(VOVworld)- The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched its first ever biodiversity policy in Washington, under which Vietnam is identified as a priority country for biodiversity programming. According to a press conference held at the US embassy in Hanoi on Thursday, the new policy set forth a vision of conserving biodiversity globally for sustainable long-term development. The new policy recognizes that conservation is central to USAID’s mission as an international development agency because healthy ecosystems provide goods and services that sustain life and improve human well-being. The US Mission to Vietnam is working closely with our governmental and civil society partners to preserve biodiversity conservation and stop the illegal wildlife trade. It is a global challenge requiring global solutions, and the United States is proud to partner with Vietnam and other countries in the region to implement these important programs. USAID expects to increase its wildlife trafficking assistance to Vietnam under the new policy.