Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1) is one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals the UN adopted in 2015. The goals are part of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the aim of achieving “peace and prosperity for people and the planet by 2030.” SDG 1 is the broadest and most-encompassing of all the goals: to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere.” The poverty rate in Mongolia was 27.1% in 2022; more than a quarter of Mongolians still live in poverty. However, there are currently many NGOs acting in Mongolia to reduce the poverty rate. Here is an update on SDG 1 in Mongolia.

UNICEF’s Role in Fulfilling SDG 1 in Mongolia

NGOs are playing a crucial role in relieving poverty in Mongolia. UNICEF has been active in Mongolia since the 1960s. Currently, the majority of UNICEF’s funding in Mongolia is directed towards health programs. In 2023, UNICEF helped to launch a program to screen all school children for the bacterial infection that causes strep throat, a disease which when left untreated, can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in later life. Poor nutrition is another prevalent issue amongst children, with many experiencing vitamin and mineral deficiencies. UNICEF is training school chefs, helping to greatly improve the quality of school meals, as well as promoting healthy diets and eating habits throughout local communities.

The UN

The UN is helping to fulfill SDG 1 in Mongolia by aiding farming communities. The dzud is a disaster unique to Mongolia. Dzuds are extreme winters, characterized by frozen ground, heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. Many herders suffer great losses to their livestock during these periods; the winter of 2023-2024 saw a loss of 7.4 million Mongolian herd animals. The UN is leading the Humanitarian Country Team in Mongolia, which managed to raise $10.6 million in 2024. The team has worked to mitigate the effects of the dzud, providing hay and fodder for animals, education for farming groups and cash support for the farmers worst affected.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has implemented the ‘Addressing Climate Change-Induced Human Mobility in Mongolia’ since 2024. The project aims to increase the resilience of government agencies and local communities to the impacts of changing weather, chiefly migration challenges and natural disasters. The IOM is working to ensure that rural communities have increased access to resources, education and support to negate the impact of climate-related disasters, with a special emphasis placed on the education of women and children. Furthermore, as of October 2025, the IOM has provided livelihood support for climate migrants across 21 provinces and nine districts.

People in Need (PIN)

People in Need (PIN) has been active in Mongolia since 2008, establishing a permanent Mongolian office in 2011. Since 2011, PIN has run around 30 individual aid projects, helping people in both rural and urban settings across 19 different provinces. The aims of these projects have varied greatly, respectively concerning emergency response, gender and social inclusion, change and sustainable livelihoods and civil society empowerment. More recently, PIN has supported both state authorities and civil society organizations in the adoption of digital technology, and has aided with media literacy. PIN also supports local NGOs in accessing international funds and global political expertise.

Looking Forward

Overall, although the Mongolian poverty rate is still relatively high, many NGOs are making great efforts to reduce it through a large variety of aid strategies. The future is positive for Mongolia. The poverty rate decreased by 2.5% between 2016 and 2022. Through the hard work of NGOs and government aid, the poverty rate is set to decrease in the coming years, making SDG1 in Mongolia seem more achievable than ever.

– Arthur Horsey

Arthur is based in Hampshire, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr