Lao PDR, Thailand Boost CITES Enforcement Cooperation

Vientiane Capital, 17 March 2026 — Lao PDR and the Kingdom of Thailand have reaffirmed their strong commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation on forestry, wildlife conservation, and the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with a particular focus on combating transboundary wildlife crime.

The bilateral meeting, hosted by the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Lao PDR, brought together 27 participants, including 15 representatives from Lao PDR and 12 representatives from Thailand, representing key forestry, wildlife, and law enforcement institutions.

The Lao delegation was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of the Department of Forestry and Head of the CITES Management Authority, with participation from relevant departments. The Lao side also included a representative from Nam Theun 2 Power Company, highlighting the role of private sector engagement in conservation.

The Thailand delegation was led by Mr. Athapol Charoenshunsa, Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, together with Mr. Nikorn Sirarotchananon, Director General of the Royal Forest Department.

Discussions focused on strengthening intelligence sharing, joint investigations, verification of CITES permits, and coordinated enforcement at border checkpoints. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation under ASEAN-WEN frameworks.

A key outcome was the establishment of a direct information exchange mechanism between enforcement agencies to facilitate timely coordination on wildlife crime cases.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somvang Phimmavong emphasized that: Strengthening cooperation with Thailand is essential for Lao PDR to effectively combat transboundary wildlife crime and ensure full implementation of CITES. Through practical collaboration, joint enforcement actions, and enhanced information sharing, we can deliver concrete results on the ground and demonstrate our strong commitment to protecting wildlife and biodiversity in the region.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to continued collaboration in strengthening enforcement and regional biodiversity conservation efforts.

ຂ່າວ ແລະ ພາບໂດຍ: ກົມປ່າໄມ້;
ພະແນກເຕັກໂນໂລຊີຂໍ້ມູນ-ຂ່າວສານ, ຫ້ອງການກະຊວງກະສິກຳ ແລະ ສິ່ງແວດລ້ອມ.
#ລາຍການກະສິກຳແລະສິ່ງແວດລ້ອມ.
ອອກອາກາດ ທາງໂທລະພາບແຫ່ງຊາດ ຊ່ອງ1:
- ວັນພະຫັດ ເວລາ 17:30-18:00 ໂມງ;
- ວັນສຸກ ເວລາ 14:25-14:55 ໂມງ;
- ວັນອາທິດ ເວລາ 10:00-10:30 ໂມງ.
ອອກອາກາດ ທາງໂທລະພາບແຫ່ງຊາດ ຊ່ອງ3:
- ວັນອາທິດ ເວລາ 6:30-07:00 ໂມງ;
- ວັນອາທິດ ເວລາ 13:10-13:40 ໂມງ;
- ວັນອາທິດ ເວລາ 20:45-21:15 ໂມງ.