In order to affirm the importance of the international biosphere reservation in controlling weather, protecting environment, maintaining and preserving biodiversity, stabilizing livelihoods for community, on the morning of November 03rd, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment cooperated with Hai Phong’s People Committee and National Committee of Humans and Biosphere organized a meeting in response to the International Day of Biosphere Reserves, in Cat Ba National Park (belonging to the core area of Cat Ba Archipelago’s international biosphere area).
Attending the ceremony were Mr. Vo Tuan Nhan, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Nguyen Duc Tho, Vice Chairman of the City’s People Committee, and representatives of Viet Nam National Commission of UNESCO, relevant functional ministries and sectors, and 11 international biosphere reserve agencies in Viet Nam.
Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Tho informed that the Cat Ba Archipelago’s Biosphere Reservation Area’s activities have received attention of ministries, sectors, international organizations and the city, since its establishment. Biodiversity conservation has been implemented efficiently and effectively in line with region classification of the Biosphere Reservation; the afforestation projects implemented have enriched the vegetation, creating favorable conditions for the habitat for endemic animals to develop.
At the ceremony, Mr. Vo Tuan Nhan highly appreciated achievements gained by a network of biosphere preservation areas in Viet Nam currently in economic and social development, nature and environment protection. Mr. Vo Tuan Nhan requested Central departments and agencies, People Committee of provinces and cities managing biosphere reservation areas to continue cooperating and implementing acts to boosting up scientist researches, education, sustainable livelihood models, accelerating ideas on environment protection, nature and biosphere diversity preservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation measures; and promote the development of biosphere preservation areas’ networking in coming time.
After the meeting, the Tree Planting Program was organized to respond and promote “Idea of one billion of plants” at international biosphere reserves in Viet Nam. After 22 years of development, Viet Nam is recognized by UNESCO for 11 international biosphere reserves, contributing to make Viet Nam to become the second nation to own biosphere conservation areas in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia./.