Coordinate action to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan chaired the workshop

The workshop aims to disseminate the results of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, promote actions to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework and respond to the International Day of Biological Diversity ( May 22) in Vietnam.

Attending the conference were Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan; Standing Vice Chairman of Bac Kan Provincial People’s Committee Dinh Quang Tuyen; Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh, Vice President of Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment – ASEAN Biodiversity Hero; Director of the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Nguyen Van Tai. Also attending were representatives of units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; Representatives of the Ministries: Agriculture and Rural Development; Diplomatic; Culture, Sports and Tourism; leaders of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and representatives of departments, branches and branches of Bac Kan province; representatives of international organizations, experts, scientists, and national park management boards of some northern mountainous provinces.

Harmonizing the relationship between humans and nature

The 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) organized by the United Nations in December 2022 in Montreal, Canada, approved the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. (GBF), sets targets and measures to reverse the rapid global loss of biodiversity over the past decades.

Speaking at the Workshop, Deputy Minister Vo Tuan Nhan said: At COP 15, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, representing the Government of Vietnam, clearly demonstrated the international commitment that Vietnam has been participating in. participation, once again clearly demonstrating the Government’s responsibility and determination in preserving biodiversity and restoring natural values.

The workshop aims to disseminate the results of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and respond to the International Day of Biological Diversity (May 22) in Vietnam.

Vietnam is one of 12 biodiversity centers, one of 16 countries possessing the highest biodiversity globally with precious and rare genetic resources. However, Vietnam is facing rapid biodiversity loss along with other huge challenges such as environmental pollution, land degradation, ocean plastic waste and extreme impacts. of climate change. “That situation forces us to be more aware of the importance of preserving nature and biodiversity, protecting the environment, and ensuring harmonious relationships between humans and nature” – Deputy Minister Vo Tuan Nhan emphasized.

According to Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan, Deputy Director of the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework has identified 23 goals that need to be achieved by 2030, with the end targets ambition, requiring countries around the world to take drastic action, even fundamental changes to reduce impacts on biodiversity. In addition to the efforts of countries, the creation of resource support mechanisms for developing and underdeveloped countries, including financial mechanisms, science-technology and knowledge transfer to support support critically important conservation actions.

Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment – ASEAN Biodiversity Hero spoke at the Conference

In Vietnam, the Prime Minister has approved the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030, with a vision to 2050. The Strategy sets out 5 groups of priority tasks, including: Conservation and restoration of biodiversity. important ecosystems; Protect and restore wildlife; Control activities that have negative impacts on biodiversity; Evaluation and sustainable use of biodiversity; Preserving genetic resources and sharing benefits. “The successful implementation of this Strategy will contribute to Vietnam’s efforts to realize the global goal on biodiversity” – Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan affirmed.

As the focal agency for the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has issued Decision 3220/QD-BTNMT on the Plan to implement Decision No. 149/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister. The government approved the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030, with a vision to 2050; At the same time, research and specify actions to implement GBF at the national level.

The key tasks that have been identified include: Developing and completing the policy framework, laws, and technical instructions; Strengthen management capacity and law enforcement on biodiversity; survey, monitor and build a database on biodiversity; propaganda and awareness raising; Deploy scientific and technological tasks and international cooperation to serve the management and conservation of biodiversity; Implement solutions and pilot models on conservation, restoration and sustainable use of ecosystems, species, genetic resources and control impacts on biodiversity; Monitor and evaluate the implementation of plans and strategies.

Promote cooperation and action

Sharing local practice, Mr. Dinh Quang Tuyen said that Bac Kan has the largest forest coverage rate in the country, nearly 74%. The province has Ba Be National Park, Kim Hy Nature Reserve, Nam Xuan Lac Species and Habitat Conservation Area, Thac Gieng Landscape Protection Area with rich, diverse ecosystems and biodiversity values. High.

Vice Chairman of Bac Kan Provincial People’s Committee Dinh Quang Tuyen shared about the difficulties facing conservation work in the locality.

In biodiversity conservation management, the big challenge is that promoting socio-economic development activities has partly caused biological resources to be exploited. Besides, many new varieties introduced into the province have not been controlled; Some related mechanisms, policies and regulations are still inadequate, including responsibilities related to biodiversity conservation planning, species conservation, genetic resource conservation, access to genetic resources and sharing. Benefits… These are the basic reasons that make it difficult to choose a balanced economic development plan and ensure the ecological environment in general and biodiversity in particular.

Giving recommendations to help Vietnam promote GBF implementation, Ms. Pham Minh Thao, Conservation Director of WWF Vietnam, said that Vietnam needs to strengthen the leadership of governments at all levels from national to commune level/ village in conservation work. Thereby, promoting cooperation between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and the community; Build groundbreaking partnerships.

Developing a National Financial Plan for Biodiversity is essential to address the financial gap. In addition, it is necessary to provide a legal framework for carbon credits to attract investment for carbon sequestration for terrestrial, ocean, wetland and freshwater biodiversity systems. .

WWF also recommends strengthening community-based conservation and implementing monitoring and evaluation solutions and building data systems. The project approval process needs to be faster and simpler to make the most of funding and accelerate necessary partnerships.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan, Deputy Director of the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity shares about the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework

Referring to President Ho Chi Minh, who always focused on environmental protection and biodiversity, Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh shared: Even when the country was still facing many difficulties, President Ho Chi Minh had issued a call for all Vietnamese people to try to protect mother nature. Implementing his teachings also demonstrates Vietnam’s efforts in implementing the Global Convention on Biological Diversity, both bringing happiness to people and sharing responsibility with nature. Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh emphasized that the implementation of the Action Framework in the coming time needs to ensure that the community, local authorities, agencies and organizations actively participate.

Presenting the results of research and development of the Biodiversity Financial Plan, representatives of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) shared solutions to increase financial resources to contribute to the implementation of the goals of the Strategy. National strategy on biodiversity. Specifically, promoting sustainable tourism and collecting entrance fees and services in protected areas; expand payments for ecosystem services to marine and wetland protected areas; promote cooperation to increase capital from ODA and the private sector for conservation; promote biodiversity compensation mechanisms and apply environmental accounting systems; Use state budget index codes for biodiversity conservation and apply results-based budgeting.

Delegates attending the Conference 

At the workshop, representatives of the Department of Forestry (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Bac Kan province, Xuan Thuy National Council and experts shared the problems and difficulties in the practice of payment for environmental services. forests, manage and protect national parks as well as promote cooperation and call on the community to participate in these activities.

Noting the comments, Deputy Minister Vo Tuan Nhan said that these are very meaningful comments for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in Vietnam. Currently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is finalizing the National Biodiversity Conservation Plan for the period 2021 – 2030, with a vision to 2050. It will clearly state how to implement 23 criteria according to the Global Framework with the goal of goal of improving the efficiency of biodiversity conservation and protection in Vietnam in the coming time.