[Ulaanbaatar, May 11, 2020] – A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the MCA-Mongolia was held on May 28, 2020, in Tuul Conference room of the MCA-Mongolia office.

The meeting was organized in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with attendance by Mr. D. Tsogtbaatar, Chairman of the Board and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, Mr. Gregory May, Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Ulaanbaatar and other Board members.

At the beginning of the meeting, Board members provided updates on their respective efforts to further the Government progress on conditions to entry into force of the Compact, namely the status of NCWWTP construction, removal of the existing long-term debt on USUG’s balance sheet and adoption of a detailed plan that ensures the chemical load of wastewater discharged from commercial and industrial sites into Ulaanbaatar’s existing central wastewater treatment plant is reduced to the levels observed in 2013 or lower not later than the commissioning of the new CWWTP. The meeting discussed and approved the Procurement Plans for July 1, 2020 through June 31, 2021, Quarterly Disbursement Request Package for Quarter 3, 2020 and the Amendments to the Implementing Entity Agreements and other contracts affected by the special conditions caused by Covid-19 pandemic and relevant rules and restrictions set by the Government.

In addition, the MCA-Mongolia “Environmental and Social Management System” (ESMS) was approved by the Board. The ESMS aims to manage environmental and social risks and impacts related to the implementation of all the projects developed under the Water Compact.

In the end, Internal Audit Report on MCA-Mongolia’s Procurement and Financial Operations, Anti-fraud and Corruption Plan, and the Code of Ethics of the MCA-Mongolia were presented to the Board of Directors. 

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Millennium Challenge Account - Mongolia is a state-owned enterprise established by the decision of the Government of Mongolia on October 3, 2018, pursuant to Government Resolution No 297 in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Compact to implement the Program under the 350 million USD Mongolia Water Compact signed with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. government foreign aid agency. 

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth.  Created in 2004, MCC provides time-limited grants and assistance to poor countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, from fighting corruption to respecting democratic rights.  Learn more about MCC at www.mcc.gov.