UNDP in partnership with Erdenes Mongol Group Introduces SDG Impact Standards in Mongolia’s State-Owned Enterprises

June 19, 2025
UNDP Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar, 19 June 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Erdenes Mongol Group jointly hosted a high-level workshop titled “Erdenes Mongol Group and UNDP Partnership for Sustainable Impact”, bringing together senior decision-makers from the Cabinet Secretariat of Government of Mongolia, and the leading state-owned mining companies. The event aimed to support the integration of global sustainability practices into Mongolia’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) through the application of the SDG Impact Standards. 

Developed by UNDP, the SDG Impact Standards are a globally recognized framework that helps businesses embed sustainability, transparency, and long-term value creation into their strategies, governance, and operations. These standards are designed to guide enterprises in aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while generating measurable impact.

In Mongolia, SOEs play a critical role in driving the national economy, particularly in the extractive sector, which significantly contributes to GDP, employment, and public revenues. By applying the SDG Impact Standards, SOEs can become powerful enablers of sustainable and inclusive growth.

A woman in a green suit speaks at a podium, with flags in the background and an audience visible.
UNDP Mongolia

Ms. Tsolmon Dorjderem, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary of Mongolia, highlighted that “Mongolia’s development path needs to be both economically sound and socially responsible. Our state-owned enterprises have a duty to lead by example in building an economy that is sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready. I welcome this timely initiative and encourage all SOEs to align their business practices with the SDG Impact Standards.”

A woman in a light suit speaks into a microphone, gesturing with her hand. Flags are in the background.
UNDP Mongolia

Ms. Munkhtseren Sharav, Chair of the Board of Directors of Erdenes Mongol LLC, echoed this commitment and stated, "As one of Mongolia’s largest state-owned enterprises, Erdenes Mongol recognizes its responsibility to lead on sustainability and transparency. Partnering with UNDP to introduce the SDG Impact Standards marks a major step in our journey to integrate long-term impact into our business operations and set a benchmark for other SOEs."

The workshop builds on growing global recognition of the role of sustainable business models in shaping a resilient future. As highlighted in the “Better Business Better World” report (2017), aligning business with sustainable development could unlock economic opportunities worth up to USD 12 trillion and create up to 380 million jobs by 2030.

A woman speaks at a podium during a workshop, with blue presentation slides behind her.
UNDP Mongolia

Ms. Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia, added, "The SDG Impact Standards were developed to support businesses and investors in making more sustainable choices and to help them contribute meaningfully to the Sustainable Development Goals. We are confident that these standards will help SOEs to put sustainability and responsibility at the heart of how they plan, invest, and operate. "

UNDP and Erdenes Mongol Group are paving the partnership to advance responsible governance in Mongolia. The joint efforts would focus on three priorities: integrating Environmental and Social Governance and SDG impact standards into decision-making within the Group, promoting inclusive governance and stakeholder engagement as well as driving a green transition through nature-based solutions into the Group’s operation. 

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For more information, please contact:

Erdenesukh Otgonbayar | Communications Analyst | UNDP Mongolia | erdenesukh.otgonbayar@undp.org 

About UNDP

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