China and Myanmar Sign South-South Cooperation Donation on Clean Energy

YANGON (Nov. 16, 2015) – China National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Department of Climate Change Director, Mr. Ji XIE, and Myanmar Environmental and Forestry Protection Department of Forestry Director, Dr. Nyi Nyi Kyaw, signed the “Supplementary Agreement to South-South Cooperation Donation” in the office of Myanmar Environmental and Forestry Protection today.

Dr. Nyi Nyi Kyaw (L) and Mr. Ji XIE (R) sign the Supplementary Agreement – GEI 2015

The Supplementary Agreement concludes a successful implementation of the “Myanmar Forest Protection Demonstration Project based on Clean Energy Technology Application” Project operating in Myanmar’s Thanbayarkhon Village (TBK Village), in Bagu Province.

The Burmese (left) and Chinese (right) delegations meet to discuss the project and Supplementary Agreement – GEI 2015

This project was facilitated by Chinese NGO Global Environmental Institute (GEI) with Myanmar’s Spring Foundation and was co-funded by China Green Carbon Foundation and blue moon fund. The project relied upon Chinese-Myanmar constructive collaboration and aimed to solve rural energy problems through the donation of clean energy technology. The specific materials donated were solar lights and clean stoves; GEI provided support as these new technologies were introduced and assimilated.

The signing of this Agreement culminates years of research and many on-the-ground visits to the TBK village to monitor the Project. As a result of the successful project and the signing of the Agreement, more villages in Myanmar will receive the clean energy technology in the future.

GEI Executive Director Madame JIN Jiaman, along with the Chinese Counselor to Myanmar and important figures in Myanmar Environmental and Forestry Protection comprise the delegation that assessed the project and promoted The Supplementary Agreement.

The representatives including, GEI’s Mme JIN Jiaman (far right), gather together to celebrate the successful signing! – GEI 2015

Final Project Assessment

The final assessment of the project was conducted by Madame JIN; Mr. XIE Ji, Director of Department of Climate Change of China National Development and Reform Commission; and Ms HOU Fang, Department of Climate Change of China National Development and Reform Commission. In addition to the assessment of the project at TBK village, they visited the Myanmar Forest Research Institute and met Dr. Nyi Nyi Kyaw, Director of Myanmar Environmental and Forestry Protection’s Department of Forestry.

During the final assessment, the delegation toured TBK village and conversed with the TBK Committee and other villagers about the project.

GEI Myanmar project contact Mr. U Wing Ang facilitated this visit. Many villagers expressed thanks to the project team for the donated materials.

Feedback from the villagers:

• Solar lights resolved the problem of having no light at night and that now students were able to study after sunset;
• Clean stoves produced less indoor pollution and changed their cooking method;
• Solar water pumps, which brought clean water;
• The community garden would, overtime, improve living standards.

Following the successful evaluation, the Delegation visited Myanmar Forest Institute, where they were introduced to Dr. Chaw Chawy, Director of the Institute. During this meeting, Dr. Chaw Chawy introduced the project and mission of the institute.

Feedback from the Myanmar Department of Forestry Department of Environmental and Forestry Protection

The final step before signing the Agreement was to meet with Myanmar Department of Forestry and Department of Environmental and Forestry Protection. During this meeting, the Delegation discussed relevant issues with Department Director Nyi Nyi Kyaw.

During this meeting, Director Nyi Nyi Kyaw said he was impressed by the introduction of solar lights and clean stoves in TBK village as a possible model for other renewable energy projects in rural Myanmar villages.

Director Nyi Nyi Kyaw highlighted that because the donated cook stoves require one-third less wood, they address main environmental and livelihood concerns. First, the lower wood requirement equates to less cutting of wood, and therefore slows forest degradation. Additionally, villagers can reallocate the time previously used to cut wood to planting fast-growing trees; in this way the project supports sustainable forestation.  The cook stoves also benefit villager health. In fact, due to the reduced wood requirement and the fact that these stoves cook more efficiently, villagers are exposed to significantly less amount of smoke pollution and spend less time cooking.

Due to the success of this Project and the positive reaction from Director Nyi Nyi Kyaw, GEI hopes more rural villages in Myanmar will soon have access to the renewable energy technology and can improve their lifestyles.