Mekong - U.S. Partnership
The USAID-funded Asia’s Regional Response to Endangered Species Trafficking (ARREST) Program, in partnership with the World Bank and Global Environment Facility, supported Vietnam’s Biodiversity Conservation Agency (BCA) to develop a plan to reduce the illegal consumption of wildlife. The BCA plan was presented to Vietnam’s Central Committee for Propaganda and Education (CCPE) on December 17, 2013. The CCPE Chief supported the plan and agreed to start distributing awareness packages using messages and materials developed by the partnership.
The committee meeting highlighted the increasing level of illegal consumption of endangered species in Vietnam. The high rate of consumption of wildlife in Vietnam is threatening the survival of many endangered species, foremost of rhinos in Southern Africa, where rhino horns are poached and sent to Vietnam. The CCPE acknowledged that raising awareness is a critical aspect of reducing demand for wildlife products. This high level support and collaboration with the ARREST Program shows promising signs for the future of endangered species in Vietnam.
Related Website: Asia’s Regional Response to Endangered Species Trafficking (ARREST) Program
Source: USAID/RDMA Regional Environment Office Weekly Update
