UNESCO – Rio Tinto Partnership Spearheads Sustainable Tourism in Mongolia
The participants of the project launch
© UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – In a significant move to bolster sustainable tourism, the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, Rio Tinto Mongolia LLC, and the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO launched the project “Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Mongolia through Cultural and Geo Heritage” on 16 September 2024. The event was a testament to the collaborative efforts aimed at harnessing Mongolia's cultural and geo heritage as a pillar for sustainable tourism growth.
The launch was inaugurated with a heartfelt address by H.E Battsetseg B, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who underscored the project's alignment with Mongolia's developmental goals and its potential to reshape the tourism sector. This was followed by an enlightening speech from Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, who elaborated on the organization's dedication to nurturing cultural and geo heritage as the cornerstone of sustainable tourism.
H.E. Battsetseg B, Minister of Foreign Affairs
© UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia
Mr. Tapan Mishra, the UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia, further reinforced the United Nations' commitment to sustainable development, stressing its profound implications for the nation's tourism industry. The event also witnessed the influential voice of Ms. Amarjargal Kh, CEO of Rio Tinto Mongolia, a project donor, who spoke about the corporate world's role in championing sustainable initiatives.
Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia
© UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia
A series of technical presentations was shared to provide the audience with the in-depth focus of the project. The UNESCO team shared an overview of the project’s strategic approach to leveraging cultural and natural heritage for sustainable tourism, and outlining the concept of UNESCO Global Geoparks, the preparation for which would be a key focus of the project. Mr. Enkhbat G, Director of the National Center for Cultural Heritage, shared his expertise on how cultural heritage can be a sustainable asset for tourism and highlighted the key cultural heritage sites and elements that can be further promoted for tourism products and experiences. Mr. Munkhbileg N from the National Geological Survey presented the findings of preliminary research on aspiring geopark areas, highlighting their untapped potential for geo-tourism. Ms. Otgonjargal Kh, the Deputy Governor of Khanbogd soum shared the local government’s vision on sustainable development and expressed their commitment to join hands with UNESCO and partners to spearhead initiatives that enable the local communities in benefitting from their cultural resources.
Ms. Amarjargal Kh, CEO of Rio Tino Mongolia, and Mr. Tapan Mishra, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations
© UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia
The "Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Mongolia through Cultural and Geo Heritage" project, implemented with Rio Tinto Mongolia’s financial support of $1,500,000 is set to run for 36 months. It is designed to promote sustainable tourism by leveraging Mongolia's unique natural and cultural resources in line with the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The project focuses on capacity building, awareness raising, and the sustainable management of cultural and geo heritage sites, aiming to contribute significantly to bolstering Mongolia's unique proposition by revitalizing its tourism industry in a sustainable and resilient manner.
