Pilot Conference on Guiding the Implementation of the Policy Supporting the Development of Sustainable Forest Management Plans and FSC Certification
On February 21, 2025, the Hue Sustainable Forest Owners Association (HUE-FOSDA), in collaboration with the Sub-Department of Forest Protection and the People’s Committees of Phu Son Commune (Huong Thuy Town) and Binh Thanh Commune (Huong Tra Town), organized a pilot conference to guide and implement the policy supporting the development of sustainable forest management (SFM) plans and FSC forest certification.
The activity aimed to guide sub-associations and forest owners in completing documentation and meeting the requirements to receive financial support under Decree No. 58/2024/NĐ-CP dated May 24, 2024 of the Government on investment policies in the forestry sector.
The conference was chaired by Mr. Vo Van Du – Chairman of HUE-FOSDA, with the participation of leaders from the communal People’s Committees (Mr. Ha Phuong Nam – Vice Chairman of Phu Son Commune People’s Committee, and Ms. Cao Thi Bich Thao – Vice Chairwoman of Binh Thanh Commune People’s Committee), representatives of the Sub-Department of Forest Protection, local Forest Ranger Stations, the Economic Division of Huong Thuy Town, as well as sub-association leaders and members concerned.
During the conference, Mr. Vo Van Du disseminated the regulations on support for developing SFM plans and the FSC certification process. He and other delegates also discussed and agreed on templates, authorization contents, and legal procedures to ensure full compliance with the regulations.
In conclusion, the leaders of the People’s Committees of Phu Son and Binh Thanh Communes agreed to complete the documentation and assign sub-association representatives (heads of sub-associations) to act as focal points to sign agreements with HUE-FOSDA – the legal representative – in order to complete the procedures before March 30, 2025 and develop the SFM plans before June 30, 2025. The evaluation and FSC certification are expected to be completed before September 30, 2025.
This was a pilot commune-level conference, serving as a model for drawing experience and expanding implementation across other localities in Hue City. The activity contributes to promoting the FSC forest certification in 2025, enabling small-scale forest owners to benefit from support policies and sustainably develop forest management in the long term.
Report and photos: Tran Van Duong – Nguyen Minh Truong
