Child welfare cooperation guided high-level discussions as Mongolia’s foreign minister met with UNICEF’s outgoing country representative in Ulaanbaatar. The meeting marked the conclusion of Evariste Kouassi-Komlan’s term as Resident Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund in Mongolia. Officials described the meeting as an important moment to reflect on progress and reaffirm shared commitments. The talks emphasized child welfare cooperation as a central pillar of Mongolia’s social development agenda.
The meeting took place on January 28 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital. Minister of Foreign Affairs Battsetseg Batmunkh welcomed Kouassi-Komlan and expressed appreciation for UNICEF’s sustained partnership. She highlighted the organization’s consistent support for Mongolia’s socio-economic priorities. In particular, she stressed that child welfare cooperation remained essential to strengthening national development outcomes.
Battsetseg noted that under Kouassi-Komlan’s leadership, Mongolia made tangible progress in strengthening child health systems. She emphasized expanded national capacity to prevent childhood illness and manage medical complications. Additionally, UNICEF provided support for COVID-19 vaccine supply, storage, and distribution systems. These efforts improved resilience within the national immunization framework during challenging periods.
The minister also pointed to improvements in medical technology introduced through UNICEF-supported initiatives. Health institutions adopted advanced neonatal diagnostic equipment using tandem mass spectrometry. As a result, early detection of rare metabolic and genetic conditions improved significantly. Officials explained that early diagnosis enhances prevention efforts and reduces long-term healthcare costs.
Kouassi-Komlan reflected on UNICEF’s expanding engagement across Mongolia during his tenure. He noted that the 2023–2027 UNICEF Country Programme received approval and expanded implementation nationwide. The programme now covers all 21 aimags, including remote and underserved areas. This expansion strengthened equity within national child welfare cooperation strategies.
Over the past four years, UNICEF focused on improving access to quality child health services. At the same time, the organization worked to enhance educational environments and learning conditions. Furthermore, UNICEF expanded targeted services for vulnerable children facing poverty, disability, or social exclusion. Kouassi-Komlan emphasized that inclusive approaches remained central to sustainable development goals.
Policy observers note that UNICEF’s work supports Mongolia’s broader demographic and social challenges. With a young population and vast geographic distances, effective service delivery requires strong international partnerships. Therefore, sustained child welfare cooperation reinforces institutional capacity and policy implementation. Experts consider these partnerships vital for long-term social stability.
Looking ahead, officials expect the UNICEF Country Programme to guide future reforms and investments. Government institutions plan to integrate programme outcomes into national health and education policies. Meanwhile, UNICEF will continue supporting prevention-focused and early intervention initiatives. These efforts aim to ensure continuity and measurable progress in coming years.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Battsetseg wished Kouassi-Komlan success in his future endeavors. She presented him with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Golden Gerege as a commemorative gift. The gesture symbolized appreciation for his leadership and contributions. It also underscored the enduring importance of child welfare cooperation in Mongolia’s development trajectory.
