On August 31, 2021, the Vietnam Academy of Forestry Sciences (VAFS) organized a workshop to implement the project “Capacity and knowledge development for applied forest management practices for state forest companies and smallholders in Vietnam” funded by German Ministry of Agriculture and Food (BMEL). The project’s objectives, contents, expected results and the progress were introduced and discussed during the workshop.

There were more than 40 participants from national and international organizations such as: BMEL/GFA, VNForest, project management boards, Forest Protection Departments of of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Quang Ngai provinces, representatives of GIZ, FSC, representatives of forest owners, cooperatives, forestry companies, MCNV project, experts, scientists and project implementation partners. 

Oppening the workshop, Dr. Vo Dai Hai, Director of VAFS and Mr. Christian Aschenbach, representative of BMEL/GFA, both emphasized the role and importance of the Project in supporting the promotion of sustainable forest management in Vietnam. The project implementation is consistent with the strategic goals of Vietnam and the Federal Republic of Germany. During the discussion part, the comments of participants mentioned the importance of project in the contribution to process of implementing sustainable forest management in Vietnam, especially the capacity building for small forest owners through forest owners associations and cooperatives. A demonstration model of sustainable forest management should be developed to demonstrate the best silviculture and forest management techniques for effective training and transfer.

For closing the workshop, Dr. Vo Dai Hai emphasized that the Project need to be flexible for implementing the project’s activities, especially during Covid-19 epidemic. Focus more on national experts to ensure the progress; applying technology in providing online training services; updating and finalizing the training document; finalizing the proposal and implement the development of the demonstration model. Besides that, Training Center needs to increase the marketing activities and expands the partner relationship in order to ensure the financial autonomy in training and consulting activities on sustainable forest management.