The Japanese Government will provide technical assistance on sustainable management of natural resources to the five mountainous provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh and Lam Dong from 2015-2020.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, authorities of the five provinces and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a document on the project in Hanoi on July 9.

The project, focusing on policy support, sustainable forest management and reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+), biodiversity and knowledge sharing is expected to help improve Vietnamese localities’ capacity in managing natural resources.

As the primary focus of the project, sustainable forest management and REDD+ will promote the implementation of the provincial REDD+ action plan (PRAP) in Dien Bien and the design of PRAPs in Lai Chau, Son La and Hoa Binh.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, MARD Deputy Minister Ha Cong Tuan highlighted the significance of the project, saying it will contribute to accelerating the country’s forestry restructuring plan.

Credit loans and technical assistance provided by the Japanese Government have supported Vietnam’s forestry sector in recovering forest resources and built capacity of staff working in the field.

According to the Deputy Minister, the MARD will direct relevant agencies to work with localities and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to carry out the project.

He asked the localities to swiftly design and enact REDD+ action plans in combination with the implementation of the national forest protection and management programme.

The REDD+ action plan is intended to counteract downgrading ecosystem and biodiversity in Vietnam. In 2012, the Government issued the National REDD+ Action Plan with the aim to improve forest management and climate change resilience.

VNA