EU, Germany back Viet Nam's natural forest conservation

Co-financed by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the program will run from 2026 to 2030 and is jointly implemented by the Viet Nam Forestry Administration (VNFOREST) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

The EU is contributing EUR 20 million to the initiative, which complements Germany's EUR 7.5 million "Protection and Management of Protected Areas with Diverse Ecosystems" (MEPA) project launched earlier this year.

The program supports Viet Nam's efforts to promote green and sustainable growth, strengthen climate change mitigation and adaptation, protect biodiversity, and develop environmentally sustainable forest-based value chains.

It will be implemented in five provinces—Son La, Dien Bien, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai and Dak Lak—with a focus on strengthening climate-sensitive conservation, restoration and management of natural forests, including digital biodiversity monitoring and community-based forest protection.

The project will also promote sustainable and inclusive forest-based value chains that generate fair and gender-balanced economic opportunities while supporting capacity building and the development of regulatory frameworks to scale up nature-positive solutions nationwide.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, VNFOREST Director General Tran Quang Bao said the program reflects the shared commitment of Viet Nam, the EU and Germany to protect natural forests and promote sustainable and inclusive development.

By strengthening forest restoration and advancing sustainable and climate-sensitive forest management and livelihoods, the program contributes to the long-term goals of Viet Nam's forestry sector, he noted.

Kristina Buende, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Viet Nam, said the country's forests play a critical role in climate action, biodiversity conservation, water and soil protection, and the livelihoods of around 25 million people involved in forestry activities.

However, climate change, forest degradation and biodiversity loss continue to threaten these ecosystems, she said, adding that under the Team Europe approach, the EU and its member states remain committed to supporting Viet Nam in protecting and restoring forests for a resilient, low-carbon future.

Michael Lehmann, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Germany in Viet Nam, reaffirmed Germany's long-standing partnership with Viet Nam in sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

"This project is part of Germany's long-term commitment to Viet Nam's forestry sector, complementing the on-going project Protection and Management of Protected Areas with Diverse Ecosystems in Viet Nam. Together, they support sustainable forest management and ecosystem restoration, helping Viet Nam achieve its forestry, climate and biodiversity targets. Germany is proud to co-finance this initiative with the EU. This is a perfect example of the "Team Europe" approach: combining financial support, technical know-how, and Vietnamese leadership," Michael Lehmann added.

The launch ceremony gathered around 110 representatives from central and local authorities, forest management agencies, development partners, research institutions, non-governmental organizations and local communities, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing sustainable forestry and climate adaptation in Viet Nam. /.