Effectiveness of State management enhanced in nature conservation and biodiversity protection

Biodiversity serves as a vital foundation for maintaining ecological balance and sustaining essential ecosystem functions that support livelihoods and socio-economic development. It also provides a key advantage for the sustainable development of major economic sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, traditional medicine and tourism. Therefore, nature conservation and biodiversity protection have been identified as important priorities in the Party’s policies, as well as in the Constitution and the legal system.

Significant progress contributing to socio-economic development

Nature conservation and biodiversity protection have received strong direction and support from the entire political system, leading to substantial achievements that have contributed to socio-economic development, environmental protection and national security. Policies have continued to be revised and improved, providing a stronger legal foundation for the comprehensive conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable utilisation of its values for socio-economic development.

The network of protected areas has expanded and has been being managed more effectively. Ex-situ conservation efforts have become increasingly socialised and widespread, while initiatives to protect and restore marine, forest and wetland ecosystems have received greater attention, contributing to improvements in environmental quality and biodiversity conservation.

At the same time, many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna have been protected and restored. Significant progress has been made in the collection, preservation and sustainable utilisation of genetic resources, while stronger efforts have been devoted to controlling invasive alien species, combating illegal wildlife trade and promoting access to genetic resources and equitable benefit-sharing. Notably, sustainable livelihood models, eco-tourism initiatives and forest environmental service payment schemes have helped improve local livelihoods and encourage public participation in forest protection and biodiversity conservation.

Economic sectors including agriculture, forestry, fisheries and healthcare have increasingly incorporated biodiversity conservation requirements into activities involving the exploitation, production and commercialisation of natural-resource-based products in order to meet international trade standards. National biodiversity information systems and databases, including databases on Viet Nam’s ramsar sites, biosafety and natural heritage, have also been developed.

International cooperation in nature conservation and biodiversity protection has been strengthened, demonstrating Viet Nam’s responsibility to the global community in safeguarding the environment and conserving nature and biodiversity. This is particularly evident in the implementation of the 2022 Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and numerous other international commitments and agreements related to biodiversity conservation.

Challenges and solutions for the coming years

Pressure on biodiversity from socio-economic development activities continues to increase due to growing demand for land and water resources, the expansion of space for development projects, and the impacts of climate change and environmental pollution. As a result, many ecosystems and wildlife species are facing severe degradation and threats that may be difficult to reverse.

State management of nature conservation and biodiversity spans numerous sectors and fields. Existing legal provisions and management responsibilities remain fragmented, creating difficulties in ensuring unified and effective governance.

Resources allocated to biodiversity conservation remain limited and insufficient to meet practical needs, while mechanisms for mobilising financial resources from society have yet to be fully developed.

Awareness and responsibility regarding biodiversity conservation among authorities, sectors and the public remain inadequate. Unsustainable exploitation and consumption of wildlife and biological resources persist, while biodiversity conservation has not yet received the level of attention it requires.

To improve the effectiveness of state management in biodiversity conservation, several key measures should be prioritised. First, efforts should focus on reviewing and proposing amendments to the 2008 Law on Biodiversity and related legislation to ensure consistency and coherence in perspectives, objectives and implementation approaches. Legal reforms should respond to practical requirements while promptly incorporating international commitments on nature conservation and biodiversity protection. An inter-sectoral coordination mechanism should also be established to improve biodiversity governance.

Second, greater attention should be given to enhancing the capacity of personnel and improving infrastructure supporting biodiversity management and conservation at both central and local levels. It is essential to ensure that newly decentralised responsibilities are implemented effectively and efficiently. Consideration should also be given to mechanisms that promote coordination among specialised enforcement agencies—including the environmental police, border guards, forest rangers, fisheries inspectors, market surveillance forces and customs authorities—as well as local communities, businesses and mass organisations.

Third, priority should be given to accelerating the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050, along with related plans, programmes and projects approved by the Prime Minister. Key tasks and flagship projects under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment should be implemented to achieve biodiversity targets established in national strategies and planning frameworks. Digital transformation and the application of artificial intelligence should also be promoted in biodiversity inventories, monitoring activities and the development of national biodiversity information systems and databases.

Fourth, greater emphasis should be placed on providing guidance and conducting inspections to ensure compliance with legal provisions on nature conservation and biodiversity protection.

Fifth, mechanisms should be researched and proposed to mobilise financial resources for biodiversity conservation. It is crucial to focus on allocating resources for key programmes and projects in order to achieve the biodiversity targets outlined in the National Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050.

Sixth, international cooperation should be further strengthened through the expansion of bilateral and multilateral partnerships in nature conservation and biodiversity protection.