Strengthening forest monitoring: Mongolia publishes national forest inventory

Mongolia has taken a major step towards ensuring greater forest data transparency with the publication of the country’s Multipurpose National Forest Inventory (NFI) and make it available to the global audiences through the Food and Agriculture Microdata (FAM) Catalogue, developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This milestone reflects the country’s commitment to sustainable forest management, climate resilience, and informed policymaking. Conducted between 2014 and 2017, the NFI provides a comprehensive overview of Mongolia’s forests, supporting national planning and international environmental commitments.

Home to vast boreal forests covering over 11 million hectares, Mongolia’s landscapes play a critical role in biodiversity and climate regulation. The NFI offers valuable insights into forest health, land use, and environmental challenges, equipping decision-makers with the tools needed to protect and sustainably manage these vital ecosystems. The inventory identifies key pressures, including wildfires, insect infestations, climate variability, and land degradation, ensuring that strategies can be developed to mitigate risks and enhance forest conservation efforts.

This achievement is the result of strong national and international collaboration. Led by the the National Forest Agency (former Forest Research and Development Centre) under the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (former Ministry of Environment and Tourism), the initiative was supported by GIZ (German Agency for Technical Cooperation) and complimented by FAO, the UN-REDD Mongolia National Programme, and others. Additionally, the NFI data accessibility plays a key role to promote transparency and facilitate broader use of forest data by policymakers, researchers, and global partners. Beyond generating data, the NFI has contributed to building local expertise, with training programs enhancing Mongolia’s capacity for long-term forest monitoring and governance. By making its forest inventory data publicly available, Mongolia sets a precedent for transparency and accountability in environmental management. The insights gained will guide policies on sustainable forestry, climate action, and resource conservation while strengthening the country’s contributions to global initiatives such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Mongolia’s commitment to open data and proactive forest governance ensures that its forests remain a key pillar of environmental sustainability and economic resilience for future generations.