A conference was held in Da Lat city, the Central Highland province of Lam Dong, on July 18 to share experience in protecting, managing and developing forest in a sustainable manner in response to climate change.

Hosted by the National Agriculture Promotion Centre, the event brought together nearly 200 scientists and researchers along with policymakers, representatives from enterprises and local families.

Participants were updated information on climate change and its impacts on agro-forestry production in the Central Highlands and heard experience from the United Nations’ “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation” (UN-REDD) project implemented in the province.

They focused their discussions on solutions to combat climate change and develop forest sustainably.

Dr. Phan Huy Thong, the Centre’s Director, said Vietnam is one of the five countries mostly affected by climate change in the world, stressing that the forestry development plays a vital role in promoting sustainable development, protecting environment, preserving biodiversity and reducing poverty.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, almost 1,25 million households (equivalent to 4,65 million labourers) had by 2010 participated in the project to plant five million ha of forest.

In Lam Dong, over 376,000 ha of forest or 63 percent of the total forest coverage area are allocated to local people, benefiting about 17,000 ethnic minority households. The move contributes to raising public awareness of forest and environment protection.-VNA