Ha Noi, afternoon of November 7, 2025 – Wildlife Conservation Society Vietnam Program (WCS Viet Nam), in collaboration with the Banking Academy of Viet Nam (BAV), organized a seminar “Financial risks associated with illegal wildlife trade – awareness and actions of finance and banking students.”
The event brought together experts in anti–money laundering from the State Bank of Viet Nam and commercial banks, wildlife crime experts from WCS Viet Nam, ESG expert from MCG Management Consulting, as well as lecturers and students from the BAV’s Faculties of Finance, Banking, Accounting, Business Administration, and Law.
At the beginning of the seminar, through sharing of WCS Viet Nam and the MCG, students were introduced to the issue of illegal wildlife trade (IWT) from the perspective of the financial risks associated with this crime, which are also part of the ESG (Environmental – Social – Governance) risks faced by the banking sector in Viet Nam. The experts also highlighted the linkages between combating IWT, ESG risk management frameworks, and anti–money laundering obligations, and provided recommendations on practical preventive measures.
Overview of the student seminar, Ha Noi, November 2025
Building on this, speakers, lecturers and students were engaged in a lively discussion on “Opportunities to integrate IWT-related financial risks into training programs for finance and banking students.” From the viewpoints of management authority, financial institutions, and training organizations, speakers highlighted the urgent need to strengthen capacity of the future human resources in financial sector in identifying and managing ESG risks, especially those linked to environmental crime such as IWT. Representatives from commercial banks emphasized that meeting anti–money laundering requirements and adopting ESG practices are becoming emerging professional standards. Therefore, beyond core academic knowledge and technical skills, students should also be equipped with a solid understanding of legal and technological risks, strong data analysis abilities, logical and critical thinking skills, and especially professional ethics to meet the demands of the growing labor market for green finance.
Presentation on financial risks and red flags, Ha Noi, November 2025
Lecturers and students from the Banking Academy also exchanged ideas and proposed pathways to gradually integrate topics such as ESG risks, environmental crime, and sustainable development into training curriculum through academic modules, workshops, competitions, and experiential projects. Several participants suggested introducing practical simulation-based courses, mock trials, case analysis exercises, or partnerships with businesses to create internship opportunities linked to combating illegal wildlife trade.
Presentation on ESG and its connection to combating wildlife trafficking, Ha Noi, November 2025
The seminar concluded with a joint commitment from WCS Viet Nam and the BAV to continue fruitful collaboration on training, research, and communication initiatives aimed at developing a new generation of finance and banking professionals capable of managing ESG risks and contributing to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
The event was conducted within the framework of the project “Scaling up efforts to counter wildlife trafficking in Viet Nam” funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), United States Department of State, implemented by WCS in Viet Nam.