On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2024, the CADRI Partnership reflects upon the vital role that safe schools and education play in protecting and empowering Mongolia’s youth for a disaster-free future.In response to a request from the National Emergency Management Agency of Mongolia (NEMA), in September 2023, the CADRI Partnership mobilized a multidisciplinary team of experts from the UN RCO, FAO, IOM, UNDAC, UNDP, UNDRR, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, World Vision Mongolia, and the Meteorological Administrations of China and Korea to facilitate a diagnosis of national and local capacities to manage and reduce disaster and climate risks, with an emphasis on systems for preparedness, early warning, and risk reduction. To mark IDDRR 2024, we take a critical look at the findings of this capacity diagnosis through the lens of youth empowerment through disaster education and the provision of safe schools.Chilling threats to learning Mongolia’s vast, rugged landscape makes it one of the most unique places on earth, but also exposes the country to some of the world’s harshest winters. The notorious dzuds, extreme winters marked by freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and ground so frozen that animals cannot reach pasture, bring devastation to livestock and livelihoods. Yet, the toll on children is more profound than meets the eye.When snow and ice block critical roads, children in rural areas are cut off from school, as well as vital health, nutrition, and protective services. In these conditions, many families are forced to make tough decisions, particularly herder families who are most directly impacted by dzuds. Older children often remain at home to support household tasks, while younger children may be left at school dormitories or with relatives, increasing protection risks and psychological stress. Alongside dzuds, Mongolia is also prone to dust storms, drought, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes.With 36% of the population under the age of 17, the vulnerability of children to disasters is a major challenge and one that is not adequately addressed in the country’s existing regulatory framework. Mongolia’s disaster law and disaster risk reduction strategy must urgently reflect the specific needs of children and other vulnerable groups. Creating a resilient education system is critical — not only to protect children during disasters but to ensure they continue to learn in the face of extreme conditions.Safe schools, safe childrenThe importance of safe schools in Mongolia cannot be overstated, particularly in light of the country’s seismic vulnerability. These institutions serve a dual role as vital service providers during normal times and evacuation centers during crises, making their structural integrity paramount.Recent upgrades to seismic building codes for schools and hospitals reflect a commitment to resilient infrastructure. From 2016 to 2019, seismic building vulnerability assessments were conducted on 199 public buildings in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. As of September 2023, three educational facilities were earmarked for retrofitting.In May 2023, a government-initiated earthquake simulation exercise in Ulaanbaatar, engaging schools and communities, showcased the government’s dedication to preparedness. However, despite awareness of seismic vulnerabilities in buildings, sectoral strategies largely focus on service provision rather than disaster risk reduction. To address these challenges, it is essential to prioritize the reinforcement of buildings in education sector plans and the reprioritization of actions based on current and future risk scenarios.Every child deserves to be protected from disasters, especially at school. Investing in resilient school infrastructure is not just a necessity, it’s an investment in the future safety and well-being of Mongolia’s children and communities.From education to action“Decisions made today shape the disasters of tomorrow. We owe it to future generations to empower them to reduce their disaster risks” — Paola Albrito, UNDRRTo build a disaster-resilient future, we must equip young people with the skills and knowledge to take early action to protect themselves, their families, and their communities in times of crisis. Mongolia has made significant strides in this direction, with the systematic delivery of NEMA-led training programmes targeting both citizens and schools as part of the National Programme of Community Participatory Disaster Risk Reduction 2021–2025. Even children as young as pre-school age are taught safe life skills, aligned with Pillar 3 (Risk Reduction and Resilience Education) of the Comprehensive School Safety Framework 2022–2030.Mongolia’s efforts to promote a culture of safety and preparedness within schools underscore the vital role of disaster education in empowering young people to understand and respond to the risks they face, while also positioning them as agents of change within their communities. Agents of change for a disaster-free future“It is vital to build the resilience of children in times of disaster and crisis through preparedness, not just response” — Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator in MongoliaAs we celebrate IDDRR 2024, we applaud Mongolia’s significant strides towards building a safer, more resilient future for its children, while recognizing that more needs to be done. To forge a path forward, Mongolia’s efforts to advance the pillars of the Comprehensive School Safety Framework must be backed by robust systems and policies that prioritize disaster risk reduction and acknowledge the unique needs faced by children and those experiencing intersecting vulnerabilities. By implementing targeted programmes for infrastructure reinforcement, disaster preparedness training and community engagement, Mongolia can continue to transform schools into secure havens for learning.In this proactive approach, Mongolia is not just reducing disaster risks; it is cultivating and empowering a new generation of leaders in resilience. Together, we can build a disaster-resilient future for Mongolia, one where children thrive in safety and stand as agents of positive change in their communities.The full Capacity Diagnosis Report and Policymakers Digest for Mongolia will be made available in English and Mongolian on cadri.net, upon validation from the Government of Mongolia at the end of October 2024.The story was written by Rebecca Smith, Programme Coordinator for the CADRI Partnership Secretariat and originally published on Medium

Mongolia, the land-locked country with “Open Blue Skies”, I believe has tremendous potential to be a role model country for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), leveraging its huge development potential. Mongolia has tapped into its digital development potential, progressing on the path towards digital transformation. During my recent conversation on 5th September with the Minister for Digital Development, Innovation and Communications (MDDIC), H.E. Mr. Ts. Baatarkhuu, emphasizing Mongolia’s digital potential, he reaffirmed that "Mongolia is landlocked, but we are not mind-locked; we have limitless opportunities in a digital world." He is right. For Mongolia, digitalization is not just about introducing technology, it is an essential pre-requisite for achieving the SDGs. In a country as vast as Mongolia, a landlocked developing country (LLDC), with a population of less than 3.5 million and an area of over 1.5 million square kilometers, one of the least densely populated country in the World, digital connectivity once was a distant dream for many Mongolians. Yet, Mongolia has made significant progress in digitalization, becoming an exemplary case in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years. Highlights of Mongolia's Digital Successes: On September 18, 2024, the Government of Mongolia proudly announced its milestone in its digital journey, moving up to 46th place out of 193 countries in the UN’s E-Government Index, a significant leap from 74th in 2022 and 92nd in 2020. The report also highlights that 99% of Mongolia’s population is now covered by 4G/LTE connectivity, with 117.9 mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. This impressive progress is largely due to Mongolia’s commitment to becoming a Digital Nation, a mission it embarked on in 2020 with ambitious goals.At the heart of Mongolia’s digital transformation is the e-Mongolia platform, a comprehensive online portal that provides more than 1,170 government services to over 1.7 million citizens. This platform has overcome geographical barriers of remoteness and bureaucratic administrative and logistics challenges, making government services more accessible, time-efficient, and cost-effective.  Challenges on the Path to Digital AdvancementHowever, the country’s progress has been uneven across the country. As one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, Mongolia faces unique challenges in building a robust digital infrastructure, which is costly and difficult. Thus, providing reliable digital services to remote areas, where many herders still maintain a nomadic lifestyle, remains difficult and expensive.While Mongolia has made substantial improvements in its telecommunications infrastructure, which boosts connectivity, its human capital index, measuring digital skills and literacy, has seen a decline. Furthermore, Mongolia ranks 68th in the 2023 Global Innovation Index, highlighting the need for more efforts to foster digital innovation and inclusivity.A Holistic Approach to Accelerating Digital TransformationTo fully realize its vision of becoming a Digital Nation, Mongolia must adopt a holistic approach that addresses multiple dimensions of digitalization in a balanced way:Narrowing the Connectivity Gap: Despite impressive progress in digital infrastructure, remote areas of Mongolia still suffer from limited connectivity due to geographical challenges. Innovative solutions like satellite communication and internet services should be explored to ensure all communities have equal access to digital opportunities. Enhancing Digital Inclusion: It is crucial to make digital services accessible to all citizens, including marginalized groups such as people with disabilities. Alongside this, efforts must be made to improve digital literacy so that more citizens can benefit from these services and fully participate in a digital economy. The UN in Mongolia, together with the MDDIC, carries out a digitalization project funded by the Joint SDG Fund to spawn a digital demand-supply nexus in remote and underserved communities. It will equip local communities with digital accessibility and literacy, leading to digital inclusion of them and ultimately making them digitally self-sufficient and sustainable.Harnessing Emerging Digital Technologies: Mongolia must leverage cutting-edge technologies like big data and artificial intelligence to drive innovation and improve service delivery. At the same time, it must address the risks associated with these technologies, including data privacy, security threats, and potential social and economic exclusion. Promoting Digital Innovation: True digital transformation is about more than infrastructure; it is about integrating digital technologies across all sectors of the economy and society. Mongolia has taken an important step by adding an innovation portfolio to the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Innovation. This expansion aims to foster digital innovation across all sectors, driving sustainable development. Way Forward: UN’s commitment to support Mongolia to become a role model in digital transformationBy advancing digital connectivity, inclusion, and innovation, Mongolia can not only overcome its geographical challenges but also pave the way for sustainable, inclusive development for its citizens. Our UN team looks forward to continuing working alongside the Government of Mongolia to implement its digital commitments under the Global Digital Compact (GDC). Moreover, Mongolia’s leadership in the upcoming 10-Year Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries will be instrumental in promoting digital innovation and development across the region.Recently, in partnership with the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries (ITTLLDC), the UN in Mongolia helped launch a research and innovation network. This network aims to enhance the capacity of landlocked developing countries like Mongolia in digital transformation and evidence-based policymaking. The path to becoming a Digital Nation may be complex and challenging, but Mongolia’s progress thus far has been a testament to what is possible with the right vision, commitment, and partnerships. The UN stands ready to support Mongolia every step of the way as a steadfast partner. Spotlight Video: Featuring Mongolian Entrepreneur Ms. Khulan Davaadorj: Overcoming Challenges of Running Business in A Landlocked Developing Countries and Leveraging Digital International Payment Solutions   This blog is written with support from Sangwon Lim, RCO Mongolia Economist and Soyolmaa Dolgor, Communications and Advocacy Officer.

Final negotiations are underway in New York for this month’s Summit of the Future, where Heads of State will agree on reforms to the building blocks of global cooperation. The United Nations has convened this unique Summit because of a stark fact: global problems are moving faster than the institutions designed to solve them. We see this all around us. Ferocious conflicts and violence are inflicting terrible suffering; geopolitical divisions are rife; inequality and injustice are everywhere, corroding trust, compounding grievances, and feeding populism and extremism. The age-old challenges of poverty, hunger, discrimination, misogyny and racism are taking on new forms. Meanwhile, we face new and existential threats, from runaway climate chaos and environmental degradation to technologies like Artificial Intelligence developing in an ethical and legal vacuum. The Summit of the Future recognizes that the solutions to all these challenges are in our hands. But we need a systems update that only global leaders can deliver. International decision-making is stuck in a time warp. Many global institutions and tools are a product of the 1940s – an era before globalization, before decolonization, before widespread recognition of universal human rights and gender equality, before humanity travelled into space – never mind cyberspace. The victors of World War II still have pre-eminence in the UN Security Council while the entire continent of Africa lacks a permanent seat.  The global financial architecture is heavily weighted against developing countries and fails to provide a safety net when they face difficulties, leaving them drowning in debt, which drains money away from investments in their people.  And global institutions offer limited space for many of the major players in today’s world – from civil society to the private sector. Young people who will inherit the future are almost invisible, while the interests of future generations go unrepresented. The message is clear: we cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built for our grandparents. The Summit of the Future will be an opportunity to re-boot multilateral collaboration fit for the 21st century. The solutions we have proposed include a New Agenda for Peace focused on updating international institutions and tools to prevent and end conflicts, including the UN Security Council. The New Agenda for Peace calls for a renewed push to rid our world of nuclear arms and other Weapons of Mass Destruction; and for broadening the definition of security to encompass gender-based violence and gang violence. It takes future security threats into account, recognizing the changing nature of warfare and the risks of weaponizing new technologies. For example, we need a global agreement to outlaw so-called Lethal Autonomous Weapons that can take life-or-death decisions without human input. Global financial institutions must reflect today’s world and be equipped to lead a more powerful response to today’s challenges – debt, sustainable development, climate action.  That means concrete steps to tackle debt distress, increase the lending capacity of multilateral development banks, and change their business model so that developing countries have far more access to private finance at affordable rates. Without that finance, developing countries will not be able to tackle our greatest future threat: the climate crisis. They urgently need resources to transition from planet-wrecking fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy. And as leaders highlighted last year, reforming the global financial architecture is also key to jump-starting desperately needed progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. The Summit will also focus on new technologies with a global impact, seeking ways to close the digital divide and establish shared principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all. Artificial Intelligence is a revolutionary technology with applications and risks we are only beginning to understand. We have put forward specific proposals for governments, together with tech companies, academia and civil society, to work on risk management frameworks for AI and on monitoring and mitigating its harms, as well as sharing its benefits. The governance of AI cannot be left to the rich; it requires that all countries participate, and the UN is ready to provide a platform to bring people together.Human rights and gender equality are a common thread linking all these proposals. Global decision-making cannot be reformed without respect for all human rights and for cultural diversity, ensuring the full participation and leadership of women and girls. We are demanding renewed efforts to remove the historic barriers – legal, social and economic – that exclude women from power. The peacebuilders of the 1940s created institutions that helped prevent World War III and ushered many countries from colonization to independence. But they would not recognize today’s global landscape. The Summit of the Future is a chance to build more effective and inclusive institutions and tools for global cooperation, tuned to the 21st century and our multipolar world.  I urge leaders to seize it. 

Mongolia is considered a country of young people, with nearly one-third of the population comprised of vibrant and ambitious youth. Growing up in a developing country where young people witnessed both challenges and opportunities, they have great potential to lead the nation toward a more sustainable future when equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge.  Despite Mongolia's significant progress on multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), challenges remain in certain areas. Yet, “Youth can be a solution to our problems as they are a powerhouse and the main driver of positive change,” said Mr. Tapan Mishra, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mongolia.That’s why the UN Mongolia Country Team and its agencies have made collaborative efforts in recent years to empower youth through various educational and skills-building initiatives. UNICEF Mongolia: Young Girls Lead Mongolia’s Ambition to Become a Digital Nation16-year-old Miss. G.Anujin, a talented young mind, is one of the 30 girls selected for the Girls Code program supported by UNICEF Mongolia. Miss. Anujin has always been passionate about technology and computer science and wants to become a software engineer like her brother. “But I had no idea where to start or whom to ask for help. That’s why I was so excited to hear that I got accepted into the program,” she said with a big smile.The program is designed to empower young girls from all over Mongolia by teaching fundamentals of coding, English language, and STEM skills, with a broader influence on reducing gender inequality in the telecommunication and ITC sectors. All selected girls participated in a two-month-long intensive boot camp where they received basic coding lessons under the guidance of teachers from the School of Information and Communication Technology of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. Along with longer hours of studying and hard work to learn new skills, Miss. Anujin made good friends with other girls. “I was surprised to learn that most girls were from rural areas, a thousand kilometers away from the capital city. Besides, they face many obstacles to having a quality education, such as a lack of digital devices and internet connectivity; the girls had excellent leadership skills and dedication to become IT engineers,” she added.During the program, participants received mentoring from industry professionals and made field trips to Mongolian leading technology companies, where they gained valuable perspectives from those working in the field. According to Miss. Anujin, the most beneficial aspect of the whole program was developing websites based on the knowledge and skills acquired in the boot camp.This innovative initiative allows girls to recognize endless opportunities in STEM fields and truly inspires them to pursue ICT sector careers. Mongolia is putting effort into becoming a Digital Nation in the near future, and the girls are indeed future tech leaders.  UNFPA Mongolia: Transformative Initiatives help youth’s future to shine brightly Miss. E. Enkh-Ujin, a bright and ambitious child, is among the many who visit the Youth Development Center in Murun soum, Khuvsgul province. Since attending the Robokid training under the UNITEL HUB programme, she has assembled 20 types of robots, written code, and grasped the basic principles of electronics. Enkh-Ujin mentioned that the most captivating aspect of the course is the opportunity to test the theory taught in class in real life.Since 2013, UNFPA has established Youth Development Centers across Mongolia to provide youth and adolescents with life skills education, support development, and create opportunities for productive use of their free time. This initiative, continued by the Mongolian government, has resulted in a total of 45 centers in all aimags and districts, and in some soums, where youth development is supported and empowered.The Youth Development Centers have become popular spots for local adolescents and young people to spend their free time, study, and develop together. As a continuation of this initiative, UNFPA partnered with Unitel Group, a leading technology company in Mongolia, to establish UNITEL HUB in 12 provinces. UNITEL HUB offers programming courses, such as assembling robots and writing code, to develop the technical skills of adolescents and young people and provide a basic understanding of electronics. It also offers resources on sexual and reproductive health, as well as other online content, helping youth spend their free time productively and develop themselves.Since its establishment in 2023, a total of 700 adolescents and young people, including 110 girls, have participated in programming courses. Additionally, teachers from the Youth Development Centers are being trained and empowered as trainers to teach these courses.Even in remote areas where winter temperatures drop to negative 50 degrees, the future of adolescents and young people shines brightly. They eagerly explore new horizons, delve into the reasons behind phenomena, and access education and knowledge equally, contributing to their development.ILO Mongolia: Youth engagement to tackle labour dispute challenges   Mr. B. Sanjaa, a member of the Youth Committee of the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions, recently emerged as a winner of the Digital Solution Hackathon for Decent Work, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Supported by the EU-funded "SDG-aligned Budgeting to Transform Employment in Mongolia" project, the hackathon aimed to boost knowledge and awareness of labor rights among youth aged 18-34.For Mr. Sanjaa, this initiative is deeply personal. Reflecting on his own experiences, he shared, "When I got my first job, I had no understanding of labor rights and signed an employment contract without fully realizing what it entailed. Unfortunately, six months later, I was laid off and had to navigate labor disputes." Motivated by his story, Mr. Sanjaa and his team developed a project aimed at promoting freedom of association among young employees working in CU franchise convenience stores across Ulaanbaatar.As part of the project’s implementation, a survey was conducted to assess labor relations challenges among staff at the Bayangol District branches of CU convenience stores. Based on the findings, 30 employees participated in a tailored training program designed to enhance their skills and address the key labor issues identified.For their innovative efforts, Mr. Sanjaa’s team was awarded a $2,000 prize to further develop their initiative. Reflecting on his hackathon experience and field research, he emphasized the tough realities many young people face in the workforce. According to the ILO's 2024 World Economic and Social Outlook Trends report, young people aged 15 to 24 are 3.5 times more likely to be unemployed than adults. Often, young workers accept low-paying jobs under poor conditions just to gain work experience, putting them in a difficult position where they must choose between bad jobs or no jobs at all, as highlighted in the ILO’s 2024 guide on youth rights at work.Mr. Sanjaa believes that addressing these challenges requires active youth participation. "Solving this challenge is only possible through youth involvement and initiative," he said. "We, as young people, can't sit back and watch. We need to face the challenge, engage, and find solutions. The future of work demands that we have skills essential to the emerging economy, including decent work, green jobs, and digital competencies. We must be united in creating a positive work environment for every young person in Mongolia. Youth empowerment starts with decent work."Through initiatives like Mr. Sanjaa’s, Mongolia's youth are stepping up to shape a fairer, more equitable future of work.   UNDP Mongolia: Promoting STEM4ALL opportunities for the Future of Work Miss. A. Ariuntuya, a senior at public school #67, participated in the #STEM4All workshop organized by UNDP's Accelerator Lab in collaboration with the Business Innovation Agency of Ulaanbaatar. During the full day of workshops, she engaged in many interesting activities and science experiments. “I created an anti-gravity wheel and felt very good about it. It was a discovery that physics classes can be so exciting when combined with real-world experiences,” she described. #STEM4ALL is a global initiative launched by UNDP to empower youth in the STEM field and ensure their active participation in the country’s development.Promoting STEM opportunities is also crucial for the future workforce in Mongolia. With 180 million jobs, predominantly held by women, expected to be automated in the next 20 years, and 90% of future jobs requiring digital skills rooted in STEM, reskilling and upskilling the youth is imperative. UNDP is actively promoting gender equality and the representation of women and girls in STEM to meet the demands of the future of work.Before joining the STEM class, Miss. Ariuntuya had a different idea about her future career. As her relatives and close ones recommended more “female” professions, she wanted to become an actress. However, STEM4ALL and other science classes completely changed her mind, and now she has decided to pursue a career as a medical doctor. Her story showcases the magical influence of promoting STEM to bridge the gender gap in the field.   FAO Mongolia: Engaging Youth in Climate Action Through Hackathons Miss J. Gantuya, a researcher at the Research Institute of Animal Husbandry in Mongolia, led Team SPLICING to success in the 2023 FAO-UNDP SCALA hackathon for the Asia and Pacific region. The event, which encourages young talent to tackle environmental challenges, inspired Gantuya and her team to create a mobile app aimed at improving livestock management in Mongolia.The app allows herders to input livestock data—such as species, age, and sex—into their phones, providing customized management advice to optimize herd productivity. This innovation not only helps herders manage their herds more effectively but also contributes to climate resilience in Mongolia. Team SPLICING’s hard work earned them a US$2,000 prize, but they’re not stopping there. Gantuya is collaborating with the FAO ELEVATE innovation fund and the FAO Regional Office to further develop the app and expand its reach. For Gantuya, this project is about more than technology—it's about empowering herders and making a tangible impact in the fight against climate change.