The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, the Mongolian Red Cross Society (MRCS), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) today launched a comprehensive study assessing the implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL) in Mongolia. The launch event, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ulaanbaatar, brought together 50 senior government officials, humanitarian, diplomats and academic experts, and representatives of international organizations to discuss the study’s findings and the way forward.
The study was carried out under a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding signed between the three parties in 2021 and completed in 2025 through close cooperation and technical consultation among national and international experts. It is one of the first studies of its kind in Asia. The research examines Mongolia’s domestic legal and institutional frameworks related to IHL and provides practical recommendations for enhanced implementation and compliance of the law.
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H.E. Battsetseg Batmunkh, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia.
In her opening remarks, H.E. Battsetseg Batmunkh, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, reaffirmed Mongolia’s commitment to IHL and humanitarian values: “This research marks the launch of a new phase dedicated to strengthening the implementation of international humanitarian law and drive sustainable, coordinated action at the national level.”
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Mr. Balthasar Staehelin, Personal Envoy of the President and Head of Regional Delegation for East Asia of the ICRC.
Mr. Balthasar Staehelin, Personal Envoy of the President and Head of Regional Delegation for East Asia of the ICRC, commended Mongolia’s leadership and the value of such a study for the region: “This research is an important milestone not only for Mongolia, but also for Asia as a whole. It highlights the importance of cooperation between national authorities and humanitarian partners to strengthen respect for IHL, and the ICRC is honored to have been part of this initiative and looks forward to continued partnership with the Government of Mongolia and the Mongolian Red Cross Society.”
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Mdm. Bolormaa Nordov, Secretary-General of the Mongolian Red Cross Society.
Mdm. Bolormaa Nordov, Secretary-General of the Mongolian Red Cross Society, emphasized that the Society serves as an auxiliary to the Government of Mongolia, with a legal mandate to promote and support the implementation of international humanitarian law at the national level. She highlighted that the collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and the International Committee of the Red Cross has laid a strong foundation for enhanced cooperation among government institutions, civil society, and academic organizations in the future.
Finally, Mdm. Bolormaa affirmed that the Mongolian Red Cross Society remains committed to supporting the effective implementation of international humanitarian law and to advancing humanitarian values across the country.
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Following the opening session, a panel discussion brought together experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ICRC, the National Security Council, and the Mongolian Red Cross Society. During the panel, experts discussed the study’s assessment of Mongolia’s IHL implementation and its recommendations, emphasizing continued interministerial coordination, information sharing, and capacity building to strengthen compliance.
By undertaking this initiative, Mongolia, together with the Mongolian Red Cross Society and the ICRC, demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening domestic implementation of IHL and promoting respect for the law. The study also provides insights and practical guidance that can inspire other States in the region to enhance their national implementation of IHL.
