Mongolia had to battle to join the United Nations. For the first time Mongolia applied for membership to the United Nations in 1946. Since 1946 Mongolia renewed its application for the membership almost every year. The question related to the admission of Mongolia to the United Nations had been discussed 13 times in one or other forms and in each session of the General Assembly it attracted attention and curiosity of different countries.

In 1961, during the 16th Session of the General Assembly the issue of admission of Mongolia was considered in the Security Council on October 25, 1961. General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution accepting Mongolia as the 101st member of the UN.

Mongolia on its part did its best to contribute to the activities of the UN. Mongolia has participated in all the regular, special and emergency sessions of the General Assembly and contributed to the resolution of international issues through expressing the Government’s policies and positions. Since its admission to the UN Mongolia has initiated and ensured adoption of over 50 resolutions on different issues and co-sponsored more than 500 resolutions.

One of the critical forms of activities participating in the UN work is the preparation of national reports on the implementation of the international treaties and conventions, decisions of the General Assembly and the Security Council and statistical data for the UN. The Government of Mongolia has sent reports on the economic and social development of the country to the UN organizations. Besides, national reports on the implementation of the international covenant on civil and political rights, the international covenant on Economic, Social and cultural rights, the Convention, the Treaty on the comprehensive banning of nuclear tests etc. have been submitted to the relevant bodies of the UN. The measures taken in the framework of the international years declared by the UN and their results have been reported to the organizations concerned.

Although Mongolia has an army of modest size nevertheless, Mongolia has been substantially contributing to the international peace and GWOT (Global War on Terrorism) efforts as a member of United Nations and sending peacekeepers around the world since early 2000. In 1999 the Government of Mongolia signed Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations in order to contribute to the UN Standby Arrangements. In 2002 the Parliament of Mongolia passed a Law on “Participation of Military and Police personnel in the United Nations Peacekeeping and international missions and operations” which laid down a legal basis for Mongolia’s most active participation in international peacekeeping operations.

UN support to Mongolia

Over the years Mongolia has received from the UN organizations substantial financial, technical, technological assistance and support that gives impetus to the economic and social development of the country. Since 1963 Mongolia has received more than 200 million USD of grants and technical assistance. 

The United Nations Development Assistance Framework is a strategic programming framework for UN system to support the national priorities and goals of Mongolia in 2007-2011 years to help complete and consolidate the transition process towards democracy and a well-functioning market economy. It was co-signed with the Government of Mongolia to support the development needs of Mongolia in March 2006. .
The UNDAF identifies four areas of UN interventions in the development efforts of Mongolia backed with the financial commitments: (1) Support to quality socio-economic services available to vulnerable population in disadvantaged regions and areas; (2) Strengthening democratic governance; (3) Sustainable environmental development; (4) Global, regional, and South-South cooperation strengthened to address cross-border social, economic and environmental concerns.

Mongolia and Millennium Development Goals

Mongolia endorsed the Millennium Declaration adopted at the Millennium Development Summit organized by the United Nations in 2000. Subsequently, to the publication of the first national MDG report in October 2004, a Special Session for Parliamentarians on National MDG Report was organized which resulted in initiating a bill on Mongolia specific targets. In April 2005, the Parliament of Mongolia adopted the MDG resolution endorsing the national targets. An additional MDG 9 on “Strengthening human rights and fostering democratic governance” with three additional specific targets to respect and abide by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ensure freedom of mass media and access to information; mainstream democratic principles and practice into life, and create am environment of zero-tolerance for corruption.

In March 2006, the President of Mongolia issued a decree to establish a working group which comprises of the ministers, advisors to the President, leaders of the political parties, academics, researchers and representatives of the civil society and the private sector.  The working group is mandated to prepare a MDG-based National Development Strategy (NDS) which will serve as the basis to formulate medium-term programs, sectoral strategies and cooperation programs with the donor community. Moreover, the public had an opportunity to actively participate in the process of preparing the country’s long-term vision through consultative meetings and open contest calling the public to visualize their views on the country’s long-term development. The draft of the strategy is expected to be completed at the end of 2007.

The UN agencies have been strongly supporting this process through technical guidance on needs assessment approach and procuring the generalized macroeconomic framework licensed for Mongolia.