Viet Nam, WWF strengthen cooperation in nature conservation and climate change response

On June 4, Party Central Committee member and Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung held a meeting and working session with a delegation from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), led by Mr. Carter Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer of WWF-US.

WWF is the world’s largest international conservation organization network, currently operating in 100 countries and supported by more than 5 million members worldwide.

At the meeting, the two sides discussed the establishment and development of cooperation in the fields of nature conservation, biodiversity protection, and climate change response, with a view to building long-term cooperation programs.

In his discussion with Minister Trinh Viet Hung, Mr. Carter Roberts noted that the merger of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has created an appropriate institutional framework for the effective implementation of conservation programs. He also emphasized that WWF has accompanied Vietnam for more than 30 years in nature and environmental conservation activities, providing a solid foundation for future cooperation.

Minister Trinh Viet Hung stated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment currently oversees 17 sectors governed by 17 corresponding specialized laws. These sectors are all closely linked to the tasks of environmental, ecosystem, and nature protection, in which international conservation organizations are considered important partners.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is currently implementing a wide range of programs on nature and ecological environment conservation; protection of land, seas, and islands; conservation of wildlife and plant species in protected areas; and strict enforcement against illegal hunting and trapping of wild birds and animals. These programs have delivered positive results, particularly during the 2025-2026 period, marked by the reappearance of large wild animal populations in Bac Ninh, Ha Noi, Lao Cai, Phu Tho, and Thai Nguyen provinces.

On that basis, both sides agreed that climate change and nature conservation are closely interconnected issues that must be addressed simultaneously. Discussions at the meeting also emphasized the need for global solutions to prevent environmentally harmful activities, while focusing on two key priorities: remedying existing environmental damage and preventing future harm.

Regarding future cooperation orientations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam and WWF agreed to establish a regular communication mechanism through the WWF-Vietnam Office to exchange information, share experiences, and coordinate the handling of emerging issues.

Both sides expressed their desire to continue maintaining and strengthening cooperative relations, enhance the sharing of experience in biodiversity management and conservation, and support each other in conservation programs, thereby contributing to the achievement of shared goals on environmental protection and sustainable development.

Earlier, in November 2026, the MAE and WWF signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and agreed to focus on three core areas of cooperation:

- Promoting sustainable agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, based on Nature-based Solutions.

- Conserving biodiversity and ecosystems by enhancing landscape connectivity and actively involving local communities.

- Responding to climate change, reducing emissions, and undergoing a green transition, with a focus on carbon credit mechanisms in the agriculture and forestry sectors.

Both sides affirmed Viet Nam's commitment to achieving its net-zero emissions goal by 2050, with nature conservation and green development as crucial pillars of its national strategy.