On the 13th Century Marco Polo Connection
This year marks 700 years since Marco Polo’s death. How do you view Marco Polo’s historic journey to the court of Kublai Khan as a foundation for modern Italy-Mongolia relations?
Marco Polo’s journey to the court of Kublai Khan represents one of the first direct encounters between Italian and Mongolian cultures. It testifies our centuries-old curiosity and fascination for your country. The experience of Marco Polo is a symbol of contemporary Italy-Mongolia relations, based on openness, respect and mutual understanding.
In 2024, Italy organized an exhibition on Marco Polo at the Chinggis Khaan Museum. How can cultural diplomacy through such exhibitions strengthen people-to-people connections between our nations?
Cultural relations between Italy and Mongolia are experiencing a phase of growing dynamism. The 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations has provided a favorable framework for important cultural events, such as the Marco Polo and the Caravaggio exhibition at the Chinggis Khaan Museum, which greatly contributed to the appreciation of Italian culture among the Mongolian audience. We intend to launch more such initiatives near in the future.
Bilateral Relations and the 55th Anniversary
This year marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Italy, established in 1970. What do you see as the most significant achievements in our bilateral relationship over these decades?
Over the past 55 years, Italy and Mongolia have built a multifaceted partnership marked by growing diplomatic engagement, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation. Key achievements include successful collaboration in trade and investment – particularly in sectors like machinery, infrastructure, and textile – and joint initiatives in heritage preservation, like the archeological mission in Karakorum.
The Italy-Mongolia Business Forum is a further achievement, as it allows our companies to establish concrete partnerships to deepen bilateral trade.
Finally, I am delighted that our countries elevated their bilateral relations to the level of a Strategic Partnership. This will enhance strategic cooperation, increase trade and investment opportunities, and amplify Italy and Mongolia’s collaboration in the international fora.
You recently signed an Aviation Relations Agreement with Mongolia’s State Secretary Batbold Sandagdorj. How will direct air connectivity transform our economic and tourism ties?
Last January, the signing of the first Air Services Agreement between Italy and Mongolia represented an important milestone in our bilateral relations. The agreement provides a comprehensive legal framework that will allow interested airlines to benefit from a wide range of services and collaborations, in compliance with the latest national and international regulations.
The establishment of the first direct flight between our two countries would foster both institutional and people-to-people connections, as well as economic and commercial exchanges.
Economic Relations and Trade
Bilateral trade turnover ranges from $150 to $188 million between 2022 and 2024, with steady growth. Italy is the second-largest importer of Mongolian cashmere in Europe. How can we move beyond raw material exports to value-added manufacturing partnerships?
Italy considers Mongolia a key supplier of several raw materials, especially cashmere, but our economic relations have been evolving in the last year and the increasing numbers of our export confirm the tendency. Our Trade Associations have already started working together with the Mongolian counterparts to develop training programs in fashion and in textile manufacturing, or cultural exchange initiatives, such as the participation of Mongolian designers at the 2025 February Fashion Week in Milan. The next step is to build integrated industrial partnerships.
Italian companies are ready to provide technical assistance and expertise to support Mongolian initiatives and investments to develop local manufacture. The Economic Forum that will be held during the visit to Italy of the President of Mongolia and the growing Mongolian demand for Made in Italy machinery and products show that we are ready to move towards a new strategic economic partnership with Mongolia.
In 2020, Italy accounted for 80% of Mongolia’s raw cashmere exports. What opportunities do you see for Italian investment in Mongolia’s textile and leather processing sectors?
Mongolia offers very promising conditions for Italian investors, especially with the ‘White Gold Initiative’ driving modernization of the textile sector. Italian companies, accompanied by our Embassy and all the Agencies supporting our entrepreneurs abroad, CDP, ITA, SACE and Simest, can bring cutting-edge technologies, high-end leather and textile processing skills, finishing and design expertise and training. These investments can increase Mongolia’s local added-value, while also strengthening the reliability and resilience of Italian supply chains.
An Italian-Mongolian Textile Technology Center is being established. How can this model of technology transfer be replicated in other sectors?
The Center, realized by our Association of Textile Machinery Producers, ACIMIT, with the support of the Italian Trade Agency, is an excellent model because it combines technology, training, and long-term industrial cooperation. We can replicate this approach in other areas where Italy has internationally recognized strengths—agro-industry, renewable energy, waste management, construction materials and sustainable infrastructure. The formula is simple and effective: transfer know-how, build local capacity, and develop partnerships that generate lasting economic benefits for both sides.
Future of the relationship
What specific sectors offer the greatest potential for Italian-Mongolian cooperation in the next decade – renewable energy, mining technology, agriculture, or others?
I see four particularly promising areas for the strengthening of our bilateral economic cooperation, beyond textile and leather, which remain a key sector: renewable energy and green technologies, where Italy can support Mongolia’s transition to a more resilient and sustainable energy system; agri-food and agro-industry, strongly aligned with Mongolia’s ‘Healthy Food Initiative’, aiming at diversifying and improving the diet of the Mongolian population; sustainable infrastructure and urban development, where Italian engineering and state of the art environmental solutions are a benchmark. Together, these sectors can elevate our bilateral cooperation to a strategic partnership built on innovation, sustainability, and shared values.
How can the Intergovernmental Economic Commission between Italy and Mongolia be revitalized to drive concrete results?
The Intergovernmental Economic Commission between Italy and Mongolia is a valuable bilateral mechanism that allows us to discuss the economic dossiers of common interest and to define those areas in which we can further leverage the strategic complementarity between the two economies. The 4th session of the Commission took place last March in Ulaanbaatar and was a precious occasion to identify opportunities for further cooperation in fields such as transport, agriculture, science, green transition, critical raw materials. Our goal is to boost export and unlock the potential of further investment and economic exchanges, thus contributing to the growth and prosperity of both peoples.
Italy’s Leadership Role
Italy has been balancing strong transatlantic ties with pragmatic engagement across Asia. What lessons from this approach might be relevant for Mongolia’s own diplomatic positioning?
Italy believes in the importance of combining long-standing strategic alliances – like those with the EU partners and the USA – with pragmatic engagement across Asia. Likewise, Mongolia could combine its traditional engagement with immediate neighbors with increased dialogue with Europe, the USA and other Western countries. In this way, Mongolia can increase its economic resilience, diversify its partnerships, and strengthen its influence in regional and global affairs.
Humanitarian and Political Topics
Mongolia has demonstrated strong commitment to democratic governance and peacekeeping. How can Italy and Mongolia collaborate within the UN and other international organizations on shared values?
Italy and Mongolia are among the top contributors to UN peace-keeping operations around the world. This testifies our joint commitment to multilateralism, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Drawing on our shared traditions of democratic institutions and commitment to pluralism, we intend to increase our coordination in multilateral organizations to concretely contribute to addressing conflict prevention and promoting sustainable development and global security.
Climate change and desertification affect both Mediterranean and Central Asian regions. Mongolia will host the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in 2026. Will Italy support this initiative?
We recognize Mongolia’s commitment and leadership in combating desertification and promoting sustainable land management. The choice of Ulaanbaatar as the host of COP17 recognizes its active role and the country’s forward-looking vision in strengthening the resilience of its territories. Italy, a longtime supporter of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, reiterates its full willingness to collaborate with Mongolia in the run-up to COP17. As in all previous editions of the Conference, our country is ready to contribute constructively to the success of the negotiations and the achievement of concrete and shared results for the benefit of the most vulnerable territories and the populations that depend on them.
