WWF INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM



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WF was the first international non­governmental conservation organization to work in Vietnam. Its involvement dates back to 1985. Together with IUCN­The World Conservation Union, the organization helped develop a National Conservation Strategy for Vietnam. A draft version was published in 1986 and endorsed by the Prime Minister. WWF also funded some public awareness campaigns.


In 1991, the organization decided to expand its activities in Vietnam and an office was set up in Hanoi. Headed by a country representative, the office coordinates the growing portfolio of WWF projects in the country, establishes relations with the various government agencies and local research institutes involved in nature conservation, and facilitates provision of funds and technical expertise. It also scouts for new initiatives in the other three countries in the Indochina biogeographic region - Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.


The presence of a WWF office within the country has enabled the organization to respond more quickly to local conservation needs. Today, WWF's strategy for its Vietnam programme involves helping the government develop a functional network of well­managed protected areas, attain sustainable resource use, minimize the negative environmental impacts of economic development, promote conservation awareness, and build local expertise in nature conservation.




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Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature