Any wildlife products consumed contribute to the capture and killing of wild animals, funding the illegal wildlife trade and pushing species to extinction, negatively impacting habitats and ecosystems. The consumption of bushmeat and raising wild animals as pets is also an increasing threat, posing a great risk to human health, and might even be the source of the next global infectious diseases.

In Ho Chi Minh City, October 27, 2020 – CHANGE and WildAid, in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham Vietnam) and the British Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (BritCham Vietnam), organized an exclusive event themed “Valuation of natural capital” at Le Meridien Hotel, 3 Ton Duc Thang, District 1, HCMC. Ho Chi Minh. The event provided an open discussion space between business leaders and representatives from consulates, conservation organizations, and scientists to propose a new business development roadmap. They were thereby giving out general commitments, appropriate codes of conduct, and ethics in business policies to protect wildlife in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is believed to originate from trade and consumption of wild animals.

This event was initiated by “Business Coalition for Wildlife, a group of leading businesses in Vietnam, within the framework of the campaign “The Host”, which was implemented by CHANGE and WildAid in response to the Prime Minister’s directive to prohibit wildlife trade and consumption. More than 60 business leaders and 35 businesses of this Union signed the Commitment for the Wild, to show support for the campaign, and at the same time called on companies across the country to take action to end the illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam.

Closing the event, members of the “Business Coalition for the Wild” participated in a symbolic activity demonstrating their commitment to participate in the protection and restoration of nature for a sustainable future. Members will also come up with their initiatives to attract employees and business partners to contribute to protecting the ecological diversity in general while developing the economy, elevating Vietnam’s position internationally.

“As a renewable developer and member of Business Coalition for Wildlife, we don’t limit our focus to just cleaner and more efficient energy use”, Mark said. ”What we are truly after is the harmony between modern life and nature. Humans have to pay hefty prices for not respecting the environment, and we have seen that so many times before. Let’s not make the same mistake ever again”.