The effectiveness of policies for addressing COVID-19 impacts on wildlife conservation in Vietnam

ABSTRACT

This report analyses the impact of COVID-19 on wildlife conservation, opportunities and challenges for improving the effectiveness of current and future conservation programmes in Vietnam, and proposes solutions for post-pandemic conservation. It was based on a secondary literature review on the status of wildlife conservation and management, using case studies and gathering expert opinions from the national policy dialogue on management and conservation. It was shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has had multiple impacts on wildlife conservation globally and in Vietnam. Many positive effects have been noted, as the political commitment of policy makers in strengthening wildlife conservation policies in Vietnam is becoming increasingly stronger. The agreements also bilaterally provided financial resources to address the illegal wildlife trade. However, illegal wildlife trade is still going on widely across the country. Monitoring of the cross-border wildlife trade is becoming increasingly difficult and funding for conservation has also been reduced, which hinders the effective implementation of wildlife conservation policies. Policy makers need to consider all stakeholder concerns when making decisions about wildlife management and conservation, including developing cross-sectoral, transboundary and follow-up policies;landscape approach, addressing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation;building the capacity of stakeholders and securing sustainable financing for conservation.