Bonn, Germany, October 29, 2025 - The Millennium Challenge Account-Mongolia (MCA-Mongolia) and the Ulaanbaatar Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (USUG) proudly participated in the 6th Global Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs) Congress, organized by UN-Habitat’s Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) under the theme “Solidarity in Action: Stronger Utilities for Thriving Cities.”

The Congress, held from 27-30 October 2025 in Bonn, Germany, gathered over 500 in-person participants and 100 virtual attendees from more than 70 countries, including utilities, governments, development partners, and global water experts. The event, taking place during Urban October, UN-Habitat’s month-long campaign promoting sustainable urban development, serves as a vital platform to exchange experiences and strengthen global collaboration toward universal access to water and sanitation.

MCA-Mongolia and USUG on the Global Stage

On October 29, Ms. L. Unurjargal, Sustainability Director of MCA-Mongolia, and Mr. J. Dagvasuren, Chief Engineer of USUG, delivered a joint presentation titled “Measuring WOP Impact in Ulaanbaatar.”

Ms. Unurjargal emphasized the importance of partnership and solidarity, noting that the WOP initiative, a crucial component of Water Sector Sustainability Activity under the Mongolia Water Compact, has been instrumental in improving water supply and sewerage services in Ulaanbaatar.

“WOP is more than a project. it’s a transformation of people, systems, and culture. It shows that with the right partnership, knowledge can flow as powerfully as water” she said.

Mr. Dagvasuren highlighted the tangible outcomes of the WOP, including enhanced technical capacity, operational improvements, and the integration of key lessons into USUG’s 2040 Strategic Plan.

“Through the WOP, USUG has undergone one of its most significant organizational and change management processes in recent years,” he noted.

About the WOP Project in Mongolia

Implemented by MCA-Mongolia since 2023 under the Mongolia Water Compact, the Water Operators’ Partnership (WOP) connects USUG with Dutch water utilities through VEI to strengthen technical and institutional capacity.

To date:

• 184 USUG employees have received specialized training in the Netherlands,
• 11 thematic project groups have been established to address priority operational areas identified through the AquaRating evaluation, and
• 6 missions from Dutch mentors have taken place in Ulaanbaatar, providing hands-on guidance, diagnostics, and joint workshops.

The WOP initiative also included the organization of an International Symposium in Ulaanbaatar, showcasing achievements, exchanging lessons learned, and measuring the program’s impact.

The participation of MCA-Mongolia and USUG at the 6th GWOPA Congress marks another milestone in Mongolia Water Compact’s journey toward sustainable, resilient, and globally connected urban water management.