UK-Mongolia Political Dialogue Strengthens Bilateral Relations

On February 26, 2025, UK-Mongolia officials gathered for the 15th roundtable in London, marking the commencement of annual political dialogues to enhance partnerships in trade, climate action, gender equality, and education. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to democratic values and responsible resource management while emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral ties.

On February 26, 2025, Minister for the Indo-Pacific, the Honorable Catherine West MP, hosted the Mongolian Deputy Prime Minister, Amarsaikhan Sainbuyan, for the 15th roundtable discussion in London. This meeting marked the inaugural annual political dialogue under the UK-Mongolia Joint Cooperation Roadmap, aimed at establishing a comprehensive partnership. During their discussions, both leaders affirmed the strong ties between the United Kingdom and Mongolia, which are built on shared democratic values and a growing economic partnership.

The Ministers acknowledged rising geopolitical tensions and reiterated their commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter. They called upon all nations to respect the territorial integrity and political independence of states. Furthermore, they agreed to collaborate closely to uphold international law and advance shared democratic values.

In terms of economic collaboration, both countries committed to enhancing trade and investment to foster mutual economic growth. There are ongoing discussions with UK Export Finance to provide support for the Ulaanbaatar metro system’s construction. Additionally, they are focused on removing trade barriers and creating a stable business environment to facilitate investment.

Acknowledging the urgency of climate change, Ministers agreed to take proactive measures to achieve their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). They welcomed recent funding from the NDC Partnership to assist Mongolia in reaching its climate objectives and encouraged public-private partnerships to optimize investments in alignment with their climate strategies. They also anticipated Mongolia’s hosting of COP17 on Desertification in 2026 and agreed to facilitate expert exchanges to support preparations for this event.

In a commitment to gender equality, both Ministers recognized the importance of increasing female representation in their respective parliaments. Minister West commended Mongolia for appointing a greater number of female parliamentarians following the 2024 elections and acknowledged the country’s target of 40% female candidates by 2028. DPM Amarsaikhan celebrated the UK’s achievement of the highest level of female representation in its parliament since the 2024 general elections.

Regarding critical minerals, both countries recognized the significance of responsibly extracting Mongolia’s mineral resources while preserving its unique environmental heritage. They discussed responsible mining practices and committed to high environmental and governance standards, as well as investing in skills development.

Ministers highlighted the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties through educational initiatives such as the Chevening Scholarship and the “Mission 2100” program initiated by Mongolia. The UK has pledged support for English language education in Mongolia, aiming to improve access and quality through partnerships with British companies and aid from UK Overseas Development Assistance.

The possibility of expanding higher education opportunities for Mongolian students was also explored, alongside cultural cooperation, including the upcoming Arts of the Mongol World exhibition at the Royal Academy in 2027. Moreover, the role of civil society organizations in enhancing democratic societies was acknowledged, with a commitment to engage these organizations for broader community representation in democratic debate.

Minister West and DPM Amarsaikhan expressed anticipation for future high-level visits between the UK and Mongolia. DPM Amarsaikhan also engaged in a bilateral meeting with Minister Gareth Thomas, where they discussed further expanding bilateral relations in trade and economic cooperation.

In summary, the 15th UK-Mongolia roundtable marked a pivotal step in strengthening bilateral ties through discussions on trade, climate action, gender equality, and educational cooperation. Both Ministers emphasized their commitment to democratic values and responsible resource management, which underscores the comprehensive nature of their partnership moving forward. Future engagements will likely build upon the shared goals established during this dialogue, fostering further cooperation between the two nations.

Original Source: www.gov.uk