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.

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.   

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. 

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.