HELEN CLARK'S REMARKS ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY

The UNDP Administrator Ms Helen Clark has said she knows "how dearly Mongolia values the UN membership, and I am very honoured to be visiting this country at such a special time".


She said it at the celebration of Mongolia's 50 year anniversary as a member of the United Nations October 19.

In 2011, Mongolia marks many anniversaries–from the 2200th anniversary of statehood, to the 805th anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire, the 100th anniversary of Mongolian Independence, and the 90th anniversary of the People’s Revolution. “But 2011 is also the 50th anniversary of Mongolia’s membership of the United Nations, I know it was a long road to attain that membership back in 1961, and I also know how dearly Mongolia values that membership, and I am very honoured to be visiting this country at such a special time.” “Over the past fifty years, Mongolia has been an activemember of the UN, participating in many important decisions related to global peace, security,and development. Just recently, the President Elbegdorj made an inspiring speech at the General Assembly– calling, among other things, for a strengthened role for the UN, a global transition to a green economy, a world free of nuclear weapons, and for support for a non-permanent seat for Mongolia in the Security Council in 2023-2024,” she wen on. “Last year, through its Permanent Representative in New York, Mongolia chaired the Second Committee of the General Assembly, which deals with economic and financial matters. Mongolia’s National Statistics Office was elected in April 2011 as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission, a coveted position.

“Mongolia is a significant contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, with troops serving in faraway countries and regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan–the newest member of the UN–and Darfur. From a country with a population of 2.7 million, the extent of Mongolia’s contribution to UN peacekeeping is remarkable and much appreciated,” she stressed. “The UN’s operations in Mongolia started in 1963, when UNICEF opened an office in Ulaanbaatar. Today, we have eleven agencies here, with an annual portfolio of $21.5 million. Over the years, the co-operation has evolved into a true partnership with government, civil society, and local communities across the country covering a wide range of the mandates of the UN agencies, including achievement of the MDGs, democratic governance, food security, maternal health, child protection, and water and sanitation, with a strong focus on capacity development and national ownership,’ Mr Clark said. This year, the Government and the UN in Mongolia signed the new United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), which guides the UN’s work and its collaboration with the government, civil society, and other partners in Mongolia for the next five years. The UNDAF is the collective response of the United Nations agencies to the national development priorities outlined in Mongolia’s MDG-Based National Development Strategy. It is already being translated into concrete country action plans for the years 2012-2016, she went on. In 2015, the world will take stock again of what has been achieved through the Millennium Development Goals. In Mongolia, much progress has been made, and it is expected that majority of MDGs are likely to be achieved here by 2015, she noted.

“While some MDG targets are lagging behind, strong and concerted national action can accelerate progress. The UN is committed to working with Mongolia on achievement of all the Goals. “Growth in the Mongolian economy is being driven by this country’s rich endowment of natural resources, and future revenue flows are likely to be significant. The challenge is to ensure that the benefits of growth accrue to all sections of society, so that the country can enjoy a “resource blessing” and not suffer a “resource curse”. ”The UN system stands ready to assist Mongolia in this effort through its global knowledge networks and technical expertise,” she said. Mongolia has made a successful transition from its old political system to the new. “I commend the Government of Mongolia for introducing a ninth MDG focusing on democratic governance and human rights. We welcome Mongolia’s intention as the recently elected Chair of the Community of Democracies to promote education on democracy, share experiences on deepening democracy, and stimulate regional co-operation,” she underlined. “We also encourage Mongolia to continue the reforms of democratic institutions and processes. 2012 is an election year, and we look forward to the reforms designed to deliver fairer representation. “Women’s political representationin Mongolia is at very low levels. Unless strong action is taken, Mongolia could even fall into the tiny group of nations which have no women in their parliaments,” she said. “Yet Mongolia has other important gender achievements to its credit, including in the fields of education and health. With so many qualified women and so much other progress in the country, I urge politicians and decision makers to take bold, concrete, and strong affirmative action to boost women’s representation,” she stressed. “I congratulate Mongolia on recently passing a gender equality law, which will undoubtedly enhance the status of women. But women should also need their own distinctive voice in the country’s representative institutions,” Mr Clark said. “Eight centuries ago, the Mongol Empire changed the course of world history. Today, Mongolia is also a force in our world, as an advocate for democratic government, ecological balance, and peace. The significance of Mongolia’s history and culture, and its contribution to building a better world are widely recognised.” she said. “All that contributes to making Mongolia an important and effective member of the UN. We thank this country for its constant support, and congratulate you again on the fiftieth anniversary of your accession to the UN,” she said, adding that the UN and all its agencies look forward “to continuing and building on the strong partnership which we have developed with Mongolia over the past half century.”

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