On November 10th, 2026, in Hanoi, Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) organized the kick-off event for the project “Advancing local capacity and collaborative governance along with boosting community initiatives in Vietnam’s coast for more effective marine resources conservation (ACGC)”.

The event brought together more than 40 participants from the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), the National Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, and the Vietnam Agency of Seas and Islands; representatives of technical agencies, local authorities, and communities from Quang Ninh, Da Nang, and Ca Mau provinces; environmental organizations; experts; and representatives of the press and media.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Nguyen Thu Hue, Director of MCD, highlighted MCD’s sustained commitment to advance marine conservation and community development amid ongoing changes in institutional arrangements and resource availability. She emphasized the particular significance of the ACGC Project to MCD and expressed her appreciation for the guidance and support of the donor, VUSTA, as well as the collaboration of relevant technical agencies, local authorities, and communities in the three project locations throughout the project development process.

Mr. Nguyen Van Cong – Project Technical Secretary provided an overview of the ACGC Project, including its objectives, implementation locations, key components and activities, expected results, and project implementation partners.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Pham Ngoc Linh, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), emphasized the strategic importance of the marine environment to economic development, national security, and sovereignty. He highly appreciated MCD’s efforts in supporting coastal communities and noted that the ACGC Project would contribute to biodiversity conservation and the restoration of marine resources, while strengthening the role and local knowledge of communities through co-management mechanisms. He reaffirmed VUSTA commitment to continue collaboration and to providing science and technology guidance in support of achieving the project’s objectives.

Representing the National Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, Ms. Nguyen Thuy Duong congratulated the project and highlighted the ongoing trend – changing from a marine resource exploitation approach towards modern marine governance, particularly in the context of increasing pressures on fisheries resources and marine ecosystems. She emphasized that co-management in fisheries resources protection is an important approach to balancing conservation and livelihoods, while strengthening the direct role of local communities in protecting fisheries resources.

A key highlight of the event was the official kick-off ceremony of the ACGC Project, with the participation of representatives from relevant agencies, organizations, and the three project locations. The kick-off moment not only marked the project’s formal transition into the implementation phase, but also demonstrated the shared commitment of MCD and its partners to advancing marine conservation, co-management of fisheries resources, and sustainable community livelihoods.

In the closing remarks, Ms. Ho Thi Yen Thu, MCD Deputy Director and Head of the ACGC Project Management Board, noted that the event had been successfully organized and had achieved its intended objectives. She expressed her appreciation for the support of relevant government agencies, local authorities and communities, donors, partners, and experts, and highly valued the strong commitments made by all parties to jointly implement the project. She emphasized that, following the kick-off event, MCD would work closely with its partners and the 03 project locations to develop detailed implementation plans and promptly roll-out project activities.

The ACGC Project kick-off event contributed to strengthening connections among government agencies, technical organizations, local authorities, and communities. Over its 4-year implementation period, the Project is expected to create further opportunities for stakeholders to sustain and strengthen collaboration in developing and implementing locally appropriate initiatives on marine conservation and co-management of marine resources suited with specific conditions and circumstances of each and all project sites.