H.E Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, President of Mongolia
Minister of Health S Chinzorig
Minister B Bat-Erdene of the Ministry of Olympics, Public Education and Sports
Members of the Parliament
Diplomatic Community
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am very honoured to be here today to bring greetings on behalf of the World Health Organization and the United Nations in Mongolia.
We would like to express our sincerest congratulations to the government and especially to President H.E. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa for the vision of Healthy Mongolian.
In a previous meeting, I was inspired by the statement of the President on his vision of 1 billion trees - that is to be instilled in the minds and hearts of every Mongolian. We will think of the same way for the Healthy Mongolian initiative.
Ladies and gentlemen, a healthy population is the foundation of a vibrant and productive nation.
Over many decades, Mongolia has seen tremendous improvements in health. It has also mounted a very strong and effective response to outbreaks including COVID-19 – all of which are the result of a strong health system and multisector support.
As the country rapidly develops, new challenges that impact health outcomes emerge, including changes in lifestyles, rapid urbanization, and climate change.
Amid these challenges, the Healthy Mongolian initiative will steer the nation to a healthier future in many ways.
First, it promotes health right where people live, work, and grow. The best outcomes for health are achieved not in hospitals but in homes and communities. Our work with the MOH in strengthening systems at soums and aimags gives us a clear vision– that communities will thrive if we provide the conditions to promote health.
Second, the Healthy Mongolian initiative drives health at the center of sustainable development. We must all work together to ensure that the highest benefit of development will be the health of future generations.
A development agenda that puts health at the center entails carefully planned steps for urbanization and industrialization. And some areas, such as air pollution, call for very urgent actions. WHO now considers air pollution as a global health crisis. International and local evidence shows the debilitating impact of air pollution on health, and the children who are our future have become the most vulnerable.
Third, the Healthy Mongolian initiative calls for strengthening of systems in other sectors, to put in place the essential conditions to attain good health – infrastructure, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, clean energy, improved housing, planned urbanization, and clean environments, among others, will determine outcomes for health.
And much more fundamentally, the Healthy Mongolian initiative will strengthen societal value for health. The government’s campaigns against alcoholism and smoking and promoting a healthy diet, sports, and healthy environment bring about broader consciousness among individuals and communities to promote and protect health.
WHO is steadfastly committed to supporting the Ministry of Health and the Office of the President to implement the President’s initiative and work hand in hand closely with other partners. In addition to our ongoing support to the government’s efforts to promote health, strengthen health systems, and preparedness for emergencies, we will raise our level of engagement to tackle the upstream determinants of health, especially in healthy environments.
Once again, we applaud the government of Mongolia for the giant stride towards a healthy future. WHO is very privileged to be in this country, at this moment in time, when the Healthy Mongolian initiative brings us all together to pursue the vision of health for all in Mongolia.