Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam Strengthen Cross-Border Cooperation on Legal and Sustainable Trade in Forest Products
Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR – On 23–24 July 2026, the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and NIRAS, organized the ACTFor Pilot Intervention Inception Workshop in Luang Prabang Province. The workshop marked an important step toward strengthening regional cooperation on legal, transparent and sustainable trade in forest products among Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam.
The workshop brought together approximately 70 participants from government agencies responsible for forestry, customs, trade, border management and law enforcement, together with representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat, development partners and international organizations including GIZ, NIRAS, EFI, WCS, IUCN, INTERPOL and UNODC. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Khamfeua Sirivongs, Deputy Director General of the Department of Forestry, alongside representatives from Luang Prabang Province, the ASEAN Secretariat and GIZ.
During the two-day meeting, participants exchanged experiences and identified priorities for enhancing cross-border cooperation through information sharing, legality verification, digital monitoring tools and coordinated enforcement. Discussions also focused on developing pilot activities at key border crossings, including Na Phao International Border Checkpoint and the Second Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge in Lao PDR, the Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge in Mukdahan, Thailand, and Cha Lo Border Gate in Quảng Bình Province, Viet Nam. The workshop also emphasized gender equality and inclusive participation in sustainable forest governance.
The workshop established a common understanding of the pilot intervention framework and agreed on the next steps, including finalizing the joint work plan, coordination mechanisms and monitoring and evaluation framework. The initiative contributes to strengthening regional cooperation on legal and transparent trade in forest products and supports the implementation of Recommendation (d) of the CITES Standing Committee Compliance Action Plan by promoting practical collaboration among the competent authorities of Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam.
