The meeting took place among media representatives and officials of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and Ulaanbaatar Mayor’s Office. Present were also, Minister of Environment and Tourism D.Oyunkhorol and Deputy Mayor of Ulaanbaatar in charge of Green Growth and Air Pollution J.Batbayasgalan.

The city administration and the government have been fiercely criticized for the past several year that they have been making the issue of air pollution fade away as the climate gets warmer and the smog level decreases naturally.

“The city administration has been doing its best to satisfy its residents on this problem. However, we need journalists’ support on introducing and implementing this nationwide program targeted to reducing air pollution”, said J.Batbayasgalan.

The national program was approved on March 20 by the cabinet of ministers, with five key objectives to be realized in 2017-2019 (Phase I) and 2020-2025 (Phase II). Total initial cost will be MNT 9.9 billion.

Minister D.Oyunkhorol informed: the Key Strategic Objectives include Sophistication of urban planning; Decentralization; Improving infrastructure; Curbing pollution and Shaping eco-friendly lifestyle among citizens and ensuring people’s right to secure and healthy living environment, as set out in the Constitution of Mongolia.

Within the First Objective, the program actions will be directed at gradually reducing usage of raw coal for fuel by introducing households to latest environmentally friendly technologies. Decentralization, the Second Ovjective, is to be mobilized through adequate urban planning and infrastructure policies.

Raising public’s awareness of pollutants and establishing an merit and incentive-based system for curbing air pollution are also important factor in making the objective come in life, said the Minister.