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Program

Welcome speech
Mr.U Than Newl, Forest Resource Environment Development and Conservation Association (FREDA), Chairman

Opening speech
Prof. Hisashi Yoshikawa, PARI, The University of Tokyo

Keynote speech
Dr. David Mozarsky, RAEL, UC Berkeley

Photo session and coffee break

Panel discussion
Mr. U Win Myo Thu, director and co-founder of Economically Progressive Ecosystem Development group (ECODEV-ALARM), and Dr. Min Ye Paing Hein, Executive Director of the Myanmar Development Institute
Moderated by Prof. Hisashi Yoshikawa (PARI, UTokyo)

Discussion
Comment and closing remarks
Prof. Maung Maung Aye, Myanmar Environment Institute (MEI), Patron

Summary

On March 23, the Global Energy Policy and East Asia Research Unit, together with the Program on Conflict, Climate Change and Green Development of UC Berkeley and the Central Economic Committee of the National League for Democracy (NLD), hosted a stakeholders’ consultation at the Royal Rose Thiri Hall in Yangon. The objective of this event was to serve as an opportunity to discuss together with local actors from Myanmar about the potential links between energy development and conflict resolution. In the past, the planned development of large hydropower in the Irrawaddy basin has been associated with an increase in the tensions in the area. To avoid such situation, finding compromise solutions and/or new approaches are required. The event was opened by U Than Newl, chairman of the Forest Resource Environment Development and Conservation Association. Prof. Hisashi Yoshikawa followed providing the background of the commitment of the Policy Alternatives Research Institute with Myanmar and introduced the scope and goals of the stakeholders’ consultation. David Mozersky, the Founding Director of the Program on Conflict, Climate Change and Green Development at the Renewable & Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL), provided insights on the potential benefits of developing new narratives by looking at renewable energy development as an entry point to conflict resolution. He introduced an innovative approach linking energy and peace based on his vast experiences in South Sudan. A peace dividend strategy can help to stop the vicious cycle between unsustainable energy development and exacerbated conflict. Mr. U Win Myo Thu, the Director and Co-founder of Economically Progressive Ecosystem Development group (ECODEV-ALARM) and Dr. Min Ye Paing Hein, the Executive Director of the Myanmar Development Institute, joined a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Yoshikawa. They both look at these issues from human security and economic security perspectives, highlighting the linkage between energy and peace. Aspects such as Myanmar’s vulnerability to climate change and the need of strategies for resource sharing in the country were mentioned by both. The session was continued by an active Q/A session where other participants responded positively and provided valuable feedbacks. Prof. Maun Maun Aye, patron of the Myanmar Environment Institute, gave the concluding remarks for further collaborations.