MAF and WWF-Laos Commit to Long-Term Collaboration on Counter Wildlife Trafficking
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), represented by the Department of Forest Inspection (DoFI) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Wide Fund for Nature Laos Office (WWF-Laos) today at an event at the Vientiane Plaza Hotel.
The MoU was signed by Mr. Somphone Keohavong, Director General of DoFI and Mr. Loris Palentini, Country Director of WWF Laos.
The Greater Mekong region, of which Lao PDR is a part, is, unfortunately, a source, transit, and consumption hub for illegally trafficked wildlife from Asia and other parts of the world. Collaboration between governments and government agencies, civil society organizations and the general public are key if this trafficking and the wildlife extinction it causes is to be effectively stopped.
Latsamy Phonevilay
