President U.Khurelsukh visited the Consulate of Mongolia in Chicago following his participation in the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. During the visit, President U.Khurelsukh called on consular staff to uphold professional ethics, discipline and accountability, safeguard Mongolia’s national interests, and provide comprehensive support and timely assistance to Mongolian citizens. He also emphasized the importance of promoting Mongolia’s culture, history, language and traditions, as well as strengthening efforts to attract investment and raise awareness of Mongolia abroad.
The president noted the need to further expand Mongolia’s trade, economic and tourism ties with the United States while ensuring that Mongolian citizens living in the country have access to timely government services and protection of their legitimate rights and interests. The Consulate in Chicago began operations on March 9, 2022, following a decision made during Khurelsukh’s tenure as PM. It has since provided government and consular services to more than 6,000 people. The consulate serves Mongolian citizens residing across 15 U.S. states, including Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Ohio, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas.
The consulate also works with citizens, civil society organizations and businesses to promote Mongolia-U.S. trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, strengthen ties within the Mongolian community, and promote Mongolia abroad. Mongolia currently maintains an Embassy in Washington, D.C., a Consulate General in San Francisco and a Permanent Mission in New York.
President U.Khurelsukh also met with representatives of the Mongolian community living in the central United States in Chicago. During the meeting, he provided an overview of Mongolia’s foreign policy and socio-economic situation, as well as the implementation of national initiatives including the “Food Revolution,” “Billion Trees,” “Healthy Mongolian,” “White Gold,” and “President’s Scholar-2100” programs. Addressing Mongolians living, working and studying in the United States, the president encouraged them to respect the laws and regulations of their host country, maintain unity within the community and uphold Mongolia’s reputation abroad.
He also called on parents to pass the Mongolian language, history, culture, customs and traditions on to their children and help foster a strong connection to their homeland. More than 40,000 Mongolian citizens live in the United States, with over 20,000 residing in Chicago, according to the information provided during the meeting.
President U.Khurelsukh recalled that, while serving as PM, he initiated the establishment of the Consulate in Chicago to provide more accessible government services and protect the rights and interests of Mongolian citizens living in the United States. During the gathering, the President also presented state titles and decorations to a number of Mongolian educators, artists and cultural figures in recognition of their contributions. During his visit to Chicago, President U.Khurelsukh presented gold medals and trophies to the winners of the inaugural President’s Basketball Traveling Cup tournament.
The tournament brought together more than 300 athletes from 17 teams representing four U.S. states, competing in children’s and adult categories. The event was organized to support the interests and talents of children and young people in basketball, promote healthy lifestyles through sport, and strengthen friendship and unity among Mongolians living in the United States. In the adult division, Monway Black City of Chicago took first place, followed by Chitown of Chicago and Easy Shipping of Denver. In the 13-16 age group, Gold Virginia Eagles, BG Hoopers 1 and BG Hoopers 2 placed first, second and third, respectively. In the 8-12 age group, BG Hoopers 2, MTA and Athlete in Action took the top three places. The president’s Basketball Traveling Cup tournament is planned to be held annually.
