Mongolia

Insights from the CITA RAG AA Conference 2024


The CITA Regional Advisory Group (RAG) Asia/Australasia Conference 2024, themed "Take a Big Step Forward: Safe and Sustainable Mobility," took place on November 27–28, 2024, in Incheon, South Korea. Hosted by the Korean Transportation Safety Authority (KOTSA), this prestigious event gathered stakeholders, experts, and decision-makers from across the region to discuss innovative strategies and collaborative solutions for achieving safer and more sustainable road mobility.

The two-day conference kicked off with a captivating opening ceremony that featured a calligraphy performance symbolizing the unity and purpose of the gathering. A warm welcome and inspiring speeches set the tone for the event, including remarks by Yong Sik Jeong, President of KOTSA, and Myagmarsuren from Mongolia's Ministry of Road and Transport (MRT).

In his opening speech CITA President Gerhard Müller emphasized the urgency of collective action to address pressing issues in road safety and environmental sustainability. Drawing on sobering statistics, including the WHO's recent findings on global road fatalities, Müller highlighted the growing challenges posed by the expanding global vehicle fleet and stressed the importance of robust vehicle inspection systems. He articulated the need for impartiality, technological adaptation, and harmonization between standards for new and in-use vehicles to ensure safety and reduce emissions.

The conference explored three critical themes:

  1. Ensuring Safe and Sustainable Mobility: Insights were shared on the state of vehicle inspections, future challenges, and the integration of technology in periodic technical inspections (PTI).
  2. Safety Management of Eco-Friendly Vehicles: Topics included advancements in autonomous vehicle assessments, electric vehicle (EV) regulations in China, and innovations in battery inspection systems.
  3. Strengthening Automobile Inspection Functions: Presentations highlighted collaborative projects between Korea and Mongolia, as well as cutting-edge developments in hydrogen-electric hybrid safety evaluation.

Attendees were also treated to a unique second-day experience featuring a tour of the Dongtan Inspection Center, where they witnessed demonstrations of electric vehicle inspections and over-the-air (OTA) technology applications.

The CITA RAG AA Conference 2024 exemplified the spirit of collaboration and innovation necessary to advance safe and sustainable mobility.

As President Müller concluded in his speech, "It’s time for a big step forward—now." The CITA community eagerly anticipates its next major event, the CITA International Conference and 24th General Assembly, to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, from May 6–8, 2025, under the theme “Forging Global Alliances for Safer Roads and Greener Futures.”


Enhancing Mongolia’s Traffic Safety: A Strategic Initiative


In early June, Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, hosted a significant seminar organized by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KoTSA). The seminar focused on the theme of "The Role of Inspection for the Safety of Vehicles in Developing Countries and Measures to Improve the Import and Export Environment." This event was part of the broader Mongolia Transport Safety Improvement Project, a key initiative aimed at enhancing road safety and environmental health in Mongolia.

The seminar gathered several notable figures in the transportation safety sector:

  • Mrs. Munkhnasan, Director of the Mongolian Road Transport Development Department, along with her team.
  • Mr. Eduard Fernandez, Executive Director of CITA.
  • Mr. Kaneyoshi Ikeda, President and Managing Director of JEVIC.
  • Mr. Visar Cekici, Head of Vehicle Registration of the Albanian General Directorate of Road Transport Services.

The seminar aimed to highlight the importance and necessity of vehicle inspections, emphasizing their role in improving road safety and air quality. Through its project in Mongolia, KoTSA sought to secure the government's implementation capability for enhancing the import and export environment, and to discuss potential cooperation with neighboring countries.

Eduard Fernández's participation was particularly significant, given CITA's extensive experience and knowledge from previous projects in Africa. His visit underscored the importance of discussing more cases and current activities in WP.29, aiming to attract the Mongolian government's interest and contribute to the project's success.

During his stay, Mr. Fernandez also met with members of the National Road Transport Center and visited several PTI centers, providing valuable insights into the ongoing efforts and future plans.


About the Project
The Mongolia Transport Safety Improvement Project, launched in August 2023, is an ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing vehicle inspection facilities and capacity building within Mongolia. The project is a collaborative effort involving several key partners:

  • Ordering Agency: Korean International Cooperation Agency (KoICA)
  • Mongolian Partners: Ministry of Road and Transport Development (MRTD) and Mongolia Road Transport Center (NRTC)
  • Project Partners: Korean Transportation Safety Authorities (KoTSA), the Korea Transport Institute (KOTI), and the Korean Road Traffic Authority (KOROAD

The primary goals of the project are to enhance traffic safety and improve air quality in Ulaanbaatar. By strengthening vehicle inspection capacity and modernizing inspection facilities, the project aims to significantly reduce traffic accidents. Additionally, the project includes national policy consulting on vehicle emission gases to address air pollution in the capital city.

Looking forward, the project plans to continue its policy consulting and modernization efforts, ensuring the establishment of a comprehensive vehicle inspection management system. Ongoing capacity building through continuous training programs remains a cornerstone of this initiative.