AKIPRESS.COM - FAO Representative to Mongolia Vinod Ahuja met with Minister of Environment and Climate Change Odontuya Saldan. They discussed key environmental concerns in Mongolia, including strategies for mitigating land degradation, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing biodiversity conservation, GoGo reported.

The sides signed an agreement to implement the project "Rehabilitating and Conserving the Mountain Landscapes in Khangai region of Mongolia for Improved Ecosystem Services and Community Livelihoods."

"This project is a significant step towards preserving Mongolia's natural resources while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for our communities. By restoring degraded lands and strengthening forest governance, and implementing effective management strategies, we are working towards a more climate-resilient and prosperous future," Minister S. Odontuya said.

"FAO stands ready to support Mongolia in addressing its environmental challenges. This partnership will restore ecosystems while empowering local communities with the tools and knowledge they need to manage their natural resources sustainably," FAO Representative to Mongolia Vinod Ahuja stated.

The key objectives of the project are to implement integrated land-use planning, enhance community participation, and ensure the effective implementation of sustainable natural resource management policies.

The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. The primary partner is the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Additionally, various stakeholders, including government and non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and local authorities, will be involved.

Currently, 76.8% of Mongolia's total land area has been affected by land degradation to varying degrees, negatively impacting biodiversity, ecosystem balance, and the livelihoods of local communities.

Mongolia faces severe land degradation, with 76.8% of its land affected, impacting biodiversity, ecosystem services, and local communities. This FAO-supported project will rehabilitate degraded lands, enhance community-based natural resource management, and strengthen environmental policies. The initiative will restore 23,800 hectares of forest and rangeland, improve land management across 634,000 hectares, and benefit 10,000 individuals, contributing to 1.72 million metric tons of CO2 emissions mitigation.

By jointly implementing this project, the government of Mongolia and FAO reaffirm their commitment to ensuring environmental sustainability, preserving biodiversity, and enhancing the resilience of local communities.