About 3,000 people are expected to attend the event.

Under the theme “Many species – One Planet – One Future”, this year’s World Environment Day warns people about the damage being done to biodiversity due to bad management and poor public awareness of the importance of preservation.

At a press briefing in Hanoi on May 5, the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Nguyen Van Duc, stressed that the environment, the seas and islands and biodiversity are all intrinsically linked. Vietnam is widely recognised as a country with a high level of biodiversity, ranking 16^th in the world.

However, ecosystems, especially tropical forests, which have the highest and most varied biodiversity, have declined drastically over the last few years.

As in many countries around the world, Vietnam is holding numerous activities to respond to the International Year for Biological Diversity. Along with the meeting, a workshop entitled the “The Year of Biological Diversity and upholding the Law on Biodiversity” and a discussion themed “Action Day for Biodiversity” will be held on June 3 and 4, respectively.

During the “Vietnam Week for the Seas and Islands ” from June 3-6, many events will take place in Quang Binh province. They include a sand painting competition, a trade fair and an auction of paintings to raise funds for disadvantaged children.