Ulaanbaatar, August 26, 2024 /MONTSAME/. The Australian Embassy and The Asia Foundation (TAF) signed a partnership agreement on August 26, 2024, to strengthen women’s networks and movements for climate justice, enhance women’s economic empowerment, and increase women’s access to green financing.

Signing on behalf of the Australian Government was Ms. Katie Smith, Ambassador of Australia to Mongolia, while Ms. Sara Taylor, Country Representative signed on behalf of TAF Mongolia. 

The Australian Government is making a contribution of AUD 2.5 million to the Women’s Climate Resilience (WCR) project, which will commence in August 2024 for the duration of the next five years.  

Mongolia is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change and the frequency of climate-induced natural disasters of dzud, drought, snowstorms, dust storms, and flash flooding is increasing. Women, particularly those in rural areas and Ulaanbaatar's ger districts, have been disproportionately affected by the resulting climate-induced migration, economic insecurity, and health risks. WCR project will engage TAF’s Women’s Business Centers to address climate-induced migration challenges, continue and expand a carbon credit incentive mechanism targeting women-led households and women entrepreneurs, and enhance women’s leadership and voices in climate action and green sustainable financing.

Ms. Katie Smith said “Australia has a long-standing partnership with TAF to support the sustainability development of partner countries. We have successfully collaborated in Mongolia to enhance women’s economic empowerment during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Through WCR project, we are pleased to join hands to support women’s efforts and leadership in addressing climate change impacts in Mongolia.”

Ms. Sara Taylor, The Asia Foundation’s Country Representative in Mongolia highlighted "We extend our gratitude to Australia for its continued partnership in Mongolia through the Women's Climate Resilience project. This initiative builds upon our previous collaborative efforts to bolster women's resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, enhance transparency in Mongolia, and amplify youth voices in democracy. Through the WRC project, The Asia Foundation will advance our long-standing support for the Women’s Business Center and expand our successful Coal to Solar pilot to reach more households including women-headed families in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar City."

As part of the commencement of this new project, Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality Ms. Stephanie Copus Campbell AM visited TAF’s Women’s Business Center in Bayankhoshuu area of Ulaanbaatar City, where she met women entrepreneurs and one of the pilot households of TAF’s carbon offset pilot project. 

During this visit, TAF formally donated to Ms. Davaajargal, a pilot household owner, the solar panel that was installed during the pilot project to ensure that her family continues to reduce their use of coal burning during winter months and generate income from carbon credits and improved indoor air quality for comfortable living. 

Ambassador Copus Campbell highlighted that she was inspired by the resilience of Mongolian women after hearing how they were adapting to the impacts of climate change and stressed the importance of ensuring women had equal opportunities to contribute, including economically, in the transition to climate-friendly futures.

"I am pleased this new project is focused on ensuring women are part of climate solutions. The only way we will tackle the negative effects of climate change is to ensure we draw on the brain power and lived experience of 100 percent of the population. These opportunities are there for women, if we ensure they have access to the skills, knowledge, and expertise to contribute. I’m pleased this new project is focused on ensuring women are part of climate solutions.” said Ambassador Copus Campbell.