"Trans-Altai Sustainability Dialogue-Gender Equality and Sustainable Development" conference jointly organized by the State Great Hural, Stanford University of the United States, Ban Ki-moon Foundation, Ewha Women's University of the Republic of Korea started /2023.06.12/ in the State palace. G.Zandanshatar, the Chairman of the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia has delivered an opening speech at the Conference.

It is important to hold dialogues and develop cooperation across the Altai Mountains for sustainable development in these times of social and economic difficulties caused by global epidemic, armed conflicts between countries and geopolitical tectonic transitions. "Transpacific Stability Dialogue" was jointly organized for the first time in October 2022, by the Stanford University's Center for Asia-Pacific Studies and the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future, established by the 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The purpose of that conference was to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations and to support multilateral cooperation, which is the 17th goal of sustainable development. The goal of sustainable development was initiated by Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations and he called on world leaders to join forces to approve it and it began its implementation since 2015.

I would like to note that Mongolia is not only the first country to implement sustainable development goals, but it is also the only country that has enshrined the UN Sustainable Development Goals in its Constitution. That is why I have participated in the "Transpacific Stability Dialogue" conference held in Seoul and delivered a presentation for a discussion on Mongolia's experience and the global situation. Since the 17th goal of sustainable development is a matter of multilateral cooperation, it was decided to hold the conference annually as a tradition.

Today's conference focuses on three issues. First, sustainable development has become a global issue. Its implementation has been lingering due to international situations such as global pandemics and wars. The issue of accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals until 2030 is an important issue for the United Nations and the global community.

The countries located in the heart of Central Asia are considered sharing the same language, culture and roots. It is special that we are organizing a conference called "Trans-Altai Sustainability Dialogue" as we have identical features and distinctive characters similar in many ways.

Within the framework of this conference, a dedicated discussion is being held on the culture and cooperation of trans-Altai countries. We contain unearthed cultural, historical and archeological discoveries and similar identical features and distinctive characters. There is a fascinating theory about the “brain circuit” proposed by Mr. Gi Wook Shin, Director of Stanford University's Center for Asia and Pacific Studies. According to his theory, it is of historical importance in the current historical period that trans-Asian countries to restore their "brain circuit" links based on identical cultural features historical roots and inter-connections.

The Government of Mongolia has announced this year as "Visit Mongolia Year". Therefore, tens of millions of people from countries with Altaic language roots have expressed their desire to visit Mongolia. The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic Speaking Countries said that 20-30 million people from Turkey alone dreaming of visiting Mongolia, especially the Orhon river valley.

I believe that we always had and will always have the hidden connection, or a soul searching for each other. Therefore, continuing the hidden connections at the scientific level is another feature of this conference.

This time, our Trans-Altai sustainability dialogue is focused on the issue of ensuring gender equality, which is the 5th goal of sustainable development concept of the United Nations.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals address a wide range of interrelated issues such as cooperation, climate change, social justice and economic inclusion. However, the implementation of these goals cannot achieve real results without the participation of half of our world and our society or ensuring gender equality. In other words, men should not sing alone the song of the great time. Men alone cannot solve the global challenges facing the world. A new era is dawning where women's voices are becoming more important.

That is why today's conference will focus and discuss broad topics on women's leadership, gender equality in the labor market, gender equality in education, issues related with gender-based violence and human rights in Mongolia and the region, as well as international trends in Altai studies. Also, it is being organized with participations of representatives of academics, policy makers, civil society and students who will be the next generation's leaders and ensuring multi-faceted cooperation.

The conference is organized under the efforts of many people. On this occasion, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Mr.Ban Ki-moon, the 8th General Secretary of the United Nations, who has initiated and leading the Trans-Pacific Partnership for Sustainable Development, as well as to Stanford University, Ewha Women's University and our distinguished guests.

I would also like to thank the Asian Development Bank, Asia Foundation, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, United Nations Development Program and Oyu Tolgoi LLC for supporting the conference. I believe that it will be a fruitful conference where real cooperation has been started and policy solutions have been evaluated.

Ulaanbaatar

2023.06.13