Your Excellency, your visit to Mongolia, accompanied by your husband, marks only the second time an Australian Governor-General has visited our country—the first being over 30 years ago. What inspired you to visit Mongolia at this moment in history?

My State Visit to Mongolia underlines our strong and long-standing relationship, including as one of Mongolia’s ‘third neighbors' – like-minded democracies that share a vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. ‘At the heart of our relationship are the links between our people, built over many decades.

Australia and Mongolia established diplomatic relations in 1972. Since 2007, both countries have defined this relationship as an “Extended Partnership.” During your visit, the Mongolian President announced that our nations will soon elevate this to a “Comprehensive Partnership.” What does this new status mean for Mongolia and Australia, and when is it expected to be formalized?

Our partnership with Mongolia is making a strong and sustainable contribution to economic prosperity, building skills and employment opportunities, particularly for women. Australia and Mongolia share the challenges of combatting climate change in countries with harsh and unique natural environments. 

Your visit highlights the strength and longevity of our bilateral relationship, including Australia’s role as one of Mongolia’s ‘third neighbors’ and a key Indo-Pacific partner. As like-minded democracies committed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, how do you envision the future of Australia–Mongolia relations beyond trade and education?

Australia, as a proud Third Neighbor, is committed to a long and enduring relationship with Mongolia.

Together our countries have built a strong relationship based on mutual respect and shared interests and values and I am confident this will continue to grow and strengthen into the future. Whilst trade and education are key aspects of our bilateral relationship, Australia is also very proud of our development and humanitarian cooperation, cultural and people-people links and defense and security engagement with Mongolia. Our governments will continue working closely as partners in the Indo-Pacific region to support an open, stable and prosperous region grounded in respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, and the principles of inclusivity and cooperation.

Australia is proud to host a growing Mongolian diaspora, now numbering over 22,000. How do you view the people-to-people ties and the cultural bridge between our nations? If you could share one message with young Mongolians reading this interview, what would it be?

Australia is proud to host a growing Mongolian diaspora. Australians are increasingly coming to Mongolia as tourists, volunteers, artists, and businesspeople. Since my visit I have spoken regularly to Australians – in my speeches, messages and conversations – about Mongolia, what I saw and learnt during the State Visit and the remarkable links between our nations. 

Australia has invested over USD 110 million in development aid to Mongolia. What long-term impact do you hope these projects will have? More than 850 Mongolian students have studied in Australia—what do you believe they bring back beyond academic knowledge? You met members of the MOZZIES alumni network in Ulaanbaatar. What are your impressions of their activities and potential?

Meeting members of the MOZZIES alumni network was a highlight of my visit to Mongolia. I am proud to know that more than 30 years ago, Australia made the decision to support Mongolia’s development through the scholarships program. A program that has gone from strength to strength since it was sketched out on a long flight in 1993 by our foreign ministers:  Gareth Evans and Gombosuren Tserenpil. The alumni network has contributed enormously to Mongolia’s development, resilience and prosperity — and you continue to be outstanding advocates for our bilateral relationship. 

What surprised you most during your visit to Mongolia? Was there a moment that felt especially emotional or symbolic for you?

I was honoured to visit Mongolia to reaffirm Australia’s friendship, built on mutual respect and common interests. It was a privilege to experience Mongolia’s unique culture and people, and to see its natural beauty.  I was particularly grateful for the warm and generous welcome, including the opportunity to visit and meet Mongolians in their homes, schools and workplaces.

Oyu Tolgoi is a major mining project supported by Australia. How do you see mining and sustainability coexisting in Mongolia’s future? What role can Australia play in helping Mongolia diversify its economy beyond extractive industries? What lessons from Australia’s experience might be useful?

Like Mongolia, the mining industry is a cornerstone of Australia’s economy. That said, economic diversification is vitally important for the stability and ongoing development of any nation. Also like Mongolia, Australia has large potential in tourism and agriculture and actively focuses on development of these sectors. Australia, through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has a long history of supporting Mongolia through targeted agricultural research projects. At the request of the Mongolian Government, ACIAR is currently undertaking a research project to support Mongolia’s rural transformation and agricultural policy development. Delivered through the Australian National University, this project leverages Australia’s experience and lessons learned in rural transformation over the past 50 years to make recommendations that will assist Mongolia’s agricultural policy reform. 

During your visit, the idea of a direct flight between Mongolia and Australia was mentioned several times. When might we expect the first direct flight to become a reality?

The Governments of Australia and Mongolia seek to increase connectivity between our two countries, including through air services. 

In October 2024 Australia and Mongolia signed an inaugural air services arrangement, allowing 14 passenger services per week to and from Australia along with unrestricted dedicated cargo services.

The arrangement establishes a framework to expand our economic partnership, strengthen people-to-people links and promote cooperation in tourism and cultural exchanges. It is not yet known when direct flights will commence. 

As Governor-General, you represent Australia’s values. What values did you see reflected in Mongolian society? What do you hope your visit will inspire—in both Australians and Mongolians?

Our relationship is built on mutual respect, and on our shared belief in freedom and democracy. Both our countries work towards a peaceful and prosperous world. We are proud to be a significant third neighbour of Mongolia. There is also a natural cultural and values affinity between us. We are both vast countries, with harsh climates. You have ‘eternal’ blue skies. In Australia, we refer to our ‘big sky country.’ We both face distinct challenges for climate change. We both also care for country. In Australia, we learn much from the connection to country of our First Nations people – the oldest continuous culture on Earth. I know that Mongolia has a similarly rich and ancient history. Your connection to that history, and using it to inform your modern, vibrant nation of today is something we can learn from.