Myanmar has the seventh-largest mangrove forest area in the world, covering around 1.26 million acres, and ranks third among ASEAN countries in terms of mangrove coverage, Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Dr Thaung Naing Oo said.

He made the remark at a ceremony to mark the 2026 International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, held at the Forest Department yesterday.

He said mangrove forests are important carbon sinks that absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and play a vital role in disaster risk reduction and climate change mitigation.

The 2026 International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem was held under the theme “Raise Awareness of the Importance of Mangrove Ecosystems for Sustainable Conservation, Management and Use”.

After the ceremony, attendees viewed commemorative posters displayed for the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. In the afternoon, a discussion session on mangrove plantation development and conservation activities was held under the theme “Plant and conserve mangroves to combat climate change, prevent natural disasters and promote socioeconomic development”.

MNA/KZL

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