Collaboration needed to mobilise financing to maintain biodiversity
Vietnam ranks 14th in the world and among the top three Southeast Asian countries in terms of the levels of biodiversity, according to the 2024 World Population Review rankings.
Nui Chua national park in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam ranks 14th in the world and among the top three Southeast Asian countries in terms of the levels of🍃 biodiversity, according to the 2024 World Population Review rankings.
The country, however, is facing rapid ecosystem degradation due to pressures from socio-economic development activities, population growth, unsustainable land use practices, natural resource exploitation, environmental pollution and the impacts of global climate change.
Therefore, to ensure sufficient resources for sustainable development, long-term connections between domestic and international organisations are necessary. The mobilisation of financial resources in both public and private economic sectors is an important factor contributing to environmental preservation.
Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tho, Director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Speaking at a seminar themed “Fostering a Biodiverse Economy in Vietnam” held in Hanoi on November 17, Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tho, Director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE), said that Vietnam is one of the 12 biodiversity centres in the world with valuable and rare genetic resources.
Illustrative photo (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Over the years, biodiversity has made significant contributions to the national economy, serving as a foundation for ensuring food security, maintaining genetic resources for livestock and crops, and providing materials for construction, fuel, and medicinal resources. It is also a cornerstone for the development of agriculture, forestry, fishery, and tourism.
However, like many other countries, Vietnam is experiencing increasing biodiversity degradation due to infrastructure development, invasive alien species, overexploitation of resources, environmental pollution, and pressure from rapid population growth.
In response to the situation, Vietnam has participated in international conventions on biodiversity conservation while enforcing policies and laws to protect biodiversity, Tho said.
He emphasised the need to develop innovative financial mechanisms to support the conservation of natural ecosystems.
Recently, at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the UK, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reiter💙ated ༒that responding to climate change and restoring nature must become the highest priority in all development decisions.
The commitment is reflected in Decision No. 149/QD-TTg, which approves the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2050, focusing on developing innovative financial mechanisms to aid conservation efforts and promote sustainable economic growth.
With the proactive participation in international conventions and the efforts of various ministries, sectors, and localities, Vietnam is gradually preventing the decline of biodiversity and working towards effective nature conservation and ecosystem restoration at the local level.
However, Tho also noted that, to promote sustainable economic development in biodiversity, it is crucial to maintain connectivity and mobilise resources.
Collaboration in capital mobilisation
British Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Marcus Winsley (Photo: VietnamPlus)
British Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Marcus Winsley said that the seminar, which was jointly organised by ISPONRE, the British Embassy, the University of Exeter, and Dragon Capital Vietnam, was an occasion to show the commitment in addressing global challenges like climate change and deterioration of natural habitats, as well as strengthening the long-term partnership.
Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, stated that the seminar was a testament to international cooperation in addressing global challenges like natural resource degradation.
By combining the University of Exeter’s strength in biodiversity economy with its partners in Vietnam, it is expected to find solutions for the Southeast Asian country to effectively protect the environment while driving economic growth.
Other participants at the seminar also discussed the development of programmes to support and optimise resources mobilised for biodiversity conservation in Vietnam in the coming time.
Dominic Scriven, Chairman of Dragon Capital Vietnam, said that the private economic sector has played an important role in contributing to protecting Vietnam's biodiversity.
Dragon Capital and ISPONRE are cooperating in studying and proposing financial mechanisms in line with the Vietnamese government's orientations and the country's overall goals in biodiversity conservation./.
A special exhibition called “For sustainable life of nature and people” opened in Hue city in the central province of Thua Thien – Hue on June 7, aiming at raising public awareness of biodiversity protection.
Vietnam has made numerous efforts towards comprehensively addressing biodiversity threats since joining the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1994. Such efforts include improving legal frameworks, actively engaging in cooperation, learning from international experience, and creating conditions for the development of domestic biodiversity conservation facilities.
The first-ever provincial-level biodiversity museum was launched in the central province of Quang Nam on May 15, introducing more than 3,700 photos and 1,200 specimens of flora and fauna found in the locality.
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.
