(logos from QB, Vietnam and HNN, Khammouane and Laotian-German Cooperation) Concept Note Workshop Strengthening Transboundary Cooperation for Biodiversity Conservation in the large Karst Ecosystem Landscape between Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam and Hin Nam No National Protected Area, Khammouane Province, Lao PDR - Development of Roadmap and Action Plan for 2014-2015 and visioning 2020 Quang Binh, 25 – 26 June 2014 Background Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (PNKB NP) in Quang Binh province, Vietnam and Hin Nam No National Protected Area (HNN NPA) in Khammouane province, Lao PDR covering one of the most biologically important regions of the Annamite mountain range The region is considered to be of global importance for biodiversity conservation The HNN NBCA and the PNKB-NP form together one of the largest continuous limestone ecosystems in Asia The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (PNKB-NP) in Vietnam covers 123,326 (incl extended area) with a buffer zone of about 225,000 and is situated on the edge of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang Karst plateau in Central Vietnam and extends to and adjoins the Hin Nam No karst protected area in Lao PDR The bufferzone of PNKB NP covers 13 communes belonging districts, inhabited by above 65,000 people in 157 villages (with one commune/one village of around 270 people of Arem ethnic minorities within PNKB NP) Located along the border to Lao PRD are communes with where inhabited mainly by ethnic minority and the poverty rate is very high, above 80% on average) The HNN NBCA covers 82,000 ha, situated along the border of Vietnam, in the east of Khammouane Province in the district of Boualapha, with around 7,000 inhabitants living in 22 villages along the border of the NPA (no village within the NPA) Living in surrounding Hin Nam No NPA are mainly ethnic minority, with high percentage of poverty The ethnic minorities in both sides have indigenous knowledge on how to survive in limestone forest, use of natural resources The Phong Nha-Ke Bang NP was recognized as World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003 for geological and geomorphologic values and the Hin Namno NBCA is considered as a candidate to the World Heritage List of UNESCO The recent extension of PNKB NP (Decision 1062/QD-TTg dated 05 July 2013 by the Prime Minister of Vietnam) is aimed to conserve the integrity of its biodiversity and natural ecosystems of the karst landscape of the global significance, ensuring the ecological connectivity of the wider regional landscape of karst ecosystem of PNKB NP and HNN NPA Given the importance of the two protected area as one of the connected largest karst landscapes in Southeast Asia, to make conservation of its high biodiversity and essential ecosystems possible requires both sides agree on certain concerted activities and support each other Furthermore, in the context that markets have a large impact on the way forests are used and management, particularly in situations of the areas with difficult socio-economic conditions e.g the buffer zones of the PAs, the conservation of the region has become more complex and challenging in which the efforts of forest managers also are insufficient but requiring joint efforts from multi-stakeholders to address the conservation and development of the region Quang Binh province (SR of Vietnam) and Khammuone province (Lao PDR) are the two leading provinces in the two countries in transboundary cooperation for biodiversity conservation, regional cooperation between the two protected areas has been initiated for more than 20 years, and the cooperation became consolidated and formalized in 1998: Quang Binh Provincial People’s Committee (PPC) and Khammouane PPC signed the first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 20 June 1998 regarding the transboundary cooperation in biodiversity conservation in the region of PNKB and HNN Following the above official MoU signed in 1998, the two provinces and the two protected areas have jointly signed other important agreements in the years of 20041, 20062, 20123 which helped to establish more solid legislative framework to enable the practical cooperation As part of implementing these MoUs, annually the delegates of the two provinces and the two PAs have organized working visits and activities for exchanging information and experience in biodiversity conservation From 1998 – 2012, during more than 14 years of formal regional cooperation between PNKB NP and HNN NBCA, the biodiversity conservation cooperation has resulted in achievements of information, knowledge exchanges However, these exchanges are not very regular and systematic and not many specific and no practical actions in trans-boundary biodiversity conservation have been implemented In 2012 and late 2013, with the support of GIZ of both sides, the two PAs and provinces have conducted several exchange activities4 Of the most importance, in the 2012 MoU both sides have highlighted the urgency for strengthening the transboundary cooperation in biodiversity, ecosystem conservation of the adjoined karst region and discuss the options for further collaboration in the management of the two PAs Strengthening the transboundary cooperation in biodiversity conservation between PNKB NP and HNN NPA has also been emphasized in the Minutes of Understanding for Cooperation between high-ranking delegates of Quang Binh and Khammouane Provinces signed on 10 January 2014 in Quang Binh Province5 And Quang Binh PPC has proposed to GIZ for supporting the two provinces, PAs in this regard Given the increasing significance of the regional cooperation in biodiversity conservation, BMZ has agreed to include the transboundary cooperation between PNKB NP and HNN NPA as one of the working areas of the final phase (10/2013 - 09/2015) of the Technical Cooperation (GIZ) Project “Nature Conservation and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Region” In addition, this crucial issue will be also supported by the Financial Cooperation (KfW) component of the Project during the period of 2014-2015 At national level, within the framework of EU FLEGT Asia Regional Support Programme for Viet Nam the Vietnam - Lao Policy Dialogue on Forest Management and Timber & Wildlife Trade was organized in October 2013 by MARD of Vietnam and MoAF of Lao PDR to deepen bilateral cooperation agreement on forestry signed between Viet Nam and Lao PDR as well as to demonstrates high In November 2004; jointly signed: Cooperative Action Plan between Ha Tinh/Quang Binh (Vietnam) and Bolikhamxay/Khammouane (Lao PDR) to control illegal transboundary hunting, trading and transporting of wild fauna and flora for the period 2005 – 2010 In October 2006; Jointly signed: MoU on transboundary conservation between Hin Nam No NBCA and Phong Nha - Ke Bang NP; and December 2006: jointly signed: Joint Statement of the High Level Consultation Workshop for the conservation of PNKB NP and HNN NBCA In March 2012, Jointly signed: Minutes of Understanding between Phong Nha-Ke Bang NP, (Quang Binh Province, SR Vietnam) and Hin Nam No NBCA (Khammouane Province, Lao PDR); in November 2012, the MoU for strengthening the transboundary cooperation between PNKB NP and HNN NPA signed by the representatives of Provincial Authorities: Quang Binh PPC and Khammouane Authority namely the working visit of PNKB NP, Quang Binh Province to HNN NPA, Khammouane province to discuss how to strengthen the regional cooperation at the action and ground level (with the MoU signed on 20 March 2012 by the Directors of the PAs), study tour by HNN PNA, Khammouane to PNKB NP (May 2012), learning and exchange of practical experience on law enforcement and livelihoods improvement, exchange visit of biodiversity information and forest patrol experience from PNKB NP to HNN NPA (November 2012), exchange visit of HNN NPA to PNKB on field-based law enforcement (December 2012) and most importantly, the working visit of Quang Binh PPC, PNKB NP to Khammouane Authority, HNN NPA in early November 2012 (with the MoU signed on 16 November 2012 by the two Provincial Authorities) And the visit of HNN NPA to PNKB in late 2013 http://www.quangbinh.gov.vn/3cms/?cmd=130&art=1389165673667&cat=1123266987223 commitment of both parties in implementing FLEGT Action Plan on forest protection, forestry law enforcement as well as prevention and detection related to illicit timber trade and trafficking of wildlife along the border of the two countries In the conclusion of the policy dialogue, both sides have come to commitments, among others, to develop a model of cooperation of forest protection, prevention of illicit timber and forest products trade and trafficking of wildlife along the border of the two countries between Ha Tinh Province, Viet Nam and Bollikhamxay Province, Lao PDR as well as Quang Binh Province and Khamuane Province, Lao6 The Strategy for management of special-use forests system, marine and inland protected areas in Vietnam until 2020, visioning 2030 (Decision 218) has also highlighted the importance for transboundary cooperation of PAs in Vietnam To materialize the implementation of the MoU signed on 16 November 2012 on the ground, a regional workshop is proposed to discuss and work out a roadmap, action plan for period 2014-2015 and vision to 2020 for transboundary cooperation in biodiversity conservation between PNKB NP and HNN NBCA Objectives of the Workshop The regional workshop will bring together relevant stakeholders of the two protected areas: Hin Nam No NPA and PNKB NP, two provinces: Khammouane and Quang Binh, incl provincial and local authorities, technical agencies, notably law enforcement agencies in forest protection as well as representatives of local communities, representatives of the agencies at national level in charge of the management of protected areas in Vietnam and Laos and relevant international organizations to: To review the lessons learnt so far for transboundary cooperation between PNKB NP and Hin Nam No NPA To share international practical experiences in transboundary conservation To discuss and develop the vision, roadmap and action plan for strengthening the transboundary cooperation in biodiversity conservation between PNKB NP and HNN NPA from 2014 - 2020 and respective (realistic and focused) action plan from 2014 - 2015, with detailed plan for 2014 To discuss the proposed multi-stakeholder dialogue approach strengthening the transboundary cooperation in biodiversity conservation between PNKB NP and HNN NPA: Joint Secretariat Expected Outputs Based on the above objective, the Workshop in aimed to obtain the following outputs for transboundary cooperation in biodiversity conservation between PNKB NP and HNN NPA: Vision, Mission, Goals and Shared Values have been discussed and agreed upon Roadmap for cooperation until 2020 discussed and committed Feasible action plan for 2014 – 2015 and detailed action plan for 2014 developed and committed First proposal for multi-stakeholder dialogue approach: Joint Secretariat discussed and agreed upon for establishment Date & Venue: Time: The workshop will be organized in days, proposed on 25 and 26 June, 2014 Venue: Phong Nha town, Quang Binh province, Vietnam (specific venue tbd) Language: English and Vietnamese; English and Laotian (with consecutive translation; professional translators from Laotian into Vietnamese and vice verve and from Vietnamese into English and vice versa) http://www.vietnamforestry.org.vn/view_news.aspx?nid=536&cid=96 Tentative Agenda: Time Min Content required Material Method Responsible Person Day 1: 25 June 2014 08:30 - 09:00 30 Min 09:00 - 09:55 Introduction Moderator Introduction of participants - Management Board of PNKB NP 10 Min Welcome Address 35 Min Opening Remarks - PPC of Quang Binh Province - Management Boards of PNKB NP and HNN NPA Min Objective of the workshop and Introduction of the workshop agenda Topic 01: Introduction to Transboundary Cooperation in PNKB and HNN + Best –Practice 30 Min 11:50 – 13:30 13:30 – 14:00 Beamer, Notebook Min 09:55 - 10:35 10:35 –11:00 11:00 - 11:50 Registration of Participants 25 Min Moderator Beamer, Notebook Presentation of Best Practice examples on transboundary Cooperation /IUCN Coffee break Topic 02: Introduction to both Protected Areas Presentation Transboundary Cooperation Specialist Beamer, Notebook 25 Min Presentation HNN / Laos: Report of the management of HNN – Advantages, Challenges and Expectations from TbC Presentation HNN Management Board 25 Min Presentation PNKB NP / Vietnam: Report of the management of PNKB Advantages, Challenges and Expectations from TbC Presentation PNKB NP Management Board 110 Min 30 Min Lunch break Topic 03: Exchange of concerns by key stakeholders from Khammouane and Quang Binh FPD, Border Police, DoFA, Customs Office local communities, … Topic 04: Development of a Vision, Mission and Goal & shared values for the TBC 14:00 – 15:45 15 Min 40 Min How to develop a Vision, Mission, Goal, Values of Cooperation Working group discussion: Develop a Vision, Mission and Goal Develop/ Agree on values of Cooperation 20 Min Presentation of Working group results 30 Min Plenary discussion for agreement X Flipcharts, Beamer, Notebook, X Pinboards, X Flipcharts, X WorkshopCases FDD, Border Police, DoFA, Customs Office local communities, … + other participants Presentation Transboundary Cooperation Specialist Working groups All participants (Facilitators) Presentation Repr of each working groups Discussion All participants Time Min Content 15:55 – 16:15 16:15 – 16.55 20 Min Coffee break 40 Min Topic 05: Transboundary Meet and Greet 16:55 – 17:10 17.10 – 19.00 15 Min Topic 08: Conclusion and Closing 110 Min Free time 19.00 – 22.00 120 Min Cultural Night required Material Method Responsible Person Beamer, Notebook Discussion/ Exchange All participants (Moderator) Moderator Group activity All participants Day 2: 26 June 2014 08:30 – 8:40 10 Min 8:40 – 9.30 Topic 06: Develop a roadmap based on the vision (developed in Day 1) 10 Min 40 Min 09:30 – 10:20 40 14:50 – 15:10 Moderator X Pinboards, X Flipcharts X WorkshopCases Plenary discussion & agreement upon the roadmap Propose an action Plan Working group discussion on development of Action plan Beamer, Notebook, X Pinboards, X Flipcharts, X WorkshopCases Presentation GIZ Advisors Discussion Moderator Presentation GIZ Advisors Working groups All participants (Facilitators) Repr of each working groups Moderator 20 Min Coffee break Topic 07: Action plan /2 30 Min Presentation of working group results Presentation Plenary Discussion for agreement on the action plan Lunch break Discussion 50 Min 12:00 13:30 13:30 - 14:50 Presentation of proposed roadmap Topic 07: Action plan /1 10 Min 10.20 – 10:40 10:40 –12:00 Introduction 90 Min Topic 08: Joint secretariat / 20 Min Presentation of best practice examples + Initial recommendation for Joint secretariat for PNKB and HNN 60 Min Plenary Discussion: How are we going to establish a TBS between PNKB NP and HNN? 20 Min Beamer, Notebook, X Pinboards, X Flipcharts, X WorkshopCases Presentation Transboundary Cooperation Specialist Discussion Repr of key stakeholders, other participants Discussion Moderator Coffee break Topic 08: Joint secretariat / 15:10 -15:40 30 Min Fix Ideas and make Commitments 15:40 – 16:20 40 Min Summary of the results of days Vision Roadmap Action Plan Proposal for Establishment of Joint Secretariat Moderator, All participants Time Min Content required Material 16:20 –17:00 40 Min Conclusion and Closing Remarks Beamer, Notebook, Pinboards, Flipchart, Workshop-Cases - Hin Nam No NPA, GIZ Hin Nam No - PNKB NP, GIZ PNKB Method Responsible Person Moderator, - Quang Binh PPC and Khammounane Authorities Participants Participants in the Workshop are from: Representative of MoNRE from Laos and MARD from Vietnam International Organizations active in supporting biodiversity conservation and transboundary conservation Provincial and district government agencies in Khammouane and Quang Binh provinces Representatives of local media agencies from two provinces (see the detailed list of participants) LIST OF PARTICIPANTS Organization National level Repr of Department of Forest Resources Management - MoNRE, Laos National Commission for UNESCO, Laos Repr of MARD, Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO , Vietnam UNESCO Office in Vietnam International Organizations UNESCO Office in the region ASEAN (based in Bangkok) Repr of IUCN in Laos Repr of GIZ Office in Vientiane, Laos Repr of IUCN in Vietnam Development Counselor, German Embassy in Lao PDR Development Counselor, German Embassy in Vietnam Repr of GIZ Office in Vietnam Repr of KfW Office in Vietnam Repr of GIZ Forestry Programme/Biodiversity Programme, Vietnam Repr of IUCN International, WCPA, Global Transboundary Conservation Network Repr of NGO: WWF (CarBi Project), FFI, WCS in Vietnam Repr of NGOs in Laos: Lao Wildlife Conservation Association Khammouane Province Provincial Authority of Khammouane Province Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Khammouane province Management Board of Hin Nam No NPA Khammouane Department of Foreign Affairs Boulapha District Administration Forestry Inspection Section, Boulapha District Division of Forest Protection, Boulapha District Border Police in Khammouane Repr of Customs at Border Gates, Khammouane No of participants 1 1 15 1 1 1 1 1 20 2 1 Organization No of participants GIZ Project “Integrated Nature Conservation & Sustainable Resource Management in the Hin Nam No Region” Media Agency in Khammouane Quang Binh Province 40 Provincial People’s Committee of Quang Binh (PPC) Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD): Repr of leaders and technical officer Sub-department of Forest Protection (FPD): Repr of leaders, Division of Forest Protection and Management, Division of Biodiversity Conservation Management Board of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DoNRE) Department of Foreign Affairs Provincial Border Police Department: Repr of leaders, Border Polices from Ca Xeeng, Con Roang, Ca Roong Environmental Police Customs Office at Chalo Border Gate Repr of Border Gate Caroong-Noong Ma People’s Committee of districts: Repr of DPC leaders Bo Trach, Minh Hoa, Quang Ninh Forest Rangers Units of Bo Trach and Minh Hoa districts PNKB Region Project - Project Management Board, GIZ Office, AHT Consulting Office (KfW component) Media agencies - Quang Binh Newspaper - Quang Binh Television - Website Quang Binh Moderator Interpreter Laotian – Vietnamese Total of participants 80 Budget All relevant budgets for the workshop will be covered by GIZ via the Technical Cooperation Project “Nature Conservation and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Region” (mainly) and the Project “Integrated Nature Conservation & Sustainable Resource Management in the Hin Nam No Region” (partly) Documentation All the workshop materials and of results of the discussions during the Workshop will be well documented for sharing with the workshop participants as well as to relevant networks ... Region” (partly) Documentation All the workshop materials and of results of the discussions during the Workshop will be well documented for sharing with the workshop participants as well as to relevant... Quang Binh Province - Management Boards of PNKB NP and HNN NPA Min Objective of the workshop and Introduction of the workshop agenda Topic 01: Introduction to Transboundary Cooperation in PNKB and... X WorkshopCases Plenary discussion & agreement upon the roadmap Propose an action Plan Working group discussion on development of Action plan Beamer, Notebook, X Pinboards, X Flipcharts, X WorkshopCases