Chamber of Commerce’s vice president backs forest cover goal with tree-planting initiative 

The Lao government’s ambitious target to increase forest cover to 70 percent of the total land area has been backed by the Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), Mr Daovone Phachanthavong, who joined nationwide tree-planting efforts marking the National Arbor Day along with his family on Sunday.

Mr Daovone Phachanthavong addresses the tree-planting event.

The event, held annually on June 1, coincides with the International Children’s Day. State agencies, businesses and members of the public across the country joined events to plant trees and raise awareness about the importance of forest conservation, especially among the younger generation.
The tree-planting event has been held by Mr Daovone seven times in a row at his farm in Sangthong district of Vientiane. This year’s event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Phosy Keomanyvong, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Laos, Mr Jung Yung-soo, the President of the Lao Journalists’ Association (LJA), Mr Savankhone Razmountry, and other guests.
Under the theme of “Plant trees today for our children tomorrow: Let’s grow trees into forests for products and protecting the environment and mitigating climate change”, the participants planted 250 durian trees, adding more green space in the large farm filled with trees grown over the past six years with support by Sacombank.
Since Mr Davone’s planting initiative began in 2018, thousands of trees of various kinds, including Pterocarpus macrocarpus (doo tree), rosewood, and other industrial and fruit trees have been planted.
Mr Davone’s active participation, alongside that of his family, underscored the growing role of the private sector in advancing the government’s forest strategy, environmental sustainability, and long-term climate goals.
“As a representative of the business community and a responsible individual, I believe it is essential that we take responsibility not only for economic growth, but also for environmental protection,” Mr Davone said.
This year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has announced a plan to plant at least 997,000 trees on 1,600 hectares, striving to meet the target of forest cover on 70 percent of the total land area.

A survey conducted in 2019 revealed that forest cover was then 62 percent of total land area of Laos. With surveys carried out every five years on an average, the 2025 survey is expected to be completed by the end of this year to determine whether forest cover is expanding and is on track to meet the ambitious goal, a source at the ministry told Vientiane Times.

The Lao government has made forest preservation a central component of its climate change mitigation policy, aiming to promote biodiversity conservation. Increasing forest cover is also critical for strengthening climate resilience, protecting watersheds, and enhancing rural livelihoods.
By joining the tree planting movement, Mr Davone examplified how a business representative and an individual can contribute to and support the national vision for a greener and more sustainable future, striving to fulfill Laos’ commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
“Tree planting is a simple yet powerful way to contribute to greener development and carbon neutralisation. Every one of us has a role to play,” he said.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update June 3, 2025)