Celebrated annually on 22 March, World Water Day raises awareness and inspires action to tackle the water and sanitation crisis.
By the initiative of the President of Mongolia, U. Khurelsukh, on the occasion of the World Water Day, the “Blue Gold” national conference of the water sector and the preceding sessions on underground and surface water resources, the legal environment of the water sector and pressing issues, under the theme “Accelerating change” was held on March 20-24, 2023.
The purpose of the National Conference is to provide the population and the country’s economy with safe and sufficient water, implement policies adapted to climate change and aimed at sustainably maintaining ecosystem balance, and to ensure the participation and cooperation of the parties in the protection, economical and appropriate use of water resources nationwide.
As of 2022, about 77 percent of the country’s total territory has been somehow affected by desertification and land degradation, and more than 360 rivers, streams, lakes and springs in the country have dried up, according to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
The “Blue Gold” National Conference issued recommendations with a total of 4 articles and 19 provisions in the areas of reforming the law and legal framework of the water industry, improving governance and policies, protecting water resources from pollution and depletion, increasing the value of water, and building and empowering human resources.
