A Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister U Khin Maung Yi recently participated in the Belem Climate Summit in Brazil. This summit took place on November 6-7, and was initiated by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Minister U Khin Maung Yi attended on behalf of Myanmar’s acting president, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
During the summit, various leaders, including heads of state and international organization representatives, shared their insights on climate change. U Khin Maung Yi highlighted Myanmar’s rich natural resources, noting that over 42% of the country is covered by forests. Yet, he stressed that Myanmar faces significant challenges due to climate change. This has led the nation to prioritize climate change mitigation strategies.
Myanmar is developing plans focused on renewable energy, climate-resilient agriculture, and forest conservation in line with its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). U Khin Maung Yi advocated for better access to climate finance, the transfer of technology, and capacity building. He also expressed Myanmar’s intention to support the “Tropical Forests Forever Facility-TFFF,” emphasizing the country’s commitment to poverty reduction and integrated forest-fire management.
In a roundtable discussion, U Khin Maung Yi shared Myanmar’s viewpoints on the vital relationship between climate and nature, particularly forests and oceans. This discussion is part of a broader initiative aimed at mitigating climate change, which has gained traction over the past decade.
The Belem Climate Summit is significant as it connects government officials, business leaders, and civil society, fostering partnerships to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. According to a recent report from the UN, the world’s collective efforts to cut emissions could still fall short of the targets needed to prevent global warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius. Collaboration at such summits is crucial for ensuring that nations develop practical strategies for carbon reduction and promoting a sustainable future.
This summit, held annually since 2010, also aligns with the Conference of the Parties (COP) to ensure global cooperation on climate issues. As public awareness about climate change grows, leaders like U Khin Maung Yi continue to emphasize the importance of collective action and innovative solutions to tackle this pressing global challenge.
To learn more about the Belem Climate Summit and its objectives, you can read further on the [UNFCCC site](https://unfccc.int).
