Australian Embassy
Vietnam

MR090528PhotoExhibition

SUBJECT: Culture & Environment
DATE: 28 May 2009

Australian Government and AFAP Working to protect the
National Parks and Wildlife of Vietnam

A Photo Exhibition of AFAP’s Project Work from 1998-2008
to celebrate World Environment Day 2009

30 May - Hanoi Opera House
31 May - Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
1-7 June - Gallery 29 Hang Bai, Ha Noi

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Australian NGO Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific (AFAP), are pleased to announce a new travelling photographic exhibition featuring scenes from Vietnam’s National Parks and Wildlife.

The exhibition marks World Environment Day 2009 and commemorates a decade-long partnership between AusAID and AFAP to tackle environmental challenges in the region including Vietnam.

The photographs have been drawn from Cat Tien, Mui Ca Mau National Parks and Ha Long Bay, and feature landscapes, wildlife and local villages in and around the National Parks with an emphasis on Vietnam’s spectacular birdlife.

“The exhibition demonstrates the Australian Government’s long term commitment to help Vietnam address environmental issues and address climate change”, said Mr Allaster Cox, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam.

The AusAID-funded exhibition has been produced by Bird Explorers, AFAP wildlife photographers Kevin Vang and Wojciech Dabrowka who have photographed over 20 per cent of Viet Nam’s birdlife over the last 10 years, including many endangered species.

Bird Explorers is a non-profit entity dedicated to promoting the awareness, conservation and astonishing beauty of our planet's amazing and diverse birdlife, and to disseminate wildlife and nature photos to non-profit community and conservation groups, museums, research institutions and students in developing countries.

Kevin Vang was Executive Director of the AFAP from 1994-2008, one of Australia's oldest overseas aid organisations with offices and programs in over 40 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

In 2007/8 and 2008/9 fiscal years, Australia has contributed nearly AUD10 million, through AusAID, to disaster mitigation and climate change projects in Vietnam.