The Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystems in Mekong Countries Project (the Mekong Peatlands Project) is a Global Environment Facility-6 funded project implemented in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar. The objective of the project is to sustainably manage peatland ecosystems in targeted countries and to conserve biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, by:
- Assessing and documenting peatland ecosystems in the three countries;
- Strengthening institutional capacity and enabling policy and legal frameworks for sustainable peatland management at local, national and sub-regional levels;
- demonstrating sustainable peatland management practices that conserve biodiversity, reduce GHG emissions and strengthen sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
At a regional level, the project aims to bring together key government officials and decision makers at ASEAN level forums to enhance regional cooperation, share knowledge and experience, and encourage the development of common guidelines and approaches for the conservation and sustainable use of peatland resources. At a country and local level, the project aims to raise awareness and build capacity of government at national, provincial and district levels, to improve their understanding of the functions and importance of peatland ecosystems, and mainstream peatlands into policies and plans to encourage conservation and sustainable use. At a community level, the project will support the demonstration of best practice approaches for sustainable peatland management and strengthen the sustainability of livelihoods.
The Project is implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through collaboration with executing partners and government agencies in respective Mekong countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar).
For more details on the Mekong Peatlands Project, please visit this link or email: mekong.peatlands@iucn.org.
