Opening ceremony of the 8th Asian Primate symposium

14 tháng 11, 2022

The 8th Asia Primate Symposium was officially opened this morning (November 14th 2022) at the Vietnam National University of Forestry. This is also the first time the symposium is held in Vietnam. The event was organized by the Vietnam National University of Forestry in collaboration with Three Monkeys Wildlife Conservancy under the permit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

With the participation of more than 200 scientists, managers and leading experts from 20 countries: Germany, France, UK, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, etc. On the side of international guests, there was Mr. Jake Brunner – Head of IUCN in Lower Mekong. On the side of Vietnamese guests, there was Dr. Tran The Lien - Director of Science, Technology and International Cooperation Department, Vietnam Administration of Forestry. On the sponsors side, there was Dr. Van Ngoc Thinh – Director of WWF Vietnam.

Speaking at the opening of the symposium, Professor Pham Van Dien, President of Vietnam National University of Forestry warmly welcomed the delegates to the symposium and looked forward to academic exchange activities at APS would bring national and international scientists and experts a forum to share their results, ideas and solutions related to the Asian primate conservation.

esides, Professor Pham Van Dien also shared that Vietnam National University of Forestry has a Department of Wildlife under the Faculty of Forest Resource Management and Environment, specializing in wildlife research and training for many decades, "We are preparing to open a new training program, including short course and four-year majors in wildlife at VNUF. We also plan to set up a Wildlife Center at VNUF to do everything related to wildlife, (especially CITES listed species) with the support of WWF Vietnam as well as the leading experts in this field" said Professor Pham Van Dien.

Also in the opening session, Dr. Tran The Lien, Director of the Science, Technology and International Cooperation Department, Vietnam Administration of Forestry (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) emphasized: Over the past 60 years, Vietnam has been building and perfecting the legal system on conservation of nature and biodiversity. The Government of Vietnam is also increasingly interested in conservation, increasing investment resources, building, and sustainably developing special-use and protection forests to conserve species diversity, including wild species. Dr. Tran The Lien also requested the delegates to propose regional strategies to protect primates more effectively in the coming years. "The organization of the symposium is also a good opportunity for international scientists to learn more about the country, people and culture of Vietnam; making an important contribution to promoting the culture and potential of Vietnam's tourism to international tourists," emphasized Mr. Lien.

Also at the opening session, leading experts from the Three Monkeys Wildlife Conservancy, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)… also had discussions on the danger and necessity of protecting primate in Vietnam and in Asia.

The symposium took place from November 14 to 16, 2022 including many professional discussions such as: Presenting results of research, ideas, and experiences from experts on conservation of wild species, and the field trips at the Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC) in Cuc Phuong National Park and Van Long Natural Reserve.

In addition, the symposium also displayed an exhibition of photos, paintings, and publications on primate diversity in Asia in general and Vietnam in particular; Side activities to strengthen the connection and cooperation between individuals and organizations attending the symposium to promote the effectiveness and development of Asian primate conservation will also be held.


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