Ulaanbaatar, January 24, 2025 /MONTSAME/. President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa delivered a eulogy at the State Funeral for Honorable Ochirbat Punsalmaa, First President of Mongolia, on January 24, 2025.

"Today, the State and the people of Mongolia are bidding farewell to Honorable Mr. Ochirbat Punsalmaa, the First President of Mongolia, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Great Khural of the Mongolian People’s Republic, the Laureate of the Supreme Decoration of the Mongolian State, the “Order of Chinggis Khaan,” a distinguished statesman, public figure, and esteemed son of Mongolia. 

On behalf of the State and the people of Mongolia, I extend deepest condolences to the spouse, children, relatives, and loved ones of Honorable Ochirbat Punsalmaa.

The First President of Mongolia, You were the Head of State of Your country, the backbone of Your family, the caring father to Your children, a loving husband to Your wife, a trusted fellow to Your friends, an esteemed teacher to Your students, and a dedicated enlightener for Your people.

Honorable Ochirbat Punsalmaa, You had dedicated Your entire life to the service to Your country, from an ordinary herder to the President of the country, from a mining engineer to a minister, scientist, and academician.

Honorable Ochirbat Punsalmaa, the First President elected by the people of Mongolia, the Chairman of the National Security Council of Mongolia, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces, You had led numerous historical beginnings of a democratic Mongolia under the mandate of the Mongolian State, the choice of the Mongolian people, and an opportune moment of the Tengri time [the time of the Heaven] and made invaluable contributions to accomplishing a great cause to transition Mongolia to democracy and a market economy, consolidating rule of law, and implementing a far-arching reform process.

Honorable Ochirbat Punsalmaa, You were a man with a historic destiny –– as the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Great Khural of the Mongolian People’s Republic and the President of the Mongolian People's Republic during the years of social and economic transition of Mongolia, You led the Commission mandated to draft Mongolia’s new democratic Constitution, had the Constitution approved, and ratified the first democratic Constitution as the Head of State, and later on, as a Member of the Constitutional Court of Mongolia, You served as a guardian of Mongolia’s Constitution. 

Honorable First President of Mongolia, You were the first diplomat of Mongolia, who had the Foreign Policy Concept of democratic Mongolia approved, developed friendly and balanced relations with neighboring and other countries around the world, consolidated Mongolia’s sovereignty and independence through political and diplomatic means and led the noble cause of securing the nuclear-weapon-free status of Mongolia, thus making a weighty contribution to global peace and security.

In recognition of Your outstanding service to the development and prosperity of Your motherland Mongolia, the Mongol State respectfully conferred to You its Supreme Decoration, the "Order of Chinggis Khaan," and the State Premium of Mongolia for Your tremendous contributions to science and for Your academic works on the advancement of science in Mongolia.

Also, Your contributions to expanding international relations and cooperation had been highly valued by other countries and international organizations, which had awarded You their highest honors and decorations, testifying You as an honored dignitary in the world.

The Mongol State and people will remember for generations to come Your leadership, honorable service, and historic role and cause in proclaiming democratic Mongolia to the world, consolidating and strengthening the independence and sovereignty of Your Motherland, and laying the firm foundation for the development of a humane, civil, and democratic society in Mongolia.

I hold dear and will cherish in my heart forever the moment I first met You, the warm and lengthy conversations we had; and our candid talks and Your heartwarming smiles I will forever etch in my fondest memory, Honorable First President and a dear brother. 

Honorable Ochirbat Punsalmaa, Your presence, and support for us were as magnanimous as our eternal blue sky, as visionary as our vast steppes, and as guiding as our magnificent mountains. Your humble and gentle character, Your humility, and Your profound respect for harmony and friendship will forever be cherished in the hearts and souls of the Mongol people.

Honorable Ochirbat Punsalmaa, the First President of Mongolia, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Great Khural of the Mongolian People’s Republic, and the Laureate of the Supreme Decoration of Mongolian State, the "Order of Chinggis Khaan," a distinguished statesman, public figure, and esteemed son of Mongolia, may You rest peacefully in the Eternal Blue Tengri!"