On August 6, the GGGI Myanmar team held its inaugural “Green City Steering Committee” (GCSC) meeting during a semi virtual, semi physical meeting at the Park Royal hotel in Nay Pyi Taw. Representatives of three project cities (Bago, Pathein, Taunggyi) attended over a Zoom link while the fourth (Nay Pyi Taw) attended in person. Ten Union Level ministries sent high level officials to attend the event in person.

Opening remarks were delivered on behalf of the GCSC Chairperson, Director General of the Environmental Conservation Department (ECD) U Hla Maung Thein by the Deputy Director General, Dr. San Oo. Then, a project team introduced the key tenets and conceptual basics of the project and the scope of the projects to be developed for funding by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Following this, representatives from the project cities (Nay Pyi Taw, Taunggyi, Bago, Pathein) gave prepared interventions about the key challenges and opportunities for green city adaptation and mitigation projects in their cities.

Subsequently, central government officials were invited to ask questions and share their views of the project development process. Cross-cutting interest was expressed to promote sustainable solid waste, waste-water management, and transportation challenges in all cities. Keen interest was demonstrated, in particular from representatives of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations (MIFER) and the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry (MoPFI). This highlighted a key opportunity for the project to tap into the opportunity for “greening” pre-existing projects that have already garnered investor interest and been approved by the Myanmar Project Bank. In addition, important considerations were raised for nomination of a Direct Access Entity to the Green Climate Fund.

Dr. San Oo, Deputy Director General of Environmental Conservation Department delivering opening speech

Dr. Aaron Russell, GGGI Country Representative delivering welcome remark

Mr. Nicholas Taylor presenting progress on implementation of GCF funded Green Cities Readiness Project

The Green City Steering Committee Meeting_Group Photo

A member of Green Cities Project Steering Committee providing suggestion on development of project investment pipelines

The event was well attended and represented a unique mix of different national ministries covering energy, water, construction, transportation, waste, finance, planning and administration as well as regional and/or township level representation from all cities. The next scheduled GCSC event will take place in December when the project long-list of project ideas will be presented.