Decision No. 523/QD-TTg Approving the Forestry Development Strategy of Vietnam for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2030

PRIME MINISTER -------	SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM Independence - Freedom - Happiness ---------------
Decision No.: 523/QĐ-TTg	Hanoi, April 1, 2021

Pursuant to …;

APPROVAL OF THE STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FORESTRY IN VIETNAM FOR THE PERIOD 2021-2030, WITH A VISION TO 2050

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated June 19, 2015; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Administration dated November 22, 2019;

Pursuant to the Forestry Law dated November 15, 2017;

At the request of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,

DECISION:

Article 1.

Approve the Strategy for the Development of Forestry in Vietnam for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 (hereinafter referred to as the Strategy), with the main contents as follows:

I. DEVELOPMENT VIEWS

1. Forests are both natural resources and important production materials that can be regenerated, serving as a significant asset and resource of the country, while also being a crucial factor in the ecological environment, contributing to mitigating natural disasters, adapting to climate change, and conserving biodiversity.

2. Sustainable development of forestry based on efficient management and utilization of forest resources; harmonizing economic, social, and environmental objectives; making forestry truly become a modern, effective, and competitive industry-oriented economy, linked in chains from forest development, protection, utilization to processing and trade of forest products to enhance the value of forests, rational use of natural resources, leveraging climatic potential, land, and comparative advantages of regions, ensuring balanced national, local, and people's interests. Reforming the growth model from expanding area and volume to focusing on increasing productivity, quality, and added value of forestry products. Developing agroforestry, non-timber forest products; urban forestry, landscape, and sustainable tourism linked to forests.

3. The State has investment policies and supports investment in forestry development in accordance with forestry laws, suitable to the state budget's capacity at each stage; having appropriate mechanisms and policies to support, create favorable conditions, and encourage organizations and individuals of all economic sectors to participate in forestry development investment, prioritizing: research, selection, creation of high-quality tree planting seeds; intensive plantation of large timber trees, development of non-timber forest products; planting, harvesting, processing wood and non-timber forest products using advanced technology, environmentally friendly.

II. OBJECTIVES

1. General Objective

Building forestry into a true industry-oriented economy; establishing, managing, protecting, developing, and sustainably utilizing forests and areas planned for forestry; ensuring broad and equal participation of all economic sectors in forestry activities, mobilizing maximum social resources; applying advanced and modern science and technology. Leveraging the potential, role, and impact of forests to make forestry contribute increasingly significantly to economic and social development, environmental protection, water security, disaster mitigation, proactive and effective response to climate change, conservation of natural resources and biodiversity, providing diverse types of forest environmental services, creating jobs and income for people, maintaining national defense and security, achieving national sustainable development goals successfully. The system of state management agencies for forestry is streamlined, operating effectively and efficiently.

2. Specific objectives

a) On Economy

- Annual growth rate of forestry production value: 5.0% to 5.5%.

- Export value of wooden products and forest products: 18 to 20 billion USD in 2025, 23 to 25 billion USD in 2030; domestic market consumption value of forest products reaches 5 billion USD in 2025, exceeds 6 billion USD in 2030.

- Plantation forest area: about 340,000 hectares/year by 2030.

- Protective and special-purpose forest planting with native, precious, and rare species: average 4,000 to 6,000 hectares/year.

- Restoration of protective and special-purpose forests: average 15,000 hectares/year.

- Harvested wood volume from planted forests aims to reach 35 million cubic meters³ by 2025, 50 million cubic meters³ by 2030.

- Develop forest environmental services, diversify and expand appropriate revenue sources according to the law; total revenue from forest environmental services increases by an average of 5% annually.

- Improve the quality of natural forests, productivity, and efficiency of planted forests and combined agricultural-forestry systems; area of forests with sustainable forest management certification reaches over 0.5 million hectares during 2021-2025, over 1 million hectares during 2026-2030.

- By 2025, income value from planted production forests increases 1.5 times and by 2030 increases 2 times per unit area compared to 2020.

b) On Society

- The proportion of forestry workers trained reaches 45% in 2025 and 50% in 2030; ensure gender equality.

- By 2025, 50% and by 2030, 80% of households in mountainous areas and ethnic minorities living in forested areas participate in commercial forestry production.

- By 2025, the average income of ethnic minority people working in forestry increases more than twice compared to 2020; contributing to reducing the poverty rate among ethnic minority groups by more than 3.0% annually; by 2030, the average income of ethnic minority people equals half the national average.

c) On Environment

- National forest coverage ratio remains stable at 42% to 43%, effectively contributing to the implementation of nationally determined commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; building a green Vietnam.

- By 2030, 100% of forest areas managed by organizations are sustainably managed; during 2021-2025, 10% and during 2026-2030, 20% of natural forest areas improve quality; enhancing the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation and protective capacity of forests, minimizing violations of forestry laws to the greatest extent possible, ensuring environmental security.

3. Vision to 2050

By 2050, forestry will truly become a modern, effective, and highly competitive industry-oriented economy; fully leveraging the potential and advantages of tropical forest resources; advanced and environmentally friendly technology; producing a wide range of high-value-added products and services, deeply participating in global value chains; making greater contributions to the sustainable development of the country.

Regarding the economy: develop sustainable forestry, integrate internationally, enhance the effectiveness of the potential and advantages of tropical forest resources, strive to become one of the leading centers for wood production, processing, and trade in the world with modern technology; contribute increasingly to the development of the national economy and society.

Regarding society: make significant contributions to building a safe and prosperous Vietnam; new rural areas rich, beautiful, and civilized based on improving livelihoods, developing green economies linked to forest resources, preserving traditional cultural identity and living spaces for ethnic minority communities; ensure the maintenance of national defense and security.

Regarding the environment: manage forests sustainably, conserve natural resources and biodiversity over the long term; ensure environmental security, water security, prevent land degradation, reduce the negative impacts of natural disasters, proactively respond to climate change, provide forest environmental services; actively participate responsibly and fully implement international commitments already signed.

III. DIRECTION FOR DEVELOPMENT

1. Direction for development by sector

a) Forestry planning

Establish a stable national forest area; implement the national forestry planning period 2021-2030, vision to 2050 ensuring principles: consistent with overall national planning, national land use planning, national forestry development strategy, national strategy on biodiversity; sustainable forest management; harvesting and using forests linked to conservation of natural resources, enhancing the economic value of forests and cultural and historical values; protect the environment, respond to climate change, and improve people's livelihoods; natural forests must be included in special-use forests, protective forests, productive forests; involve agencies, organizations, households, individuals, and community residents; transparency and gender equality.

For special-use forests and protective forests: review and adjust the planning system of national special-use forests and protective forests to establish a stable national forest area towards: strengthening connectivity among ecosystems with high conservation and environmental protection values at the landscape level by establishing connecting corridors aimed at enhancing biodiversity values, ensuring national and international standards; ensuring requirements for upstream protection, preventing landslides, blocking waves, reclaiming the sea, blocking wind and sand, protecting urban, industrial, and rural environments under the context of climate change; consider transferring some areas of natural forests classified as productive forests to protective forests and special-use forests, adjusting forest classification according to functions and purposes to optimize comprehensive economic and social benefits and environmental effects and align with international practices.

For productive forests: review and adjust the area of productive forests towards leveraging comparative advantages of regions and areas regarding soil conditions, climate, and forest resources; build concentrated raw material zones for wood processing industries and develop high-yield and quality timber plantations with the participation of various economic sectors; increase the overall economic efficiency per unit area through optimal production systems and value chains; focus on developing multi-purpose forestry (timber, non-timber forest products, services); agroforestry integration.

Strictly implement the Party's guidelines and state laws on managing and using land of state-owned agricultural and forestry enterprises, enhance the potential for developing forestry economies linked to forest protection.

b) Forest management, protection, and biodiversity conservation of forest ecosystems

Closely manage and protect existing natural forest areas; restore and improve the quality of natural forests to conserve biodiversity, use and provide forest environmental services, including: for special-use forests, ensure harmony between biodiversity conservation, protection of endangered, precious, and rare wild animals and plants, and ecotourism and resort development; for protective and productive natural forests, focus on forest protection work, develop forest environmental services, and models of non-timber forest product development and agroforestry integration; implement activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through limiting deforestation and forest degradation; conserve and increase carbon stock and sustainably manage forest resources (REDD+).

Minimize the conversion of natural forest use purposes to non-forestry purposes; complete the allocation of land and forests, leasing of forests tied to issuing forest land use right certificates, ensuring all areas planned for forestry development are allocated and leased to genuine forest owners; ensure all necessary conditions for organizing forest management and sustainable development of forest resources.

Strengthen the connection between conservation and development with active participation from stakeholders in forest management such as: building models linking local communities' participation and fair benefit sharing in the management of special-use forests and protective forests through collaborative adaptive management approaches to enhance local community participation levels, reduce conflicts, and improve management effectiveness; promote the issuance of sustainable forest management certificates; continue to perfect mechanisms, policies, and technical guidance on sustainable forest management and forest certification; provide specific guidance for different groups such as individuals, households, groups of households, communities, etc.; strengthen capacity enhancement for stakeholders in sustainable forest management and forest certification.

Enhance forest management capacity for forest owners through the establishment of monitoring and evaluation systems for forest resources; promote the application of remote sensing technology and geographic information systems (GIS), and information technology in forestry management; conduct surveys and assessments of national forest resources; develop community forestry linked with traditional cultural identity, placing people at the center. Improve the capacity of forest owners to effectively manage, protect, and develop forests; by 2030, 100% of forest owners will be organizations capable of monitoring, supervising, managing forest resources, and preventing and fighting forest fires.

c) Forest development

Develop concentrated plantation areas supplying raw materials, prioritizing large timber plantations; accelerate socialized investment in forest development through mechanisms and policies encouraging land use, credit, insurance, tax, and market.

Strengthen research, selection, and breeding of tree species for forestry planting, prioritizing the development of varieties produced from tissue culture and cuttings for commercial forest planting; strive for at least 90% of forest area planted with recognized forestry tree varieties; average yield of intensively managed new variety plantations should reach 20 m³/ha/year by 2025 and 22 m³/ha/year by 2030.

Restore natural forests using measures such as enclosure and promotion of natural regeneration, enclosure and promotion of natural regeneration with supplementary planting, nurturing, and enriching forests; develop agroforestry and non-timber forest products towards industrial production.

Increase productivity, quality, and efficiency of commercial forest plantations through optimization of production systems and value chains through the vigorous application of science and technology, including: determining suitable crop structures and species based on soil conditions, climate, high economic value, and business purposes, and harvesting and processing technologies; applying technological advancements, using high-quality seeds, intensive large timber plantations, mechanization, and advanced technologies in production stages (site preparation, cultivation, care, disease and pest control, fire prevention, harvesting, transportation, processing...); prioritize areas such as conservation and development of genetic resources, breeding, large timber plantation business operations, biological preparations and techniques serving intensive plantation forestry; achieve over 30% mechanization in concentrated plantation stages.

Develop special-purpose forest systems, conserve and enhance the value of forest genetic resources, forest resources, and biodiversity, meeting requirements for ecological balance maintenance and sustainable forestry development; assess and document biodiversity resources to serve management, conservation, and provide material for hybrid seed development, forest planting, and new product creation; improve competitiveness in the trend of international integration.

Maintain and enhance the quality of protective forests to reduce damage from natural disasters, improve the environment, reduce emissions; increase carbon absorption, supply forest environmental services, and proactively respond to climate change.

The State invests in developing protective forests and special-purpose forests, and accelerates the construction and improvement of forestry infrastructure to protect and develop forests; protect and conserve biodiversity, the environment, while creating preconditions to attract and support various economic sectors to participate in forest development; prioritize the development of upstream and coastal protective forests to prevent, mitigate, and reduce the negative impacts of natural disasters and respond to climate change.

Build and implement the One Billion Green Trees Planting Program aimed at providing wood and raw materials for production and consumption, protecting the environment, improving landscapes (in cities, rural areas, offices, schools, hospitals, historical sites,...) and responding to climate change, contributing to achieving national sustainable development goals.

d) Forest utilization

Continue to implement the policy of closing natural forests until 2030, prohibiting the exploitation of wood from natural forests; establish mechanisms and policies to limit the exploitation and use of young trees from plantations during their strong growth period, encourage the planting of large timber plantations to supply raw materials for wood processing industries; meet basic raw material needs for wood processing and forest products.

Maximize the provision of forestry services and forest environmental services to generate revenue and reinvest in forestry development; promote the development of eco-tourism; encourage organizations, households, and individuals to invest, manage, exploit, and utilize forests sustainably, deep process wood and non-timber forest products using advanced technology that is environmentally friendly.

Study reasonable exploitation plans for protective forests that are plantations after 2025, ensuring both protective functions and the supply of large timber and non-timber forest products for production and consumption; continue to enclose, improve, and enrich natural production forests after 2030 to enhance quality and provide sources of wood, non-timber forest products, and forest environmental services.

Sustainably use biodiversity resources, genetic resources, types of organisms, and forest ecosystems; promote the planting and use of non-timber forest products, focusing on groups of products with strengths and economic value based on the advantages of regions and areas such as bamboo and rattan, medicinal herbs, resin, food, organic products; establish mechanisms and policies allowing forest owners to manage, exploit, develop, and sustainably use non-timber forest products.

e) Development of the forestry processing and trade industry

Strive to make our country one of the world's leading centers for forestry production, processing, and trade through promoting the formation of large enterprises and modern industrial zones with regional and global scale capabilities, equipped with advanced technology and management levels to produce high-quality branded products with strong competitiveness and participate deeply in global value chains.

Develop high-tech wood processing industrial zones, furniture industry clusters, and wood processing industries in areas with sufficient raw material supply, stability, convenient transportation, and synchronized infrastructure to ensure competitiveness in regional and international markets; replace old, outdated machinery and technology causing environmental pollution for existing processing plants; resolutely not use old, outdated technology for new processing plants being invested in and constructed. Develop supporting industries such as wood processing equipment, adhesives, surface coatings, accessories, etc.

Increase the proportion of deep-processed products. Focus on developing product lines with high and sustainable competitive advantages, such as: interior wooden furniture (kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, etc.), outdoor wooden products, fine wooden handicrafts, and refined products from non-wood forest resources (bamboo, rattan, medicinal herbs, etc.). Vigorously process high-quality engineered wood panels to supply furniture manufacturing plants, gradually reduce the processing of wood chips for export. Encourage the use of products made from engineered wood panels and plantation timber; focus on developing and deeply processing valuable non-wood forest products according to the strengths of each region.

Develop wood processing industry in conjunction with restructuring the forestry sector towards large-scale commodity production, increasing added value, sustainable development, and international economic integration; develop all stages of the forest product value chain from production, harvesting, processing to consumption in accordance with the scale, level of production, and characteristics, advantages of each product line and region; link with the development of concentrated raw material production areas.

Promote mechanization and modernization of the wood processing industry through the application of advanced, intelligent, efficient, safe, low-emission, and sustainable technologies; encourage various economic sectors and intensify international cooperation in investment and development of the wood processing industry.

Organize well the import of wood raw materials and forest products, limit the import of interior wooden furniture that can be produced domestically, while strengthening the planting of large-scale timber plantations, restructure tree species providing large timber and non-wood forest products, to ensure self-sufficiency in raw materials for processing, minimize dependence on imported raw materials, and increase the added value of processed products.

Improve product quality, diversify designs to meet domestic and international market demands; develop modern trade forms, fully apply technological solutions to develop e-commerce along with building the Vietnamese wood brand and using legally sourced wood certified with Chain of Custody (CoC) for exported products. Expand markets to ensure stable and sustainable development.

2. Regional Development Orientation

In addition to the common development orientations across sectors mentioned above, during the implementation of the Strategy, it is necessary to develop forestry in a way that overcomes difficulties and shortcomings, protect, conserve, and leverage the potential and strengths of forestry in each region specifically as follows:

a) The Northern Midland and Mountainous Region

- Northwest Region:

Conserve tropical mountainous forest ecosystems and rare flora and fauna genetic resources in special-use forests; concentrate on constructing and reinforcing upstream watershed protection forests along the cascade hydropower projects on the Da River basin.

Develop upstream watershed protection forests, special-use forests, biodiversity conservation, forest environmental services, eco-tourism, and restorative tourism; produce forests: plant raw material forests, agroforestry, non-wood forest products (such as: cardamom, cornelian cherry, fennel, cashew, bamboo, reed, etc.); develop community forestry.

- Northeast Region:

Develop upstream watershed protection forests, coastal and riverine forests, special-use forests, biodiversity conservation, urban forestry, eco-tourism, and restorative tourism; productive forests, plant raw material forests; develop wood processing and trade in forest products; agroforestry, non-wood forest products (such as: cinnamon, cassia, bamboo, reed, etc.).

Continue to reinforce and protect existing special-use forests such as: Ba Be National Park, Bai Tu Long, Du Già - Dong Van Plateau, Hoang Lien, Phia Oắc - Phia Den, Tam Dao, Xuan Son, etc.; nature reserves, species and habitat conservation areas, historical landscape forests; focus on constructing and reinforcing coastal protective forests and upstream watershed protection forests.

b) The Red River Delta Region

Develop protective forests, scenic forests, coastal forests; special-use forests; urban forestry, eco-tourism, and restorative tourism. Develop wood processing and non-wood forest product processing industries (such as: rattan, bamboo, medicinal herbs, etc.).

Reinforce and protect existing special-use forests such as: Cuc Phuong, Ba Vi, Cat Ba, Xuan Thuy, etc. national parks; natural reserves, historical and cultural sites, scenic landscapes; focus on constructing and reinforcing urban environmental protective forests, industrial area protective forests, and coastal protective forests; promote scattered tree planting, improve environmental landscapes, and partially meet household wood needs.

c) The North Central Coast Region

Develop upstream watershed protection forests, coastal and riverine forests, anti-desertification, wave, and erosion control forests; special-use forests for biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism, and restorative tourism; productive large timber forests, agroforestry; wood processing and non-wood forest product processing industries (such as: cinnamon, star anise, betel nut, red turmeric, pine resin, bamboo, rattan, etc.).

Review and evaluate the system of upstream watershed protection forests, special-use forests, hydropower and irrigation systems in the region to propose appropriate solutions. Protect and reinforce special-use forests within the territory, such as: Pu Mat, Vu Quang, Ben En, Bach Ma, Phong Nha - Ke Bang, etc., and other nature reserves to protect the high biodiversity of the region, combined with upstream watershed protection; focus on constructing and reinforcing upstream watershed protection forests, coastal protective forests against desertification, waves, and coastal erosion; promote community-based forest management, especially for dispersed upstream watershed protection forests and areas requiring desertification prevention activities, and land improvement efforts.

d) South Central Region

Protecting and developing upstream protective forests, windbreaks, sand barriers, and coastal erosion prevention; combating drought, improving water sources, and agricultural land; enhancing the planting of protective forests to prevent sand and wind erosion, wave protection, and coastal erosion.

Protecting and reinforcing existing special-use forests such as Phước Bình National Park, Nui Chua, Song Than,...; continuing to establish special-use forests in the southern part of the Truong Son Range and historical and traditional cultural forests.

Developing eco-tourism and resort services; large-scale timber production forests, combined agriculture and forestry, wood processing industry; non-timber forest products (such as: cinnamon, nutmeg, tamarind, longonbon, teak, Ngoc Linh ginseng, codonopsis, rattan, etc.).

đ) Central Highlands Region

Strictly protecting the current natural forest area; stopping illegal logging and deforestation, gradually restoring and developing forests suitable for local resource conditions, characteristics, and natural conditions.

Determining stable forest compartments; upstream protective forests; special-use forests, biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism, resorts; production forests, combined agriculture and forestry; wood processing industry, non-timber forest products (such as: red turmeric, teak, macadamia, pine, rattan, Ngoc Linh ginseng, etc.).

Building and reinforcing existing special-use forests such as YokDon, Chu Yang Sin, Bidup-Nui Ba, Chu Mom Ray, Kon Ka Kinh, Ta Dung National Parks,... and other nature reserves rich in biodiversity. Conserving endemic species in mixed dipterocarp forests and three-needle pine forests; strengthening and protecting the upstream protective forest system to maintain natural forest coverage through joint management and community forestry practices.

e) Southeastern Region

Developing upstream protective forests for cities, industrial zones, coastal areas; special-use forests: biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism, resorts; large-scale timber production forests, combined agriculture and forestry, non-timber forest products; wood processing industry.

Strengthening protection and conservation of biodiversity in special-use forests such as Bu Gia Map, Con Dao, Cat Tien, Lo Go-Sa Mat National Parks and other nature reserves. Enhancing reinforcement and protection of the upstream protective forest system, protecting reservoirs and hydropower projects like Tri An, Dau Tieng, Thac Mo,... Vigorously building environmental protective forests for industrial zones, major cities, and coastal areas.

g) Mekong Delta Region

Developing protective forests along the coast, urban areas; special-use forests: mangrove forests, acacia; scattered tree planting; wood processing; combined agricultural, forestry, and aquaculture production.

Reinforcing, protecting, and conserving biodiversity in special-use forests such as Tram Chim, Ca Mau Cape, U Minh Lower, U Minh Upper, Phu Quoc National Parks; nature reserves; restoring and developing mangrove and acacia forest ecosystems for environmental protection and economic development; strengthening construction and reinforcement of protective forests against waves, coastal erosion, and protecting other facilities, proactively and effectively responding to climate change.

IV. SOLUTIONS

1. Mechanisms and Policies

a) Reviewing and perfecting the forestry policy system based on the Forestry Law 2017, ensuring harmony with the Land Law, Biodiversity Law, Environmental Protection Law, related laws, and international treaties that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has signed and joined, to meet the requirements of sustainable forestry development; researching and building policies to promote socialization of forestry, attract investment in forestry, manage natural forests, develop community forestry, forest environmental services; forest valuation policies, public service provision for special-use forest management boards, protective forest management boards; policies encouraging innovation, creativity, and application of science and technology, deep processing, product development, brand building, and market expansion,...

b) Reforming mechanisms and policies to mobilize diverse resources for forestry development generally and for sustainable poverty reduction in particularly difficult regions and ethnic minorities with many forests, such as: allocating forests and forestry land to communities, developing community forest management; benefiting from forests, truly creating livelihoods for people living near forests; paying for forest environmental services; rights to use land and forests for production and business in line with the market economy; concentrating land to create concentrated raw material areas; mechanisms, policies, and incentives for those involved in forest protection, forest development, and forest fire fighting; policies for workers and people living near forests in remote areas.

c) Studying and perfecting investment mechanisms and policies, supporting investment, encouraging forest protection and development, especially natural forests, protective forests, natural forests, directly benefiting from forests; developing combined agriculture and forestry, non-timber forest products, and forest environmental services to gradually replace the mechanism of budget-funded subsidies; owning forestry products, combined agricultural and fishery products, non-timber forest products, or values obtained from non-forestry services for forest areas managed and contracted by households, individuals, and village communities on behalf of state ownership.

Building complete investment mechanisms and policies to attract investment, encouraging businesses to invest in forestry; economic policies ensuring full recovery of values created and provided by forests to society to create a stable and sustainable financial source for reinvestment in the forestry sector, reducing the proportion of state budget investment.

Increasing state investment in managing, protecting, and developing special-use forests, protective forests, scientific research, extension services, human resource training, modern forest management systems, forest surveys, planning, high-quality seedling and nursery construction, and appropriate infrastructure investment for forestry; for protective forests and special-use forests, the state annually allocates operating funds to management boards under self-financing mechanisms and operational costs for village and commune forest protection teams; the state allocates management and protection funds for natural production forests during closure periods.

Strictly manage the area of natural forests, with mechanisms that harmonize management and protection with the exploitation of economic values from natural forests to contribute to poverty reduction and socio-economic development in localities with forests.

The State shall have mechanisms to provide preferential capital support for households participating in forest protection and development, especially poor households, ethnic minorities in remote, mountainous, and border areas to develop production through combined agriculture and forestry methods, non-timber forest products, large livestock breeding, and agricultural crop planting during periods without income from forests; support investment and preferential investment in building infrastructure for seed production, production of forestry bio-products, supporting industries for forest product processing, application of advanced and new technologies, environmentally friendly technologies; high-tech forestry centers, modern forestry trading centers (electronic trading platforms for introducing, promoting, and auctioning forest products); support the establishment of forest product value chains.

Study and build insurance mechanisms and policies in forestry, including forest plantation insurance.

Implement pilot models of forestry production to serve as a basis for summarizing, evaluating, and developing new mechanisms and policies on forestry.

2. Enhance awareness promotion

Vigorously promote awareness enhancement among all levels, sectors, and businesses about the economic, social, environmental values, national defense, and security of forests; the role and importance of forests in biodiversity conservation, provision of forest environmental services, green growth, and sustainable national development. Strengthen communication with rich content and diverse forms, utilizing modern media and social networks to change perceptions about forest protection and development; pay attention to cultural and ethnic minority factors in promotional work; enhance the awareness of all levels of government, particularly grassroots authorities and relevant sectors, regarding their responsibilities for forest management and protection; comply with legal regulations and commitments on forest protection and forestry development.

Strengthen legal education on forest protection and development, raise public awareness of forest protection; mobilize households living near and within forests to sign commitments for forest protection; establish and implement community forest protection agreements; shift perceptions and business practices from extensive to intensive forestry; develop combined agriculture and forestry, small and large timber production, non-timber forest products, and forest environmental services.

3. Develop and apply science and technology and extension services

Developing science and technology is a crucial factor in promoting sustainable forestry development, increasing added value, and competitiveness; striving for scientific and technological contributions to the forestry sector's growth value to reach 30%.

Focus on scientific research and technological development to meet production and market requirements, encourage innovation to create new values and products, involving forest owners and enterprises: high-tech forestry, climate change adaptation, international integration; biodiversity conservation; forest environmental services; quality of planted forests and wood processing technology; ensure both basic and applied research; develop scientific and technological research programs and topics, prioritizing areas such as selecting and creating high-quality forestry tree varieties, intensive planted forest cultivation, wood processing technology, substitute products for imports, high-tech applications, information technology, biological technology in forest management and protection, combined agriculture and forestry, non-timber forest products; calculate and quantify the total economic value (converted) of forests, contributions to green economic development, and green GDP of the country.

Strengthen research, transfer, and application of progress and science and technology, including information technology, throughout all stages of the forestry industry value chain, particularly in selecting and creating new high-yield forestry tree varieties, intensive forest cultivation, harvesting, transportation, and wood processing.

Conduct research under a commissioned mechanism; link scientific research organizations with businesses and forest growers; combine research with training and extension services, linking production and product processing and consumption to form a closed research cycle in training.

Establish and improve economic and technical standards in forestry (public service budget standards used in the forestry economic sector such as forest protection and development; biodiversity conservation, rescue, ecological recovery, and forest monitoring; forest surveys, forestry planning; forest statistics and inventory; forestry museum and specimen preservation; standards serving the management functions of the forestry sector). Establish a system of national standards for forestry, sustainable forest management, forestry value chains, wood and non-timber forest products, meeting the requirements of sustainable forestry development; forestry trade and international commitments.

Increase investment to enhance capacity and improve the national forest resource survey and monitoring system towards modernization, efficiency, effectiveness, consistency, continuity, serving and meeting the requirements of forestry development in the new situation, suitable to Vietnam's specific conditions, international practices, and commitments.

Promote modernization in the wood processing industry, encourage the application of advanced, environmentally friendly technologies, deep processing, and material conservation; encourage the development of new materials to replace wood, combining wood-plastic, wood-metal, etc.

Strengthen the capacity of the research and extension system; innovate extension mechanisms, forms, and methods; intensify international cooperation; promote technology transfer into production, develop the extension system; develop infrastructure and equipment for research and extension; ensure that 20% of participating enterprises engage in high-tech forestry research, transfer, and application; master high-tech in forestry activities.

4. Train human resources

Reform and improve the quality of human resource training in the industry, focusing on training high-quality human resources to serve industrialization and modernization in forestry; prioritize training personnel with high professional qualifications sufficient to access modern technology, thereby creating breakthroughs in research, selection, creation, and production of seeds, biotechnology, and application of advanced technology in forestry to promptly address issues and challenges in the sector.

Enhance the quality of the professional forestry management cadre, ensuring effectiveness and efficiency. Reform activities and strengthen the capacity of forestry education and research institutions. Emphasize training for researchers and lecturers with deep expertise in key areas such as seeds, forest biology, wood processing technology, non-timber forest products, forestry management, social forestry, natural conservation, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation... providing conditions for experts and young cadres to participate in cooperative research and teaching; train skills in forest product processing, forest care, protection, and utilization, development of non-timber forest products, and integrated agriculture-forestry.

Encourage and create a favorable environment and conditions to facilitate cooperation and support between enterprises and training organizations in training and improving skills for enterprise workers. Expand vocational training forms linked to the transfer of new technologies, new techniques, and production processes to individual farmers; train craft villages and specialized production areas. Strengthen domestic and international training for managers, researchers, and market development staff to enhance and supplement the ranks of skilled business operators.

5. Build a synchronized forestry infrastructure, modernize the forestry industry and logistics services.

Reorganize concentrated production areas according to the direction of developing main products suitable for each region's advantages, combined with synchronized mechanization and connection to wood processing zones and trade service areas; intensify investment and complete synchronized forestry infrastructure; develop wood processing clusters connected to planted forest raw material areas based on ecological regions; develop a forestry road system linking large-scale, concentrated raw material areas with processing plants; reduce transportation costs, increase the value of wood products.

Accelerate modernization, mechanization, and automation in concentrated commercial forestry production areas. By 2030, the rate of mechanization in land preparation, seedling cultivation, tree planting, care, pest control, fire prevention, logging, and wood transportation reaches at least 30%. Develop the wood processing and forest product industry into a leading economic sector in production and export, striving for Vietnam to become one of the world's top countries in producing, processing, and exporting branded and reputable wood and non-timber forest products.

Build a modern, efficient, environmentally friendly wood processing industry, linked to establishing large-scale industrial parks and major enterprises; develop supporting industries to ensure a steady supply of raw materials for the wood processing industry. Encourage and attract enterprises to invest in building wood processing plants and using wood processing waste to produce wood adhesives and accessories for the wood processing industry.

Prioritize and enhance the capacity and physical facilities for monitoring forest resources to regional standards; firefighting equipment.

The State supports investment and encourages investment policies to build at least three high-tech forestry zones in the North, Central, and South regions to promote the development of the forestry industry towards modernization and the application of high technology in the forestry value chain.

Establish information systems and databases on forest product processing: build national databases, moving towards forming a science and technology trading platform and investment orientation in forestry mechanization and forest product processing; strengthen research capabilities, closely coordinate with wood and forest product associations nationwide to grasp market conditions, forecast, and provide market information; update information on trade policies of countries and markets regarding market share, preferences, prices, product standards, barriers... promptly addressing difficulties and obstacles to ensure a favorable environment for enterprise production and business activities to produce products meeting import requirements.

Develop the manufacturing industry for forestry machinery and equipment, supporting industries, and logistics services serving agriculture. Establish and implement mechanisms and policies to develop the mechanical, chemical, and biotechnology industries serving forestry production; attract investment in logistics infrastructure, especially storage facilities serving production, preservation, and processing of forest products.

Develop the market for forestry production machinery and equipment and forest products: intensify trade promotion, use domestically produced forestry machinery through forestry and industry promotion, technology transfer, and application; strengthen research, forecasting, and market information capabilities, diversify markets, particularly developing potential and emerging markets; establish and develop the Vietnamese wood brand.

6. Organize production and business operations.

Develop various forms of collaboration among economic components, cooperative economies, and shared economies in forestry; diversify production and business operations, linking afforestation with wood processing and forestry product trade according to the value chain.

Encourage the development of large enterprises and corporations capable of investing in a closed chain in the forestry sector, support and guide people's production to meet market demands; continue to innovate and improve the efficiency of forest companies' operations; develop household, farm, community village, and cooperative forestry; transform crop structures; promote agroforestry integration; prioritize poor households and ethnic minorities participating in forestry activities to increase income.

Reform the organizational structure and operational methods of industry associations in line with a market economy, where associations must truly represent the legitimate rights and interests of their members, serve as a connection point between management authorities, scientists, businesses, and forest workers.

7. Organization and Management of the Industry

Enhance the capacity and effectiveness of state management in forestry; streamline and unify the organizational structure of the forestry management apparatus to ensure efficient and professional operation; reform the forest protection system, strengthen local forest rangers and dedicated forest protection forces, prioritizing key areas for illegal logging, timber extraction, and transportation.

Review, reorganize, and reform forest management boards towards a leaner and more effective model.

Innovate production management and product quality control methods so that producers and traders can independently monitor the quality of their products before entering the market.

Socialize forestry public services to reduce pressure on staffing and state budget, providing society with the best quality services.

8. International Cooperation

Strengthen international economic integration in forestry, actively participate and closely cooperate with international, regional, and bilateral forestry organizations; enhance attraction of international capital, foreign direct investment (FDI), and carbon trade in forests; proactively cooperate in research, education, and training to access advanced forestry science and technology, develop human resources for the industry; intensify international cooperation in experience exchange and implementation of joint development projects in forestry mechanization and timber processing; strengthen cooperation in capacity-building activities; implement programs, mechanisms, policies, propaganda, research, investigation, planning, monitoring, and evaluation in the forestry field. Leverage and take advantage of Vietnam's forestry sector's strengths in international relations; complete standard and regulation systems with trading partners.

Develop the timber market, actively participate in global timber supply chains; harmonize national forestry regulations with international ones; enforce bilateral and multilateral agreements such as the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (VPA/FLEGT); the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), etc.

Continue to effectively and responsibly implement multilateral agreements and international commitments related to forestry that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has signed up to, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to address climate change, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), etc.; study participation in other relevant international treaties.

9. Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitor the implementation of the Strategy to enhance its effectiveness and enforcement; serve as a basis for policy formulation, plan adjustment, and timely solutions to address issues. Regularly and periodically monitor programs, projects, and plans implementing the Strategy to ensure effectiveness according to five-year plans or ad hoc reviews. Review and adjust the Strategy appropriately for each stage and practical conditions. The evaluation of the Strategy's results shall be conducted independently and objectively.

Establish and implement a planning and monitoring system for the forestry sector based on the application of science and technology, information technology to provide timely, accurate, and synchronized information for management, planning, and development of forestry production and business, and provision of forest environmental services.

V. SOURCES OF FUNDS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE STRATEGY

1. Mobilizing Funds

Diversify sources of funds for implementing the Strategy, ensuring full and timely mobilization as prescribed, including:

a) State budget funds allocated according to the law.

b) Integration into national target programs, other programs, plans, and projects.

c) Credit from domestic and foreign financial institutions.

d) Revenue from forest environmental services and leasing of forest environments.

đ) Investment, contributions, support, and sponsorship from organizations and individuals.

e) Revenue from timber extraction, forest leasing, and fulfillment of obligations to pay for afforestation when changing forest land use purposes.

g) Other financial sources as prescribed by law.

2. Guidelines for Efficient Use of Funds for Implementing the Strategy

a) State budget funds: focus on special-use forests, protective forests, and natural production forests during closure periods; invest in construction, upgrading, and renovation of infrastructure, equipment, and means for forest management, protection, fire prevention, and firefighting; establish research and development zones, high-tech zones; research and apply scientific research results, develop technology, and train human resources for state management in forestry; support and provide investment incentives for forestry fields and activities as prescribed by law.

b) Encourage domestic and foreign organizations and individuals to invest in production and business activities in the forestry processing sector and wood and forest product markets according to the provisions of the law; mobilize legitimate contributions from businesses and solicit financial support from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals; counterpart capital, participation and contributions from the people and various economic sectors. Continue to study expanding sources of revenue for the forestry sector.

Promote revenue sources from forest environmental services, exploit potential and new services to increase revenue, especially eco-tourism services, carbon absorption services, etc.; strengthen propaganda and mobilization, create appropriate mechanisms to mobilize organizations and individuals to invest in forestry; protect and develop forests; promote greenery development.

VI. IMPLEMENTATION

To take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and relevant ministries and sectors to urge, inspect, supervise, and resolve issues arising during the implementation of this Decree.

Take the lead and coordinate with ministries, sectors, and localities:

a) Organize the implementation of the strategy; build key programs, projects, and proposals to implement the Strategy; establish and approve a set of monitoring and evaluation indicators for the Strategy; regularly evaluate annually, mid-term review every five years, and final assessment every ten years on the implementation of the Strategy, report to the Prime Minister.

b) Continue implementing some approved programs and proposals; build and submit to the competent authority for approval and effectively organize the implementation of some new programs and proposals (Details in the attached Appendix).

2. Ministries: Planning and Investment, Finance; State Bank of Vietnam

In accordance with their functions and tasks, take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to perfect investment, finance, and credit policies to effectively achieve the goals and contents of the Strategy.

Directing and guiding functional agencies to coordinate with the Environmental Crime Prevention Police Force

Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to review and perfect mechanisms, policies, and laws on land, biodiversity conservation, and environmental protection to effectively implement the contents of the Strategy.

4. Ministry of Science and Technology

Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to build and implement plans for standard and regulation development; implement solutions to enhance research and application of science and technology in forestry development in line with the Strategy's orientation.

5. Ministry of Industry and Trade

Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to implement policies and solutions to promote markets, trade promotion, and resolve trade barriers for wood and non-wood forest products.

6. Relevant ministries and sectors

Coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to organize the implementation of the Strategy; participate in inspection, supervision, and urging the implementation of the Strategy according to their functions and tasks.

7. People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities organize the construction and implementation of the Strategy in accordance with local conditions.

Article 2.

This Decision takes effect from the date of issuance.

Article 3.

Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, and heads of related agencies are responsible for enforcing this Decision./.

Place of Receipt: - Central Party Committee Secretariat; - Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers; - Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and agencies under the Government; - Provincial People's Councils, People's Committees of centrally governed cities; - Central Party Office and Party Committees; - General Secretary's Office; - President's Office; - Ethnic Council and Committees of the National Assembly; - National Assembly's Office; - Supreme People's Court; - Supreme People's Procuracy; - State Audit Agency; - National Financial Supervisory Commission; - Social Policy Bank; - Vietnam Development Bank; - Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee; - Central Agencies of Social Organizations; - VPCP: Deputy Chairman, all Vice Chairmen, Assistants to the Prime Minister, Director of the Government Portal, all Departments, Bureaus, subordinate units, Official Gazette; - File: VT, NN (2b).

PRIME MINISTER Nguyen Xuan Phuc

ANNEX

LIST OF PROGRAMS AND PROPOSALS FOR THE 2021-2030 PERIOD

(Attached to Decision No. 523/QĐ-TTg dated April 1, 2021 of the Prime Minister)

I. CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS AND PROPOSALS

No.	NAME OF PROGRAM OR PROPOSAL	DECISION APPROVING
1	Program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through forest conservation, enhancement of carbon stocks, and sustainable forest management (REDD+) until 2030	Decision No. 419/QD-TTg dated April 5, 2017 of the Prime Minister
2	Project for protecting, restoring, and sustainably developing forests in the Central Highlands region from 2016 to 2030	Decision No. 297/QD-TTg dated March 18, 2019 of the Prime Minister
3	Program on sustainable forest management and forest certification	Decision No. 1288/QD-TTg dated October 1, 2018 of the Prime Minister
4	Project to enhance capacity for managing protected areas until 2025, with a vision to 2030	Decision No. 626/QD-TTg dated May 10, 2017 of the Prime Minister

II. PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE PERIOD 2021-2030

No.	NAME OF PROGRAM OR PROPOSAL	IMPLEMENTING AGENCY	COORDINATING AGENCIES	TIMEFRAME FOR IMPLEMENTATION
1	Sustainable Forestry Development Program for the period 2021-2025, 2026-2030	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2030
2	Project to enhance the capacity of Forest Rangers in forest management, protection, and firefighting for the period 2021-2030	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2030
3	National Forest Inventory Project	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2022 - 2023
4	Project for the sustainable development of the wood processing industry and non-timber forest products for the period 2021-2030	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2030
5	One Billion Trees Planting Project	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2025
6	Pilot Project for leasing forest environment for medicinal plant cultivation and development	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2025
7	Project to enhance capacity for managing protected areas until 2025, with a vision to 2030	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2030
8	Project for protecting, restoring, and sustainably developing forests in the Northwest region for the period 2021-2030	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2030
9	Project for protecting and developing coastal forests to respond to climate change for the period 2021-2030	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2030
10	Project for developing forestry seedlings	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2030
11	Project to enhance the capacity of special-use forests and protective forests	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2030
12	Vietnamese Wood Brand Project	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2030
13	Project for developing forest ecosystem services	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2030
14	Project for the sustainable development of non-timber forest products and medicinal plants	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2030
15	National Forest Survey Project	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2023 - 2025

III. PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS APPROVED BY THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

No.	NAME OF PROGRAM OR PROPOSAL	APPROVING AUTHORITY	COORDINATING AGENCIES	TIME OF SUBMISSION
1	Project for developing large timber plantations and converting small timber commercial forests to large timber	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2030
2	Project for applying information technology in forestry management and production	dated November 17, 2020;	Ministries, sectors, units, localities	2021 - 2030