Secretary-General Lim Byung-jin held a meeting with the Mongolian delegation attending the 2026 NEAR Member Workshop held at the Gyeongju Hilton Hotel on 18 March. This meeting was attended by high-level officials, including Vice Governors and Directors General of Mongolian regional governments, as well as division heads and working-level officials.
Secretary-General Lim first expressed his gratitude for their attendance at the workshop and explained the cooperative relationship and key examples of cooperation between the NEAR Secretariat and Mongolian member governments. He also introduced plans for major events, including the 2026 General Assembly, and requested that Mongolian member governments continue to actively participate in future NEAR activities.
In response, Saintsog, Vice Governor of Selenge Aimag, congratulated NEAR on the 30th anniversary of its founding and stated that Selenge Aimag, as an early member, has actively participated in NEAR activities. He also positively evaluated the region's external exchanges, such as cooperation with Jeju-do and Jilin Province of China, have expanded through NEAR.
Ariunbayar, Vice Governor of Dundgovi Aimag, expressed gratitude for the invitation to this event, noting that NEAR is playing an important role in promoting international exchange between regions amid the global expansion of region-centered cooperation. He congratulated the 30th anniversary of the founding of NEAR.
Erdenebat, Director General of the Administration Bureau of Gobi-Altai Aimag, expressed gratitude for NEAR's role in providing opportunities for cooperation and exchange among civil servants from various countries. He expressed his intention to strengthen civil servant capabilities through active participating in the Public Official Training Program. He also officially requested that the Secretary-General visit Gobi-Altai Aimag this year.
Lkhagvadorj, Director General of the Administration Bureau of Zavkhan Aimag, stated that as Zavkhan Aimag is focusing on the development of the tourism industry, it will actively participate in the NEAR Tourism Sub-committee and Public Official Training Program.
Gonchig, the Director General of the Administration Bureau of Khuvsgul Aimag, expressed his desire to host the 2027 NEAR Tourism Sub-committee meeting in Khuvsgul Aimag, a region with a strong focus on tourism.
Otgonbayar, the Director General of the Administration Bureau of Bayankhongor Aimag, expressed hopes to expand cooperation with NEAR in various fields such as environmental protection, energy, and the Public Official Training Program.