Before coming to Mongolia, I honestly did not know what to really expect. I had heard of the giant strides the country had made as regards the environment and green development, but still I had my doubts. As the host of World Environment Day 2013, Mongolia has put all my lingering doubts to bed. Mongolia is a country whose
visionary leadership working in tandem with its people has prioritized a Green Economy shift across its major economic sectors such as mining and has also promoted environmental awareness among the youth. Being one of the most affected nations in the world to global warming (with a mean temperature rise of 2.1 over the last 70 years), she is facing enormous challenges including growing pressure on food security and water supplies as a result of the impacts of climate change. Yet its government is undaunted and determined to meet these challenges and seize the opportunities of a less-polluting and more-sustainable future.
The government has placed a moratorium on all new mining, pending improved environmental regulations and has reduced the number of mining licenses from 46 percent in 2009 to 12 percent at present. The country is also on the path to becoming a renewable energy power-house and exporter of clean energy regionally. I saw proof of this when I saw the first wind farm in Mongolia, which is harnessing the power of renewable wind energy to meet the growing energy needs of the population.
Being a “foodie”, I felt right at home in Mongolia. Mongolians are lovers of good food and I was able to experience the culture of the Mongolian people through the window that food provides. I tried various traditional delicacies but my favourite by far was the very popular “borts” (a traditional Mongolian delicacy which is basically concentrated beef equal to the protein of an entire cow but condensed and ground down to the size of a human fist!)
The people of Mongolia are warm, cheerful, hardworking and very open to new things. Mongolians have for centuries lived in harmony with nature, and this culture has been passed down even to the younger generation as evidenced by the Children’s day celebrations of June 1st. The children were colourfully attired in various traditional attires performing in dances and songs. I fondly remember the Purevdorj family who came all the way from the Khuvsgul province, about 779km from the capital Ulaanbaatar to perform at the celebrations. The family won the “Talented family” contest involving all of the 21 provinces of Mongolia and performed to the delight of all present. Their lead singer is the 9 year old Michidmaa Purevdorj who is both bold and adorably charming.
I will forever cherish having the great privilege of meeting the President of Mongolia, Mr Elbegdorj Tsahia at the State Palace, who is one of the leading voices on green development and environmental sustainability worldwide.
The high point of my stay in Mongolia however was visiting the Hustai National Park in the company of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Chief Executive, other UNEP staff and some members of the foreign media. Our overnight stay at the park was a memorable experience for me. I was awestruck by the breath-taking landscape, clear blue skies, steeped mountains, lush green grasses, sand dunes and river wetlands. In the Park, we were treated to a virtuoso performance from the Domog folk modern group; who with a combination of powerful “throat singing” and excellent instrumentals took our breaths away.
This year’s World Environment Day could not have been hosted by a better country. Special thanks must go to the Minister of Environment and Green Development, Dr Oyun Sanjaasuren, and the entire staff of the ministries of Environment and Green Development as well as foreign affairs, for making this year’s World Environment Day the best yet.
Working with UNEP for this year’s World Environment Day has been the best experience of my life thus far. A wise man once said ‘’True success is making the world a better place, and leaving the world better than you met it”. In this vein, the United Nations Environment Programme and World Environment Day 2013 has been a huge success!
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