Hanoi, on May 23rd , 2025, the Center for Highland Natural Resource Governance Research (CEGORN), in collaboration with the Mekong Region Land Governance (MRLG) program and the Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programme-Asia (NTFP-EP Asia), organized a national conference to jointly review, exchange insights and introduce the ASEAN Guidelines on Recognition of Customary Tenure and the Regional Handbook on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
The country dialogue brought together more than 30 participants, with 12 female participants, including representatives from central government agencies, research institutions, universities, NGOs, and various stakeholders. The main meeting agenda included:
· (1) The launch and presentation of the ASEAN Guidelines on Recognition of Customary Tenure (ASEAN CT Guidelines) and the Regional Handbook on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC);
· (2) Sharing of practical experiences and insights of participants;
· (3)Group discussions; and
· (4) Identification of the next steps on how to localize and promote the ASEAN CT guidelines’ principles and the use and application of the Regional FPIC Handbook in Vietnam.
PhD. Ngô Văn Hồng, Director of CEGORN and Ms. Femy Pinto, Executive Director of NTFP-EP Asia, delivered their opening speech and welcome remarks during the country dialogue.
The country dialogue brought together more than 30 participants, with 12 female participants, including representatives from central government agencies, research institutions, universities, NGOs, and various stakeholders. The main meeting agenda included:
· (1) The launch and presentation of the ASEAN Guidelines on Recognition of Customary Tenure (ASEAN CT Guidelines) and the Regional Handbook on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC);
· (2) Sharing of practical experiences and insights of participants;
· (3)Group discussions; and
· (4) Identification of the next steps on how to localize and promote the ASEAN CT guidelines’ principles and the use and application of the Regional FPIC Handbook in Vietnam.
Group discussion to share participants’ experiences and propose action plans to improve or provide supports for the implementation of these presented principles.
Thanks to the event, the participants and other stakeholders had opportunities to exchange information, discuss and proposed recommendations on the identified challenges, and develop action plans to ensure the rights and interests of local communities in forest resource management.
| Information Box: The ASEAN Guidelines on the Recognition of Customary Tenure in Forested Landscapes were developed through collaboration between the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN Senior Officials on Forestry (ASOF), and the ASEAN Working Group on Social Forestry, with support from the Mekong Region Land Governance (MRLG) project and the Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA). The guidelines also received supports from the Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programme – Asia (NTFP-EP Asia), of which CEGORN is a member — along with technical guidance and contributions from the Customary Tenure Technical Working Group of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), the Asia Indigenous Peoples and Sustainable Rural Development Association (AEA), and the MRLG Secretariat. |
