Members of the planetGOLD Mongolia-Philippines Regional Project Steering Committee, including representatives from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Provincial Government of Camarines Norte in the Philippines, the Mongolian Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Federation, and the Artisanal Gold Council (AGC)—the executing agency for the planetGOLD Mongolia and Philippines projects—met with Mandal Soum Governor Mr. Dashzeveg A. on September 25, 2024, in Mandal Soum, Selenge Province, Mongolia.

Mandal soum of Selenge province is the biggest soum in Mongolia with the largest population and territory, as well as where both formal and informal ASGM operations are active.

Ms. Hoa Lai, Project Administrator at UNIDO, expressed her appreciation to the Governor for the strong collaboration with the planetGOLD Mongolia project and its successful local implementation.

Governor Dashzeveg A. thanked UNIDO, AGC, and other leading and funding agencies for their commitment to educating artisanal miners and equipping them with essential knowledge. He also recognized their efforts to formalize the ASM sector and establish mercury-free processing facilities in the soum.