Hanoi, January 17, 2025 – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), holds the Project Closing Workshop for the project titled "Mainstreaming Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity Conservation Objectives into Socio-Economic Development Planning and Management of Biosphere Reserves in Vietnam" (BR Project). Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project is part of Vietnam's commitment to implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) by 2030.

Launched in 2019, the BR Project is implemented in 3 Biosphere Reserves (BR): Western Nghe An, Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An, and Dong Nai. Amid increasing socio-economic development pressures threatening biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability in these BRs, the project focused on improving institutional and policy frameworks, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration in socio-economic planning, promoting sustainable natural resource management, conserving and restoring biodiversity, and advancing sustainable community livelihood models.

UNESCO first introduced the concept of BR in 1971, recognizing areas with high natural and cultural values. These reserves serve as "living laboratories" for sustainable development, where innovative approaches to managing interactions between ecosystems and socio-economic activities are tested, emphasizing harmony between humans and nature. Against climate change and biodiversity loss caused by unsustainable development, Vietnam's BRs play a vital role in ecosystem preservation and supporting millions of residents and native flora and fauna.

The BR Project has achieved remarkable results, including effective management of nearly 2.1 million hectares across 3 BRs, the restoration and sustainable management of over 4,000 hectares of degraded forests, and the protection and sustainable use of 62,940 hectares of high conservation value areas. Nearly 2,900 households, of which 40% of the beneficiaries are women, have increased their income by at least 20% through ecotourism, medicinal plant cultivation, and eco-friendly livestock farming activities. Additionally, more than 4,200 individuals, 43% of whom are women, have been trained in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management. The project also made significant progress in integrating Biodiversity Impact Assessments (BIA) into Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) within the three biosphere reserves. Furthermore, 62.5% of selected tourism establishments were certified as biodiversity-friendly facilities.

These achievements underscore Vietnam's commitment to achieving GBF goals and targets, particularly targets 1, 2, 3, 13, 14, and 22, covering spatial planning, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity integration into national policies, and ensuring community participation.

Nguyen Van Tai, Director General of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency and Deputy Head of the BR Project Steering Committee, stated: "After five years of implementation, the BR Project has successfully achieved its objectives and deliverables as outlined in the approved project document. The project outcomes have strengthened the management of biosphere reserves in Vietnam and enhanced their functionality amidst industrialization, modernization, socio-economic development pressures, and the escalating impacts of global climate change."

Patrick Haverman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Vietnam, emphasized: "We must place people at the center of all conservation efforts. By empowering communities and fostering sustainable livelihoods, I am confident we can create a harmonious future where humans and nature coexist."

Building on the BR Project's success, UNDP reaffirms its commitment to fostering harmony between people and nature. Future initiatives include projects such as "Promoting Wildlife Conservation and Responsible Nature-Based Tourism for Sustainable Development in Vietnam" and "Sustainable Forest and Forest Land Management in Viet Nam's Ba River Basin Landscape." These efforts will strengthen Vietnam's role in fulfilling international and domestic commitments to biodiversity conservation and natural resource management.

For any media inquiries, please contact:  
Phan Huong Giang  
UNDP Media and Communication Analyst, Climate Change and Environment  
Email: phan.huong.giang@undp.org  
Tel: 0948466688