February
6, 2018
Vice
President U Myint Swe attended the opening ceremony of the Inception and
Implementation Meeting on the ASEAN Institute for a Green Economy (AIGE) held
yesterday at the Myanmar International Convention Center-II (MICC-II) in Nay
Pyi Taw, at which he said an environmentally responsible policy for economic
development should be formulated.
In
his opening speech, Vice President U Myint Swe said the ASEAN region, with a
population of more than 630 million, was one of the world’s biggest markets and
stands as an important pillar in the world trade sector. It is expected to
become the principal region in world trade. As a consequence, there will be an
increasing demand for natural resources.
“The
livelihoods of the people in the ASEAN region are still dependent on natural
resources, and it is very important to manage and use the natural resources in
a sustainable way. Most of the ASEAN countries face the effects of increase in
population, poverty and climate change that results in heightened challenges of
damage to historical and cultural heritages, depletion of natural resources,
losses in biodiversity, drought and increased occurrences of natural disasters.
To
overcome these challenges, all need to work together in acquiring a green and
clean neighbourhood. Myanmar also believes that it can best overcome the
environmental problems it faces by cooperating with ASEAN countries and
international organizations”, he said.
“Sustained
economic development can only be achieved through protecting and preserving the
natural environment and our ASEAN countries had also pledged to increase the
protection and preservation of the natural environment. Our target is to
establish a green and clean ASEAN in order to implement a sustainable economic
development in 2020, which is our common aim”.
To
reach the target of a green and clean natural environment in the ASEAN region,
AIGE will become a basic foundation through which information and experiences
are exchanged between ASEAN member countries and development partner
organizations and cooperation is increased.
As
ASEAN member countries increase the implementation processes of sustainable
development, AIGE is expected to do more for policies and practices that
increase green economies in the ASEAN community.
“Socio-economic
development, longevity, wealth and affluence from the present Myanmar economic
situation depend on an ecosystem that is functioning well. Only when there is a
good ecosystem can there be food sufficiency, clean water, protection from
natural disasters and sufficient energy. Therefore, we need to value the
natural environment and the good outcome of a good ecosystem.
“The
country is striving toward an economy that creates jobs, wealth and maintains
the richness of natural environment as well as creates new policy and strategy
that will produce a better future”, he said.
National-level
natural environment policy, strategy on main work processes, national-level
policy on climate change, strategy and work processes, national level waste
management strategy and green economy policy framework are being drawn up as
new policies and strategies.
In
the green economy policy framework, sectors that raise green economy investment
are being set and conducted as a priority. This requires investments that
protect the natural environment and benefit the people.
Myanmar
is including green development and climate change matters in national and
regional-level sector development processes as well as pledging to implement a
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement on Climate
Change.
Yesterday’s
meeting hopes to provide an opportunity to discuss the establishment of
investment and businesses based on green technology that reduce carbon
emissions in the ASEAN region. Discussions will continue until 9 February.
Myanmar
News Agency
Ref;
The Global New Light of Myanmar
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