Jaap van Hierden

UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia

[Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden]

Монгол түмнээрээ дэнж хотойтол сайхан наадаарай! Happy Naadam!

[Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden]

Informative meeting with Captain B. Batzorig on Khuvsgul’s disaster risks, from forest fires to dzuds. Pleased to note that the Khuvsgul Emergency Management Department is taking strong preventive measures.

[Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden]

Khuvsgul Lake, inscribed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2022, is one of the world’s largest pristine freshwater ecosystems and a cradle of biodiversity. Pleased to witness local conservation efforts and grateful for UNESCO’s support in protecting this natural treasure.

[Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden]

Met with Tsaatan reindeer herders at Khuvsgul Lake. Despite isolation & limited services, they preserve a unique culture and adapt through resilience & tourism.

[Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden]

In Bulgan’s Khutag‑Undur, I met Canadian entrepreneur Jeremy Thiessen. By finishing cattle on feed and showcasing rotational grazing, he proves premium beef can align with rangeland restoration.

[Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden]

Visited Amarbayasgalant Monastery built between 1727 and 1736 to honor Zanabazar, Mongolia’s first Bogd Gegeen. Despite destruction during 1930s purges, 28 temples remain, restored with UNESCO support. A living testament to resilience and faith.

[Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden]

Mongolia’s first National #Geopark launched in Khanbogd. A milestone of vision, partnership and perseverance. From dinosaur footprints to petrified forests and fossilized shells, heritage meets opportunity. Grateful to UNESCO and Rio Tinto for making this possible.

[Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden]

Good update with UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary on the road to #COP17. Together, we also caught up with Italy’s Ambassador to Mongolia and appreciated the strong support for climate action and cooperation.

[Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden]

Thank you Helmut for your friendship and your unwavering support for the timeless values of the UN. Wish you a well deserved retirement.

[UN Mongolia @unmongolia]

🇲🇳Mongolia is advancing the Awaza Programme of Action. The @zasag_mn, represented by @MongolDiplomacy, and @unmongolia convened a stakeholder consultation to prepare the national implementation plan.
Read more:
🔗🇬🇧https://t.co/yDXM6TK3Co
🔗🇲🇳https://t.co/wAqcHFhK8u

[Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden]

I had the pleasure of thanking IMF Resident Representative for Mongolia, Mr. Tigran Poghosyan, for his dedicated service and valuable contribution to the Development Partner Group mechanism and discussions.

[Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala @RD_WPRO]

During my travels around the WHO Western Pacific Region, I spend a lot of time with Health Ministers and other government officials, scientists and researchers, and - of course - healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, midwives and other specialists.

But it's not too often that I get quality time with the people @WHO ultimately seeks to serve.

That all-too-rare opportunity is what made my just-concluded week-long mission to #Mongolia all the more special - especially during a visit to the northern aimag or province of Selenge, bordering Russia.

The people of Selenge - a fertile, forest-steppe region - are a diverse, agricultural community of about 106,000 residents.

Primarily consisting of the Khalkh and Buryat ethnic groups, their culture blends traditional nomadic herding with crop farming and cross-border trade.

It was a treat to be welcomed into the traditional Ger of a herder family for lunch, and to also learn a bit about how they live - including how they and other families in the vicinity access essential health care services via mobile clinics and village health facilities, especially amid Mongolia's harsh winters.

Not only did our local hosts overwhelm me and my team with their warm hospitality, they were good sports as well - humouring my attempt at archery alongside Mongolia's Health Secretary Dr Namjil Erdenebayar whose bow-and-arrow skills, not surprisingly, surpassed mine!

My heartfelt thanks to the Provincial Selenge Department of Health, the national Ministry of Health, my colleagues at @WHOMongolia, and the people who hosted us this truly unforgettable day. 🙏

@BatshugarE @EruulMendiinYam @zasag_mn
@WHOWPRO @SocorroEscalan2 @unmongolia @JaapVanHierden @nymongolia @montsameMN @montsame_en @MBNEnglish

[UN Mongolia @unmongolia]

During London Climate Action Week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent action to cut methane emissions, greater environmental transparency in AI, and stronger global cooperation to protect our planet.

@UNDPMongolia

[Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden]

Met Ms. M. Badamlyankhua, Country Director of WWF Mongolia. We discussed conservation achievements, future priorities, and collaboration ahead of COP17. Mongolia’s vast and pristine nature, especially the Gobi, must be preserved for generations to come.

[Rabab Fatima @USGRabab_UN]

Pleased to address the #LLDC Ambassadorial Group in Geneva. I thank outgoing coordinator @MongoliaGVA 🇲🇳 & welcome Tajikistan🇹🇯 as incoming coordinator. A strong, united #LLDC voice will be essential to advancing the Awaza #PoA.

My full message:
https://t.co/4TR407wX9W

[Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden]

UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO have enjoyed a longstanding partnership with the Luxembourg Development Agency, which included the construction and equipping of a pediatric operating room in Ulaanbaatar. I was pleased to meet @dohognehenri and his dedicated team.

[UN Mongolia @unmongolia]

🌍 On the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivers a powerful message on the urgent need to protect and restore the world's rangelands.

🌱 Restoring land.
🤝 Restoring hope.

@Cop17Mongolia @UNCCD

[UN Mongolia @unmongolia]

📌 Е-Business 2.0:
✅ Бизнесийн бүртгэлийг хялбаршуулна
✅ Албан бусаас албан эдийн засагт шилжихийг дэмжинэ
✅ Зөвшөөрөл, татвартай холбоотой 321 үйлчилгээ
✅ Цагийн, зайнаас болон гэрээсээ ажиллах зэрэг 11 төрлийн хөдөлмөрийн гэрээг цахимаар байгуулах боломжтой
@EMongoliamn

[Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden]

It was a pleasure @RD_WPRO Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukal to welcome you to Mongolia. As discussed, we much appreciate WHO active and valued contribution as a member of @unmongolia. You caught me on Tonga. Completely agree and my wife and I have added to our bucket list :-)

[Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala @RD_WPRO]

From Sierra Leone to Afghanistan to Micronesia and beyond - @JaapVanHierden's @UN trajectory has taken him to diverse Member States in diverse roles.

Currently, he's the UN Resident Coordinator in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia which is where I met him this week, on the sidelines of my second official visit to the country as WHO Western Pacific Regional Director.

We discussed the rapid advances Mongolia is making on multiple fronts - including health - as well as the challenges that must be tackled as the country develops further.

I was gratified to hear of the strong contribution of our @WHOMongolia Country Office, under the leadership of Dr Socorro Escalante, to the wider UN Country Team - even as we serve the Government and people of this vast land.

We also discussed the crucial responsibilities of the UN Resident Coordinator at a time when UN agencies and entities need to work more closely than ever - breaking down silos and embracing collaboration.

Not least, Jaap recounted the heady experience of establishing the UN Multi-Country Office based in the Federated States of Micronesia and having to serve numerous Pacific island countries - one of the most complex assignments he's ever taken.

Strangely, he's never visited Tonga - my Pacific island homeland - something I urged him to rectify in the not too distant future!

@unmongolia @SocorroEscalan2 @RoyWadiaUN

[WHO Mongolia @WHOMongolia]

ДЭМБ-ын Номхон далайн баруун бүсийн захирал Др Саиа Ма’у Пиукала НҮБ-ын Монгол Улс дахь Суурин зохицуулагч ноён Яап ван Хиерден болон НҮБ-ын Монгол дахь багийн төлөөлөгчидтэй уулзаж, эрүүл мэнд болон тогтвортой хөгжлийг ахиулах чиглэлээр хамтын тэргүүлэх зорилтуудын талаар санал солилцлоо.

Бүсийн захирал Монгол Улсын хөгжлийн зорилтуудыг дэмжих, ард иргэдийн амьдралыг сайжруулах чиглэлээр НҮБ-ын системийн байгууллагуудын хооронд өрнөж буй үр дүнтэй хамтын ажиллагааг өндрөөр үнэлэв.

Уулзалтын үеэр ирэх жилүүдэд Монгол Улсын тэргүүлэх чиглэлүүдийг дэмжихэд НҮБ хэрхэн хамгийн үр дүнтэй хамтран ажиллах талаар хэлэлцсэн бөгөөд үүнд гамшиг, эрсдэлийг даван туулах чадавхийг бэхжүүлэх, эрүүл мэнд болон уур амьсгалын өөрчлөлттэй холбоотой сорилтуудыг шийдвэрлэх, тэгш бус байдлыг бууруулах, мөн Тогтвортой хөгжлийн зорилтуудын хэрэгжилтийг эрчимжүүлэх асуудлуудын талаар ярилцав.
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WHO Regional Director Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala @RD_WPRO met with Mr Jaap van Hierden @JaapVanHierden, United Nations Resident Coordinator, and members of the UN Country Team to discuss shared priorities for advancing health and sustainable development in Mongolia.

The Regional Director appreciated the strong collaboration across the UN system in supporting Mongolia's national development goals and improving the lives of people across the country.

The discussion focused on how the UN can best support Mongolia's priorities in the years ahead, including strengthening resilience, addressing health and climate challenges, reducing inequalities, and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.