On July 31, 2025, Vietnam will host the 20th ASEAN Working Group on CITES Convention and Law Enforcement on Wildlife in an online format with the participation of representatives of 10 ASEAN countries, the ASEAN Secretariat, international organizations and related non-governmental organizations. Timor-Leste participates as observers.
The event is an important opportunity for ASEAN countries to review and evaluate the implementation of the CITES Convention on international trade of endangered animals and plants, report on the results of law enforcement, develop common initiatives, and discuss and agree on appendices and recommendations of CITES.
In the context of Southeast Asia being a region with leading biodiversity but also a hot spot for illegal trade of wildlife, ASEAN countries continue to strengthen cooperation and inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms. Campaigns like Mekong Dragon have achieved positive results, helping to dismantle many cross-border smuggling rings.
In his opening speech, Mr. Bui Chinh Nghia - Deputy Director of the Forestry Department, Director of the CITES Vietnam Management Agency, Chairman of the meeting emphasized: "Rural solidarity and cooperation is a key factor to effectively implement regulations on wildlife protection. No country can solve this problem alone. Only through sustainable cooperation, innovation and joint action can we protect biodiversity for the present and future generations.
In Vietnam, many remarkable results have been demonstrated through the detection and handling of large-scale illegal trade cases, enhancing coordination between enforcement forces such as customs, forest rangers, police, and border guards. Solutions applying monitoring technology, digital appraisal and legal improvement are also being promoted.
In addition, Vietnam has proactively organized many training courses for frontline staff, deployed communication to raise public awareness and reduce the demand for wildlife products. At the regional level, our country continues to actively contribute to the ASEAN action plan on CITES and law enforcement for the period 2021-2025.
The meeting approved the Action Plan and the Conference Report, which are important results and orientations for the coordination activities of the Working Group in the coming time.
