To improve coordination in combating the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), the Government of Mongolia hosted a Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) bi-lateral conference with the United States in Ulaanbaatar February 22 and 23, 2011. Launched in 2003, the PSI is a global effort that aims to stop trafficking of WMD, their delivery systems, and related materials to and from states and non-state actors of proliferation concern. The two-day conference consisted of a workshop and Table Top Exercise (TTX) that included officials from both Mongolia and the United States.
In 2007, the Governments of Mongolia and the United States signed a bi-lateral PSI Ship Boarding Agreement as part of their combined efforts to combat the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Under the agreement, if a vessel registered to Mongolia or the United States is suspected of carrying proliferation-related cargo, either country can request that the nationality of the ship in question be confirmed and, if needed, authorize the boarding, search, and possible seizure of cargo of proliferation concern. The event focused on the implementation of this agreement and provided an opportunity for both countries to reinforce their commitment to preventing WMD proliferation.
The Mongolian National Coordination Council to Combat Terrorism hosted the event. Mongolian participating organizations included the Ministry of Defense; Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs; Border Forces; Customs Office; National Police; General Intelligence Agency; Maritime Affairs Office within the Ministry of Roads, Transportation, and Urban Development; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the State Inspection Agency. Participants from the United States included officials from Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Defense, the Department of State, National Defense University, the Coast Guard and the Embassy to Mongolia.
