Speaking at a meeting marking International Day for Biodiversity 2025 in Ninh Binh province on May 22, Tri noted that nature and biodiversity are the foundation of all life and the basis for sustainable human development on Earth.

He highlighted Vietnam’s rich biodiversity and its role in global conservation efforts, saying the country, ranked 16th globally in terms of high biodiversity, is home to many endangered and rare species as well as valuable genetic resources in ecosystems like forests, limestone mountains, wetlands, coral reefs, and seagrass. Therefore, biodiversity conservation has received strong attention, with significant progress made under the leadership of the Party and State.

He cited the expansion of Vietnam’s network of 178 nature reserves, including special-use forests, marine and wetland reserves, many of which have received international recognition, such as 9 Ramsar sites, 11 UNESCO biosphere reserves, and 12 ASEAN heritage parks. In addition, efforts to conserve species and genetic resources have also yielded significant achievements.

However, he acknowledged, biodiversity conservation is under mounting pressure from economic development, climate change, environmental pollution, deforestation, and the spread of invasive alien species.

The loss to natural resources will be irreversible without timely and decisive action, and therefore, it is essential to mobilise the strength of the entire society, from the government, businesses, and social organisations to every individual, to minimise the loss, Tri said.

At the event, Patrick Haverman, deputy resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, stated that Vietnam is globally recognised for its rich biodiversity. But, this natural resource is under increasing pressure, and recent studies show that over one third of Vietnam’s mammal species are at risk of extinction.

This is not only a national concern but also reflects a global crisis, he said, adding the loss of biodiversity threatens fundamental factors of the economy, food security, and people’s health.

The UNDP official underlined the need to integrate biodiversity conservation into national development plans, including infrastructure, energy transitions, and other key sectors. He maintained that biodiversity should not be viewed as an obstacle but as a valuable resource for sustainable development. He also called for increased private sector investment in conservation through innovative financial tools such as green bonds and carbon finance.

UNDP is committed to continuing its support for Vietnam in developing appropriate policies and systems for assessing and monitoring ecosystem services, to ensure that economic growth does not come at the expense of natural capital degradation, affirmed Haverman.

He further emphasised the importance of empowering local communities, valuing indigenous knowledge, and promoting co-management models to ensure inclusive, equitable, and sustainable conservation efforts. He also urged the government to accelerate approval and implementation of ODA projects to optimise the use of this valuable resource for environmental protection and development in the coming years.

International Day for Biodiversity 2025 is observed on the theme Harmony With Nature And Sustainable Development that emphasises the close link between biodiversity conservation and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It calls on countries and the international community to simultaneously implement the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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