The Economist magazine highlighted the remarks made by the President of Mongolia during the General Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)  in its weekly review, in connection with Mongolia’s initiative to establish World Horse Day and to promote equine heritage and culture.
At Mongolia’s initiative, beginning in 2025, July 11 has been designated and observed annually as World Horse Day.
In his address to the General Debate of the 80th Session of the UNGA on September 23, 2025, President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa spoke about the inseparable bond between the Mongolian people and their horses, and the crucial role horses have played throughout human history.
President Khurelsukh emphasized, “From the moment of birth, Mongolians grow up on horseback, and together with our trusted steeds, we have earned global renown and helped inscribe a remarkable chapter in the history of humankind. For this reason, the Mongolian people have placed the horse at the heart of our State Emblem, woven our State Flag from the mane and tail of our swiftest steeds, and created the haunting melodies of the morin khuur to stir the hearts of the world. We are a nation blessed with this unique heritage.
Throughout history, horses have made immense contributions to human livelihood, culture, civilization, and progress. To safeguard this heritage, to raise awareness of its significance, and to promote its continued appreciation worldwide, Mongolia initiated a resolution to designate July 11 of each year as World Horse Day. This resolution was adopted at the plenary meeting of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly on June 3, 2024.”
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the horse-loving Mongolian people, President Khurelsukh stated from the UN rostrum that Mongolia deeply appreciates the support of all UN Member States for this resolution, which aligns World Horse Day with the date of Mongolia’s National Naadam Festival, inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In connection with this initiative, The Economist, a globally respected publication, noted in its weekly review, “Amid all the high-minded speechifying at the UN assembly, Mongolia’s president used part of his address to praise the historical contribution of the world’s 60m horses. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa lauded our trusty steeds for being “integral to human livelihoods, culture and civilisations”, as he promoted his initiative for a UN World Horse Day. There are more horses than people in Mongolia, which is renowned for its equine culture.”
According to the National Statistics Office of Mongolia, as of 2024, the country’s human population stood at 3.5 million, while its horse population reached 4.6 million, confirming The Economist’s observation that “horses outnumber people in Mongolia.”
The draft resolution proclaiming World Horse Day was introduced by Mongolia and adopted at the plenary meeting of the 79th Session of the UNGA on June 3, 2024, with 56 co-sponsoring Member States, including: the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of Korea, the People’s Republic of China, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Russian Federation, the Portuguese Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Türkiye, Japan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Republic of Tajikistan.

Published Date:2025-09-28