Lao PDR and Viet Nam Strengthen Prosecutorial Cooperation
Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, 18–19 December 2025 — At the invitation of Mr. Xaysana Khotphouthone, President of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor’s Office of the Lao PDR, a high-level delegation of the Supreme People’s Procuracy of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, led by Mr. Nguyen Huy Tien, President of the Supreme People’s Procuracy of Viet Nam, paid an official working visit to the Lao PDR from 18–19 December 2025.
During the visit, the two sides held high-level bilateral discussions to review the longstanding cooperation between the prosecutorial authorities of Lao PDR and Viet Nam and to exchange information on recent socio-economic developments and major national events in both countries. The meeting reaffirmed the close friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two institutions and their shared commitment to strengthening the rule of law and judicial cooperation.
Particular attention was given to enhancing cooperation in combating organized transnational crime, including cybercrime, online scams and other forms of cross-border criminal activity. The two sides also discussed strengthening mutual legal assistance in criminal matters to support the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, signed in Hanoi in 2025.
Recognizing that transnational organized crime increasingly involves illegal wildlife trafficking, both sides reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation among law enforcement, prosecution and judicial authorities to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of wildlife crime in accordance with national legislation and international obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The meeting also emphasized continued cooperation in capacity building for prosecutors, exchange of professional experience, organization of technical seminars and training programmes, and the modernization and digital transformation of prosecutorial institutions. Both parties agreed to continue implementing the existing Memorandum of Understanding through practical cooperation and to further strengthen institutional collaboration.
In addition, the two sides agreed to convene the 8th Meeting of the Border Provinces Prosecutors of Lao PDR and Viet Nam in Lao PDR in 2026, continue supporting the professional development of Lao prosecutors through training programmes in Viet Nam, and expand cooperation on combating transnational crime through joint training, technical exchanges and information sharing.
The Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, acting as the CITES Management Authority of Lao PDR, welcomes the continued strengthening of prosecutorial cooperation between Lao PDR and Viet Nam. Effective cooperation between prosecutorial authorities is an essential component of the national criminal justice response to wildlife trafficking, supporting the successful investigation, prosecution and adjudication of wildlife crime cases under the CITES Compliance Action Plan (CAP) and contributing to stronger regional cooperation in combating transnational wildlife crime.
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