The launch was initially going to be organized with 130 representatives of more than 40 organization, but due to COVID-19 related quarantine situation, the launch was organized with attendance of 40 men and women representing Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP), Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, General Agency for Social Insurance, General Agency for Health Insurance, National Emergency Management Agency, Mongolian Employers’ Federation, Mongolian Confederation of Trade Unions, National Association of Mongolia Agriculture Cooperative, Herder TV and participating UN agencies.

The launch started with Opening remarks of Mr Unurbayar Gombosuren, State Secretary of the MLSP and Mr Tapan Mishra, UNRC in Mongolia. Mr Unurbayar “…welcomed the UN Initiative to support herder families in Mongolia who are left behind to benefit from country’s socio-economic development. Mongolian herder men and women lack in guaranteed and are vulnerable to climate disasters such as dzud (harsh winter). Only 15 percent of herders of are covered by social insurance”.

Mr Tapan Mishra highlighted that “UN will contribute with its knowledge and expertise to enhance the efforts of the Government, social partners, civil societies, and development partners in social protection and to improve livelihood of herders strengthening their resilience to shock.”

A Joint Programme Inaugural in Tosontsengel soum, Zavkhan aimag

Press release, 17 February 2020

Mr Tapan Mishra joined an emergency mission of Mr Enkhtuvshin Ulziisaikhan, Parliament Member and Deputy Prime Minster of Mongolia, in three aimags – Khuvsgul, Uvs and Zavkhan. The latter is a pilot region for Mongolia’s UN Joint Programme on Extending Social Protection to Herders with Increased Shock Responsiveness. The joint programme inaugural was organized on February 17, 2020 in Tosontsengel soum, Zavkhan aimag, Mongolia. Representatives of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, Zavkhan aimag Governor and his office, National Emergency Management Agency, local community and participating UN Agencies.

Mr Enkhtuvshin thanked the continuous support of the United Nations to the country, and highly appreciated the project which aims increasing social insurance coverage of herders and increase preparedness to shocks.

A Joint Programme Launch in Zavkhan Aimag

Press release, 18 February 2020

Mongolia has 21 aimags, and among which, Zavkhan aimag was selected as a pilot province for the UN Joint programme, in consultation with project partners, given that (i) the aimag is highly affected by climate change and is susceptible to natural disaster such as dzud, and (ii) the UN has already started supporting the aimag as part of shock responsive social protection, thus building up its success to demonstrate efficiency and effectiveness of the programme. Representatives of Aimag Governor’s Office, Aimag Social Insurance Department, Chamber of Commerce and SME Department, as well as representatives from Aldarkhaan, Tsagaankhairkhan, Uliastai soums have attended the meeting. Mr Batsaikhan, Governor of Zavkhan Province welcomed the Joint Programme implementation in the aimag and expressed its commitment to close cooperation with the UN.