Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai says the Vietnamese government is committed to continued efforts to effectively manage forest resources.
Addressing the launch of Asia-Pacific Forestry Week and the 22nd session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission in Hanoi on April 21, Deputy PM Hai said the government has over decades been making endless efforts to improve efficiency in forest and land management.
Vietnam has developed a number of programs and projects to protect and develop forests, including Programme 327 to “green” wastelands and bare hills, and a project to plant 5 million hectares of forest from 1998-2010, the government official said.
Additionally, the law on forest protection and development was amended in 2004 and a strategy on forestry development by 2020 has been approved.
As a result, Vietnam increased its forest acreage from 9.3 million ha in 1995 to 11.3 million ha in 2000 and 12.87 million ha in 2006, covering 38 percent of the country.
The Deputy PM also highlighted challenges the country faces, including increasing pressure on forests caused by the socio-economic development, a decrease of land funds for protected forests and the low competitiveness of forestry products.
Hai said he hoped the conference would bring Asian-Pacific countries and international organisations together to share experiences and find effective solutions to deal with challenges in forest management.
According to FAO Deputy General Director Jan Heino, the Forestry Week will focus on forest management in the context of social issues, environment and climate change, poverty and law.
He said the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission conference was a chance for participating countries to find out ways to protect forests, ensure livelihoods for forest plantation growers and develop forestry products.
Forestry officials from 33 regional countries, UN organisations and international organizations will participate in the Forestry Week and the associated conference.-Enditem
|
|