The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Management Bureaus (Baoshan and Nujiang) of Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve (GNNR), and related institutions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences jointly organized a workshop on Potential Opportunities for Transboundary Collaboration for Conservation and Development along the Northern Section of the China-Myanmar Border from 13 to 14 December 2016 at Kunming Hotel in China. The workshop was organized with support from the Yunnan Department of Forestry, China, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC), Myanmar.
The main objective of the workshop was to provide a platform for officials and experts from both countries to: a) reach consensus on the need for and importance of bilateral collaboration in the border area for conservation and development, b) identify priorities and directions of collaboration so as to guide future collaborations, and c) provide a basis for the development of a concept note for potential fund raising.
The workshop was attended by 51 participants, including senior officials from the Forestry Department of Yunnan Province and the MONREC of Myanmar; researchers from research institutions and universities, and related protected area managers from both countries; and representatives from related international organizations.
Wan Yong, Deputy Director, Forest Department of Yunnan, China, and U Aung Mya, Director of Forest Department, Kachin State, Myanmar, delivered keynote speeches on behalf of each side. The participants shared their opinions amongst each other over the course of the two-day workshop. Each side talked about biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic development along the border area, and reflected on past experiences and lessons learnt in relation to bilateral cooperation in biodiversity and development. They identified key areas of conservation and development where transboundary collaborations are essential under the current circumstances, prioritized areas and actions for further collaboration, and clarified next-steps and task divisions. The discussions held over the course of the workshop have paved the way for the development of a joint proposal.
The participating institutions have agreed upon and issued a workshop declaration. The declaration emphasizes the importance of multi-sectoral and multi-level collaboration between China and Myanmar for addressing key issues and challenges related to biodiversity conservation and community development along the border. The participating institutions also committed to collaborate in sourcing funds for effective transboundary collaboration.
The report was co-funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nepal.