ULAN BATOR, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia celebrated the International Children's Day on Sunday, aiming to protect the rights and interests of children.

Mongolia began marking the day as an official public holiday since 1996, and various activities, including cultural concerts and sports contests have been arranged to celebrate the occasion.

According to the Mongolian National Statistical Office, children under the age of 17 accounted for over 36.2 percent of Mongolia's 3.5 million population by the end of 2024.

There were 60,213 newborns in Mongolia in 2024, which was down 9.8 percent from the previous year, according to data from the statistical agency.

Mongolia established the Order of Maternal Glory in 1957, a Soviet civilian award created in 1944. In Mongolia, it is awarded to mothers who give birth to four or more children and ensure due care for their health, education, physical, spiritual and moral development.

This year, on the occasion of the International Children's Day, 14,486 mothers across Mongolia received the award.

The International Children's Day was established in 1949 by the Women's International Democratic Federation. Currently, many countries in the world annually celebrate the day on June 1. ■