WWF, theglobal conservation organization

With several million supporters and a network of offices in more than 50 countries on five continents, WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations.

WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:

  • conserving the world's biological diversity
  • ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
  • promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF’s presence in Vietnam

WWF was the first international environmental non-governmental organization to work in Vietnamand continues to be the longest serving. In the past 20 years WWF Vietnam has worked on a myriad of issues, from helping to establish and strengthen the protected area network to more recently confronting the new policy challenges posed by rapid economic growth. WWF congratulates the government of Vietnam in its efforts and the support it has bestowed upon the international conservation community.

We are humbled by the fact we are viewed by the Vietnamese government as being one of the most important international organizations to have contributed greatly to the development of this country. We are grateful for this opportunity to showcase our achievements over the past 20 years working in Vietnam.

’Conservation in Action - Achievements of WWF Vietnam’’

‘’WWF Vietnam envisions a future in which people in the region have a clear understanding and appreciation of the value of nature and its role in providing benefits. This appreciation is then reflected in daily decisions and actions of individuals, community groups, industry and government agencies’’

The 1980s: Building conservation awareness in Vietnam

Recognizing Vietnam as the home to a vast array of unique and endangered species as well as striking landscapes; and in response to the greater openness of the country to international organizations, WWF began operations in the mid 1980s, some twenty years ago. WWFs initial efforts were to bring to the attention of the Vietnamese government the need to protect its unique biodiversity; as well as to assist in developing appropriate legislation to do so. Since its beginnings WWF activities in Vietnam have spread throughout the country.

/ “WWF has brought investment of over US$20 million to Vietnam in the last ten years alone”

In 1985
  • WWF began working on a national conservation strategy for Vietnam. A draft of this report was published in 1986 and a follow-on national biodiversity action plan was drafted and approved in 1995 with WWF’s assistance

The 1990s: An age of discovery for Vietnam’s wildlife

The famous Truong Son Mountain Range on the border between Lao PDR and Vietnam had previously been known as “the lost world” before WWF and Vietnamese scientists started working there. The 1990s saw the discovery of three large mammal species new to science - in comparison with the totaldiscovery ofonly eight new mammal species aroundthe worldin the 20th century. This put Vietnam firmly on the global conservation map. The camera trap photos taken by WWF, that confirmed the rediscovery of the thought to be extinct Javan rhino in CatTienNational Park, also added to Vietnam’s global importance in terms of biodiversity and brought Vietnam to the attention of the world’s media.

1991

  • WWF opened its office in Vietnam

1992

* The scientific discovery of the saola (Pseudoryx nghentinhensis) was made by WWF and government teams, in Vu Quang Nature Reserve. As a result the Vu Quang Nature Reserve area was increased from 16,000 to 55,950 ha.
/

1993

  • Following negotiation and awareness campaigns by WWF, the government approved the establishment of HonMunMarinePark off the coast of Nha Trang in southern Vietnam

1996

  • The Edwards' pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) was rediscovered in Vietnam, in August 96. The find was the result of a concerted effort by WWF and the forest department staff, who had mounted a wildlife awareness campaign targeted at local communities who caught two live specimens

1997

  • Lao and Vietnamese government scientists signed an agreement on 24 January 1997 to protect the Northern Truong Son Mountain Range, considered a refuge for endangered species, along their common border. This was the first bilateral discussion between Lao PDR and Vietnam on conservation issues

1999

/ In May 1999, the first ever pictures of CatTienNational Park’s Javan rhinos were taken with automatic camera traps, set by WWF staff. The rhinos in CatTienNational Park are a recognized separate sub-species (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus) of the Javan rhinoceros, being probably the most endangered and rarest large mammal on earth.
The 2000s: Moving towards landscape protection

In 1998 WWF identified the “global 200” ecoregions, the world’s most biologically unique and endangered ecosystems. The TruongSonMountains were identified as one of these 200 globally important ecoregions. WWF Vietnam’s efforts, as well as continuing to strengthen the protected area network, expanded to work on wider landscape protection. This implied working on a range of new issues; in particular around community based conservation, sustainable livelihoods and the integration of environmental issues into development planning. The new millennium also marked the up scaling of activities by WWF in the marine environment.

2000

  • In partnership with numerous Vietnamese scientists, WWF conducted a biological assessment of the Truong Son Mountain Ecoregion and identified 18 landscapes that together represent the full set of fauna and flora within the mountain range. Of these landscapes, eight were identified as critically important for immediate conservation action.
  • With support and encouragement from WWF, the government of Vietnam agreed to the establishment of a national marine protected area system, covering 495,000ha.
  • Song Thanh Nature Reserve, QuangNamProvince, was gazetted following biodiversity surveys done by WWF in the 1990s.

2001

  • WWF were requested by DongNaiProvince to assist in developing a new Nature Reserve (Vinh Cuu) by combining three state forest enterprises, adjacent to CatTienNational Park .
  • With support from WWF, in 2001, a Sustainable Forest Management National Working Group was established in Vietnam to develop criteria and indicators for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council's) approval.
  • WWF Representative signs a new major partnership agreement for forestry in Vietnam - the Forest Sector Support Programme (FSSP), along with 20 other international partners and the Vietnamese government.

2002

  • WWF invited as the only foreign representative to join a national environmental task force to support the development of the Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (CPRGS).
  • In partnership with Quang Nam Forest Protection Department “the Management of Strategic Areas for Integrated Conservation (MOSAIC)’’Programme is launched. This is a new and innovative landscape approach to conservation, while implementing at the local community level to meet the twin goals of biodiversity conservation and to secure local livelihoods.

2003

  • The Forest Protection Department (FPD) within Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and WWF jointly, through the “Strengthening of Protected Area Management in Vietnam” Project, develop a Management Strategy for Protected Areas in Vietnam (MASPAS). This is officially approved by the Prime Minister of Vietnam on 17 September 2003.

2004

  • The government of Vietnam approves the strategy and action plan for the Central Truong Son Initiative. This multi-stakeholder initiative, facilitated by WWF, developed an integrated conservation plan for an area touching eight provinces in Central Vietnam. This was the first government strategy focusing on landscape conservation and sustainable development.
  • The Green Corridor Project, which aims to connect forests between Phong Dien Nature Reserve and Bach Ma National Park in ThuaThienHueProvince, is launched. This is another landscape conservation project which aligns with the action plan for the Central Truong Son.
  • WWF provides comprehensive technical and capacity assistance to the Ministry of Fisheries, leading to the drafting of the National Marine Protected Area Framework (MPA Plan and Regulations).

2005

  • Facilitated by the MOSAIC Project, Quang Nam People’s Committee promulgated Vietnam’s first provincial Biodiversity and Natural Resource Conservation Strategy
  • As a result of WWFs efforts there is formal endorsement by the Minister of Fisheries of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) eco-certification for selected Vietnamese fisheries. The development of Dugong and Seagrass Action Plan for approval by Kien Giang provincial government.
  • WWF Vietnam undertakes its first activities in sustainable agriculture – in the shrimp aquaculture and cocoa sectors.
  • The VietnamForest and Trade Network (VFTN) - a certification support programme – is launched by WWF Vietnam. The VFTN has recruited four members amongst the wood processing companies and timber traders.
Looking to the future: The challenges ahead

With the rapid development of the national economy of Vietnam and the associated changes in the countryside, WWF has been faced with new challenges in terms of the way it works. WWF has had to adapt and in particular look at ways to address the impacts of new threats, such as infrastructure development, agricultural expansion and the burgeoning illegal trade in wildlife. To do so WWF has had to establish new partnerships and venture into multi-sectoral discussions with a wide range of groups, within the private and public sectors. It has also required that WWF invest in new skill sets in the region. As a result, in 2006, WWF Vietnam established a policy team. WWF also recognizes that there is a need to look more at the economics of conservation. To look at ways conservation can pay for itself. This is one reason WWF Vietnam is investing more time in the area of sustainable financing.

WWF highly appreciates the continuing support of the Vietnamese government and commends its efforts in the field of natural resource conservation. We hope the government will rise to future environmental challenges and the potential costs associated with rapid development. It is in our collective interests to work together to pave a road of development which brings benefits to its people whilst preserving its natural beauty. WWF hopes to continue to play a major role in support the government to achieve these ends.

/ To date the number of projects across the country has increased to over 250
in nearly 20 provinces and cities

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