Vietnamese National Assembly members to boost wildlife conservation efforts
HANOI – A High-level Policy Dialogue aiming to improve policy and communication strategies for wildlife protection and sustainable management was convened by USAID and TRAFFIC with the National Assembly of Viet Nam today.
A series of High-level Dialogues, disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed today with 50 high Government leaders and officials meeting in Hanoi to promote impactful wild species demand reduction efforts across the Party and Government network.
In Viet Nam, the perpetual and unsustainable consumer demand for wildlife products like rhino horn, pangolin scales, or elephant ivory, especially in Traditional Medicine, threatens many species' survival worldwide.
Today’s discussions encourage a more comprehensive understanding of the existing national wildlife protection efforts and associated legal frameworks.
“With one of the strongest legal frameworks on wildlife protection and management in the region, Viet Nam is in a position to take stronger actions in the fight against illegal wildlife trade. The Dialogue was a great opportunity to bring relevant Ministries and agencies together to redouble our efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade and reemphasize the importance of promoting sustainability at the same time,” said Mr Nguyen Tuan Anh, Deputy Head of the Board of Deputy Affairs, the National Assembly.
The event highlights the value of the National Assembly uniting various stakeholders in Vietnamese society to tackle wildlife trafficking as a serious and organised crime and build momentum towards legal and sustainable use of wild species.
To ensure success in implementing impactful wildlife protection strategies and action plans, there requires efforts for collaboration and coordination with authorities and social organizations. Only by working together can we develop effective solutions to combat wildlife trafficking and protect our natural resources for future generations.”
Mr Do Quang Tung, Management Board for Forestry Projects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)One prominent conversation revolved around integrating and communicating Behaviour Change interventions to help the Government comply with the Demand Reduction resolution of CITES1. Viet Nam is a Party to CITES.
“Increasing anti-trafficking enforcement efforts will have only limited effect unless we work simultaneously to address the persistent market demand that drives this trade. In this effort, we have worked with various partners nationwide, including the Government, the transportation industry, the tourism sector, companies operating internet marketplaces, and the communities to decrease the demand. The partnership with the National Assembly is key to securing political will, determination, and direction for more influencing demand reduction efforts”, said Ms Nguyen Tuyet Trinh, TRAFFIC Vietnam Office Director.
This event follows a line of collaborative efforts in the country.
Since 2015, TRAFFIC has gathered National Assembly members, representatives of relevant ministries, and international experts to deliberate demand-reduction interventions. These evolved into three High-Level Dialogues between 2018 and 2021 to collaboratively discuss demand-reduction and other wildlife issues surrounding law enforcement and areas for improvement in Viet Nam's wildlife protection policies.
“The Saving Threatened Wildlife project thrives for comprehensive, systematic and impactful efforts to reduce the demand for illegal wildlife products. We believe the National Assembly to be the most powerful instrument for mass attention and generating high-level communications strategies. Today we are delighted to see their strong interest and commitment in combating illegal wildlife trade and are looking forward to seeing on-the-ground initiatives following this Dialogue," - said Michelle Owen, Chief of Party - Saving Threatened Wildlife, WWF
Notes:
Participants included individuals from the Training Center for Elected Representatives, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly of Vietnam, the Central Committee for Propaganda and Education (CCPE), the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Management Broad of Forestry Project and CITES MA - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (MONRE), and the members of the People's Councils at provincial and district levels.
1. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora - Viet Nam is a Party to CITES.
The event is one of the USAID-funded Saving Threatened Project’s efforts to reduce the demand for illegal wildlife products in Viet Nam which WWF-Viet Nam leads.
About USAID
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is responsible for the majority of overseas development assistance from the United States Government and works to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing security and prosperity for America and the world. www.usaid.gov/
About VN Management Board for Forestry Project
The Management Board for Forestry Projects (MBFP) is a public non-business unit under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). As the owner of ODA/concessional loan-funded programs/projects, MBFP directly manages or jointly implements these programs/projects in forestry and rural development nationwide.
MBFP Website
WWF
WWF is an independent conservation organization, with over 30 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit www.panda.org/news for the latest news and media resources and follow us on Twitter @WWF_media.
