# CITES Lifts Wildlife Trade Sanctions Against Laos Amid Conservation Concerns Global regulator ends trade restrictions despite ongoing criticism regarding illegal wildlife market activities. - **Source:** [Mongabay](https://news.mongabay.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/5fe48f5e-12c0-470e-ab66-518b25dbaa1a ## Sanctions Officially Lifted The CITES Standing Committee announced on November 4 in Geneva that trade sanctions against Laos have been officially lifted. This decision allows the Southeast Asian nation to resume the international trade of long-tailed macaques and other CITES-listed species. The move marks a major shift in the country's status regarding global wildlife regulations. ## Context of 2023 Penalties Laos originally faced strict sanctions in 2023 due to its inability to control criminal networks involved in illegal wildlife trafficking. The country was specifically cited for failing to regulate bear bile and tiger farms effectively. These operations functioned with near-impunity, prompting the global regulator to intervene and restrict the nation's trade capabilities. ## Progress Cited by Regulators CITES officials stated that Laos has demonstrated significant progress in addressing previous regulatory failures. While the specific details of these improvements were not fully disclosed, the committee deemed the advancements sufficient to warrant the removal of trade restrictions. This decision enables the country to export listed animals without facing the previous special oversight. ## Conservationists Express Skepticism Many conservationists have criticized the decision, labeling the lifting of sanctions as premature. Critics argue that Laos must implement more robust measures to curb the illegal wildlife trade, which remains a multi-billion dollar global industry. They fear that the removal of restrictions might undermine efforts to protect vulnerable species from further exploitation. ## Ongoing Monitoring Remains Mandatory Despite the lifting of sanctions, the review process for Laos is not entirely over. CITES will continue to monitor the nation's adherence to international rules to ensure compliance. Future export privileges for species listed under the convention will depend strictly on the country's ability to maintain these standards and prevent illegal trade activities. ## Government Commitment to Oversight Somvang Phimmavong, director-general of the Laos Department of Forestry, acknowledged the need for sustained efforts. He emphasized that the government remains committed to continued investigations, prosecutions, and demand reduction strategies. Effective oversight of wildlife facilities is now a stated priority for the department to ensure that the country meets its international obligations. ## Investigation Reveals Persistent Issues A 2025 joint investigation by Mongabay and the NGO GI-TOC identified 35 illegal wildlife shopping sites across Vientiane and Luang Prabang. These locations were found selling ivory, rhino horn, and pangolin scales primarily to tourists. The persistence of these markets highlights the significant challenges Laos faces in enforcing wildlife protection laws on the ground. ## Future Outlook and Challenges The lifting of sanctions places Laos under intense scrutiny from the international community. While the government claims progress, the presence of illegal markets poses a direct threat to conservation goals. Observers will be watching closely to see if the nation can effectively dismantle criminal networks while balancing its newly restored international trade rights. ## Sources covering this story - https://news.mongabay.com/2026/11/wildlife-trade-regulator-cites-lifts-sanctions-against-laos-prompting-conservation-concerns/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._