Mongolia

Madam President, Mr. Secretary-General, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and gentlemen,

At the outset, I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to Ms. Annalena Baerbock, for assuming the important role of the President of the General Assembly at this historic moment marking of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and my best wishes for a successful session.

Eight centuries ago, the Great Chinggis Khaan established the Great Mongolian Empire, bringing together the West and the East under the rule of justice and principled statecraft. Spanning the vast expanse of Euroasia, the era of the "Pax Mongolica" heralded a period of remarkable progress and flourishing for humankind.

The "Pax Mongolica" embodied progressive ideals that form the basis of today's collective efforts to maintain global peace and stability.

Then eight decades ago, when the dust and ashes of the war had not cleared yet and humanity had not healed yet from fear and anxiety, the United Nations, a great family of nations, rose to prominence as a guarantor of world peace and security, and a sanctuary of hope and trust.

Since its establishment, the United Nations has illuminated the path of humanity, serving as a steadfast beacon of hope and trust for nations to maintain peaceful co-existence and share prosperous future.

In today's volatile and challenging international environment, we welcome "Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights" as the theme for the 80th session of the General Assembly and the General Debate.

Indeed, this theme calls upon us to assess, and reflect upon, the United Nations' achievements and challenges over the past 80 years, to further strengthen its work in accordance with the UN Charter and the principles of international law, and to combine our collective voices and efforts in pursuit of concrete and tangible outcomes.

Distinguished delegates,

Mongolia has consistently upheld the Charter of the United Nations and universally recognized principles and norms of international law, respecting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, resolving disputes by peaceful means, respecting human rights and freedoms, and fostering equal and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Since becoming a full-fledged member of the United Nations in 1961, Mongolia has steadfastly supported the Organization's efforts to strengthen international peace and security. Demonstrating its enduring commitments to disarmament and non-proliferation and declaring its territory's nuclear-weapon-free status.

Furthermore, Mongolia has actively cooperated with the United Nations at all levels, including establishing a dialogue mechanism in Northeast Asia, participating in the UN peacekeeping operations and putting forward various proposals and initiatives in the areas of socio-economic development, environment and climate change to advance the implementation of development goals.

During his visit to Mongolia in 2022, United Nations Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres described our nation as a "symbol of peace in a troubled world". It is a profound recognition of Mongolia's humble contributions and dedication to the work of the United Nations and its enduring commitment to the cause of peace.

Over the past 23 years, Mongolia has continuously deployed personnel from its Armed Forces to United Nations peacekeeping operations, making a meaningful contribution to global and regional peace and security.

During this period, Mongolia has deployed more than 23,000 peacekeepers to 16 United Nations peacekeeping missions and consistently ranked among the top 20 troop- and police-contributing countries out of more than 120 Member States.

As we mark the 25th anniversary of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 on "Women, Peace and Security", it is a pleasure to announce that, through the steady increase in the deployment of female military personnel, the proportion of women peacekeepers from Mongolia has reached 14 percent in 2025.

Mongolia will continue to extend its unwavering support to the United Nations in its efforts to maintain international peace and security, and remains committed to contributing to peacekeeping operations.

Distinguished delegates,

At this critical juncture, with only five years remaining until the 2030 Agenda deadline, global progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) stands at a mere 17 percent.

According to the Sustainable Development Report 2025, Mongolia's implementation of the SDGs has reached 66.7 percent, ranking it 14th in the UN Multilateralism Index (UN-MI), a testament to our decades-long efforts, and a worthy achievement.

I would like to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the international community and all Member States in advancing the implementation of the SDGs.

We welcome the outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, held recently in Seville, Spain, where a broad consensus was reached on the crucial role of financing in achieving the SDGs. We also appreciate that the conference agreed to increase engagement of developing countries and to take comprehensive actions aimed at reforming the current international financial architecture.

Within the framework of implementing the "Seville Commitment" adopted at the Conference, it is essential to direct international development cooperation toward supporting the most vulnerable groups and addressing their challenges.

It is my pleasure to note that Mongolia has been playing an active role within the United Nations in advocating the interests of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), in raising awareness of their special needs and unique circumstances, closely collaborating with them to ensure their voices heard at global stage.

The Third United Nations Conference on LLDCs was held in August in Turkmenistan, and adopted the Awaza Programme of Action for 2024-2034.

LLDCs have long faced trade and economic development challenges due to their geographic location. Member States have committed to implementing the programme to advance the development of LLDCs over the next decade and to bring positive improvements to the livelihoods of more than 600 million people living in these countries.

To ensure the effective implementation of the Awaza Programme of Action, it is crucial for LLDCs to align their national development plans with the programme while mobilizing all available resources to strengthen regional integration and cooperation.

Furthermore, we call upon the international community, financial institutions, and development partners to provide concrete support and cooperation with LLDCs.

Distinguished delegates,

Mother Earth is our one and only home.

However, as a result of humanity's careless behavior towards the environment, Mother Earth - with her very existence under threat - is sending a distress call, like a patient in critical condition.

If we do not take a resolute action to preserve our Mother Earth now, she will inevitably find her own way to survive with or without us.

Since ancient times, we Mongolians have believed that all beneath the sky is alive. We have revered mountains, rivers, plants, and animals, understanding that the harmony of the earth and the living world are inseparably intertwined with the inner life and conscious actions of humanity.

Two millennia ago, the Great Khaan Modun of the Huns - Mongols' ancestors - proclaimed that the very foundation of the state is the land. Thus, this time-honored tradition of revering nature was recognized by UNESCO through the inscription of the "Mongolian traditional ritual of worshipping sacred sites" on the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of Urgent Safeguarding.

We, Mongolians, are people blessed with the beautiful tradition of living in harmony with Mother Nature, preserving her pristine purity, and nurturing our children from early age with the mindset and spirit to protect her.

Accordingly, the UN General Assembly resolution entitled "Eight Hundred Years of Mongolian Statehood", adopted in 2005, highly appreciated the contribution of Mongols to the history of mankind and recognized that "the ever-increasing significance and relevance of a culture of living in harmony with nature, which is inherent in nomadic civilization, in today's world."

Today, we are committed to sharing our cultural heritage and traditional knowledge - rooted in a profound respect for living in harmony with nature - with the international community, as a valuable contribution to building resilience and enhancing adaptation to climate change.

In 2026, Mongolia will host the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, as well as observe the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. In this spirit, our country, in partnership with the United Nations, is spearheading the international 10-year "Rangeland Flagship Initiative." We warmly invite you to join us in supporting and collaborating on this important endeavor.

Our people say, "Water is the source of life and tree is the source of water."

Access to safe drinking water is declining worldwide, with 3.6 billion people currently affected by water scarcity.

Therefore, it is imperative for countries to implement integrated management of land and water resources in a coordinated manner and to place special emphasis on preventing water scarcity.

I cordially invite you all to participate, at the highest level and with broad representation, in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, scheduled on 17-28 August 2026 in Ulaanbaatar. This conference seeks comprehensive solutions to adapt to climate change, protect and enhance water resources, and combat desertification and land degradation.

Distinguished delegates,

From the moment of birth, we Mongols have grown up on horseback, carrying our glory across the world on noble steeds and contributing to the writing of humanity's proud and enduring history.

We, Mongolians, are a nation steeped in a unique cultural heritage. We honor our noble horse in our State Emblem, craft our State Flag with the mane and tail hair of our swift steeds, and souls of people around the world are spellbound by the haunting melody of morin khuur (horse-headed fiddle).

Horses have been integral to human livelihoods, culture, and civilization since time immemorial.

With the goal of preserving and safeguarding cultural heritage and traditions associated with horses, and highlighting their enduring role in livelihoods of humankind, Mongolia proposed a resolution to designate 11 July as World Horse Day. This resolution was adopted during the Plenary Meeting of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 3 June 2025.

On this occasion, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude, on behalf of the horse-loving people of Mongolia, to all UN Member States for their support in adopting this resolution to designate and observe "World Horse Day" on the day of Mongolia's National Naadam Festival, which is also inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Distinguished delegates,

This year, countries around the world are assessing the progress made over the past 30 years since the adoption of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Mongolia has undertaken a broad range of policies and activities to advance the social development goals outlined in these milestone documents, related legal frameworks and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These efforts have been focusing on poverty reduction, promoting social equality and inclusion, supporting families, children and youth, and protecting the rights of the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Among these efforts, the state policy on gender equality aims to ensure equal rights, opportunities and treatment for both women and men, while actively preventing and eliminating gender-based discrimination.

Notably, Mongolia has prioritized advancing gender equality and increasing women's participation in decision-making, with women now making 25 percent in the parliament.

We are pleased to underscore that, according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum, Mongolia ranked 65th globally, improving by 20 places from the previous year and securing 5th place in the Asia-Pacific region.

In recent years, Mongolia has regularly hosted international events dedicated to women and gender equality, including the International Conference on "Strengthening the Role of Women in Peacekeeping" in 2022, the Female Foreign Ministers' Meeting in 2023, and the World Women's Forum in 2024, in cooperation with the United Nations.

Last month, we successfully hosted the World Women Entrepreneurs' Forum under the theme "Inspire, Impact, Invest" in Ulaanbaatar.

I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all countries that supported and participated in the Forum.

Mongolia will continue to serve a strong bridge of partnership, cooperation, and solidarity in advancing women's leadership and participation at all levels of social and political life.

Distinguished delegates,

The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, "The only constant in life is change."

Supported by its Member States, successive UN leaderships have consistently pursued reforms to refine the organization's structure and operations across all aspects.

In this context, Mongolia welcomes and supports the "UN80" initiative presented by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

We are confident that ensuring gender equality in senior leadership positions within the United Nations will undoubtedly have a positive impact on fostering more transparent, balanced, and inclusive decision-making processes.

Therefore, we support initiatives to nominate women candidates for the position of UN Secretary-General and Rotation for Equality Initiative, which calls for gender rotation in the position of the President of the UN General Assembly.

Furthermore, Mongolia upholds and implements the principles of the UN Charter and universally recognized norms of international law, actively contributing to the strengthening of the UN-centered multilateral system. Mongolia reaffirms its commitment to the UN reform, particularly of the Security Council, to ensure it reflects current realities and embodies equitable and fair representation, inclusivity, transparency, effectiveness, democracy, and accountability.

In an era defined by escalating conflicts, rising walls of distrust, and deepening divisions, it is more vital than ever to foster international relations grounded not merely in multipolarity, but on multi-pillar principles that honor the history, culture, civilization, national interests and unique development paths of each nation.

The United Nations was established 80 years ago with the noble goals of saving humanity from scourge of war and maintaining international peace and security.

The United Nations, serving as the cornerstone for the peaceful and harmonious coexistence among nations, must be reinforced and empowered through strong, multi-pillar principles that ensure equal rights and balanced influence.

Therefore, let us reflect with solemn care on whether the mission entrusted to the United Nations eight decades ago has been fully realized. And let all Member States join hands in a shared commitment to revitalize the Organization into a powerful institution strong enough to usher in Pax Globalica - a lasting World Peace – by embodying ideals of the "Pax Mongolica", which laid the foundation for peaceful coexistence among nations and human progress eight centuries ago.

At this pivotal moment, as we commemorate the historic 80th anniversary of the United Nations, I would like to emphasize the growing importance of its role in fostering mutual understanding, trust and respect among nations, as well as in advancing peace, stability, development and the vision of a world free from war.

Mongolia has consistently pursued a peace-loving, multi-pillar foreign policy, made tangible contributions to international peace and sustainable development, and remains committed to fulfilling this responsibility with honor.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you all on the momentous occasion of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

May the Eternal Blue Sky bless us with peace throughout the world.

Thank you for your attention!