Delegations from the United States and Mongolia convened in Ulaanbaatar on October 1, 2024, for the second U.S.-Mongolia Energy Dialogue. The meeting was led by Kimberly D. Harrington, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR), and Munkhtushig Lkhanaajav, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia. Representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the American Chamber of Commerce in Mongolia joined from the U.S. side, while representatives from Mongolia's Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and private entities participated.
The dialogue focused on ongoing cooperation in energy and critical minerals, exploring future collaboration opportunities. Discussions included priorities such as modernizing electric power infrastructure, developing power markets, and supporting clean energy transitions through private sector investment. The delegations also emphasized advancing critical minerals development and increasing women's participation in the energy sector.
Both countries highlighted the Mongolia Electricity Regulatory Partnership established three years ago with ENR’s Power Sector Program and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. This partnership aims to enhance Mongolia's energy regulatory capacity to create a stable and competitive energy sector. The dialogue also covered advanced clean energy technologies and utilizing Mongolia's solar and wind resources to boost energy security.
In addition to energy discussions, both sides addressed critical minerals cooperation following a Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 27, 2023, by U.S. Under Secretary Jose W. Fernandez and Mongolian Minister Ganbaatar Jambal. They explored encouraging private investment while aligning with environmental, social, governance principles, and implementing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Standard.
Recent bilateral cooperation was noted in Mongolia's mineral resource sector through ENR’s Energy and Mineral Governance Program. This included workshops led by the U.S. Commercial Law Development Program to promote responsible investment in mining.
For further media information, contact ENR-PD-Clearances@state.gov
