These are alarming figures given at the National Workshop on Invalid Exotic Species organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MONRE) in coordination with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on July 31 in Hanoi.
Speaking at the workshop, Ms. Ramla Khalidi, Permanent Representative of the United NationsDP in Vietnam, emphasized that endangered exotic species are one of the most serious threats but receive the least attention.
"IPBES' 2023 report shows more than 3,500 exotic species with pests, with an estimated global economic losses of up to 420 billion USD per year. Notably, since the 1970s, this cost has tripled every decade, Ms. Khalidi warned.
In Vietnam, the impact of harmful exotic species is clearly present. For example, the golden apple has encroached on more than 132,000 hectares of rice fields, directly threatening food security and people's livelihoods.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Quoc Tri affirmed that controlling endangered exotic species is a key task to successfully implement the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030, with a vision to 2050.
These species not only disrupt ecological balance but also have a negative impact on community life and the economy. This requires close and synchronous coordination, the Deputy Minister emphasized.
The workshop aims at the goal of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: reducing the spread of endemic exotic species by 2030.
To achieve this goal, Ms. Ramla Khalidi believes that prevention is the most effective strategy, but also needs measures such as early detection, quick response and long-term control. She also pointed out the reality that current efforts are still disjointed, lacking coordination between sectors such as agriculture, aquaculture, border control, and transportation.
Currently, UNDP is supporting Vietnam in developing national guidelines for investigating and monitoring endangered foreign species and amending Circular 35.
"Handling the problem of endangered exotic species is not only about protecting ecosystems, but also protecting people - our health, livelihoods and future," Ms. Khalidi concluded.
