LocationsGerman Donor Mission Highlights SCALA’s Role in Strengthening Mongolia’s Agriculture and Land Use
September 10, 2025
SCALA stakeholder meeting
Ulaanbaatar, 11 September 2025 – A high-level delegation from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) and International Climate Initiative (IKI) visited Mongolia from 9-11 September 2025 as part of their Asia mission to engage with government leaders, development partners, and local stakeholders on expanding climate action in the agriculture sector.
Delegation team with UNDP Resident Representative, Matilda Dimovska
The mission was organized under the UNDP–FAO Scaling up Climate Ambition on Land Use and Agriculture (SCALA) programme and focused on reviewing its contribution to Mongolia’s progress in integrating climate-resilient practices into agriculture and land use, while identifying opportunities for deeper cooperation.
The delegation was led by Mr. Ulf Jaeckel, Head of the European and International Adaptation to Climate Change Division at BMUKN, and Ms. Petra Nieland, Project Officer at Z-U-G, joined by representatives from UNDP and FAO. Their mission underscored the strong partnership and technical expertise driving SCALA’s work in Mongolia.
During the mission, the delegation reviewed SCALA’s progress in strengthening scientific evidence for climate solutions, integration of agriculture into NDC 3.0 and the National Adaptation Plan, and support on gender-responsive climate planning and budgeting. Discussions with government, partners, and stakeholders highlighted ways to strengthen the resilience of herder and farming communities, while field visits showcased how SCALA’s assessments are essential for adjusting climate policy direction and driving practical solutions on the ground.
Visit to field sites showcasing climate-resilient agriculture in action
Since 2021, SCALA has been supporting Mongolia to define objective implementable climate solutions in land use and agriculture through multistakeholder coordination by advancing sustainable livestock, farming, water management, and soil carbon practices. Its studies have informed key national policies, including the NDCs, NAP, and the livestock tax law. By embedding climate targets into sectoral plans and budgets, SCALA is providing crucial support to Mongolia in building gender-sensitive climate finance systems and delivering practical solutions that boost resilience, cut emissions, and secure sustainable livelihoods for herders and farmers.
“I am pleased to see and hear about SCALA’s impactful initiatives in Mongolia on how strategic policy support, combined with active local community engagement, can drive meaningful change in climate-resilient agricultural and land-use practices. The German Ministry for the Environment is proud to support this work.” stated Mr. Ulf Jaeckel, Head of the European and International Adaptation to Climate Change Division at BMUKN.
Mr. Ulf Jaeckel, Head of the European and International Adaptation to Climate Change Division at BMUKN
During the meeting with the delegates, Mr. Jambaltseren Tumur-Uya, State Secretary of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry, stated, “Through our collaboration with the SCALA programme, we have advanced key milestones from livestock tax implementation assessments to the integration of agriculture priorities into NDC 3.0 and the development of innovative monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems. These efforts are crucial for strengthening national policy implementation and ensuring climate-resilient development of our agriculture and land-use sectors.”
Mr. Jambaltseren Tumur-Uya, State Secretary of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture
UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia, Ms. Matilda Dimovska, stated, “SCALA has been crucial in supporting Mongolia to integrate climate priorities into national plans and strengthen resilience in agriculture and land use. We are deeply grateful for Germany’s support, which allows us to move from planning to practice and scale solutions that will make a real difference for herders, farmers, and communities”
Ms. Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia
FAOR Mongolia Ms. Qingyun Diao, stated: “The agriculture sector has great potential for climate change mitigation and adaptation by implementing transformational climate actions through NAPs and NDCs where SCALA is supporting synergy between the key documents and strengthening the evidence base for gender-responsive transformative climate actions in the country’s land-use and agriculture sector. The mainstreaming of climate actions takes place not only at national level through multi-stakeholder consultations but also through strategic communications at regional and global level climate events. The Climate Action Review (CAR) tool, developed SCALA, is utilized by the SCALA country team to prioritize climate solutions in agriculture and land use systems by aligning with the NAP and NDC.”
Ms. Qingyun Diao, FAOR Mongolia
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
About FAO
FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger, achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.
About SCALA Programme
The Scaling up Climate Ambition on Land Use and Agriculture through Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans (SCALA) programme is funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI).
For further inquiries:
Erdenesukh Otgonbayar | Communications Analyst | UNDP in Mongolia | erdenesukh.otgonbayar@undp.org
Bujin Bazarvaani | Digital Communication Specialist| FAO in Mongolia | Bujin.bazarvaani@fao.org
