Ha noi, 24 June 2026 – The Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE) convened the Second Project Steering Committee Meeting for the Project “Mainstreaming Marine and Coastal Natural Capital Assessment and Accounting into Viet Nam’s Development Planning for Blue Economic Growth of Key Sectors”. The meeting aimed to review the Project’s implementation progress, assess key achievements, and seek guidance on priority activities for the remaining implementation period.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Project has been implemented from 2024 to 2026 with the objective of integrating the values of natural capital and the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems into development planning and habitat management to support policies for sustainable blue economy development in Viet Nam. The Institute is currently leading the process of requesting an extension of the Project implementation period until December 2027.
Since its inception, the Project has achieved several important milestones. These include establishing the institutional arrangements necessary for implementation through the consolidation of the Project Steering Committee and the Project Management Unit (PMU); approving the overall work plan, annual work plans, and procurement plan, thereby providing the foundation for effective Project implementation. In addition, the Project has carried out activities in accordance with the annual work plan approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, including the preparation of Terms of Reference (TORs), implementation of procurement packages, close collaboration with Quang Ninh Province in piloting marine and coastal natural capital accounting, organization of capacity-building activities, and promotion of stakeholder engagement throughout the implementation process.
Alongside these achievements, the Project has also encountered a number of implementation challenges. Members of the Project Steering Committee highly appreciated the efforts made by the PMU and consulting teams in implementing Project activities in line with the approved objectives and work plans. They also acknowledged the active cooperation of ministries, government agencies, local authorities, particularly Quang Ninh Province, and other stakeholders in supporting the implementation of the pilot activities.
The meeting also focused on identifying priorities for the next phase of implementation. Participants discussed the need to accelerate the remaining procurement packages; finalize the technical outputs on marine and coastal natural capital assessment and accounting; strengthen communication, knowledge sharing, and capacity-building activities for national and local stakeholders; and continue enhancing coordination with relevant partners to ensure the quality and timely delivery of all Project components.
Regarding the proposed extension of the Project until December 2027, members of the Steering Committee agreed that the extension is necessary to allow sufficient time for completing the remaining technical activities, in-depth studies, pilot implementation at the local level, and the consolidation of Project results. These outputs will provide a solid scientific basis for integrating natural capital accounting into development planning and the sustainable management of marine and coastal resources in Viet Nam.
In his closing remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tho, Deputy Director General of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment, requested the Project Management Unit to fully incorporate the Steering Committee’s recommendations into the implementation plan for the next phase. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining close collaboration with UNEP, relevant ministries, local authorities, and development partners to ensure the timely delivery and quality of Project outputs. Furthermore, he called for continued efforts to strengthen communication, disseminate Project findings, and share international experiences on marine and coastal natural capital accounting, thereby contributing to evidence-based policymaking and advancing the sustainable development of Viet Nam’s blue economy and the effective management of its marine and coastal natural resources.
