Integrated Water Resources Management – Capacity Building in Myanmar

Summary

In January 2014 a proposal on three projects under the environmental cooperation programme between Norway and Myanmar was sent to the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Yangon. The three project proposals were evaluated by an external Appraisal team. It was concluded that the three Projects under Appraisal were found to be relevant, appropriate and well-conceived (Appraisal of MMR-13/0055 Environmental Cooperation Norway – Myanmar). They should all be considered for funding. The Appraisal settled the need for development of a Project Document also for the IWRM Project. This has been a prioritized task in 2014, running in parallel with project activities as part of the Inception phase. Based on elaborated project plans, a training course on IWRM part II was arranged in Oslo in September 2014 for Myanmar experts. In October/November Norwegian experts visited Myanmar for several activities. A workshop was arranged to develop a Programme Document for the bilateral environmental cooperation. Introduction and training in the database system AquaMonitor SI and sampling for water chemistry and biology were accomplished, in addition to site visits to the Sittaung/Bago area where IWRM methods are to be tested. During the visits the Project Document for the IWRM project was also discussed and developed in close cooperation with Myanmar project partners. Both documents should comply with our wish to stand well prepared to continue our fruitful cooperation at the beginning of 2015.