The Government of Lao PDR aims to increase its forest cover from 62 to 70 percent by 2035. It is currently reforming policies and strategies to curb forest degradation and deforestation and reduce violations of forest laws.
An important step towards improved policies, practices, structures and governance came in March 2023, when the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry endorsed Policy No. 1858/MAF on forest inspection and proceedings on forest resources.
The policy was proposed by the Department of Forest Inspection, with support from RECOFTC, to address inconsistencies between an existing policy and the country’s updated forestry law and other regulations.
The new policy is set to enhance law enforcement across the timber supply chain and strengthen the national Timber Legality Assurance System. It also seeks to prevent violations of forest laws and regulations while improving the monitoring, inspection, management, development and utilization of forest resources.
So far, the ministry has distributed the policy to 18 provinces. In each province, the respective Provincial Office of Forest Inspection is working closely with central government agencies, local communities and other stakeholders to implement the policy.
RECOFTC is supporting policy implementation through our ongoing activities with the ministry and other stakeholders, including capacity building, training and awareness-raising.