On November 2, Mongolia celebrated National Pride Day, marking the 862nd anniversary of the birth of the Great Emperor Chinggis Khaan. This annual celebration, held since 2012, was established under Presidential Decree No. 4 to honor the legacy of Chinggis Khaan, a figure revered for uniting Mongolia and founding the Great Mongol Empire. National Pride Day takes place on the first day of the first winter month according to the lunar calendar, aligning with a proposal from the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.
Mongolia celebrated National Pride Day with a ceremonial raising of the national flag on Sukhbaatar Square, alongside the honoring of the State Nine White Banners. The event featured a procession with the State Honor Guard and the State Special Protection Unit, complemented by ceremonial music performed by the Mongolian Armed Forces' orchestra.
In a tribute to this significant occasion, President U.Khurelsukh, Speaker of the Parliament D.Amarbayasgalan, Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene, along with government members, parliamentarians, public figures, and former recipients of the Order of Chinggis Khaan, paid their respects at the statue of the great emperor, honoring his legacy and contributions to Mongolia.
A major highlight of this year's celebrations was the awarding of Mongolia's highest honor, the Order of Chinggis Khaan, to Ban Ki-moon, the Eighth UN Secretary-General. This prestigious decoration is granted to individuals and organizations, both national and international, who make significant contributions to Mongolia’s sovereignty, humanitarian development, and international reputation. The Chinggis Khaan Order has been awarded to various notable individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to the country and its development. Some of the recipients include the first president P.Ochirbat, composer B.Sharav, 15th prime minister D.Byambasuren, physicist and academician Kh.Namsrai, writer and poet G.Mend-Ooyo, honored artist and opera singer G.Ariunbaatar, honored athlete of Mongolia and olympic champion N.Tuvshinbayar, the Hu Band, cosmonaut major general J.Gurragchaa, and honored scientist and academician D.Dorjgotov. Ban Ki-moon is the second foreign national to receive the Chinggis Khaan Order of First Rank, following American scholar Jack Weatherford.
Recognized for his pivotal role in global peace efforts, sustainable development, and his support for Mongolia-UN cooperation, Ban was honored for his leadership in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
In his award ceremony remarks, the president underscored the historical and global impact of Chinggis Khaan. He highlighted how the Great Leader’s leadership brought stability to Eurasia, fostering a period of peace known as “Pax Mongolica” and enabling advances in culture, science, and trade. The president emphasized the unique role Chinggis Khaan's legacy plays not only in Mongolian history but in the broader context of world history.
The president then expressed pride in Ban Ki-moon's contributions to gender equality, peacekeeping, and economic development. Reflecting on Ban’s 2009 visit to Mongolia, U.Khurelsukh commended his support in establishing the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries, which continues to address critical challenges faced by landlocked nations.
Ban Ki-moon became the Eighth UN Secretary-General in 2007, succeeding Kofi Annan and becoming only the second person from the Asia-Pacific region to hold the post. From the outset of his tenure, Ban positioned climate change as a top priority. His first major initiative as UN Secretary-General was the 2007 Climate Change Summit, where he urged global leaders to show political courage in tackling climate issues. He underscored the responsibility of wealthier nations to support those most vulnerable to climate impacts despite contributing the least to global emissions. Ban’s commitment to climate action was further emphasized during the 2009 World Climate Change Conference in Geneva, and he joined demonstrators at the 2014 UN Climate Summit in New York City to advocate for urgent measures.
His tireless advocacy culminated in a historic breakthrough in 2015 with the adoption of the Paris Agreement, which committed over 190 nations, including Mongolia, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions starting in 2020. Upon its ratification, Ban described the agreement as a moment of inspiration for the global community but reminded nations that the real work lay ahead.
Ban Ki-moon’s achievements have earned him international recognition as he was named one of Foreign Policy magazine’s “Top 100 Global Thinkers” and was listed by Forbes as one of “The World’s Most Powerful People.” He is widely respected for his honesty and unwavering dedication, especially for his work addressing climate change.
Ban Ki-moon expressed deep gratitude while accepting the country's highest honor, the Order of Chinggis Khaan, from President U.Khurelsukh. Ban began by acknowledging the honor, emphasizing that the award not only recognized personal achievements but celebrated the resilience and spirit of Mongolia’s people. He praised the Chinggis Khaan as a global symbol of strength, vision, and unity whose legacy continues to inspire the values of collaboration and leadership. These values, Ban noted, resonate strongly today as the world grapples with division and calls for unity.
Reflecting on his life’s work, Ban highlighted his commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation, much like Chinggis Khaan’s unifying vision. He stressed that humanity’s survival depends on coexistence with nature, an ethos central to his foundation’s mission and the UN's 2030 SDGs. He urged everyone to honor Chinggis Khaan’s legacy by striving for peace, courage, and unity across differences. In closing, he expressed hope for continued collaboration with Mongolia and thanked President U.Khurelsukh and the Mongolian people for the extraordinary recognition.
On this National Pride Day, Mongolia reaffirmed its commitment to international cooperation, environmental sustainability, and honoring the enduring legacy of Chinggis Khaan. The president concluded by offering his heartfelt congratulations to Ban Ki-moon and extending his best wishes for continued success in global peace, justice, and environmental stewardship.
Ban Ki-moon visits Chinggis Khaan National Museum and UN Headquarters
During his stay on the occasion of the celebration of National Pride Day, Ban Ki-moon led a delegation on a visit to the Chinggis Khaan National Museum. Upon arrival, he was warmly welcomed by Academician S.Chuluun, the museum's director, who congratulated him on receiving the prestigious "Chinggis Khaan" Order. During the visit, guests were given an introduction to the Great Mongol Empire and the historical significance of the Khaan States.
This marks Ban Ki-moon's second visit to the museum, where he took a moment to express his gratitude by leaving a message in the museum's book of honor.
Later in the day, Ban Ki-moon, who also currently heads the "For a Better Future" Foundation, visited the United Nations headquarters in Mongolia. There, he was greeted by Tapan Mishra, the UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia, along with leaders from various specialized UN agencies. He took time to tour the center located within the UN building, familiarizing himself with its ongoing projects. Notably, this visit holds special significance, as it marks Ban Ki-moon's first return to the UN headquarters after a span of 15 years.
Presidential decree to strengthen historiography and national identity issued
On the 862nd anniversary of the birth of the Great Emperor Chinggis Khaan, President U.Khurelsukh issued a decree aimed at enhancing the nation's historiography. This initiative seeks to deepen the understanding and public awareness of Mongolia's origins, state traditions, and the heritage of its nomadic civilization, while also highlighting the contributions of the Mongolian nation to world history and reinforcing national unity and independence.
Following the reading of the decree by the President's Spokesman, O.Zolbayar, both the president and prime minister signed the document. To promote and internationalize the study of Mongolia's history, the president outlined several key actions. The government will implement policies to strengthen Mongolian historiography and international studies, focusing on training qualified researchers and historians. Plans are in place to study and analyze Mongolia's history from ancient times to the present, compiling the findings into a comprehensive 30-volume set for publication, translation, and distribution.
Increased efforts will be made to study the history of the Chinggis Khaan, the Great Mongolian Empire, and evaluate the Mongols' contributions to humanity, with an emphasis on promoting this research internationally. The decree stresses the importance of safeguarding against the distortion of Mongolian history, biographies, and significant historical events. Citizens are encouraged to actively participate in the research and dissemination of Mongolia's original history.
In line with this initiative, the president announced the successful collaboration of scientists from various fields to create a comprehensive description of the "The Secret History of Mongols", a vital historical text and source. In addition, under the president's directive, an official English translation of this document has been published and is now available in libraries worldwide. President U.Khurelsukh expressed gratitude to the scientific team led by Brigadier General B.Davaadorj, who spearheaded the English translation, and wished them success in their academic endeavors. This decree not only honors the legacy of Chinggis Khaan but also reinforces Mongolia's commitment to preserving and promoting its rich history.
