The 15th UK-Mongolia roundtable, held on February 26, 2025, resulted in a joint commitment to strengthen the partnership between the two nations. Key areas of focus were trade and investment, climate change action, women’s empowerment, responsible mineral extraction, and educational exchanges. Both countries pledged to uphold democratic principles while fostering mutual growth and collaboration in various sectors.
On February 26, 2025, Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West welcomed Mongolian Deputy Prime Minister Amarsaikhan Sainbuyan to London for the 15th UK-Mongolia roundtable and the inaugural political dialogue under the UK-Mongolia Joint Cooperation Roadmap towards a Comprehensive Partnership. During this meeting, both officials reaffirmed the strong bilateral relations based on shared democratic values and an expanding economic partnership.
The dialogue acknowledged the rising geopolitical tensions globally, with both nations committing to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. They urged all nations to avoid using force against the territorial integrity and political independence of states, emphasizing a collaborative approach to uphold international law and shared values.
Both Ministers agreed to enhance the volume of trade and investment between the UK and Mongolia to foster mutual economic growth. They discussed potential support from UK Export Finance for constructing a metro system in Ulaanbaatar and aimed to remove trade barriers and red tape, ensuring a stable business environment.
Addressing climate change, the Ministers underscored the urgency for action and affirmed their commitment to achieving their respective Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). They welcomed financial allocations from the NDC Partnership to Mongolia and recognized the importance of public-private partnerships to enable private sector investments in climate initiatives.
The meeting highlighted gender equality, with both countries aiming to elevate the number of women in parliamentary roles. Minister West praised the increased representation of female parliamentarians in Mongolia, while DPM Amarsaikhan acknowledged the progress in female representation within the UK Parliament following the recent elections.
The importance of responsible mining practices to secure Mongolia’s mineral wealth while protecting its environment was discussed by the Ministers. They committed to adhering to high environmental, social, and governance standards and reiterated their collaboration on critical minerals as outlined in their Memorandum of Understanding.
Furthermore, both countries acknowledged the value of people-to-people ties, including educational exchanges through scholarship programs. Minister West reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to support English language education in Mongolia and expressed a desire to enhance collaboration between universities and cultural exchanges.
Both Ministers expressed their anticipation for future high-level visits between the UK and Mongolia, emphasizing the continuation of fruitful discussions on various bilateral interests, particularly in trade and economic cooperation during the bilateral meeting between DPM Amarsaikhan and Minister Gareth Thomas.
The UK-Mongolia Political Dialogue has fortified the collaborative ties between the two nations in various significant areas, including trade, climate action, gender equality, mining practices, and education. The commitment to uphold democratic values and international law, alongside initiatives to bolster economic growth and shared goals in environmental sustainability, marks a significant step towards a comprehensive partnership. Furthermore, the focus on gender representation and cultural exchange ensures a progressive bilateral relationship moving forward.
Original Source: www.gov.uk
