The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) today launched its new Mongolia Program Strategy for 2024-2030. Aligned with Mongolia’s Vision 2050 and the priorities of the newly established Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the strategy aims to protect and restore the nation’s vital ecosystems while addressing critical environmental challenges, including climate change.
The strategy launch event, held on August 8, 2024, at the Library of the National University of Mongolia brought together key national and international partners to discuss partnership and collaboration for vital conservation issues.
Among the distinguished guests were E.Battulga, State Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, who emphasized the importance of WCS's strategy in supporting the ministry's efforts to safeguard Mongolia's unique wildlife and ecosystems.
Speaking at the event, Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Mongolia Representative, and Thomas Crehan, USAID Mongolia Director, expressed their organizations’ continued commitment to biodiversity conservation in Mongolia and emphasized the need for a unified approach to conservation and development.
The WCS Mongolia Program Strategy focuses on three key priorities:
- Enhancing ecosystem functioning and resilience by protecting and restoring key habitats
- Ensuring functional connectivity for wildlife to thrive across the steppe and mountain ecosystems
- Promoting climate adaptation for pastoral communities and vulnerable ecosystems
The strategy contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and international conservation agreements, such as the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species.
Priority species at the heart of the strategy included wide ranging species, including the Khulan (Asiatic Wild Ass), Mongolian Gazelle and snow leopard, face threats from habitat degradation and fragmentation.
“Our vision is to safeguard ecosystem integrity and ecological health for both people and wildlife in Mongolia,” said Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander, Country Director, WCS Mongolia. "We are grateful for the support of our partners and look forward to working together to achieve our shared conservation goals."
The event drew participants from diverse sectors, including the Ministry of Roads and Transportation Development, Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs, international and local conservation organizations, civil society, the private sector, academia, students, and other key stakeholders.
About WCS
With 21 years of history in Mongolia, WCS has a deep-rooted commitment to conserving the nation’s unique wildlife and vast ecosystems through scientific research, policy advocacy, and community-led conservation. Our work has primarily focused on the Eastern Steppe and South Gobi regions, supporting community-led conservation initiatives, and fostering habitat connectivity.
Established in 2003, WCS Mongolia began formal collaboration with national partners to address key conservation challenges. Our programs have focused primarily on the Eastern Steppe and South Gobi regions, emphasizing wildlife health through a ‘One Health’ approach, supporting community-led conservation efforts, and ensuring habitat connectivity across landscapes.
Thank you to our donor partners Cartier for Nature, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oyu Tolgoi LLC, Ureca and Senckenberg Society for Nature Research for their generous support.
Media Contact:
Khash-Erdene Bayarsaikhan
Communications and Partnership Officer
kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org
+976 99988755