Opening Remarks by Ms Akiko Fujii, UNDP Deputy Country Director in Viet Nam, at GEF Assembly 2018 MONRE Side Event
Looking back to look ahead: GEF-Viet Nam Cooperation for Sustainable Development
June 26, 2018
Date: Tuesday, 26 June 2018, 18:00
Venue: Da Nang city, Viet Nam
His Excellency, Mr. Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Viet Nam Natural Resources and Environment of Viet Nam
Mdm. Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO
On Behalf of UNDP, it is my great pleasure to be part of this side event: Looking back to look ahead: GEF-Viet Nam Cooperation for Sustainable Development.
As we look back, I would like to start with commending Viet Nam for early engagement with GEF since 1992. The first GEF-funded project, entitled “Conservation Training and Biodiversity Action Plan” in 1992 laid
(key achievements in GEF 5 & 6)
Recognizing the importance of Viet Nam’s rich biodiversity of global significance, with more than 30,000 flora and fauna species, UNDP has been working closely with the Government to strengthen legal frameworks, enhance institutional capacity, and engage communities in the biodiversity conservation effort. As a result, Viet Nam adopted Biodiversity Law, national biodiversity strategy and action plan (NBSAP) until 2020, is enhancing protected areas systems, including forestry, marine, wetland, and biosphere reserves, and is improving access and benefit-sharing to natural generic resources – bridging between communities and
Viet Nam’s long war legacy left behind hundred thousand tonnes of contaminated soils in hundred sites throughout the country. GEF support enabled
GEF support
Distinguished participants,
(Look ahead)
The 6th GEF Assembly provides
On this occasion, I would like to propose three recommendations for enhancing effectiveness and impacts of GEF support to Viet Nam
First, we would like to commend GEF for introducing a new approach - Impact Programme in GEF 7 - which is timely and relevant for Viet Nam. Viet Nam’s adoption of the new planning law lays
Second, setting priority and right focus is essential to maximize impacts of intervention. Viet Nam’s fast development is posing increasing environmental challenges with competing priorities. In this context, alignment of GEF support with the Government’s priority programmes will enable to address issues at scale and ensure sustainability. Strong coordination among sectors and streamlined administrative structure will help reduce transaction costs and fragmentation of resources for different projects on the same issue.
Third, scaling up the country-success and sharing best practices to
I would like to conclude by congratulating Viet Nam again for making impressive progress in environmental protection, and contributing to global environmental benefits by many local actions.
I would like to assure UNDP’s strong commitments to the continued effective partnership with Viet Nam, GEF and other development partners for protecting rich biodiversity and environment in Viet Nam for a green and resilient development, leaving no one behind.
I wish you all a fruitful discussion this evening.