The World Bank is assisting the Government of Mongolia to develop a strategy for the development of infrastructure in Southern Mongolia. Southern Mongolia, and South Gobi aimag in particular, contain several mineral deposits of strategic importance for the country as a whole. Developing these deposits will require the construction of towns, power plants, railways, and roads, the identification of water resources, and consideration of environmental and social impacts.
The first step in the development of this strategy was a Infrastructure Strategy for Southern Mongolia - Round-table Discussion on May 15, 2008, in which Government ministries presented their plans for development of the region.
In September 2008, the World Bank organized three workshops, with the aim of learning further about local community concerns and providing Mongolian policy-makers with lessons of international experience.
- The first workshop, held in Dalanzadgad, gathered the views of local community members, and addressed economic, environmental, and social issues.
- The second workshop, also held in Dalanzadgad, addressed options for township development in the region, water resources, and environmental issues, and presented the findings of the consultative workshop.
- The third workshop, held in Ulaanbaatar, presented information about transport options, with a particular focus on railways.
Further workshops are planned, to address energy options, as well as more detailed treatment of social and environmental issues.
The findings of the various workshops will be drawn together into a synthesis report, including World Bank recommendations. A first draft of this report is expected to be available for comment by February 2009. A further workshop will be held to receive comments on the draft report, prior to finalizing the report by May 2009.
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