In Ulaanbaatar on 3 November 2025, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Mongolia, in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and supported by the Joint SDG Fund, officially launched the Just Energy Transition Framework (JETF). This national roadmap sets out Mongolia’s strategy for moving toward a clean, inclusive, and socially just energy future, emphasizing fairness, social protection, and opportunities for vulnerable groups to ensure that the transition does not exacerbate poverty or inequality. The framework coordinates energy reform, social protection, and economic diversification to guide the country toward net-zero emissions without leaving any household, worker, or region behind.
Developed under the UN Joint Programme “Acceleration of Just Energy Transition in Mongolia,” the JETF provides a strategic vision for shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources while promoting economic resilience and environmental sustainability. The Ministry of Energy highlighted its commitment to advancing this transition, noting that the framework aligns national priorities with Mongolia’s international climate and energy commitments.
Mongolia’s energy sector has historically been central to its economic stability, but its current structure presents challenges related to clean air, fiscal sustainability, and equitable growth. The JETF offers a pathway to transform these challenges into opportunities by promoting renewable energy, supporting small and medium enterprises, and attracting green infrastructure investments. With solar and wind potential exceeding 2,600 GW, Mongolia is well-positioned to become a regional clean energy leader. UN officials emphasized that the framework places people at the center of the transition, ensuring that communities benefit from green jobs and strengthened social and economic resilience.
The launch event brought together senior government officials, regulatory institutions, development partners, financial institutions, civil society, academia, and the private sector to discuss operationalizing the JETF and integrating just transition principles into national energy and climate policies. A panel discussion explored how the framework can catalyze inclusive investments, protect vulnerable households, and promote green employment, underscoring the importance of collaboration between government, the private sector, and international partners.
UNDP Mongolia stressed that while the framework is a milestone, it is also a starting point for institutionalizing a just and inclusive energy transition. By 2035, the JETF is intended to serve as Mongolia’s national compass for an equitable and resilient energy future, continually refined through domestic expertise and collective learning, supporting long-term sustainable development goals.
