Nay Pyi Taw, December 1, 2020; Having agreed on NDC targets, a final high-level inter-ministerial consultation was conducted on Dec. 1, 2020 in Nay Pyi Taw.
Under the Paris Agreement, the Government of Myanmar submitted its Intended National Contributions (NDC) to the UNFCCC in 2017. In 2020, all countries around the world are updating prior commitments in order to meet the target of keeping global warming, by the end of the century, to less than a 2*C increase. Following a consultation process that spanned 2019-2020, Myanmar has now come a significant step closer to submitting its revised NDC after conducting a high-level inter-agency consultation on the final draft document on Myanmar’s NDC revision.
The draft 2020 NDC provides specific GHG emissions reductions targets promoting renewable energy for power generation, and reduced deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) that were previously outlined as activities to be implemented in the INDC. In addition, this NDC sets new GHG emissions reduction targets in the Agriculture sector for agroforestry and defines mitigation co-benefits from projects related to development of renewable energy based rural mini-grids, distribution and promotion of fuel-efficient biomass cookstoves and LPG cookstoves, and energy efficiency actions to be taken by a range of urban, industrial and transportation sector actors.
While Myanmar is taking up its commitments to the global community, due to Myanmar’s vulnerability to climate change and its Least Developed Countries (LDC) status, the government has highlighted its priority to seek support for climate change adaptation. This draft NDC identifies the strategies and actions to be implemented related to climate-smart agriculture, fisheries, and livestock for food security; sustainable management of natural resources for healthy ecosystem; resilient, inclusive and sustainable cities and towns where people can live and thrive; climate risk management for people’s health and wellbeing; and education, science and technology for a resilient society. This document identifies sources of climate finance under consideration, including its interest in exploring international carbon market trading in accordance with Art.6 of the Paris Agreement.
The event was chaired by the MONREC Permanent Secretary, U Khin Maung Yi, on behalf of the MONREC Minister, H.E. U Ohn Win, and included the participation of nine high-level agency counterparts from the following Ministries:
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation
- Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation
- Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry
- Ministry of Electricity and Energy
- Ministry of Transport and Communications
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Ministry of Construction
- Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement
Permanent Secretary U Khin Maung Yi expressed his appreciation for the contributions made by all relevant departments as well as for the support provided by the NDC Technical Expert Advisory Panel. This panel was established by the Environmental Conservation Department (ECD) comprising GGGI, WWF, UNDP, World Agroforestry Center, and FCDO. Feedback received by the high-level consultation was highly constructive, providing ECD with strong mandate to finalize the NDC document, to be submitted for approval by the national government.
The State Counsellor H.E. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi announced her government’s commitment to submit the NDC in 2020 during the Climate Ambition Summit held on Dec.12, and the final document NDC was circulated for formal inter-ministerial endorsements on Dec.15, 2020. The government is determined to submit the NDC to the UNFCCC before the end of 2020.
Permanent Secretary U Khin Maung Yi delivering opening speech at NDC high level consultation meeting conducted on 1 Dec, 2020
State Counsellor delivers video statement, makes Myanmar’s commitments to tackle climate change at Climate Ambition Summit on Dec. 12, 2020 (Photo credit: State Counsellor Office Website)