Secretary-General Maria Leissner,

Excellencies,    

Ladies and gentlemen,

At the outset, I would like to congratulate the United States for assuming the Chairmanship of the Community of Democracies.

Mongolia will continue to make its efforts to contribute to the work of the Community.

I am confident that CD will be further strengthened as an effective and inclusive global forum open to all democracy stakeholders in accordance with the Warsaw Principles.

We do believe in the increased role of the Governing Council in the development and strengthening of the Community and warmly welcome Norway, a new member of the Governing Council. 

Mr. Chairman,

Mongolia has been celebrating the 25th anniversary of its democracy throughout this year. During the last 25 years we achieved a lot and have drawn a better course. We made notable progress in the areas of transparency of governance and citizens’ participation.

Mongolia also created one of the most unique, open, competitive and fair election systems in our region.

However, we still have more to do. Promotion of good governance with strong public participation, transparency, rule of law and freedom of press are significant pillar of the strengthening institutions of democratic governance. Mongolia recognizes the centrality of human rights in development planning.

We also believe in the role of civil society. Their active participation is vital to decision making processes, including the adoption of national laws and to the improvement of  institutional capacities. Thus, every administrative branches of Mongolia, including from the President’s Office to local public service units have their own civic hall to discuss the challenges they face and contribute to the best solutions. 

Mr. Chairman,

As the previous Chair of the Community of Democracies as well as the current chair of the Freedom Online Coalition, Mongolia will continue its efforts to protect and promote online freedom based on our shared commitment to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

Mongolia has been sharing its experience and lessons learned with others in building effective democracy. We have been working closely with Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar in the area of legal reform, training of public servants and journalists. We will continue our such efforts and contribution and stand ready to cooperate with many other countries which are making their efforts for democracy building, including improvement of electoral systems. 

Today, we are discussing to address the challenges that create international insecurity, national instability and endanger economic development. I share the view that those challenges can only be tackled through coordinated and concerted efforts by accountable governments and a free civil society at national and international level. In this regard, we believe that all institutions for promotion of strong democracy, including national and international should work closely and coordinate their efforts.

Mongolia, as a Member of the Governing Council and Executive Committee of the CD as well as the chair- elect of the Council of Members States of the IDEA International will make its utmost efforts in better coordination and contribution. We will put forward practical proposals to concert our efforts.       

Mr. Chairman,

As you all may know that Mongolia is running for the first time for a membership on the UN Human Rights Council. We believe the United Nations Human Rights Council is a crucial body for the protection and promotion of human rights worldwide. It is a platform for open discussions on human rights issues that positively impact national and international policies. Therefore, Mongolia has a keen interest to contribute to the work of the UN Human Rights Council and to share our experience transitioning to democracy, fighting against corruption, abolishing the death penalty, and ensuring genuine human rights. I am hopeful that fellow Members of the CD will extend your valuable support to Mongolia’s candidacy to the UN’s Human Rights Council, at elections to be held on 28 October 2015 during the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly.

Thank you.