Enkhbat Nasanbuyan, Governor of Umnugobi aimag, met with Igawahara Masaru, Ambassador of Japan to Mongolia, on October 19.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on expanding bilateral cooperation and future opportunities in environmental protection, combating desertification, afforestation, agriculture, and tourism.

With support from the Japanese government, projects are underway in Sevrei and Bayandalai soums of Umnugobi aimag to protect the environment, mitigate desertification, and restore the Gobi ecosystem. As part of this initiative, Ambassador Igawahara and his family participated in planting saxual trees (Haloxylon ammodendron) across 100 hectares, digging wells, and setting up protective fencing for trees and shrubs.

The arid, harsh climate and water scarcity in the Gobi region require special attention toward afforestation and vegetation restoration. Implementing methods and technologies suitable to local soil and water conditions, ensuring the survival rate of planted saplings, and managing water resources efficiently are crucial to enhancing the effectiveness of restoration efforts.

The two sides also discussed introducing advanced Japanese technologies and expertise in Gobi afforestation and natural resource conservation, as well as organizing youth and student exchange programs.

Additionally, the meeting touched upon potential collaboration in developing winter greenhouses, boosting agricultural productivity, improving water supply in remote areas, and providing water access for wild animals.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to further expand cooperation by leveraging Japanese expertise and technology in environmental protection, desertification control, afforestation, agriculture, and tourism, while promoting bilateral youth exchange programs.

Published Date:2026-10-20