An international workshop entitled ‘Policies and Social Responsibilities of Businesses - Zero Tolerance of Wildlife Consumption’ took place in Da Nang on Thursday.

It had been co-organised by the city’s branch of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and TRAFFIC Viet Nam - a wildlife trade monitoring network.

Addressing the event, Ms Madelon Willemsen, TRAFFIC's representative in Viet Nam, highlighted the vital role of the worldwide business community in the fight against the illegal transport and trade of wild animals and plants, including rhino horns.  She noted that, according to the latest survey, successful businesspeople living and working in big cities around the world are illegal wild animal consumers.

During the event, participants were introduced to the valuable diversified ecosystem on the Son Tra Peninsula, and the illegal wildlife trade and consumption activities in Viet Nam and the world as a whole.  In addition, the power of social marketing to change the behaviour of illegal wildlife users, and the mainstreaming of wildlife protection in the social responsibility of global businesses in a code of conduct applicable to their business community, were presented.

To mark the occasion, 6 large businesses in Da Nang and Quang Nam Province jointly signed a wildlife protection agreement.