The SAFE Initiative aims to restore Vietnam's forests

The SAFE Initiative's objective is to conserve and restore forest ecosystems in Bhutan, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam,

During the Demo Day, seven businesses, shortlisted from 35, participated in a competition to pitch their ideas for the conservation and restoration of forests and the promotion of local livelihoods

The Innovative Foods Technology Company, which specialises in producing plant-based meat from jackfruit, was awarded first place, followed by An Xuan Organic Herb Co., Ltd. in second place and the Goong Local Knowledge Cooperative in third.

The Forest Ecopreneur initiative is funded by the Korea Forest Services and implemented by UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Bridge for Billions, a digital ecosystem for early-stage entrepreneurship, and the Research Institute for Innovation and Development (IID). It supports 100 business projects across Southeast Asia, providing opportunities for sustainable development and connecting businesses with vital resources.

The main objective of the scheme is to enhance business capacity through online training courses on the Bridge for Billions platform, and events and seminars to create opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing.

IID oversees the initiative in Vietnam, and between May and September, the institute ran four online training modules, three networking events, and a field trip to Kon Tum province.

Alexis Corblin, regional technical advisor of the UNEP said, "Vietnam has consistently been at the forefront of the initiative since its beginning and is the first country to host the Demo Day workshop for the first incubation cycle under the SAFE Initiative."

"Vietnam has increased forest coverage from 23 per cent in 1994 to more than 45 per cent today, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to forestation," said Corblin.

Truong Thi Nam Thang, lead researcher at IID said, "The initiative will last until the end of the decade and each year we hope to recruit 35 businesses and 35 consultants. IID is committed to creating the best opportunities for businesses interested in developing forest ecosystems."

Stakeholders join hands to raise awareness of forest protection The Central Youth Union Council collaborated with the Forest Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Suntory Holdings, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam, and the Centre for Sustainable Development Education to organise its first training and field trip programme on forest, water, and environmental protection on December 6-7.

Project to develop multi-use values of forest ecosystem to 2030 approved Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on February 29 signed a decision approving a project on developing multi-use values of the forest ecosystem to 2030, with a vision to 2050.

Renowned Korean singer donates money to mangrove forest development in Vietnam Singer Jisoo of Blackpink, one of the Republic of Korea’s most famous music bands, has recently donated all of the profits she has earned from her YouTube channel to charity organisation Save the Children that will use the money to develop mangrove forests in the Vietnamese southernmost province of Ca Mau, the Korean media reported.

Public and private sector cooperate to boost sustainable forest development The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Forestry Department and Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam signed an MoU on July 11 to jointly develop the forest ecosystem.