The World Day to Combat Desertification is observed every year on 17^th June. On this occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification, a forum on the Mazaalai protection program was held on "Desertification and the Mazaalai".

At the forum UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia, Ms. Sezin Sinanoglu, State Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Green Development, J.Batbold, and the National Committee combating Desertification and protecting soil were in attendance.

Participants of the forum considered the matter whether to submit the program designed for the protection of the endangered Mazaalai before the Naadam festival.

Parties also agreed to sign a memorandum of Understanding on international cooperation as soon as the program is submitted.

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia, Ms. Sezin Sinanoglu pledged to support the program.

She said “I was upset because I thought that any activity to save the Mazaalai would be a failure, but now my thoughts have changed.”

The State Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Green Development J.Batbold said that “the World Day to Combat Desertification is being observed. The Mazaalai protection program forum on "Desertification and Mazaalai" is not being held by coincidence.

The Mazaalai is a vulnerable species that is affected by desertification the most. If there is no rain, not only the Mazaalai, but also the others cannot find anything to eat. That is why we are holding this forum on "Desertification and the Mazaalai" to save their habitats.”