The 15^th of January 2009, an annual review meeting of the Forest Sector Support Partnership (FSSP) was chaired by the Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Hua Duc Nhi. This years' meeting was important in the context of the unexpected fluctuations in the global and domestic economy , and was an opportunity to review the development of the forestry sector after two-years of implementation of the Viet Nam Forest Development Strategy (VFDS).

Forestry related activities conducted during 2008 were presented at the meeting. The following discussions provided recommendations to help the sector to reach the goals proposed in the VFDS and the 5-year development plan of the sector. In addition, the five VFDS programme sub-committees delivered presentations on priorities and types of assistance required from donors, international non-governmental organisations, corporations and private sector. These issues included (i) Sustainable forest management and climate change, (ii) Forest and forest land allocation and land consolidation, (iii) Timber processing and trade, (iv) Forestry research strategy and (v) Financing mechanisms for the forestry sector.

The meeting attracted donors, Viet Namese and international non-governmental organisations and the business sector. The fora of FSSP has always been an essential information channel in order to improve policy dialogue, information sharing to enhance efficiency of the forestry sector for the goal of sustainable management of over 12 million hectares of forest and improve livelihoods for 25 million people living on forests.

As a member of the FSSP network, TBI Viet Nam attended the meeting and shared its perspective on forest research. TBI Viet Nam will continue to promote the practical application and adoption of information and knowledge into policy and practice as well as to create platforms for the exchange of knowledge and mutual learning. With a particular emphasis on communication, dissemination and creating a knowledge dialogue among stakeholders. TBI Viet Nam continues to support the elaboration of the National Forest Research Strategy, conducts several demand driven research projects, supports a Ph.D. study on crucial issues of the forest sector, facilitates the institutional strengthening and promotes linking national and international forestry activities.