Mongolian nomads

The United Nations in Mongolia

Mongolian nomadic herders move seasonally for better pasture for their livestock
Photo: © IOM Mongolia

Mongolia joined the United Nations in 1961. Over the past six decades, the relationship between the UN and Mongolia has matured into a strong and mutually beneficial partnership.

Upon successful completion of the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2017-2022, the UN system in Mongolia launched, in 2023, a new phase of its development cooperation framework with Mongolia, known as the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework in 2023-2027 that will guide UN system support to Mongolia on its path to prosperity.

The UNSDCF is closely aligned with the national development agenda as articulated in Vision 2050 and Mongolia’s international commitments under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UN in Mongolia consists of 23 agencies, both resident and non-resident, that contribute to Mongolia’s sustainable and inclusive development under the strategic priorities of the UNSDCF:

  • Human Development and Well-being;
  • Green, Inclusive, and Sustainable Growth
  • People-centred Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights

The country has made significant progress in all three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental. It has made rapid economic growth and considerable progress in achieving most of the SDGs, in particular in gender equality, sustainable cities and communities, and climate actions, however, there is a regress in SDG 1: Poverty reduction since 2015 (2022).

Milestones

1

In the 30 years after its democratic transition, Mongolia has developed into a stable democracy with a market-based economy, free media and civic space, genuine political competition, and respect for human rights. 

2

Mongolia is among the lower-middle-income countries with an economic growth rate of 4.8 per cent in 2022. Mongolia has achieved a “high” human development category with a value of 0.739 (2021).

3

Mongolia ranked 109 out of 163 countries with a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) score of 63.5, which is 2.4 per cent below the East and South Asia regional average.

4

Mongolia has made progress in achieving gender balance in education, employment, and political participation. The gender equality index is 0.313, ranking 76 out of 191 countries.

5

Mongolia champions the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development since its adoption. In May 2020 the Parliament of Mongolia approved Vision-2050 - a new long-term, strategic policy document, closely aligned with the Agenda 2030.

6

Since 2002, Mongolia has deployed around 20,000 troops to UN peacekeeping forces in some of the most difficult conflict zones, such as Darfur, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Western Sahara.

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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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