First Lady of Mongolia addresses 1800-strong crowd at US Fundraiser

Speech by First Lady generates big donations, mining company main sponsor

The First Lady of Mongolia, Mrs. Bolormaa Khajidsuren, spoke in the USA last week at a major fundraiser for Mongolian healthcare providers. The First Lady spoke in Denver, Colorado on September 15 and 16, 2011, addressing over 1800 delegates at a major fund-raising event sponsored by Rio Tinto, which manages the Oyu Tolgoi mine in the South Gobi.

The address was delivered to Project C.U.R.E.’s First Ladies’ Luncheon (an annual fundraising event that helps the humanitarian efforts of different First Ladies’ from around the world). Project C.U.R.E. is a charity that provides essential medical supplies and equipment to support healthcare in communities across the world. The event prompted the crowd to write over 1500 cheques, and the donations are still being counted.

This year Project C.U.R.E. has selected Mongolia to benefit from the substantial donations it receives. The donations raised at last week’s event will be used to buy medical supplies, which will be supplied to hospitals and clinics in Mongolia in 2012. (Last year’s event resulted in a multi-million dollar delivery of supplies for the people of Panama).

The First Lady’s speech highlighted the health issues in Mongolia and raised awareness of the difference the delegates’ efforts and donations could make to international healthcare. Alison Kuttler, Rio Tinto Vice-President of External Affairs, spoke on Rio Tinto’s behalf.

Cameron McRae, CEO of OyuTolgoi and Country Director of Rio Tinto Mongolia, said Rio Tinto was proud to sponsor the Project C.U.R.E. event, and to support the First Lady as she took her message to the USA.

“We at Rio Tinto were delighted to be invited to be the title sponsor of the seventh annual First Ladies Luncheon for Project C.U.R.E, and we were honoured to talk alongside the First Lady.

“Rio Tinto proudly supports Mongolia as it aims to meet its Millennium Development Goals, which include prioritising child health and maternal health,” he said.