Results of the 15th Japan-Mongolia Environmental Policy Dialogue

The Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia held the 1st Japan-Mongolia Environmental Policy Dialogue in 2007. Since then, the Environmental Policy Dialogue has been held 14 times, as an exchange of opinions on environmental issues between the two countries.

In order to implement comprehensive environmental cooperation between the two countries, both countries signed and concluded the Memorandum of Cooperation Between the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia on Environmental Cooperation in 2011, and it was renewed in 2015, 2018, and 2022.

This time, the 15th Policy Dialogue was held based on the Memorandum.

(1) Date and time
　　14:00 to 19:30, June 28, 2023 (Mongolia time)

(2) Venue
　　Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (a hybrid of in-person and online meetings)

(3) Principal attendees
　　(From Mongolia)
　　　Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia
　　　Mr. Ganbaatar Myagmarjav, Vice Minister of Environment and Tourism
　　　Ms. Tserendorj Uranchimeg, Director General, Natural Resources Policy Coordination Department

　　(From Japan)
　　　Ministry of the Environment of Japan
　　　KUNISADA Isato, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Environment
　　　MIZUTANI Yoshihiro, Director for International Cooperation for Transition to Decarbonization and Sustainable Infrastructure

Both countries reviewed the progress of cooperation between Japan and Mongolia over the past years and exchanged opinions on specific policy and cooperation in the areas of climate change countermeasures, air pollution countermeasures, and fluorocarbon countermeasures, as well as biodiversity conservation.

The future direction of cooperation in each area is stated below.
　(1) Climate change countermeasures
Both countries confirmed the progress of ongoing JCM projects, and agreed to continue cooperating in the further formation of the projects, including the introduction of advanced decarbonizing technologies, such as manufacturing and using green hydrogen, etc. In addition, both countries agreed to the need to hold a joint JCM committee promptly and to revise rules and guidelines related to JCM.

Concerning the use of observation data of Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT), both countries agreed to continue cooperation towards further verification of the utility of the data, including posting the results of CO₂ emissions using the satellite observation data in the 2nd Biennial Update Report (BUR2), which will be submitted to the United Nations by Mongolia.
 
　(2) Air pollution countermeasures
Both countries reached mutual consent to continue cooperation towards strengthening capabilities for air pollution measures through JICA’s projects, and other measures in Ulaanbaatar.

Both countries also confirmed their intention to deepen cooperation among four countries, including Mongolia, towards the enhancement of countermeasures to reduce health and economic damage due to Dust and Sand Storm (DSS) in the joint DSS research activities that are implemented under the Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting among China, Japan, and Korea (TEMM).
 
(3) Fluorocarbon countermeasures
Both countries confirmed that they will continue implementing the fluorocarbon emission control plan together based on the Montreal Protocol.

Both countries also confirmed that Japan will collaborate with Mongolia in the Initiative on Life Cycle Management of Fluorocarbons, which is led by Japan.
 
(4) Biodiversity conservation
Both countries agreed to cooperate in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and research projects contributing to the conservation and rehabilitation of the Zag, a type of shrub, as a project related to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

Both countries also confirmed that they will continue to exchange information on OECM (Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures).