Crocus Event Hall, Ulaanbaatar (June 24, 2016) – It was no ordinary Friday for the local youth volunteers who are committing their time and energy in successfully assisting the ASEM11 (11th Asia-Europe Meeting) and its side events in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

More than 800 volunteers gathered for the first time as a group to meet their peers, inspire one another and share their experiences and expectations in volunteering for the ASEM11 Summit and its preceding meetings since April 2016.


Mr. Yesunmunkh, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Mongolia and ASEM Office of Mongolia, welcomed the ASEM volunteers with warm and inspiring remarks. In his keynote address, he highlighted the importance of volunteer contributions and how it greatly helps the Mongolian Government to host the largest diplomatic gathering in Mongolia’s history so far. Representatives of ASEM11 Preparation Committee also attended the event and welcomed the youth volunteers to their respective roles for the upcoming side events of the ASEM 11 Summit.

Senior officials of ASEM Office of Mongolia including ASEM Senior Official for Mongolia L. Orgil, UNV (United Nations Volunteer) Programme Officer Ms. Miyeon Park and representatives from ASEM 11 Preparation Committee conducted a comprehensive and fruitful panel discussion on volunteer contribution to the ASEM11, further underlining the importance of volunteer recognition in Mongolia.

ASEM Volunteer Talks

The first ever “ASEM Volunteer Talks” based on the theme of INSPIRE IN ACTION, presented in TED Talks format, was truly the highlight of the day. It featured three local youth volunteers as guest speakers. Bilguun, Murun and Tugstsetseg shared their experiences, expectation and personal stories with their peers and inspired audiences to volunteer even after the ASEM.


The first speaker, Bilguun, began his story stating that “I interpret volunteering as taking responsibility. The nature of my current volunteer task requires me to take on more responsibilities than I imagined. As a transportation and logistics volunteer, I welcome international delegations at the airport, escort participants during the meetings and back to their hotels. So it is safe to say that I am usually the first one to show up and the last one to leave” as he describes his duties and responsibilities in volunteering for the ASEM 11. Bilguun also shared how his volunteer experience helps him to improve his communications skills and expand his social circle.

After the first speaker, Murun shared his experience in volunteering for the 9th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Forum, the ASEM Senior Officials Meeting as well as for the 12th ASEM Finance Minister’s meeting were held between April and June.


As a final speaker, Tugstsetseg – 12th-grade student from Mandal sum, Selenge province, acknowledged the benefits of volunteering to her personal growth when she shared how her 3-hour commute to Ulaanbaatar by train is not a big deal. Because ever since she was registered as a youth volunteer, getting on that train to Ulaanbaatar to attend volunteer trainings was one of the most enjoyable moments of her life. Although she has not volunteered yet for previous side events of the ASEM 11, she looks forward to volunteering in the upcoming Asia-Europe People’s Forum on 4-6, July.

Илүү дэлгэрэнгүйг доорх холбоосоор орж үзнэ үү! To read more, please click on following link: “Volunteers’ Day” organized for ASEM Volunteers | asem11.mn