The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Shannon Cowlin as its new Country Director for Mongolia.

Ms. Cowlin will oversee ADB’s operations in Mongolia, including the implementation of the country partnership strategy (CPS) covering 2021–2024 to help the country continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and lay resilient foundations for inclusive and sustainable growth.

“ADB’s operations in Mongolia focus on three strategic priorities: inclusive social development and economic opportunity; climate-resilient infrastructure; and sustainable, green, and climate-conscious development,” said Ms. Cowlin. “I am looking forward to working with the government and other key partners in supporting these priority areas.”

Ms. Cowlin has over 24 years of professional experience, including more than 10 years in ADB. She has been leading energy and multidisciplinary climate change dialogue and projects. She has been based out of Mongolia Resident Mission since September 2021.

A national of the United States (US), Ms. Cowlin holds a master’s degree in environmental health sciences and a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering sciences from the University of California, Berkeley in the United States. Prior to joining ADB, she was a manager at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the United States where she led US–India and South Asia regional energy collaboration on behalf of various US government and multilateral agencies.

Mongolia has been a member of ADB since 1991. To date, ADB has committed 357 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance totaling $3.7 billion to Mongolia. ADB’s assistance is aligned with Mongolia’s New Recovery Policy and Vision-2050.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.