The World Health Organization (WHO) in Mongolia convened a roundtable meeting to advance the establishment of the Mongolia Partnership for Science and Research for Health. The initiative aims to forge a strong community of scientists, researchers, institutions and partners to guide vision, policy and action for a healthy, safe and resilient future.
Organized as part of World Health Day 2026 under the global theme “Together for Health. Stand with Science”, the Partnership brought together government representatives, researchers, academic institutions, development partners, United Nations agencies and technical experts to explore how stronger collaboration across research, policy and implementation can better support Mongolia’s preparedness and response to emerging and long-term health challenges.
Opening the session, WHO Representative to Mongolia Dr Socorro Escalante emphasized that today’s health and social challenges require coordinated, evidence-driven responses, particularly as Mongolia navigates rapid social, environmental and development transitions.
Dr Escalante highlighted that while Mongolia has strong academic institutions and a strong community of researchers, efforts remain fragmented, project-based and insufficiently connected to policy-making and implementation. The proposed Partnership aims to help bridge these gaps by strengthening collaboration between researchers, policy-makers, implementers and development partners.
Drawing on insights through the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Dr Kumanan Rasanathan emphasized that generating evidence alone is not enough. Research must be integrated into policy processes, institutionalized within decision-making systems, and translated into implementation to achieve meaningful public health impact./countries/mongolia/dsc05710.jpg?sfvrsn=dd998478_3 "Mongolia Partnership for Science and Research")
Dr Kumanan Rasanathan shared global perspectives on strengthening health systems research and translating evidence into policy and implementation. © WHO / Jargalan Tsogt
“Without strong linkages between research and policy, even high-quality evidence cannot achieve its full potential,” he emphasized.
He also highlighted lessons from global experience, including the importance of moving from passive participation toward active convening, fostering long-term institutional commitment, and recognizing that meaningful systems change is incremental and requires sustained collaboration over time.
The Mongolia Partnership for Science and Research seeks to strengthen these linkages by creating a national platform for coordinated dialogue, shared research priorities, collaborative initiatives, knowledge exchange and stronger translation of evidence into action./countries/mongolia/dsc05816.jpg?sfvrsn=3b74a99d_3 "Mongolia Partnership for Science and Research for Health")
Dr Shalala Ahmadova, Coordinator for Health Systems, presented the proposed Terms of Reference and strategic vision for the Mongolia Partnership for Science and Research. © WHO / Jargalan Tsogt
Presenting the proposed Terms of Reference for the Partnership, Dr Shalala Ahmadova of WHO Mongolia outlined the vision for a multisectoral and partner-driven mechanism that supports coordinated, policy-relevant research aligned with Mongolia’s national health priorities.
Participants also shared examples demonstrating how research has informed policy discussions and development planning in Mongolia.
Speaking from the United Nations perspective, Ms Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia, highlighted the growing health implications of climate change, urbanization and air pollution, including joint research conducted with WHO on the health and economic impacts of air pollution in Mongolia.
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Ms Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia, discussed the role of research and evidence in addressing climate change, air pollution and sustainable development challenges. © WHO / Jargalan Tsogt
The findings, she noted, helped strengthen evidence for policy discussions around energy transition and sustainable urban development, including solar heating solutions in ger districts.
“Research can become a trigger point for action,” she said, emphasizing the importance of using evidence to support long-term development policies and cross-sectoral solutions.
Representing the International Organization for Migration, Dr Yoko Fujimura underscored the importance of cross-sectoral coordination in addressing demographic change, migration and climate-related population movement in Mongolia./countries/mongolia/dsc05869.jpg?sfvrsn=843e6a08_3 "Mongolia Partnership for Science and Research")
Dr Yoko Fujimura, IOM Chief of Mission, highlighted the importance of aligning research, policy-making and implementation to address demographic and migration-related challenges. © WHO / Jargalan Tsogt
“When academic research, policy-making and implementation are not aligned, the consequences can be significant,” she said, stressing the importance of ensuring that research, policy-making and implementation move in the same direction.
Participants also emphasized the need for stronger data-sharing mechanisms, co-creation of research agendas, and sustained investment in science and research systems.
Throughout the discussions, partners reiterated that the Partnership should function as a mechanism to strengthen coordination, reduce duplication, promote evidence-sharing and support collective action around national health priorities.
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Partners and technical experts highlighted the importance of the Partnership and discussed opportunities for stronger collaboration, knowledge-sharing and coordinated research to support Mongolia’s national health priorities. © WHO / Jargalan Tsogt
The roundtable served as a preparatory step toward the official launch of the Mongolia Partnership for Science and Research, planned for 17 June 2026. The insights and recommendations generated during the discussions will help refine the governance, priorities and operational framework of the Partnership ahead of its formal launch.
WHO will continue to serve as a convenor, supporting alignment across partners and ensuring that the Partnership remains focused on translating evidence into policy and impact.
By bringing together government institutions, researchers, development partners and implementing agencies under a shared platform, the initiative aims to strengthen Mongolia’s culture and capacity for science and research, helping ensure that policies and programmes are guided by timely, relevant and actionable evidence for better health outcomes for all people in Mongolia.