The 10th anniversary meeting of China-Myanmar cooperation on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development was held in Naypyidaw, Myanmar from October 29-30. It highlighted the joint efforts of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Myanmar's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MoNREC) over the past decade.
Mr. U Min Thu, Vice Minister of MONREC, said that China and Myanmar have maintained long-term friendly cooperation in the field of biodiversity conservation. Since the signing of the first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2013, both parties have carried out extensive cooperation in areas such as biodiversity scientific research and technical application. The renewal of the MoU between the institutes this year further consolidates the foundation of cooperation between the two sides.
Mr. Zheng Zhihong, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, said that the cooperation between China and Myanmar has not only promoted relevant scientific research but also made significant contributions to Myanmar's sustainable development.
Prof. Yang Yongping, director of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG）and director of the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute (SEABRI), expressed gratitude to the research and management teams from both China and Myanmar for their commitment, collaboration and collective actions.He also offered suggestions concerning future bilateral and multilateral international cooperation, project layout, outcome production, public participation, community income increase and sustainable development.
Mr. Thaung Naing Oo, director of the Forestry Department of MoNREC, hoped that CAS will continue to support Myanmar in achieving the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal biodiversity conservation goals, and jointly publish the Flora of Myanmar.
After the ceremony, both parties conducted a handover of the achievements from the 10th anniversary of China-Myanmar cooperation on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. The heads of each core team at SEABRI shared their latest research progress.
The participants also conducted field visits to the China-Myanmar high-yield crop variety experimental station, the SEABRI office, and the MoNREC Forestry Research Center's wood technology laboratory, water quality laboratory, and specimen museum.
Ms.Gong Haihua from CAS Bureau of International Cooperation said that in the past years, the two sides witnessed successful cooperation in many areas, and she expressed hope that more fruitful cooperation will be carried out in the future.
This conference marks a new starting point for the biodiversity conservation cooperation between China and Myanmar. In the future, both parties will continue to deepen their cooperation to jointly address the challenges of global biodiversity conservation.
More than 100 people attended the meeting, including relevant leaders, researchers, and staff from MoNREC, the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, CAS Kunming Branch, XTBG, and SEABRI.
10th anniversary of China-Myanmar bidiversity conservation & sustainable development.
Yang Yongping hands over achievements to Myanmar partner.
Representatives pose a group photo.
Achievements on display.
