SDG-Aligned budgeting to transform employment in Mongolia project concludes

The European Union (EU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) concluded the "SDG-Aligned budgeting to transform employment in Mongolia" (SDGBE) project. The closing event brought together over 140 government officials, stakeholders, and beneficiaries to present the project's achievements, hand over its key outcomes and discuss the sustainability of results.

Launched in October 2020 as part of the European Union’s €50.8 million Budget support programme for Mongolia, the €7.4 million project has been instrumental in enhancing Mongolia’s public financial management and employment systems. By aligning budget planning with national development priorities, it has advanced sustainable development, decent work, and inclusive economic growth.

Component D was implemented by the ILO and aimed effective application of international labour standards by strengthening institutions of work. The project provided technical support to strengthen Mongolia’s labour inspection framework and advance compliance with international labour standards through enhanced capacity building and awareness raising in areas of decent work and labour rights.

ILO’s key achievements include:

Regulatory frameworks:

• Preparatory documents for the ratification of ILO Convention No. 81 of 1947 on Labour Inspection (Commerce and Industry) and ILO Convention No. 129 of 1969 on Labour Inspection (Agriculture) have been completed.
• Provided technical support to the Ministry to align occupational safety and health (OSH) legal frameworks with international labour standards.
• Enhanced the quantitative data analysis essential for effective labour policy formulation.
• Improved the capacity of social partners to effectively implement the fundamental principles and rights at work (FPRW).

Strengthened capacity of labour inspection:

• Strengthened the capacity of the labour inspectors to enhance compliance mechanisms.
• ILO’s Strategic Compliance Planning (SCP) methodology was introduced to the annual planning of labour inspections.

Munkhzul Lkhagvasuren, State Secretary of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Protection acknowledged the significant contributions and achievements of the project, stating “The Government of Mongolia, particularly the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Protection, will continue to enhance and sustain results-based policies and budgeting approaches to ensure accessible and efficient public services, contributing to social and economic development.”

Ina Marčiulionytė, Ambassador of the European Union to Mongolia, celebrated the project as a significant milestone in 35 years of European Union-Mongolia diplomatic relations. Ina Marčiulionytė said, “I hope all stakeholders can sustain the achievements of the project and prioritize to continue capacity building, knowledge sharing, and the adoption of best practices in public financial management and employment services.”

During the closing event, stakeholders discussed strategies to sustain the project's impact, including policy dialogues on enhancing employment outcomes and ensuring RBB practices are institutionalized across sectors. Moreover, key resources and knowledge products developed throughout the project implementation were shared and handed over to partners and stakeholders through the launch of a dedicated knowledge website www.sdgbeproject.mn

For more information, please contact:

Javzandulam Myagmar, National Project Coordinator, [email protected]