On November 7, in Hanoi, the World Wildlife Fund in Vietnam (WWF-Vietnam) and the French Development Agency (AFD) signed a strategic cooperation agreement to preserve biodiversity for Vietnam, such as protecting ecosystems, promoting sustainable development and enhancing the adaptability of vulnerable communities in Vietnam.
Accordingly, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on close coordination to promote synthetic resources between finance, technology and development expertise; enhance the implementation of AFD's commitment to the field of biodiversity conservation, as well as expand cooperation in protecting ecosystems and improving livelihoods for local communities.
This Minutes will promote common initiatives in line with the Global Framework on Biodiversity of Con Minh-Montreal and the sustainable development agenda of Vietnam. Priority areas include: Biodiversity Conservation and sustainable finance for landscapes; Water resources management and ocean conservation; Forest ecosystem restoration and sustainable forest management according to the EU Anti- Deforestation Regulation (EUDR); Promoting ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based solutions; restore biodiversity and promote harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
The two sides will also expand cooperation to areas such as green energy, climate change adaptation, green finance, risk assessment and sustainable supply chains, and can jointly respond to new environmental issues in the future.
Through cooperation with WWF-Vietnam, we want to affirm that biodiversity protection is not only an environmental responsibility, but also the foundation for sustainable development and the future of future generations. AFD is committed to raising up to €1 billion a year for biodiversity conservation activities globally. Of which, 30% of the aid for the climate program will be for nature restoration projects. This agreement is a concrete step forward in the common effort to restore, protect and promote the value of ecosystems in Vietnam - Mr. Julien Seillan - Country Director of AFD in Vietnam, shared.
The signing ceremony is of special significance when taking place on the occasion of WWF-Vietnam and AFD celebrating 30 years of operation in Vietnam to accompany the Vietnamese Government, partners and communities in efforts to protect biodiversity, supporting the country's sustainable development journey.
