These values helped Mongolia become a leader in conservation

This deep connection to our land fuels Mongolia’s progressive conservation efforts. Three decades ago, after the collapse of the socialist order, the country returned to its Indigenous roots and adopted a pioneering plan to protect 30 percent of its land—long before the United Nations endorsed a similar 30-by-30 target in 2022, to safeguard 30 percent of the planet’s land and water by 2030. Over the past few years, Mongolia has dramatically expanded its protected areas—now covering about 21 percent of the land—positioning it among world conservation leaders. The forces of globalization affect Mongolia, no different from other countries, and it faces formidable environmental challenges like mining, overgrazing, and habitat loss. Yet Mongolians hold a powerful asset. By embracing traditional values of reciprocity, spiritual connection, and respect for all life—values shared by Indigenous peoples worldwide—Mongolia can lead by example.