This was a milestone day for FSC, for the Vietnamese forestry sector and for forests around the world.
With Vietnam being one of the largest forestry product-exporting countries in Asia, the FSC NFSS for Vietnam is being released in a time of growth for FSC in the country, and a crucial time for the world’s forests. At the event, FSC Vietnam Country Manager Ms Thi Que Anh Vu said, “Since the Vietnam National Standard caters specifically to the local context which includes natural forests, plantations and small and low-intensity managed forests, its introduction will help our country’s forest industry – including smaller players – tap into the growing international market of sustainable forest products by utilising a globally-recognised trust mark.”
Speaking at the launch event for Vietnam’s NFSS, FSC Asia Pacific Regional Director Cindy Cheng said, “The National Standard for Vietnam is a comprehensive tool developed specifically for forests in this country to allow them to be well-managed now and in the future, and to promote the responsible sourcing of forest products.”
Ms Cheng added, “Applying this new standard will enable FSC certificate holders to gain greater access to global markets by proving their commitment to good forest management, and the positive impact that their operations have on the environment, as well as the communities and workers who depend on these forests. With 199,000 hectares of forests already certified by FSC in Vietnam, we hope that now, more forest managers, processors, brands and retailers along the value chain will see the importance and benefits of FSC certification”.
Many organisations played a role in developing the NFSS for Vietnam. These include VNFOREST, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; WWF Vietnam; ForCES project, SNV; Huong Son State Forest Company; Ha Tinh Province and Forest Certification Association in Quang Tri provinces; The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Ecosystem Services project; The Research Institute for Sustainable Forest Management and Forest Certification (SFMI); the Faculty of Silviculture at the Vietnam Forestry University (VFU), and a number of other organisations.
The FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard for Vietnam will become effective on 1 May, 2020 and will be available for download in the FSC Document Centre and here on the FSC Asia Pacific Blog after 14 January, 2020.