BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION, AND ADAPTATION ASPECTS IN NATIONAL STRATEGIES ON POVERTY REDUCTION (NS- PR), SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN (SEDP)

I. Impacts of economic growth and social issues on climate change and biodiversity conservation vice verse in Vietnam 1. Industrial and infrastructure development 2. Commercial, tourism, and service development 3. Agro-forestry and fishery development 4. Poverty and biodiversity loss II. Climate Change Adaptation and Biodivesity conservation aspects in CPRGS and SEDP 1. Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (CPRGS) 2. Orientations for Sustainable Development Strategy in Vietnam (Agenda 21 of Vietnam) III. International cooperation to integrate environmental considerations in general and biodivesity conservation in particular into socio-economic development in Vietnam. CONTENTS

1. Impacts of Industrial and infrastructure development  High industrial growth rate in Vietnam (average 16%/year during the period of ), contributing to maintaining the overall economic growth.  Industrial and infrastructure development cause environmental pollutions in habitats of wildlife species; as a result, ecosystems become more unsustainable.  Mining activities and construction of water reservoirs for hydro power stations result in many changes in habitats, causing profound effects on ecosystems.  Habitats of wildlife populations are fragmented or isolated due to construction of roads crossing through national parks, protected areas, biosphere reserves. I. Impacts of economic growth and social issues on climate change and biodiversity conservation vice verse in Vietnam

2. Commercial, tourism, and service development  In recent years, there is positive progress in commercial and tourism development (average growth rate for the period of is 7-8%/year).  Commercial and service activities cause many adverse impacts on biodiversity.  Market needs for biological resources (wildlife, timber and NTFPs) are key elements that put more pressures on and will be greate challenges for biological resources in Vietnam. I. Interactive relationship between economic growth and social issues with climate change and biodiversity in Vietnam (cont.)

3. Agro-forestry and fishery development  Agro-forestry and fishery production, which is well planned and suitable with objective rules of nature and society, will contribute to conservation and enrichment of natural resources of the country.  In contrast, unplanned and uncontrolled agro-forestry and fishery production will cause many negative impacts on biodiversity.  Conservation of land use purposes and cropping structure in agriculture also cause changes in components and relationships of species in eco-systems.  Abused application of chemicals will pollute water, soil, air and cause negative impacts on biodiversity. I. Interactive relationship between economic growth and social issues with climate change and biodiversity in Vietnam (cont.)

4. Poverty and biodiversity loss  In 10 recent years, Vietnam has obtained many significant achievements in economic development and poverty reductions that are highly applaused by international communities.  Uneven GDP distribution among localities. Localities with low GDP often have larger poor populations, whose livelihoods depend on natural resources and educational background is limited. They often live in biodiverity-rich, remore areas.  A relationship between poverty - exhausted biodiversity resources - poverty.  Increased populations and uncontrolled migration cause many adverse effects on natural habitats and losses in biodiversity. I. Interactive relationship between economic growth and social issues with climate change and biodiversity in Vietnam (cont.)

1. Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (CPRGS)  Government of Vietnam is aware of roles and importance of environmental protection in general and biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in particular.  Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy approved by the Prime Minister in March,  Objectives to ensure sustainability of environment and biodiversity conservation have been incorporated into objectives for socio- economic development and poverty reduction. II. Climate Change Adaptation and Biodivesity conservation aspects in NS-PR and SEDP

1. Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (NS-PR) (cont.)  Some objectives: By 2010, 100% of industrial zones, urban areas, and handicraft villages in rural areas will be accessible to facilities for collection and treatment of waste water, solid and domestic wastes; Forest coverage will be 38% by 2005 and increase to 43% by 2010; Restore 50% degraded watershed forests and improve forest quality; encourage people to carry out afforestation. Increase areas of protected areas to 11.5% compared with total areas, especially marine protected areas and wetland. II. Climate Change Adaptation and Biodivesity conservation aspects in NS-PR and SEDP

1. Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (cont.)  Some Objectives(cont.):  Improve quality of natural and plantation forests; Increase social, economic, and environmental values of forestland.  Increase biodiversity in poor, semi-arid, desert, and wetland areas...  improve degraded eco-systems, and strengthen stability of eco- systems in sensitive areas.  Implement projects on environmental protection, watershed forest protection, establishmetn of national parks,protected areas, and special-use forests.  Conduct Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) with all SEDPs. II. Climate Change Adaptation and Biodivesity conservation aspects in NS-PR and SEDP

2. Strategic orientations for sustainable development in Vietnam (Agenda 21 of Vietnam)  Approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 153/2004/QD-TTg dated 17/8/2004.  A framework strategy includes big orientations for sustainable economic, social development and environmental protection.  As a basis for Ministries, localities, mass organizations, and communities to implement and joint efforts to achieve sustainable development of the country in the 21st century. II. Climate Change Adaptation and Biodivesity conservation aspects in NS-PR and SEDP (cont.)

2. Strategic orientations for Sustainable Development in Vietnam (cont.) 9 priorities for sustainable development in natural resources & environment:  Sustainable use and prevention of soil degradation  Economic, effective, and sustainable use of mineral resources  Protection and sustainable use of water resources  Environmental and Marine resource protection, protection of coastal and island’s resources  Forest protection and development  Reduced air pollution in urban areas and industrial zones  Management of solid waste and hazardous waste  Biodiversity conservation  Mitigation and prevention of adverse impacts of climate change, contributing to prevention of natural disasters. II. Climate Change Adaptation and Biodivesity conservation aspects in NS-PR and SEDP (cont.)

 Vietnam has received a lot of intensive support from other Governments and international organizations for nature and biodiversity conservation.  In 2001, International Support Group for Environment (ISGE) was created to mobilize resources for Environmental Protection in general and biodiversity conservation in particular.  Netherlands's Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP) has been assisting Sustainable Development Office, MPI to develop and implement biodiversity policies under the Strategic Orientations for Sustainable Development in Vietnam.  Objectives of this cooperation is to support Vietnam to integrate biodiversity indicators in to SEDPs and strategies of Vietnam and implement Convention on biodiversity conservation that Vietnam has committed. III. International cooperation to integrate environmental considerations in general and biodivesity conservation in particular into socio-economic development in Vietnam

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