Story | 18 Jul, 2017
On May 5, IUCN organized the fourth leadership committee meeting of Ha Long-Cat Ba Alliance (HLCBA). The meeting marked the end of the first phase (2014-2017) of this USAID-funded initiative and the start of the extension phase through September 2019. The meeting focused on the results of the…
Story | 26 Jun, 2017
New tools to assess vulnerability of wetlands in the Mekong
From June 19 to 21, IUCN staff, partners, and local officials from the Xe Champhone and Beung Kiat Ngong Ramsar sites in Lao PDR gathered in Champhone District for a training on the use of a new series of tools to assess the vulnerability of the areas’ wetlands. The…
Story | 21 May, 2017
Banning vs. legalise and regulate in forest management
Two years ago, on a field survey in Bac Kan Province in Viet Nam, we heard about a farmer who needed 30 stamps to get a permit to harvest a single Styrax tonkinensis tree that was growing on his land. Even though the tree was on land that was designated as plantation forest and the farmer had a…
Story | 04 May, 2017
Working together to build MPAs for long-term marine resources management
Our oceans, coasts and wetlands are crucial for our survival. Mangrove forests, for example, sequester massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and protect coastal communities from cyclone storm surges, while coastal wetlands and coral reefs provide breeding and nesting grounds for…
Press release | 03 Apr, 2017
Enhancing regional cooperation to protect and restore Indo-Burma wetlands
The importance of regional cooperation took centre stage at the first Steering Committee meeting and inception workshop for the Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative (IBRRI), held on 29 and 30 March in Bangkok, Thailand.
Story | 15 Mar, 2017
Training tour guides on the beauty of nature in Ha Long Bay
“The beauty of Ha Long Bay lies in its unique geographical, landscape, biodiversity and cultural-historical values. Currently, its biodiversity values are poorly known and tourists need more information on this issue. We lack knowledge to turn these values into better products and experiences…
Story | 02 Feb, 2017
On the occasion of World Wetlands Day on February 2, IUCN is announcing the launch of a regional project to enhance the resilience of wetlands in Lower Mekong countries. Funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation,…
Story | 12 Oct, 2016
Intensive rice production is the predominant cause for the loss of biodiversity and resilience to climate change in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. Today, less than 5% of the natural wetlands of the Delta remain. In order to intensively grow rice in the upper-delta deep flood zone, traditional low…
Story | 08 Aug, 2016
Ha Long Bay decision: Polystyrene banned and must be replaced
The Ha Long City People’s Committee officially announced last week the decision to ban the usage of polystyrene in floating villages and fishing activities around the Ha Long Bay World Heritage Site.
Story | 19 Jul, 2016
Viet Nam: Ha Long-Cat Ba Alliance third leadership committee meeting
On July 6, IUCN organised the semi-annual Leadership Committee meeting of the USAID-funded Ha Long-Cat Ba Alliance (HLCBA) at the Vinpearl Ha Long Resort on Reu Island in Ha Long Bay. The 66 participants included senior officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Ministry of…