Luanda, August 7, 2025 – During the official state visit of the President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the Republic of Angola, the two countries formally signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in Criminal Matters. On the same occasion, the Supreme People’s Procuracy (SPP) of Viet Nam and the Attorney General’s Office of Angola also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strengthening cooperation in the field of prosecution and in the fight against transnational organized crime. These landmark agreements set a significant step toward strengthening bilateral cooperation in the prevention and prosecution of transnational organized crimes, including illegal wildlife trade (IWT) from Angola to Viet Nam. They are expected to facilitate swift and effective handling of mutual legal assistance requests, supporting joint investigations and prosecutions across continents.
The General Prosecutor of Viet Nam and the Attorney General of Angola signed the MLAT and MoU, Luanda, August 2025. Photo: ©Lam Khanh/TTXVN
Prior to the signing ceremony, from August 4 to 5, 2025, a series of bilateral technical review meetings took place in Luanda, with the participation of senior representatives from the Department of International Cooperation and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters under the SPP of Viet Nam and their counterparts in Angola including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, and the Attorney General’s Office. These preparatory discussions were held with active support of the Embassy of Viet Nam in Angola and the Wildlife Conservation Society – Viet Nam Program (WCS Viet Nam).
The General Prosecutor and SPP delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Attorney General’s Office following the signing ceremony, Luanda, August 2025. Photo: ©WCS Viet Nam
Over the two working days, both sides jointly reviewed and finalized the full text of the MLAT between Viet Nam and Angola, with a particular focus on key provisions such as: procedures for submitting and handling mutual legal assistance requests, mechanism for evidence sharing, confiscation of criminal assets and asset recovery, and establishment of direct and emergency communication mechanisms between focal points for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters of the two countries. In addition, both parties also reviewed, updated and finalized the content of the MoU signed between the SPP of Viet Nam and the Attorney General’s Office of Angola. The final MOU outlines practical areas of cooperation such as exchange of delegations and technical visits, joint training programs for prosecutors, sharing of legal information, and support for the investigation and prosecution of transnational criminal cases.
Technical meeting concluded between the SPP of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice and Human Rights of Angola, Luanda, August 2025. Photo: ©WCS Viet Nam
Recognizing Angola’s significant role in the illegal wildlife supply chain, particularly trafficking of ivory and rhino horn, from Africa to Viet Nam, WCS Viet Nam has been working closely with the SPP of Viet Nam since 2019 to strengthen cooperation with Angolan authorities. Key activities have included: providing information on Angola’s legal and enforcement frameworks; organizing a high-level delegation from the SPP of Viet Nam to meet in-person with Angolan law enforcement agencies; developing draft agreements; facilitating virtual technical meetings between prosecution agencies of both countries; establishing liaison focal points; and promoting the active involvement of both countries’ embassies. These efforts have played a critical role in advancing negotiations and completing the procedures necessary for the formal signing of bilateral agreements on criminal justice cooperation. This milestone lays a strong foundation for the effective implementation of bilateral coordination mechanisms, contributing to the fight against transnational organized crime, the strengthening of national and regional security, and protecting biodiversity in both Viet Nam and Angola.
Deputy General Prosecutor of Viet Nam and Deputy Attorney General of Angola signed the Minutes of the meeting, Luanda, December 2019. Photo: ©WCS Viet Nam
WCS Viet Nam’s technical support for the development of bilateral agreements between Viet Nam and Angola has been initiated with grants from the US and German Governments since 2019. This effort has been completed with the signing of the MLAT and MOU under the framework of the project “Disruption and deterrence: Reducing wildlife trafficking between Africa and Asia”, funded by the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund (IWTCF) under the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the project “Engaging Vietnam’s Financial Sector to Combat Wildlife Crime Through Promoting Public-Private Partnerships and Information Sharing”, funded by Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).
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References: Situation of wildlife trafficking from Angola to Viet Nam and law enforcement responses, 2020 – June 2025
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