The biodiversity endowment is crucial to the Lao economy, as the goods and ecosystem services it provides are essential to reduce poverty, secure livelihoods, and drive a greener economic growth model. Over 840,000 people in over 1,200 villages are situated within or on the boundary of 23 national reserves. The majority of these villagers, from a range of ethnic groups, are heavily dependent upon the sustainable utilization of the natural resources within these reserves. But Lao biodiversity is in danger. The highest priority threats to the country’s biodiversity values include climate change, illegal logging, the illegal wildlife trade, infrastructure development in and around protected areas, and expansion of agriculture and settlements. Key recent legislative achievements to protect biodiversity include Prime Minister’s Order (PMO) 15 (2016), PMO 5 (2018), and the 2019. Forestry Law. On February 15, 2019, the Government re-designated some national protected areas (NPAs), establishing Nakai-Nam Theun National Park and Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park as the nation’s first two national parks. In January 2020, Hin Nam No was also declared as a national park, and is short-listed to become the country’s first natural World Heritage Site.