17th SEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment and the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transboundary Haze Pollution Control and related meetings, aimed at enhancing ASEAN collaboration on environment and trans-boundary haze pollution control, were held in Laos from 22 to 24 August. Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MoNREC) U Khin Maung Yi attended these meetings, and the event brought together environmental ministers from ASEAN member states and partners like Japan, South Korea, China, and the United States.
The Union minister said the following at the meetings;
- Forest resource conservation is one of the priorities in Myanmar. Running small renewable energy projects like solar power and hydropower in rural areas supports sustainable natural forest management and conservation, reducing reliance on forests. He added that he believes regional collaboration can deal with environmental issues and it will encourage the development of the ASEAN community.
- Myanmar fully supports the establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC) and is making arrangements to sign the agreement as early as possible. Myanmar will continue further collective actions to reduce haze pollution in the region.
- Myanmar lends its full support to Japan’s proposed ASEAN Climate and Environment Strategic Process, aimed at addressing the intertwined challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution on a global scale.
- Myanmar has outlined a comprehensive strategy for climate change mitigation and adaptation within the national framework for the years 2021 to 2030. This strategy encompasses various sectors, including energy, electricity, forests, land utilization, mixed crop and forest, all with specific objectives.
During the meetings, discussions revolved around crucial topics such as regional environmental cooperation, climate change declarations for UNFCCC COP28 which will be held in UAE in November, and the transfer of the agreement on the establishment of the ASEAN Coordination Centre on haze pollution control. The events also highlighted the shared commitment to advance regional and national climate change targets which are the ASEAN-US environmental and climate-related measures, promote a low-carbon future, stimulate innovation, bolster climate change funding, and provide backing for environmental and biodiversity conservation initiatives.
The evening witnessed award ceremonies and recognition of Myanmar’s contributions, including the ASEAN Clean and Green School Award and the ASEAN Youth Environmental Protection Championship award. Among the winners, Myanmar’s Basic Education Primary School in Dauntkwe village of the Ayeyawady Region and No (1) Basic Education High School in Myitkyina, Kachin State secured the ASEAN Clean and Green School Award (2023) for primary- school level and high-school level respectively. Dr Kaung Htet Swan was honoured with the ASEAN Youth Environmental Protection Championship (2023) in the Senior Category, it is reported.
Source: Global New Light of Myanmar Newspaper (25-8-2023)
- Forest resources conservation is one of the priorities in Myanmar. Running small renewable energy projects like solar power and hydropower in rural areas support sustainable natural forest management and conservation, reducing reliance on forests. He added that he believe regional collaboration can deal with environmental issues and it will encourage the development of ASEAN community.
- Myanmar fully supports the establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Trans-boundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC) and is making arrangement to sign the agreement as early as possible. Myanmar will continue further collective actions to reduce haze pollution in the region.