Minister of Construction met with officials from US Embassy, MCC

Politics
baljmaa@montsame.gov.mn
2021-01-18 11:46:50

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. Last week, Minister of Construction and Urban Development B.Munkhbaatar, Head of Public Utilities Policy Implementation and Coordination Department G.Tsogtsaikhan and Head of the International Cooperation division B.Altaibaatar held a working meeting with officials from U.S Embassy in Mongolia and Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).


At the meeting, the parties focused on the requirements for the entry-into-force of the MCC Mongolia Water Compact, exchanged views on how to resolve the issues encountered and agreed to intensify cooperation.


The Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, Mr. Gregory May, extended his gratitude to the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development for its significant contributions to fulfill the Government's commitments under the Compact.


The MCC Resident Country Director, Mr. Alex Russin, emphasized that 2021 is expected to mark the beginning of the Compact’s five-year implementation period and that “by 2026, the water system in Ulaanbaatar will have been expanded to deliver 80% more drinking water, allowing for the city’s expansion and economic growth. This is being accomplished through the construction of new groundwater wells, an advanced water purification plant, a first of its kind water recycling plant, and support to the city’s water utility designed to enhance the sustainability of the water sector.”


MCA-Mongolia Executive Director E.Sodontogos noted that, in spite the country’s strict lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, MCA-Mongolia continued to advance the Compact implementation as scheduled.  She also highlighted the extensive efforts made by the Minister of Construction and Urban Development and his team to ensure the fulfillment of the Government’s commitments under the Compact.  


The Minister B.Munkhbaatar expressed confidence that Mongolia will successfully implement the Mongolia Water Compact, and underlined that it is crucial for the government and the capital city authorities at all levels, as well as the people to understand the great significance of this grant from the U.S Millenium Challenge Corporation for our country, especially for the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. 


He also stressed the importance of the concerted efforts and cooperation of all parties involved and benefiting from the grant to ensure timely the fulfillment of the conditions for the entry into force of the Compact agreement and expressed that MCUD will continue to take all possible measures to advance the Compact implementation.  


Background


Millennium Challenge Account - Mongolia is a state-owned enterprise established by the decision of the Government of Mongolia on October 3, 2018, pursuant to Government Resolution No 297 in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Compact to implement the Program under the 350 million USD Mongolia Water Compact signed with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. government foreign aid agency. 



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