The Chief Executive Officer of MCA-Mongolia Ms. E. Sodontogos during the meeting with representatives of leading local media organizations. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 

Ulaanbaatar, October 4, 2019 – The Millennium Challenge Account – Mongolia successfully hosted a morning meeting with a group of local journalists from media outlets such as online, print and TV on October 4, 2019. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the MCA-Mongolia, the MCC and activities of the second Millennium Challenge Compact and build an effective relationship and cooperation with media stakeholders.

Representatives of leading local media organizations. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.  

The meeting held under the topic of “Let’s Talk Water” was attended by MCC Resident Country Director Mr. Alex Russin, the Chief Executive Officer of MCA-Mongolia Ms. E. Sodontogos, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of MCA-Mongolia Mr. S. Zorigt and other directors and specialists from MCA-Mongolia, and 22 representatives of leading local media organizations including Mongolian National Broadcaster, MONTSAME Agency and daily newspapers such as “Unuudur” and “Udriin Sonin”. 

At the beginning of the meeting, Ms. E. Sodontogos, the Chief Executive Officer of MCA-Mongolia, stressed that the second Millennium Challenge Compact aims to address the imminent shortage of water that threatens the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, and the possibility of its impact on Mongolia’s economy and quality of life in the recent future. The expected result of the Mongolia Water Compact is to secure the water supply of Ulaanbaatar for 40 years theoretically (water supply for 100 years according to the industry experts).

Ms. Sodontogos also called on the media workers to take a lead role in public awareness and information campaigns regarding the Compact implementation. The $350 million investment of the Compact is not a loan, but a grant from U.S taxpayer’s money to Mongolian people, Alex Russin, MCC Resident Country Director, highlighted in his brief opening remarks.

Media representatives were also informed on the current state of global water shortage and the need for water reuse by Ms. Sodontogos, while Mr. Zorigt introduced the Program activities to be implemented under the Compact. The event continued with a question and answer session and an open discussion about water.

At the end of the meeting, media representatives, on behalf of all Mongolian people, extended gratitude to the U.S government, the Millennium Challenge Corporation and U.S taxpayers for their significant investment in the water sector, which is a vital part of the country’s development, and expressed their willingness to support and cooperate.

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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 Mongolia Water Compact signed with Millennium Challenge Corporation, 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.