Laos has reaffirmed its firm commitment to safeguarding forests and advancing climate change adaptation efforts, calling for closer regional cooperation to preserve ecosystems and support sustainable development, according to Vietnam Plus. 

Addressing the 28th Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on Forestry (ASOF 28), recently convened in Luang Prabang, Lao Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Kikeo Singnavong, emphasised the crucial role forests play in conserving biodiversity, reducing disaster risks, and underpinning sustainable growth across Southeast Asia. 

He urged ASEAN nations to work collectively to protect forest ecosystems and maximise their contributions towards shared national and regional objectives.

In its capacity as ASEAN Chair for 2024, Laos has prioritised forestry cooperation with a focus on climate change adaptation. Somvang Phimmavong, Director-General of the Department of Forestry and head of the Lao ASOF delegation, outlined the country’s plans to promote forest landscape restoration, broaden participation in carbon markets, enhance community-based forest management, tackle transboundary forest crimes, and increase livelihoods through sustainable products such as bamboo, medicinal plants, and other forest-derived goods.

The ASOF, held annually, serves as a platform to review progress and set future directions for forestry collaboration within ASEAN.

ASOF 28 gathered delegates from all ASEAN member states, representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat, and international development partners, laying the groundwork for the 46th Meeting of ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF 46).

Several important documents were endorsed at the meeting, including the Forestry Law Enforcement Handbook, a Nature-based Solutions Toolkit for forestry, and the Sustainable Ecosystem Management Action Plan. 

Participants also called for stronger cooperation with international bodies such as the Asian Forest Cooperation Organisation (AFoCO), the UN-REDD+ Programme under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the European Forest Institute to harness technical expertise and secure financial support.

Somvang reiterated Laos’s dedication to advancing the ASEAN forestry agenda, affirming the nation’s readiness to collaborate with member countries and development partners to protect forests, foster sustainable futures, and bolster resilience against climate impacts.

The 29th ASOF meeting will be hosted by Malaysia in 2026.