Briefing with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia

Following the visit of Mongolia’s Prime Minister HE Saikhanbileg Chimed in June 2015, Asia House will welcome Mr. Lundeg Purevsuren, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, for a private briefing with Asia House corporate members.

Only two years ago, Mongolia was one of the fastest growing economies in the world and China’s biggest trading partner. In 2015, China accounted for 89 per cent of Mongolia’s exports. However, exports consisted almost entirely of coal, copper, iron ore, and crude oil and exports of the country have been hit hard by China’s economic slowdown. In addition, commodity prices have dropped dramatically. When China sneezes, Mongolia gets a cold, and as a result, Mongolia’s GDP growth rate is estimated to fall to 4.2 per cent this year, compared with 18 per cent in 2011.

Sandwiched between two powerful nations, Russia and China, Mongolia’s ‘third neighbour policy’ has been leading to increased diplomatic engagements with Japan, US, Brazil and the EU. Mr. Purevsuren will discuss Mongolia’s economic challenges and its opportunities as well as the country’s soft power policy.

Mr. Lundeg Purevsuren has been serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia since 2014. Prior to this, he was the National Security and Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Mongolia (2009-2014). He also worked at the Department of Europe, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Mongolia (2001-2009); at the Embassy of Mongolia in Bonn, Germany (1995-2000); at the Department of Europe and America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia (1993-1995); and at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Mongolia (1991-1993). Mr. Purevsuren graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations and Harvard Kennedy School.

This event is open to Asia House corporate members only.

For further information, please contact: Jeremy Wimble, Business & Policy Team at jeremy.wimble@asiahouse.co.uk or call 0207 307 5454.