MONGOLIANS LEARN CANADIAN EXPERIENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ In framework of the 'Strengthening Extractive Sector Management in Mongolia (SESMIM)' project, the Mongolian Government and non-government representatives made a study tour in Canada from September 25 to October 04, to learn from its environmental audit practices and experiences. The working group consists of representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry, the Ministry of Finance, the National Audit Department, the Environment and Tourism Department of Umnugobi, the Mongolian Environmental Audit Union and SESMIM project. The working group visited Ottawa, Toronto, Sudbury and Vancouver cities and various organizations including the Ministry of Environment and Climate, the Environmental audit union, the Mining association, Nickel mine and legal and financial advisory firm. During the visit, the representatives shared their views on issues regarding improving legal environment of environmental audit in Mongolia, training national personnel, clarifying rights and duties of stakeholders, accreditation of curriculum for environmental auditor and introduction of international standard. A national forum on environmental audit is planned to be organized with assistance of SESMIM project in November in Ulaanbaatar to discuss pressing issues in environmental audit and making midterm plan. B.Ooluun