Representatives​ from​ Laos​ and​ Japan​ chair a​ meeting in Vientiane to discuss sustainable forest management.

Laos-Japan partnership strengthens long-term forestry vision

Laos and Japan have reaffirmed their strong cooperation in the forestry sector as both nations push forward with ambitious plans to achieve sustainable forest management, expand forest cover, and accelerate REDD+ implementation in line with the Government of Laos’ Forestry Strategy to 2035 and Vision to 2050.
At the 5th Joint Coordinating Committee Meeting for the Enhancing Sustainable Forest Management in Collaboration with REDD+ Programmes and REDD+ Funds (F-REDD2) Project, Director General of the Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Dr​ Somvang Phimmavong,​ highlighted the importance of this collaboration in advancing national forestry priorities.
He said the meeting comes at a crucial time, as Laos intensifies efforts to sustainably manage forest resources, increase forest cover to 70 percent, strengthen forest law enforcement, promote forest carbon credit trading, and integrate modern technologies into forest monitoring and management systems.
“These strategic directions underscore our national priorities—sustainable forest management, socio-economic development, improved livelihoods for forest-dependent communities, and stronger contributions to climate change mitigation,” Dr Somvang said.
The F-REDD2 Project plays a central role in supporting these goals. The project strengthens national forestry policies and institutions, enhances REDD+ readiness, improves the National Forest Monitoring System, and boosts coordination across the REDD+ framework at both national and sub-national levels. 
Key challenges under discussion include the accelerated update of the National REDD+ Strategy, continued strengthening of the National Forest Monitoring System, and increasing provincial readiness, particularly in Savannakhet.
Dr Somvang expressed appreciation for Japan’s long-standing support, noting Laos’ high regard for the partnership, especially in capacity development, policy support, and technological innovations that JICA provides to national institutions and field operations.
Senior Representative of the JICA Laos Office, Mr​ Nobuyuki Kobe, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment, saying that since the F-REDD2 launched in February 2022, one of its primary missions has been to support the Lao government in achieving sustainable forest management.
Although F-REDD2 is scheduled to conclude in December 2026, the Department of Forestry has already submitted a request for a follow-up project, with preparatory surveys planned for next summer. 
Mr​ Kobe encouraged all participating sectors to provide constructive feedback to ensure the project continues to move in the expected direction.

By Times​ Reporters
(Latest Update December 15, 2025)