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12 September 2024
WORLD LEADERS MUST RE-BOOT GLOBAL COOPERATION FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW
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10 September 2024
Shaping the Future: Equipping Mongolian Youth with 21st Century Skills
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Press Release
06 September 2024
National Stakeholders’ Consultation on Sustainable Development Goals Prepares Mongolia for the UN 'Summit of the Future
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Mongolia
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Mongolia:
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11 June 2024
Supporting Herders in Crisis: Humanitarian Aid for Mongolia's Dzud-Affected Communities
Mongolia experienced one of the most extreme winters in 2023-2024, resulting in the death of over 7.4 million animals and leaving thousands of herders impoverished. The Humanitarian Country Team in Mongolia, led by the UN Resident Coordinator, responded to the dzud-affected herders. A total of USD 10.6 million was raised and is being distributed to the most affected areas and populations to address urgent needs.A team led by Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator, visited Sukhbaatar and Khentii provinces—areas hit hardest by the dzud. They observed the aftermath and its impacts on the herders, and discussed ways to support and build resilience among herders facing future climatic hardships.Here is a brief video report showcasing the harsh reality faced by these vulnerable herders.
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21 June 2023
Narrowing Mongolia’s trade-led development gaps and tapping into its export potential
As a landlocked country, Mongolia faces a multitude of challenges in trade and export. Its export is largely dependent on mineral resources and primarily as raw material. Yet, we see tremendous opportunities to tap into the potential in trade and export with possible value-added processing, leveraging the advancement in digitalization, which will boost economic diversification and reduce reliance on the mineral sector.
After a few years of setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mongolian economy has shown a sign of recovery in 2022 despite the impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Trade turnover for 2022 increased 32 per cent from that of 2021, helping Mongolia enjoy 4.8 per cent economic growth in 2022.
However, such recovery comes from regaining trade in a specific sector with a particular trading partner - minerals and China. Over 90 per cent of Mongolia’s export items are minerals, while China counts for more than 80 per cent of Mongolia’s total export. This represents a chronically narrow-based Mongolia’s trade structure, making its economy vulnerable to external shocks.
Furthermore, Mongolia, with its geographical disadvantage of being landlocked, suffers from higher costs and a longer time in transportation and trade logistics, moving its goods across borders. Mongolia, suffering from multi-faceted trade challenges, underperforms in the global market despite its huge trade potential.
According to the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation 2021, Mongolia stands far lower than the Asia-Pacific regional as well as global averages in implementation. Mongolia’s trade is the least integrated with the world. While it is a member of WTO, it is a party to merely two regional trade agreements – the Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan and the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA).
Trade and logistics connectivity of Mongolia is significantly constrained. In World Bank’s latest Logistics Performance Index, Mongolia ranked 97th globally. In UNCTAD’s productive capacities index, capacity of a country to produce goods and services and enable it to grow and develop, Mongolia ranked 94th globally.
International trade has been the backbone of Mongolia’s economic growth. Its trade-to-GDP ratio has stood consistently at over 100 per cent. While domestic market expansion is one way of increasing a country’s economic growth, it is not an easy option for Mongolia, as it is a country with a relatively small population spreading over a huge territory.
Given that Mongolia has a limited domestic market base and tremendous natural resources to supply to the global market, trade-led economic growth is an obvious resort for which Mongolia should strive.
In driving trade-led economic development, Mongolia should take a holistic approach of enhancing its capacity in all four dimensions of trade:
Facilitation of streamlined procedures, which reduces trade costs.
Integration which accelerates Mongolia’s access to the global market, thus supporting its third neighbour policy.
Connectivity links its physical and digital networks to the World for an easier flow of its goods and services. and
Promotion helps Mongolia cultivate the export market, attracting investment and diversifying industries.
By taking such a holistic approach, Mongolia can address the challenges and leverage the untapped potential effectively. In strengthening Mongolia’s capacity in four dimensions, five cross-cutting enablers: policy/governance, human and financial resource, infrastructure, digitalization, and cooperation – should be levelled up to narrow capacity gaps and create a virtuous trade ecosystem.
The clear policy lays a foundation for creating a trade ecosystem while governance ensures its sustainability.
The human and financial resource is an engine for driving the implementation of a trade eco-system and keeping it operational.
Infrastructure, both soft and hard, stands as a backbone to ensure a seamless flow of goods and services.
Digitalization streamlines the way we do business and fosters new digital services and businesses.
Cooperation firms up linkage of Mongolia’s trade ecosystem to those of overseas trading partners for market expansion.
Recognized as one of the means of implementation for the SDGs, trade is directly related to supporting one of three strategic priorities of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) Mongolia for 2023 – 2027- green, inclusive, and sustainable growth. As a joint strategic planning framework for collaboration between the United Nations and the Government of Mongolia, the UNSDCF is aligned with the national sustainable development priorities of Mongolia, set in both the New Recovery Policy, a mid-term policy, and Mongolia’s Vision-2050, a long-term development policy.
Trade is an important instrument for realizing two of the New Recovery Policy, recovery of operations of border ports and industrial recovery, as well as goal 4 of Vision 2050 – becoming a nation with sustainable economic growth.
The United Nations in Mongolia is committed to supporting the Government of Mongolia in narrowing trade development gaps and shaping up its trade ecosystem for sustainable development – an effort to continuously improve trade efficiency while diversifying its export markets and products.
In 2023, the United Nations in Mongolia has already embarked on a series of serious efforts on this front. The Global Digital Dialogue 2023 with a focus on trade and e-Commerce was organized in connection with the launch of the eT Ready report for improving Mongolia’s overall e-Commerce environment and the ICT Expo 2023: Mindgolia for accelerating Mongolia’s transition from mine-centric to mind-driven economy. The World Export Development Forum (WEDF) 2023 will be organized in the last week of June to help cultivate the unrealized export potential. All of them are being done in close partnership with UN agencies with proven professional expertise and experience in Trade, such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and International Trade Centre (ITC), as well as with the leadership of the Government of Mongolia.
The United Nations in Mongolia will stand as a strong partner in Mongolia’s trade development journey, in close coordination and cooperation with all relevant stakeholders and key players, including related United Nations agencies and other Development Partners.
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18 April 2023
Humanitarian Country Team in Mongolia helped herders affected by dzud
Together with Deputy Prime Minister S. Amarsaikhan, Mr. Mishra visited herders in Ugiinuur and Tuvshruulekh soum, Arkhangai aimag to be acquainted with the devastating impact of the dzud that occurred in the last winter and continued through this spring.
Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), consisting of international organizations, has mobilized humanitarian assistance under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, and provided cash and in-kind support to more than 15,000 affected herder households in 240 soums of 21 provinces.
The loss of animals was expected to exceed 2 million, however, partly thanks to the early action and response by the joint efforts by the Government of Mongolia and the HCT, the loss has been contained so far to 1 million, according to NEMA officials.
Although herders tried their best to prepare for hardships in winter, they weren't able to save hay and fodder for their livestock due to drought in the summer that caused pasture degradation and increasing commodity prices. Many herders suffered heavy loss of animals during the winter and spring.
For instance, Mr Kh.Tumurbaatar, herder from Doit bagh (village) of Ugiinuur soum lost around 50 of his 200 animals. Mr A.Myagmar owned more than 1000 animals. But as of now, he lost around 70 per cent of his total livestock.
"It's heartbreaking to see the loss of livestock that brought enormous threats to the livelihoods of herders who suffered from the continued dzuds over the winter and spring", said Tapan Mishra.
"We must focus our efforts on prevention and preparedness rather than a response to disasters" added Tapan Mishra.
He further emphasized the importance of joint and coordinated efforts and policy support to build the resilience of herders to the natural shocks through comprehensive measures, including improving the quality of herds, value-added products development of the raw materials, and green fodder and feed production that would yield higher productivity of the animal husbandry.
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Publication
14 July 2022
United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027) Mongolia
The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2023-2027) represents the joint strategic planning framework for collaboration between the United Nations and the Government of Mongolia in the next five years.
The UNSDCF represents the UN development system’s collective offer to support countries in addressing key nationalized SDG priorities and gaps.
By mutually committing to the UNSDCF for Mongolia 2023-2027, the Government of Mongolia and the UN agreed to work together for Mongolia to advance in sustainable development as a prosperous country characterized by an inclusive, resilient, healthy, and safe environment, and a cohesive society based on the rule of law and human rights.
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07 September 2023
National Forum for Sustainable Development
The Government of Mongolia, in partnership with the UN in Mongolia, brought together more than 220 delegates, representing all groups of society and development partners to finalize Mongolia's National Commitment to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs at the National Forum for Sustainable Development, held on 7 September.
This paves the way for Mongolia to present its national renewed commitment to the SDGs along with 12 accelerators that will push forward the country's efforts to sustainable development at the SDG Summit on 18-19 September in New York.
Keynote presentation by Mr. L.Balchinluvsan, Director-General of the Integrated Policy and Planning Department, the Ministry of Economy and Development:
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SDGs are everyone's business. In particular, the private sector plays an enormous role in achieving SDGs as it drives the economy and growth. Thus, this forum provided a stage for the local leading businesses to present their contribution and best practices to the SDGs.
Learn more about the Forum from Montsame - the media partner of the event.
Video Highlights from the Forum
APU Dairy presentation on its contribution to food security and healthy and nutritious food for the population
Khan Bank - national leading bank to sustainable development presents its commitment
Presentation of Golomt Bank - committed to invest for a brighter future of Mongolia
Invescore presents its commitment to SME development
MCS Coca-Cola presents its commitment to SDGs
The UN in Mongolia calls on individuals and communities, and businesses to Unite to Act for SDGs!
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12 September 2024
WORLD LEADERS MUST RE-BOOT GLOBAL COOPERATION FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW
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.
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10 September 2024
Shaping the Future: Equipping Mongolian Youth with 21st Century Skills
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.
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22 August 2024
Deputy Secretary- General Amina J. Mohammed visits Mongolia
The United Nations family in Mongolia is honored to welcome Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, who is on an official visit to Mongolia at the invitation of President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. During her visit, Ms. Mohammed delivered the opening remarks at the World Women’s Forum 2024, held under the auspices of President Khurelsukh on August 22-23 in Ulaanbaatar. The forum brought together high-level delegations from over 19 countries, alongside senior representatives from more than 20 UN entities and other international organizations, to address the opportunities and challenges women face worldwide in contributing to a green and prosperous future for all. A strong advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment, Ms. Mohammed called on the international community to unite in prioritizing gender equality in all global agendas. “As we advance towards the Summit of the Future next month and the Beijing+30 review, the urgency of embedding the principles of gender equality and women’s empowerment in every aspect of the SDGs cannot be overstated,” she emphasized in her address. During her visit, the Deputy Secretary-General engaged in several high-level meetings, including with President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, Speaker of the Great Khural of Mongolia Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, and President of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar. The UN family in Mongolia had the pleasure of hosting Ms. Mohammed at the UN House, where she was briefed on the key achievements and outcomes of the UN's work in the country. UN Mongolia staff had a brief, but engaging time with the UN DSG.
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12 August 2024
Leaving No One Behind: Reaching Out to the Most Unreached Ethnic Minorities
On August 1st, UN Resident Coordinator Tapan Mishra embarked on a challenging three-day journey, which included a seven-hour horseback ride, to reach the Tsaatan people—reindeer herders living in Mongolia's mountainous taiga region in the north. He was determined to meet the Tsaatan people to experience their livelihoods, understand their challenges, and listen to their aspirations. Mr. Mishra engaged in meaningful discussions with the Tsaatan communities in the Mengebulag area of the western Taiga in Tsagaannuur soum, Khuvsgul aimag. The reindeer herders openly voiced their concerns and challenges. While they take great pride in their unique culture and traditions, which they strive to preserve and pass on to future generations, they face significant challenges.Living 30 km from the nearest settlement, their most pressing issue is access to health services. Mr. B. Naranjargal, the host of the Resident Coordinator, mentioned that it would take at least a day or two to get a doctor to their camp in case of a medical emergency. Furthermore, there is no digital connectivity to contact services in the valley.Mrs. B. Bolormaa shared her dream of providing her children with quality education in the soum center, which boasts fully-equipped learning facilities and a comfortable dormitory. However, soum governor B. Tseren-Ochir highlighted that the soum school building, constructed by local craftsmen in 2000, is far from meeting standard school facility requirements. The school dormitory’s heating system is non-functional during the harsh winters when temperatures drop to -40°C, forcing young children to use outdoor pit latrines. The UN Resident Coordinator emphasized the urgent need to address the heating system to create a better environment for the Tsaatan and Darkhad herders’ children in the dormitory, ensuring their right to quality education. While in Taiga, Mr. Mishra observed the significant economic potential for the Tsaatan people through well-managed sustainable eco-culture tourism."The entire Taiga region, with its pristine nature, diverse wildlife, and unique reindeer-raising nomads, is an attractive sustainable tourism product that, if well-organized and supported, can bring substantial development benefits to the people in this region," said Mr. Mishra.In addition, other challenges like water, sanitiation and hygiene, balanced diet and nutrition supported by effective food systems, as well as waste management to protect the environment also need to be given due attention and importance. He further stressed the importance and urgency of improving their livelihoods through the provision of services and development opportunities, leveraging science, technology innovations, and digital connectivity. "As the UN, we are here to understand how to support the Tsaatan people in joining the journey of sustainable and inclusive development, ensuring their human rights are protected and that we achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Mongolia, leaving no one behind," emphasized Mr. Mishra.
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05 March 2024
Celebrating Mongolian Women's Resilience and Leadership
On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2024, the UN Mongolia shines a spotlight on some outstanding women and girls who have demonstrated resilience, dedication, and leadership in Mongolia. The UN Mongolia is proud to stand with them as they embark on the journey to overcome the hurdles ahead and strive for a better future, not only for themselves but also for the communities and societies they are a part of.Breaking the vicious cycle of gender-based violence Meet Ms. Bolor (her name has been changed for her safety), who bravely escaped with her three children, aged 2 to 12 years old, from her abusive husband. She found much-needed refuge in a haven where she was welcomed with the reassuring words, "You are safe here." At the one-stop-service center, Bolor and her children received not only warm shelter, food, and clothes but also psychological support as she coped with the physical and mental traumas from her abusive marriage.Bolor is one of thousands of women who not only find shelter but also receive assistance to break the cycle of violence at One Stop Service Centers/shelters. Here, in addition to ensuring their safety, the government offers seven types of services, including primary health care, social and psychological counseling, and legal services.Thanks to the eleven One-Stop-Service Centers established between 2016 and 2023 within the project "Combatting Gender-based Violence in Mongolia," implemented by UNFPA in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, survivors of gender-based violence receive protection and safety and find the courage to rebuild their lives. More than 90% of women visiting the One Stop Service Centers/shelters come with their children, and as of 2023, 3037 out of the total 4037 service receivers from the Centers were minors. UNFPA Mongolia continues to provide professional training and necessary support to the One Stop Service Centers/shelters’ staff in gender-based violence prevention, protection, and GBV risk mitigation.Empowering women with entrepreneurship skills Meet Ms. Nomin, a pig farmer and mother of five who recently migrated from Tuv province to Nalaikh district in Ulaanbaatar. Rebuilding her life in a new land alongside her husband and children was no easy task. They purchased a small plot of land, where they built their house and a pigsty, embarking on a journey they never imagined they would undertake.The idea of starting a pig farm dawned on Nomin during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid the prolonged lockdown in Mongolia, the government provided each citizen with 300,000 MNT to mitigate the pandemic's impact. With this assistance, Nomin's family purchased four piglets and a young hog in 2021. Today, they care for 50 pigs.Nomin continually sought to improve her pig genetics with high-quality breeds, aspiring to modernize her farm into a commercial enterprise. Expanding pigsties, enhancing water supply, planting vegetables, and installing fencing signify her commitment to advanced farming practices.Despite her efforts, Nomin was yet to become the entrepreneur she envisioned. In March 2023, she joined a “Shudarga Dens” Tuv NGO project supported by IOM Mongolia, which aimed to assist migrant women's businesses. Through entrepreneurship training, she qualified as a top participant, earning a grant. With this support, she acquired essential equipment like a meat saw and vacuum packing machine, expanding her business.Equipped with new tools, Nomin has transformed her pigsty into a successful business, boosting her family's income. She aims to expand her pig population, produce meat products, and increase sales. Benefiting from IOM Mongolia's project, she now processes and vacuum-packs meat, enhancing their income and meeting the demand for quality meat in urban and rural areas.Investing in women herders and developing a niche camel-milk value chain P. Munkhdul is a dedicated camel herder living in the Dundgobi region. She and her family tend to a herd of 400 camels. Embracing innovation and community support, Munkhdul became a member of the first camel herders’ cooperative established through the SDG-BE project, funded by EU and implemented by FAO, ILO and UNDP. FAO aims to develop the camel-milk value chain and uplift local camel herders by connecting them with the private sector. Munkhdul contributes her valuable camel milk to this chain, enhancing the local economy and sustainability.Munkhdul's journey into camel husbandry began in her youth. Initially, she perceived camel milking as a daunting task that demanded considerable physical strength and dexterity. However, years of experience have honed her skills to perfection. Her efforts culminated last year when she supplied an impressive 20 tons of camel milk, earning national recognition for her achievement. "It feels great to be acknowledged for my work. In addition to milking, I also produce over ten different dairy products from camel milk so that my family can enjoy this healthy food," Munkhdul shares. Acknowledged for its nutritional benefits, camel milk has been the focus of various studies, underscoring its importance to both health and heritage.Bridging the digital divide - reaching remote areas with digital skills “I will be a software engineer!” says Bujmaa, a 15-year-old girl from Khankh soum, Khuvsgul province – a small community over 1000 km away from the capital city. “Even though I am a girl, I have big dreams to write codes and create software and applications”.A Bujmaa is one of the few girls in the ICT club established for the first time with UNICEF support at secondary schools in Mongolia to enhance students’ extracurricular activities. During the pandemic, many children across Mongolia especially those from remote areas like Khankh were unable to access distance learning due to a lack of access to technologies and/or the ability to beneficially use those for extracting information and facilitating knowledge.To support children with their digital skills and provide equal education to all, UNICEF partnered with the leading mobile operator Mobicom on the “Smart Education” initiative. The company helped establish digital classrooms with better internet connection in eight schools across Mongolia. UNICEF brings, through the School for Asia initiative, trainings on digital literacy skills, hybrid teaching methodologies and the use of technological devices and development of digital contents for teachers and children from secondary schools in these classes. Mongolia considers digital transformation as a critical means to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 and sees UNICEF as one of the strategic partners in this area. Redefining Leadership: Beyond Gender Stereotypes Meet three women, B. Battsetseg, B. Tserenlkham and B. Oyunbileg, who dare to challenge gender stereotypes and champion their peers in leadership. In Mongolia, grassroots initiatives are actively working to challenge age-old patriarchal values and norms that perpetuate gender-based stereotypes mainly focused on the capital city. One of such initiatives responding to this need is Women’s Leadership Network of Mongolia (the Network), a nationwide grassroots movement with almost 2,000 members supporting each other across political affiliation, initiated under UNDP’s project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency.Joining the network, more and more women are believing in themselves, dismantling the gender stereotypes imposed by men on women, says B. Battsetseg. “We encourage a shift in the attitudes of women themselves.”“Through the Network, I am gaining confidence as a leader along with change in my perceptions towards politics,” says B. Tserenlkham. B. Oyunbileg wants more women to support and encourage one another when they decide to pursue a leadership role instead of casting doubts about their abilities or concerns about family and reputation.The Network is among a number of initiatives being implemented with support from the project. The project also provided substantial support to Mongolia in adopting a 30 percent gender quota in the 2024 elections, followed by a 40 percent quota in 2028 in its Election Law from 20 percent. This legislative change opened doors to many special measures such as zipper list, waivers of nomination fees effective changes in promoting women’s political participation.
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Press Release
06 September 2024
National Stakeholders’ Consultation on Sustainable Development Goals Prepares Mongolia for the UN 'Summit of the Future
In his opening remarks, Mr. Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator emphasized that this consultative engagement is a crucial platform to ensure that Mongolia has a unified voice on the global stage, stating:“The Summit of the Future recognizes that the solutions to all development challenges are in our hands.” The consultation brought together representatives from key stakeholder groups, including the government, private sector, academia, youth, and civil society, to collectively envision Mongolia’s path toward inclusive and sustainable development.During the discussion, the Ministry of Economy and Development presented Mongolia’s Medium-term Policies for Sustainable Development, outlining the nation’s plans and aspirations for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are integrated into the country’s broader development agenda.Mr. Balchinluvsan L., Head of the Integrated Development Policy and Planning Department of the Ministry, emphasized that "leaving no one behind" – the core principle of sustainable development – ensures that everyone benefits from progress. “As a priority of our human development policy, we are committed to implementing development strategies that are tailored to the needs of all population groups,” he said. Participants explored the key topics to be addressed at the upcoming Summit of the Future, preparing actionable recommendations for the Government of Mongolia to incorporate into its medium- and long-term development policies and programs. Discussions focused on accelerating SDG implementation, financing sustainable development, enhancing the role of the private sector, and strengthening partnerships to ensure comprehensive and inclusive progress. The importance of leveraging science, technology, digital transformation, and innovation to achieve the SDGs was highlighted, with a special focus on the role of youth as drivers of future development. The insights, recommendations, and solutions put forth during the consultation will be presented to the Government of Mongolia for integration into national development strategies, and subsequently, will form part of Mongolia’s contribution to the Summit of the Future in New York.The Summit of the Future is a high-level event that will bring world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how to build a better present and safeguard the future. This once-in-a-generation opportunity aims to restore trust in international cooperation, demonstrating that it can effectively tackle both longstanding and emerging global challenges.Here are the highlights of the consultation in a video: To learn more: https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-futureHere are photos of the consultation:
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Press Release
04 September 2024
Empowering Landlocked Developing Countries: New Research and Innovation Network Launched for Sustainable Development
In May 2024, the UN Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO) Mongolia and the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries (ITTLLDC) signed a Declaration of Intent to collaborate strategically in supporting Mongolia’s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a pilot LLDC model, with potential for replication in other LLDCs. As part of this partnership, the UNRCO Mongolia and ITTLLDC co-organized the International Forum on Facilitating LLDCs’ Sustainable and Digital Transformation on 14-15 August 2024, in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications (MDDIC) of the Government of Mongolia.The forum featured key events, including the Global Digital Dialogue (GDD) 2024 and a consultation meeting focused on establishing a Research and Innovation Network for LLDCs under the ITTLLDC. Experts and researchers from Mongolia and beyond participated in the consultation meeting, finalizing the terms of reference for the new network. This global network will support the ITTLLDC’s core activities in research, capacity building, and policy advocacy, while fostering strategic partnerships with other networks to promote sustainable development in LLDCs. Key areas of focus will include trade, transport, economic diversification, and digital transformation/innovation.UN Resident Coordinator for Mongolia, Mr. Tapan Mishra, highlighted that “LLDCs suffer from higher trade and transport costs and limited access to the world market due to their geographical disadvantage. At the same time, LLDCs need a support for human capacity development, as they score far below the world average in human development index,” He further added that “Being duly aware of LLDCs’ special needs, the United Nations has consistently supported LLDCs, like Mongolia, with tailored programs, including the 10-Year Program of Action for LLDCs, which is set to be renewed this year. I am confident that the newly established network will enhance the capacity of LLDCs to achieve the SDGs and contribute to the implementation of the upcoming 10-Year Program of Action for LLDCs.” Mr. Dulguun Damdin-Od, Executive Director of ITTLLDC, also emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, “This network is a much-needed asset for us to effectively support LLDCs in improving human development and addressing the economic and social impacts of their geographical challenges. We will soon issue a call for participation to attract experts and researchers from around the world to contribute to the network.”ITTLLDC: In accordance with the Multilateral Agreement for the Establishment of an International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries, the International Think Tank for LLDCs (ITTLLDC) was established in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in 2009 with Mongolia being a host country. The objective of the ITTLLDC is to use top-quality research and advocacy to improve the ability of landlocked developing countries to build capacity with the ultimate aim of raising human development and reducing poverty.UNRCO Mongolia: The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2018 to reposition the United Nations Development System with a stronger, better-defined collective identity as a trusted, reliable, cohesive, accountable, and effective partner to the country within the 2030 Agenda. The UN system in Mongolia is led by UN Resident Coordinator, who is the highest-ranking development official to represent the UN system in the country and lead the UN Country Team. The Resident Coordinator is supported by the Resident Coordinator’s Office, which coordinates activities related to common programming including Agenda 2030, joint programmes, joint programming activities, and development coordination work.For more information: 1. D. Soyolmaa, UNRCO Communications and Advocacy Officer, United Nations Resident Coordinator Office Mongolia (Email: Soyolmaa.dolgor@un.org)2. Dulguun Damdin-Od, International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries (Email: thinktank@land-locked.org)
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Press Release
29 April 2024
The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund Provides Humanitarian Assistance of USD 1.55 Million to Dzud-Affected Herders in Mongolia
The Humanitarian Country Team has identified over 200,000 people in need, with 77,000 of the most vulnerable individuals targeted to receive in-kind and cash assistance. This year’s dzud has resulted in the deaths of more than 7.19 million livestock, driving thousands of herders into dire situations. A study by the National Statistics Office has noted the enduring impacts of dzuds on herders’ livelihoods, as well as on the health and education of their children continue for up to three years.“The emergency relief assistance will support the most affected herders in addressing their most urgent immediate needs, focusing on safeguarding their health and mental well-being, food and nutrition, and education. We are confident that this joint UN assistance will support the government-led response and provide multi-sectoral support to vulnerable people,” said Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator.The UN’s assistance will be dispersed through three UN agencies (FAO - $700,000, UNFPA – $350,000, and UNICEF – $500,000) in Mongolia, targeting 12,050 people, including the most affected herders, children, and people with disabilities in rural areas. Responses include cash and voucher assistance, and psychological, educational, and nutritional support, with a focus on livelihood restoration for targeted herder households, particularly vulnerable populations.Specifically, the humanitarian intervention will be distributed to 72 soums in the nine most affected aimags in Mongolia. Among them, 2000 herder households will receive cash as humanitarian aid to help them recover. Through the facilitation of FAO in Mongolia, over 2 million vaccines for livestock are being distributed to maintain their health and sustain them during the current dzud.A significant portion of the funds is dedicated to supporting the well-being of herder women and children in rural areas. UNICEF will provide multiple nutrition supplements to up to 6700 children, while 3300 pregnant and lactating women will receive nutrient supplements. Additionally, UNICEF will supply learning packages to over 2000 children to support their studies.UNFPA will provide support to over 4000 women, young and adolescent girls, many of whom live in school dormitories away from their homes, with dignity kits containing essential hygiene and feminine products. Much of UNFPA's support will focus on creating safe spaces in rural communities for women and girls affected by natural disasters/emergencies, where they can socialize, and have access to mental health and psychological support, and counselling. Moreover, UNFPA will invest in building the capacity of local health and social workers to strengthen their knowledge and skills in the provision of sexual and reproductive health services, and psychosocial support and to prevent any physical, sexual, and psychological violence. The UN Mongolia stands with the people and government of Mongolia, offering its collective commitment to responding to and addressing the most urgent humanitarian needs, as well as supporting the country’s long-term development agenda to achieve resilient and sustainable development, leaving no one behind.
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Press Release
28 March 2024
Joint Steering Committee of the Government of Mongolia and the United Nations Convenes to Review UN system development cooperation progress
The purpose of this meeting is to review the progress of the UN interventions in Mongolia within the UNSDCF to contribute to sustainable, green, and inclusive development. Currently, 23 UN agencies are signatories to the UNSDCF and are committed to contributing to the following strategic priorities:Human development and well-beingGreen, Inclusive, and Sustainable GrowthPeople-centered Governance, Rule of Law, and Human RightsAt the JSC meeting, the UN presented its Annual Results Report of the implementation of the Cooperation Framework, highlighting the significant progress made in 2023 towards achieving the goals mentioned above. In 2023, the UN system in Mongolia implemented 158 programs and projects, totaling USD 51.4 million. Notable achievements include improvements in the quality of life for 250,000 elderly individuals, advancements in drinking water sanitation facilities for over 71,000 people, and significant increases in camel milk product exports and private sector investments. More than 92,000 urban residents in ger districts benefited from improved flood-resilient sanitation facilities and the building of flood protection dams. Additionally, our efforts led to the rehabilitation of 49,000 hectares of degraded rangelands and the adoption of improved pasture management practices in 82,000 hectares. Furthermore, the UN’s policy support played a pivotal role in the adoption of the new election law enabling a 30% gender quota for the 2024 elections.The JSC members were also introduced to the priorities of the UN work in the coming years. The UN agencies are joining their resources and efforts to make the development efforts more impactful and achieve greater system-wide coherence that supports national priorities and needs.In 2023, Mongolia pledged its renewed commitment to accelerate SDGs at the SDG Summit held in September 2023 in New York, based on its Second Voluntary National Review that was elaborated in wide national consultation. In his closing remarks, Mr. Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator, emphasized that the UN in Mongolia stands ready to support Mongolia to achieve sustainable and equitable development, leaving no one behind.Representatives of the diplomatic community and development partners were invited as observers to this Joint Steering Committee meeting.
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Press Release
22 February 2024
Humanitarian Efforts Intensify as Mongolia Grapples with Dzud
Mongolian authorities requested the Humanitarian Country Team, consisting of UN agencies, and international and national humanitarian organizations in the country, to support the country’s efforts in better preparedness, anticipatory actions and response to address the forthcoming crisis.Led by Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator, the HCT has intensified its coordinated efforts to provide vital support to affected herders, in close collaboration with the State Emergency Commission and other government agencies. The Government’s request underscored the urgent needs of herder households for essential necessities such as food, medical supplies, firewood, coal, and cash assistance. Responding to the call, the HCT released the Dzud Early Action and Response Plan for 2023/2024 which identifies over 150,000 people in dire need of support, with 33,000 individuals classified as the most vulnerable. The HCT's assistance includes life-saving aid in the form of cash assistance, medical supplies, dignity and hygiene kits, hay and fodder, fuel, and psychological support.“I am particularly concerned that of these, around 33,400 are women, men, girls, and boys who need urgent humanitarian support and ensure their continuity of access to critical services,” said Tapan Mishra. Despite significant efforts, the road ahead remains challenging, necessitating continued commitment and cooperation from all stakeholders. With USD 1.8 million already raised to assist herder households, further support is urgently needed. To mobilize the necessary resources, the HCT, through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is appealing to the international community for additional assistance. Tapan Mishra emphasizes the importance of international solidarity and the mobilization of resources to prevent further deterioration of humanitarian needs in Mongolia. Urging generous support for the people of Mongolia, Mishra stresses the critical role of the humanitarian community in addressing the immediate needs and building a more resilient future for the country's rural communities.In addition to immediate relief efforts, the HCT is prioritizing long-term resilience building by fostering collaboration among the government and international organizations to strengthen humanitarian and development efforts to further mitigate the impact of future crises. Despite early preparedness actions taken by both herders and the government, solidarity and support from the international community are essential to mitigate risks and ensure the welfare and resilience of Mongolia's population. Download the Dzud Early Action and Response Plan for 2023/2024
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Latest Resources
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Resources
14 July 2022
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