Mongolia Accelerates Gender-Responsive Governance: Civil Service Council and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Adopt UNDP Gender Equality Seal

Two flagship institutions commit to global standards for gender-responsive governance and climate action.

Mongolia is setting a new milestone for inclusive governance. In December 2025, the Civil Service Council (CSC) and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) officially launched the Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions. Together, these launches strengthen public administration reform and embed gender equality into the heart of climate and environmental governance—advancing Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5: Gender Equality) and Mongolia’s broader commitments under NDC 3.0 (Nationally Determined Contribution) and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

On 11 December, the Civil Service Council of Mongolia hosted its official launch of the Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions at its headquarters in Ulaanbaatar. The event brought together CSC leadership, UNDP representatives, and partners to mark a transformative step toward embedding gender equality into the heart of Mongolia’s civil service. Building on the success at the General Department of Taxation (GDT), which earned a Silver Seal certification earlier this year, CSC is scaling up reforms to operationalize its Gender Action Plan, strengthen institutional capacities, and integrate gender considerations across public administration. Implementation will include forming a Gender Equality Committee, targeted capacity-building, and reforms in planning, human resources, service delivery, and partnerships with civil society—ensuring public policies and services work for everyone.

“The Gender Equality Seal programme is expected to strengthen the Council’s institutional performance while serving as a catalyst for continuous civil service reform”. 

Ms. Tsedevsurem L, Chairperson of the Civil Service Council

Just days later, on 17 December, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change held its signing ceremony for the Gender Equality Seal at its conference hall in Ulaanbaatar. The event gathered Minister Batbaatar Bat, senior officials, UNDP Resident Representative Matilda Dimovska, and partners including ECCO-FARM, GIZ, and the National Committee on Gender Equality—underscoring a strong coalition for change. MECC’s launch places gender equality at the core of climate and environmental governance. By adopting international gender standards across policies, programs, and services, MECC is strengthening capacity for gender-responsive climate mitigation and adaptation, ensuring equitable access to climate finance, and accelerating implementation of Mongolia’s Gender Equality Strategy (2014–2030) and climate commitments under NDC 3.0 and the National Adaptation Plan.

“This is a courageous, clear, and accountable step towards integrating gender equality as a new standard in our organization’s policy, planning, financing, human resources, and decision-making.” 

Minister Batbaatar Bat, MECC

Laying the foundations for public administration reform and gender equality at the heart of climate and environmental governance

Mongolia is setting a powerful example by embedding gender equality at the core of climate and environmental governance. Through the launch of the CSC and MECC initiatives, the country is strengthening public institutions, ensuring that gender considerations shape policies and systems, and advancing the implementation of NDC 3.0 and the National Adaptation Plan. These reforms not only address the disproportionate climate impacts on women and herder households but also build a more resilient, equitable, and accountable public sector.

This progress reflects global commitments under the Belem Gender Action Plan and the Lima Work Programme on Gender, signaling Mongolia’s leadership in gender-responsive climate action. As the host of COP17 in 2026, Mongolia will have the opportunity to showcase homegrown solutions led by rural women and communities, joining a growing movement of public institutions using the Gender Equality Seal to transform governance and deliver inclusive development. Discover how the Seal is driving change worldwide—and share this story to amplify the call for gender-responsive governance. 

“Gender equality becomes how we plan, budget, staff, measure and deliver results in the environment sector, every day.” 

Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative