Luang prabang: Representatives from the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in Laos to review and discuss the promotion of sustainable forest products, forest product trade, and legal timber certification.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the representatives gathered in northern Laos' Luang Prabang province for the 28th meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Forest Products Development (AWG-FPD) from Monday to Tuesday, as reported by the local Pasaxon newspaper on Tuesday.

The meeting focused on strengthening regional collaboration in forest product trade, with particular emphasis on legal timber certification and sustainable forest management. Key topics included progress on the ASEAN Criteria and Indicators (C and I) for timber legality, improvements to the Chain of Custody system, promotion of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), and enhanced cooperation with international partners.

The meeting also aimed to expand regional platforms for knowledge exchange, innovation, and capacity building. Additionally, it emphasized the importance of aligning forest product development with broader ASEAN priorities, including climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable economic integration under the ASEAN Economic Community.

The meeting also highlighted the need for ASEAN countries to collaborate in combating the illegal trade in endangered wildlife, which continues to undermine regional conservation efforts.