Department of Forestry, as the CITES Management Authority of Lao PDR, Reviews the National Ivory Action Plan (2020–2025) to Strengthen CITES Implementation and Combat Illegal Ivory Trade

Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, 18 March 2026 — The Department of Forestry (DOF), Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), acting as the CITES Management Authority of Lao PDR, convened a national review meeting to assess the implementation of the National Ivory Action Plan (NIAP) 2020–2025. The meeting forms part of the Department of Forestry’s ongoing responsibilities as the national authority responsible for implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and coordinating national efforts to prevent and combat illegal ivory trade.

The meeting was chaired by Associate Professor Dr. Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of the Department of Forestry and Head of the CITES Management Authority of Lao PDR, and attended by Dr. Sithong Thongmanivong, Head of the CITES Scientific Authority of Lao PDR and Dean of the Faculty of Forest Science, National University of Laos, together with representatives from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Inspection (DNEI), the Customs Department, the Environmental Police Department, relevant divisions of the Department of Forestry, and international conservation organizations.

As the CITES Management Authority, the Department of Forestry presented the progress achieved under the National Ivory Action Plan during the period 2020–2025, highlighting significant improvements in national legislation, law enforcement coordination, monitoring systems, international cooperation and compliance with CITES decisions concerning elephant ivory trade. Participants also reviewed implementation challenges and agreed on priority actions to further strengthen Lao PDR’s compliance with CITES requirements.

The meeting focused on five strategic priorities for the next phase of implementation.

The first priority was to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework through the continued review and improvement of wildlife and forestry legislation, implementing regulations and enforcement measures to ensure full alignment with CITES requirements and international best practices, while providing stronger legal sanctions against wildlife crime.

The second priority emphasized enhancing national law enforcement and inter-agency coordination under the leadership of the Department of Forestry as the CITES Management Authority. Participants agreed to strengthen cooperation among the Department of Forestry, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Inspection, Customs, Environmental Police and other competent authorities to improve intelligence-led enforcement, border controls, market surveillance and investigations targeting illegal ivory trafficking.

The third priority focused on expanding international and regional cooperation. The Department of Forestry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with other CITES Management Authorities, the CITES Secretariat, INTERPOL, the World Customs Organization and enforcement agencies of CITES Parties through enhanced intelligence sharing, operational cooperation, wildlife forensic collaboration and information exchange to combat transnational ivory trafficking.

The fourth priority addressed public awareness, education and secure management of confiscated ivory stocks. Participants emphasized the need to maintain transparent national ivory inventories, strengthen procedures for the secure storage and management of seized ivory, prevent leakage into illegal markets, and expand public awareness campaigns targeting consumers, businesses and tourists regarding the legal consequences of illegal ivory trade.

The fifth priority focused on monitoring, reporting and CITES compliance. The Department of Forestry highlighted the importance of maintaining accurate national records, strengthening reporting to the CITES Secretariat, monitoring implementation progress, and ensuring that Lao PDR continues to meet its international obligations under CITES.

Throughout the meeting, participants exchanged practical experiences, identified lessons learned from implementation of the National Ivory Action Plan, and developed recommendations for the next phase of national action. The review reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation among government agencies, the CITES Scientific Authority, law enforcement agencies, customs authorities, academia and international partners in strengthening national wildlife governance.

In his closing remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Somvang Phimmavong reaffirmed that, as the CITES Management Authority of Lao PDR, the Department of Forestry will continue to lead the implementation of the National Ivory Action Plan and coordinate national efforts to eliminate illegal ivory trade. He emphasized that strengthening legislation, enhancing law enforcement, expanding scientific support, improving international cooperation and promoting public awareness remain fundamental to fulfilling Lao PDR’s obligations under CITES and ensuring the long-term conservation of Asian elephants.

The Department of Forestry reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with all relevant national authorities and international partners to strengthen CITES implementation, enhance wildlife law enforcement, combat transnational wildlife crime and protect Lao PDR’s elephant populations. The outcomes of the review meeting will guide the next phase of implementation of the National Ivory Action Plan and further reinforce Lao PDR’s commitment to conserving elephants and preventing illegal trade in ivory in accordance with CITES.