Memorandum of Understanding

of TumenNET SAP MPZ Meeting

Hohhot, People's Republic of China

June 11-12,2002

We, representatives from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of P.R.C. and the eastern aimags of Mongolia, hereinafter referred to as "the Parties", participating in the TumenNET Strategic Action Program (SAP) for the Mongolian Plateau Zonal (MPZ) meeting, which was held in Hohhot, China on 11-12 June, 2002,

Bearing in mind existing bi-and multi- lateral cooperation agreements such as the Agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the People’s Republic of China on Cooperation for Environment Protection, 05 June 1990, the Agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the People’s Republic of China on the Protection and Use of Border Waters, 04 April 1994, and the Agreement between Mongolia, Russia and the People’s Republic of China on the Daurian International Nature Protection Area, February 1994.

Welcoming the initiatives Northeast Asian countries have taken and the progress made in protecting the transboundary biodiversity and international water resources;

Further recognizing the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) as a basic document on which concrete measures should be taken to address the root-causes for environmental degradation particularly land and wetland degradation;

Stressing the importance of protecting the transboundary biodiversity and water resources in border areas and promoting the rational use of these resources;

Considering, that protection of natural environment and its restoration is an important issue in economic and social development for the benefits of next generations;

Have reached the following understanding, with the TumenNET Project Coordination Unit and the SAP Lead Agent ( Republic of Korea) as witnesses:

(a) The Parties agreed to pursue cooperation in the following regional priorities:

  • Strengthening the administrative cooperation capacities for the existing and future transboundary nature protected areas (NPA) and nature reserves through, eg:
    - improving and strengthening legal and regulatory systems, where required;
    - improve public awareness and community involvement;
    - improve ecologically sustainable livelihood of local communities in the buffer zones;
    - explore joint management of border NPAs.
    - establishment of new NPAs in border areas;
  • Prevention of land degradation and desertification through, eg:
    - extension of reforestation, plantation and soil improvement activities;
    - improvements to land management;
    - sustainable pasture management practices;
    - improved regional and urban planning.
  • Exchange of information and consultations, consistent with national laws, on environmental impact assessments for economic activities in border areas, such as construction of roads, bridges and railways, eg Numrug river.
  • Conservation and enhancement of grassland ecosystems, endemic wild life (eg gazelles) and plant species, including restoration of ecosystem, particularly in areas that experience high pressure from economic activities.
  • Conservation of wetlands (eg Buur and Dalai), their migratory birds and other wildlife:
    - comply with relevant RAMSAR and other conventions;
    - establish biodiversity inventories and conduct regular census;
    - study wetlands as part of a broader ecosystem approach;
    - restore degraded wetlands;
    - improve environemntal monitoring, inspection;
    - conduct joint actions to provent illegal fishing, hunting and other economic activities.
  • Promotion of improved water management for border rivers, through eg:
    - conserve the Kherlen and Halkhiin Gol rivers;
    - establish wastewater treatment plants in aimag capitals (Mongolia) and in Arxan city (China);
    - promote ecologically sustainable economic activities such as eco-tourism in the Halkh and Numrugiin Gol areas and in Arxan city and establish the necessary infrastructure;
    - conserve the highly endangered Taimen fish species in these rivers.
  • Improved information and awareness of biodiversity issues including biosafety, and increase public participation in actions to conserve and enhance biodiversity.

  • Promote local capacities to effectively implement the SAP through integrating stakeholders participation, including full participation of local community-based organization and the business sector in biodiversity conservation and encourage people's awareness and involvement in planning and management of biodiversity conservation and water protection.

  • Strengthening the implementation of local-level regulatory systems and procedures for biodiversity conservation and water management for SAP implementation.

  • Conduct a joint survey into Yellow dust research


  • Conservation of useful and medicinal plants listed in the appendices of CBD and CITES, particularly the highly endangered species of Medicago Alaschanica Vass; Astragalus Monghholicus Bunge; Glycine soja et Zucc; Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Fish; Tulipa Uniflora Bess; Medicago Falcata (L).

  • Conduct surveys on identification of environment hot spot areas in the MPZ using ground and satellite data and establish proper monitoring system in the above areas

(b) To implement the above activities, the Parties will explore joint cooperation mechanisms that may involve:

  • Exchange experiences of research activities and studies, exchanging specialists and researches;
  • Organize seminars, symposia and meetings of specialists, as well as providing training courses and study programmes;
  • Exchange research and methodologies and other information, setting up data bases, consistent with relevant national laws and regulations;

  • Develop and implementing joint programs and projects.

  • Create joint working groups.

( c) Parties kindly requested the international donor community to assist in mobilizing financial resources for development and implementation of jointly agreed priority projects.

Signed at Hohhot, the People's Republic of China, 12 June,

On behalf of Dornod, Khentii and Sukhbaatar Aimags, Mongolia

Mr. Kh. Gerelt-od,

Director of Environment and Agriculture, Industry division of the Governor's Office of Sukhbaatar, Province

Mr. Baldan

Director of Environment and Agriculture, Industry division of the Governor's Office of Dornod Province

Mr. Gurtseden

Director of Environment and Agriculture, Industry division of the Governor's Office of Khentii Province

On behalf of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region EPB, China

 

Mr. Yong Hong,

Deputy Director of Environment Protection Bureau, IMAR, China

 
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