Ulaanbaatar
Mongolia to Establish Trained Rescue Units with Special-Purpose Equipment
Environment
Ulaanbaatar, August 13, 2025 /MONTSAME/. Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia Mr. Amarsaikhan Sainbuyan held an official meeting with Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director for Mongolia Ms. Shannon Cowling on August 13, 2025.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the current state of bilateral cooperation, the progress and outcomes of ongoing projects and programs, as well as future cooperation priorities and planned activities. Furthermore, the parties discussed improving the disaster protection system, including upgrading the National Emergency Management Agency’s early warning system and addressing financing for essential machinery and equipment. To reduce disaster risks and strengthen local capacity for rapid response, the Government plans to align NEMA’s structure and organization with the Regional Development Policy and to establish, in stages, units with air search-and-rescue and firefighting functions.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Amarsaikhan, highlighted that more than 280 of Mongolia’s 330 soums currently lack search-and-rescue units, increasing disaster risks. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the need to establish fully staffed and equipped units that meet national standards in every soum.
As a result of the project, local emergency units will be equipped with specialized rescue units capable of water rescues, high-rise firefighting, and operations in hard-to-reach areas, supported by advanced technical equipment. This will contribute to creating a nationwide disaster-resilient system—a critical step toward strengthening Mongolia's capacity to withstand emergencies.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that building a disaster-resilient nation and implementing regional development in practice are priorities stated in the Government’s “Vision-2050” long-term development policy of Mongolia and its 2024–2028 Action Program. The Deputy Prime Minister underscored the great strategic importance of the Asian Development Bank’s support and cooperation in achieving these objectives.
Mongolia remains committed to consistently implementing projects and programs to reduce disaster risks, enhance the capacity of local organizations, establish standardized systems, and promote sustainable socio-economic development, the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Amarsaikhan added.
