By B. Nyamsuren

Celebrating Eight Decades of Global Partnership

In 1945, as the world emerged from the devastation of World War II, humanity united to build peace through a new global institution — the United Nations. Eighty years later, the UN has grown into the world’s largest multilateral body, bringing together 193 member states.
Mongolia joined this global family on October 27, 1961, as the 101st member state, and just days later, on October 31, the Mongolian flag was raised at UN Headquarters in New York for the first time.
Over the ensuing 65 years, Mongolia and the UN have forged a strong, cooperative partnership — one that continues to expand across peacekeeping, sustainable development, human rights, and environmental action.
Today, 24 UN agencies operate in Mongolia, advancing a wide range of national development programs and supporting the country’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNDP: Empowering Women in Leadership

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has played a key role in promoting gender equality and strengthening women’s participation in governance.
The number of women serving in Mongolia’s Parliament has risen from three in 1992 to 32 in 2024 — the highest rate in the region and close to the global average.

UNFPA: Protecting Women and Reducing Maternal Mortality

Through a close partnership with the Government of Mongolia, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has supported the creation of 39 One-Stop Service Centers nationwide, providing survivors of gender-based violence with legal, health, and psychological services.
UNFPA also introduced telemedicine for maternal and newborn care, a groundbreaking innovation that has significantly reduced maternal deaths. Mongolia now ranks among nine countries worldwide that have achieved SDG Target 3.1 on maternal health.

UN Environment Programme: Adapting to Climate Change

Working with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) helped Mongolia develop its National Adaptation Plan, approved in March 2024.
The plan established a national monitoring and evaluation system to track progress on climate adaptation — ensuring transparency and accountability at both national and international levels.

UN and Human Rights: Mongolia’s Regional Leadership

In 2021, Mongolia became the first country in Asia to adopt a Law on the Legal Status of Human Rights Defenders, guaranteeing legal protection for individuals who speak out on issues such as media freedom, environmental justice, disability rights, housing, and LGBTIQ+ equality.
The law was the outcome of long-term cooperation among the National Human Rights Commission, the Government of Mongolia, civil society, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) — setting a strong example for the region.

UNIDO: Advancing Industry and Sustainable Trade

The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has supported Mongolia’s efforts to diversify exports and promote sustainable industry.
In 2023, UNIDO and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry introduced Halal certification under the Export Development Project — a first for Mongolia. The certification expanded markets for meat processing and restaurant businesses.
Meanwhile, the “Mongol Nogoo” (Mongolian Vegetables) project improved the legal framework for organic certification, enabling the launch of the “Mongol Organic” label. Over 18,000 farmers are now registered in the national agricultural system plant.mofa.gov.mn.

Mongolia’s Initiatives at the UN

Since joining the UN, Mongolia has initiated or co-sponsored more than 90 resolutions promoting peace, disarmament, democracy, and sustainable development.
Among the most notable are:
• International Security and the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Status of Mongolia
• Improving the Situation of Rural Women and Girls
• The Role of Cooperatives in Social Development
• Literacy for All
• Education for Democracy
In 2022, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, based on Mongolia’s proposal.
A year later, in 2023, Mongolia achieved another diplomatic milestone when the UN General Assembly adopted President U. Khurelsukh’s initiative to designate “World Horse Day.”
Mongolia also stands among the top 24 troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions. Since sending its first two military observers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2002, more than 20,000 Mongolian peacekeepers have served in South Sudan, Afghanistan, Sudan’s Abyei region, Yemen, Western Sahara, and elsewhere — earning international respect for professionalism and commitment.

Mongolia to Host UN Desertification Conference in 2026

Mongolia will host the 17th Session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) in Ulaanbaatar from August 17 to 28, 2026.
This major global event will bring together delegates from over 190 countries to discuss ways to prevent land degradation, desertification, and drought impacts.
With nearly 77 percent of its territory affected by land degradation, Mongolia is in a unique position to lead global dialogue on sustainable land management and climate resilience.
The Government of Mongolia and the UNCCD Secretariat have signed an agreement to co-organize the conference. The sessions will focus on themes such as Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), sustainable pasture management, and adaptation strategies for arid regions.
The conference is expected to highlight Mongolia’s leadership in tackling one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time.

Global Challenges Facing the United Nations

As the UN marks its 80th anniversary, it faces one of the most complex periods in its history.
According to Secretary-General António Guterres, the world has entered “an era of impunity, inequality, and uncertainty.”
More than 170 armed conflicts are active worldwide, and donor support has dropped sharply, forcing the UN to cut or suspend many humanitarian operations.
The organization’s budget has shrunk by nearly 30 percent, limiting its ability to respond to crises in Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza, while geopolitical divisions paralyze the Security Council.
Guterres warns that unless solidarity and trust are rebuilt, the world risks “sliding into a spiral of chaos.” Yet he also insists:
“The challenges we face are solvable — if we act together.”