This side event will spotlight new Targeted Scenario Analysis (TSA) findings on how Mongolia’s National Protected Areas (NPAs) underpin livelihoods and growth, quantifying the economic contribution of policies that account for ecosystem services to improve priority sustainable sector development, such as in the tourism and livestock sectors. TSA captures decision-makers’ policy objectives and uses multiple sector indicators and scenarios through 2050 to compare “business as usual” policy pathways with coherent nature-positive options and to translate evidence-based data into practical choices for policymakers. The TSA will further the Rangelands Flagship Initiative championed by Mongolia, protecting food security, climate stability, biodiversity, and progress toward key Sustainable Development Goals. The findings support the Government of Mongolia’s priority to mobilize investment in healthy land for economic development.

Discussion will focus on what it takes to deliver these outcomes: expanding and effectively managing NPAs, embedding ecosystem-service management into sector and land-use planning, and mobilizing targeted finance and governance improvements through the Eternal Mongolia Project Finance for Permanence initiative. The roundtable format will provide an opportunity for knowledge exchange across policy-makers and practitioners on the economic case for policy change in support of protected areas. Participants will leave with clear and coherent policy recommendations and investment priorities that strengthen biodiversity conservation, water security, climate resilience, and rural prosperity. The new TSA methodology will be launched at the event.