Resources Issues: 1st Meeting of Coastal Resources Management Work Committee

Coastal Resources Management Work Committee held their 1st meeting at the Forest Department on Monday.

Chairman of the Committee Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Khin Maung Yi, Vice Chairman Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Tin Htut Oo and committee members attended the meeting.

In his address, Union Minister U Khin Maung Yi stressed that only multi-departmental cooperation can effectively carry out long-term development work.

Integrated Coastal Management is being drafted for Myanmar and the system is based on the principles adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992.

Myanmar’s natural heritage along the coast, such as mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass and archipelagos are in danger due to the climate change. Good governance practices need to be developed as shrimp production and fisheries could be affected, the Union Minister added.

Also, Union Minister U Tin Htut Oo said that Myanmar is the largest country in the mainland of Southeast Asia and is made up of various ecosystems. The ecosystems: mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass beds play an important role in the socio-economic development and environmental protection of the country.

Myanmar can implement economic development in the best way without harming the coastal marine natural resources. At the 38th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN member states have pledged to implement the ASEAN Blue Economy. The meeting continued with discussions on duties and responsibilities of the work committee, challenges, decisions and plans.