For half a century, the United Nations Improvement Program has performed a job in strengthening Mongolia’s democracy, civil society, and improvement with quite a few applications and initiatives. Matilda Dimovska, the UNDP resident consultant in Mongolia since 2023, presently leads the engagement and operations of UNDP within the nation. She spoke to The Diplomat concerning the present progress on U.N.-led initiatives and initiatives, and the impression on Mongolian folks’s lives. (This interview had been evenly edited for readability.)
UNDP opened its consultant workplace in Ulaanbaatar in 1973. Within the 51 years since, regardless of Mongolia’s development, improvement, and modernization, there are nonetheless many challenges in each authorities and civil society. Because the resident consultant of the UNDP, what are your views and evaluation on a number of the U.N. initiatives which have been efficiently applied in Mongolia?
Thanks for this chance to debate UNDP’s work in Mongolia. Over the previous 5 a long time, UNDP has been a trusted companion, working intently with the federal government to construct a extra simply, equitable, and inclusive society. Our formal settlement with Mongolia dates to 1976, however our partnership started even earlier. We’re wanting ahead to celebrating our fiftieth anniversary in 2026. All through this time, UNDP has performed a vital function in supporting Mongolia’s democratic transition, the shift to a market financial system, and now the achievement of the Sustainable Improvement Objectives.
Among the many most important contributions of UNDP are the event of the important thing pillars of a market financial system, but in addition of democracy and accountability. For instance, UNDP performed function within the institution of Khas Financial institution, now one in every of Mongolia’s main industrial banks. Or the institution of Gobi Cashmere manufacturing unit, on the time an rising personal firm for the important thing Mongolian commodity and now the main cashmere firm on the planet.
We’re additionally happy with our function in establishing the core establishments to guard human rights and the integrity and accountability of the general public service – the Nationwide Human Rights Fee and the Unbiased Authority In opposition to Corruption. Equally, UNDP contributed to the institution of the Nationwide Emergency Administration Company, the inspiration for a extra resilient Mongolia.
In January, you wrote a bit titled “Mongolia’s Clear Power Transition: A Pathway to Sustainable and Inclusive Improvement.” You highlighted that the federal government of Mongolia’s goal, “as outlined within the State Policy on Energy 2015–2030, goals for a renewable power share of 20 % by 2023 and 30 % by 2030 of its put in capability.” What are a number of the steps Mongolia can and may take to beat the challenges you talked about within the article, similar to “lack of infrastructure similar to entry roads, transmission and grid community, and the funding”?
Clear and renewable power is the best way of the sustainable future for Mongolia and the world. Certainly, Mongolia has a number of challenges that should be addressed with the intention to efficiently embrace the transition to renewable power, and there are a number of essential steps are necessary.
For instance, we see in different circumstances how important it’s to replace the present power system and infrastructure, similar to transmission networks and entry roads, as they’re important to assist renewable power initiatives.
Phasing out of coal-based power manufacturing necessitates funding in renewable power. Regulatory reforms are normally used for that goal, to incentivize investments in renewable power.
It’s essential to keep away from any damaging socio-economic impacts from the transition to renewable power. For these functions, tailor-made social safety for affected susceptible teams generally is a very efficient instrument. A shift in habits – each in authorities coverage and public attitudes – towards clear power may even play a significant function.
Lastly, securing the required sustainable financing for these efforts is essential to turning Mongolia’s renewable power imaginative and prescient right into a actuality.
What are a number of the UNDP initiatives or initiatives assist Mongolia mitigate these challenges? May you elaborate on the 2024 Nationwide Human Improvement Paper that was just lately revealed?
Thanks for this query. At the moment, UNDP is supporting Mongolia in overcoming a number of the challenges of its transition to renewable power.
To start with, we just lately launched the 2024 National Human Development Paper, which gives complete coverage suggestions for implementing a Simply Power Transition, guaranteeing that such a transition is each sustainable and inclusive. We hope to supply good evaluation and supply choices and concepts for policymaking. We now have plans to make use of this doc as a foundation for additional assist to Mongolia in precise preparation of a Simply Power Transition coverage framework.
Moreover, we assist addressing a number of the burning points, like using coal-based heating, which is a core trigger for Mongolia’s excessive air air pollution. Within the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan cities, we’re piloting renewable-based heating options as a approach to fight air air pollution, assist livelihoods, and supply options for the bigger transition. This intervention additionally introduces a local weather finance mechanism by way of carbon credit score buying and selling, laying the groundwork for a nationwide carbon market.
Most just lately, with the Ministry of Finance we signed an MOU and agreed to deepen the assist and joint work on modern financing devices and leverage each private and non-private financing for the core improvement points, together with the transition to wash power.
Gender equality has develop into an more and more necessary matter in Mongolian society. Contemplating Mongolia’s small inhabitants, the gender hole generally is a main subject for the labor power, human sources, and human capital. What are a number of the main UNDP initiatives empowering ladies and ladies and may you describe the outcomes?
Certainly, if we have a look at the world and Mongolia, one elementary subject is similar for all. Girls comprise half if no more than half of the inhabitants. However ladies nonetheless are going through an uphill battle in securing equality that displays this reality.
UNDP is actively working to handle this problem globally in addition to in Mongolia. One in every of our most up-to-date milestones befell this 12 months throughout the basic election. With assist from our close partner KOICA [the Korea International Cooperation Agency], by way of efficient advocacy, capability constructing, and robust partnership and engagement, we offered essential assist within the revision of two important legal guidelines – the Regulation on Parliament Elections and the Regulation on Political Events. The brand new legal guidelines embraced a 30 % gender quota for the 2024 election, rising to 40 % by 2028. These landmark adjustments, together with measures like zipper lists and payment waivers, are breaking down limitations for ladies in politics, guaranteeing extra ladies have a seat at decision-making tables.
Accordingly, for the primary time Mongolia, ladies’s illustration within the parliament reached a file 25.4 %, propelling Mongolia 35 locations ahead on the worldwide rating and surpassing the regional common. That is large achievement, however the highway for full realization of equality nonetheless stays lengthy.
UNDP’s Gender Social Norms Index 2023 revealed that 97 % of Mongolians nonetheless maintain not less than one gender-based bias towards ladies, believing males are higher political leaders. This factors to the deep-rooted cultural and patriarchal norms that proceed to restrict ladies’s full participation in financial and political life – an space the place we should proceed to advocate additional to create extra inclusive alternatives for all.
Analysis has proven that Mongolia’s rivers, lakes, and waterbeds have been shrinking – to not point out that Mongolia is a landlocked nation. Are there any UNDP initiatives that assist Mongolia defend its water sources?
You’re completely proper. Water shortage is a rising problem in Mongolia, notably in rural areas, whereas it’s a part of the ecosystem that’s very important for rural livelihoods. Overgrazing and local weather change have led to 77 % of the land being degraded in Mongolia as of 2021. An financial coverage that prioritized mining trade and different elements contributed to the drying of rivers and is derived. As rivers and streams dry up, herders are turning to groundwater wells, which isn’t sustainable, making these initiatives to guard springs and streams very important. Sustainable water administration, together with riparian reforestation and restoration, are confirmed to enhance water high quality, movement, biodiversity, and groundwater sources.
In UNDP, we tackle this subject as a part of our assist for sustainable livestock-based livelihoods. We’re supporting measures to maintain water ecosystems service for the good thing about the folks and wildlife, for instance by defending pure springs, setting up and repairing wells, and putting in small-scale water harvesting techniques.
The optimistic impacts are already evident – herders are seeing improved water availability, more healthy pastures, and a future the place their nomadic lifestyle can proceed in concord with nature. Equally necessary, we see proof that the water provide for the wildlife has elevated as effectively, and biodiversity is protected.
To many, Mongolia is a rustic of nomads, horses, and sheep. What are a number of the issues you have got skilled in Mongolia that make your appointment right here distinctive? Additionally, throughout your time in Mongolia, what do you hope to perform essentially the most?
Thanks a lot for the query. One of the memorable moments I’ve had in Mongolia was after I first held a child goat in my arms throughout my go to to Khovd province. I had at all times been a bit uneasy round animals, however in that second, one thing modified. Overcoming that concern, I felt a singular connection not simply to the animal, however to the deep traditions of this land – a spot the place people and nature coexist in such a particular manner.
What additionally stands out is Mongolia’s vibrant, dynamic youth. Their power and untapped potential fill me with hope and inspiration for the way forward for this glorious nation.
Throughout my tenure right here, I hope to contribute to Mongolia in order that it makes use of its present political and improvement momentum and ambition, but in addition maneuvers by way of the uncertainties and international dangers, to economically advance in a manner that advantages all its present and future generations, to construct a future the place each folks and the character thrive. Which means progressing in alignment with the Imaginative and prescient 2050 and shifting towards development of its sustainable improvement targets, guaranteeing that nobody is left behind.
