Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Xu Haoliang, made an official visit to Mongolia between June 16^th and 20^th.

During the visit Mr Xu Haoliang met the Speaker of Mongolian Parliament Z.Enkhbold and Prime Minister of Mongolia N.Altankhuyag respectively.

Mr Xu also met Foreign Affairs Minister L.Bold, the Minister of Economic Development N.Batbayar and the Minister of Environment and Green Development S.Oyun for talks over future bilateral relations and views on opportunities for cooperation.

Mr Xu attended a national discussion on the subject of “Enhancing the role of the private sector in sustainable development”, and a development discussion that was held on the topic of “The Future We Want”, launched by UNDP from 2012.

Mr. Xu then paid a working visit to Dundgovi aimag where he observed the projects “Strengthening Capacity of Local Self-Governance Body” and “Water Supply Improvement” in Gurvansaikhan sum.

A donors meeting on water supply issues was also conducted by the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development and UNDP in Gurvansaikhan sum during Mr Xu’s visit.

At the meeting Mr Xu expressed his appreciation of the bilateral relations between Mongolia and the UN and noted Mongolia`s having a 9th MDG on ‘Strengthening Human Rights and Fostering Democratic Governance’ that emphasizes democratic governance and human rights as necessary conditions for the achievement of all the MDGs. Mr Xu then stated that the UNDP will keep a close relationship with Mongolia as a partner, not a donor, for development programs as Mongolia is experiencing rapid economic growth.