Both plans are effective to 2025, with a vision to 2030.
The development of both plans were led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Nature Resources and Environment, and with advisory support from different ministries/sectors, agencies and individuals, from central to local levels.
The Fauna and Flora International (FFI), conservation related organisations and the program on conservation and sustainable use of forest biodiversity and ecosystem services in Vietnam, which is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), supported their development through.
Mr Cao Chi Cong, VNFOREST Deputy Director General spoke at the launching event. (Photo: GIZ Vietnam)
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on May 10th, 2017 inked Decision 626/QD-TTg and Decision 628/QD-TTg to promulgate the plans. Accordingly, the plans provide the legal basis to attract the participation of society and to mobilize resources from the State as well as international and national organizations and individuals that are committed to conservation. The two key challenges have been identified as: the management of protected areas is fragmented at best; various administrative bodies manage protected areas with limited coordination; and there is a lack of staff and managers with biodiversity conservation backgrounds.
Speaking at the event in Hanoi, Mr Cao Chi Cong, VNFOREST Deputy Director General voiced his appreciation of the contributions made by different ministries, sectors, and scientists to the development of the plans. He added that stakeholders’ efforts are required to mobilize resources for the implementation of the plans.
In accordance with the two above-mentioned Decisions, VNFOREST will implement several activities, including the following:
* Advising MARD on establishing the Steering Committee for implementation of the plans
* Establishing multi-stakeholder Working Groups to propose priority projects
* Developing and submitting three priority projects in line with Decision 626/QD-TTg for capacity development for the Protected Area system, including: the development of policies on protected area management capacity development; training and strengthening capacity for staff working in protected areas, and application of advance technologies in protected area management.
* Developing and submitting three priority projects in line with Decision 628/QD-TTg for the conservation of primates, including investigating, developing and managing a database of endangered and rare primates in Vietnam; law enforcement and communication on primate conservation in protected areas; improving guidance and strengthening capacity on primate rescue and the release of primates back into nature.
Besides, VNFOREST calls on all stakeholders, including provincial authorities, nature reserves, international organisations and NGOs, to cooperate in developing the six priority projects according to their specific regional and technical areas of interest.
Ultimately, collaboration and partnerships will be vital for the effective and timely implementation of the plans, ensuring strengthened protected area management and the conservation of Vietnam's endangered primates./.