Ulaanbaatar, March 16, 2026 – The Canada–Mongolia MERIT Project, in partnership with the Civil Service Council of Mongolia, convened the “Lead Together” Women’s Leadership Forum to advance civil service reform. The forum brought together 160 women leaders from diverse sectors to strengthen leadership in governance and promote cross-sector collaboration on ethical and inclusive leadership.

Participants included mid-level public sector leaders from various ministries, agencies, and provincial governments, alongside civil society leaders and representatives from community groups, herder communities, and small and medium enterprises. This diverse participation underscored the importance of varied perspectives in leadership.

Through thematic discussions, participants explored strategies to strengthen women’s leadership in six key areas:

*   Human rights, gender, and ethics

*   Citizen-centered civil service and public participation

*   Women in digital transformation

*   Leadership mindset change

*   Climate change and women

*   Women’s participation in decision-making

A significant outcome was the agreement to develop a Joint Call to Action, a collaborative framework to advance women’s leadership and support ongoing civil service reforms. Future activities will include monthly meetings of the Civil Servants’ Professional Development Club, knowledge-sharing sessions, mentorship programs, and cross-sector partnerships, all designed to support women leaders across government, civil society, and the broader community.