VIENTIANE: Officials from the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, along with development partners, met here on Monday (May 19) to discuss ways to strengthen collaboration in the protection and sustainable management of forests and protected areas.
The meeting brought together representatives from the ministry, the European Union, and other relevant sectors, Lao News Agency reported on Tuesday (May 20).
In his speech, Somvang Phimmavong, director of the ministry's Forest Department, emphasised the importance of the meeting in raising awareness and deepening understanding of key directives related to the forestry and mining sectors.
Laos is known for its abundant forest resources.
However, decades of widespread and unregulated exploitation have led to significant deforestation.
In response, the Lao government has prioritized the sustainable management and use of forest resources.
The government has set a target to restore forest cover to 70 percent of the country's land area, with a strategy focused on ensuring that people and forests coexist peacefully, balancing conservation efforts with the development of local livelihoods. - Xinhua
