Mongolia and the European Union confirm two new project proposals within the Framework of the Forest Partnership

Mongolia and the European Union confirm two new project proposals within the Framework of the Forest Partnership

Policy working group meeting under the Forest Partnership between Mongolia and the European Union was organized with the leadership of Ms Odontuya Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Ms Ina Marčiulionytė, Ambassador of the European Union to Mongolia. During the meeting, the two sides discussed and confirmed two new project proposals, along with financing opportunities and future cooperation.

The Forest Partnership between Mongolia and the European Union started in 2022, with signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by Khurelsukh, President of Mongolia and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The cooperation was further strengthened with the approval of the Roadmap of the Forest Partnership in 2023.

The Partnership focuses on addressing the challenges and issues in the forestry sector related to mitigating the negative impacts of climate change, protecting and preserving environment, and restoring forests in line with the country's development priorities. Under the Forest Partnership, the first phase of the project "Ensuring Sustainable Agricultural Management and Ecosystem Stability in Mongolia" (STREAM) project has been successfully completed, and the second phase STREAM+ project has started in 2024. STREAM+ project is jointly initiated by the European Union, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia, and being implemented by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) until 2028.

"Strengthening Forest Governance and Value Chains" project will be implemented by FAO ready to kick-off. Additionally, during the meeting, the two sides reviewed and discussed potential projects which can be financed by the European Investment Bank.

The implementation of these joint projects can bring positive results in improving inter-sectoral coordination and enable Mongolia to adopt more efficient and climate-resilient strategies, which will not only raise the living standards of rural populations but also help protect the environment for future generations.