German development cooperation pledges another 7 Mio. EUR for Mongolian protected areas

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Germany and Mongolia continue their successful cooperation at protecting the country´s unique biodiversity. Germany will support the Mongolian protected areas’ landscape with another 7 mil. EUR. Thereby, this year´s pledge is increased to 13,5 mil. EUR in grant funding for this innovative approach, which aims at improving management structures of natural spaces that deserve particular protection. 6,5 mil. EUR were already pledged during the successful governmental negotiations in Berlin, held November 23rd and 24th 2016. Germany provides Mongolia an amount totaling to 25 mil. EUR for the joint project “Biodiversity and Adaption to Climate Change”. The Mongolian contribution adds further 3.5 mil. EUR. An increase of the Mongolian contribution is being planned currently. D. Oyunkhorol - Mongolian Minister for Environment and Tourism - highlighted in a meeting with Dr. Christian Glass – Head of the Development Cooperation Division at the German Embassy – and Petar Gjorgjiev – Director of KfW Office Ulaanbaatar – the high importance of the cooperation. She stressed that with this project Mongolia’s unique nature can be preserved, the livelihood can be enhanced and, simultaneously, the basis for sustainable tourism can be established. As of now, the following 11 protected areas were selected this year with the aim to improve their management and park infrastructure with German and Mongolian support: Dornod, Gorkji Terelj, Khangai, Khan Khentee, Khustai, Onon Balj, Orkhon, Otgontenger, Tarvagatai, Ulaan Taiga und Zed Khantai. With the additional funding, protected areas in western Mongolia shall be supported. Possible measures in the Gobi region may also be assessed. The innovative approach based on the principle of competition, whereby protected areas with good management concepts can apply, remains valid. Dr. Glass stressed that the support for protected areas and their population by the Mongolian Government remains an important investment to the country´s future, even in times of financial challenges. In 2017, the German–Mongolian Development Cooperation celebrates its 25th anniversary. Approximately 347 mil. EUR of funding were pledged by Germany within these 25 years. Supporting Mongolia in the priority areas “Biodiversity”, “Energy Efficiency” and “Sustainable Resource Management”, Germany promotes the country´s sustainable development and remains an important partner in the sustainable improvement of the living conditions of the Mongolian population throughout the country and the implementation of the “Sustainable Development Goals”.