On Saturday, Oct. 27, Fairbanks was signed into a Sister City Agreement with the city of Erdenet, Mongolia. Davaadori Oyunbat, Chairman of Orhon Province of the People’s Representative Council, and Steve Thompson, Mayor of Fairbanks signed the agreement.
A Sister City Agreement is a non-profit diplomacy network whose goal is to create partnerships with US cities and non-US cities for mutual economic and cultural gain. The cities that join into these agreements usually choose to become siblings because of shared characteristics such as climate or business.
Erdenet, located in a valley in central northern Mongolia, is the second largest city in the country with roughly 80,000 people. It is home to a very large copper deposit, the mining of which the town owes its existence to. Mongolia has an area of roughly 604,000 square miles, relatively close to Alaska’s 663,000 square miles.
The ceremony was done in City Hall where the atmosphere was very different from the usual local ordinances. Local police were on guard in and outside the building, and at least two US Secret Service agents were inside the building. In addition to this security, there were 14 Mongolian security officials within tackling distance of anyone perceived as a threat. The Mongolia delegation consisted of dozens of people, and included the President of Mongolia, Nambaryn Enkhbayer, and his wife. Both countries’ ambassadors were also present. In spite all this security, efforts were made to keep the occasion casual.
The signing had been in the works for years and has only come to fruition one month before Mayor Thompson steps out of office.
After the signing, the Mayor and Chairman exchanged gifts. Thompson gave a key to the city and Oyunbat gave more impressive gifts: a framed city seal of Erdenet, a medallion traditionally used by diplomats to ensure safe travel throughout Mongolia, and an official invitation to visit Erdenet. This latest gift was so impressive it broke the usually steadfast silence of Fairbanks audiences and evoked numerous oohs and ahhs. The mayor has tentative plans to take this offer next autumn.
Mayor Thompson also plans, in spirit of the Sister Cities Agreement, to create special scholarships to encourage students from both cities to participate in mutual study abroad.
