Germany - Vietnam project on special-use forest conservation in Vietnam
DNO - On February 6, the Germany - Vietnam project, which focuses on the conservation, sustainable financing, and development of complex ecosystems within Vietnam’s special-use and protection forests, known as the MEPA Project, was officially launched.
The Germany - Vietnam MEPA Project was officially launched in Sa Pa Commune (Lao Cai Province) by the Forestry and Forest Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
The project aims to improve integrated management of protected areas by strengthening legal frameworks, institutional capacity, law enforcement, and technical expertise.
Key priorities include sustainable financing for protected areas, ecosystem restoration through pilot interventions, and community-based ecotourism that supports conservation while generating local income.
Deputy Director Đoan Hoai Nam expressed confidence that the project will promote comprehensive and sustainable management of Vietnam’s special-use and protection forests, helping conserve biodiversity and secure long-term livelihoods.
The MEPA Project emphasises stakeholder participation, community empowerment, and gender-sensitive approaches to ensure that local communities, especially ethnic minorities, actively engage in conservation and benefit from it while integrating indigenous knowledge into protected area management.
The launch drew over 60 delegates from Central and provincial agencies, national parks, nature reserves, and development partners.
Representing GIZ, Mr Oemar Idoe affirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting pilot integrated management models, capacity building, sustainable financing, and ecosystem restoration to achieve measurable conservation outcomes and community benefits.
Running from 2025 to June 2028 with a total budget of 4.5 million euros funded by Germany and additional Vietnamese counterpart funding, the project will be jointly implemented by the Forestry and Forest Protection Department and GIZ, including pilot activities at Van Long Nature Reserve, Xuan Lien National Park, and Hoang Lien National Park.