UNDP’s support focuses on the development of a range of strategies that enhance the country’s ability to conserve and protect its environment for resource efficient development, and to empower local communities and enhance institutional capacity for sustained environmental management, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. 

Within the current Country Programme 2023-2027, UNDP in Mongolia is focusing on: 

Strengthening mechanisms and capacities for risk-informed climate adaptation

UNDP will continue to promote nature-based adaptation solutions and support the government with digital technology and equipment to develop longer term climate change models and more accurate early warning systems. At the same time, it will prioritize investment in the river basin management and livestock husbandry sectors to develop water and land use plans for better risk-informed decision-making at the national level and in selected provinces. UNDP will help to expand the knowledge and skills of women and men in herder groups and cooperatives to improve livestock management, build resilience to climate risk and supply sustainably sourced livestock products. A traceability system for such products (cashmere, meat, dairy, leather) will be improved, including by adding incentives to engage herder producers throughout programme implementation. This will help to improve climate mitigation actions in the agriculture and livestock sectors as pledged under Mongolia’s nationally determined contributions to cut emissions.

Strengthening mechanisms for sustainable and inclusive management of natural ecosystems

UNDP will help to advance ecosystems and biodiversity contributing to Vision 2050’s green development priorities, through (a) integrated land use planning, to ensure that use of land and natural resources is oriented to optimize production without harming ecosystem services or degrading biodiversity; (b) making production practices more environmentally appropriate in the animal husbandry, arable farming and infrastructure development sectors; (c) offering technical support to line ministries and subnational governments to enhance regulatory and legislative frameworks on access to benefit-sharing of genetic resources; and (d) developing innovative financing solutions (such as debt-for-nature swaps, biodiversity funds) and other area-based conservation measures. To contribute to an inclusive and green COVID-19 recovery, UNDP will invest in systemic changes and dialogues among diverse stakeholders. It will also put nature at the heart of development to accelerate climate action and achieve progress towards the SDGs and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework targets. UNDP’s collaboration with ministries and specialized government agencies, FAO and other stakeholders will contribute to achieving national priorities on sustainable forest management and ecosystem restoration. Interventions will address diversification of livelihood options for communities and herders to improve production practices.