IRI and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar to Host “Transparent Ulaanbaatar 2014: Anti-Corruption Forum”

“In Mongolia, however, corruption is so common that it has become a kind of social norm.  In the end, it makes the state turn against the interests of the public.  The state becomes the enemy of its own people.  It ruins the main principles of democracy.”

E. Bat-Uul, Mayor of Ulaanbaatar
 
“The Transparent Ulaanbaatar 2014 forum will help to consolidate considerable gains in addressing the damaging impact of corruption and strengthening Ulaanbaatar’s and Mongolia’s democratic processes.” 

Ambassador Mark Green, IRI President

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – IRI in partnership with HE Bat-Uul Erdene, Capital City Governor and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, will host the Transparent Ulaanbaatar 2014: Anti-Corruption Forum on October 6-7, 2014. 

The forum will bring together more than two hundred guests from 16 countries.  Attendees will be drawn from government, civil society, business community and academia to participate in a two-day event to help combat corruption in Ulaanbaatar.  Among the dignitaries in attendance will be the President of Mongolia and the Mayor of Ulaanbaatar.  The forum’s keynote address, Controlling Corruption – Institutional Reforms and Civil Society Mobilization, will be delivered by Larry Diamond, Senior Fellow Director at the Hoover Institute, Director of the Center on Democracy and the Rule of Law, and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University.

The first day of the forum will focus on a series of sessions that showcase topical lessons learned, share experiences and outline current progress on anti-corruption initiatives in Mongolia and the region along with exploring innovative solutions to address corruption.  The second day will continue to exchange experiences as well as apply shared information and principles by convening international, regional and Mongolian stakeholders to collaboratively interact and contribute to an anti-corruption action plan for the city.  The forum will close with the Ulaanbatar Declaration created and presented by the Mayor outlining his vision for the city. Following the forum, IRI will work with the Mayor’s office to develop an anti-corruption plan for the city. 

“The Forum will provide a unique opportunity to discuss anti-corruption efforts at the municipal level, as well as to further develop a practical plan to enable the Mayor to continue his efforts to end corruption in UB,” says Gretchen Kunze, IRI’s Asia Division Director and former Country Director for Mongolia.

“IRI looks forward to a productive and engaging forum and IRI’s continued partnership to support Ulaanbaatar’s government and civil society in reducing corruption and reinforcing democratic principles,” said Mark Green.

IRI’s current programming focuses on addressing the needs identified by Mongolians themselves.  IRI, in cooperation with the municipal government of Ulaanbaatar, is working to bolster open and transparent government in the capital city.  IRI’s program provides technical expertise and facilitates initiatives by the government and civil society to reduce corruption by improving transparency and accountability.

This forum is made possible with the support of the Asia Democracy Network, Center for International and Private Enterprise,Independent Authority Against Corruption in Mongolia, National Endowment for Democracy, Solidarity Center, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and Transparency International.