This morning, September 12, in Saravane district, Salavan province, Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Salavan Provincial Forestry Inspection Department and the Quang Tri Provincial Forest Protection Department (Vietnam) held a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in forest management and protection, and wildlife protection for the period 2024 - 2029.

Based on the assessment of the implementation of tasks and cooperation in forest protection in border areas in the period of 2018 - 2023 and recommendations and proposals from each side, the two sides discussed and agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in forest management and protection, wildlife protection in the period of 2024 - 2029, with the following contents: The two sides will coordinate to promote propaganda and education activities, raise public awareness about forest resource protection, biodiversity conservation, and prevent illegal exploitation, trade, and transportation of timber, forest products, and wildlife.

Quang Tri Provincial Forest Protection Department and Salavan Provincial Forest Inspection Department signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in forest protection and wildlife protection for the period 2024 - 2029 - Photo: MP

Strengthen coordination in exchanging information, knowledge and experience to control and prevent acts of deforestation, exploitation, trading, hunting of wild animals, illegal transportation of timber, forest products and wild animals in border areas.

Each side will strengthen inspection and strictly monitor the export and import of timber, forest products and wild animals at the two countries' border gates, regularly exchange information and coordinate to resolve violations on the basis of compliance with the laws of each country.

Every 6 months, the two sides exchange information and compare the quantity of timber, forest products and wild animals imported and exported across the border; regularly communicate and coordinate in forest fire prevention and fighting in border areas; focus on coordination in preventing deforestation and encroachment of forests and forest land in border areas.

The two sides will take turns holding annual meetings to evaluate the implementation of the signed memorandum of understanding and exchange and share information and experience in the fields of forest protection and management, forest development, wildlife protection and forest product management.

Through the signing of the memorandum of understanding, cooperation in forest management, protection, forest development, wildlife, and forest products on the border between Quang Tri and Salavan provinces will be strengthened more effectively.

On this occasion, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Forestry Sub-Department of Quang Tri province presented gifts to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the Forestry Inspection Sub-Department of Salavan province.

Nguyen Dinh Phuc