World Water Day: MCA-Mongolia co-organizes “Water is the source of development” an annual academic conference
[Ulaanbaatar, March 22, 2022] – Within the framework of the celebration of World Water Day, the Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism, the Water Agency, the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST), The Millennium Challenge Account – Mongolia, and other public and private sectors and NGOs co-organized the XVI Student Academic Conference on “Water – the Source of Development” on March 22, 2022 in the conference hall of the Center of Research and Innovation of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. The academic conference aims to encourage the participation of university students in solving water-related problems, to support their research work and to encourage their creativity.
United States Ambassador Klecheski congratulated the conference organizers and participants and said, “…The Mongolia Water Compact is one of the most significant investments the United States has made in the region and will increase the water supply of Ulaanbaatar by 80%. Our confidence in the investment is further strengthened by seeing your efforts as emerging experts, researchers and professionals committed to a sustainable future for water in Mongolia.
In 2022, World Water Day is celebrated under the theme “Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible” as decided by the UN, and more than 20 research papers and articles have been submitted to the conference by six universities such as Mongolian University of Science and Technology, National University of Mongolia, National University of Medical Sciences of Mongolia, Mongolian National University of Life Sciences, National Technical University and Mongolian National University.
Among them, 10 research works, including works such as “Make Invisible Groundwater Visible”, “Groundwater Monitoring Survey”, “Possibility of Recycled for Greenhouse Irrigation” and “Health Risk Assessment of Groundwater Nitrate Pollution”, were selected and discussed. during the conference. .
MCA-Mongolia is implementing the $350 million Mongolian Water Pact signed between the Government of Mongolia and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), aimed at comprehensively addressing water issues and providing sustainable bulk water supply solutions in Ulaanbaatar. The Compact will also make a great contribution to the protection and environmentally friendly use of groundwater resources by reducing industrial wastewater pollution, introducing the use of recycled water in power and heating plants which are the largest industrial consumers of groundwater in Ulaanbaatar, and by promoting sustainable water use.
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The Government of Mongolia and the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation signed the Mongolia Water Compact, worth $350 million, on July 27, 2018. The Compact funds major infrastructure projects, including the construction of new well fields and two large plants – an advanced water purification plant and wastewater recycling. Plant which will be the first of its kind in Mongolia. In addition, the Compact will invest in policy measures to create a financially and environmentally sustainable future for Ulaanbaatar’s water sector. By 2026, Ulaanbaatar’s water system will have been expanded to provide 80% more drinking water, enabling the city’s future expansion.