YouSaid · the spoken record

Elbegdorj Tsakhia

lines on the record: 102
first: 2009-09-24
most recent: 2015-09-24
sittings or episodes: 6
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Let us strive for victory. Let us all be champions, Let us raise all our flags at the finish line, and let us all proudly present them to our beautiful planet’s next generation.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Its foundation is based on the preservation of the rights and interests of all nations, whether big or small, so that they may have a voice, a vote, and be part of our common human home. More relevant than ever, the United Nations is our common home where nations can meet and create solutions to solve the challenges of the world. If the 70 years since the United Nations was founded were the best 70 years ever, as I believe, then let us make the next 70 years even better. We humans are at our best when we face challenges and when we exercise collective bravery, spirit and leadership. With the Sustainable Development Goals, we all become developing countries and we all have a stake in our plans for success. There is no future without peace, there is no planet without sustainability, and there is no humanity without justice.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We also have a smart, tech-savvy, energetic young generation, who will soon shoulder our tough challenges with their innovative, dynamic and shrewd solutions. They give us hope and reassure us. I would like to reiterate that the solemn purpose of the United Nations has always been to enhance global peace, protect fellow human beings and contribute to global well-being. We all know there are well-founded criticisms of the United Nations. If our United Nations is to survive in the new reality, we must embrace substantive change. We need reforms to build a just and common home. If we delay action, change will become more painful and even more challenging. The United Nations is still our most representative and important global body.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“I reiterate the appeals of all speakers in the Assembly that we must vow to exercise clear and decisive leadership in effectively tackling the tough challenges ahead and in fulfilling the core missions of the United Nations. We have many opportunities to benefit the world. We are the first in history to have the potential, technology and resources to resolve the world’s problems. When I observe a giant display of military might, I think of the huge amount of money, human ingenuity and time that are being spent on war machines and weapons of mass destruction. With a fraction of the money that we spend and the technology that we develop to put on such macho war shows, we could solve many of today’s troubling issues.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We, the States Members of the United Nations, need to mobilize the full potential of humankind to achieve the primary purpose for establishing the United Nations, namely, the promotion of peace, the respect for human rights and inclusive economic and social development. I believe that, in the twenty-first century, the United Nations will remain at the heart of our common humanity. Its mission will be defined by a new, more profound awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race, gender or religion. Nevertheless, there are still numerous cases involving cruel violations of human dignity and rights. One thing is certain: every nation State should always strive for good governance, the strict rule of law and a sound human rights policy.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We believe that the Human Rights Council is a crucial body for the protection and promotion of human rights worldwide. It is a platform for open discussions on human rights issues, and it positively impacts national and international 15-29431 15/51 A/70/PV.16 29/09/2015 policies. Mongolia reaffirms its full commitment to the promotion of human rights and our willingness to share our experience in transitioning to democracy, fighting against corruption, abolishing the death penalty and ensuring genuine human rights. I respectfully ask every Member State to extend its valuable support to Mongolia’s candidacy for the Human Rights Council at the October elections.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Most importantly, the eleventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) will be held in Mongolia in the summer of 2016. Leaders of 53 countries in Asia and Europe will meet in Mongolia on the historic twentieth jubilee of the founding of ASEM. I earnestly look forward to welcoming them. Mongolia will further consolidate and strengthen our peace initiatives and our role as mediator. Our doors are always open for dialogue and engagement. We will always say that all are very welcome to cooperate with us in the spirit of freedom, justice and prosperity. We are ready to share the lessons we have learned and to listen to and learn from the lessons of other nations. I wish to stress that Mongolia is running for the first time for membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“I am convinced that Mongolia’s status of permanent neutrality will contribute to the strengthening of peace, security and development in our region and the world, in general. Recently, Mongolia hosted the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, and for the first time in our country, the autumn meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly was convened. The human rights experts and the European parliamentarians had fruitful, lively discussions and exchanges. The conference also provided a splendid opportunity for them to comprehend at first hand our achievements in protecting and advancing human rights, in exercising the rule of law and in running a pluralistic and open society. We are honoured to be hosting many events in the coming months and year in our capital city.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We support a comprehensive convention on Internet freedom, to be agreed to by all United Nations Member States. I appeal to everyone to work collectively to advance the great, global digital revolution, in order to bring greater prosperity to humankind. Mongolia has pursued a peaceful, open and multi-pillared foreign policy. That stance has enabled us to declare Mongolia to be a State of permanent neutrality. Our national laws and the international treaties to which Mongolia is signatory are consistent with the principles of neutrality. I therefore kindly ask for Members’ understanding and support for Mongolia’s peaceful, open, neutral and active foreign policy efforts.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“A compelling need exists to establish a solid and inclusive platform for comprehensive dialogues involving all Asian States. FORUM-Asia would seek to promote an equal representation of the interests of all sovereign nations in Asia, whether big or small. All nations would bear in mind the concerns of all other nations, rather than wrestle one-on-one within the global arena. It would ensure each member State its independence, integrity, and right to development. We invite all interested parties to play an active part of that cause. Our country also successfully chaired the world’s most reputable democracy movement, the Community of Democracies, for two years. Currently, Mongolia is chairing the Freedom Online Coalition. The first Asian country to lead that important community, we promote universal Internet access.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Any nation seeking nuclear power must not endanger the peace and security of their independent neighbours. We believe that the solution to those challenges is engagement, rather than isolation. We believe that strengthening multilateral collaboration and mutual trust among countries is vital. In Asia, Mongolia is a non-aligned nation and an honest broker that promotes peace and security. We launched a regional initiative similar to that of the Helsinki dialogue, known as the Ulaanbaatar Dialogue on North-East Asian Security. Within that security initiative, Mongolia has hosted and has helped arrange multilateral meetings, conferences, and symposiums to examine peace and security issues. We also put forward a common platform called the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, or FORUM-Asia.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Mongolia has become one of the 20 largest peacekeeping contributors in the world. To date, 14,000 Mongolian peacekeepers have served on active duty in global hot spots. That is 14/51 15-29431 29/09/2015 A/70/PV.16 a significant number in proportion to the size of our population. We are enthusiastic to share our experiences in transitioning to democracy in our quest for freedom, justice and development. When Mongolian citizens share and actively collaborate with countries in our region and beyond, we make our own success more durable. We care deeply about global stability. Mongols believe that we must preserve our planet by eliminating nuclear weapons throughout the world. For 23 years, our country has maintained a nuclear- weapon-free status.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The upcoming twenty-first session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Paris later this year, will be the first new test. It will require the widest possible cooperation ofall countries. We all must bear responsibility for protecting planet Earth and its ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations. We must all work to ensure justice and fairness throughout the world. Every nation and Government must actively contribute to the global good according to their respective capabilities and responsibilities. Mongolia has committed to always doing its humble share to promote global well-being. We Mongols are eager to contribute. Our peacekeepers proudly serve, along with fellow United Nations peacekeepers, to maintain international order and security.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“I am confident that building on those bedrock successes and decisively moving forward is compatible with your appeal, Mr. President, for a new commitment to action. Today, the world faces a shocking range of new challenges on a global scale — from weapons of mass destruction to global warming; from human rights violations to humanitarian disasters; from heinous crimes and mass terror to the breakdown of sovereign States; from an uncertain supply of energy, food and water to new challenges to freedom and security. In facing global challenges, we must admit one thing — no one country, big or small, can address them on its own. Therefore, the coordinated actions of all players and countries are needed. When all cultures and civilizations unite, we can tackle global challenges.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“More than one-third of our population is engaged in educational activities. More student-centred than previously, our education system emphasizes their practical involvement in learning. Our Government also now covers tuition if a Mongolian citizen is accepted into one of the world’s top universities. We believe in gender equality and women’s empowerment. Mongolia is a strong supporter of the United Nations in that cause. If societies are to advance, we need more women in public service at all levels, local and global. If women hold more positions of power, we will have less suffering and conflict and more harmony and civic engagement. All such efforts on the part of Mongolian citizens constitute a just, transparent, inclusive, accountable and action-oriented platform to guide us on a sustainable development path.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We have the most open, censorship-free private media, including social media and burgeoning Internet use. We have slightly more than 3 million citizens, yet it feels like there are 3 million journalists, too. New media technologies, transparency and public scrutiny make our society much healthier. We have adopted and implemented a set of laws related to an open, fair, service-oriented judiciary. Because the process takes place under strict civil monitoring, people’s confidence in a fair court of law is being restored. We have also created regulations and institutions regarding public hearings and participatory democracy. We are also prudently enforcing a law called the Glass Account — a budget transparency law that requires full disclosure of public expenditures. Education is key to human development and the county’s development.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“My country, within a single generation, peacefully transformed from one of the most isolated and closed regimes in the world to one of its most vibrant and open democracies. Mongolia also created one of the most unique, open, competitive and fair election systems in our region. It has nationwide electronic voting and biometric voter registration. We no longer use wooden or paper boxes or finger inks, and public participation goes beyond electronic voting. Corruption is still a big threat. Yet, over the past five years, with transparent, determined and enforceable policies, our country’s corruption index has dropped by one-third, according to Transparency International. We will continue to block the menace of corruption head-on. Mongolia is among the top countries in the world in the number of media tools used per capita.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“During the past quarter century, Mongolia has relentlessly striven to build an open and just society with a free 15-29431 13/51 A/70/PV.16 29/09/2015 market economy, participatory democracy and environmentally conscientious policies. We have made notable progress in the areas of governance transparency, citizens’ participation and the reduction of corruption and poverty. In the past quarter century, the life expectancy of Mongolians has increased by seven years. Our gross domestic product (GDP) has increased by a factor of more than 20. We believe in human rights and human creativity, and we foster private initiatives. Our private sector generates more than 80 per cent of our GDP growth.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“I note that the Goals are intended literally to save Mother Earth for future generations, which I can readily accept to save a happy, equal human race. I believe that we must build inclusive, capable institutions and create prosperous, peaceful, open, just, equitable societies. In order to advance those societies, the family of nations needs a robust, inclusive and open mechanisms. We must have reliable implementing, monitoring and accountability regulations and institutions in place. I appeal to every Member State to adopt national laws and policies to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. Such laws and policies would ensure their sustainability. I am deeply proud of my country’s contributions to the common causes of humankind.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Now humankind has a truly universal, ambitious action plan for the upcoming 15 years. A consensus-based, global platform, the Agenda is for all, because every single human being holds a stake in our planet’s future. The 17 Goals and 169 targets are real. Yet, they also embody the dream of humankind. Never before in history have nations reached such a universal and unanimous agreement. Our historic 2030 Agenda is comprehensive and sustainable. We have agreed on urgent targets on a broad range of economic and social challenges and on environmental emergencies. Is that not miraculous? With one voice, the entire world shouldered a mountain of responsibilities and adopted these bold Goals. In the Agenda, I recognize the overarching objectives for global sustainable development.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“If the United Nations fails to adopt a system of laws, we all will fail. The future is not only about the United Nations. The future is about all of us. It is about our community; it is about our family. Therefore, we have no right to fail. We have recently shown that we can make positive changes. At the dawn of the new century, we adopted and have since implemented the Millennium Development Goals. We achieved many targets, yet failed to achieve some others. Still, by and large, the global community passed the test. We learned lessons about working together and made huge strides towards achieving positive goals. With the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1), the international community produced a new history-making document. The entire United Nations family agreed on that road map towards sustainable development.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Our home, Mother Earth, is becoming more turbulent and is in fragile health. The Second World War is behind us and the arms race of the Cold War ended two decades ago. Many military conflicts today are not tied to defending a particular territory, but are motivated by borderless ideological, criminal and religious goals. Paradoxically, although we are more aware of those challenges and understand them better than ever, we seem unable to tackle them decisively and effectively. That is why we have gathered here and embarked on a momentous new journey to do much better to transform our world. The only way to bring peace and stability is through a system of rules and norms, laws and institutions that every country agrees to abide by in exchange for the benefits of peace and stability.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Hence, I would like to state that the past 70 years were the best 70 years ever for humankind. The founding of the United Nations, a historic milestone, connects our past, present and future. All of humankind is poised to make another great stride towards a new, better reality. I am hopeful for the future because we have the United Nations, because we have useful experience to tackle today’s challenges, and because a new generation of humankind is rising. The new generation has creative solutions to challenges and sees new opportunities in them. It shares knowledge and advance technologies. At this moment more than ever in history, we share a common destiny as a family of nations; yet, despite our achievements, billions of people still live in forbidding conditions.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“12/51 15-29431 29/09/2015 A/70/PV.16 Together, we have achieved a lot and we have charted a better course. The number of sovereign nations has quadrupled since 1945. The world’s economic output has increased fivefold. Human beings enjoy longer, healthier lives. We are more literate and educated. Today, the world has achieved the highest degree of international cooperation in history. Starting with the founding of the United Nations, Governments have steadily invested more and more in new means of cooperation. Those tools create new options, more space for compromises and more legal frameworks than humankind has ever possessed. The United Nations has justly become the primary universal organization working for peace, instead of war; prosperity, instead of poverty; and a dignified life for all, instead of human rights violations.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you, Mr. President. You can count on my delegation’s full support during the jubilee session and the year ahead. We are commemorating the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations. As a family of nations, our hopes for peace and progress, as expressed in the Charter of the United Nations, still resonates deeply today. The United Nations is designed to uphold humankind’s primary aspirations to live in peace, enjoy equal rights and achieve everlasting happiness. The United Nations has tirelessly served those noble purposes for seven decades. If the United Nations did not exist, most of humankind would have ended up in violent confrontations and faced more arduous, complex challenges than those that have arisen.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“In conclusion, I would like to express my confidence that this session of the General Assembly will be able to deliver a common development strategy beyond 2015, a strategy that will inspire and guide us to work collectively towards a safer, more equitable and prosperous future in the years to come.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The issue of the Council’s working method is also important for all small States, which make up a majority in the United Nations. Out of 193 States Members, 105 belong to the Forum of Small States. Of the 70 States that have never been elected as members of the Security Council, 50 are small States, including my own country, Mongolia. As a responsible member of the international community, Mongolia has put forward its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council in the elections to be held in 2022, and is seeking the valuable support of its fellow members.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Following up on the Ulaanbaatar Dialogue on Northeast Asian Security, we have successfully hosted a series of fruitful platforms, including a meeting of women parliamentarians, an international research conference and a meeting of mayors from cities in North-East Asian countries. Stability on the Korean peninsula is crucial for maintaining regional peace and security. We support an early resumption of the Six-Party talks. As a country with a declared nuclear-weapon-free status, Mongolia firmly believes that the Korean Peninsula must be nuclear-weapon-free. In a time of major geopolitical change, the United Nations system must reflect new economic and political realities. We need to accelerate the reform process, including the long-overdue expansion of Security Council membership in both the permanent and the non-permanent categories.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The expansion of our cooperation with those two neighbours augurs well for regional trade and investment and paves the way for enhanced economic collaboration with our other neighbours. Mongolia is redoubling its efforts to join the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation, to become a dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and to constructively engage in the East Asia Summit. Last July we also signed an economic partnership agreement with Japan. Strengthening peace and stability in North-East Asia is one of our national security Permanent Representativeiorities. We firmly believe that dialogue and open discussions enhance confidence among nations.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“In the run-up to the 10-year review of the Almaty Programme of Action, in June 2014 we hosted a high- level international workshop, “The World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade Facilitation: Implications for LLDCs.” We also joined the Intergovernmental Agreement on Dry Ports in order to become involved in regional connectivity. Facilitation of transit transportation, infrastructure development and reduction of trade barriers were among the issues discussed during the recent visits to Mongolia by President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin. We agreed to expand our cooperation in those areas. Those agreements were reiterated at the first ever trilateral summit that brought together Mongolia, China and Russia on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Summit in Dushanbe earlier this month.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We also welcome the outcome of the Open Working Group on SDGs and commend its hard work over the past 18 months. The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development underscored the special challenges facing the most vulnerable countries, including landlocked developing countries (LLDCs). However, we believe that the outcome document of the Open Working Group could have better reflected the special needs of landlocked developing countries. We hope that the upcoming intergovernmental negotiations will redress that situation.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Even my own country, Mongolia, which has a centuries-old tradition of living in harmony with nature, is experiencing its disproportionate effect. Conscious of that reality, Mongolia has recently adopted a green development policy. We expressed our support for the statement on carbon pricing, and for the New York Declaration on Forests to combat deforestation. This session of the General Assembly has the important task of articulating the post-2015 development agenda based on the legacy of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In that regard, we look forward to a synthesis report by the Secretary-General Permanent Representativeior to the intergovernmental negotiations for the sustainable development goals (SDGs) during this General Assembly session.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Yesterday’s United Nations Climate Change Summit 2014 offered world leaders a unique opportunity to voice their commitments to cut the emission gap and to pledge their commitment to the two-degree scenario in the lead-up to the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate, to be held in Paris next year. But that pledge will remain a mere ambition if it is not backed up by bold action and strong political will. We are running out of time, but we cannot run out of planet Earth. The time to act is now. Moreover, the Green Climate Fund needs to be made fully operational. If resources are actually transferred as an incentive to countries that reduce their emission of greenhouse gases, that will have a multiplier effect. No one country is immune to climate change.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“As a staunch advocate of democracy and freedom, Mongolia will use its opportunity as chair of the Coalition to promote, both nationally and internationally, an Internet that is free and secure for all. To support emerging democracies, Mongolia has set up an international cooperation fund. We have nothing to preach, but we have experience and lessons learned. We therefore shared with Kyrgyzstan our experience in parliamentary democracy and legal reform, and we held training sessions for Afghan diplomats and Myanmar journalists. Mongolia highly commends the Secretary-General’s leadership in galvanizing and catalysing global action on climate change. Climate change is not a challenge for the future; it is a matter of urgent Permanent Representativeiority today.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“To identify a long-term development pathway and regain the confidence of investors, a number of multi-stakeholder events have been held in Mongolia — the Economic Forum, the Business Summit and Discover Mongolia. In addition, new laws, particularly on investment, investment funding and petroleum, and budget transparency, have been adopted. At the international level, Mongolia served as the Chair of the Fifth International Conference of New or Restored Democracies and the Community of Democracies. We currently chair the Freedom Online Coalition. It is the first time that an Asian country leads the Coalition. We support the Human Rights Council’s decision that Internet freedom is a basic human right.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Although we are among the countries known as the third wave of democratization, the transition to democracy was in many respects unique in Mongolia. We made a simultaneous transition to democracy and a market economy. We made that transition peacefully. In 1990, democratic parliamentary elections were not only the first of their kind in the region, but they were fully free and fair. To ensure inclusive growth and citizens’ participation, a national policy on decentralization through direct democracy was introduced. As a result, citizens are now able to directly participate in identifying development priorities and allocations and monitoring local budgets.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Mongolia commends the Secretary-General’s leadership in rallying international support and establishing the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response to ensure a rapid, effective and coherent response to the Ebola crisis. We support the Security Council and General Assembly resolutions to that effect. The situation in Ukraine should be resolved only through political dialogue, without the use of force. The current ceasefire needs to be made more sustainable; all efforts towards finding a solution, including the Putin plan outlined in Ulaanbaatar earlier this month, as well as the Minsk protocol of 5 September and its follow-up memorandum, should be taken into account. Just 25 years ago, Mongolia chose its development path, deciding to embrace the rule of law, democratic governance, a market economy and an open society.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We need to do our utmost to implement the right of peoples to peace as emphasized by the Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace, adopted 30 years ago at the initiative of Mongolia. We have consistently supported the joint efforts of the international community against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Mongolia is a party to the majority of international counter- terrorism instruments. The seemingly unthinkable atrocities committed by the terrorist group called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant pose alarming threats to regional peace and security. The international community must take resolute action to defeat these threats comprehensively and in compliance with the Charter of the United Nations.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“At the outset, Sir, may I join others in extending our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Sam Kutesa on his unanimous election as President General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session. Mr. Kutesa can count on my delegation’s full support in the discharge of his enormous responsibilities in steering our work in the months ahead. The world is faced with multiple crises — violent conflicts in various parts of the world, terrorist activities by extremist groups, unprecedented epidemics and natural calamities. At this time of turmoil, we, as a family of nations, must rally around this world Organization as a centre of multilateralism, upholding the Charter of the United Nations and the universal principles of international law. We need peace and development.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“To support and encourage our peacekeepers, last February I took a trip to South Sudan and visited the United Nations Mission there. During my visit, I met the President of South Sudan and offered my support to him and to his nation, the youngest member of the international community. Let us make our world safer and more prosperous. Let us be fearless when it comes to fighting for fairness, transparency and the rule of law. Where there is the rule of law, there is less corruption and more human rights. Where there is transparency, there is less economic disparity and greater accountability. Where citizens are engaged and informed, good things happen. We must be fearless in our efforts to promote and achieve a fair, open and transparent world community.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We firmly believe that dialogue and open discussions foster confidence. We have therefore put forth an initiative: the Ulaanbaatar Dialogue on North-East Asia Security. We invite the other States of the region to jointly address various issues of common interest, including security issues in North-East Asia. Mongolian military officers and troops are honoured to serve along with their fellow United Nations peacekeepers to maintain international peace and security. We are very proud of our peacekeepers for their dedicated service and their invaluable contributions to the cause of peace. We all know the complexity of contemporary conflicts. Our peacekeepers are serving in areas with high security threats and risks.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“As a country with internationally recognized nuclear- weapon-free-status, uniquely situated between two nuclear-weapon States that are permanent members of the Security Council, Mongolia has been working hard on nuclear disarmament and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. As a result of our efforts, the five nuclear-weapon States, permanent members of the Security Council, have issued a joint declaration recognizing Mongolia’s unique status. They pledged to respect that status and not to contribute to any act that would violate it. Their joint commitment ensures that we will not be used as a pawn in any future nuclear plans or strategies. That is Mongolia’s contribution to greater confidence and stability in the region. Strengthening peace and stability in North-East Asia is one of Mongolia’s national security priorities.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Today people the world over are distressed by endless cycles of conflict. Military forces and weapons are being used to settle disputes. Thousands of human beings are losing their lives, millions are displaced and many more are suffering. The grave situation in Syria is the latest example. We hope that the United States- Russian initiative will bear fruit and lead to a peaceful resolution of the Syrian conflict. Mongolia firmly supports non-proliferation and the complete elimination of weapons of mass destruction. We cannot tolerate the use of chemical weapons and strongly condemn any violation of universally accepted international law. This morning I participated in the High-level Meeting on Nuclear Disarmament (see A/68/PV.11).”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In the past two decades, Mongolia has been learning and advancing democracy at home. With a view to supporting emerging democracies, we initiated and established an international cooperation fund and have already started implementing several projects. We are actively sharing the lessons of parliamentary democracy and conducting legal reform with Kyrgyzstan. We organized training for diplomats and public servants from Afghanistan. We are also discussing the possibility of cooperation with Myanmar and other emerging democracies. I call on Member States to support our policy of protecting and promoting democratic governance and human rights. I humbly ask for States’ support of Mongolia’s candidature for the Human Rights Council in the elections to be held in 2015. Peace and security remain a fundamental human right.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“That well-known and highly respected global democratic movement is dedicated to promoting freedom and democracy. Hundreds of human rights activists and democratic leaders from many countries gathered in Ulaanbaatar last April. The Ulaanbaatar Declaration charts a future course for promoting democracy. Our initiative, the Asia Democracy Network, and the ministerial consultative meeting, have laid a solid foundation for democratic development. I believe that efforts to foster civic engagement are more effective with democracy education. The implementation of resolution 67/18, on education for democracy, will strengthen democratic institutions and improve the human rights situation for more of our fellow citizens, because knowledge is power. We all must focus on promoting human rights.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We are combating corruption — the scourge of democracy — with a zero- tolerance policy at every level of Government. As a result, Mongolia moved up 26 places in Transparency International’s rankings of States. Transparency is the key to fighting corruption. Citizens have the right to know how their taxes are spent at every level of Government, from national agencies to the local administration. Our “glass account” system ensures that all funds are accounted for openly and transparently. Citizens deserve access to information and a say in how their communities are developed. The best Government is the one based on strong civic participation. Mongolia believes in democratic development. Over 20 years ago, it was unimaginable that Mongolia would one day chair the Community of Democracies.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Mongolia’s first wind farm, which is privately owned, is now in operation. Wind energy has the potential to produce electricity well beyond the country’s needs. We face many environmental challenges, including land degradation, deforestation, natural disasters and pollution. Those issues need to be resolved urgently and collectively. Environmental education and wider public participation are vital to resolving those challenges. This year we hosted the United Nations World Environment Day. Indeed, we are at the centre of the green economy. The Mongolian people, particularly our young people, are committed to building a better environmental future. Last year I spoke of the importance of Mongolia’s battle to root out corruption at all levels.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Likewise, we invite investors to work together for our common interests. Just a few days ago, we hosted the World Economic Forum Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Mongolia. That event gathered representatives of multiple stakeholders to explore future economic pathways for my country’s development. Mongolians care deeply for the environment. We take seriously our shared responsibility to confront the threat from climate change. That is why we are promoting a green development policy. We have also created and preserved national parks to curb desertification. At the same time, these scenic parks form the backbone of new ecotourism. They will generate both conservation income and green jobs. My country is creating an Asian super-network for green development. It will produce renewable energy and provide it to Asian consumers.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I want to share with the Assembly Mongolia’s views and experience. Mongolia is a great nation with a rich history. It is an old nation with a young heart. We are fortunate to have abundant natural resources, which offer great growth prospects and a unique opportunity for economic development and social progress. With double-digit percentage growth, we are one of the world’s fastest developing economies. Mongolia has achieved many development goals in areas such as universal primary education, reducing child mortality and improving maternal health. However, our fifth national MDG progress report suggests that more needs to be done. To reach our development goals, the Government is working closely with all national stakeholders, including political parties, the private sector, research institutions, civil society and the media.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Sadly, we face many such challenges. Today, over 200 million people are jobless, over 50 million children are not in school, and one in eight of our fellow citizens still goes hungry. Yet over $900 billion dollars are earmarked for military expenditures every year. Only a fraction of that sum is spent on health care and education. Such a state of affairs should not be tolerated. When it comes to the climate, a temperature increase of more than two degrees Centigrade would be disastrous, if not catastrophic. Our environment is changing rapidly. On the production side, global consumption far exceeds our fragile planet’s capacity. Resources are being exhausted. Humankind is gravely endangered. We are running out of time. The world has too many hungry people, too much violence and too little commitment to human rights. We need to change that.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)