WWF INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM
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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