Mangrove ecosystems play an important role in climate change adaptation and mitigation, improving local communities’ livelihoods and ensuring Vietnam’s long-term socioeconomic development. To protect and improve the quality of its mangrove forests, Vietnam has implemented a variety of policies and programmes, and has actively participated in the signing of numerous international environmental treaties. However, mangrove conservation and development continue to face numerous financial and technical challenges.
This workshop, which was co-organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and Nong Lam University, aimed to provide a national forum and policy dialogue between policymakers, the private sector, academia, CSOs and NGOs to discuss future policy options for mangrove governance. The workshop connected policymakers and scientists in discussing opportunities, challenges and solutions to support the effective implementation of policies and projects on mangrove protection and development.
Participants in the scientific workshop included policymakers from MARD, the Forest Protection and Development Fund, the Forest Certification Office and representatives of regional departments of agriculture and coastal areas, as well as representatives of CIFOR, USAID mangrove project sponsors, the US Forest Service, domestic institutes and universities researching mangrove and wetland protection and development.