Collaboration with the Asian Development Bank to Implement a Sustainable Social Protection System
On August 15, 2024, Minister of Family, Labour, and Social Protection, L. Enkh-Amgalan, met with Shannon Cowlin, the Resident Representative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Mongolia.
Minister Enkh-Amgalan began the meeting by highlighting the long-standing and effective partnership between Mongolia and the ADB, which has spanned over 30 years. He noted that one of the four major policy reforms outlined in the Government of Mongolia's 2024-2028 action plan is focused on human development. The Minister emphasized the government's commitment to transitioning towards a sustainable, non-welfare-based protection system and expressed his gratitude for the three major projects in the fields of labour and social protection that are being successfully implemented in collaboration with the ADB.
The discussion highlighted the significant progress made through ADB-funded projects, including the establishment of development support centers for people with disabilities in Sukhbaatar District, as well as in Khuvsgul, Darkhan-Uul, Khovd, Dundgovi, and Dornod provinces. As part of this initiative, more than 200 pieces of equipment across 61 types have been supplied to these centers. The meeting underscored the importance of ensuring the sustainability of these centers to expand their reach and continue benefiting more people in need. The goal is to create an inclusive environment that improves workplace and living conditions for people with disabilities, accurately assesses their skills, and enables them to live independently in the future—a key priority of the Minister's ongoing efforts.
Additionally, a new model for elderly care service centers has been successfully implemented in the Songinokhairkhan district, Darkhan-Uul, and Selenge provinces, with plans to establish similar centers in all 21 provinces.
Minister Enkh-Amgalan also discussed plans to enhance the management system for social workers, create a unified database for informal employment, and adopt international standards (ICF) to accurately assess disability, skills, household income, and poverty levels. These measures aim to deliver targeted social protection services that meet the specific needs of vulnerable groups.
Shannon Cowlin, the ADB Resident Representative, expressed the ADBank's commitment to cooperating in the effective and successful implementation of these critical projects.