AKIPRESS.COM - Leading global mining group Rio Tinto announced that it has reached an agreement with UNESCO to enter into a comprehensive long-term partnership, aimed at promoting sustainable development projects in Mongolia. It must be noted that Mongolia is home to Rio Tinto's Oyu Tolgoi copper project, Scrap Monster reports.

The signing ceremony was held in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. The parties announced their first joint project to promote sustainable tourism through cultural and geo-heritage initiatives in Mongolia. The partnership will leverage the expertise of both the parties to establish Mongolia's first geopark.

The partnership will collaborate on three primary areas, including sustainable tourism, environment and climate change and high quality inclusive education.

Country Director of Rio Tinto in Mongolia Amarjargal Khenchbish said that the company is honoured to collaborate with UNESCO to make a meaningful and lasting impact on Mongolia's sustainable development. The company is committed to promote Mongolia's unique heritage sites, he added.

Director of UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia Shahbaz Khan noted that the collaboration demonstrates a commitment to the shared values of sustainable development by way of protecting the country's rich cultural heritage and diverse ecosystems.