Viet Nam, Japan sign MoU on forest management cooperation

The document was inked by Director of the Department of Forestry Tran Quang Bao and Director General of the Japanese Forestry Agency Aoyama Toyohisa in Tokyo, Japan.

Accordingly, both nations will work together to sustainably manage the forests, mitigate and respond to climate change, utilize forest resources, and enhance the forest biodiversity preservation work.

Both sides will also join hands in research and development of new technologies in the area, and ensure the legality and responsibility of wood and wood products.

At the signing ceremony, Tran appreciated Japan's assistance for Viet Nam to enhance sustainable forest management, improve local livelihoods, preserve biodiversity, and respond to climate change through non-refundable technical support programs, ODA and concessional projects.

He went on to say that most of the Japan-funded programs/projects have been effectively implemented, contributing to the success of the forestry sector, adding Japan is one of the five largest importers of Vietnamese wood products with a value of US$1.5-2 billion each year.

He suggested the two sides bolster cooperation to capitalize on their forestry potential and strengths, making contributions to the development of the forestry sector in each nation.

Aoyama Toyohisa recommended the two countries build plans to boost cooperation in an effective and practical manner as defined in the MoU.

The two sides should coordinate to build and recognize each other's wood legality to promote the trade of wood responsibly, create favorable conditions for Japanese experts to come and assist Viet Nam more in the area, effectively roll out the Joint Crediting Mechanism, and develop and implement cooperative projects related to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), he added./.