Ulaanbaatar, 20 May 2022 – Today, the Government of Mongolia, represented by H.E. B. Battsetseg, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and H.E B. Javkhlan, Acting Minister of Economy and Development, and the United Nations Country Team in Mongolia, represented by H.E. Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator, signed a flagship document that will strategically guide the UN’s development cooperation with Mongolia over the next five years. The signing ceremony was attended by other dignitaries, including Cabinet members and UN Country Team representatives. 

The UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Mongolia 2023-2027 is closely aligned with the national development agenda articulated in Vision 2050,Mongolia’s long-term development policy and UN development system reforms. By mutually committing to the UNSDCF, the Government of Mongolia and the UN agree to work together forMongolia 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.

The UN Country Team, in extensive and multiple consultations with all relevant stakeholders, formulated its vision and three strategic priorities committed to human development and well-being; green, inclusive and sustainable growth; and people-centred governance, the rule of law, and human rights. 

At the signing ceremony, Minister B. Battsetseg underscored the importance of the new framework to accelerate the implementation of national development policies, implement national initiatives, and contribute to joint efforts for sustainable development being made by the international community. 

“Mongolia is proud to have partnered with the UN system for over 60 years, and long-standing cooperation has been making a valuable contribution to national socio-economic development,” she added. 

Minister B. Javkhlan highlighted the importance of the joint commitment to address the socio-economic and environmental challenges identified in this strategic document to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 

The cooperation framework is being signed at a pivotal and challenging time, as the world—including Mongolia—grappleswith the aftermath of the pandemic, and with less than eight years to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as stressed by UN Resident Coordinator Tapan Mishra during the signing ceremony. 

“The humongous task at hand cannot be accomplished without joint implementation by the government and strong support from all stakeholders,” said Tapan Mishra. 

The new cooperation framework will accelerate the SDGs in Mongolia through the UN system’s collective offer from 23 entities in Mongolia, resident and non-resident. 

The UN’s “leave no one behind” approach and human rights-based principles are central to implementing the UNSDCF. Guided by the UNSDCF as an overarching document, the UN entities in Mongolia will develop their country programmes to bring the vision and strategic priorities outlined in the cooperation framework to fruition. 

In partnership with the government, development partners, private sector, civil society, and others, the UN system in Mongolia will work to achieve these goals through technical assistance, capacity building, innovative pilot initiatives, policy advice, catalysing development finance, social mobilisation, and more.

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Media contacts:

J. Altantuya, Press Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Tel: 88086680

Email: altantuya.j@mfa.gov.mn

D. Soyolmaa, Communications and Advocacy Officer, UN Resident Coordinator Office in Mongolia

Tel: 94111220

Email: soyolmaa.dolgor@un.org