{"id":5802,"date":"2025-02-18T12:55:04","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T05:55:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nature.org.vn\/en\/?p=5802"},"modified":"2025-05-30T18:52:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T11:52:03","slug":"promoting-other-effective-area-based-conservation-measures-oecms-in-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nature.org.vn\/en\/promoting-other-effective-area-based-conservation-measures-oecms-in-vietnam\/","title":{"rendered":"Promoting Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in Vietnam"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vietnam is recognized as one of the world’s most biodiverse countries. However, biodiversity conservation in the country faces challenges, one of which is the limited extent of officially designated protected areas. The current coverage remains far below the targets outlined in the National Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, with a Vision to 2050, and the National Biodiversity Conservation Plan for 2021\u20132030, with a Vision to 2050. Vietnam\u2019s official protected areas account for only 7.96% of terrestrial land and 0.17% of marine areas.<\/p>\n

To bridge this gap, Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) have emerged as a potential solution. OECMs refer to areas outside the formal protected area system that substantially contribute to biodiversity conservation. These areas help fill critical gaps in conservation efforts while recognizing and supporting diverse governance models, including those led by local communities and Indigenous groups. Notably, many OECMs are also Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs) – areas effectively managed by local communities but not yet officially recognized or adequately supported.<\/p>\n

From forests protected by local people to wetlands maintained by community efforts, or ecologically significant areas with traditional management practices, these sites all hold the potential to be OECMs. The recognition and integration of OECMs into Vietnam\u2019s conservation strategy would not only expand the country\u2019s protected area coverage but also support local livelihoods, preserve cultural heritage, and strengthen climate resilience.<\/p>\n

To further discussions on OECMs in Vietnam, on February 14 & 15, 2025, in Van Ho (Son La province), the People and Nature Reconciliation Center (PanNature) organized a seminar under the theme: “Promoting Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) to Achieve Biodiversity Conservation Goals in Vietnam by 2030.” The event brought together representatives from government agencies, research institutes, universities, local communities, and conservation organizations.<\/p>\n

At the seminar, participants explored key issues, including:\u00a0<\/p>\n