Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

On April 1, 2020 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and financing agreement with the Governor’s Office of Zavkhan province to accelerate progress towards sustainable development in Zavkhan province. The MOU was signed by Governor of Zavkhan, Mr. Batsaikhan Daimaa and UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Elaine Conkievich. The agreement builds on an ongoing partnership between UNDP and 3 local governments in localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into local development plans.

“We are looking forward to implement the process,” said Mr. Batsaikhan. “UNDP’s support to countries on policy dialogue and technical capacity building can complement our work on the ground. Through the MOU, we will work together to realize a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Zavkhan.

Under the MOU, priority areas for collaboration will be based on the needs and priorities of the province and focus on supporting progress towards the SDGs by leveraging its economic and development potential for the benefit of all its people. Forms of collaboration will include joint knowledge creation, exchange and dialogue, direct technical assistance, and project implementation and innovative financing for the SDGs to help Zavkhan become one of the leading Western aimags of the country in terms of economic development, social progress and competitiveness.

“We are pleased to sign this important document today. It signals our commitment to expand our collaboration on the ground in numerous provinces in Mongolia,” said Ms. Conkievich. “We thank the Governor’s Office of Zavkhan for the level of commitment to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and for a development that leaves no one behind.”

In Ulaanbaatar City and in Orkhon, for example, UNDP provided support and technical assistance in developing SDG/SDV-aligned roadmaps and implemented pilot projects. In addition, UNDP have been providing technical assistance to two districts in Ulaanbaatar to develop their first medium-term development plans including a strategy for achieving the SDGs. The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. Mongolia is one of the first countries to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals with the Mongolia Sustainable Development Vision (SDV) 2030.

UNDP remains committed partnering with other provinces in Mongolia to drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, UNDP offers global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.