Workshop on sharing experience and assessing needs for capacity building in sustainable forest management (SFM) and forest certification (FC) in Vietnam
After 3 years of implementation of the project “Promotion of sustainable management of production forests by forest companies in Vietnam (PSFM)”, the project has so far achieved significant results. One of the biggest results was the establishment of the Training Center for Sustainable Forest Management and Certification and a series of training courses aiming to develop the capacity in sustainable forest management for different forest owners and forest management officials.
In order to share the experience on sustainable forest management in the context of many newly promulgated policies and to consult stakeholders about the need to develop the capacity for implementation of sustainable forest management and certification in Vietnam, also to introduce the Training Center for Sustainable Forest Management and Certification, the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences (VAFS) and the project consultancy office organized the workshop on “Experience sharing and assessing needs of capacity building on sustainable forest management (SFM) and forest certification (FC) in Vietnam ”on November 12, 2019 in Dong Ha City – Quang Tri Province.
Attending the workshop were about 40 delegates who are representatives from the donors such as the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), consulting firm DFS and HessenForst (Germany); experts, experienced scientists from research institutes, universities, Training Center for SFM & FC; representatives of Vietnamese management agencies such as the Forestry Administration, Forest Protection Departments of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai provinces; forest owners who are forestry companies, cooperatives, certified forest owners’ associations having many achievements in SFM and FC in the central region.
At the workshop, scientists and PMU shared the situation, opportunities and challenges of sustainable forest management in Vietnam, as well as the main results and lessons learned from PSFM project.
The Training Center for Sustainable Forest Management & Certification introduced its organizational structure, trainers, training curriculum and training sites, together with the initial training results. It also contributes greatly to raise awareness and promote the SFM and FC in Vietnam. Participants highly appreciated the significant role of the Training Center, and made valuable suggestions to improve the training curriculum to meet practical requirements and in accordance with the new policy documents promulgated.
The delegates discussed the opportunities and challenges in the implementation of sustainable forest management and forest protection, identifying one of the key drivers of promoting sustainable forest management that was introduced, which is to strengthen the capacity and awareness of forest owners and stakeholders.
As a result of the seminar, the delegates affirmed the need to develop the capacity and awareness for forest owners and other stakeholders to meet the requirements of SFM for the prosperity of the country. The Training Center for Sustainable Forest Management and Certification is a model of Vietnam’s first training center on SFM and FC, built on the cooperation of a forestry research institute and a forestry company ( for demonstration activities). The center’s activities are expected to contribute significantly to develop the capacity for stakeholders to promote SFM and FC in Vietnam.
Pictures during workshop
Image 1. Prof. Dr. Vo Dai Hai, Director of VAFS giving opening remarks
Image 3. Dr. Carsten Schusser – Chief Technical Advisor reporting on project implementation results
