10% of the world’s plant species are endemic to Vietnam

Vietnam, globally known as a biodiversity hotspot, is home to unique ecosystems, including mountains, tropical forests, limestone karst formations, and marine and coastal ecosystems.

Vietnam is home to more than 100 bird species and 10% of all plant species on earth.

The Trialogue concludes in Hanoi on Oct 6. Photo: UNDP Vietnam

It demonstrates the country’s remarkable efforts to preserve its unique ecological importance, said experts at a Trialogue convened in Hanoi this week by the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net).

The Trialogue, for the countries supported by the BES Solution Fund – catalytic support provided by BES-Net to translate knowledge about nature into actionable and sustainable policies and practices – marks the first meeting of all countries under the umbrella of the BES Solution Fund.

Between 2017 and 2022, with the support of BES-Net, Vietnam undertook an ambitious journey to craft its first national ecosystem assessment report. Co-implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Center (UNEP-WCMC), Vietnam’s Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE), and Vietnam’s Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Endangered Species (CBES). This phase included a series of consultation workshops for policymakers, scientists, and practitioners.

The result was a comprehensive summary for policymakers accompanied by a detailed technical report that serves as a foundational guide for national action on nature.

Vietnam’s national ecosystem assessment, which was validated this May, provided a first-of-its-kind synthesis of knowledge on the country’s biodiversity and ecosystem services.

It has served as a comprehensive resource for decision-makers, highlighting key drivers of change and providing recommendations for laws, policies, and plans to maintain and restore ecosystem services across the country. It does this by revealing insights into Vietnam's depth of biodiversity, declining rate of ecosystem health, and dependence on ecosystem services.

For its efforts, Vietnam is among the first countries to be awarded catalytic financial support through BES-Net's BES Solution Fund to implement key recommendations arising from the national ecosystem assessment, among other priority activities. This two-year grant aims to translate recommendations into action, strengthening collaboration among policy, science, and practice communities.

Vietnam's marine ecosystem. Source: Besnet

Role of Trialogue

The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net), an initiative led by UNDP, UNEP-WCMC, and UNESCO, with financial support from the Government of Germany, and Swedbio, focuses on building capacity for stakeholders through Trialogues.

The BES-Net Trialogue promises to be a transformative event, generating meaningful insights, fostering collaboration, and moving the participating countries one step forward toward actionable strategies to address the pressing issues of biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability.

Taking place in Hanoi, Vietnam earlier this week, the trialogue aims to bring policy, science, and practice communities together to assess national efforts, share insights on challenges and opportunities, and jointly develop strategies for cooperation and the scaling up of initiatives.

“Today, we convene here at this International Trialogue with 8 BES Solution Fund countries to celebrate our successes, share our reflections, and discuss our future together. UNDP takes great pride in facilitating not only practical implementation of biodiversity-related solutions but also dialogues among key stakeholders that will likely make a difference,” said Mr. Patrick Haverman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Vietnam.

It can be said that the Trialogue on biodiversity and ecosystem solutions is a crucial step towards global conservation.

Policymakers, scientists, and practitioners from Cameroon, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam join the Trialogue to exchange insights on the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework based on new evidence emerging at national, regional, and global levels.

The participants also share successes, challenges, opportunities, and valuable lessons learned through the BES Solution Fund initiatives. These practical examples will shed light on effective policies, research endeavors, and practical solutions that have facilitated cooperation and reinforced global commitments to biodiversity conservation.

The Trialogue will stimulate discussions regarding innovative solutions to enhance the effectiveness and future sustainability of the activities supported by the BES Solution Fund, focusing on the intertwining contributions of science, policy, and practice communities.

BES-Net, through the BES Solution Fund, BES-Net offers technical support and a strategic seed fund designed to enhance and implement findings and recommendations.

Spanning across 18 countries from 2021 to 2028, and in alignment with national biodiversity strategies and action plans, this support aims to fortify institutions and deepen engagement that aims to conserve, shield, and rejuvenate threatened ecosystems.