"1. As the Acting President of the National Unity Government (NUG) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, I would like to deliver this message on behalf of the people of Myanmar for the 27th historic meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) hosted by the Government of Egypt in Sharm El-Sheikh which is the City of Mangrove: A Natural Connection between Biodiversity and Climate. 2. The Conference of the Parties (COP27) held today is also the 30th anniversary of adopting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). During these 30 years, our earth has encountered the global climate change and its impacts. Meanwhile, we have endured a long journey as we steadfastly cope with the threats of ecological destruction and the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years. It is evident that every country bears responsibility and needs to work together to protect our mother earth, mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts, combating environmental degradation, and building a greener and more prosperous society for our future. 3. Myanmar is a country rich in natural forests and resources. However, Myanmar is a least developed country and has limited capacity to alleviate climate change and ecological damage. It therefore joins the list of countries with the highest destruction of natural resources. In addition, since the military junta forcibly attempted to seize power on February 1, 2021, the rule of law collapsed. This led to a sharp increase in the exploitation of natural resources and significant damage to the natural environment. The people of Myanmar have been traumatized by experiencing more disasters such as floods, landslides, and climate change as the consequences of the excessive exploitation of natural resources, including forests and gems, by the military junta in their attempt to gain power. 4. In July 2021, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONR EC) under the National Unity Government (NUG) released a report on "the Status of Natural Resources Depletion During the Military Regimes in Myanmar" . The research found that the heritage sites are put in danger due to illegal gold mining, the natural resources are largely lost due to illegal activities, the forest ecosystems are largely deteriorated, and the people are inevitably facing the impacts of climate change. 5. In October 2022, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation issued a report on deforestation conditions in Sagaing Region, which is one of the areas most brutally and constantly oppressed by the military junta. Several efforts have been made to contribute to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) submitted by the National Unity Government by estimating the carbon emissions in Sagaing Region as well as at the national level following the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. 6. Now, despite facing relentless brutality and injustices committed by the military junta, the people of Myanmar are actively participating together with the NUG in environmental conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation activities, in addition to their regional rehabilitation works, in the areas controlled by the local administrative bodies. In territories under the control of the NUG and Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs), the NUG has also been carrying out planting activities, awareness raising, and monthly talk shows and other events related to environmental conservation with the enthusiastic participation of the people. 7. In implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation activities to contribute to the NDC, the EROs play a vital role, as most of the forest cover are under their control. In cooperation with the EROs and in accord with the provisions of the Federal Democratic Charter (FDC), programs and activities have been performed, including climate change mitigation and adaptation programs; systematic extraction and utilization of natural resources, including forests; and the people-centered protection and conservation. 8. While our National Unity Government has continued the implementation of its commitments to combat climate change, it is apparent that the military junta has been accelerating the exploitation of timber and other natural resources and carrying out other illegal activities and violence, including terrorizing and killing the people. The country’s situation has worsened due to the combined effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the militarycoup in addition to climate change, resulting in an economic recession. Along with a multitude of climate problems, millions of people are being pushed into poverty, and sustainable development is failing. 9. For these reasons, engagement with Myanmar to fulfill Myanmar’s climate commitments can only succeed by working together with the National Unity Government, which is mandated by the people and has the will to join with our international friends to meet our commitments. Progress towards our shared goals can be strengthened through supporting the NUG by all means, including technical and financial assistance. This will contribute to combatting climate change and environmental conservations, as well as addressing the rights of Myanmar people. Furthermore, it will be another contribution to the goal of the Paris Agreement, laid down in accord with the basic norms for the well-being of the planet and humans in the Framework Convention. 10. In conclusion, the National Unity Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on behalf of our people would like to respectfully inform all member countries that now is a good time to join together to mitigate climate change, and we will heartfeltly appreciate and genuinely honour each of your contributions to our common cause and to Myanmar. In addition, our National Unity Government affirm that Myanmar, as a member of the Convention, will continue to lead the people of Myanmar in the Fight against the climate change for the benefit of humanity and the planet..."