Implementing Policies, Promoting Investment, and Advancing Sustainable Forestry
(Baothanhhoa.vn) – On June 9 in Sam Son City, the Thanh Hoa Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Sustainable Forest Management Component under the USAID-funded Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation (VFBC) Project, held a conference on policy implementation, investment promotion, and sustainable forestry development. The event also reviewed 10 years of implementing the forest environmental services payment policy in the province.
Representatives at the conference included leaders from the Vietnam Administration of Forestry and its affiliated units; the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences; the Vietnam Forest Protection and Development Fund; the Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association; and the Vietnam National University of Forestry.
From Thanh Hoa Province, attendees included Mr. Le Duc Giang, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; representatives of provincial departments and agencies; People’s Committees of key forestry districts; management boards of protection and special-use forests; as well as forest owners, including border guard stations, commune-level People’s Committees, and outstanding community, household, and individual forest owners.
Also in attendance were representatives of financial funds; USAID as the project donor; international organizations; forestry development projects; and other stakeholders in the forestry sector. Leaders from the Forest Protection and Development Funds of Nghe An, Thua Thien Hue, Son La, Yen Bai, and Ha Giang provinces were also present.
Building on Thanh Hoa’s forestry potential, comparative advantages, and development progress in recent years, the conference focused on several key topics. These included: a summary of Prime Minister’s Decision No. 327/QD-TTg (March 10, 2022) on the strategy for developing a sustainable and efficient wood processing industry for the 2021–2030 period, along with an overview of Thanh Hoa’s forestry sector and provincial policies to encourage investment in forestry; the implementation of the VPA/FLEGT Agreement and the development of forest carbon services as opportunities for Thanh Hoa forestry;
Vietnam’s forest certification system, its benefits, and approaches; seedling quality and solutions to improve productivity and ensure sustainable management of production forests; access to finance for afforestation, timber processing, and forest carbon credit potential in Vietnam; as well as global market trends in timber and wood products and related regulations.
Delegates also reviewed the outcomes, advantages, and challenges after 10 years of implementing the Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) policy in Thanh Hoa Province, and discussed directions for the 2022–2030 period. The conference also introduced the concept of piloting a forest carbon credit business project (C-PFES) in the province.
During the event, cooperation agreements were signed between the VFBC Project and Nghi Son Biomass Fuel Company, Lee & Carol Company, and local forest owners.
At the conference, six collectives and seven individuals received Certificates of Merit from the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, while five collectives and 10 individuals were awarded Certificates of Commendation by the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Le Duc Giang emphasized that Thanh Hoa has significant potential and advantages in forestry development. However, despite notable efforts in recent years, forestry development has not yet achieved sustainability or matched the province’s full potential.
Looking ahead, he stressed the need for closer and more effective coordination between local authorities and international organizations and projects in implementing policies, promoting investment, and identifying opportunities for sustainable forestry development. Priority areas include: global demand trends for timber and wood products and related regulations; access to finance for afforestation and timber processing; opportunities for cooperation and investment in the wood-processing industry under sustainable forest management; and pathways for Thanh Hoa to participate in the forest carbon credit market, expand forest environmental services, and promote eco-tourism.