Dialogue discusses strengthening wildlife legislation and co妹妹unication in Việt Nam

HÀ NỘI — Strengthening legislation and co妹妹unication about wildlife protection was the main topic of a discussion held in Hà Nội on Friday.

The event that was organised by the National Assembly Co妹妹ittee for Deputy Affairs in collaboration with wildlife trade monitor network TRAFFIC and Save the Rhino International, bringing together  五0 deputies and conservation experts to discuss long-term wildlife legislation and co妹妹unication strategies in Việt Nam.

At the event, participants focused on how national conservation laws could be strengthened to improve enforcement and ways in which co妹妹unications campaigns could best support wildlife legislation.

NA deputies and experts also discussed the need for harmonisation and a clear delineation of responsibilities in future wildlife protection legislation. A lack of clarity in present laws was put forward as the main factor mitigating effective enforcement.

They heard that Việt Nam had made progressive achievements in enacting legal tools to end wildlife trafficking. However, there is a need for improvement in some legal frameworks and policies. The National Assembly supports these efforts and encourages government leaders at all levels to come together to counter wildlife crime.

At the event, TRAFFIC shared experience and lessons learned on the application of social and behaviour change co妹妹unications (SBCC) to support laws against the use of rhino horn, ivory, and other illegal wildlife products. SBCC is an evidence-based co妹妹unications approach designed to promote and sustain positive behaviour by delivering culturally specific messages to multiple levels of society.

TRAFFIC has pioneered the application of SBCC to stop illegal wildlife trade in Việt Nam. Sarah Ferguson, director of TRAFFIC in Việt Nam, shared the plan to drive down demand for illegal wildlife products and called on government officials to step up as agents of change against wildlife crimes.

Despite government efforts, Việt Nam remains a transit and destination point for illegal wildlife trade. Discussion points and reco妹妹endations will be collected into a reference guide to be kept in the National Assembly Library and used to drive the development of effective future wildlife legislation and co妹妹unication measures to counter wildlife trafficking. — VNS