Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Minister of Environment and Tourism N.Urtnasan held a meeting with Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Mongolia Axelle Nicaise.

Minister N.Urtnasan asked the EU to support direct investments in the implementation of the ‘One billion trees’ national campaign, saying, “The Government plans to establish a forestry agency and expand partnerships in the sector. We currently have a reserve of 9.2 million seedlings. Special emphasis is being placed on supporting forestry and raising the workforce to increase the reserve ten-fold.”

EU Ambassador Axelle Nicaise thanked the ministry for paying attention to environmental protection, desertification reduction, and air and other environmental pollution and undertook to cooperate in forest management. The EU ambassador also said Mongolia will be one of five principal partner countries for cooperation in forest management and the sides agreed to sign a Memorandum on cooperation in forest management ahead of major international forums and meetings planned for coming months, which will open up opportunities for attracting investment to the sector with EU’s support.

Another issue the environment ministry is focusing on is over 80 percent of the total area of Ulaanbaatar being affected by soil pollution, said Minister N.Urtnasan, putting forth a proposal to cooperate in addressing the issue. 

The minister said the environment ministry is ready to cooperate with the EU in developing tree nurseries in regions, creating a reserve of seeds, training and upskilling workforce, and other efforts as part of the EU’s Green Recovery program and undertook to realize the plan to set up a working group to improve waste management in cooperation with the EU and enhance cross-sector coordination.