Illustrative photo (Source: VOV) Ha Tinh (VNA) – Representatives from the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST) and the Lao Department of Forestry Inspection (DOFI) sat down in the central province of Ha Tinh on October 30 to review their cooperation in forestry law enforcement.
Vietnam and Laos share a borderline spanning 2,340 km along their 10 provinces. The two countries have set up seven international border gates and six main border gates across the line.
In the past time, the VNFOREST and the DOFI have cooperated at the central and local levels in forest protection and management, which contributed to the reduction of forest fires and legal violations related to logging, timber trade, and wildlife trafficking.
At the function, the sides agreed to intensify measures to realise activities listed in their cooperation memorandum of understanding (MoU).
They said they will increase exchanging information related to policies, regulations, and bilateral negotiation for a voluntary partnership agreement on forest law enforcement, governance and trade.
They called for continued support from international organisations toward their future collaboration.
Speaking at the meeting, VNFOREST Deputy Director Pham Van Dien said Vietnam – Laos joint work in anti-wildlife trafficking and forestry law enforcement has been acknowledged by international organisations, creating favourable conditions for the sides to access financial and technical funds.
Dien said in the coming time, the VNFOREST and the DOFI will work with relevant agencies and localities to carry out joint patrols to protect the environment and ecosystem, and boost sustainable forest management in response to climate change.
DOFI head Linthong Douangphachanh said the meeting is an occasion for the sides to exchange forest management experience and discuss their cooperation in implementing the MoU.
It will last until October 31, after the delegates conduct a field trip to the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh.-VNA
VNA
