Attending the Workshop on the Swedish side were Mr. Ola Karlman, First Secretary, Head of the Economic, Trade and Political Affairs, Swedish Embassy in Vietnam, Mr. Fredrik Silfwerbrand representing the Forest Agency, managing LoCoFoRest program, Ms. Karin Östberg, senior forestry policy advisor, Prof. Mats Sandewall, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Mr. Klas Bengtsson, Eco-Innovation Foundation; Ms. Malin Lundberg-Ingemarsson, Stockholm International Water Institute. There were also the participation of nearly 40 participants from the LoCoFoRest program - Locally Controlled Forest Restoration, from Nepal, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam and representatives of international organizations.

Mr. Ola Karlman, Head of the Economic, Trade and Political Affairs, Swedish Embassy in Vietnam

On the side of VNUF, there was the participation of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Van Khoa, Vice President, representatives of unit leaders along with lecturers, scientists and students of the advanced program in Natural Resource Management.

Speaking at the workshop – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vice President Phung Van Khoa highly appreciated the Locally Controlled Forest Restoration program, and emphasized that forests play an important role in the economy and environment. Well-managed forests are key to addressing global challenges, namely, adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and the water crisis. He also thanked the project for providing support in training for VNUF staff who are studying in Sweden.

Under the coordination of Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Sam and Ms. Karin Östberg, senior advisor on Swedish forestry policy, there were many presentations on issues of Afforestation and Reforestation in Vietnam - policies and lessons learned; summary of LoCoFoRest program activities over the past 5 years; Entrepreneurship and landscape restoration for the bioeconomy; Water-smart forest and landscape restoration; Motivation to expand afforestation and impact on society and local forest management; Change in mindset to succeed in forest restoration and support forestry governance.

Mr. Fredrik Silfwerbrand, LoCoFoRest Program Manager, presented the report

At the Kick-off workshop, Mr. Ola Karlman, First Secretary, Head of the Economic, Trade and Political Affairs, Swedish Embassy highly appreciated the LoCoFoRest program as being very suitable for the Swedish Government's efforts to support Vietnam in recent times and hope the program will continue to develop and expand for many years to come.

Ms. Karin Östberg, senior advisor on Swedish forestry policy

In the training workshop, delegates went on a field trip to Quang Ninh to work with LEC Energy company; visited the model of Acacia plantation forest with a 10-year rotation for chip and sawn wood production, and the model of planting large timber forests of local trees; visited the wood chip factory of LEC Energy company; visited the  Aquilaria yunnanensis planting model under the "Change Project" led by Dr. Phung Thi Tuyen and Dr. Phung Trung Thanh of VNUF; the project of developing mangrove forests in Van Don, Quang Ninh and blue carbon values by Dr. Vu Xuan Truong.

Professor Mats Sandewall, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

The workshop was a great success, opening up many opportunities for future cooperation, while contributing to improving staff capability and preserving forest ecosystems.

Some photos from the workshop

Source: International Cooperation Division