This year\u2019s international message calls on the global community to fully recognise the immense potential of forests and the urgent need to safeguard them for future generations.<\/p>\n
The United Nations has chosen ‘Forests and Food’ as the theme for the International Day of Forests 2025, highlighting the vital role forests play in sustaining life on earth.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s message for the day, which falls on March 21, calls on the global community to fully recognise the potential of forests and the urgent need to safeguard them for future generations.<\/p>\n
For Viet Nam, one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, this call is particularly pressing. Frequent natural disasters, such as floods and landslides, make forest protection not just an environmental duty, but a necessity for survival.<\/p>\n
Director of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, Tr?n Quang B?o, said Viet Nam has made notable progress, with forest cover rebounding from just 27 per cent in the 1990s, to around 42 per cent today.<\/p>\n
Key initiatives, including Directive No. 18 on the closure of natural forests, have curbed deforestation. The forestry sector also contributes nearly US$1 billion in exports \u2013 around 80 per cent of agriculture\u2019s trade surplus and almost 60 per cent of Viet Nam\u2019s overall trade surplus.<\/p>\n
Yet serious challenges remain. The sector faces underfunding for forest protection, afforestation and research. The long forestry production cycle deters private investment, while a shortage of skilled personnel and poor working conditions for forest rangers weaken conservation efforts.<\/p>\n
Fragmented forest ownership further hampers coordination.<\/p>\n
Accelerating socio-economic development has worsened deforestation, with forest land cleared for infrastructure, industry and tourism. Climate change has exacerbated natural disasters, damaging vast areas of forest and threatening forestry production.<\/p>\n
Director of the People and Nature Reconciliation (PanNature) Centre, Tr?nh L\u00ea Nguy\u00ean, warned that these pressures create a vicious cycle.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn remote areas, many people still lack awareness of forests\u2019 long-term value,\u201d he said, adding that short-term gains from logging and land conversion often take precedence over sustainability.<\/p>\n
Weak forest management and poor inter-agency coordination further strain already fragile ecosystems, while rangers continue to face limited support and tough conditions.<\/p>\n
Nguy\u00ean said forest protection and ecological restoration must now become national priorities. He called for stronger partnerships with the private sector to ensure long-term investment in reforestation and conservation projects.<\/p>\n
He explained that ecological restoration goes beyond simply planting trees, as it involves rebuilding entire ecosystems to help reduce disaster risks, enhance agricultural productivity, protect biodiversity and support eco-tourism.<\/p>\n
To unlock private investment, Viet Nam should establish clear mechanisms, such as carbon credit markets, green financing, corporate social responsibility initiatives and tax incentives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen businesses see the long-term benefits, they will be more willing to invest, not just out of social responsibility, but also for their own sustainable development,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Nguy\u00ean also stressed the crucial role of local communities, who are directly impacted by environmental degradation. Empowering them in forest management and balancing their economic needs with conservation goals will ensure more sustainable outcomes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen people are part of the decision-making process, they take greater responsibility for protecting forest resources,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
At a recent meeting, the Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy reaffirmed that forestry is one of the three pillars of Viet Nam\u2019s rural development strategy.<\/p>\n
Duy said that forests serve purposes far beyond providing timber. They play a crucial role in environmental protection, maintaining ecological balance and mitigating climate change.<\/p>\n
He urged that forestry be developed with a multi-purpose approach, that supports both economic growth and environmental sustainability for future generations.<\/p>\n