The country is vulnerable to devastating droughts, harsh winters known as dzuds, and the relentless expansion of deserts, deeply impacting people’s livelihoods, health, and the economy. These challenges are further compounded by climate change, with rising temperatures and dwindling water sources causing widespread ecosystem damage and biodiversity loss.In response, the Government of Mongolia turned to the CADRI Partnership for support. Since 2023, they have been working together to identify critical actions and investments to strengthen disaster risk reduction (DRR) and early warning systems to safeguard the nation’s people, ecosystems, and economy from future threats.A unique risk landscape and challenge for sustainable developmentCADRI Secretariat, 2023Nestled between Russia and China, Mongolia’s vast landscapes — from towering mountains to the expansive Gobi Desert — face growing climate-related risks that are reshaping the country’s future. Home to 3.4 million people, with nearly half living in the capital, Ulaanbaatar (the world’s ‘coldest capital city’), Mongolia’s unique geography is increasingly threatened by hazards including droughts, dzuds, dust storms, floods, and earthquakes.Rising temperatures and water scarcity continue to pose significant threats to agriculture, livestock, livelihoods, and ecosystems. As climate change accelerates, Mongolia’s rural communities, reliant on farming and livestock, are bearing the brunt of these risks, creating urgent challenges for public health, the environment, and the economy.Developing a robust disaster risk management systemDuring recent decades, Mongolia has made significant progress in establishing a disaster risk management system. The establishment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in 2003 — through merging the Civil Defense Organization, Fire Fighting Department, and State Reserve Department — marked a key milestone in strengthening Mongolia’s DRR capabilities. Operating under the updated 2017 Law on Disaster Protection, NEMA aligns with global frameworks including the Sendai Framework for DRR and Mongolia’s Vision 2050 development policy.Representatives of Local Emergency Management Agencies (LEMAs) | CADRI Secretariat, 2023In 2017, Mongolia also established a multi-stakeholder institutional framework for DRR (National Council on DRR) and response (Emergency Commission) at national and local levels. Over time, the country has improved its risk assessment, emergency response, and integration of DRR into sectors like education and housing, building a more resilient system to address increasing risks.Laying the groundwork for a collaborative approach to assessing Mongolia’s DRR capacitiesDespite progress, there remains an urgent and growing need to strengthen disaster preparedness and risk reduction systems in Mongolia. In response, in May 2023 NEMA requested the support of the CADRI Partnership to assess and enhance the country’s capacities to manage and reduce disaster and climate risks.In June 2023, the CADRI team, in collaboration with NEMA and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Mongolia, conducted a hybrid scoping mission to define the assessment’s objectives, methodology, and timeline. This mission engaged key stakeholders — including government ministries, local authorities, the UN Country Team, civil society, and private sector partners — ensuring the process was tailored to Mongolia’s socio-economic context and risk governance priorities.The CADRI Team and UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Mongolia during the scoping mission | CADRI Secretariat, 2023A unified effort to strengthen Mongolia’s disaster and climate resilienceFollowing the scoping mission, the CADRI Partnership mobilized a team of experts in September 2023 to conduct a multi-sectoral capacity diagnosis, led by the UN RCO and closely supported by NEMA.Some of the mission team during the CADRI capacity diagnosis | CADRI Secretariat, 2023The team, comprising international experts from the CADRI Secretariat, IOM, UNDAC, and UNDRR, focused on preparedness, early warning systems, and risk reduction, assessing five critical capacity dimensions: governance, implementation, financing, knowledge, and technology. Priority sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, education, health, and human mobility were carefully examined to ensure a comprehensive and context-specific analysis.The assessment also focused on climate services, with WMO deploying two specialists from the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) and China Meteorological Administration (CMA). National experts from FAO, UNDP, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, and World Vision Mongolia also joined the mission, forming a diverse team of experts across multiple sectors.Strong government leadershipThe Government of Mongolia showed exceptional leadership and engagement throughout the process. NEMA played a central role, coordinating efforts, facilitating consultations, and ensuring broad participation at both national and local levels. The government also provided invaluable support by granting access to critical data, technical expertise, and key insights, all of which were crucial to the success of the assessment.CADRI Secretariat, 2023Engaging national and local stakeholdersThe assessment was centered in Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar, with field visits to the provinces of Uvs, Dundgovi, and Sukhbaatar. Over 100 national representatives and 120 local stakeholders were engaged, including participants from seven civil society organizations and two private sector entities. Through a combination of semi-structured interviews, desk reviews, and consultations, the CADRI team evaluated existing systems, identified strengths, and pinpointed key challenges, ensuring a comprehensive and nuanced analysis.Map of provinces visited by the mission team | CADRI Secretariat, 2023Agriculture and environment nexusMongolia’s agricultural practices have long been intertwined with the country’s environment, shaping both landscapes and livelihoods. Over time, however, these practices have increasingly impacted natural ecosystems. While the identification, monitoring, and early action for dzud risk are well integrated into governmental processes, there remains a strong need to address broader environmental concerns.UNDP Mongolia, 2023The agriculture-environment nexus — beyond land exploitation — was a key focus for discussion with agriculture and environment authorities. Specific topics included aligning livestock numbers with climate projections, with recommendations emphasizing strengthening risk monitoring systems, promoting sustainable pasture management, and adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices.Strengthening critical infrastructure: Addressing Ulaanbaatar’s challengesThe assessment of the infrastructure sector focused on key areas such as schools, hospitals, energy infrastructure, and flood control systems, with particular emphasis on Ulaanbaatar, the nation’s capital. This focus was determined during the scoping mission, given the significance of peri-urban Ger communities and informal settlements surrounding the capital.IFRC, 2023Addressing human mobility in Mongolia’s risk reduction planningAs rural-to-urban migration continues to rise, especially toward Ulaanbaatar, and with Mongolia’s longstanding tradition of internal movement, the assessment focused on addressing the challenges related to tracking and managing both short- and long-term migration. Particular attention was given to short-term movements (less than three months), for which data is limited.Using the human mobility component of the CADRI Tool, the mission team evaluated the integration of mobility aspects into national DRR and climate change adaptation (CCA) planning. Key areas of focus included disaster displacement, cross-border movements, evacuations, planned relocation, facilitated migration, the inclusion of migrants, displaced persons, and refugees in risk reduction efforts, and assistance to Mongolian nationals abroad.IOM, 2023Actionable recommendations for a resilient futureThe CADRI capacity diagnosis delivered actionable recommendations to support the Government of Mongolia in strengthening the country’s resilience to disasters. Key recommendations included improving multi-hazard early warning systems, building local capacity, and protecting vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The assessment also highlighted the importance of inter-agency coordination, technological investments, and risk-informed development planning.In December 2024, the findings and recommendations were validated at the National Council on Disaster Risk Reduction (NCDRR) meeting in Ulaanbaatar, where NEMA and other key stakeholders committed to immediate implementation and monthly progress monitoring.H.E. Mr. S. Amarsaikhan, Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, delivering remarks at the NCDRR meeting in December 2024 | NEMA, 2024These findings and recommendations are pivotal in reshaping Mongolia’s approach to disaster and climate resilience. They provide a foundation for evidence-based policies and programmes, supporting a more robust and coordinated national response to disaster and climate risks. Aligned with global frameworks like the Sendai Framework for DRR and Mongolia’s Vision 2050, these actions will serve as the cornerstone for safeguarding the country’s people, economy, and environment from the escalating threats of natural hazards and climate change. This story is originally published on CADRI Partnership (Bolstering Preparedness and Risk Reduction in Mongolia: CADRI Partnership’s Support for the Land of the Eternal Blue Sky | by CADRI Partnership | Jan, 2025 | Medium) , filtered_html

 Advancing Gender Equality: Mongolia’s 2024 Parliamentary Election marked a significant milestone in gender equality, with 32 female parliamentarians elected, comprising 25.4% of the total members. This achievement highlights progress in ensuring women's representation at the decision-making level. The UN Mongolia, mainly through UNDP, is proud to have been a dedicated partner in supporting this important advancement over the years.  UN’s continued advocacy for women empowerment: Mongolia, in partnership with UN Mongolia, hosted the World Women’s Forum in August under the auspices of the President of Mongolia, reaffirming its commitment to advancing women’s rights and embedding gender equality. The event brought together global women leaders, including UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, to spotlight Mongolia's initiatives and drive for gender equality on the international stage. UN agencies led six thematic sessions, and the forum's final recommendations will help pave the way for the Beijing+30 forums. UN Mongolia’s policy advocacy for sustainable development: Thanks to UN Mongolia’s advocacy and policy recommendations for regional and rural development, as highlighted in the second Voluntary National Review on SDG implementation, the new Government’s agenda prioritizes regional development by balancing urban and rural growth over the next four years, aiming to create favorable living conditions across all regions. The four main priorities of the Government’s Action Plan (2024–2028) and UN Mongolia’s three strategic priority areas are closely aligned.Mobilization of Humanitarian Aid for Dzud-Affected Herders: The Humanitarian Country Team, comprising international humanitarian organizations, successfully mobilized $10.6 million— almost 80 % of the required funds—to support vulnerable herders impacted by dzuds in 2023-2024. These extreme winter conditions led to the loss of over 8.1 million livestock, leaving thousands of herders with little or no means to sustain their livelihoods. Facilitated through Joint FAO, UNICEF and UNFPA, the UN Mongolia helped more than 25,000 people thanks to $1.55 million of aid from the UN’s Central Emergency Relief Fund.   Reaching Out to the Unreached: UN Resident Coordinator Tapan Mishra visited the Tsaatan community, reindeer herders living in the remote Taiga region of northern Mongolia. This marked the first-ever visit by a high-level UN representative to these people from unique ethnic minority group. Isolated more than a thousand kilometers from the mainstream of society, the Tsaatan are among the most left-behind communities, with limited access to telecommunications, basic health and education services, as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. Following his visit, Mr. Mishra advocated for the rights of Tsaatan children to quality education, emphasizing the urgent need to improve the dire dormitory environment.  Driving Digital Transformation: Mongolia has made significant strides in advancing digital transformation, climbing from 74th in 2022 to 46th in the 2024 UN e-Government Development Index. The UN Mongolia has closely partnered with the Government to advance its digitalization agenda, collaborating on the annual Global Digital Dialogue, the ICT Expo, and the eTrade Ready assessment report. It also co-chairs the Digitalization Working Group with the Ministry of Innovation, Digital Development, and Communications to coordinate support from development partners. In 2024, UNDP and UNICEF jointly launched a project to further strengthen digital government services. Aligning Budget Planning with Development Priorities: A joint initiative by UNDP, ILO, and FAO with generous funding from the EU played a pivotal role in aligning budget planning with national development priorities through results-based budgeting. It promoted employment and labour standards, supported Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), including the approval of the National Qualification Framework and Occupational Indexing, and facilitated the development of export-oriented camel milk and offal meat value chains. Supporting Mongolia’s public health campaign: The introduction of the HPV vaccine into Mongolia's National Immunization Program in 2024, led by WHO Mongolia in collaboration with UNICEF Mongolia, marks a monumental step in the fight against cervical cancer, a leading cause of death among women in the country. WHO provided essential technical support, policy development, and healthcare worker training, while UNICEF ensured vaccine procurement and equitable distribution. This collaborative effort has significantly strengthened the immunization system, achieving 21% nationwide coverage of HPV vaccination among eligible girls and boys, advancing the goal of a cervical cancer-free Mongolia. UN system’s advocacy and efforts for human rights and well-being of the people of Mongolia: The UN Country Team led the advocacy and policy support in advocating for labour rights, raising awareness on forced labour issues of the migrant workers, empowering youth in their labour rights through dispute settlements mechanisms with support from ILO while IOM has advocated for and promoted the voting rights of Mongolian diaspora communities abroad during the 2024 Parliamentary elections and a record-breaking number of 9,768 diaspora members have cast their ballot, marking a 77% increase in the number of diaspora registered. Furthermore, UN Mongolia unanimously raised their voices to stand up against Gender-based Violence in Mongolia through a strong activism campaign under UNFPA leadership. UN-Habitat and WHO Mongolia jointly worked to support policies for human-centred, healthy, and livable urban development in Mongolia, focusing on promoting low greenhouse gas emissions, social equity, and alignment with international standards and UN recommendations. UN Support for Economic Diversification and Value-Added Production: The UN Mongolia is contributing to the diversification of Mongolia's economy, promoting value-added production. In 2024, the International Year of Camelids, declared by FAO, spotlighted the vital role of camelids in sustaining livelihoods across Mongolia and other countries and promoting value-added camel production. Complementary to these efforts, with UNIDO's support under the World Bank-funded Export Development Project, three Mongolian meat enterprises achieved international Halal certification. This milestone enables them to export Halal meat to Gulf markets, advancing Mongolia's integration into global value chains and strengthening its economy. Celebrating the UN Day with the Prime Minister of Mongolia: The UN family in Mongolia celebrated its most significant day – the UN Day alongside esteemed guests, including Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, who visited the UN House to commemorate 63 years of partnership between the UN and Mongolia. In his address, the Prime Minister highlighted the UN's invaluable support in Mongolia's journey to becoming an upper-middle-income country and reaffirmed the commitment to sustainable and inclusive development. , filtered_html

Building the digital skills of the citizens, particularly in remote and underserved communities, is a vital step toward Mongolia’s goal of becoming a digitally connected nation. With a focus on its nomadic population, Mongolia aims to empower its people through accessible and inclusive digital services. The Government’s Digital Nation Strategy with its e-Mongolia initiative, a successful platform for delivering public services, strives to reach every corner of this vast land, connecting diverse social groups, including nomadic communities.  In support of this vision, the UN’s joint programme on strengthening digital e-Mongolia services is working closely with the Government to increase digital literacy, expand access to digital services, and empower marginalized communities. This UN Joint Programme, led by the UN Resident Coordinator, is being implemented by UNDP as the Lead Partner UN Organization (PUNO) along with UNICEF, focuses on Darkhan-Uul, Khentii, Dornod, and Ulaanbatar. Darkhan-Uul: A Model for Digital Transformation The programme began in Darkhan-Uul province, which is set to become an "Exemplary Digital Province" in Mongolia. As the central region's pilot hub, the province has become a focal point for on-site implementation efforts of the joint programme, with a strong commitment from the local administration.  "We are delighted to collaborate on this project to deliver faster and more accessible public services via online to the citizens of our province and also enhance our citizens' digital literacy," said Soyolmaa Namkhaijav, Head of Government E-Services Department, Darkhan-Uul Province.  In response to critical needs for digital skills, the programme is partnering with the provincial administration to establish Mongolia’s first Digital Training Facility (DTF). This facility will be crucial in providing basic digital skills to underserved rural areas, equipping citizens with essential tools for the digital age.  As part of e-Mongolia, the "KhurDan" (translated as “fast” in English) digital service kiosks will improve the accessibility and efficiency of public services. A mobile unit, designed to bring digital literacy directly to communities, is also in the works. The local administration has committed a vehicle for this unit and a venue for the training facility, demonstrating strong support for the programme. Empowering Communities Through Education The programme is developing a customized curriculum and training modules for both local communities and public servants. Schools, recognized as key community pillars, play a central role in this initiative. A network of Digital Community Information Workers (DCIWs) has been established in schools to enhance digital skills and connectivity. “I learned a lot from the training on the proper use of information technology and obtaining information in digital space. Besides learning some of the hard skills on ICT, I am also now able to teach my students digital skills to safely surf the internet while ensuring their safety online,” said N. Erdenetuya, a teacher in Oyunii Ireedui School in Darkhan-Uul province.   On 22 May, the programme launched its year-long training efforts with an orientation session for 60 teachers from 30 schools, along with local education officers. This training, designed by digital literacy experts and supported by Giga (a joint initiative between UNICEF and ITU), is accessible and relevant to all participants. By improving school connectivity, trained DCIWs help bridge the digital divide, allowing students, teachers, and parents to access vital digital resources and services. This initiative also provides tailored training for parents, empowering them to support their children’s learning and development. A Digital Future for Mongolia “Digitalization is a key to unlocking Mongolia’s potential to reach sustainable and inclusive development. By building digital literacy of the most marginalized and remote nomadic communities, this joint programme will be instrumental support to enable Mongolia to become a Digital Nation,” said Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator.  The Joint Programme on Digital E-Mongolia Services and Communities implemented by UNDP and UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications of Mongolia, envisions providing much-needed training and skills for at least 3000 citizens, half of whom are women, in the three target provinces and Ulaanbaatar City.  Additionally, the programme will train 12 master trainers, who will, in turn, train 300 public servants—again, with equal representation of women—at both the national and subnational levels. Thanks to seed funding from the UN Joint SDG Fund, this initiative represents an important first step in Mongolia’s digital transformation. The UN Mongolia team aims to scale up this programme, ensuring long-term impact and a more inclusive, connected society. The UN Mongolia team would also like to express gratitude to the European Union and the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland for their contributions in accelerating progress towards the SDGs.  , filtered_html

This year’s International Day of People with Disabilities (PwD) highlights the theme: “Amplifying leadership of people with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future” which resonates with UN Mongolia’s ongoing initiatives for creating an inclusive society for over 110,000 people with disabilities, including 12,000 children in Mongolia.Building a More Inclusive Society for Persons with DisabilitiesMongolia has taken significant strides in advancing the rights of PwD over the decades, adopting the landmark Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2016. Since then, Mongolia’s government and society demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities. The 2023 Report by the UN Committee on the Rights of PwD further commended Mongolia’s comprehensive approach to ensuring the rights, participation, and development of persons with disabilities through key initiatives, such as the establishment of national councils and programs, amendments to labour laws, and targeted support mechanisms. However, challenges remain, as highlighted in the abovementioned Report. PWDs face various barriers in their day-to-day lives, leading to unjustifiable dependency and isolation from society. “Their rights, talents, and contributions are vital to every society. Yet many remain excluded from education, employment, and public life,” said Mr. Tapan Mishra, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mongolia. “The United Nations in Mongolia is committed to supporting and working alongside persons with disabilities to build a more inclusive society”. Tackling Barriers in EmploymentWhile the country’s Labour Code includes provisions for reasonable accommodation, its inconsistent application across sectors limits workplace inclusivity. The Committee urges Mongolia to strengthen the implementation of the Labour Code and adopt effective measures to ensure access to inclusive employment and work environments for all persons with disabilities.One of the significant barriers to employment for people with disabilities is a lack of vocational education and training, which stems from learning environments and curricula that fail to be inclusive. UN Mongolia prioritizes equal opportunities for PцDs, with UNDP leading efforts to support their meaningful contributions and participation in society.Thus, within the UNDP’s “SDG-Aligned Budgeting to Transform Employment in Mongolia” project funded by the European Union, inclusive training curricula were developed in three occupations: Archivists and Office Assistants, E-service Staff and Support Service Workers in collaboration with the National Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Center. In this program, 27 students had successfully enrolled. One of many inspiring stories is that of Mr. Davaadorj Uul, who, with support from UNDP, transitioned from unemployment to becoming a loan specialist at one of Mongolia’s leading banks, Khan Bank. After sustaining a life-altering injury that ended his previous career, U.Davaadorj completed vocational training as an Archivist and Office Assistant.  He now thrives in his role while pursuing his passion for wheelchair fencing, where he recently won third place in a national championship. Davaadorj’s story highlights the importance of inclusive employment initiatives, demonstrating how PWDs can thrive when given the opportunity to work in supportive environments.According to the Labor Law, businesses with 25 or more employees are required to ensure that at least 4 percent of their workforce consists of PWDs. However, compliance with this requirement is often lacking, particularly in rural areas where employment opportunities and accessibility remain limited.‘I’m living my best life, and I do believe in myself to make a bright future for PWDs’ Davaadorj said with a bright smile on his face.   Monitoring of Housing Rights for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs): Progress Toward InclusionAs highlighted in the 2023 Report by the UN Committee on PwDs, access to adequate housing remains another critical issue for PWDs in Mongolia as the persons with disabilities with disability allowances and pensions fall short of covering the rising cost of living and meeting basic needs. To address these issues, the UN Committee recommends revising disability benefits to reflect inflation and living standards and establishing well-funded housing initiatives in consultation with persons with disabilities and their organizations.A key issue is the lack of accessible apartments and houses tailored to their needs. In Mongolia, many PwDs live in ger areas—traditional Mongolian settlements in the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar —that are not connected to essential services such as central heating, water supply, and sewage systems, exacerbating their challenges.The UN Resident Coordinator advocated for the housing rights of Mongolia’s people with disabilities. He invited their representatives to the table to discuss and elaborate a plan to address the issues. Thus, the Universal Progress NGO, chaired by Mr. Avirmed, who is struggling with mobility barriers, conducted a comprehensive monitoring of housing rights for PWDs in 2022, receiving support from the UN Resident Coordinator Office. The initiative assessed the extent of housing discrimination and identified gaps in infrastructure that prevented PwDs from enjoying equal access to basic amenities.Findings revealed that PWDs are 10-20% less likely than others to access basic amenities. “Nothing about us without us,” said Mr. Avirmed, highlighting the importance of inclusivity. By leading this critical monitoring effort, he successfully drew the Government's attention to the housing challenges faced by PWDs.The Government of Mongolia has introduced a National Program to address these challenges, increasing the housing quota for PWDs in rental projects from 5% to 15%. While progress is still unfolding, this initiative represents a critical step toward inclusive housing policies. , filtered_html