The Operation Game Change (OGC) programme was launched in Hanoi onMarch 3, calling for joint efforts from the entire community tocounteract wildlife crime.
The event was attendedby representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the US,African and UK embassies, as well as Vietnamese and foreign scientists.
Lisa Wishman, Press Officer at the US Embassy saidcooperation between the US and Vietnam in implementing the OGC ispart of activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of normalisingbilateral relations between the two nations.
Italso aims to form an alliance to end wild animal trafficking, especiallyrhino horns, while raising public awareness of wildlife protection andreducing demand for wildlife products, she said.
Funded by the US State Department and the US Agency for InternationalDevelopment, the OGC aims to reduce the trafficking and consumption ofendangered animals in Asia, including Vietnam .
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Bui CachTuyen stated that the Law on Biodiversity Protection, which was adoptedin 2008, is a clear guideline for the role of the Vietnamese Governmentin preserving flora and fauna, especially those facing extinction.
As part of efforts to realise the national strategy on conservingbiodiversity until 2030, Vietnam is paying greater attention tocombating wildlife trafficking, he said.
Currently,increasing demand for wildlife products is a main contributing factor towildlife trafficking. According to the International Union forConservation of Nature, more than 20,000 elephants were killed inAfrica between 2012 and 2013 for their ivory.
Datafrom the World Wildlife Fund reveal the trading value of wildlife in theblack market could be as high as 19 billion USD each year.
Authorities and scientists at the event stressed the importance ofcompleting legal frameworks and enhancing law enforcement capacity incombating wildlife trafficking, as well as communications and educationon wildlife protection and improving the livelihoods in communitiessurrounding wildlife areas.
The OGC will beimplemented across the nation with the engagement of various agenciesand sectors, including private enterprises. A film-making contest isalso scheduled to be launched later this year.-VNA
The event was attendedby representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the US,African and UK embassies, as well as Vietnamese and foreign scientists.
Lisa Wishman, Press Officer at the US Embassy saidcooperation between the US and Vietnam in implementing the OGC ispart of activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of normalisingbilateral relations between the two nations.
Italso aims to form an alliance to end wild animal trafficking, especiallyrhino horns, while raising public awareness of wildlife protection andreducing demand for wildlife products, she said.
Funded by the US State Department and the US Agency for InternationalDevelopment, the OGC aims to reduce the trafficking and consumption ofendangered animals in Asia, including Vietnam .
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Bui CachTuyen stated that the Law on Biodiversity Protection, which was adoptedin 2008, is a clear guideline for the role of the Vietnamese Governmentin preserving flora and fauna, especially those facing extinction.
As part of efforts to realise the national strategy on conservingbiodiversity until 2030, Vietnam is paying greater attention tocombating wildlife trafficking, he said.
Currently,increasing demand for wildlife products is a main contributing factor towildlife trafficking. According to the International Union forConservation of Nature, more than 20,000 elephants were killed inAfrica between 2012 and 2013 for their ivory.
Datafrom the World Wildlife Fund reveal the trading value of wildlife in theblack market could be as high as 19 billion USD each year.
Authorities and scientists at the event stressed the importance ofcompleting legal frameworks and enhancing law enforcement capacity incombating wildlife trafficking, as well as communications and educationon wildlife protection and improving the livelihoods in communitiessurrounding wildlife areas.
The OGC will beimplemented across the nation with the engagement of various agenciesand sectors, including private enterprises. A film-making contest isalso scheduled to be launched later this year.-VNA
