May 22 is designated annually by the United Nations as the International Day for Biological Diversity to raise global awareness of the value and importance of biodiversity for sustainable development. The 2026 International Day for Biological Diversity was launched by the United Nations with the theme “Acting locally for global impact” to emphasize the significance of actions and initiatives at the local and community levels in promoting the effective implementation of biodiversity goals. It also calls for a “whole-of-society” approach to implement the National Biodiversity Strategy and the 23 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Following the directive of the Standing Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong City People’s Committee in Official Dispatch No. 4796/VP-NNMT dated April 30, 2026, from the City People’s Committee Office regarding the organization of activities in response to the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026; as proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Official Dispatch No. 4167/BNNMT-BTTN dated April 28, 2026; the Department of Agriculture and Environment in Official Dispatch No. 4917/SNNMT-CCKL dated May 6, 2026; and the Cat Hai Special Zone People’s Committee in Official Dispatch No. 2454/UBND-KT dated May 11, 2026, on the morning of May 21, 2026, Cat Ba National Park organized a launching ceremony with various practical and meaningful activities.

Attending the ceremony were leadership representatives and forest rangers from Regional Forest Ranger Station I, Hai Phong Forest Protection Department; representatives of the Economic Division, Cat Hai Special Zone People’s Committee; leaders, heads, and deputy heads of divisions, the Forest Ranger Station, along with all officials and employees of Cat Ba National Park.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Thiu, Director of Cat Ba National Park, affirmed: Cat Ba National Park is the “green lung” of the region, as well as a World Natural Heritage site and a World Biosphere Reserve. Nature and biodiversity conservation not only contributes to environmental protection and responding to climate change but also fulfills Vietnam’s international commitments on nature conservation.

He emphasized that biodiversity conservation is not the sole responsibility of any single organization or individual, but must start from practical daily actions such as protecting forests and water sources, sustainably using natural resources, reducing plastic waste, refraining from consuming illegal wildlife products, and actively planting trees for a green, sustainable future for generations to come.

At the launching ceremony, Cat Ba National Park also called upon all levels of authorities, organizations, businesses, and the community to join hands in taking action for nature through specific activities:

  • Raising awareness: Understanding the value of biodiversity for human health and daily life.
  • Practical actions: Increasing tree planting, protecting ecosystems, minimizing plastic waste, and refraining from the consumption of illegal wildlife products.
  • Honoring outstanding examples: Identifying and replicating effective models and initiatives for nature conservation within the community.

Immediately following the launching ceremony, delegates and participating personnel carried out various meaningful activities, such as:

  • Organizing tree planting in response to the environmental protection movement and to restore the forest ecosystem.
  • Releasing several rescued wildlife individuals that have been rehabilitated and meet the conditions to return to their natural habitat.

The wildlife release activity demonstrates the ongoing efforts of Cat Ba National Park in rescuing and conserving rare and endangered animal species, contributing to the restoration of wildlife populations in the wild and the maintenance of ecological balance.

Through the activities in response to the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026, Cat Ba National Park hopes to spread the message of nature protection and enhance the responsibility of every organization and individual in preserving natural resources and biodiversity for sustainable development today and for future generations.

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