https://programs.wcs.org/laos RSS feeds for WCS Lao PDR 60 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24580/Celebrating-the-Successes-of-ECILL-Collaborative-Action-for-Protected-Areas.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=24580 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24580&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24580/Celebrating-the-Successes-of-ECILL-Collaborative-Action-for-Protected-Areas.aspx The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, together with the European Union (EU), the Embassy of France to Lao PDR, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) celebrated the success of the Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management (ECILL) Project. The project closing ceremony, held in Vientiane, was chaired by Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, H.E. Mr Kikeo Singnavong, EU Ambassador to Lao PDR, H.E. Mr Mark Gallagher, Deputy Head of the Embassy of France to Lao PDR, Mr Alain Perrier, and attended by representatives from the Government of Laos, the EU, French Development Agency (AFD), WCS, and NPA Managers. Since its start in March 2020, the ECILL project has aimed to reduce current rates of biodiversity and habitat loss by adopting a holistic approach to landscape management. ECILL works to ensure the security of Lao PDR's forests and biodiversity, and to assist rural communities in sustainably managing their natural resources. The project is located in three priority landscapes of high biodiversity, ecosystem services, and natural capital value: (1) the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park, (2) the Integrated Ecosystem and Wildlife Management Landscape in Bolikhamxay Province, and (3) the Xe Champhone Ramsar Wetlands in Savannakhet Province. The ECILL project, worth a total of €6.8 million, has been co-funded by the European Union and the Agence Française de Développement and implemented by WCS Lao PDR in joint efforts with the Lao government and local communities. Key achievements of the ECILL project include: Improved integrated protected area management and broader system-wide improvements in management effectiveness have been achieved with over 740,000 hectares of high biodiversity habitat, including forests, wetlands protected. Strengthened policy related to biodiversity conservation, forest, and wetland protection to support institutionalizing national protected area systems in Lao PDR. Established or expanded conservation enterprises that are climate-smart, linked to conservation outcomes that deliver economic benefits for communities, including community-based tourism and environment-friendly sustainable agriculture. Speaking at the closing ceremony, H.E. Mr Kikeo Singnavong, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry said: “I thank the EU, AFD and WCS for their long-lasting partnership and efforts in contributing to these key successes to preserve Lao PDR’s unique forests and biodiversity. ECILL’s achievements are a testament of our shared commitments to conservation and biodiversity goals. We hope we can continue our positive engagement and collaboration after the ECILL project”. The Ambassador to the European Union in Lao PDR, H.E. Mr Mark Gallagher mentioned: “Over the past 5 years, the ECILL project has been instrumental in piloting a collaborative and holistic approach, to strengthen the security of the country’s forests and ecosystems, safeguarding the unique and rich biodiversity of Lao PDR, while creating sustainable opportunities for local communities.” “I would like to express profound gratitude to all our partners, including the Department of Forestry, the provincial authorities, the French Development Agency, and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Your dedication and support have been crucial to reaching our collective goals. Our gratitude also extends to the local communities and stakeholders who have embraced and participated in this initiative. Your engagement and commitment have been vital to the project's success”, added Mr Mark Gallagher. The Deputy Head of the French Embassy, Mr. Alain Perrier, emphasized that France, through the French Development Agency, would continue to support the government's efforts to ensure that Laos' forests, wetlands, and biodiverse landscapes remain a source of sustainable development for the country and its communities. The ECILL closing ceremony was preceded by a meeting engaging National Protected Areas (NPAs) managers from the 26 NPAs and NGO partners to create a collaborative action for Protected Areas towards the Mining-Forest Nexus and to strengthen partnerships. The workshop’s objective was to brainstorm on how to support the full and effective implementation of Prime Ministerial Orders no. 06 and 11 and Protected Areas policies through better oversight of mining concessions, stronger environmental impact assessments, and more robust enforcement of forestry and land laws. ““The issuance of Prime Ministerial Orders No. 06 and No. 11 establishes a robust and timely policy framework for the conservation of Lao PDR’s most biologically significant protected areas—particularly those within the Annamite Mountains, limestone karst landscapes, and high-altitude ecosystems. These areas harbor unique flora and fauna, including numerous endemic species found nowhere else in the world, thus reaffirming the vision of H.E. Kaisone Phomvihane, who described the forests of Lao PDR as ‘green gold.’ These protected landscapes may rightfully be considered the country’s most valuable ecological assets—its ‘green gold’ or natural diamonds. The Orders clearly underscore the urgent need to strengthen law enforcement, enhance governance, and fully integrate forest and environmental protection into national development strategies. The ECILL initiative has demonstrated that effective forest and environmental governance is not only feasible but also achievable when supported by strong political commitment, coordinated institutional efforts, and strategic policy coherence,” stated Dr. Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of the Department of Forestry. ECILL has supported and influenced key policy dialogues in natural resource management, providing both technical and financial contributions. By strategically engaging in high-level dialogues, ECILL has strengthened Laos’ standing in biodiversity conservation, ensuring continued political commitment beyond the ECILL project. As ECILL is closing, the established frameworks, strengthened institutional capacities, and multi-stakeholder partnerships will ensure that conservation remains a central pillar of Laos’ national agenda, paving the way for sustained environmental and economic benefits. The closing ceremony was attended by 70 people from the Department of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Protected Area Management Sections, representative of the Government of Lao PDR at the national and subnational levels, the Embassy of France to Lao PDR, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union Delegation (EU), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and development partners. jmauer@wcs.org Mon, 19 May 2025 06:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24580 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24300/A-Bold-Step-for-Nature-Laos-Moves-Toward-Sustainable-Mining-Reform.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=24300 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24300&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24300/A-Bold-Step-for-Nature-Laos-Moves-Toward-Sustainable-Mining-Reform.aspx WCS Lao PDR applauds the Lao Government for taking bold and timely action to safeguard the country's rivers, forests, and irreplaceable biodiversity. The issuance of Prime Minister's Order No. 06/PM, dated 7 March 2025, marks a major turning point in Laos' efforts to strengthen environmental governance and ensure that natural resource use benefits both people and nature. This landmark policy introduces transformative reforms to curb unsustainable mining practices, enforce environmental safeguards, and align the mining sector with Laos' conservation priorities and sustainable development goals. What's New? •⁠  ⁠Permanent nationwide ban on alluvial gold extraction-including gravel and sand suction used for gold recovery-long linked to riverbank erosion, water pollution, and aquatic habitat degradation. •⁠  ⁠Suspension of new metallic mineral project approvals until the end of the current government term. •⁠  ⁠Stronger inspection, monitoring, and legal enforcement to tackle illegal and environmentally harmful mining operations. •⁠  ⁠Mandatory ecological restoration of mining sites before land is returned to the state, ensuring degraded ecosystems are repaired. •⁠  ⁠Greater transparency and public participation in concession processes and environmental monitoring. Why it matters for conservation: This Order closes critical loopholes that have put forests, freshwater ecosystems, and wildlife habitats at risk. It represents a bold step toward: •⁠  ⁠Protecting biodiversity in ecologically sensitive and forested landscapes •⁠  ⁠Restoring degraded ecosystems and strengthening ecological resilience •⁠  ⁠Safeguarding essential ecosystem services for communities and wildlife •⁠  ⁠Enhancing accountability and rule of law in natural resource governance •⁠  ⁠Attracting responsible, conservation compatible investment WCS Lao PDR stands ready to support the Government of Lao PDR in turning this policy into action-through science-based guidance, technical expertise, and inclusive multi-stakeholder engagement. Together, we can generate momentum for a shift toward biodiversity-compatible mining in the forested landscapes of Laos, ensuring the country's natural wealth is preserved for generations to come. Full order in Lao Unofficial Translation by WCS jmauer@wcs.org Wed, 09 Apr 2025 04:02:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24300 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/23737/High-Level-Dialogue-on-Biodiversity-Conservation-and-Impact-Mitigation-Policies-Held-with-Laos-National-Assembly-to-Support-Sustainable-Development.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=23737 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=23737&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/23737/High-Level-Dialogue-on-Biodiversity-Conservation-and-Impact-Mitigation-Policies-Held-with-Laos-National-Assembly-to-Support-Sustainable-Development.aspx The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in cooperation with the Wildlife Conservation Society, presented the biodiversity conservation status and mitigation policies for Lao PDR’s forests and wildlife, as well as Multilateral Environmental Agreements, to National Assembly Members. This high-level meeting was chaired by H.E. Mme. Pingkham Lasasimma, President of the Economic, Technology, and Environment Committee of the National Assembly of Lao PDR and followed by her Vice President H.E. Mr. Maniso Xamounty and Dr Santi Saypanya, Country Director of WCS Lao PDR Program The meeting took place at the National Assembly of Lao PDR in Vientiane, , with the aim of enhancing Parliament members’ understanding of Laos’ forests and wildlife and on mitigation measures on biodiversity impacts caused by development or investment projects. Lao PDR is one of the most biodiverse countries in Southeast Asia, well-known for its rich biodiversity and endemic wildlife species. With 26 National Protected Areas and seven declared as ‘National Parks’, a category of higher protection, Lao PDR faces numerous challenges in the sustainable management of biodiversity and natural resource use. Main threats to conservation include climate change, illegal wildlife trade, hunting, and poaching coupled with high rates of deforestation, causing fragmentation and loss of habitats. Mme. Pingkham Lasasimma, remarked: "In recent years, Lao PDR has experienced rapid economic growth marked by increased investments in large infrastructure projects such as railways, roads and mining industries, alongside the expansion of natural resources use in areas such as hydropower, agriculture and forestry. These developments have impacted land use and forest cover, converting significant portions of forested land. Recognizing the value of these natural resources, Lao PDR has committed to a path of sustainable development through its Green Growth Strategy. We have enacted policies and laws—including the National Green Growth Strategy, Land Law, Forest Law, Wildlife Law, Aquatic Animal and Fishery Law, and a robust framework for Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment. These policies serve as essential tools to protect our natural resources, mitigate investment impacts, conserve biodiversity, and safeguard ecosystem services for future generations."   The meeting focused on three key objectives: Provide an in-depth overview of Lao PDR’s forest systems, and international conservation frameworks, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and its significance for Lao PDR, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Ramsar Convention, and the Lao PDR Wildlife List. Enhance Awareness and Understanding on Integrated Landscape Management, a comprehensive framework that addresses conservation and sustainable land use by considering the interconnectedness of ecosystems, communities, and economic needs within protected area and wetland landscapes aiming at achieving sustainable development goals. Enhance environmental assessments and impact mitigation in investment and development projects, emphasizing the adoption of the ‘mitigation hierarchy’ to prevent and mitigate adverse impacts on biodiversity, aiming  to engage parliamentary members in recognizing the necessity of incorporating environmental considerations into project planning and implementation, ensuring that sustainable development aligns with our national and international conservation commitments. Through this dialogue, we seek to foster responsible investment practices that contribute to the protection of our natural heritage while promoting economic growth. Ms. Manoly Sisavanh, Deputy Country Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Lao PDR Program, presented the Mitigation Hierarchy—a key approach to harmonizing conservation and development. “Our discussion emphasized both the value of this approach and the challenges Laos faces, such as building technical capacity, enhancing coordination among government bodies, and strengthening data access to support informed decision-making," she noted. "It was inspiring to see the interest and thoughtful engagement from National Assembly members, who hold the vital responsibility of overseeing the implementation of laws, socio-economic plans, and national projects. Their commitment to sustainable development is essential to ensuring that Laos’ growth aligns with environmental protection and social equity. Together, we can work toward a future where development not only preserves but also supports the rich biodiversity of our country, benefitting all its people sustainably.” The meeting was an opportunity for participants to share knowledge, experience, and best practices in biodiversity conservation in line with Lao PDR’s sustainable economic development for the coming years. The high-level meeting, supported by WCS Lao PDR and the ‘Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape management in Lao PDR (ECILL) project’ financed by the Agence Française de Développement and the European Union, was attended by more than 60 people from the National Assembly, the National Assembly’s Economic, Environment, and Technology Committee the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Wildlife Conservation Society. jmauer@wcs.org Fri, 01 Nov 2024 02:07:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:23737 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/23379/The-Ministry-of-Agriculture-and-Forestry-endorses-the-Roadmap-for-National-Protected-Areas-Management-and-Sustainable-Financing-to-ensure-its-successful-implementation-across-Lao-PDR.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=23379 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=23379&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/23379/The-Ministry-of-Agriculture-and-Forestry-endorses-the-Roadmap-for-National-Protected-Areas-Management-and-Sustainable-Financing-to-ensure-its-successful-implementation-across-Lao-PDR.aspx Following the adoption of the new Decree on Protected Areas (PA) in June 2023 by the Government of Lao PDR, the Roadmap for National Protected Areas Management and Sustainable Financing has been endorsed by the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Assoc. Prof. Linkham Douangsavanh on August 8th 2024. The Roadmap serves as the reference guide for all PA stakeholders including the Lao Government, development partners, private sector, NGOs/CSOs, academia and local communities who will play a crucial role in the implementation of the Decree.  Lao PDR is covered by 26 National Protected Areas (NPAs), among these NPAs, six of them were declared ‘National Parks’, a category of higher protection such as the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park. These NPAs are home to a rich biodiversity and several endemic and threatened species. The country’s biodiversity is currently under threat due to climate change, illegal wildlife trade, unsustainable hunting and poaching coupled with high rates of deforestation causing fragmentation and loss of habitats. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somvang Phimmavong Director General of Department of Forestry said “The Roadmap is designed as a comprehensive three-year program that maps how the transition process into the new policy environment will be orchestrated for NPAs. The Roadmap architecture is defined by a ‘results framework’ with an objective, a series of intended outcomes, activities, and an estimated budget.” The NPA Roadmap was developed to respond to the following priority policy goals, the first of which is diversifying and empowering actors to protect and develop our forests. This includes supporting ‘Forest Development Villages’ with improved clarity about zones and land tenure. The second proprity is to ensure biodiversity no- net-loss when using forests, such as applying concrete methods for forest users to ensure their activities cause no net-loss of biodiversity and ecosystem value. The third priority is to enable conservation-compatible businesses and improving compliance. This aims at proactively improving the investment environment for enterprises that support forest activities, and to effectively ensure businesses are compliant with regulations and agreed plans. The fourth goal is to improve sustainable financing for National Protected Areas. This entails pursuing multiple complementary strategies to increase access and stability to funds and financing mechanisms. EU Ambassador Ina Marčiulionytė commented:  “The EU is proud to have supported the development of this roadmap. We believe that it will help identify stable sources of funding to enable a long-lasting protection scheme of the natural assets of Laos. This is a meaningful deliverable in the context of the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework”. The Roadmap will strengthen the Government of Lao PDR in exercising its ownership and pursuit of its policies and vision to its partners and stakeholders. The Roadmap will be a guiding map for the Department of Forestry and the PA Division to keep track of the policy agenda. It will be a tool to help align the partners and stakeholders’ activities for consistency and synergy with policy goals. Therefore, the Government of Lao PDR urges all partners and stakeholders to use and anchor their activities to the Roadmap. “WCS worked hand in hand with the Lao government, protected area practitioners and key stakeholders to develop this NPA Roadmap. We are very much looking forward to its implementation for better management and governance of the biodiversity-rich zones across Laos”, said Mrs. Manoly Sisavanh, Deputy Country Director of WCS Lao PDR. The Roadmap was developed with the technical support of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Lao PDR Program and financially supported by the European Union (EU) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) under the ‘Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape management in Lao PDR’ (ECILL) project.   jmauer@wcs.org Fri, 16 Aug 2024 01:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:23379 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/19309/Lao-PDR-adopts-the-Protected-Areas-new-decree-to-safeguard-and-restore-biodiversity.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=19309 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=19309&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/19309/Lao-PDR-adopts-the-Protected-Areas-new-decree-to-safeguard-and-restore-biodiversity.aspx After three years in the making, the Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone adopted the new decree on protected areas in Laos on 20 June 2023, marking a major milestone for better management and governance of these biodiversity-rich zones. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) worked hand in hand with the Lao government, protected area practitioners and key stakeholders to strengthen this important national legislation, within the framework of the ‘Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape management in Lao PDR (ECILL) project’, financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Union (EU). Manoly Sisavanh, Deputy Country Director of WCS Lao PDR, looks back on this success. What was the situation in Laos before the decree was passed? Manoly Sisavanh: Since declaring independence in 1975, Lao PDR has included forest protection and biodiversity conservation in its national development agenda. The first evidential actions were carried out in the 1980s through surveying the country's wildlife and their habitats with the support of development partners and NGOs. The first national conference on forestry in 1989 acknowledged that the alarming rate of deforestation in Laos posed serious negative impacts on biodiversity and natural habitats that could drive native species to extinction. So, in 1993 the government of Laos established the first set of 18 National Protected Areas (NPAs) including the Nam Et-Phou Louey and the Nam Kading areas, where the ECILL project provides technical and financial support. More NPAs were created from 1995 to date—making a total of 26 NPAs, of which six were declared ‘National Parks,’ a category of higher protection. To date, several laws have been added to the legal framework, most notable is the Forestry Law, under which the first Protected Area (PA) Decree No. 134 was issued in 2015 to regulate protected area management, protection, development, and use. Since 2016, the forestry sector has undergone progressive sectoral institutional and legal reforms. These include the adoption of the Prime Minister’s Order No. 15 (2016) on increased strictness for timber businesses, the Penal Code (2017) provisions on wildlife and forest-related criminal offenses and punishments, and the Prime Minister’s Order No. 05 (2018) on increased strictness for wildlife businesses in response to the CITES Article XIII compliance. In 2019, the National Green Growth Strategy to 2030 and the new Forestry Law were adopted, which set more comprehensive frameworks and directions for the development of the first Decree on CITES implementation (2022), this new Decree on Protected Areas (2023), and the upcoming revised Wildlife Law and the new Forestry Strategy to 2035. All these policies are set to fulfill Lao PDR’s international commitments under Multilateral Environmental Agreements and national goal to achieve 70% closed-canopy forest cover and to conserve 70% of its total land area as forest areas—comprising Conservation Forests (aka. Protected Areas), Protection Forests, and Production Forest Areas. What is the content of the new decree and how does it compare to the previous one? Manoly Sisavanh: WCS was entrusted by the Department of Forestry to provide technical and scientific advice into the decree designing and drafting process and the overall protected area reform in Lao PDR. In analyzing the shortcomings of the 2015 Decree and the challenges manifested in the field by practitioners, the decree drafting committee introduced six key principles into the new decree. First of all, Protected Areas (PAs) lacked recognition, especially by other sectors. This decree raises the standard, priority, and profile of PAs to align with national goals and meet international standards. The new decree clarifies the Levels of PAs (national, provincial, district and village), six Categories of PAs compatible with the IUCN standards, and the Zones within PAs (totally protected zone, controlled use zone and buffer zone), which allow better protection and control of the activities authorized in each. Secondly, the decree aims to balance benefits between people and nature by involving the inhabitants of the surrounding villages in co-management of the PAs through the ‘Guardian Village’ approach. This approach requires the Guardian Village Conservation Contract that promotes PA communities’ participation and empowers them to jointly make decisions with PA Authorities about resource use and allocation which serve conservation and development objectives. Third, the decree boosts the PA system governance and administration through a centralization approach at the level of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for all National Protected Areas encompassing two or more provinces as well as for PAs of regional or international listing (i.e. UNESCO World Heritage, IUCN Green List, ASEAN Heritage Park). All National PAs situated within a jurisdiction of one province and Provincial PAs will be managed at the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office level, and more flexible for District and Village PAs. Collaboration shall be promoted at central and sub-national levels with local administration offices and other sectors to harmonize and optimize PA land and natural resources use and allocation based on the ‘Integrated Landscape Management principles. Fourth, PA Management Office (PAMO) is formalized as a ‘technical budget unit’ with stamp, mandate, and authority. Guardian Villages will be established and anchored in PA governance and administration. Each PA Management Plan and staffing will be set to better balance community engagement (i.e., outreach, participatory land use planning, livelihoods development) and resource protection. PAMOs will have the option to formalize collaboration and partnership with public, private and non-profit partners. Fifth, the decree clarifies eligible PA use categories—for public, family, customary and business benefits—which entail rights and responsibilities of users. The decree also recognizes land tenure of the inhabitants living inside PAs before its designation through the land registration and land titles or land use certificates for authorized customary land uses inside PAs. Finally, this decree looks carefully into balancing conservation with development aiming at applying the ‘Mitigation Hierarchy’ for business use to avoid or mitigate negative investment impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services to achieve no net loss, or net gain. It also lays foundations towards innovative sustainable financing schemes to hopefully make PAs financially autonomous in the long-term. The options could include Payment for Ecosystem Services, Carbon Credits, nature-based tourism, Conservation Concession, Biodiversity Offsets, Debt-for-Nature Swab, and so more. Specific options for sustainable financing will be identified in the forthcoming ‘Roadmap for National Protected Area Management and Sustainable Financing’ to be developed by the Department of Forestry in partnership with WCS and relevant stakeholders under the ECILL. What are the next steps for the implementation of this decree? Manoly Sisavanh: Having supported the Department of Forestry throughout the decree development, WCS and all PA stakeholders (governments, development partners, private sector, NGOs/CSOs, academia and local communities) will have a crucial role in its dissemination and implementation. The next step to ensure proper implementation will be the preparation of the ‘Roadmap for National Protected Area Management and Sustainable Financing’, which will set out clear steps for the government to lead and PA stakeholders to support. The steps would include (i) preparing an action plan, (ii) establishing the roadmap formulating committee, (iii) preparing for the reorganization of PA Management Offices as part of PA network, (iv) and developing sustainable financing schemes from both public and private sources that are suitable for Lao PDR’s context. This decree is a big bold step for biodiversity protection in Lao PDR, and we are very proud to have been able to contribute to it within the framework of the AFD and EU-financed ECILL project. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Lao government and all PA stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation. jmauer@wcs.org Wed, 21 Jun 2023 03:05:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:19309