Lao PDR and China Strengthen CITES Enforcement Cooperation through Joint Operational Planning Meeting

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Inspection, in collaboration with the Department of Forestry and relevant sectors of Lao PDR, organized a Joint Operational Planning Meeting between the Lao CITES Compliance Action Plan (CAP) Action Team and Chinese CITES experts to strengthen cooperation in wildlife management and combat wildlife crime under CITES.

On the morning of 10 March 2026, at the meeting room of the Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Joint Operational Planning Meeting was convened with the participation of relevant authorities responsible for wildlife management and investigation of endangered fauna and flora under CITES from Lao PDR, together with Chinese CITES experts from China.

The meeting focused on reviewing ongoing efforts and sharing lessons learned in enhancing wildlife management and combating wildlife crime, while jointly identifying priority actions to strengthen the implementation of the CITES Compliance Action Plan. Discussions emphasized improving coordination on intelligence sharing, wildlife crime investigations, and transboundary enforcement to effectively address transnational wildlife trafficking.

The meeting also aimed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between Lao PDR and China in wildlife management and enforcement, contributing to more effective implementation of CITES and reinforcing Lao PDR commitment to combating illegal wildlife trade.