At the meeting, the MTR team briefly reported on implementation of the PNKB NP Region Project. Over three year of operation, the Project has contributed to improving the NP's management capacity and livelihoods in bufferzone; increasing awareness of local authorities and people of nature conservation and sustainable management of natural resources in Phong Nha - Ke Bang Region.

In the project implementation progress, however, the project still showed some shortcomings and restrictions. Concretely, working environment is challenging; little experience from ODA and integrated project management; project organisation and implementation oriented and top heavy. The project has two foreign funding agencies with different approaches, procedures and reporting; slow disbursement rate impacted on the progress of implementing the Project as the scheduled master plan.

At the meeting, delegates spent much time to analyze and review obtained results and implementation progress of the project, stated shortcomings and restrictions and discuss solutions and specific workplan in order to accelerate the progress of implementing the project.

Addressing the meeting, Vice Chairman stressed the importance of PNKB NP Region Project to socio-economic development of the province, especially population in buffer zone, and straightly stating shortcomings and restrictions in project organization and implementation.

He also asked MTR team to check and adjust the workplan in accordance with the project implementation progress; closely coordinate with relevant agencies and local authorities to effectively implement nature conservation and sustainable development of PNKB NP Region and uphold the values of world natural heritage.

Reported by Dang Ha