Mongolia

• © UNESCO
• Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape

Mongolia joined UNESCO on November 1, 1962.

The creation of the International Institute for the Study of Nomadic Civilizations (IISNC) in Ulaanbaatar marks one of the most successful collaborations between UNESCO and Mongolia. The institute was established in 1998 in the framework of the former Silk Roads Project. IISNC’s promotion of intercultural exchange led to the founding in 2001of the New Civilization College in Mongolia, which currently has four bachelor degree programmes with around 120 students.

Another collaboration involves the conservation and management of the Orkhon Valley site in Mongolia, added to the World Heritage List in 2004. The site includes the ancient Mongol capital of Kharkhorum (13th - 14th centuries) and is also famous for its annual Naadam festival, an important event in the history of Central Asia.

There are currently five biosphere reserves in Mongolia, and the country is involved in several research projects relating to earth sciences, mountain ecosystems and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).