4052 concept note transboundary workshop PNKB HNN final2052014

1 logos from QB, Vietnam and HNN, Khammouane and Laotian-German Cooperation Concept Note Workshop Strengthening Transboundary Cooperation for Biodiversity Conservation in the large Kars

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(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

1 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 ha (incl extended area) with a buffer zone of about 225,000 ha 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 3 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 7 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 2 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

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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 2 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, 2 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 4 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

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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

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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

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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 2 Provincial Authorities: Quang Binh PPC and Khammouane Authority

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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 2 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

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http://www.quangbinh.gov.vn/3cms/?cmd=130&art=1389165673667&cat=1123266987223

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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

2 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

3 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

4 Date & Venue:

Time: The workshop will be organized in 2 days, proposed on 25 and 26 June, 2014

Venue: Phong Nha town, Quang Binh province, Vietnam (specific venue tbd)

5 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)

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http://www.vietnamforestry.org.vn/view_news.aspx?nid=536&cid=96

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6 Tentative Agenda:

Material

Method Responsible

Person

Day 1: 25 June 2014

08:30 - 09:00 30 Min Registration of Participants

09:00 - 09:55

5 Min

10 Min

35 Min

5 Min

Introduction

Introduction of participants

Welcome Address

Opening Remarks

Objective of the workshop and Introduction of the workshop agenda

Beamer, Notebook

Moderator

- Management Board of PNKB NP

- PPC of Quang Binh Province

- Management Boards of PNKB NP and HNN NPA Moderator

09:55 - 10:35

30 Min

Topic 01: Introduction to Transboundary Cooperation in PNKB and HNN + Best –Practice

Presentation of Best Practice examples

on transboundary Cooperation /IUCN

Beamer, Notebook

Presentation Transboundary

Cooperation Specialist

10:35 –11:00 25 Min Coffee break

11:00 - 11:50

25 Min

25 Min

Topic 02: Introduction to both Protected Areas

Presentation HNN / Laos: Report of the management of HNN – Advantages, Challenges and Expectations from TbC Presentation PNKB NP / Vietnam:

Report of the management of PNKB - Advantages, Challenges and

Expectations from TbC

Beamer, Notebook

Presentation

Presentation

HNN Management Board

PNKB NP Management Board

11:50 –

13:30

110

Min Lunch break

13:30 –

14:00

30 Min Topic 03: Exchange of concerns by key

stakeholders from Khammouane and Quang Binh

FPD, Border Police, DoFA, Customs Office local communities, …

DoFA, Customs Office local communities, … + other participants

14:00 –

15:45

15 Min

40 Min

20 Min

30 Min

Topic 04: Development of a Vision, Mission and Goal & shared values for the TBC

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

Presentation of Working group results Plenary discussion for agreement

Beamer, Notebook,

X Pinboards,

X Flipcharts,

X Workshop-Cases

Presentation

Working groups

Presentation

Discussion

Transboundary Cooperation Specialist All participants (Facilitators)

Repr of each working groups All participants

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Material

Method Responsible

Person

15:55 –

16:15

20 Min Coffee break

16:15 – 16.55

40 Min Topic 05: Transboundary Meet and

Greet

Beamer, Notebook

Discussion/

Exchange

All participants (Moderator)

16:55 –

17:10

17.10 – 19.00 110

Min Free time

19.00 – 22.00 120

Min

activity

All participants

Day 2: 26 June 2014

8:40 – 9.30

10 Min

40 Min

Topic 06: Develop a roadmap based

on the vision (developed in Day 1)

Presentation of proposed roadmap Plenary discussion & agreement upon the roadmap

X Pinboards,

X Flipcharts

X

Discussion

GIZ Advisors Moderator

09:30 –

10:20

10 Min

40 min

Topic 07: Action plan /1

Propose an action Plan Working group discussion on development of Action plan

Beamer, Notebook,

X Pinboards,

X Flipcharts,

X Workshop-Cases

Presentation Working groups

GIZ Advisors All participants (Facilitators)

10.20 – 10:40 20 Min Coffee break

10:40 –12:00

30 Min

50 Min

Topic 07: Action plan /2

Presentation of working group results Plenary Discussion for agreement on the action plan

Presentation Discussion

Repr of each working groups Moderator

12:00 -

13:30

90 Min Lunch break

13:30 - 14:50

20 Min

60 Min

Topic 08: Joint secretariat / 1

Presentation of best practice examples + Initial recommendation for Joint secretariat for PNKB and HNN Plenary Discussion:

How are we going to establish a TBS between PNKB NP and HNN?

Beamer, Notebook,

X Pinboards,

X Flipcharts,

X Workshop-Cases

Presentation

Discussion

Transboundary Cooperation Specialist

Repr of key stakeholders, other participants

14:50 –

15:10

20 Min Coffee break

15:10 -15:40 30 Min

Topic 08: Joint secretariat / 2

15:40 –

16:20

40 Min Summary of the results of 2 days

Vision Roadmap Action Plan Proposal for Establishment of Joint

Secretariat

Moderator, All participants

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Material

Method Responsible

Person

16:20 –17:00 40 Min Conclusion and Closing Remarks

- Hin Nam No NPA, GIZ Hin Nam No

- PNKB NP, GIZ PNKB

- Quang Binh PPC and Khammounane

Authorities

Beamer, Notebook, Pinboards, Flipchart, Workshop-Cases

Moderator,

7 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

participants

Repr of Department of Forest Resources Management - MoNRE, Laos 1

Repr of GIZ Forestry Programme/Biodiversity Programme, Vietnam 1 Repr of IUCN International, WCPA, Global Transboundary Conservation Network 1

Repr of NGOs in Laos: Lao Wildlife Conservation Association 1

Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Khammouane province 2

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participants

GIZ Project “Integrated Nature Conservation & Sustainable Resource Management in the

Hin Nam No Region”

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Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD): Repr of leaders and

technical officer

1 Sub-department of Forest Protection (FPD): Repr of leaders, Division of Forest

Protection and Management, Division of Biodiversity Conservation

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Provincial Border Police Department: Repr of leaders, Border Polices from Ca Xeeng,

Con Roang, Ca Roong

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People’s Committee of 3 districts: Repr of DPC leaders Bo Trach, Minh Hoa, Quang Ninh 3

PNKB Region Project

- Project Management Board, GIZ Office, AHT Consulting Office (KfW component) 7

Media agencies

- Quang Binh Newspaper

- Quang Binh Television

- Website Quang Binh

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Total of participants 80

8 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)

9 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