14-15 February 2019, Laukkai
With the collaborations of Forest Department and Kokang Self -administrative Body, UN-REDD programme conducted two-day workshop on awareness raising of REDD+ concept and consultation on draft National REDD+ strategy in Laukkai, Northern Shan State.
The workshop was intended to enhance REDD+ engagement with ethnic communities for deepening awareness level and promoting REDD+ coordination in ethnic areas. Nearly 70 representatives from different government agencies and Local CSO from Kokang Self- administration Area actively participated in the workshop.
On the first day of the workshop, U Htun Kyaw Kyaw, the secretary of Kokang Self- administrative Zone Government gave welcome remark at opening ceremony. He said, “As we all know, Myanmar is highly vulnerable to climate change. That means that we still need a lot to do for mitigation and adaption at national level. And the role of forests in mitigation process is very crucial. REDD+ programme is supporting our country by means of reduction emission from deforestation and forest degradation. And active participation of related stakeholders in coordination process is also significant in REDD+.”
U Maung Maung Kyaw, Deputy Director of Forest Department, Southern Shan State gave speech at the opening session. He said, “Forest Department is leading to Myanmar REDD+ Programme. But we cannot do it alone by ourselves and Involvement of all related stakeholders such as different government agencies, community, ethnic community, civil society and non-government organizations on this process is really important. And better coordination among us will lead to great result of what we implement.”
The 1st day of the workshop was for providing and sharing information on the basic concept of REDD+ including the role of forest and climate change and the driving forces on deforestation and forest degradation. As the 2nd day of the workshop, Daw Khin Hnin Myint, National Programme Coordinator of UN-REDD programme gave explanation on draft Myanmar’s REDD+ strategy focusing on objectives and proposed Policies and Measures for emission reduction. And then, participants discussed in groups for reviewing proposed PAMs against the key drivers and gave recommendations for REDD+ on-going engagement.
UN-REDD programme conducted consultation workshops for REDD+ strategy and its PAMs with different ethnic communities. In 2018, UN-REDD engaged with New Mon State Party, Pa-O National Organization, Danu, Palaung and Wa from Self- Administrative Zone. And in 2019, Kokang Self-Administrative Zone Government is the 1st Start Body.
