The Republic of the Union of Myanmar ratified the Paris Agreement (PA), and it came into effect on October 19, 2017. A robust Measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) system is essential to track and report its progress toward climate change mitigation under the enhanced transparency framework (ETF) of the PA. However, Myanmar has encountered challenges in choosing tools and methods used for calculating the GHG emissions, identifying NAMAs and their requisite MRV methods, and gaps in vulnerability and adaptation assessment. Moreover, the country is currently in the process of preparing its second national communications (SNC) and also in the initial stage of preparing its initial biennial update report (BUR) with support from the UNEP, which requires more accurate and reliable data sources.

In this backdrop, Myanmar has been working on developing an integrated national MRV system with technical assistance from GGGI. In 2017, as part of the preliminary analysis, GGGI carried out a gap assessment of the MRV system in Myanmar and hosted an inception workshop with the ECD to share understanding of the MRV development of the government of Myanmar. In 2018, GGGI developed national MRV system baseline for the energy sub-sector in partnership with the ECD. In 2019, GGGI is initiating its support to Myanmar in accessing climate finance with CBIT funding from GEF for setting up the MRV systems for IPPU and AFOLU (focusing on Agriculture) sector. Through enhanced institutional and technical capacity, it is expected that the initiative will enable Myanmar to become better equipped to understand their baseline and track progress towards NDC targets.

GGGI Myanmar Country Team in collaboration with Environmental Conservation Department organized a two-days workshop on MRV systems for AFOLU and IPPU Sub-sector on 29-30 August in Nay Pyi Taw. The workshops were officiated by Director General and Deputy Director General of ECD. A total of 29 participants from 13 departments and agencies participated in AFOLU Sub sector workshop conducted on 29 August while 24 government representatives from 10 departments attended IPPU Sub sector workshop on 30 August. GGGI Country Representative, Dr. Aaron Russell welcomed participants and explained the objectives of the workshops. The two-days workshop was led by Mr. Siddhartha Nauduri, Senior Analyst, MRV from GGGI HQ in Korea.

Addressing the gathering, the DG reiterated the importance of developing capacity on MRV systems, highlighting the efforts of both ECD and GGGI, and showcased the Burmese translated texts of the Paris Agreement and NDC. Speaking with the participants, Mr. Siddhartha Nauduri indicated how these activities were laying the foundation for future reporting, helping the country identify the gaps in data gathering required for complete GHG reporting, ensuring existing data and information gathering systems are further enhanced in order to not place undue burden on these systems, and that data quality is improved over time. He also highlighted on how the current activities by GGGI would continue to support the development of country’s capacity under the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) to be implemented in the coming years. Mr. Thiha Aung facilitated the interactive sessions on the first day with the experts from the AFOLU sector, while Mr. Kyaw Moe Aung, Second National Communication Coordinator supported the interactions with the IPPU sector on the second day. The sessions were followed by intense discussions on parameters, data flow and responsibilities.