Global Tiger Conservation Coalition aims to raise an additional 1 billion USD

Securing an additional 1 billion USD for tiger conservation

Deputy Minister H.E Nguyen Quoc Tri led the delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Viet Nam to attend the  Conference on Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscape within the framework of the Global Tiger Conservation Coalition, under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen of Bhutan, Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, hosted by the Royal Government of Bhutan.

The conference aims to explore integrated solutions between tiger conservation aligned with international commitments on environment, climate, and development priorities. Furthermore, the event will connect various stakeholders with the common goal of tiger conservation, and mobilize funding resources through innovative landscape approaches.

Following the event, stakeholders can enhance multi-sectoral and multilateral cooperation to implement sustainable tiger conservation solutions. These solutions will promote the sustainable and multi-value development of society, animals, and the environment. Community involvement will be central, fostering harmonious coexistence with tiger habitats.

Moreover, financial conservation models based on evidence-based action plans and performance indicators will inspire the application of innovative financial strategies, thereby ensuring the restoration and gradual recovery of tiger populations. Regarding the funding target, the conference aims to raise an additional 1 billion USD by 2034.

Her Majesty the Queen of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, extends gratitude to the governments of leading partner countries, including Ministers and Deputy Ministers from nations such as Germany, China, India, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Malaysia, Viet Nam, as well as leaders of international organizations and multilateral financial institutions who collectively committed to the Paro Pledge to raise 1 billion USD for biodiversity conservation.

At the conference, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri reiterated Vietnam's support for the Global Tiger Conservation Alliance's goal of raising an additional 1 billion USD for tiger conservation by 2034.

Additionally, Vietnam pledged to fulfill its national responsibility for tiger conservation and biodiversity conservation as a whole, as outlined within the frameworks of the CITES conventions, and the Kunming - Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Accordingly, Vietnam aims to prevent and reduce biodiversity loss; and achieve the United Nations' sustainable development goals.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri outlined Vietnam's policies and regulations regarding tiger conservation, along with its advantages and challenges in this effort, to 200 high-level delegates from various countries and financial organizations.

In addition, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri requested international community support for Vietnam in terms of resources, enforcement capability, policy, technology, and best practice experience in tiger conservation efforts.

"Despite the critically-endangered status of tigers, countries around the world, including Vietnam, are striving to protect and restore their habitats, prey species, end the captivity of non-conserved tigers, and reduce the demand for tiger products," Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri shared.

He emphasized that Vietnam highly values the conference's goal to solutions and integrating global tiger conservation tasks with national and international programs to present solutions and opportunities that integrate global tiger conservation tasks with national and global programs on international mobilization to implement extensive tiger recovery plans.

Conservation efforts will be promoted in combination with national and global agendas on climate, biodiversity, and One Health. Additionally, there is a focus on exploring concerns, mobilizing funding resources through innovative solutions, and encouraging multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder cooperation from public, private sectors, scientists, and bilateral and multilateral international organizations.

Bhutan's desire to initiate agricultural cooperation

Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri had an audience with Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck of Bhutan on April 22, where he expressed his gratitude and recognition for Bhutan's efforts in hosting the monumental tiger conference.

Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck expressed Bhutan's desire to enhance bilateral cooperation with Vietnam across various fields, including agriculture, livestock production, forest conservation, and sustainable management.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri also had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Tsheng Tobogay of Bhutan. During the meeting, Prime Minister Tobogay expressed his wish to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in agriculture, livestock production, crop production, and a special focus on sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

From Vietnam's perspective, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri aspires to learn from Bhutan's successful implementation of tiger conservation and management models, focusing on community involvement and and integration with ecotourism.

The Deputy Minister praised the Bhutanese government's efforts in successfully implementing large-scale tiger conservation models nationwide, with multi-sectoral coordination, community-centered conservation, and the integration of tiger conservation with sustainable development, living in harmony with nature.

During this meeting, Prime Minister Tsheng Tobogay accepted Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri's invitation to participate in the International Conference on Forestry and deliver a speech on biodiversity conservation, sharing Bhutan's experiences on this issue.

Prime Minister Tsheng Tobogay also expressed his desire to visit Vietnam to exchange lessons and best practices in forestry and biodiversity conservation between the two countries. Notably, he will share Bhutan's successful implementation of the "Bhutan for Life" initiative, for which Vietnam can refer to, learn from, and successfully implement a similar initiative.

Promoting cooperation with WWF

After the first day's proceedings at the conference, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri held bilateral discussions with Ms. Kirsten Schuijt, the Director General of WWF International, and Mr. Carter Robert, the President & CEO of WWF US on the morning of April 23. Both parties acknowledged the positive partnership over the years.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri expressed gratitude to WWF International and WWF US for their technical support in nature conservation efforts in Vietnam as a whole, and in the forestry sector in particular.

Namely, the Deputy Minister highlighted WWF's support in policy mechanism building, species conservation programs through Biodiversity Conservation Project (BCA), and Saving Threatened Wildlife project.

Both parties agreed to deepen their cooperation through the leadership role of WWF - Vietnam in detailed implementation programs and plans to support the forestry sector, mobilizing resources for nature-friendly solutions in the Central Vietnam region through the comprehensive "Vietnam for Life” initiative, which will span the following 10 to 20 years.

WWF International and WWF US consider Vietnam as a crucial territory and partner, who achieved successful results in conservation efforts while fulfilling national missions, serving as inspiration, motivation, and a model for other countries in the region. Consequently, both Ms. Kirsten and Mr. Carter pledged to continue cooperation and mobilize resources to help Vietnam disseminate best practices and effective strategies for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of forest ecosystems.