https://programs.wcs.org/laos RSS feeds for WCS Lao PDR 60 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12349/Joint-Press-Statement-of-the-Special-ASEAN-Ministerial-Meeting-on-Illegal-Wildlife-Trade.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=12349 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=12349&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12349/Joint-Press-Statement-of-the-Special-ASEAN-Ministerial-Meeting-on-Illegal-Wildlife-Trade.aspx 1. We, the Ministers responsible for CITES and Wildlife Enforcement, hereby convey our Statement on Illegal Wildlife Trade in the occasion of the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Illegal Wildlife Trade on 21-22 March 2019 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, under the chairmanship of H.E. General Surasak Karnjanarat, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Kingdom of Thailand, representing the 2019 Chair Country of ASEAN. 2. We endorsed the Chiang Mai Statement of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for CITES and Wildlife Enforcement on illegal wildlife trade. We commit to strengthen our cooperation to advance the fight against illegal wildlife trade, especially through the following approaches: (i) global and regional wildlife trade policy, (ii) demand reduction, (iii) law enforcement, and (iv) wildlife cybercrime. Global and Regional Wildlife Trade Policy 3. We reaffirm our commitment to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal.15 Targets 15.7 and 15.c and recognise the important role of international agreements, in particular the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) that ensures conservation and sustainable use of wild animals and plants through strict implementation of international trade regulations. We are also pleased with the initial achievement of the implementation of the Plan of Action for ASEAN Cooperation on CITES and Wildlife Enforcement, 2016-2020. Demand Reduction 4. We will further enhance collaborative actions among AMS in combating illegal wildlife trade through demand reduction and public awareness campaigns, including the celebration of significant events such as World Wildlife Day. Law Enforcement 5. We reaffirm our commitments to strengthen collaborative actions to tackle the illicit financial flow associated with illegal wildlife trade with public/private collaboration and 2 step up efforts in enforcing law against corruption and money-laundering activities. We will enhance effort to enforce the effective domestic law to give deterrent effect to wildlife offences. The actions to combat wildlife trafficking by enhancing international cooperation through Wildlife Enforcement Networks (WENs) were also encouraged. 6. We welcome the development of the ASEAN Guidelines for Detecting and Preventing Wildlife Trafficking, including ASEAN wildlife crime database to improve regional mechanisms and collaboration in dealing with wildlife enforcement issues. Wildlife Cybercrime 7. We acknowledge the contribution of governments in fighting against wildlife cybercrime by allocating enforcement resources to curb with cybercriminal, and welcome the increased recognition of wildlife cybercrime through CITES with the adoption of a strong Resolution and Decision on combating wildlife cybercrime. 8. We expressed our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Government and People of the Kingdom of Thailand for hosting the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Illegal Wildlife Trade and for their warm hospitality and excellent arrangements for the Meeting. 9. We extend our appreciation to international partners including CITES, UNODC, INTERPOL, IUCN, and various NGOs for their constructive recommendations and collaboration to support ASEAN cooperation in addressing illegal wildlife trade. 10. The Meeting was attended by: (1) H.E. Abdul Halidi Mohd Salleh, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, Brunei Darussalam (2) H.E. Prof. Thuok Nao, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kingdom of Cambodia (3) H.E. Rasion Ridho Sani, Director General of Law Enforcement, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Republic of Indonesia (4) H.E. Mr. Thongphath Vongmany, Vice Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (5) H.E. Dato’ Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, Director General, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources, Malaysia (6) H.E. U Ohn Win, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Republic of the Union of Myanmar (7) H.E. Ricardo L. Calderon, Assistant Secretary for Staff Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Republic of the Philippines (8) H.E. Dr. Yap Him Hoo, Director General, Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, Ministry for National Development, Republic of Singapore (9) H.E. General Surasak Karnjanarat, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Kingdom of Thailand (10) H.E. Prof. Pham Van Dien, Deputy Administrator, Viet Nam Administration of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (11) H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN  dleroux@wcs.org Fri, 22 Mar 2019 04:19:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:12349 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/11971/Management-changes-at-WCS-Lao-PDR.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=11971 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=11971&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/11971/Management-changes-at-WCS-Lao-PDR.aspx As of 1 January 2019, Dr. Santi Saypanya (Joy) formally succeeded· Dr. Christopher Holmes as Country Director of the WCS Lao PDR Program.  dleroux@wcs.org Tue, 19 Mar 2019 08:31:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:11971 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12345/Laos-reaffirms-commitment-to-wildlife-law-enforcement.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=12345 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=12345&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12345/Laos-reaffirms-commitment-to-wildlife-law-enforcement.aspx Laos has vowed to continue cooperation with international partners in addressing challenges in wildlife law enforcement, with the country still at risk of illegal trading.Deputy Director of the Department of Forest Inspection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ms Louamkham Sengchanoudom, addressed the issue on Thursday at a consultation workshop on the Wildlife Legality Compendium Project. dleroux@wcs.org Mon, 28 Jan 2019 04:06:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:12345 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12347/Illegal-Ivory-Seized-In-Raid-On-Luang-Prabang-Shop.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=12347 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=12347&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12347/Illegal-Ivory-Seized-In-Raid-On-Luang-Prabang-Shop.aspx More than 73 kilograms of ivory products were confiscated from a souvenir shop in Luang Prabang province recently and the foreign owner detained for suspected trading in elephant ivory.The Forest Inspection Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in collaboration with the Lao Wildlife Enforcement Network (Lao-WEN) and local authorities raided the shop and confiscated more than 3,400 ivory items weighing 73.8 kilograms. The ivory products were hidden in secret drawers under the shop’s counters.Also seized were the horns of wild animals including deer antlers, which are in strong demand by mostly foreign tourists.Deputy Director General of the Forest Inspection Department, Mr Thongphanh Ratanalangsy, told Vientiane Times yesterday the confiscated ivory would be kept as evidence and the shop owner detained for questioning.The raid was conducted by the Forest Inspection Department in cooperation with Lao-WEN, and the Luang Prabang provincial Office of Forest Inspection (POFI) in response to information supplied by the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) Indicator, World Justice Commission (WJC), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The investigation followed reports of suspected illegal trading at the shop.The Forest Inspection Department and POFI are investigating the suspects associated with the shop to prepare the case for prosecution.Trafficking, trading, importing and exporting prohibited forms of wildlife is illegal under Lao law.Authorities have previously uncovered many cases of wildlife trading especially in local markets across the country with animal carcasses seized and live fauna rehabilitated before being released. Vendors engaged in the illegal trade were reprimanded, Mr Thongphanh added.In May, the prime minister issued Executive Order No. 5 to strengthen the management and inspection of prohibited wild fauna and flora.This includes species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of wild fauna and flora and implementing the National Ivory Action Plan to which Laos is a state party.Anyone with information about illegal wildlife trading is urged to call authorities on 021 216 508.Source: Vientiane Times dleroux@wcs.org Fri, 11 Jan 2019 04:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:12347 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/11973/Lao-PDR-Minister-to-PMO-visits-NEPL.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=11973 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=11973&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/11973/Lao-PDR-Minister-to-PMO-visits-NEPL.aspx On 15-16 October 2018 the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area (NEPL NPA) welcomed H.E Dr. Mme. Souvanpheng BOUPPHANOUVONG, the Minister to Prime Minister’s Office. dleroux@wcs.org Sun, 16 Dec 2018 08:44:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:11973 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12342/IWT-Conference-2018-Declaration-commits-over-50-countries-to-action-for-endangered-species.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=12342 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=12342&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12342/IWT-Conference-2018-Declaration-commits-over-50-countries-to-action-for-endangered-species.aspx Over 50 countries have adopted the London 2018 declaration committing to action to protect endangered species around the globe, with more expected to sign today and in the coming days.On top of the high-level international agreement, a number of countries will also pledge individual commitments to stamp out the abhorrent trade. These will be added and published over the coming weeks and months to ensure momentum continues in this crucial area.Hosted by the UK government, the two-day event hosted delegates from more than 70 countries, with representatives from charities and conservation groups also coming together to find collective solutions to the illegal wildlife trade, one of the most lucrative serious organised crimes.Building on our action to date, the UK government is today announcing new commitments from the conference:£50,000 of funding to support in-country projects which complement the work of the new British military counter-poaching taskforce.£50,000 for new WILDLABS Tech Hub which will bring together technology companies and conservation organisations to provide innovative solutions to fight the illegal wildlife trade in ODA-eligible countries.Up to £40,000 as part of a partnership with Tale2Tail and WWF to fund education packs in multiple languages to help children understand the key issues in the illegal wildlife trade.Plans to establish a new global consortium of demand reduction and behaviour change specialists with local area insight to inform future working.It has also been confirmed that Peru will host the first regional conference in Latin America focused on IWT in 2019, supported by up to £50,000 of UK government funding.Addressing the conference this morning, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:A record number of nations have signed up to our pledge, to the London Declaration, and I would urge all of you today to sign a pledge. To make sure a single unified voice emerges from this conference. A voice dedicated to making sure that we work together as one world, to save the wildlife that we have. That we work together as one cause, so that those most affected by crime can be protected and saved from the criminals.The UK Government is taking a leading role in the fight against the criminals that operate in this murky world.We are expanding funding for counter-poaching training for rangers in Africa, have committed additional new funding for projects aimed at reducing demand for products made from illegally traded wildlife, and launched a new initiative to target wildlife traffickers and criminal gangs, tackling the corruption at the heart of this vile trade. We are inviting applications from charities working on wildlife and conversation issues in the latest £20 million round of UK Aid Match.And through the Ivory Alliance 2024, the UK has also brought together a new coalition of political leaders, conservationists and celebrities dedicated to defeating the illegal trade in ivory.Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the conference:The criminal gangs who smuggle horns and tusks pose one of the greatest threats to the survival of wildlife. They target some of the poorest countries in the world, spreading corruption and depriving governments of desperately needed revenues that could be used for schools and hospitals.My aim is for Britain to do everything possible to protect wild animals for the sake of our grandchildren. If we failed to act, quite simply we would never be forgiven.The conference has also seen major commitments from the private sector.On the eve of conference, the Duke of Cambridge brought together global financial organisations which jointly declared they “will not knowingly facilitate or tolerate financial flows that are derived from IWT and associated corruption”. The Wildlife Financial Taskforce brings together representatives from 30 global banks and financial organisations such as Standard Chartered, HSBC, RBS and City Group, and agencies and regulatory bodies including TRAFFIC and RUSI.And one hundred travel and tourism companies have now signed up to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Buenos Aires Declaration, working towards a common goal to educate over 1 billion travellers about the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.The International Development Secretary, Penny Mordaunt, said:The Illegal Wildlife Trade is having a devastating impact on both endangered wildlife and the world’s poorest people.Nobody wants to see these extraordinary species become extinct, or the communities living near their habitats struggle for jobs and livelihoods, which is why UK aid has a unique role to play in tackling the underlying causes driving these problems, from extreme poverty to deforestation.The UK government is proud to have brought together countries from around the world this week to commit UK aid to tackling a global issue.BackgroundKeep up to date with all the latest news and announcements from the conference, including the latest individual country commitments, on our dedicated Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference gov.uk page.Among the pledges made at this week’s conference were:Laos committed to a total ban on ivory;United States Attorney General Sessions announced the US will fund more than $90 million in counter-wildlife trafficking programs and projects in the coming year. via Gov.UK dleroux@wcs.org Fri, 12 Oct 2018 03:31:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:12342 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12340/Vietnamese-businessman-arrested-over-suspected-ivory-trade.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=12340 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=12340&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12340/Vietnamese-businessman-arrested-over-suspected-ivory-trade.aspx A Vietnamese businessman suspected of trafficking and trading in elephant ivory was recently arrested in Vientiane, police officers said.The raid was based on a verified tip-off and a report from a citizen about the suspected trafficking, said the Department of Combating Natural Resources and Environmental Crime (DCNEC) under the Ministry of Public Security. dleroux@wcs.org Wed, 19 Sep 2018 03:26:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:12340 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12338/Lao-Prime-Minister-Tightens-Regulations-Against-Wildlife-Trafficking.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=12338 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=12338&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12338/Lao-Prime-Minister-Tightens-Regulations-Against-Wildlife-Trafficking.aspx Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has issued an order to tighten regulations against hunting and trade of protected wildlife. Individuals or groups that breach the order are to be arrested and prosecuted.The PM issued the Order for Increased Stringency in Management and Inspection of Protected Wild Fauna and Flora, No. 05/PM, on 08 May this year.  dleroux@wcs.org Thu, 31 May 2018 03:19:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:12338 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12344/Film-competition-highlights-illegal-wildlife-trafficking.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=12344 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=12344&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/12344/Film-competition-highlights-illegal-wildlife-trafficking.aspx The Mekong region is a perfect storm - a source, transit route and final destination for many of the world’s most valuable and threatened wildlife species. This multi-million dollar trade significantly threatens the survival of endangered species including tiger, Asian and African elephant, and all rhino species, as well as pangolins - the most trafficked animal in the world. Illegal wildlife trafficking represents the third-largest illicit trade in the world, with an estimated value of up to $19 billion per year. As a region, Southeast Asia remains among the most critical in terms of severity and volume of wildlife trafficking. Driven by high demand in East Asia for animal products in the form of food, traditional medicine, and decoration, the illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia is responsible for approximately 25% of the global industry.The UK Government and the Luang Prabang Film Festival, in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), initiated a short film competition in order to draw attention to this crucial issue for the Mekong region. The jury selected the top three films from the main competition and the top student film to win prizes. The UK Embassies in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam selected one Special Prize-winning film per country, as well. Ten films were also chosen compete on the festival’s Facebook page for the Viral Prize, which was awarded to the film with the most shares over a month-long period.FIRST PRIZE:The Children of the Jungle by Sonepasith PhanphilaSECOND PRIZE:Chasing Wildlife by Souksamlan Laladeth  THIRD PRIZE/SPECIAL PRIZE – MYANMAR:Bo Bo & Mo Mo by Zarchi Damloup  VIRAL PRIZE/STUDENT PRIZE:Breath by Phan Lê Hạ Long  SPECIAL PRIZE – CAMBODIA:Untrapped by Polen Ly  SPECIAL PRIZE – LAOS:A Letter to My Dad by Vilayphong Phongsavanh  SPECIAL PRIZE – VIETNAM:In Zebedee's Memory by Linh Luyen        dleroux@wcs.org Sat, 16 Dec 2017 03:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:12344