For half a century, the United Nations Development Program has played a role in strengthening Mongolia’s democracy, civil society, and development with numerous programs and initiatives. Matilda Dimovska, the UNDP resident representative in Mongolia since 2023, currently leads the engagement and operations of UNDP in the country. She spoke to The Diplomat about the current progress on U.N.-led projects and initiatives, and the impact on Mongolian people’s lives. (This interview had been lightly edited for clarity.)
UNDP opened its representative office in Ulaanbaatar in 1973. In the 51 years since, despite Mongolia’s growth, development, and modernization, there are still many challenges in both government and civil society. As the resident representative of the UNDP, what are your perspectives and assessment on some of the U.N. projects that have been successfully implemented in Mongolia?
Thank you for this opportunity to discuss UNDP’s work in Mongolia. Over the past five decades, UNDP has been a trusted partner, working closely with the government to build a more just, equitable, and inclusive society. Our formal agreement with Mongolia dates to 1976, but our partnership began even earlier. We are looking forward to celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2026. Throughout this time, UNDP has played a crucial role in supporting Mongolia’s democratic transition, the shift to a market economy, and now the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Among the most significant contributions of UNDP are the development of the key pillars of a market economy, but also of democracy and accountability. For example, UNDP played role in the establishment of Khas Bank, now one of Mongolia’s leading commercial banks. Or the establishment of Gobi Cashmere factory, at the time an emerging private company for the key Mongolian commodity and now the leading cashmere company in the world.
We are also proud of our role in setting up the core institutions to protect human rights and the integrity and accountability of the public service – the National Human Rights Commission and the Independent Authority Against Corruption. Similarly, UNDP contributed to the establishment of the National Emergency Management Agency, the foundation for a more resilient Mongolia.
In January, you wrote a piece titled “Mongolia’s Clean Energy Transition: A Pathway to Sustainable and Inclusive Development.” You highlighted that the government of Mongolia’s target, “as outlined in the State Policy on Energy 2015–2030, aims for a renewable energy share of 20 percent by 2023 and 30 percent by 2030 of its installed capacity.” What are some of the steps Mongolia can and should take to overcome the challenges you mentioned in the article, such as “lack of infrastructure such as access roads, transmission and grid network, and the investment”?
Clean and renewable energy is the way of the sustainable future for Mongolia and the world. Indeed, Mongolia has several challenges that need to be addressed in order to successfully embrace the transition to renewable energy, and there are several crucial steps are important.
For example, we see in other cases how critical it is to update the existing energy system and infrastructure, such as transmission networks and access roads, as they are essential to support renewable energy projects.
Phasing out of coal-based energy production necessitates investment in renewable energy. Regulatory reforms are usually used for that purpose, to incentivize investments in renewable energy.
It is crucial to avoid any negative socio-economic impacts from the transition to renewable energy. For these purposes, tailored social protection for affected vulnerable groups can be a very effective instrument. A shift in behavior – both in government policy and public attitudes – toward clean energy will also play a vital role.
Finally, securing the necessary sustainable financing for these efforts is key to turning Mongolia’s renewable energy vision into a reality.
What are some of the UNDP projects or initiatives help Mongolia mitigate these challenges? Could you elaborate on the 2024 National Human Development Paper that was recently published?
Thank you for this question. Currently, UNDP is supporting Mongolia in overcoming some of the challenges of its transition to renewable energy.
First of all, we recently released the 2024 National Human Development Paper, which offers comprehensive policy recommendations for implementing a Just Energy Transition, ensuring that such a transition is both sustainable and inclusive. We hope to provide good analysis and provide options and ideas for policymaking. We have plans to use this document as a basis for further support to Mongolia in actual preparation of a Just Energy Transition policy framework.
Additionally, we support addressing some of the burning issues, like the use of coal-based heating, which is a core cause for Mongolia’s extreme air pollution. In the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan cities, we are piloting renewable-based heating solutions as a way to combat air pollution, support livelihoods, and offer solutions for the larger transition. This intervention also introduces a climate finance mechanism through carbon credit trading, laying the groundwork for a national carbon market.
Most recently, with the Ministry of Finance we signed an MOU and agreed to deepen the support and joint work on innovative financing instruments and leverage both public and private financing for the core development issues, including the transition to clean energy.
Gender equality has become an increasingly important topic in Mongolian society. Considering Mongolia’s small population, the gender gap can be a major issue for the labor force, human resources, and human capital. What are some of the major UNDP projects empowering women and girls and can you describe the outcomes?
Indeed, if we look at the world and Mongolia, one fundamental issue is the same for all. Women comprise half if not more than half of the population. But women still are facing an uphill battle in securing equality that reflects this fact.
UNDP is actively working to address this challenge globally as well as in Mongolia. One of our most recent milestones took place this year during the general election. With support from our close partner KOICA [the Korea International Cooperation Agency], through effective advocacy, capacity building, and strong partnership and engagement, we provided crucial support in the revision of two critical laws – the Law on Parliament Elections and the Law on Political Parties. The new laws embraced a 30 percent gender quota for the 2024 election, rising to 40 percent by 2028. These landmark changes, along with measures like zipper lists and fee waivers, are breaking down barriers for women in politics, ensuring more women have a seat at decision-making tables.
Accordingly, for the first time Mongolia, women’s representation in the parliament reached a record 25.4 percent, propelling Mongolia 35 places forward on the global ranking and surpassing the regional average. This is tremendous achievement, but the road for full realization of equality still remains long.
UNDP’s Gender Social Norms Index 2023 revealed that 97 percent of Mongolians still hold at least one gender-based bias against women, believing men are better political leaders. This points to the deep-rooted cultural and patriarchal norms that continue to limit women’s full participation in economic and political life – an area where we must continue to advocate further to create more inclusive opportunities for all.
Research has shown that Mongolia’s rivers, lakes, and waterbeds have been shrinking – not to mention that Mongolia is a landlocked country. Are there any UNDP projects that help Mongolia protect its water resources?
You are absolutely right. Water scarcity is a growing challenge in Mongolia, particularly in rural areas, while it is part of the ecosystem that is vital for rural livelihoods. Overgrazing and climate change have led to 77 percent of the land being degraded in Mongolia as of 2021. An economic policy that prioritized mining industry and other factors contributed to the drying of rivers and springs. As rivers and streams dry up, herders are turning to groundwater wells, which is not sustainable, making these initiatives to protect springs and streams vital. Sustainable water management, along with riparian reforestation and restoration, are proven to improve water quality, flow, biodiversity, and groundwater resources.
In UNDP, we address this issue as part of our support for sustainable livestock-based livelihoods. We are supporting measures to sustain water ecosystems service for the benefit of the people and wildlife, for example by protecting natural springs, constructing and repairing wells, and installing small-scale water harvesting systems.
The positive impacts are already evident – herders are seeing improved water availability, healthier pastures, and a future where their nomadic way of life can continue in harmony with nature. Equally important, we see evidence that the water supply for the wildlife has increased as well, and biodiversity is protected.
To many, Mongolia is a country of nomads, horses, and sheep. What are some of the things you have experienced in Mongolia that make your appointment here unique? Also, during your time in Mongolia, what do you hope to accomplish the most?
Thank you so much for the question. One of the most memorable moments I have had in Mongolia was when I first held a baby goat in my arms during my visit to Khovd province. I had always been a bit uneasy around animals, but in that moment, something changed. Overcoming that fear, I felt a unique connection not just to the animal, but to the deep traditions of this land – a place where humans and nature coexist in such a special way.
What also stands out is Mongolia’s vibrant, dynamic youth. Their energy and untapped potential fill me with hope and inspiration for the future of this wonderful country.
During my tenure here, I hope to contribute to Mongolia so that it uses its current political and development momentum and ambition, but also maneuvers through the uncertainties and global risks, to economically advance in a way that benefits all its current and future generations, to build a future where both people and the nature thrive. That means progressing in alignment with the Vision 2050 and moving toward advancement of its sustainable development goals, ensuring that no one is left behind.