Mongolia Moves Up

US President George W. Bush (L) and his Mongolian counterpart Nambaryn Enkhbayar smile prior to signing the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact in the White House on October 22, 2007. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, October 31, 2008 – As the global community seeks to usher more emerging economies onto the international scene, United States Ambassador to Mongolia Mark C. Minton drew on his special vantage point to answer the question, "Why Mongolia?"

As Minton explained, in the last two and a half years, Mongolia has been involved in two summits and is only the 17th country (out of 18 so far) to receive funding from the Millennium Challenge Account authorized by the US Congress. The Millennium Challenge will provide Mongolia with $300 million in grants over the next five years; plans for the funds include modernizing the Mongolian National Railway, developing blue collar skills among the populace, establishing a preventive healthcare program, and a land registration project. Ambassador Minton attributed the increasing interest in Mongolia to its skillful leaders, who continue to strengthen their diplomatic contacts and who have helped to promote a considerable market economy.

Mongolia is the home of one of the world's largest undeveloped mineral reserves, and Ambassador Minton emphasized the importance of exploring these assets in order for the economy to grow. Sensitive to the issues surrounding mining advances, however, he highlighted environmental concerns as well as the need for progressive mining laws. With regard to shortcomings in the country's infrastructure, attending Mongolian Ambassador to the UN, Her Excellency Okir Enkhtsetseg, reflected on the special needs of landlocked developing countries and finding necessary ways to turn "a disadvantage into an advantage."

Ambassador Minton also praised Mongolia's military, citing recent efforts to retool its peacekeeping forces, which have been dispatched to Sierra Leone, Iraq, and Kosovo, among other trouble spots. He spoke to its close relationship with the Alaskan National Guard, and Mongolia's growing Peace Corps. As many countries are scaling back their Peace Corps due to lack of funds, Mongolia boasts the largest per capita Peace Corps in the world.

On the heels of Mongolia's successful Parliamentary elections this past summer, Ambassador Minton expressed an optimistic outlook for both its rise in the world and prospective opportunities for development.

Jamie Metzl, Executive Vice President of Asia Society, moderated the conversation.

Reported by Kyle Carroll

Excerpt: Ambassador Minton on environmental concerns surrounding mining: "There is a great awareness... that the development of the country must go hand in hand with preserving this unique and beautiful environment" (2 min., 58 sec.)

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