Year in Review: 2012 Highlights

The year 2012 was a great year for the United States and Mongolia, as we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations.

The United States and Mongolia share many common values, and there are many programs and projects that the U.S. Embassy works closely with Mongolian partners to implement in areas such as defense, civil society, empowerment of women and youth, and fostering a greater inclusion of people with disabilities.

Here are 10 Highlights from 2012.

1. The bilateral relationship between the United States and Mongolia continued to broaden and deepen since its establishment in 1987. And in the year 2012, together we commemorated the 25^th anniversary of diplomatic relations throughout the year. 
   
   To view related speeches, photo galleries, read articles and remarks, click here.
2. On July 9, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Mongolia.  She met with President Elbegdorj and Prime Minister Batbold, addressed the fourth meeting of the Community of Democracies Governing Council and the International Women’s Leadership Forum, and helped launch the Leaders Engaged in New Democracies Network (LEND).
   
   To read Secretary Clinton's remarks at the International Women’s Leadership Forum, click here.
3. In 2012, we welcomed the ninth U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia, Ms. Piper Anne Wind Campbell, who has served 22 years in diplomatic service. On August 24, 2012, Ambassador Piper A.W. Campbell presented her credentials to the President of Mongolia. Ambassador Campbell officially assumed her duties from the time the credentials were presented.
   
   To read the article, "Ambassador Piper Anne Wind Campbell Presents Credentials to the President of Mongolia", click here.
4. Both Mongolia and United States held elections in 2012, giving the citizens of both countries the opportunity to participate directly in democracy by either running for an office or by casting their votes. On June 28, 2012, Mongolians voted in the seventh parliamentary election and elected 76 members of the State Great Khural. On November 6, 2012, President Obama was re-elected to a second term in the 57^th presidential election.
   
   To read the article, "U.S. Election Celebrated in Mongolia", click here.
5. Also in 2012, we took part in two events designed to promote regional peace and security, Khaan Quest 2012 and the 2012 Security in East Asia Seminar (SEAS).
   
   Khaan Quest 2012, the seventh combined joint exercise hosted by the Mongolian Armed Forces in partnership with USARPAC, was held last summer, with the participation of more than one thousand members of the military from the U.S., South Korea, India, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, France, the U.K., Germany and Mongolia.
   
   To read the article, "Khaan Quest 2012 Opening Ceremony Demonstrates Continued Strength of Multinational Relationships in the Pacific-Region", click here.
   
   Embassy Ulaanbaaar hosted the last part of SEAS 2012, an annual program that brings together participants from the East Asia and Pacific region to discuss security issues. Participants from throughout East Asia and the Pacific region gathered with Mongolian representatives of government, NGOs, and universities to discuss disaster response and mitigation.
6. The American Cultural and Information Centers in Ulaanbaatar and Khovd each renovated a new program room with funding from the State Department.  These new spaces are a resource for public programs, events, and meetings, held by both Embassy and public libraries, which will benefit many residents in both cities.
   
   To read the article, "Public Affairs Section opens new Program Room", click here.
7. In September 2012, Embassy Ulaanbaatar and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) held “The Art of Caring,” an art exhibition in support of the rights of persons with disabilities. At the exhibition opening, six Mongolian paralympian athletes shared with audiences their stories of journeys and triumphs that led them to Athens, Beijing and London.  The exhibit was hosted by the 976 Gallery.
8. In the last year, Embassy Ulaanbaatar invited two speakers to Mongolia.
   
   In July, Robin Quarrier, a counsel for the Center for Resource Solutions, visited Mongolia to discuss women and renewable energy with representatives of civil society and government. Besides attending a roundtable meeting at the Gender Center for Sustainable Development and the International Women’s Forum, Robin Quarrier also met with representatives of several NGOs, research centers, and journalists to talk about renewable energy.
   
   To read the article, "Counsel for the Center for Resource Solutions visits Mongolia", click here.
   
   In October, 2012, Dr. Judy Shepherd, Associate Professor of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, came to Mongolia to discuss social service needs in remote areas, as well as the potential role of the emerging social work profession in addressing these needs. She traveled to Dundgovi aimag to meet with small business owners, local government and NGO representatives.
9. Last year, the Energy and Envirionment Project implemented by the Millennium Challenge Account –Mongolia (MCA-Mongolia) and funded by the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) concluded more than two years of product subsidies towards energy efficient stoves and other products. During the course of the project, MCA-Mongolia helped about 100,000 households in Ulaanbaatar’s ger districts to save money and contribute to a cleaner environment.
   
   To read the article, "MCA-Mongolia Product Subsidies End", click here.
10. USAID and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) collaborated in a thermo-technical retrofitting project that will reduce greenhouse emissions and help make Ulaanbaatar a more environmentally friendly city. This 13-month project used clean energy – through solar power and thermal insulation – to increase heat levels in the school buildings. In addition to introducing these technologies, local contractors, engineers, and architects received on-the-job training on application of environmentally-friendly techniques, and lessons on clean energy were also provided to the teachers and students.
    
    To read the article, "USAID partners with GIZ to reduce greenhouse emissions in Mongolia", click here.