Mongolia and United Nations commit to cooperating for sustainable development
The Mongolian Government and United Nations sign UNSDCF 2023-2027 for Mongolia UNICEF Country Programme for the next five years is endorsed
20 May, Ulaanbaatar – Mongolia-United Nations cooperation document for the next five years, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Mongolia 2023-2027 (UNSDCF) was signed today by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Battsetseg Batmunkh, Acting Minister of Economy and Development, Javkhlan Bold, and United Nations Resident Coordinator, Tapan Mishra. The cooperation document seals the parties’ commitment to work together for sustainable development in Mongolia deriving from “inclusive, resilient, healthy and safe environment” and a “cohesive society based on the rule or law and human rights”. The Cooperation Framework aims at accelerating Mongolia’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals-2030 through targeted activities of 23 resident and non-resident UN agencies. One of such resident agencies, with over 50 years of experience in Mongolia is UNICEF, United Nations child rights organization.
Prior to signing UNSDCF, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Battsetseg Batmunkh, has endorsed UNICEF’s Country Programme Document for 2023-2027 (CPD) on 16 May. In her letter, addressed to UNICEF Representative in Mongolia, Evariste Kouassi-Komlan, Mongolia’s Foreign Minister thanked UNICEF for the efforts made to align the new CPD with the country’s development policies and priorities. “As our cooperation will continue to grow and expand, unquestionably, the new CPD will mark another successful period, and with UNICEF’s contribution we are confident that Mongolia’s policy implementation in ensuring protection of rights and well-being of children be further strengthened,” says the Minister’s Letter of Endorsement.
“We are looking forward to be supporting the Government of Mongolia in implementation of its development policies, including in the areas where child rights were compromised due to the pandemic. UNICEF has had a 50 years long history of close and fruitful cooperation with Mongolia and we will work hand in hand with the Mongolian Government and all other national and international stakeholders for Mongolia’s children”
In its new CPD, UNICEF addresses the specific environmental rights of children. This is due to the major threats caused to children by climate change, environmental degradation and air pollution. Also receiving attention are educational gaps faced because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new CPD, UNICEF will change from focusing on specific locations to supporting policy implementation nationwide, based on need. UNICEF is the world’s largest child rights organization, with vast experience in rendering first-hand support in emergencies. As such, it will continue cooperating with the Mongolian Government in emergency response through providing disaster and health emergencies relief, and building the capacity of relevant national state and non-state partners.
