Your Excellency, Mr. Zandanshatar, Chairman of the State Great Hural of Mongolia

Your Excellency, Minister Bulgantuya, 

Distinguished guests from far and near, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the Second Trans-Altai Sustainability Dialogue! Welcome to Mongolia! It is an honour for me to welcome you today as we focus our attention on SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

Can you envision a world where conflict and violence are replaced by peace and harmony? A world where every individual and especially every child, regardless of their background, has access to education, healthcare, and the opportunity to thrive? This is the vision that drives us, and it is a vision that Switzerland, as a responsible member of the global community, is committed to realizing.

I am proud to stand here representing the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency, alongside our esteemed partners from the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia. Together, we have embarked on this journey towards building a more just and equitable world for all for the last 20 years.

SDG 16 is not just a goal; it is a beacon of hope, guiding our efforts to confront injustice and promote peace. But achieving this goal requires more than just aspirations; it demands concrete action and unwavering commitment.

Transparency is key to fighting injustice. By providing people with access to information and education, we empower them to advocate for their rights and hold institutions accountable. We must also prioritize peacebuilding efforts, recognizing that sustainable development cannot flourish in the shadow of conflict.

In Mongolia, as in many parts of the world, we face challenges such as natural disasters that exacerbate inequalities. To address these challenges, we must tackle corruption and injustice head-on, ensuring that all members of society have equal access to essential services and opportunities.

But SDG 16 cannot be achieved in isolation. It is intrinsically linked to the other Sustainable Development Goals, from ending poverty and hunger to promoting gender equality and access to education and healthcare. We must work holistically, addressing the root causes of inequality and injustice at every level.

Over the past two decades, SDC has been proud to partner with the Government of Mongolia and the Parliament of Mongolia in advancing SDG 16. Through initiatives such as One-Stop Service Centres to ensure effective public service delivery and participatory budgeting, we have empowered communities to shape their own futures and ensure that their voices are heard in the decision-making process.

For Switzerland, SDG 16 is not just a global commitment; it is a guiding principle that informs both our domestic and foreign policies. From supporting peace dialogues in Ukraine to participating in initiatives like the Ulaanbaatar Peace Dialogue, we are dedicated to fostering a world where peace and justice prevail.

As we embark on this journey together, let us remember that the road ahead will not be easy. But with determination, collaboration, and a shared vision of a better world, we can overcome any obstacle. Let us seize this opportunity to build a future where peace, justice, and strong institutions are not just aspirations, but realities for all.

Let’s hope for the better world where SDG goals are achieved, and peace prevails everywhere. I am confident that tomorrow, with the wealth of knowledge and experiences you bring all the way to Mongolia, we will discover innovative pathways for progress. I am really looking forward to be part of the discussions and exchanging opinions and experiences.

Thank you.