Workshop to summarize activities of Vietnam's world biosphere reserve network in 2024

Attending the workshop were Mr. Jonathan Baker - Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam; Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Tri - Chairman of the National Committee of the Vietnam Man and Biosphere Program; Leaders of ministries, departments, branches, central agencies; Leaders of People's Committees, Departments, branches, branches of provinces and cities.

On the side of Nghe An province, there were comrade Nguyen Van De - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; leaders of Departments, branches, People's Committees of districts, Protective Forest Management Boards of districts, Pu Mat National Park, Pu Huong and Pu Hoat Nature Conservation Management Boards; representatives of localities, relevant agencies and units.

The Vietnam World Biosphere Reserve Network (WBR) Review Workshop is an annual event, held since 2013. The event is chaired by the Vietnam Man and Biosphere Committee (MAB Vietnam).

This is an opportunity for world biosphere reserves to evaluate and summarize a year of activities; connect and share experiences to improve the effectiveness of their fields of operation. At the same time, it affirms the contributions of 11 world biosphere reserves of Vietnam in the journey of communication to raise awareness of contributions to the cause of nature conservation and biodiversity, supporting sustainable socio-economic and environmental development; contributing to the achievement of national and global sustainable development goals.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the workshop, Mr. Nguyen Van De - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized: The Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve was recognized by UNESCO in 2007, located in 9 districts of Western Nghe An, with a total area of ​​nearly 1.3 million hectares, accounting for more than 84% of the total natural area of ​​the province; a population of over 1.0 million people (including 6 ethnic groups), with unique and distinctive cultural features; over 871,000 hectares of forest, with 03 core areas including Pu Mat National Park and 02 Pu Huong and Pu Hoat Nature Reserves, including many unique ecosystems from primeval forests to rare flora and fauna species such as elephants, saola and many endemic plant species.

In 2024, the province directed and implemented many activities deployed by the Vietnam Man and Biosphere Programme Committee, UNESCO Vietnam, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; forest restoration and wildlife conservation programs with cooperation from international organizations such as UNESCO and UNDP, contributing to the management and sustainable development of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve. Many projects have been successfully implemented, helping to improve the effectiveness of resource management, environmental monitoring, and restoration of important ecosystems.

However, Nghe An, like many other provinces, is facing the degradation of forest resources due to illegal exploitation, infrastructure development and the impact of climate change. This requires a comprehensive management approach, combining conservation and economic development.

Practice shows that coordination between government levels, consensus of the people and support of international organizations are decisive factors for success in management and conservation of Biosphere Reserves.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized that the workshop is an opportunity for Nghe An province to discuss, share experiences, analyze challenges, difficulties and advantages to effectively implement biodiversity conservation, contributing to building and improving management and development activities of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve, while meeting the requirements of UNESCO, the Vietnam Man and Biosphere Programme Committee, and central ministries and branches.

“Nghe An province is committed to continuing to strongly support conservation activities, ensuring that development programs and projects are always associated with environmental protection. We hope that ministries, branches, localities and international organizations will cooperate, share experiences and resources to build our Biosphere Reserve network to be stronger and more sustainable in the future,” affirmed Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van De.

At the workshop, managers and experts in the field of management and conservation of Vietnam's world biosphere reserves shared sustainable development orientations for world biosphere reserves, shared world experiences for Vietnam; updated Vietnam's legal policies on management of Vietnam's world biosphere reserves and plans for future network development...

Chairman of MAB Vietnam Nguyen Hoang Tri suggested continuing to carry out comprehensive investigation and assessment programs on the environmental quality and resources of world biosphere reserves, thereby proposing solutions for the management, exploitation and sustainable use of world biosphere reserves. Actively participate in regional events of the World Biosphere Reserve Network, demonstrating the role of a member of specialized networks; promoting efforts to preserve and promote the cultural values ​​of local communities living in and around world biosphere reserves.

Activities within the framework of the workshop take place in Nghe An from November 7-9, 2024.