UK Foreign Affairs Minister commits to support Pearson English Language program implementation

Aviation security agreement signed with USA

Last year, Mongolia established direct flights with the USA. In connection with this, on April 26, Head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia Ch. Munkhtuya and Assistant Administrator for International Operations of the Transportation Security Administration Gary Renfrow signed the Agreement on the Exchange of Documents and Information Related to Ensuring Civil Aviation Security and US Sensitive Security Information.

This agreement establishes a framework for the mutual exchange of vital information and documents concerning aviation security between the two nations. Its primary objective is to enhance the detection of potential threats to international civil aviation and bolster transportation security systems. By sharing experiences, facts, and information, both countries aim to improve their respective aviation and transportation security systems, regulations and operations.

The agreement not only signifies a crucial milestone in aviation security but also lays the groundwork for strengthening aviation relations between Mongolia and the USA. It sets the stage for expanded cooperation between the US Transportation Security Administration and Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia.

With the signing of this agreement, the initial preparations for direct flights between Mongolia and the USA are now complete. This achievement sets the stage for the successful planning of the next phase, bringing the prospect of direct flights between the two countries closer to reality, the Ministry of Road and Transportation reported.

As Foreign Affairs Minister B.Battsetseg extended an invitation, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, David Cameron paid an official visit to Mongolia on April 25-26. During his visit, David Cameron made a diplomatic visit to Mongolia’s President, U.Khurelsukh, marking a significant step in strengthening ties between the two nations.

During their meeting, President U.Khurelsukh and Secretary Cameron expressed contentment with laying the groundwork for advancing Mongolia-UK relations to a “Comprehensive Partnership”. Discussions encompassed cooperation in environmental conservation, desertification prevention, and organic food production, aligning with Mongolia’s national campaigns like “Billion Trees”, “Food Supply and Security”, and “A Healthy Mongolian”. Highlighting the need to infuse economic substance into Mongolia-UK relations through enhanced trade, investment, and implementation of significant projects, both sides affirmed their dedication to backing promising initiatives in these potential areas of cooperation. The dignitaries also emphasized enriching bilateral relations with economic substance, focusing on increasing trade, investment, and implementing significant projects. They affirmed their commitment to supporting promising initiatives in these areas.

Foreign Affairs Minister B.Battsetseg and UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs David Cameron also engaged in official discussions. During these talks, the sides expressed a keen interest in solidifying the achievements made over the past six decades of cooperation between Mongolia and the UK. They aimed to enhance the stature of the bilateral relations and promote mutually beneficial collaboration across various domains. Extensive deliberations were held on bilateral relations between Mongolia and the United Kingdom, resulting in an agreement to broaden cooperation in trade, economy, culture, education, tourism, digital governance, and geology. Moreover, the parties exchanged perspectives on identifying avenues of cooperation in line with the objectives outlined in Mongolia’s long-term development strategies, such as “Vision-2050” and the “New Revival Policy”, as well as the goals of the “Billion Trees” national campaign. As part of the visit, Mongolia and the UK signed several cooperation agreements. Notably, minister B. Battsetseg and secretary Cameron signed a “Joint Cooperation Roadmap towards a Comprehensive Partnership”.

Furthermore, the Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry of Mongolia and the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom inked a Memorandum of Understanding in Rare Metals between the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry of Mongolia and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of the United Kingdom. Lastly, the Director of the National Geological Survey of Mongolia and the Director of the British Geological Survey signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Geological Science and Technological Collaboration between the National Geological Survey of Mongolia and the British Geological Survey.

During his visit, David Cameron also held a meeting with Minister of Education and Science, L.Enkh-Amgalan and visited School No. 23 to observe the implementation of the Pearson English language program. The Pearson English language program was piloted in 38 schools during the 20222023 academic year. Currently, approximately 140,000 students in fifth and sixth grades across public schools are enrolled in the program. The number of students participating in the Pearson program is set to increase in the coming academic year. The enactment of the Law on Education in 2023 authorized English as the primary foreign language for students was notably highlighted during the meeting.

Moreover, starting from September 1, English will be introduced to third-grade students to ensure compliance with the law. This initiative involves training and retraining teachers. The UK’s Foreign Affairs Minister has voiced support for the English language program’s implementation and pledged 10 million GBP over three years. Alongside the Pearson English language program, Mongolia collaborates with Cambridge University in educational endeavors, aiming to gradually develop and fortify an internationally recognized general education system.

In recent years, over 200 Mongolians had completed the Chevening program, thus noted that efforts are underway to augment the number of scholarships and eligible students. The dignitaries concurred on the ongoing expansion of educational cooperation between Mongolia and the UK.

David Cameron’s visit marked the first by a UK Foreign Secretary to Mongolia in 11 years, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.