Laos and Thailand Sign MOU to Bolster Environmental Cooperation

Laos and Thailand have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in natural resources and environmental management. A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao PDR, led by Associate Professor Dr. Linkham Douangsavanh, Minister, paid an official visit to Thailand from September 8–11, 2026, to deepen bilateral ties. During their meeting in Bangkok with Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin, the Lao delegation discussed priority areas including forest-fire prevention, haze and transboundary air pollution under the Clear Sky Strategy 2024–2030, data exchange and early-warning systems, climate change adaptation, disaster response, wetland and biodiversity management, and restoration of border ecosystems, as well as human resource development. The MOU provides a framework for strengthening coordination, joint monitoring, data and technical exchanges, climate change adaptation, and capacity building. Thailand also presented equipment to Laos, including PM2.5 monitoring devices and firefighting equipment, expected to enhance Laos’ capacity in air quality monitoring and forest-fire risk management. The delegation later traveled to Chiang Mai for technical and field visits focused on forest-fire and haze management. They visited various centers, including the Forest Fire and Haze Resolution Command Centre and the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park Forest Fire Operations Centre, to exchange experiences on fire prevention, open-burning management, air-quality monitoring, forest restoration, and participatory natural resource management. This visit is expected to further bolster Lao-Thai cooperation and support practical and sustainable approaches to natural resource and environmental management for the benefit of both countries’ peoples. In related developments during the same period, the Minister of Defence of Thailand visited Laos to attend the 30th General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting between Laos and Thailand and held a meeting with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. Additionally, a meeting was held between the Department of Foreign Affairs of Attapeu Province (Laos) and the Department of External Relations of Quang Ngai Province (Viet Nam) to exchange experiences and strengthen cooperation in foreign affairs. The Organization Board of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee also held a seminar with Vietnamese experts on cooperation methods. Furthermore, a meeting took place between the Chinese Minister of Public Security and his Lao counterpart, indicating Laos' efforts to maintain and strengthen multi-faceted relationships with its neighbors. Source: KPL Laos News