Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai paid an official visit to the USA from August 2nd to 6th, 2023. During this visit, the Prime Minister held meetings with Vice President Ms. Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.
Discussions centered on strengthening cooperation between Mongolia and the USA for rare earths mining. Mongolia boasts extensive deposits of rare earths and copper, crucial for high-tech applications including defense equipment and the Biden Administration’s endeavors to electrify the automotive market to mitigate climate change. Both parties concurred to sign an “Open Skies” civil aviation agreement, complemented by commitments for further economic collaboration.
Secretary Blinken and Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene committed to revitalizing and modernizing U.S.-Mongolia economic cooperation through a new Economic Cooperation Roadmap. Additionally, they celebrated the endorsement of an Open Skies agreement between the United States and Mongolia, poised to amplify our robust economic and commercial alliance, foster people-to-people connections, and create fresh prospects for airlines, travel enterprises, and patrons. The leaders deliberated the imperative of advancing democratic principles, safeguarding fundamental freedoms, and engaging constructively in regional and global security concerns.
Cooperation with the United States, referred to as Mongolia’s “important strategic third neighbor,” in the realm of rare earths and critical minerals was already in progress and will be further deepened under a memorandum of understanding signed in June. This memorandum solidified collaboration between the Mongolian Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry and the U.S. State Department.
During the visit, the Prime Minister also engaged with representatives from NASA. Both parties concurred to leverage advancements in space science and technology to ameliorate people’s livelihoods and stimulate economic growth. Moreover, space technology will be harnessed to combat climate change, avert natural disasters, and foster cooperation in training space science experts.
Furthermore, Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai conducted discussions with Google to facilitate the training of 10,000 Mongolian teachers within the framework of the “Google For Education” program.
Mongolia and the United States established diplomatic relations on January 27, 1987. Mongolia is often referred to as an “oasis of democracy” in the region due to its democratic governance and commitment to democratic principles. The U.S. has expressed support for Mongolia’s democratic development and political reforms. The U.S. and Mongolia have engaged in economic cooperation, particularly in areas such as trade, investment, and development assistance. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has funded projects in Mongolia to support economic growth and poverty reduction.
Both countries have engaged in military and defense cooperation, including joint training exercises and exchanges. The U.S. has provided assistance to Mongolia in areas such as peacekeeping operations and defense reform.
