Con Dao National Park recognized on IUCN Green List

On September 12, Con Dao National Park (Con Dao Special Administrative Zone, Ho Chi Minh City) was officially recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on its Green List, which is a title for protected and conserved areas that demonstrate effective, transparent, and sustainable management. Con Dao is the 101^st national park worldwide and the 3^rd site in Vietnam to receive this recognition, after Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve (Ninh Binh) and Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai).

Along with Con Dao, the IUCN Green List Committee has also recognized three other national parks and nature reserves worldwide in this review time. Con Dao's inclusion on this prestigious list is considered an important milestone, affirming the park's consistent efforts in management and nature conservation within one of Vietnam’s most unique ecosystems.

According to IUCN, the Green List is not merely an "honorary certificate" but an objective measure based on international criteria for effectiveness, transparency, and equity in protected area management. To achieve this recognition, Con Dao National Park underwent a rigorous evaluation process, with the participation of independent experts, conservation organizations, and representatives of the local community.

Mr. Nguyen Khac Pho, Director of Con Dao National Park, stated, "This title is an enormous source of pride for our entire staff. We have made tireless efforts to protect primary forests, rich marine ecosystems, and rare sea turtle species that have become a symbol of Con Dao. This achievement also reflects the crucial support of the local community as well as domestic and international organizations."

Con Dao is recognized as one of Vietnam's most valuable biodiversity centers. Covering more than 15,000 hectares of mainland and 14,000 hectares of marine area, this place is home to diverse mangrove forests, coral reefs, and seagrass beds, along with hundreds of rare plant and animal species. Particularly, Con Dao National Park is among the few sites in Vietnam where large populations of sea turtles still come ashore annually to nest, playing a crucial role in the global network for sea turtle conservation.

The recognition on the IUCN Green List also opens up opportunities for Con Dao to enhance its position regionally and internationally. This recognition not only serves as proof of sustainable management but also helps the locality promote its image as a destination for eco-friendly, sustainable tourism that integrates conservation with economic development. Experts believe that this title could turn Con Dao into a model of harmonizing biodiversity conservation with community livelihoods, thereby contributing to spreading the values of the global Green List network.

Previously, Vietnam had two protected areas admitted to the IUCN Green List. Con Dao's addition makes Vietnam one of the leading countries in Southeast Asia in terms of the number of Green List sites, affirming its strong commitment to biodiversity protection, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development.

"In the coming time, Con Dao National Park will continue to strengthen scientific research, international cooperation, and community education programs to raise awareness about conservation while maintaining and enhancing the criteria that have helped the park achieve this recognition. This is a vital foundation for Con Dao to both preserve its unique natural values and develop responsible ecotourism, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's image on the global conservation map," said Director Nguyen Khac Pho.

Con Dao National Park is home to a wide variety of ecosystems characteristic of tropical forests and islands, including evergreen tropical rainforests, semi-deciduous forests, mangroves, coral reefs, sandy tidal flats, and seagrass beds. Its terrestrial area encompasses 14 islands, with abundant seabird species such as the brown booby, Thalasseus bergii, Sterna dougallii, pied imperial pigeon, Germain's swiftlet, and the endemic long-tailed macaque of Con Dao.

Con Dao National Park's flora comprises 1,077 plant species, while its forest fauna includes 155 species. The marine ecosystem boasts as many as 1,725 species, including 360 coral species, 205 reef fish species, 187 mollusk species, and 116 crustacean species, along with various rare reptiles, birds, and marine mammals. Of these, 76 forest animal species and 72 marine animal species are listed as endangered. Significantly, the green turtle population nesting and laying eggs in Con Dao National Park has remained stable for many years. Meanwhile, the dugong, which is a symbol of biological fragility, is now distributed in only a few locations worldwide, including Con Dao.