[Ulaanbaatar, June 16, 2020] – Millennium Challenge Account – Mongolia (MCA-Mongolia), the accountable entity responsible for implementing the Mongolia Water Compact, successfully organized an official kick-off meeting to launch the development of Customer Assistance Program options under the Water Sector Sustainability Activity on June 16, 2020.

MCA-Mongolia will provide Cost Recovery Technical Assistance to Ulaanbaatar Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (USUG) and other key stakeholders to ensure financial sustainability through full recovery of depreciation, operations, and maintenance costs with an aim to improve the long-term sustainability of water services in Ulaanbaatar. This exercise to develop the options for Customer Assistance Program to support the poor and vulnerable communities in Ulaanbaatar is part of the technical assistance to the Water Service Regulatory Commission (WSRC) to improve its future policies and operations.   

The meeting was attended by representatives from the consortium of “Cowatersogema International Inc.” (Canada) and “Sachsen Wasser GMBH” (Germany), a consultant for the Cost Recovery Technical Assistance and key stakeholders of water sector such as Water Service Regulatory Commission (WSRC), Ulaanbaatar Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (USUG) and Ulaanbaatar Housing and Public Utilities Authority (OSNAAUG) and individual consultants.

The meeting started with a presentation on the current status and future plans for the Cost Recovery Technical Assistance followed by a discussion, after which the stakeholders provided their technical inputs as a wrap-up.

On a related-note, MCA-Mongolia, in partnership with the National Statistics Office is also working on an integrated study to assess the willingness and ability of water customers to pay for water services. The survey covers a sample of 5,000 households in Ulaanbaatar and is planned to be completed by the end of this year.

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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.