Ulaanbaatar, March 6, 2024. /MONTSAME/. On March 5, 2024, at the initiative of the President of Mongolia, the Second National Forum on Forestry was held under the theme "Forestry 9+" at the State Palace.

The purpose of the Forum is to boost efforts and collaboration of the government, entities, and citizens of Mongolia to achieve the goal of expanding the forest area to 9.0 percent of Mongolia's territory by 2030, which is reflected in the "Billion Trees" national movement and the "Vision-2050" long-term development policy, to review the achievements in the forestry sector, and to clarify future goals and policies.

President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa delivered an opening remarks at the conference. Congratulating the 100th anniversary of the development of the forestry sector, the President expressed his high appreciation for the work done within the framework of the "Billion Trees" national movement.

A significant change has been made in the understanding, attitudes, and thinking of the people and enterprises about the role and importance of the forest ecosystem in reducing the negative effects of climate change, and the people are joining forces in planting, growing, and maintaining trees, H.E. President Khurelsukh emphasized.

In the future, the President said, it is necessary to implement a series of measures aimed at improving the policy, legal environment, structure, organization, investment, financing, and technological capacities in the forestry sector. The President considers it necessary to consistently introduce new technology and innovation, and implement technology transfer in the forestry sector.

Concrete, effective, and intensive measures should be taken with the aim of training professionals, increasing the value of forests, improving people’s awareness of forests, and solving the social issues of forestry workers, noted President Khurelsukh.

The President urged the government and the people to work together with one mind to maintain the balance of the environment and ecosystem, to implement the goals of sustainable development, to strengthen the security of our nation, and to mitigate climate change.

41.5 MILLION TREES PLANTED WITHIN THE "BILLION TREES", NATIONAL MOVEMENT

A total of 41.5 million trees have been planted in the two years since the "Billion Trees" national movement started. The number of tree nurseries operating nationwide has increased to 452, and the nurseries have prepared 12 tons of seeds in 39 species of trees and shrubs, 63 million seedlings and saplings.

In 2023, about a billion trees on an area of 275,000 hectares were protected from pests and prevented from decaying and drying up and MNT 20 billion is planned to expand the area to be protected to over 300 thousand hectares this year.

Mining companies will plant more than 50 percent of all trees to be planted within the framework of the National Movement, while the Bank of Mongolia and commercial banks established a "Billion Tree Fund" and are providing green financing for projects and programs.

Mongolia became the first country in Asia to join the "Forest Partnership" of the European Union.

Erdenet Mining Corporation made a considerable investment in strengthening the infrastructure of the forest sector, establishing the Forest Genetic Resource Center and Soil Innovation and Technology Center.

Mongolia is also actively working in forest protection and restoration at the international level. In collaboration with the United Nations, Mongolia will host the World Women's Forum in August 2024, and the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Desertification in 2026. At the initiative of Mongolia, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Resolution entitled "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, 2026.”