Review of Norway Myanmar Environmental Cooperation 2015-2018

Myanmar is undergoing a deep transition. Relevant to the Environmental Cooperation Programme, the transition began in 2008 and will continue after closure of the Programme's Phase I in 2019. Myanmar implemented a policy of opening, after a lengthy period of military rule and sanctions – induced isolation. Among other results, transition has produced rapid economic growth, with a change in the structure of Myanmar's GDP, and growing public demand for improved governance of the country's environment and natural resources.

The Norway – Myanmar Environmental Cooperation Programme is a bilateral institution – building initiative, undertaken as part of the larger Environment and Natural Resource Management Programme. It was among the first bilateral cooperation initiatives between the Myanmar State and an OECD Donor, as Myanmar's opening gained momentum.

Between 2012 and 2015, Norway and Myanmar made a significant investment to first to develop a cooperation framework and then launch related initiatives.