Ulaanbaatar, November 27, 2024 /MONTSAME/. The conference commemorating the centennial of the establishment of the forestry sector in Mongolia was held at the Corporate Convention Center on November 25, 2024.

At the conference, President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa expressed gratitude to the forestry workers who are leading the movement to grow billions of trees to reduce climate change in an effort to create a better environment for the citizens and future generations. Noting that the people of all generations would be proud of the efforts and virtuous actions to protect Mother Earth by the forestry workers, President Khurelsukh emphasized the need to develop the forestry sector based on green technology and innovation through public-private partnerships that meet global standards to reduce climate change, sandstorms, and desertification.

The Head of State underlined the importance of replenishing and expanding forest resources through the “Billion Trees” National Movement, planting trees in urban and residential areas, and merging the forestry sector with agroforestry. 

Since the launch of the National Movement, 84 million trees have been planted and the stockpiles of tree and shrub seeds reached 12 thousand tons and the number of saplings and seedlings reached 63 million. Additionally, pest control actions were carried out in 341 thousand hectares of forests and 1.9 billion trees were protected from diseases and pests.

In 1924, the People’s Government Khural established the “Forestry Office” with four regiments under the Ministry of Economic Affairs. With the adoption of laws and regulations on forestry including the “Principle on Forests” in 1925, “Law on Forests” in 1931, the “Law on Forests” of the People’s Republic of Mongolia in 1933, and the “Revised Law on Forests” in 1934, it was stated that all forests in Mongolia shall be the property of the Government to value and issue permits to use forest resources. This laid the foundation for the Mongolian Government’s policy on forestry. The first professional forestry workers and engineers started being trained domestically in 1944 and 1964 respectively. During this time, the forestry organization expanded into an industry, scientifically based forest protection efforts were taken, and improvements were made to utilize forest resources appropriately. 

During the 1980s, Mongolia’s forestry sector developed with an independent Ministry of Forest Industry with 60 manufacturing plants, and six major industrial complexes that employ over 10 thousand citizens. At the time, the forestry sector was a major sector, having produced 15 percent of gross domestic manufacturing output and made up 20 percent of exports, implementing comprehensive measures on tree planting, and preventative actions against forest fires and pests.