At UN, the president of Mongolia takes a moment to cheer the world’s horses

Advertisement

Advertise with us

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. General Assembly speeches address countless facets of human existence. But on Tuesday, one world leader also made a point of honoring the existence of horses.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.99/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/09/2025 (184 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. General Assembly speeches address countless facets of human existence. But on Tuesday, one world leader also made a point of honoring the existence of horses.

“Horses have been integral to human livelihoods, culture and civilizations since time immemorial,” said Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, whose Central Asian nation led the Assembly earlier this year to designate July 11 as World Horse Day. Noting Mongolia’s long history of horse-riding, he thanked Assembly members for supporting the initiative.

The designation is meant to raise awareness of the role that horses have played and still play in the world, from farm work and transportation to equestrian sports and tourism.

President of Mongolia, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
President of Mongolia, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, there are over 60 million horses worldwide. Mongolia counts more horses — 3.4 million — than people, who number 3.3 million.

“From the moment of birth, we Mongols have grown up on horseback,” the president told the Assembly.

His shoutout to equines came about two-thirds of the way through a speech that emphasized Mongolia’s contributions to U.N. peacekeeping and other activities. He also addressed water issues and women’s role in politics and peacekeeping, among other issues.

Report Error Submit a Tip

World

LOAD MORE