Hungarian-Mongolian diplomatic relations are 75 years old. Classic water relations with Mongolia date back to the 1970s, when Hungarian experts developed Mongolia’s National Water Management Framework Plan and several regional framework plans for water catchment areas. Cooperation has continued uninterrupted since then, marked by the conclusion of a cooperation agreement (2008) and its renewal (2022).
Under an agreement between the General Directorate of Water Management (OVF) and the Mongolian Water Authority, a delegation of 14 Mongolian water management directors visited Hungary between November 24 and 27, 2025, to exchange experiences with Hungarian water management experts. The exchange of experiences focused on water management, nature conservation methods, water supply, drought and flood protection, water quality protection, and transboundary cooperation. In addition, the Mongolian experts were also interested in water distribution techniques and methods used by neighbouring countries.
Along these lines, Hungarian experts practically “guided” the delegation through Hungary’s outstanding water management facilities. On the first day, a professional forum was held at the General Directorate of Water Management, where the delegation listened to presentations by Jenő Lábdy, head of department, on Hungarian water management, and Péter Molnár, head of division, on drought protection. At the same time, Mongolian experts provided insight into Mongolia’s water management in two presentations entitled “Integrated water resource management for sustainable soil conservation and restoration” and “Presentation of the Ulz River basin management”.
After Monday’s visit to the OVF, the delegation travelled to the Kisköre Section Engineering Office, where they received a presentation on the water management activities of the Middle Tisza District Water Directorate. Here, the Mongolian experts were able to see the operation of Lake Tisza, Hungary’s largest artificial lake and an important ecotourism centre, first with the help of a plotting board, and then in person by visiting the Kisköre fish ladder.
On the third day of the visit, the group travelled to Siófok. The Mongolian experts were able to view the Siófok drainage structure, which regulates the water level of Lake Balaton, the “Hungarian Sea”, with the assistance of colleagues from the Central Transdanubian Water Directorate. Gabriella Kravinszkaja, section engineer, gave a presentation on the regulation of Lake Balaton, which was listened to with great interest by the guests. This was followed by a presentation by István Kóbor, senior technical advisor, on water quality, entitled “Water quality and the operation of online monitoring platforms at Lake Balaton”. In the second part of the program, the water management experts visited the Storm Warning Observatory in Siófok, where the head of the observatory, Dr. Ákos Horváth, presented Hungaromet, the Hungarian meteorological service.
The day ended with a gala dinner, where István Láng, Director of the General Directorate of Water Management, welcomed the members of the Mongolian delegation and thanked them for their visit. Márton Pesel, Deputy Head of the International Department of the OVF, also attended the dinner, and Tuguldur Gun-Uils, Consular Officer of the Embassy of Mongolia, contributed to the discussions between the parties as an interpreter.
On the last day, the delegation travelled to Szeged. Here, organized by the Lower Tisza District Water Directorate, Deputy Head of Department Csaba Sári gave a presentation on mobile flood barriers (dikes), which caught the audience’s attention as a novelty. During a short walk along the banks of the Tisza, they were able to see the flood protection line, and then the guests visited the Tápé Pumping Station, where chief engineer Tibor Borza gave a presentation on the old and new pumps.
The week-long visit was enjoyable and enriched the members of the Mongolian water management delegation with a wealth of professional experience, while Hungarian experts also gained an insight into Mongolian water management (methods, current tasks, challenges).
Members of the delegation:
- Khongio, Myagmarjav, Director - Water Use and Technology Department
- Tserendendev, Oyuntugs, Senior Specialist - Water Agency of Mongolia
- Baatar, Yalaltbayar, Director - Galba-Uush-Dolood Gobi Basin Administration
- Bat-Erdene, Mendbayar, Specialist - Water Agency of Mongolia
- Batsuuri, Bayartogtokh, Director - Onon-Ulz River Basin Administration
- Batsaikhan, Enkhsuren, Specialist - Water Agency of Mongolia
- Byambajav, Nandintsetseg, Director - Kherlen River Basin Authority
- Chantsal, Otgonbaatar, Director - Orkhon-Chuluut River Basin Administration
- Odkhuu, Ariunaa, Senior Specialist - Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
- Makhbal, Chuluunzagd, Director - Selenge River Basin Administration
- Serjgotov, Khan-Uul, Director - Tuul River Basin Administration
- Shukhert, Khangarid, Director - Buir Lake-Menengi Tal Basin Administration
- Sukhbal, Jargalzaya, Director - Khuisin Gobi Tsvetku Lake Basin Authority
- Batnasan, Davaadalai, Water Doctoral Researcher - Water Use and Technology Department
Written by Katalin Szabó, Olivia Barta, International Department of OVF
Photos by Katalin Szabó, Olivia Barta, István Szakács, International Department of OVF