Dairy Asia Secretariat Office Established in Ulaanbaatar

ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA – The Dairy Asia Secretariat Office was officially inaugurated in Ulaanbaatar today, with the support of the Government of Mongolia and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). In the opening ceremony, high-level delegations attended, including Mr. D.Tsogtbaatar, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, Mr. Ch. Ulaan, Minister for Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia, and Dr. Vinod Ahuja, FAO Representative in Mongolia.

The establishment of the Secretariat marks a significant progression for the Dairy Asia initiative. Following its 2018 meeting in Ulaanbaatar, it was determined that the partnership was prepared to advance to a new stage, requiring greater regional ownership, an independent secretariat, increased financial resources, and stronger private sector engagement. In response, the Government of Mongolia submitted a proposal to host the Secretariat Office, which received endorsement from the Dairy Asia Steering Committee, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry of Mongolia (MoFALI), FAO, and the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock (GASL). This initiative was formally approved by the Mongolian Cabinet through Order #11 on 8 January 2020.

Dairy Asia is a multi-stakeholder partnership committed to fostering a socially and environmentally responsible Asian dairy sector that enhances rural livelihoods, improves nutrition, and contributes to economic prosperity across the region. Initially founded by the FAO in 2014, the partnership now comprises 13 member countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Mongolia’s neutral and multilateral foreign policy within the Asia-Pacific region and beyond positions it as a crucial partner for building consensus among the diverse nations of Asia. The country’s deep-rooted nomadic heritage has cultivated a long tradition of dairy production, utilizing a diverse range of animal species. The cultural practice of welcoming guests with a ‘Khadag’ and a silver bowl of milk tea, and blessing departures with milk for a successful journey, is emblematic of a culture that inherently facilitates collaboration.

“While the sector faces challenges, it is also rich in social and technical innovations. Sharing experiences and lessons around these innovations can be a powerful source of change in support of the sustainability agenda. This requires joining hands,” stated Mr. Vinod Ahuja during the opening ceremony.

Strategic Significance of the Ulaanbaatar Secretariat:

The establishment of the Secretariat in Ulaanbaatar is expected to yield several strategic benefits:

• Enhanced International Cooperation and Competitiveness: This development will upgrade Mongolia’s international cooperation in the food and agriculture sector, increase the competitiveness of its domestic dairy industry, and foster sustainable development. In the long term, it will enhance Mongolia’s profile, creating expanded opportunities for dairy exports within the region and globally.

• Expanded Regional Representation: Mongolia’s geographic location and membership in regional mechanisms uniquely position it to facilitate engagement with countries in East, Central, and Western Asia, as well as Northeast Asian nations like Japan and the Republic of Korea, with which Mongolia maintains positive relations.

• Sustainable Dairy Sector Development: The Secretariat will support the development of intensive dairy farming and the production of milk from camels, goats, sheep, mares, and yaks. It will also promote semi-intensive animal husbandry systems and support sustainable value addition in milk production.

• Alignment with National Priorities: The Government of Mongolia has officially prioritized the development and long-term support of the dairy sector. The designation of dairy products as ‘Strategic Food’ in the Mongolian Food Law underscores the state’s commitment, creating a conducive environment for collaboration with regional partnerships like Dairy Asia.