The student exchange between Mongolia and Japan has further strengthened cooperation on environmental protection and youth engagement. On September 30, 2025, Mongolia’s Foreign Ministry and Japan’s Embassy co-hosted the second Mongolia-Japan Student Exchange Forum. This event provided a platform for young scholars to discuss pressing environmental challenges and explore practical solutions.
The forum highlighted key issues such as desertification prevention, ecosystem services, urban greenery, and tree planting in arid and cold regions. Students delivered presentations, engaged in discussions, and shared research on sustainable development strategies suited to Mongolia’s unique climate. Organizers emphasized that hands-on participation and collaborative learning were central to the student exchange’s success.
Over 30 participants attended, including students from the National University of Mongolia and the Mongolian University of Life Sciences. They joined students from top Japanese universities such as Kyoto, Okayama, Wakayama, Tottori, Miyagi University of Education, and Tokyo University of Agriculture. By connecting these institutions, the student exchange fostered knowledge sharing, cross-cultural collaboration, and innovative approaches to environmental protection.
Japan has supported Mongolia’s “Billions of Trees” initiative for five years, planting over 50,000 trees in Orkhon and Umnugovi aimags and restoring both forest and saxaul ecosystems. The program has engaged approximately 20,000 Mongolian youth in tree-planting campaigns and disaster preparedness education. Through the student exchange, young participants learned both practical and scientific methods to combat desertification and promote ecosystem sustainability.
The inaugural Mongolia-Japan Student Exchange Forum in 2023 laid the groundwork for this year’s event. Officials announced plans to expand the initiative, strengthen academic partnerships, and increase student involvement. Experts noted that such collaborations cultivate leadership skills, environmental awareness, and international cooperation among young participants.
By combining research, education, and hands-on activities, the student exchange demonstrates a commitment to addressing environmental degradation through innovation, dialogue, and youth engagement. The forum also reinforces the long-term partnership between Mongolia and Japan in promoting sustainable development and cross-border collaboration.
