In order to effectively implement the Minutes of Talks between Quang Binh province, Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Khammouane province, Laos (signed April 11, 2023) on cooperation to preserve and promote biodiversity values in the World Natural Heritage area of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park, the Management Board of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park held a conference in ThaKhek on July 9, 2024 to exchange experiences and review the implementation of their MoU between the two national parks.
Mr. Dinh Huy Tri – Vice Director of PNKB National Park and Mr. Soukanh Inthanouhack – Deputy Head of Department of Agriculture and Forestry (Khammouane province) co-chaired the meeting. Attending the conference, on the PNKB National Park side, there were representatives of leaders of departments and units under the National Park Management Board. On the Lao side, there were representatives of the Department of Heritage, Department of Forestry, Department of Planning and International Cooperation, and representatives of leaders of Departments and branches of Khammouane province, Boulapha district government, Management Board of Hin Nam No National Park.
An overview of the conference
At the conference, representatives of the PNKB NP Management Board and Hin Nam No National Park reported on the progress of cooperation and organization of management, conservation, law enforcement, monitoring, control, and prevention of illegal hunting, transportation, and trade of wild animals, propaganda and dissemination of biodiversity conservation to communities in border areas. At the same time, share experiences in tourism development, creating sustainable livelihoods, scientific research and exchange experiences between the two national parks.
Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park participated in taking photos at the conference
The two sides also agreed on the contents and implementation plans in the coming time: Continue to coordinate in biodiversity research such as: Discovering new species, endemic species, endangered and rare flora and fauna… on the basis of maintaining exclusive rights in scientific research and approval regulations of both parties. Exchange experiences, deploy and evaluate the results of biodiversity conservation towards implementing appropriate and effective biodiversity conservation mechanisms. Organize conferences to report on the situation of law enforcement and patrols at the border of the two sides. Enhance propaganda and dissemination of biodiversity conservation to communities in the border area between the two provinces. Joint coordination in publishing books, publications and products serving communication and promotion work associated with the activities of both sides. Organize working groups to exchange, learn and share experiences on management, conservation and ecotourism; Expand cooperation with Na Kai – Nam Thon National Park. Agree on editing the content of the dossier nominating Hin Nam No National Park as a cross-border World Natural Heritage with the World Natural Heritage Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Prepare documents for the two National Parks to complete the IUCN Green List registration. At the same time, Hin Nam No National Park will also support the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park Management Board to participate in forums and the process of building a dossier to request UNESCO recognition of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park as a world biosphere reserve and global geopark./.
