Viet Nam affirms its role in advancing a greener ASEAN

On the morning of December 3, 2025, the 8th ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference (AHP8) officially opened in Quang Ninh Province, Viet Nam.

The conference is jointly organized by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Agency (NBCA) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Viet Nam, which serves as the national focal point of the ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity.

Under the theme “ASEAN Heritage Parks: ASEAN’s Contribution to the Implementation of the Biodiversity Plan,” AHP8 brings together national park managers, protected area authorities, technical experts, institutional partners and key stakeholders. The event aims to promote cross-sectoral dialogue, strengthen regional cooperation, and showcase how ASEAN Heritage Parks contribute to global biodiversity targets through nature-based solutions, climate action, sustainable resource management and inclusive governance.

An active and responsible member of ASEAN 

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Quoc Tri said that Viet Nam’s hosting of AHP8 demonstrates the country’s active, proactive and responsible role in ASEAN’s collective efforts.

He noted that the conference provides an important platform for ASEAN member states to share experiences, align strategic directions and translate commitments into concrete actions.

Expressing his pleasure at co-organizing AHP8 with the Government of Viet Nam through NBCA, Dr. Jerome Montemayor, Executive Director of ACB, emphasized the forum’s importance for knowledge exchange, partnership building and capacity development. He also highlighted the critical role of indigenous peoples, local communities, women and youth in achieving biodiversity targets.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri further stressed that Viet Nam is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, featuring diverse ecosystems such as forests, marine environments, limestone mountains, wetlands, coral reefs and seagrass beds. In recent years, the country has made significant progress in nature conservation by strengthening legal frameworks, streamlining management systems from central to local levels, enhancing decentralization, and mobilizing the participation of communities, businesses and civil society.

Looking ahead, Viet Nam will continue to effectively implement the National Biodiversity Strategy, the ASEAN Heritage Parks Regional Action Plan to 2030, and promote a balanced approach between conservation and development. Priorities include fair benefit-sharing from genetic resources, green livelihoods, and sustainable ecotourism. Viet Nam will also expand cooperation with ACB, the AHP Secretariat and development partners to share knowledge, mobilize resources and scale up conservation efforts.

“Viet Nam remains firmly committed to standing alongside ASEAN member states in building a green, sustainable and prosperous ASEAN,” he affirmed.

Strengthening international cooperation through AHP8

Representing the host locality, Mr. Nguyen Van Cong, Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee, said the province has strictly implemented biodiversity conservation planning, firmly rejecting projects that threaten the environment, regardless of short-term economic gains. Quang Ninh has also taken the lead in initiatives to reduce marine plastic waste and restore coastal ecosystems.

“These efforts are not only to protect our shared home for local communities, but also our responsibility toward the natural heritage entrusted to us by the international community and ASEAN,” he said.

In the coming days, managers, experts and scientists will engage in open and in-depth discussions to generate breakthrough initiatives for the ASEAN Heritage Parks system. Quang Ninh expects that innovative “solutions from Ha Long” will emerge, contributing to regional challenges, enhancing governance capacity and strengthening international resource connectivity.

AHP8 features plenary sessions, parallel technical discussions, interactive exhibitions and field visits, showcasing best practices in protected area management and ecosystem restoration. Technical sessions focus on nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, the biodiversity–health nexus, community and youth engagement, the 30x30 global biodiversity target, and sustainable financing for protected areas.

Alongside the conference, a biodiversity-based product exhibition and trade fair, along with various side events, is also taking place.

Tong Minh - Viet Cuong