The Ninth International Conference “Ulaanbaatar Dialogue” on the security issues of Northeast Asia was held on June 6-7, 2024, jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and the Institute for Strategic Studies. This significant event brought together over 200 representatives from more than 30 countries, including dozens of international organizations, foreign embassies in Mongolia, government organizations, academics, and researchers.
In her opening remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs B. Battsetseg highlighted the critical need for strengthened multilateral cooperation and trust amidst escalating geopolitical conflicts. She emphasized the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding in addressing the complex security challenges in the region, urging the delegates to engage in open discussions and freely express their opinions.
Dr. J. Mendee, Director of the Institute for Strategic Studies, underlined the significance of the conference, “Since 2014, Mongolia has been successfully organizing the international conference ‘Ulaanbaatar Dialogue’ annually, with a brief interruption during the two years of the global pandemic. The organization of this conference is a tangible demonstration of Mongolia’s commitment to fostering international dialogue. The conference does not aim to resolve conflicts directly but to bring disputing parties together in public forums to enhance understanding and build trust.”
The conference was structured into five main sessions:
- Regional Security Challenges and Opportunities: Participants from Northeast Asian countries and beyond presented and discussed regional security issues, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities.
- Multilateral Cooperation in Northeast Asia: The Session welcomed experts from the Northeast Asia and beyond to share their perspectives on effective confidence building measures (CBMs). During the session, participants discussed multilateral cooperation examples of Canada, Poland, Kazakhstan, and Singapore, and explored practical steps for developing and implementing sustainable CBMs in the region.
- Climate Change and Security Challenges in Northeast Asia: The Session explored the intricate nexus of climate change and security in Northeast Asia, shedding light on the region’s vulnerabilities and opportunities for collaboration and called for the concerted efforts to enhance resilience and confidence-building measures in Northeast Asia.
- Secure and Affordable Energy Transition in Northeast Asia: Organized jointly with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), this session addressed the transition to a low-carbon energy system. Discussions were based on the work of UNESCAP on SDG7 and the Northeast Asia Green Energy Corridor roadmap, exploring sustainable development, bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and policy determination for accelerating the energy transition.
- Sustainable and Resilient Value Chains for Critical Energy Transition Minerals: The fifth session featured discussions among government and regional experts, researchers, and officials on developing a robust network for mineral supply essential for the energy transition. Participants explored potential cooperation between Northeast Asian countries to meet the growing demand for minerals and enhance the network of energy transition technologies.
Consistent with Mongolia’s peace-oriented, open, independent, and multi-pillar foreign policy, the “Ulaanbaatar Dialogue” has become a crucial platform for dialogue on regional security issues, their resolution, and confidence-building. This annual forum aligns with Mongolia’s foreign policy goals, providing an invaluable ground for representatives to discuss security issues within the Northeast Asia region.
The “Ulaanbaatar Dialogue” reaffirms Mongolia’s commitment to peace, dialogue, and cooperation in addressing regional security challenges and fostering mutual trust among Northeast Asian countries.
