The event was attended by Sasha Oliveira, First Secretary at the Embassy of Canada in Vietnam, as well as representatives from CARE International, KarbonX and several provincial departments and agencies.

With its extensive forest and forestry land resources, Son La has significant potential to store and sequester forest carbon. The provincial authorities have instructed relevant departments to develop a forest carbon credit business scheme, conduct forest inventories and assess forest carbon stocks.

The province is also implementing forest planting, restoration and development projects to increase carbon storage, while seeking greater cooperation with international organisations, including CARE International, the EU, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to implement activities to improve capacity on forest carbon credits, potential assessments, and training in carbon-stock measurement and evaluation of opportunities to develop forest carbon credits in the province.

At the working session, Sasha Oliveira thanked Son La for its warm reception, continued support and effective, longstanding cooperation with Canada. She said the meeting had provided the delegation with a deeper understanding of Son La’s forest carbon potential, as well as the province’s priorities for forest management, protection and development.

Oliveira expressed her hope that Son La would continue to cooperate with and create favourable conditions for Canadian businesses and partners to continue exploring cooperation opportunities and implementing programmes and projects in the province. The goal, she said, is to help build a high-quality and transparent forestry carbon market and strengthen climate resilience.

Speaking at the event, Cong said Son La was committed to continuing to improve its investment and business environment in an open, transparent, secure and equitable manner.

The province will proactively provide information, support site surveys, connect businesses with raw-material areas, provide workforce training and facilitate the handling of administrative procedures in accordance with regulations, he said.

Eligible projects will receive the full range of investment incentives available under Vietnamese law, he added.

The Vice Chairman also called on the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam and CARE International to continue serving as a bridge and working with Son La on programmes and projects, helping the province develop a sustainable, multi-value forestry sector and create stronger momentum for green growth and economic development./.