National Agriculture and Environment Meeting Concludes with Strong Call to Combat Wildlife Crime

Champasak Province, 26–28 February 2026 — The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment organized the National Agriculture and Environment Annual Meeting for 2025 and the 2026 planning orientation in Champasak Province, bringing together leaders and representatives from central and local levels across the country.

The three-day meeting brought together the Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Provincial Party Secretary of Champasak, Deputy Ministers, Heads and Deputy Heads of departments and institutes, as well as representatives from Provincial Agriculture and Environment Offices nationwide, Vientiane Capital, district-level authorities, and relevant sectors including Public Security, Finance Customs, Industry and Commerce, Public Works and Transport, the banking sector, and state inspection authorities, and was concluded on the final day by the Prime Minister of Lao PDR, Mr. Sonexay Siphandone.

During the meeting, the Director General of the Department of Forestry, serving as the CITES Management Authority of Lao PDR, presented a report on the implementation of the CITES Compliance Action Plan. The report highlighted progress in strengthening wildlife management, improving traceability systems, and enhancing coordination among enforcement agencies, while also identifying ongoing challenges related to illegal wildlife trade involving high-value endangered species.

The Department of Forestry reaffirmed commitment to full compliance with CITES and to addressing recommendations of the CITES Standing Committee through strengthened enforcement, monitoring, and cooperation with national and international partners.

In guidance delivered during the meeting, the Minister of Agriculture and Environment called on all central and local authorities to take serious and immediate action to combat illegal wildlife crime nationwide. Strong emphasis was placed on strict implementation of Prime Minister Order No. 25, which mandates strengthened management, inspection, and enforcement measures related to endangered wildlife and plants, including prohibition of trade in species listed under CITES Appendix I and intensified inspections at markets, border checkpoints, transport routes, and special economic zones.

The Minister further called for strengthened coordination among enforcement agencies, strict criminal prosecution of wildlife offences, enhanced intelligence sharing, improved verification of legal origin for wildlife farms, and increased public awareness on laws and international commitments.

The meeting reaffirmed that combating illegal wildlife trade remains a national priority and a key obligation of Lao PDR under international conventions, while also setting clear directions for 2026 to strengthen governance in agriculture and environment sectors and ensure effective implementation of national policies and international commitments.

The meeting concluded successfully with strong guidance from the Prime Minister, reinforcing commitment of all sectors to take decisive action against environmental crimes including wildlife crime and to promote sustainable management of natural resources.