The MoU was reached at a meeting on coordination in forest protection and development, and fire fighting and prevention in border areas in 2023, jointly held by the Son La provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Huoaphanh Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Implementing the MoU signed on September 28, 2022, the two departments have promoted dissemination to encourage people in border communes and hamlets to well perform production work; guided them on using fire properly and safely; sign a commitment to protect forests in hamlets and communes; and fight acts of forest encroachment.

Since 2022, seven commune-level conferences and 640 hamlet-level conferences have been organised to disseminate laws on forest protection, fire fighting and prevention, and forest production management, with over 3,300 participants. In addition, 62 prohibition signs and 24 dissemination panels have been installed in key areas in border communes.

The two sides have strengthened coordination in organising patrols and inspections in hotbeds of forest exploitation, deforestation, illegal farming and illegal trade in forest products; promptly detected, prevented and strictly handled violations. As a result, the competent forces of the two provinces have documented and handled 83 violation cases. In forest fire fighting and prevention work, they have directed the construction of fire-resistant runways in adjacent areas between border communes; encouraged and guided households to burn and clear vegetation and cultivate fields in accordance with regulations.

Under the newly-signed MoU, the two sides will continue to regularly exchange information on forest protection and development, forest product management and forest fire fighting and prevention; ensure timely and accurate directions between the two sides; develop a communication regime at each level; report to the two provinces’ competent authorities on the situation of forest protection and development and forest fire fighting and prevention. Each side will proactively check and review hotbeds at high risk of forest fires, and build plans to mobilise resources, vehicles, equipment, and tools for firefighting./.