ULAN BATOR, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia on Saturday commemorated National Pride Day, marking the anniversary of the birth of Genghis Khan.
Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene and other members of parliament and government ministers paid their respects to the statue of Genghis Khan in front of the government palace in Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia.
During the observance, Khurelsukh issued a decree aimed at enhancing Mongolian historiography. This decree seeks to deepen the study of the origins of the Mongolian nation, its state traditions, the heritage of nomadic civilization, and the contributions of the Mongolian people to world history, while also promoting national unity and values to reinforce Mongolia's independence, according to the presidential press office.
Additionally, the president conferred the Order of Genghis Khan, the country's highest state award, on Ban Ki-moon, former secretary-general of the United Nations to recognize his leadership in adopting the Sustainable Development Goals and ratifying the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as his unwavering commitment to global peace, human rights, justice, and equality.
The Order of Genghis Khan is awarded to Mongolian citizens who have made significant contributions to strengthening national unity, studying Mongolia's history and culture, and promoting Mongolian culture internationally. It is also granted to foreigners who have positively impacted Mongolia's unity, prosperity, and international relations, enhancing the nation's reputation and contributing to its economic, social, and spiritual development.
The National Pride Day celebrations also featured traditional wrestling, a gala concert, and an exhibition showcasing Mongolian history and cultural heritage.
Mongolia has been observing National Pride Day as an official public holiday since 2012, with Genghis Khan's birth anniversary falling on the first day of the first winter month of the lunar calendar. ■
