Ulaanbaatar/MONTSAME/.  At its extended meeting today, November 17, the Cabinet approved a resolution on measures to be implemented within the framework of the ‘One billion trees’ nationwide campaign and assigned the government members and governors of aimags and the capital city to ensure its prompt implementation. Minister of Environment and Tourism was instructed to report the progress of realization of this resolution every six months at the Cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene said, “President U.Khurelsukh put forward a ‘Growing a billion trees’ initiative at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. This will not be only a way to preserve Mongolia’s forestry, water resources, and ecological balance, but also the Mongolians’ contribution to the deeds of humanity to reduce the impact of climate change and prolong the life of our planet. Reforestation is the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The nationwide campaign is the core and one of the comprehensive solutions to climate change, in addition to creating a legal environment for reforestation, improvement of the outcome and quality of reforestation, combating forest pests, preventing fires, reducing forest depletion and degradation, maintaining forest health, and protecting from sand movement. The reduction of the impact of climate change is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals approved by the United Nations General Assembly. Green development is also one of the nine key goals of the ‘Vision – 2050’ long-term development policy approved by the Parliament of Mongolia. Mongolia's moving to a multi-pillar economic policy and green growth model without delay will be a guarantee of its future development.”

The Prime Minister, who heads the National Committee in charge of climate change and reduction of desertification, expressed his full support for the initiative to grow one billion trees, intensifying coordination and implementation of works in this field.

Moreover, it was decided to establish a ‘Forest Research and Development Agency’ which will be responsible for organizing the ‘One billion trees’ national campaign and provide management.

“Procedures to evaluate the performance of aimag and capital city governors will include a new indicator such as the support for citizens and businesses to ensure ecological balance through the introduction of innovative technologies that grow and care for trees and have a positive impact on the environment,” stressed the PM. He called the governors for leadership in the fight against climate change. “The Government of Mongolia will take the lead for the introduction of technical and technological advances that value green solutions in its development goals and activities.”