Story | 08 Feb, 2017

Chair’s Mission to Vietnam

In January 2017, Antonio H. Benjamin became the first Chair of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law to ever visit Vietnam. WCEL membership has great potential to grow and the IUCN Vietnam Country Office in Hanoi provides great opportunities for increased cooperation. Additionally, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment continues to be an active participant in IUCN and is one of six Members. With the support of Brazilian Ambassador to Vietnam H.E. Marco Antonio Diniz Brandao, Justice Benjamin met with numerous institutes and individuals to raise the profile of WCEL. Over the course of a week, the Chair was able to increase visibility of IUCN in the country, identified potential new WCEL Members, identified legal needs and opportunities for collaboration, and engaged the judiciary in the operationalization of the Global Judicial Institute for the Environment. 

Highlights of the mission include:

  • Meeting with Deputy Chief Justice Dr. Nguyen Thuy Hien at the Supreme People’s Court
  • Visiting the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with Deputy Minister Dr. Nguyen Linh Ngoc and senior advisers
  • A reception at the Ministry of Justice with Deputy Minister Dr. Phan Chie Hieu
  • Meeting with Cao Duc Phat, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Engaging with participants from the Institute for State and Law including the Director Dr. Nguyen Duc Minh and senior faculty
  • Visiting IUCN staff at their offices with WCEL Members

Press Release from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment