UNESCO Acknowledges Laos and Vietnam’s Joint Efforts on first transboundary natural world heritage site in Southeast Asia

The Government of Laos, together with the Government of Vietnam, has submitted an application to UNESCO for Hin Nam No National Park, located in Khammouane Province, to be granted World Heritage status as a transboundary extension to the existing Phong Nha-Ke Bang World Heritage Site in Vietnam. In early March, UNESCO acknowledged receipt of the application, signaling the forthcoming visit to Laos for on-site evaluation. The ultimate verdict on whether the transboundary property secures World Heritage listing is scheduled for 2025. If successful, this joint recognition will celebrate the exceptional biodiversity and natural significance of both parks, making it the first transboundary natural World Heritage site in Southeast Asia and one of the region’s largest contiguous tropical Karst Area under protection.

During a reception held in Vientiane Capital on May 8th, Germany extended its congratulations to Laos for this remarkable achievement. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism and the Khammouane Province, with support from the German Government, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

The event brought together key stakeholders from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Education and Sport, the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and from the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

H.E. Ms. Annette Knobloch, the German Ambassador to Laos, stated, ‘’We would like to congratulate the Lao Government for this successful submission. The acceptance by UNESCO is a significant milestone towards the creation of the region's first transboundary natural World Heritage site. If successful, this nomination will elevate Laos' profile in the sphere of international and regional conservation of nature and forests. It will be testament to Laos' commitment to foster partnerships in the region to confront the urgent issue of biodiversity loss and to assume stewardship of the region's abundant natural assets for future generations. Lao’s first natural World Heritage site will inspire sustainable valorization of nature as part of Laos' green growth”. She emphasized that “The German government is committed to continue the collaboration and support to the Lao Government in the upcoming steps towards World Heritage recognition through technical advice by GIZ”.

Hin Nam No National Park has been recognized as a site of global significance for the conservation of biodiversity because of its diverse habitat and forest types, the outstanding geomorphology and high diversity of animals and plants, including a number of globally threatened species, endemic species and karst specialist species. Thus, the elevated UNESCO status will contribute substantially to the conservation of this unique ecosystem.