Photos of Mongolian Government meeting in South Gobi province

By now, probably everyone knows that Government of Mongolia had special meeting in Gobi desert to highlight climate change affecting Mongolia. According to Government reports, 70% of Mongolian land is affected by desertification to some extent. Mongolia needs help and resources from world community to adapt to changing climate condition. Mongolia joined rest of the world in addressing the issue of global climate change affecting Mongolians and its economy by affirming, among others, the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1993 and its Kyoto Protocol in 1999.

Mongolia is very sensitive to climate due to its geographic location and socio-economic condition. Climate change is already a fact in Mongolia. According to many years observation at the meteorological stations scatted throughout Mongolia, annual mean temperatures have risen by 2.1 degree Celsius between 1940 and 2007. Natural disasters such as drought, heavy snow fall, flood, snow and wind storms and extreme cold and hot temperature are recurrent all year round and the forecasts suggest higher temperatures and less rain in summer and more snow in winter.It also may bring more variable weather conditions with longer and/or frequent droughts and zud (or harsh winter).

Goal of the meeting was to draw attention to Mongolia which experiences direct impact of global warming and climate change.The meeting took place in sandy valley called "Gashuunii Hooloi" of Bayandalai soum of Umnugobi aimag. All ministers except Deputy Prime Minister Mieygombo Enkhbold took part in the meeting. Also advisers of Prime Minister Batbold took part in the meeting. President Elbegdorj Tsakhia sent his envoy Zorigt, environmental adviser to the meeting. UN Chief Bank Ki Moon sent congratulatory message to the meeting. Following photos of the meeting are handout of Government of Mongolia.

By Battsetseg, reporter of mongolianviews.com