Padres Gift Shared in Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar Connection Grows Through Global Neighborhood Project

U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia Richard Buangan recently received Padres mementos from Global Neighborhood Project (GNP) board member and retired Marine Corps officer Lee Wakefield. The exchange took place in Ulaanbaatar—one of several international cities connected with San Diego through GNP’s efforts.

Ambassador Buangan, a former San Diego resident and longtime Padres fan, shared a personal moment with Wakefield that underscored the human connections at the center of diplomacy. What may have seemed like a small gesture carried symbolic weight, reflecting GNP’s mission of building international understanding through shared experiences.

The meeting is one of many ways GNP continues to foster citizen-to-citizen relationships abroad—whether through cultural exchange, education, or collaborative service.

U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia Richard Buangan (left) with GNP National Coordinator Tuya Badarch and board member Lee Wakefield during a cultural exchange in Ulaanbaatar.

Photos courtesy of the U.S. Embassy | Mongolia