UN official happy at Mongolia’s progress, promises to consider increasing assistance

The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, D.Tsogtbaatar, told a press conference on Monday that Ajay Chhibber, UN Assistant Secretary-General, and Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, had said, during his visit from August 5 to August 9 that Mongolia is an exemplary country in the region for developing democracy.

Chhibber attended a ceremony on August 6 where the third national report on the implementation of the program on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was presented and also a seminar on MDGs, especially reducing poverty and ensuring gender equality. Jointly organized by the Government and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the seminar brought together representatives from Laos, Vietnam and Bangladesh. They spoke about their experience on realizing MDGs.

Chhibber also called on Parliament Speaker D.Demberel who said the Mongolian government, Parliament and people appreciated the support received from the UN. He also gave details of the measures taken by the Government to generate employment, to develop human resources, and to streamline the distribution of social welfare services, and asked for UNDP assistance and support. Chhibber expressed happiness at Mongolia’s steady progress towards better democratic governance and stronger protection of human rights.

Foreign Minister G. Zandanshatar and Chhibber reviewed Mongolia-UN relations. Chhibber announced UNDP technical assistance to strengthen the Research Center for Landlocked Countries which was established at the initiative of Mongolia. The UN would also cooperate with Mongolia in improving the skills of Mongolian peacekeepers, organizing training on human rights and implementing the "One UN" program.
Minister of Environment and Tourism L.Gansukh met with Chhibber to exchange views on the progress of projects and programs implemented in Mongolia by the UNDP. The UN Assistant Secretary General visited Uvurkhangai province to observe some UNDP projects, including those on civil registration, stable landscape management, legal service, and human rights. He promised to consider increasing the financial assistance for these.