Comprehensive measures to restore natural forests

On August 7, the European Union (EU) Support to Viet Nam’s Forestry Sector Project is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in cooperation with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). Co-financed by the EU and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the project is expected to contribute to the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of Vietnam’s natural forests while promoting green growth and climate change adaptation.

The project will be carried out in five provinces: Son La, Dien Bien, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak. Its key priorities include strengthening climate-resilient conservation, restoration and sustainable management of natural forests; applying digital technologies to biodiversity monitoring and community-based forest protection; promoting environmentally sustainable forest-based value chains while ensuring equitable, inclusive and gender-responsive participation of stakeholders; and enhancing institutional capacity and legal frameworks to facilitate the nationwide replication of nature-based solutions.

With EUR 20 million in funding from the EU, the project will be implemented alongside the Conservation, Sustainable Financing and Development of Multifunctional Ecosystems in Viet Nam’s Special-use and Protection Forests (MEPA) project, which is co-financed by the Government of Germany through EUR 7.5 million in official development assistance (ODA) and has been under implementation since early 2026.

Speaking at the project launch, Tran Quang Bao, Director of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, affirmed that the EU Support to Viet Nam’s Forestry Sector Project reflects a shared commitment to protecting and sustainably managing Viet Nam’s natural forests in a comprehensive and inclusive manner.

According to Kristina Buende, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the EU to Viet Nam, Viet Nam's forests play a critical role in addressing climate change, safeguarding water resources and soils, and supporting the livelihoods of around 25 million people whose lives are connected to forests. They also serve as vital natural carbon sinks.

However, climate change, forest degradation and biodiversity loss are placing these ecosystems under increasing pressure.

"Through the Team Europe approach, bringing together the EU and its Member States, we remain committed to supporting Viet Nam in conserving and restoring its forests, for people, for nature and for a resilient, low-carbon future," Kristina Buende said.

Reaffirming long-term support for Viet Nam

Also addressing the conference, Michael Lehmann, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Viet Nam, noted that Germany has long been a trusted partner of Viet Nam in sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

Through the Team Europe approach and additional co-financing for the EU Support to Viet Nam’s Forestry Sector Project, the German Government will continue supporting stronger forest governance, enhanced climate resilience and the development of sustainable and inclusive forest-based value chains.

"Building on the longstanding cooperation between Germany and Viet Nam, the project will advance climate-resilient sustainable forest management by piloting innovative solutions, applying digital technologies and strengthening institutional capacities to foster green growth while reducing vulnerability to climate change," Michael Lehmann said.

The project launch reaffirmed Team Europe’s long-term commitment to supporting Viet Nam in promoting green growth and strengthening climate resilience.

Implemented over the 2026 - 2030 period, the EU Support to Viet Nam’s Forestry Sector Project will help Viet Nam achieve its green growth objectives and advance sustainable and inclusive development by conserving, restoring and sustainably managing natural forests as effective carbon sinks and resilient ecosystems.

Across the five target provinces in the Northwest and Central Highlands regions, the project will promote integrated climate-resilient forest management; apply community-based forest protection approaches and digital technologies for biodiversity monitoring; develop climate-smart, environmentally sustainable forest-based value chains that create equitable livelihood opportunities; and further advance gender equality.

Through the project, the partners aim to support Viet Nam in achieving its green growth, sustainable development and climate adaptation goals; conserving biodiversity; and promoting environmentally sustainable, climate-resilient forest-based value chains while ensuring equitable and inclusive participation of all stakeholders across the Northwest and Central Highlands regions.