Message sent by the Hon. Mr. Duwa Lashi La, Acting President of the National Unity Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar for the 26th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Glasgow, United Kingdom, November, 2021

Description: 

"1. On behalf of the people of Myanmar it is my great pleasure as the Acting President of the National Unity Government (NUG) to extend my gratitude to the Government of the United Kingdom as the Presidency in partnership with Italy for hosting the historic COP26 in the wonderful city of Glasgow. 2. It is also my great honor to send this message on behalf of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The NUG is the legitimate representative of Myanmar and is constituted of democratically-elected parliamentarians. 3. Recalling the 'code red' warning for humanity that emerged from the ongoing IPCC 6th Assessment, revealing that the temperature has already crossed the 1.1°C mark and that climate change threats are becoming more and more obvious, I believe that this must be the year of climate action. We must work together to protect our planet while ensuring a greener and more climate resilient future for us all. 4. Under the age of 'code red' for humanity, Myanmar, as one of the least developed countries, is highly exposed to climate change impacts. Climate change is a 'threat multiplier' in Myanmar as it compounds our parallel struggles with armed conflict and poverty, both of which issues stem from decades of military rule. This makes us one of the most vulnerable countries in the world, despite our small contribution to emissions, which comprises just 0.61 % of the global share 5. Nonetheless, we have already submitted our NDC, committing ourselves to more determined and detailed climate actions than those contained in the INDC, both in terms of mitigation and adaptation. We have set both conditional targets to reduce 413 million tons of C02e by 2030 and unconditional targets to reduce 244 million tons of C02e. These targets reflect our commitments to more ambitious climate actions, while recalling the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in light of different national circumstances. 6. Adaptation will remain the key priority for Myanmar across all sectors. The Country has adopted and taken steps to implement the Myanmar Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plans as an essential framework to strive against the impacts of climate change and to achieve climate-resilient development for the present and future generations. 7. The failed coup of 1 February 2021 staged by the illegal military junta has, however, set back the significant momentum that Myanmar had gathered in support of all-inclusive and climate-resilient development. The military junta has exacerbated the already vulnerable situation of the country and has triggered a catastrophic multi-layered crisis, compounded by the COVID-19 global pandemic and the severe impacts of climate change. Myanmar is now in economic distress. Millions of people have been pushed below the poverty line while efforts made to ensure sustainable development has been derailed. 8. The recent horrible example is the crime against humanity and presumably, a genocide committed by the military junta in the Chin State, the most vulnerable region to the climate change in the country, where a town called Htantlang was brutally attacked by burning down more than 100 houses and 2 churches within a day due to the military troops. 9. As the world moves toward a climate resilient and net zero economy, the National Unity Government calls for international support so that Myanmar is not left behind. We remain committed to the fight against climate change. The military junta, however, has been escalating deforestation and resource exploitation, all to fuel its war against its own people. 10. To the military regime, the NDC submitted is merely a document that will never see the daylight of implementation. The NUG’s commitment to change, however, is greatly firm. 11. The only answer, then, is the NUG as the sole legitimate governing body representing the people, and with the mandate to fulfil our climate commitments. 12. As the Acting President of the National Unity Government, I deeply appreciate all efforts of the international community and the UN organizations to recognize the NUG and its legitimacy while denying the military council such recognition, especially their involvement in the current COP 26. The provision of support and recognition to the NUG through all possible means, including technical and financial assistance, would constitute an important step towards the active implementation of our climate actions while promoting the rights of the people of Myanmar and their democratic aspirations. It would also further the fulfilment of the Paris Goals in accordance with the core values of the Convention, benefiting the planet and its people. 13. In conclusion, the NUG, on behalf of Myanmar, wishes to remind all Parties that it is high time to come together in our shared fight against climate change. Every action will count. Being a party to the UNFCCC, we will continue to lead the people of Myanmar on climate actions in the interests of our nation and our planet..."

Source/publisher: 

National Unity Government of Myanmar

Date of Publication: 

2021-11-01

Date of entry: 

2021-11-01

Grouping: 

  • Individual Documents

Category: 

Countries: 

Myanmar

Language: 

English

Local URL: 

Format: 

pdf

Size: 

121.9 KB

Resource Type: 

text

Text quality: 

    • Good