The Embassy of Mongolia in the USA and the Mongolian Cultural Center jointly organized the XVIII Annual Conference, which took place on February 6-7, 2026, at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the Library of Congress.
About 30 specialists gathered for the event, including scholars and researchers from institutions such as the University of Montana, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, North Carolina State University, the College of William and Mary, East Tennessee State University, Yale University, the American Center for Mongolian Studies (ACMS), the National Museum of Chinggis Khan, the Mongolian State University of Education, and the Mongolian State University of Arts and Culture.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Batbayar Olziidelger noted that Mongolian studies play a key role in shaping a more accurate and scientific understanding of Mongolia and its people on the international stage. He expressed gratitude for the significant contributions of the organizers, Mongolists working in educational institutions, and independent researchers who promote the rich history and cultural heritage of Mongolia in the USA. The ambassador also emphasized that the active participation of Mongolists in America is of great importance for the further development of this field of knowledge.
During the conference, panel discussions covered topics such as "The History of Mongolia," "Linguistics," "Culture and Art," "Archaeology," and "Society." The keynote address was delivered by Professor Christopher Atwood from the University of Pennsylvania, who spoke on the topic "The Secret History of the Younger Brother of the Mongols: The Campaigns of Chinggis Khan, Their Complicated Fate, and Significance," followed by a lively discussion.
Participants also had the opportunity to visit the Asian Division of the Library of Congress, where they explored unique books and materials related to Mongolia. According to information from the Embassy of Mongolia in the USA, the total number of conference participants was around 100 people.
