UNICEF has been one of the important international bodies working in Mongolia. As an agency that works to protect and the improve the livelihood of children around the world, UNICEF has made efforts in assisting Mongolia to cope with environmental, social, and some cultural challenges during its modernization process.
The Diplomat had a chance to speak with UNICEF’s representative to Mongolia, Evariste Kouassi-Komlan, on a range of issues concerning Mongolian children, youth, and UNICEF’s projects in the country.
You have been serving as UNICEF representative to Mongolia since 2021. What are some of the notable programs and projects UNICEF has undertaken in Mongolia?
Since assuming the role of UNICEF representative to Mongolia in 2021, I have overseen several impactful programs and projects aimed at addressing critical issues such as air pollution, children’s health and wellness, child protection, and youth engagement.
Air pollution in Mongolia, particularly in Ulaanbaatar, poses a significant threat to children’s health, contributing to respiratory diseases and other health complications. To mitigate this, UNICEF has designed and implemented the Cooking, Heating, and Insulation Package (CHIP) project, which replaces traditional coal-burning stoves in gers (traditional Mongolian dwellings) with electric stoves, significantly reducing indoor air pollution.
As of now over 4,000 CHIP units had been installed in households and kindergartens across Ulaanbaatar and other provinces. We were proud when UNICEF was awarded the “Golden Rose” award for the best environment project of 2024.
We are also continuously enhancing the health sector’s capacity to prevent and treat air pollution-related diseases through training programs, the provision of essential medicines, pneumonia vaccinations, and the installation of solar panels in healthcare facilities. Additionally, we conduct extensive research on the impact of air pollution on children’s health.
It was deeply concerning to find that biometric analysis of children’s blood revealed high concentrations of heavy metals. These findings suggest a potential rise in non-communicable diseases in the future.
UNICEF also supports the digital transformation in the education sector, undertaking initiatives such as establishing information technology clubs for children, training teachers on digital skills, creating interactive content for primary school students, and connecting every school to the internet through the GIGA project. We have trained the so-called digital community information workers in a few provinces and the city as a pilot. It has been successful as these information workers help improve basic digital skills of their communities, school children and teachers. UNICEF was also so proud to support Girls Code and AI academia, which created a better space for children’s digital learning.
We have been also supporting the nationwide program to prevent and treat rhematic heart disease among children.
In terms of protection, UNICEF provides technical assistance to safeguard children from online harm and abuse. For the first time, we successfully equipped 9 out of 21 multidisciplinary teams that support the management of child abuse cases.
Recognizing the pivotal role of youth in driving social change, UNICEF has launched programs to engage and empower young people including Teen Parliament, Youth Entrepreneurial Solutions for Greening (YES4GREEN), and Youth for Climate Change and Clean Air Network (YOUCCAN). These programs aim to promote children’s participation in advocacy and solutions on environmental challenges.
We were also able to introduce the “teacher with tablet” program with the aim to reach children in the remote areas with education packages at home. Those are only few highlights; many challenges still remain to be addressed. Through these initiatives, UNICEF continues to address pressing challenges, striving to create a healthier and more sustainable environment for children and communities across the nation.
You have experience in water, sanitation, and hygiene, particularly in innovative technical and financial solutions. What is the current water, sanitation, and hygiene situation in Mongolia today? How is UNICEF using innovative and financial mechanisms to help Mongolia overcome these challenges?
In Mongolia, the current water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) situation is marked by significant challenges, particularly in rural areas, including limited access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation facilities, and uneven distribution of quality infrastructure. The most pressing issues are the lack of access to clean water in rural communities and poor sanitation practices, exacerbated by climate change impacts like desertification and fluctuating water sources. For example, according to recent survey results, the percentage of E.coli (fecal) contamination tested in drinking water sources increased to 21.5 percent in 2023, from 16.0 percent in 2018. Such contamination in household water taps (water containers) is even higher (increased to 37.5 percent in 2023, from 19.7 percent in 2018).
The high level of water contamination with heavy metals is a major contributor to non-communicable diseases. Without urgent action to improve water supply and sanitation, the health sector will continue to place a significant financial burden on both the government and families.
To address these challenges, UNICEF is implementing innovative solutions, including the installation of smart water kiosks, wastewater treatment systems that function in extreme low temperatures (-50 degrees Celsius), solar-powered WASH facilities in schools, and mobile sanitation units for emergency use. Additionally, we emphasize community engagement and collaborate with the private sector to scale up WASH interventions. Through public-private partnerships and financial mechanisms that reduce the burden on families, UNICEF is working to improve access to clean water and sanitation, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Since you came to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia had a presidential and a parliamentary election. In terms of governance and cooperation mechanisms, what are some of the elements you have noticed? Do changes in government impact cooperation levels – for instance, is there more or less support for certain projects? What about financing and policy support for UNICEF missions in Mongolia?
I have noticed that with every government change, Mongolia’ s commitment to child rights stays strong. I can confidently say that I now have unprecedented support for children’s issues like never before. A clear example is that last year, thanks to UNICEF and other child rights partners’ advocacy and support, the child protection law has been renewed to better protect children and improve services on the ground.
In addition, the child related budget has been increasing steadily and improving institutional capacity to better protect children and deliver better social services for children has always stayed among the priorities of each government.
UNICEF works closely together with the government to ensure that every child can access quality education and enjoy better health and protection services. We bring global knowledge and technical assistance to help improve these services, further taking into consideration the size of the Mongolian population and sparsity of the territory. For that, UNICEF focuses on digital solutions, innovation, and other cost-efficient ways to reach every child.
At all levels, our works have been recognized and appreciated by the government and we work hand in hand to support the children agenda.
You have pointed out that nutrition is one of the issues concerning Mongolia’s children and youth today. Could you elaborate on that? What are the issues facing Mongolian nutrition, and does this have anything to do with food security (i.e. Mongolia’s reliance on imported food)? What are some of the UNICEF projects in this areas?
Child nutrition situation is the third crisis facing children in Mongolia, after air pollution as well as environmental and ground pollution.
UNICEF and partners just released the results of the Sixth National Nutrition Survey this month, and the findings are worrisome.
Child malnutrition is on rise in Mongolia. Stunting prevalence increased from 6.1 percent to 8.4 percent from 2017 to 2023.
Iodine deficiency is reemerging in Mongolia, affecting children and pregnant women. Iodine deficiency is a leading cause of brain damage in children, resulting in impaired cognitive and motor development.
A majority of Mongolian women and children are not getting the diverse diet they need, thus increasing their risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies and related health issues.
The common use of unhealthy food shows that all population are at risk of diet related non-communicable diseases. 42 percent of young children consume unhealthy foods, such as candy, chocolates, french fries, cakes, and pastries. 37 percent consume sweet beverages.
Micronutrient deficiencies remains one of the key public health challenges in Mongolia. One in five (21 percent) children aged under 5 and one in five (22 percent) pregnant women are anemic. Nine in ten women and school children are vitamin D insufficient.
More than half of the adult population and one in five school-age children are overweight.
These data clearly indicate that the country is losing its progress in nutrition, a problem that began during and continued after the COVID-19 pandemic.
UNICEF is supporting Mongolia to improve the food environment for children at school and in public spaces, including their exposure to unhealthy food and drink advertisements. We work together with young people themselves to raise awareness and advocate for policy changes for a healthier food environment. Over the last year, we have conducted significant analysis on food patterns for children that have helped a lot to support many policies and a budget increase for school meals.
Mongolia must strengthen policies to improve the food environment and increase investment for the children of Mongolia. That includes increasing investment in: treatment of acute malnutrition, micronutrient supplementation programs, and school and kindergarten nutrition programs. We also must enforce implementation of the Law on Fortified Food to tackle various forms of micronutrient deficiencies among Mongolian women and children.
I want to touch on how Mongolia is navigating a changing world, and sometimes traditional values and even cultural activities are beginning to conflict with modern practices – such as horse racing using child jockeys. The government of Mongolia initially approved the Spring Horse Race in the countryside, but after protests and outrage from children’s protection organizations, individual aimags have retracted the decision. How do you think Mongolia can still modernize but maintain its culture and traditions?
By the end of the 20th century, Mongolians began seeking changes in traditional horse training methods and the organization of horse races. However, amid these changes, critical issues related to child jockeys’ health, safety, and rights have been largely overlooked. Children are increasingly exploited in horse racing events held under extreme weather conditions in winter and spring, exposing them to significant risks.
Once a festive tradition, horse racing has evolved into a highly commercialized, profit-driven industry that now operates year-round. Unlike traditional summer races, winter and spring competitions subject child jockeys to severe risks, including serious injuries and the deprivation of their right to education.
Concerned by these dangers, I voiced my opposition on my X account regarding the government’s decision to overturn the ban on spring horse racing. Similarly, U.N. agencies issued a joint statement urging the government to reconsider its decision and prioritize children’s rights. Many child rights organizations, including UNICEF, had long advocated for the ban, making its reversal deeply concerning and disheartening.
A joint report by UNICEF, the Human Rights Commission, and the Mongolian Bar Association established that spring horse racing was only officially introduced by government decree in 2004. Despite horse racing being an integral part of Mongolia’s cultural heritage, there is no historical evidence proving that winter and spring races were ever part of the country’s traditional practices. Therefore, these races should not be defended as cultural traditions, especially when they endanger children’s well-being.
Clinical analyses have further highlighted the multiple risks child jockeys face – not just during races but also in the demanding preparation stages, including pre-race training. Factors such as the young age of the jockeys, extreme weather conditions, and inadequate racetrack conditions significantly increase the likelihood of injuries and create hazardous conditions amounting to the worst forms of child labor. Given these alarming findings, UNICEF and its partners remain committed to advocating against winter and spring horse racing to protect the rights and safety of children.
What are some of the things that surprised you about Mongolia? What do you appreciate about modern Mongolians?
I have been truly amazed by how warm and welcoming Mongolia is to foreigners. During my very first trip outside the city, while walking along a river, a local family approached me with incredible hospitality, offering food, drinks, and friendly conversation. Although communication was challenging, we connected through the shared experience of food, which transcended language barriers.
Mongolia’s population is full of vibrant young people with innovative ideas and strong ambitions. Not a single week goes by without me engaging with young individuals who have inspiring perspectives on the country’s future. I am particularly moved by their compassion for their peers in rural areas and their determination to support them.
The availability of modern technology is driving extraordinary changes in the lives of many Mongolians. I am always fascinated by how modernization and cultural traditions seamlessly blend together, creating a unique and evolving way of life.
Above all, the hospitality I have experienced across different levels of society is astonishing. When people ask me, “Where are you from?” I often sense their genuine curiosity and desire to connect. When I tell them that I have traveled to all 21 provinces to understand the situation of children and have discovered many beautiful places, they are often amazed. Some even jokingly say, “You are more Mongolian than I am!”
This is what makes Mongolia truly extraordinary.
