Prime Minister of Mongolia L.Oyun-Erdene, Governor of the Capital city and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar Kh.Nyambaatar and other relevant officials met with scientists, researchers, government and non-government organizations of the environmental sector. In this regard, the problems faced in the field of environment and ecology were discussed and views were exchanged on the possible solutions.

During the meeting, Mayor Kh.Nyambaatar outlined the actions currently in progress and those scheduled for the future to mitigate air pollution in Ulaanbaatar.

He said, "The State Great Khural has approved the Law on Reducing Traffic Congestion in Ulaanbaatar City and Providing Housing to Ger Areas. The ultimate solution to the air, environment and soil pollution, and waste and other problems in Ulaanbaatar city is to provide housing to ger areas. In doing so, six sub-centers will be established in the capital, land vacation will be carried out, and the construction of apartments of 18,000 households will be started next year in Selbe and Bayankhoshuu sub-centers. Moreover, the number of registered cars in the capital, currently at 720,000, will not see an increase. This legislation aims to govern matters related to enhancing public transportation access, managing parking facilities, decentralization, ger area housing provision, traffic congestion, and mitigating and preventing social and economic impacts arising from air and environmental pollution."

Participants at the meeting put forward following proposals to reduce air and environmental pollution and protect the environment:

• Provide discounted loans to organizations and enterprises operating in this field and include them in foreign loan
• Support the use of electric cars
• Phase out pit latrines
• Exempt the waste recycling plants from import and custom taxes
• Educate the citizens about waste, incorporating it into laws and regulations, and increase citizens’ participation
• Establish an integrated database of all research findings on water, soil, and air pollution and use it as main source.

In addition, Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene and Mayor Kh.Nyambaatar expressed that these proposals will be included in the measures planned in the future and the information about the works being implemented will be provided.

MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF THE CAPITAL CITY