The first ever Forum of the Northeast Asian Women Parliamentarians started its work in Ulaanbaatar on 24 November 2013.This landmark event was initiated by the Mongolian Women Parliamentarians and was welcomed and supported by all other Northeast Asian countries.
China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation sent their parliamentary delegations to this Forum. Japan was about to participate, but due to unforeseen circumstances, their delegation could not come. Instead, the prominent Japanese MP Yuko Obuchi sent a congratulatory message.
The Chairman of the Mongolian Great State Hural (Parliament) Mr. Zandaakhuu Enkhbold opened the Forum with a welcome speech. He highlighted that the 2012 election in Mongolia brought 11 women to the highest legislative body of the country which was the record performance by women during the last 20 years of Mongolia’s democratic development.
Mr. Luvsanvandan Bold, Member of Parliament and Foreign Minister of Mongolia, also made a statement at the opening of the Forum. He focused his intervention on 2 resolutions adopted by the United Nations and UNCESCO on education for democracy during the last one year at the initiative of Mongolia and the importance of the Northeast Asian region in the foreign policy of Mongolia.
Ms. Migeddorj Batchimeg, MP, who was the chief coordinator for organizing this Forum, stressed that the Forum was not a one-time event and was the beginning of the long-time cooperation among the Northeast Asian women parliamentarians.
The members of parliament of China, the DPRK, the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation commended the Mongolian women parliamentarians for the initiative to bring together their colleagues and supported the continuation of the Forum on a regular basis.
All participants were satisfied with the excellent organization and friendly open atmosphere of the Forum’s proceeding and established close bonds and personal relationship among themselves.
They agreed to continue their dialogue through networking and discuss on their next steps for the next year.
Representatives of the Mongolian civil society and members of the citizens representatives’hurals of the 3 eastern aimags (provinces) attended the Forum and contributed to the discussions.
The Forum was hailed by all participants as a success.
