Report from the Society’s 64th Annual Meeting & Conference, October 2025
By Ambassador (ret.) Michael Klecheski
December 15, 2025
Continuing a tradition of leadership in Mongolian Studies spanning more than six decades, the Mongolia Society held its annual meeting and conference on October 3-4 in Washington, DC. As in previous years, the program featured presentations on a wide range of historical and contemporary topics; however, this year’s meeting was distinguished by two major retrospectives on the field, a gala reception at the Mongolian Embassy hosted by Mongolian Ambassador to the United States Batbayar Ulziidelger, and the largest attendance in recent memory.
One retrospective session brought together, for the first time, all former U.S. ambassadors to Mongolia to reflect on the diplomatic relationship during their respective tenures. The discussion traced the establishment of formal diplomatic ties prior to the fall of communism in Mongolia and examined how those relations have evolved in the decades since. A second retrospective focused on more than twenty years of research conducted in Mongolia by the Smithsonian Institution, one of the first international organizations invited to propose research programs following the collapse of Mongolia’s communist system.
The conference also featured panels organized around three broad themes: pre-modern connections that shaped Mongolia’s place in the world, modern connections that continued to define it, and the evolving Mongolian language.
As part of its long-standing publications program, the Society hosted a book release for Occasional Papers, No. 30, Reflections on the Checkered Century: The Memoirs of a Mongolian Ambassador, by Uriankhan Jargalsaikhan.
The Mongolian Embassy, led by Ambassador Batbayar Ulziidelger, graciously hosted the October 4 proceedings, including a reception for conference attendees. The October 3 sessions were held at George Washington University. Earlier that day, participants were also offered a guided tour of Mongolia-related holdings at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art.
The Society extends its sincere thanks to Ambassador Batbayar Ulziidelger and the Mongolian Embassy, to George Washington University, and to the Smithsonian Institution, as well as to the conference sponsors, participants, and attendees who contributed to another successful annual meeting and conference.
Below are photographic highlights from the conference. Many of these images are courtesy of the Mongolian Embassy to the United States.
The panel of former ambassadors to Mongolia from the U.S. Photo from Michael Klecheski.
Left: The President of the Mongolia Society Michael Klecheski with Mongolian Ambassador to the U.S. Batbayar Ulziidelger.
Right: Former ambassadors to Mongolia, Joe Lake (left) and Mark Minton (right), participating in the panel remotely.
Left: Former President of the Mongolia Society and retired ambassador Pamela Slutz talking about the Occasional Paper #30.
Right: Executive Director of the Mongolia Society Susie Drost giving remarks.
Left: Dr. Timothy May presenting the latest journal of the Mongolia Society to Ambassador Batbayar.
Bottom right: Prof. John Ciorciari, Dean of the Hamilton Luger School of Global and Inter-national Studies giving remarks on Zoom.
Left: Former President of the Mongolia Society Dr. Alicia Campi presented with an award from the Mongolian Embassy.
Right: Dr. Vera Kuklina open the first panel.
Left: Former US Amb. Al LaPorta during the visit to NMAA
Right: Pamela Slutz presenting translator Mary Rossabi with OP-30.
Left: Visit to National Museum of American Art.
Right: Bill Fitzhugh presenting during a panel.
Group photo of the participants in the annual meeting of the Mongolia Society, Washington D.C. on October 3-4, 2025.
