"Welcome to the last FAO Myanmar newsletter of 2018! During the year 2018, FAO Myanmar achieved significant milestones in the sectors in which it has been working. In addition, the new Country Programming Framework (CPF 2017- 2022) representing FAO’s strategy of intervention in Myanmar for the coming years, was officially endorsed by the Cabinet on behalf of the Government of Myanmar in October. In 2018, FAO continued to provide support to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI) through specialized technical assistance to the development and establishment of the Agriculture Development Strategy (ADS). This was an important achievement for the agriculture sector. Moreover, with FAO’s technical and financial support, MoALI accomplished the development of the Agriculture Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (AAPDRR). It is also worthwhile mentioning that FAO collaborated with MoALI and MoNREC in establishing the first Climate Smart Agriculture Centre (CSAC) as the national CSA knowledge repository and catalyst. The latter should help farming and forestry stakeholders in building capacity to mitigate climate change and improve land condition. FAO Myanmar Newsletter Xiaojie Fan FAO Representative in Myanmar In addition, FAO played a critical role in the development of Multi-Sectoral National Plan of Action on Nutrition (MS-NPAN). This vital multistakeholder collaboration will promote healthier and more productive lives that contribute to the overall economic and social aspirations of the country. Following MoALI’s request, FAO and World Food Programme undertook a Food Security Field Assessment Mission in Rakhine State in May this year with constructive recommendations for future agriculture and livelihood development in Rakhine. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to our Government counterparts, donors, development and humanitarian partners, for joining hands and allowing accomplishing important steps towards progressing in FAO’s objectives of reducing rural poverty, helping eliminating hunger and making agriculture more productive and sustainable in Myanmar. I wish you all a happy holiday season and peaceful and prosperous 2019. Enjoy reading our Newsletter!..."