Ulaanbaatar, May 6, 2025 /MONTSAME/. The Launching Ceremony of the Project to Establish the Tsagaan Burgastai-Ongi Water Complex and Restore the Ulaan Lake Ecosystem was held today at the State Palace of Mongolia. The Project will be implemented as part of the 14 mega projects, included in the Government of Mongolia’s 2024–2028 Action Program.

Chairman of the Standing Committee on Economics of the State Great Khural Seddorj Renchinbyamba noted, “Mongolia is launching a policy-level mega project to combat desertification, land degradation, and climate change by increasing the water levels of Tsagaan Burgastai, Ongi, and Ulaan Lake. The Project will improve water access for 30,000 people, 230,000 livestock, and agricultural land across five aimags, while also establishing new ecological and green infrastructure to support productive agriculture and tourism development.”

Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia Odontuya Saldan emphasized, “The 14 mega-projects to be implemented by the Government of Mongolia are mutually complementary national cluster projects. All 14 projects involve the use of water resources, with five of them to be carried out in the Gobi region. Enhancing the flow of the Ongi River and restoring Ulaan Lake is not solely a Mongolian concern. This project also aims at protecting the habitats and migration routes of numerous migratory bird species under the international Ramsar Convention.”

“Due to climate change and other contributing factors, Ulaan Lake has been drying up over the years. The only way to restore Ulaan Lake is by reviving the Ongi River. Encouragingly, the Ongi River has been recovering naturally over the past two years. It is, therefore, critical to stabilize its flow by constructing a comprehensive water complex, which will, in turn, restore Ulaan Lake. This Project is not just about reviving a single lake, it will protect nature and ecosystems, ensure a more balanced distribution of surface water between the Gobi and Khangai regions, and help reduce yellow dust storms,” said Director of the Water Department of Mongolia Batbayar Zeneemyadar.

The Project will construct an adjustable-flow reservoir with a capacity of 65 million cubic meters. It is estimated that the Project would employ 1,000 people during its implementation phase and create 130 new permanent jobs.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development Gantumur Luvsannyam, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Odontuya Saldan, members of the State Great Khural representing the Gobi and Khangai regions, and the Governors of Gobisumber, Dundgobi, Dornogobi, Uvurkhangai, and Umnugobi aimags signed a Cooperation Agreement, expressing their commitment to realizing the Project of high ecological and social importance.