24 February 2025 – UN-Habitat, under the Myanmar Climate Change Alliance Programme (funded by the European Union), has been conducting a series of consultation sessions on local climate action planning. These sessions aim to foster collaboration in addressing climate change at the community level across eight targeted townships in four geo climatic zones: the Hilly Region, Dry Zone, Delta Region, and informal settlements in Yangon.

In February, consultation meetings were held in Dagon Seikkan, South Dagon, and Thanlyin townships, engaging over 75 participants from local NGOs, CBOs, CSOs, school communities, teachers, and the private sector. Notably, 65% of participants were women, emphasizing gender-inclusive climate action.

These sessions are designed to address local needs and empower stakeholders to implement and ensure the long-term success of climate resilience initiatives. Key objectives include:

• Presenting prioritized climate actions for implementation
• Strengthening community ownership and cohesion
• Promoting sustainable solutions
• Encouraging a collaborative approach among stakeholders

A significant outcome of these sessions was the development of a comprehensive roadmap for implementing prioritized climate actions. This roadmap outlines clear timelines, resource requirements, implementation steps, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure sustained efforts. Additionally, the sessions aimed to build the capacity of local institutions and communities to effectively plan for and respond to climate challenges. By enhancing collaboration among local authorities, civil society organizations, and the private sector, these consultations explored opportunities for resource mobilization and collective action.

The program included key activities such as presentations on the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) and Local Climate Action Planning (LCAP) findings, followed by breakout discussions. Participants—including community leaders, CSOs, CBOs, monastic school teachers, and private sector representatives—engaged in thematic discussions on climate resilience, covering priorities such as water security, energy security, food security, public health, disaster risk reduction, and education. Cross-cutting themes, including nature-based solutions, inclusion, and gender-responsive climate action, were also highlighted.

The sessions concluded with the collective development of a detailed roadmap to guide the implementation of local climate actions, ensuring that community-driven solutions are practical, inclusive, and sustainable.

UN-Habitat remains committed to supporting local communities in advancing climate action, fostering collaboration, and empowering them to effectively address climate challenges while strengthening resilience