South Africa, Vietnam cooperate in bio-diversity preservation

An action plan on Biodiversity Conservation and Protection has been signed between the South African Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs and the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

An action plan on Biodiversity Conservation and Protection was signed between the South African Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs (MWEA) and the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in Pretoria on May 6.

The plan consists of seven groups of action with highest priority given to improving management and law enforcement capacity to protect and preserve forest and bio-diversity within each country’s laws and international agreements, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

It also aims to promote information exchange, develop, transfer and apply cutting-edge technology in building a gene bank for better management, and raise public awareness of the importance of preserving bio-diversity.

MARD Deputy Minister Ha Cong Tuan affirmed that the Vietnam wants to strengthen comprehensive cooperation with South Africa, especially in preserving bio-diversity and fighting against illegal hunting of endangered species, including rhinos for their horns.

MWEA Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi expressed hope that Vietnam will effectively cooperate with South Africa in controlling the illegal hunting and trafficking the rhino horn.

The plan of action will be valid until 2017 and after that the two sides will review the results of cooperation and propose new solutions.