[ 16 July, 2010, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia ]

The newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia, Ms. Sezin Sinanoglu presented her credentials to H.E Mr. G. Zandanshatar, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Mongolia. H.E. Minister congratulated Ms. Sinanoglu with her appointment as the UN RC and UNDP RR and noted that Mongolia and the UN has had a long-lasting tradition of fruitful and close collaboration in support of the country’s development priorities. The Minister emphasized that Mongolia is committed to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and is working towards achieving them by 2015.  The Third National MDG Report, which will be launched on 6 August, provides an update on achievements to date and progress towards the goals.  The launch is planned for the official visit of Mr. Ajay Chhibber, UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and Pacific who will be in Mongolia from 5-9 August 2010.

The Minister added that the Government of Mongolia will continue to work closely with the UN in developing the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), a comprehensive strategy document describing the UN’s response to the country’s development needs for the years 2012-2016.

Ms. Sezin Sinanoglu extended appreciation for the strong cooperation that the Government of Mongolia has extended to the UN over the years, noting that she looks forward to continuing the fruitful and close collaboration during her term in Mongolia. Ms. Sinanoglu assured that she is committed to working for the people of Mongolia, noting that the UN will partner not only with the Government but also the civil society, media, the Parliament and all other stakeholders.

UN Resident Coordinator informed that the UNDAF aims to bring the UN agencies’ development work in Mongolia together around common objectives. It is a collective effort of the UN and the national counterparts to address the development priorities of the country. She noted that the joint efforts of the UN, the Government and the civil society for the Dzud appeal are an illustrious example of such successful cooperation.

Previously, Ms. Sinanoglu was Chief of the Asia/Pacific/Europe/CIS Section of the United Nations Volunteers programme in Bonn, Germany (2008-2010).  Prior to that, she served as UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Kyrgyzstan (2004-2008) and Turkmenistan (2002-2004).  From 2001-2002, she was the Assistant Programme Director of the Electricity Network Rehabilitation Programme for UNDP in Northern Iraq.  She began her career with UNDP in 1995 as a Programme Officer in Turkey.  Ms. Sinanoglu holds a Masters in City Planning and a Bachelor of City and Regional Planning from the Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.

For more information please contact:
Adiya O. (Mr), UN Coordination officer, Phone: +976-11-327585 -113 Cell: 99096434
Jargalsaikhan P. (Ms), Communication Analyst, and Phone: + 976-11-327585 - 195 Cell: 99135393