PROTECTING VIET NAM’S NATURAL HERITAGE

ON THE BACKGROUND

The Southeast Asian country of Viet Nam is relatively small, approximately 331,212 km^2, but it houses an extraordinarily diverse array of terrestrial, aquatic and marine species. The numbers are staggering, and it is one of the global hot spots of biological diversity. This is primarily due to the wide range of latitude and altitude found in the country, resulting in a wide range of natural habitats and associated species. In fact, hundreds of species of plants and animals that are new to science have been discovered in Vietnam during the last three decades, and more are recorded each year. 

The marine systems can be described with superlatives, as well. With more than 11,000 marine species, that can be found on the 3,260 km of coastline, 3,000 large and small islands, two large archipelagos and about 1,000 reefs. Vibrant marine systems attract tourists and provide a storehouse of protein to nourish the nation and beyond. Recent studies indicate that 96% of Vietnam’s coral reefs have been badly affected by human activity, 75% of those are facing extinction.  

The Mekong Delta Landscape (MDL) is critically important for people, nature and sustainable economic development. Home to 20 million people, the region produces significant amounts of rice, fish, fruit and vegetables. Central to WWF’s mission, the MDL also hosts globally significant fish and wildlife resources, and provides a myriad of ecosystem services including carbon storage, flood and drought management, and storm surge protection. Recent research confirms the MDL is ‘sinking and shrinking’ which, combined with the impacts of climate change, means the resilience, and in fact future existence, of the MDL is at risk.

As economic development pressures mount, the impacts on natural systems are steadily increasing and the nation is experiencing degradation of the very fabric of its natural heritage.  Wildlife populations are under extreme pressure from snaring for illegal wildlife trade and as a source of protein in rural communities.  Forests are heavily degraded outside of protected areas, and marine systems are heavily impacted by pollution and reef decline. There is a clear need to broaden our collective conservation vision, to work collaboratively across the public and private sectors, and to raise the level of our ambition.

OBJECTIVES:

• Promote Viet Nam as a global leader in protecting biological diversity and one of the leading countries committed to international agreements (Leader’s Pledge for Nature/UNGA75 and Net Zero/COP26 and NBSAP in 2020-2030) among Asia Pacific countries.
• Call for collaboration between the public and private sectors to increase financial commitments to protect Viet Nam’s natural heritage through sustainable development, protected areas management, and transboundary conservation initiatives to protect biodiversity.

TIME

Approximately 60-90 minutes, at COP15, Canada.

FORMAT

Physical meeting.

TENTATIVE AGENDA 

	Time	Activity	Supporting Products
1	20m	Welcome delegates and interaction at information displaying booth	Designs displayed at booth and products; Istandee
2	5m	Opening remarks	MONRE leadership
3	5m	A diverse Viet Nam – challenges and commitments  Clip display	Clip
4	15m	Viet Nam initiatives – For People and Nature  MONRE Minister presents	Slides
5	10m	Remarks by WWF	WWF International Leadership
6	10m	Remarks by representatives of the private sector	To be determined.
7	10m	Remarks from the representative of development agencies	To be determined.
8	5m	Closing remarks and commitments	MONRE & WWF Leaders