Policymakers, scientists, and practitioners from Vietnam and eight other countries gathered together at a dialogue held in Hanoi from October 4-6 by the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) to discuss biodiversity solutions towards global conservation.

The dialogue aimed to bring the policy, science, and practice communities together to assess national efforts, share insights on the challenges and opportunities, and jointly develop strategies for cooperation and the scaling up of initiatives.

It represents the first meeting of all countries under the umbrella of the BES Solutions Fund.

Participants from Vietnam joined those from Cameroon, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, and Trinidad and Tobago to exchange insights on the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, based on new evidence emerging at the national, regional, and global levels, including those that are generated by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and strategies for optimal stakeholder engagement.

They also shared successes, challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned through the BES Solution Fund initiatives. These practical examples will shed light on effective policies, research endeavors, and practical solutions that have facilitated cooperation and reinforced global commitments to biodiversity conservation.

The dialogue stimulated discussions regarding innovative solutions to enhance the effectiveness and future sustainability of activities supported by the BES Solution Fund, focusing on the intertwining contributions of the science, policy, and practice communities to help protect biodiversity and improve ecosystem resilience.

The choice to hold the dialogue in Vietnam acknowledges the country’s remarkable efforts to preserve its unique ecological importance. Known globally as a biodiversity hotspot, Vietnam is home to unique ecosystems, including mountains, tropical forests, limestone karst formations, and marine and coastal ecosystems. Over 100 bird species and 10 per cent of the world’s plant species are endemic to the country.

Between 2017 and 2022, with the support of BES-Net, Vietnam undertook an ambitious journey to craft its first national ecosystem assessment report. Co-implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Program World Conservation Monitoring Center, the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, and the Center for Biodiversity Conservation, this included a series of consultation workshops for policymakers, scientists, and practitioners. The result was a comprehensive summary for policymakers accompanied by a detailed technical report that serves as a foundational guide for national action on nature.