Lao PDR Reinforces Commitment to CITES on the Occasion of World Wildlife Day
Vientiane, 3 March 2026 — The Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment convened a high-level meeting to present the outcomes of the Seventy-Ninth Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), reaffirming the strong commitment of the Lao People Democratic Republic to the effective implementation of international obligations for wildlife conservation.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of the Department of Forestry, and brought together representatives from relevant government sectors, international organizations, and development partners. The session reviewed national progress in implementing CITES decisions and recommendations, particularly actions undertaken to strengthen wildlife management, improve law enforcement capacity, and enhance measures to combat illegal wildlife trade.
Participants also discussed the ongoing implementation of the national Compliance Action Plan, which aims to address key priorities identified by the CITES Standing Committee. These efforts include strengthening coordination among enforcement authorities, enhancing monitoring and traceability systems, and reinforcing cooperation with international partners to prevent and suppress transnational wildlife trafficking.
Following the technical meeting, an official ceremony commemorating National Wildlife Day and World Wildlife Day 2026 was organized in hybrid format, co-hosted with the United Nations Development Programme and the CITES Secretariat. The ceremony was presided over by Dr. Linkham Douangsavanh, Minister of Agriculture and Environment.
In the keynote address delivered under the theme “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants,” the Minister highlighted the rich biodiversity of the Lao People Democratic Republic. The country hosts more than 1,000 wildlife species, including many rare and globally threatened species that are of significant ecological and conservation importance. The Minister emphasized that wildlife conservation and sustainable ecosystem management remain key national priorities supported by the Wildlife and Aquatic Law, the Forestry Law, and related national policies.
The Government of the Lao People Democratic Republic continues to pursue ambitious environmental and sustainable development objectives, including maintaining national forest cover at approximately 70 percent of total land area, equivalent to about 16.5 million hectares, in accordance with the resolutions of the Twelfth Party Congress and the national Forestry Strategy toward 2035 and Vision toward 2050.
As the country advances toward graduation from Least Developed Country status during the period 2026 to 2029, the Government is strengthening efforts to promote green growth, sustainable production systems, and responsible natural resource management.
The Minister further emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation under the framework of CITES and other multilateral environmental agreements. Such cooperation includes knowledge exchange, capacity development, and the implementation of Access and Benefit Sharing principles to ensure that conservation efforts contribute to sustainable development and equitable benefits for the people of the Lao People Democratic Republic.
The event reaffirmed the determination of the Lao People Democratic Republic to continue working closely with international partners, regional organizations, and conservation stakeholders to protect endangered species, combat wildlife crime, and promote sustainable biodiversity management for present and future generations.
Official DoF website news version for https://dof.mis-mae.gov.la/
