External Factors Affecting Sustainable Development of Mongolia
文章摘要
The presentation is considered sustainable development policy of Mongolia, external factors affecting sustainable development policy of Mongolia, especially factors from neighboring countries and cooperation work between Mongolia and China briefly.The known scientists from the late 60’s of the last century warned that global economic development can be stopped due to emphasis on economic growth through improper use of natural resources and capital that led to environmental degradation and risk, this issue gained attention in international arena and the global development new trend of solving the environmental, social and economic issues comprehensively, is getting more established in virtue of subsequent meetings organized by United Nations, especially the 70th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations held in 2015 by theme of “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” that approved the “Sustainable Development” program until 2030 and the goal to implement the 17 key objectives, and as of today, the countries of the world are planning to develop their development standard and promote the green economy.I would like to thank the Professor WANG Linggui, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors & Secretary General of National Institute for Global Strategy (NIGS) of Chinese Academy of Social Science (CASS) and other organizers of today’s 7th conference on “Ecological Societies and Sustainable Development”, giving me the opportunity to make this presentation.Government and Parliament of Mongolia has approved several documents regarding green economy development, such as “21st Century Sustainable Development Program of Mongolia” in 1998, “National Development Complex Policy of Mongolia 2008-2021” in 2008, “Green Development Policy” in 2014 respectively. Based on the abovementioned documents, the “Concept of Sustainable Development of Mongolia -2030” was approved by the resolution No.19 of the State Great Hural and the “Action Plan for Green Development Policy (2016-2030)” approved according to the resolution No.35 of Government of Mongolia respectively, which we aim to implement as a long-term strategic plan for development.The “Concept of Sustainable Development of Mongolia - 2030” has determined 44 objectives, which will be implemented through 14 directions for the following goals: Mongolia will reach the frontline of middle income countries by per capita income in 2030, with many stable economic growth sectors, where average middle and rich middle class dominates in the society and will be the country with a stable democratic governance that preserves ecological balance. Effective policies of the Government of Mongolia, political stability, and every Mongolian’s efforts are essential to achieve this goal.On the other hand, in current circumstances, where regionalization, integration, and interdependence of countries are increasing, mutual productive development of foreign economic relations through studying external factors or development experiences of neighboring countries and adapting them to our own country, bilateral and multilateral cooperation in foreign trade, tourism, investment etc. will be real factors to implement our development strategy and goals.The Johannesburg Declaration (2002) and the Rio Declaration (1992, 2012) were set objectives to promote integration of the three mutually dependent, sustaining each other elements of sustainable development, which are related to the economy, society and the environment, to expand international cooperation and achieve universal sustainable development, and in order to improve the implementation of the sustainable development concept, as stated in the principle 7 of the Rio Declaration “It is important to develop cooperation and partnership between governmental organizations, local authorities, private sector, citizens, domestic and foreign investors”[1].In a world of interdependence, the disparities in development of countries and regions have still been impeding the implementation of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. But I hope that the Belt and Road Initiative for China’s “joint development” is complied with the 7th Principle of the Rio Declaration and will make a great contribution to regional prosperity and development.Mongolia has been supporting the “One Belt One Road” China initiative from the beginning, and been keen to participate in the initiative. This initiative gives Mongolia, as a landlocked country, the opportunity. From the other hand, as a regional partner country, mutually supporting each other’s initiatives regionally and internationally.The President of People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping paid state visit to Mongolia by the invitation of President of Mongolia Tsakhia Elbegdorj and, during his visit, signed 26 documents concerning cooperation and relations between the two countries, which included the “Intergovernmental agreement on sea transit transportation of Mongolia through the territory of the People’s Republic of China” and the “Intergovernmental agreement on development of cooperation on railway transit transportation”. In addition, he signed on the “Memorandum of Understanding between the Government to develop railway cooperation” and the “Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Road and Transportation of Mongolia and the State Railway Agency of People’s Republic of China on renewal of the “Mongolian-Chinese border railway agreement”. Although the abovementioned contracts and agreements are concluded, our country uses only Tianjin port for transportation. This is largely due to lack of infrastructure in our country’s railway policy and that the issue of infrastructure development in new railway direction is largely unresolved. The construction of new railways and the improvement of infrastructure is complicated problems requires a lot of money, but it is necessary to solve these issues in a timely manner and start participating in regional economic relations. Furthermore, it is obvious that this issue will have an impact on economic development of our country. In the “Action Program of the Government of Mongolia in 2016-2020” stated to “Develop transit transportation through developing international cooperation of transport sector and joining regional infrastructure and transportation integration”[2]. We need to pay attention to implement of this clause, to attract foreign investment in the road and transport sector, mobilize internal resources, establish the economic corridors of China-Mongolia-Russia, which will be established in the frame of cooperation of “One Belt One Road” program.Presidents of Mongolia, Russian Federation and People’s Republic of China have met on the second summit meeting of SCO and BRICS countries, held in the capital city of Bashkortostan Ufa of Russian Federation in 2015, and agreed to establish the “Economic Corridor” between Mongolia, the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China. During the meeting, they have officially signed the “Memorandum of Understanding to make a plan for establishing Economic Corridor of Mongolia, Russia and China”.The third summit meeting of the Presidents of Mongolia, Russia and China was held in June 2016 during the 16th Session of the Chairmen of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member countries, which organized in Tashkent - the capital city of Uzbekistan, and, although, they singed 32 specific documents, in the frame of the Memorandum made in 2015, and the steps were taken, but it has been planning to implement more than 10 projects with high implementation basis.As stated in the “Economic Corridor of Mongolia, Russia and China” establishment program’s document, areas of cooperation should be first Promoting interdisciplinary development of transport infrastructure, secondly Developing border ports, improving customs and quarantine control, third Strengthening cooperation in industry and investment sectors, fourth Deepening trade and economic cooperation, fifth Expanding humanitarian exchange and cooperation, sixth Protecting environment and strengthening cooperation in ecological sector, and seventh Develop regional and border cooperation.The implementation of the program is set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, by the Development and Innovation Committee of People’s Republic of China, and the Ministry of Economic Development of Russian Federation.By implementing the “Economic Corridor” program of these three countries, opportunities for development of real economic relations with third countries will be increased for Mongolia, possibilities to join regional economic integration and our country’s position in Northeast Asia also will be increased.For our country, as one of the Northeast Asian countries, it is very important to strengthen the economic position in this region, join the road, transportation, information and communications network, have equal relations with this regional countries, not stay behind from development of cooperation in this region, create economic and other real interest of these countries in Mongolia, develop relationships and cooperation with Northeast Asian countries.Supporting the policy and activities in participating in multilateral regional cooperation in Northeast Asia and in strengthening strategic stability and security cooperation will play a significant role not only in protecting interests of our country, but also in strengthening our position in this region.Prime Minister of Mongolia J.Erdenebat has been signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of China, regarding coordination of “Development Road” (“Steppe Road” project) and “Belt and Road” initiatives during his visit to People’s Republic of China in 2017. This became one step towards participating in the “One Belt One Road” upbuilding project.In case of successful implementation of the “One Belt One Road” upbuilding project and if Mongolia participates in this project, then transit transportation barrier of exporting our products to international markets will be reduced and economic cooperation in the region will be increased.Mongolia will be able to develop mutually beneficial economic cooperation and actively participate in regional economic processes. Our country is interested in cooperating with neighbors and regional countries in this area broadly.It is need for transport sector to attract foreign investment and mobilize internal resources, in order to establish real “Economic Corridor of China, Mongolia and Russia”.Member of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Mongolia in August 2018 by the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia D. Tsogtbaatar. During the visit, signed on the Cooperation Plan of 2019-2020 between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of People’s Republic of China and agreed to provide specific work plans for implementation of “Belt and Road” initiative and “Development Road” initiative of Mongolia. In addition, agreed to form negotiations between governments in respect of transboundary economic cooperation zone of Mongolia and China.Agreed to intensify the trilateral cooperation of Mongolia, Russia and China three countries, accelerate construction of economic corridor of Mongolia, Russia and China and to support regional development.[3]There are 32 projects will be implemented in the frame of building of economic corridor of Mongolia, Russia and China. But, first of all, projects of railroad upgrades, highways and power transmission lines to implement in near future are being discussed by three parties.The “Economic Corridor of Mongolia, Russia and China” is an integral part of the infrastructure mega project “Development Road” from Mongolia, “Silk Road” from People’s Republic of China and Eurasian Economic Union of Russian Federation.Both Mongolia and China have good neighborly relations and are being developed strategic partnership. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and celebrating through overviewing the achievements of the cooperation in 70-year period, identifying further goals and objectives.The President of Mongolia Kh.Battulga made official visit to People’s Republic of China in April 2019 by the invitation of Xi Jinping, the President of People’s Republic of China, the heads of the two countries have exchanged their views in respect of developing and expanding the cooperation between Mongolia and China in such sectors as political relations, trade, economy and humanity, international and regional issues, also, in the frame of the visit, they have signed 18 documents, which include the plan of cooperation between the Government of Mongolia and the People’s Republic of China regarding to make progress in building of “Development road” and “Belt and Road” projects; jointly organizing Mongolian and Chinese exhibitions; Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China; about the beginning of the medium-term program for the development of trade and economic cooperation between Mongolia and China; and Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and the Ministry of Commerce of China.Cooperation of two parties leads to improve the structure of trade, increase port capacity and exports of agricultural products, develop transit transportation, humanitarian, and tripartite cooperation, deepen relations between two countries, in accordance with “mutual benefit and partnership relationship” of the development and develop comprehensive strategic partnership relationship, which will play an important role not only in the interests of the peoples of two countries, but also in developing regional cooperation.
Abstract
The presentation is considered sustainable development policy of Mongolia, external factors affecting sustainable development policy of Mongolia, especially factors from neighboring countries and cooperation work between Mongolia and China briefly.
作者简介
Zagdtsesem Ukhnaa:Research Fellow, Institute of International Affairs, Mongolian Academy of Sciences