high biodiversity, alongwith high risks of biodiversity degradation and imbalance, which has directlyaffected the living environment of people and threatened the country’s sustainablegrowth.
Theprotection of biodiversity requires cooperation of many parties and strong engagementof the whole society, with the aim of fulfilling the targets of the Conventionon Biological Diversity as well as the national strategy on biodiversity.
Hoang ThiThanh Nhan, Vice Director of the Department of Nature and BiodiversityConservation under the Vietnam Environment Administration, said that four majorareas in the partnership programme in the 2015-2020 include the building ofpolicies and laws; the protection of endangered species and wildlifetrafficking prevention; biodiversity and climate change; and economic tools andcommunity-based conservation.
From May2018, as the department will also be in charge of protecting natural heritageand biosphere reserves, it needs more cooperation from domestic and foreignpartners.-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.
As many as 110 individuals of wild animals were rescued and released into the environment or rescue centres in the first three months of this year, while 132 cases of advertising wild animals in restaurants’ menu or Facebook were handled, according to the Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV).
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.
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.
A view of Ru Cha submerged forest in Huong Tra township, Thua Thien-Hue province (Photo: VNA) 
