Việt Nam has succeeded in cutting the demand for rhino horn, with a reduction of 38 per cent over the past three years. — Photo AFP

Johannesburg  — Việt Nam has succeeded in cutting the demand for rhino horn, with a reduction of 38 per cent over the past three years, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hà Công Tuấn told a gathering of 182 states at a conference in South Africa yesterday.

Tuấn heads the Vietnamese delegation to the conference on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) taking place in Johannesburg from September 24 to October 5.

Tuấn stressed in his remarks that the Government has pledged to eradicate illegal wild animal trading, as well as combat all wildlife-related crimes, adding that in the two decades since joining CITES, Việt Nam has made positive contributions to the international organisation.

In free trade agreements it has signed with many countries and organizations, the country always commits to addressing wildlife trafficking, he said. Việt Nam has signed cooperation agreements on the issue with many countries, including China, Laos, Cambodia, South Africa and Indonesia.

The Deputy Minister announced at the conference that Việt Nam would host an international wildlife trade conference (IWTC) in Hà Nội in November.

In his opening speech, South African President Jacob Zuma thanked the participating countries for their proposals on measures to control wildlife trading, saying that poaching and trafficking have affected nearly 500 species, especially rare wild animals such as elephants, rhinos and lions in Africa and other places in the world.

The President called on the international community, especially CITES member states, to put forth urgent and effective protection measures for rare and valuable fauna and flora species in Africa and the world. —  VNS