Lao Minister of Agriculture and Environment Visits the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences

14 July 2026, As part of his official visit to Viet Nam, H.E. Dr. Linkham Douangsavanh, Minister of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, led a high-level delegation to visit and work with the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences (VAFS).

The Lao delegation included the representatives of the Lao PDR Embassy to Viet Nam, Vice Ministers, senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), and representatives of the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI).

On the Vietnamese side, the delegation was welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phi Hong Hai, President of the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, together with the Academy’s leadership, heads of affiliated institutes and departments, and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Viet Nam.

In his welcome remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phi Hong Hai emphasized that the visit of the Minister and the high-level delegation reflected the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and the Lao PDR. He reaffirmed VAFS’s commitment to strengthening scientific and technological cooperation with Lao partners in support of sustainable forestry development. As Viet Nam’s leading forestry research institution, VAFS has maintained close collaboration with Lao partners in forestry research, biotechnology, forest tree improvement and sustainable forest management. Notably, VAFS has been working closely with the Lao Department of Forestry to develop the Lao Forest Certification Scheme in line with the PEFC international framework, while supporting Lao enterprises in meeting international market requirements for timber and forest products.

A highlight of the visit was the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences (VAFS) and the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI). The MoU was signed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phi Hong Hai, President of VAFS, and Dr. Phetmanyseng Xangsayasane, Director General of NAFRI, in the presence of H.E. the Minister and senior representatives from both countries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Phetmanyseng Xangsayasane highly appreciated the longstanding partnership between the two institutions and reaffirmed that VAFS has been one of NAFRI’s most trusted and valued partners. He noted that the newly signed MoU would provide a strong framework for expanding cooperation in sustainable forest management and restoration, biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and forest carbon, forest genetics and biotechnology, wood science, digital transformation in forestry, as well as joint research, technology transfer, and the exchange of scientists, experts and postgraduate students. He also highlighted that the partnership would contribute to NAFRI’s institutional development, including the establishment of the Lao Academy of Agriculture and Environment Science.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Memorandum through concrete joint programmes and collaborative projects, thereby strengthening scientific research, innovation and sustainable forestry development in both countries while further consolidating the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and the Lao PDR.

The visit concluded successfully, marking a significant milestone in the cooperation between VAFS and NAFRI and opening up new opportunities for scientific collaboration and sustainable development in the fields of agriculture, forestry, and environmental protection.

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