Michael George DeSombre visited the largest Buddhist monastery Gandantegchinlen
On March 17, the Prime Minister of Mongolia, L. Oyun-Erdene, met with Michael George DeSombre, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
During the conversation, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership with the United States, highlighting Mongolia's readiness to develop bilateral relations in areas such as trade, investment, energy, and mining. He also stressed the need to support the development of the private sector and attract investments.
Assistant Secretary of State Michael DeSombre, as reported by MiddleAsianNews, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and noted that the U.S. highly values its strategic partnership with Mongolia. He also thanked the country for participating in the "Peace Council" initiative proposed by former President Donald Trump, which underscores Mongolia's commitment to the principles of international peace and stability. DeSombre added that the U.S. will continue to pay special attention to deepening bilateral relations and cooperation in all areas.
Oyun-Erdene and DeSombre also discussed the U.S.-funded "Millennium Challenges" program aimed at improving water resources in Mongolia. The funding amount is approximately $460 million, and it will conclude on March 30, 2026. A key achievement of the program has been the commissioning of a wastewater treatment plant in Ulaanbaatar.
After the meeting, Michael George DeSombre visited the largest Buddhist monastery Gandantegchinlen. He noted: "Visiting the Gandantegchinlen monastery, the center of Mongolian Buddhism, was a wonderful experience that helped me gain a deeper understanding of Mongolia's rich cultural and religious heritage. The U.S. will continue to support freedom of religion in Mongolia and beyond."
He added: "At the 17th bilateral consultations between the U.S. and Mongolia, we reaffirmed our commitment to peace, security, and economic growth. We noted the opening of the MCC wastewater treatment facilities and discussed deepening cooperation in the fields of energy, digital technologies, and interpersonal connections."
