A meeting was convened between H.E. Ms. Bulgantuya Khurelbaatar, Minister of Labour and Social Protection, and H.E. Mr. Igawahara Masaru, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Mongolia

During the meeting, discussions centered around jointly implemented projects and initiatives in the fields of labor and social protection, their outcomes, and prospects for future collaboration. Minister H.E.Ms. Bulgantuya highlighted Japan's extensive experience in elderly policy, care systems, and services, expressing Mongolia's interest in learning from Japan's expertise in these areas. She also emphasized Mongolia's commitment to continuing successful projects aimed at safeguarding the rights of people with disabilities and fostering their participation and development.

Specifically, Minister H.E.Ms. Bulgantuya mentioned the proposal to introduce the International Classification of Functional Impairment (ICF) in Mongolia's social protection and health sector between 2024 and 2028, which was submitted to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the Ministry of Finance in May 2023.

Furthermore, discussions encompassed the development of Mongolia's first draft law on accessibility. Projects such as the "Project to Improve Infrastructure and Information Access for Persons with Disabilities" and the "Project to Strengthen the System of Personal Assistants and Sign Interpreters for Providing Services to Persons with Disabilities" were proposed to enhance and update relevant accessibility standards. Additionally, collaborative efforts were planned for projects aimed at strengthening the capacity of persons with disabilities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as supporting independent living through employment opportunities for the target group citizens.

This meeting underscored the commitment of both Mongolia and Japan to fostering cooperation in various sectors, particularly in labor and social protection, for the benefit of their respective populations.