Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Officially Launches 1528 Wildlife Crime Hotline to Combat Illegal Wildlife and Timber Trade

Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR – 4 June 2026

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) officially launched the national 1528 Wildlife Crime Hotline on 4 June 2026, marking a significant milestone in the Lao PDR’s efforts to combat illegal wildlife and forest crime and strengthen implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The launch ceremony was chaired by H.E. Mr. Kikeo Singnavong, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, and attended by senior officials from the Department of Forestry, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Inspection, relevant divisions, and designated officers responsible for the operation of the reporting system.

The newly established reporting mechanism provides the public with direct and secure channels to report wildlife and forest crime, including illegal trade in endangered species and CITES-related violations. The reporting channels include:

• National Hotline: 1528
• Official Email: cites.ma.laos@gmail.com
• Official Website: https://dof.mis-mae.gov.la

These channels will serve as a centralized platform for receiving information and reports concerning illegal wildlife trafficking, illegal trade in protected plant species, and other offences related to CITES implementation.

The establishment of the hotline is part of the Government’s implementation of Prime Minister’s Order No. 25/PM, which calls for stronger management, monitoring, and enforcement measures relating to endangered aquatic animals, wildlife, and wild plant species. It also demonstrates the Lao Government’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under CITES and strengthening national efforts to combat transnational wildlife crime.

The Ministry emphasized that all reports received through the hotline will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. A dedicated team of trained officers will operate the service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring rapid response, professional handling of information, and timely coordination with enforcement agencies.

Every report received will be systematically recorded, assessed, and analyzed before being referred to relevant operational units for investigation and enforcement action. The hotline will facilitate enhanced cooperation among the Department of Forestry, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Inspection, Environmental Police, Customs authorities, and other law enforcement agencies.

Through strengthened intelligence-sharing and coordinated enforcement operations, the Government aims to disrupt and dismantle organized wildlife trafficking networks and other forms of transnational environmental crime operating within and across Lao borders.

Speaking at the launch event, officials highlighted that the success of wildlife crime prevention depends not only on government action but also on public participation. The 1528 Hotline therefore provides citizens, local communities, businesses, and civil society organizations with a direct opportunity to contribute to the protection of the Lao PDR’s rich biodiversity and natural heritage.

The launch of the 1528 Hotline represents an important step towards a more transparent, responsive, and effective wildlife law enforcement system and reinforces the Government’s determination to eliminate illegal wildlife trade while safeguarding endangered species for future generations.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Lao PDR