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Under the Saving Threatened Wildlife project, supported by USAID, the Management Board for Forestry Projects (MBFP)-MARD, WWF, TRAFFIC and Intelligentmedia in collaboration with the Training Centre for Elected Representatives (under the Board of Deputy Affairs - Standing Committee of the National Assembly) organized a high-level policy dialogue with the National Assembly of Viet Nam on improving policy and communication strategies on wildlife protection and management on March 24, 2023.

In Viet Nam, the unsustainable consumer demand for wildlife products like rhino horn, pangolin scales, or elephant ivory is considerable and a leading cause for the threats faced by the species worldwide.

To reduce the demand for consumption, TRAFFIC has gathered National Assembly members, representatives of relevant ministries, and international experts to bring more attention to wildlife protection and management efforts and the delivery of demand reduction interventions. Between 2018 and 2021, three High-Level Dialogues have been organized to discuss wildlife-related issues, including demand reduction, law enforcement, and areas for improvement in Viet Nam's wildlife protection policies.

Today, this series of Dialogues has resumed with fifty high-level leaders and officials from relevant Ministries, agencies; and Parliamentarians, meeting in Ha Noi to continue promoting impactful demand reduction efforts across the Party and Government network.

Mr Nguyen Tuan Anh, Deputy Head of the Board of Deputy Affairs, the National Assembly

Participants included Parliamentarians from XV National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Ha Noi Capital; Leaders from Representative Board; the Central Committee for Propaganda and Education (CCPE), the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Management Broad of Forestry Project and CITES MA - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (MONRE), and the members of the People's Councils at provincial and district levels.

Mr. Do Quang Tung, Acting Chief of Management Broad for Forestry Projects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

"With one of the strongest legal frameworks on wildlife protection and management in the region, Viet Nam is in a favorable position to take stronger actions in the fight against illegal wildlife trade. The Dialogue was a great opportunity to bring relevant Ministries and agencies together to redouble our efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade and reemphasize the importance of promoting sustainability at the same time", said Mr Nguyen Tuan Anh, Deputy Head of the Board of Deputy Affairs, the National Assembly.

Throughout the event, discussions brought a better understanding of the existing national wildlife protection efforts and associated legal frameworks.

“The Saving Threatened Wildlife project thrives for comprehensive, systematic and impactful efforts to reduce the demand for illegal wildlife products. We believe the National Assembly to be the most powerful instrument for mass attention and generating high-level communications strategies. Today we are delighted to see their strong interest and commitment in combating illegal wildlife trade and are looking forward to seeing on-the-ground initiatives following this Dialogue." - said Michelle Owen, Chief of Party - Saving Threatened Wildlife, WWF.

                                                         Michelle Owen, Chief of Party - Saving Threatened Wildlife, WWF
The Party agencies and Ministries presented their roles and communication strategies to reduce wildlife demand and how to integrate Social Behavior Change interventions to help the Government comply with the Demand Reduction resolution of CITES, of which Viet Nam is a member state. Experts were invited to propose ideas and solutions to strengthen wildlife conservation and Social Behavior Change Communication in the country. Actions the Government should take to proceed, such as increasing the penalty for consumption of illegal wildlife products in the current law, were discussed with Parliamentarians, focusing on applying demand reduction efforts tools within Government networks and society.

Mr. Do Quang Tung, Acting Chief of Management Broad for Forestry Projects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said: "To ensure success in implementing impactful wildlife protection strategies and action plans, there requires efforts for collaboration and coordination with authorities and social organizations. Only by working together can we develop effective solutions to combat wildlife trafficking and protect our natural resources for future generations".

Ms. Nguyen Tuyet Trinh, TRAFFIC Viet Nam Office Director

The event highlighted the leadership of the National Assembly in tackling wildlife trafficking as a serious and organized crime and the desire for a responsible and legal social norm in Vietnamese society. The Dialogue outcome on implementing wildlife conservation, especially demand reduction initiatives more effectively, will be documented and disseminated within the Government network to feed further action.

Organizing Board

"Increasing anti-trafficking enforcement efforts will have only limited effect unless we work simultaneously to address the persistent market demand that drives this trade. We have worked with various partners nationwide, including the Government, the transportation industry, the tourism sector, companies operating internet marketplaces, and the general public to stop the demand. In all our endeavors, the partnership with the National Assembly is key to securing political will, determination, and direction for more influencing demand reduction efforts", said Ms. Nguyen Tuyet Trinh, TRAFFIC Viet Nam Office Director.