On 10th June 2019 a ceremony to mark the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MRLG and VUSTA took place in Hanoi. The MoU supports the implementation of MRLG phase 2 in Vietnam. Mr Pham Van Tan – Vice president cum General Secretary of VUSTA, Mr Nguyen Huu Ninh, GRET-LEI partnership representative and Mr John Meadows, MRLG team leader were present to sign the MoU.
The participants also include Mr Nghiem Vu Khai – Vice president of VUSTA, Mr Phan Tung Mau – Vice president of VUSTA and representatives of different VUSTA departments and MRLG partners such as GDLA, RIC and CCRD.
VUSTA plays the role of a key partner to support MRLG activities, being the connector between MRLG and different partners in Vietnam, especially supporting policy advocacy via National Assembly delegates and Government agencies for good land and forest governance including the securing of land rights of smallholders.
Mr Pham Van Tan – Vice president of VUSTA values the cooperation of MRLG phase 2 and fulfillment of MoU signing. He believes the signing of the MoU will ensure a smooth implementation of MRLG activities in a timely manner and in line with Vietnamese laws and regulations. He emphasizes the operation of MoU at soonest and regular review and adjustments of MoU tasks to match practice and context.
Mr John Meadows – MRLG team leader acknowledged the signing of MoU as an important milestone for Phase 2 of MRLG. He highlighted the engagement of the government partners in the project and the important roe that VUSTA will play bridging between NGOs and the government partners for policy and practice improvement.
The MoU enters into force upon signing and lasts until the end of September 2022.