[3 - 6 October 2008]

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is to pay his first visit to Mongolia in his capacity of UNDP Global Good Will Ambassador from November 3 to November 6 2008.

As part of his official itinerary His Royal Highness will visit UNDP supported projects which are being implemented to assist Mongolia in achieving her Millennium Development Goals, in particular strengthening democratic governance and ensuring human rights. In addition to meeting high officials of the Mongolian Government His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will also visit Khentii Aimag and meet with local community members involved in local governance initiatives.

Other briefings:

The Crown Prince will:

• pay a courtesy call to Mr. N. Enkhbayar, the President of Mongolia. The year 2008, also marks the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Norway and Mongolia.

• have a discussion with the lawyers and beneficiaries at a Legal Aid Center which provides legal services for the poor and vulnerable..

• visit  “Our Home” Ger School, situated at Ulaanbaatar’s largest waste disposal site

and the Nutrition Training Centre in Songinokhairkhan District and will speak about Norway to the children who work on the site.

• Deliver a lecture on the Millennium Development Goals to students from the Mongolian State University.

• Visit one of the project sites of  the “Local Governance Support Programme” in Khentii Aimag and have a discussion with members of the local community involved in local governance initiatives and also with the Governor of the Soum on the issues addressed by the project and progress  that has been made.

Contact details: Ms. B. Bayasgalan, UNDP Communication Analyst at 327585 - 106