The Management Board of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (PNKB) convened a working session with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Viet Nam and relevant provincial agencies to review conservation progress and discuss strategies to further enhance the site’s World Heritage values.
Overview of the working session
The meeting gathered representatives from IUCN, the Provincial People’s Committee Office, the Departments of Agriculture and Environment, Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Provincial Forest Protection Department. PNKB-MB Director Pham Hong Thai, Deputy Directors, and senior staff also participated.
Over the past years, Phong Nha – Ke Bang has achieved significant results in forest protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable heritage management. These efforts reflect Viet Nam’s commitment to UNESCO World Heritage Committee recommendations and demonstrate effective collaboration between authorities, local communities, and international partners.
Delegates contributing ideas during the discussion
During the session, PNKB-MB reported on management achievements since 2018, its participation in IUCN’s Green List program, and future directions for sustainable development. Delegates exchanged views and proposed initiatives to strengthen conservation of the newly recognized transboundary World Heritage Site shared between Phong Nha – Ke Bang and Hin Nam No National Park (Lao PDR).
Mr. Jake Brunner, IUCN Mekong Region Director, addressing the meeting
IUCN Mekong Region Director and Country Representative in Viet Nam, Mr. Jake Brunner, praised PNKB’s role in supporting Hin Nam No’s World Heritage nomination, calling the park a “natural laboratory” of global significance. He emphasized that the transboundary designation will expand wildlife habitats and foster opportunities for sustainable ecotourism between the two countries. He also noted that well-managed tourism infrastructure could enhance visitor experiences while safeguarding the site’s values. IUCN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting PNKB in its Green List candidacy, other international recognition efforts, and environmental impact assessments in line with Vietnamese law and UNESCO guidelines.
Mr. Pham Hong Thai, Director of PNKB National Park Management Board have a speech for closing remarks
In his closing remarks, Mr Pham Hong Thai, Director of of PNKB NP underscored that conservation successes have contributed to both environmental protection and local socio-economic development, reinforcing the park’s position among Southeast Asia’s leading heritage sites. He announced that PNKB is preparing its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve nomination by September 30, 2025, while advancing its Green List application.
Delegates pose for a group photo at the conclusion of the meeting
The meeting concluded with a strong consensus: safeguarding the Outstanding Universal Value of Phong Nha – Ke Bang is not only a local responsibility but also a shared mission of the international community. This cooperation will help strengthen the park’s global profile, ensuring sustainable development while preserving its irreplaceable natural heritage./.
