Feb 15, 2025 70 min read Daily News Summaries

Mongolia News Summary for February 15, 2025

The following news articles are the opinions of their authors and publications. They are presented here as translations for informational purposes and do not necessarily represent the opinion of MongolBeat or its members.

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Politics

11 Laws and Resolutions Passed on an Emergency Basis During the Fall Session

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: news.mn

The first regular autumn session of the parliament established following the 9th general election of Mongolia took place according to the country's Constitution, lasting for 81 days, ending on January 24. This was the first time that the session with representatives from multiple parties formed through a mixed system debated and enacted various laws and policies over 81 sittings. Let us review what laws and regulations were implemented during this time. Firstly, let's recall the macroeconomic indicators at the beginning of the autumn session. Mongolia's economic growth stood at 5%, with the agricultural sector contracting by 3.5% and the mining sector growing by 1.4%, resulting in a nominal GDP of 56 trillion MNT. Inflation was at 6.7%, the trade balance had a surplus of 3.2 billion USD, the balance of payments had a deficit exceeding 250 million USD, and foreign currency reserves reached 4.7 billion USD. By the end of the third quarter of 2024, the budget revenue was 22.8 trillion, expenditures were 20 trillion, and the balanced budget deficit was 1.5 trillion, with total loans in the banking sector reaching approximately 35 trillion MNT. In this economic environment, the State Great Khural began discussing drafts of the 2025 budget and monetary policy directions. Let us remind again that any decision or law from the parliament must have a positive impact on citizens' lives. 8 AUTONOMOUS LAWS PASSED AND 29 AMENDED DURING THE FALL SESSION During the autumn session of the State Great Khural, 8 autonomous laws, 29 laws with amendments, 7 laws on international conventions and agreements, and 8 laws deemed nullified, totaling 52 laws and 57 resolutions, were debated and enacted. There were 32 general sessions, 146 standing committee meetings, and 6 subcommittee meetings. Over 60 working groups, established by the orders of the Speaker of the State Great Khural and standing committee resolutions, met more than 90 times in total. These working groups were set up to address issues awaiting legal solutions and to enhance regulation according to current needs. It was considered that the first outcomes of these working groups had been achieved. A working group on the strategic plan for 2024-2028 submitted the draft on time, leading to the adoption of the "Strategic Plan of the Mongolian State Great Khural for 2024-2028." This specifies a vision, mission, and values focused on people-centeredness and the protection of human rights and freedoms, thus ensuring the parliament as a representative body is results-oriented and accountable. WITHOUT DEFICIT AFTER BUDGET REDEBATED The autumn session of the State Great Khural is mandated by law to discuss and approve the state's budget for the next year. However, the autumn session of the 126-member parliament was seen to break from the traditional approach of previous autumn sessions. In the last 10 years, the growth rate of consolidated budget revenues and expenditures has been similar, but the share of expenditures in GDP has been on average 4 points higher than revenues, resolving deficits by incurring more debt. The general budget balance was adjusted again, resulting in balanced revenue and aid reaching 33.5 trillion MNT, or 35.2% of GDP, and a zero deficit in the balanced budget, with a primary balance surplus of 3.3% of GDP. The budget focused on investments in local areas consistent with the concept of regional development, expecting economic growth to reach 8% by prioritizing infrastructure investments. COOPERATION WITH THREE UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE ECONOMIC SECTOR In its development plan for 2025, Mongolia adopted 14 mega projects and 149 projects to accelerate sustainable development, with integrated issues, benchmarks, required financing, sources, and responsible agencies specified. The parliament took initial steps this session to unblock long-stalled projects that have hindered progress for over 30 years. Support for the government and increased focus on mega projects have been emphasized, with calls for monitoring and demanding results from the government's implementation. The government was instructed to follow 12 main directions for the cross-border railway construction agreement between the Mongolian and Chinese governments. Once successful, railway connections, terminals, and increased export capabilities could double export revenues and capacities by utilizing cross-border railway links. THE FALL SESSION EMERGENCY DISCUSSION RESULTING IN 11 LAWS AND RESOLUTIONS According to the Constitution of Mongolia, legislative power is solely vested in the State Great Khural. Consequently, legislative activities must be well-founded, based on analysis and research, and decisively resolve awaiting matters or relationships. The strategy of the 9th parliament focused on enhancing legislative processes. The upcoming spring session plans to discuss proposals from working groups aiming to establish a comprehensive and understandable legal framework. During the autumn session, the parliament actively addressed urgent issues submitted by the government, although urgent processing can risk errors if under time pressure. Since implementing provisions for 'emergency procedures' in 2016, on average, 8-9 laws or resolutions have been addressed urgently each year, totaling 76 over 9 years. During this and previous extraordinary and autumn sessions, 11 laws and resolutions were urgently debated. This reflects the high workload of parliament but also highlights the limited opportunity to gather input from citizens and experts. Therefore, the principle of maintaining transparency, open operations, and equitable participation to listen to citizens' views, as outlined in the State Great Khural's 2024-2028 strategic plan, must be implemented. The government should endeavor to submit legislative projects under normal procedures whenever possible.

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SELENGE: Emphasized the Importance of Aligning Development Trends and Planning with National and Provincial Policies

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: montsame.mn

During today's online conference, the Governor of Selenge Province, N. Lkhagvadorj, emphasized to the governors of districts the need to implement their identified development trends and planning in alignment with national and provincial policies and decisions. Organized by the Governor of Selenge Province, the online meeting included representatives such as Y. Murun, the director of the Policy Planning Department of the Provincial Governor's Office; Kh. Tsengelsaikhan, the acting director of the Agricultural Agency; T. Shinechimeg, the chief agronomist of the Agricultural Agency; A. Altantsetseg, the director of the Management Department of the State Administration; and Ch. Dorjmugmar, the head of the Construction and Urban Development Department. During the online conference, the provincial governor assigned the district leaders the following responsibilities: - Our main task is to monitor whether laws are being violated, focusing on ensuring that service-providing organizations are not restricted and that there is no pressure on the business sector. - Special attention should be paid to the task assignments of tenders, collaborating with skilled enterprises that are well-regarded for delivering quality work in other districts. - With the spring planting season approaching, it is urgent to resolve the issue of providing land to vegetable growers. - Considering the expert warnings of warming trends and relatively dry conditions, it is required to make early planning and execute accordingly.

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Corruption Index Improved but Corruption Cases Unresolved!

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: news.mn

Mongolia ranks 114th out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index, which "Transparency International Mongolia," a non-governmental organization, reported this week. This is an improvement of seven places compared to last year. In 2023, Mongolia ranked 121st, dropping five places. However, in 2024, the index improved by seven places. Essentially, Mongolia's corruption index remained at the same level as in previous years, with no significant progress. Specifically, in the past five years, Mongolia's corruption index has been: - 35 points in 2019, ranking 106th out of 180 countries
- 35 points in 2020, ranking 111th
- 35 points in 2021, ranking 110th
- 33 points in 2022, ranking 116th
- 33 points in 2023, ranking 121st
In the last two years, several high-profile corruption cases have been announced as under investigation by law enforcement agencies. These cases involve several current and former Members of Parliament. Notably, 11 individuals linked to a case known as the "Coal Case," 80 individuals linked to the Development Bank case, and 24 individuals including A. Gankhuyag in the "Green Bus" case. However, very few of those involved in corruption and abuse of power have been held accountable, a point of criticism from the public. For instance, the majority of the 80 people involved in the Development Bank case have been acquitted, and the authorities sentenced in the Coal Case were not found guilty of coal theft. The "Green Bus" case remains unresolved even after two years. In 2023, as part of public transport fleet renewal, the Mayor's Office of the Capital City and "Tenuun-Ogoo" LLC signed a purchase contract for 810 buses, which included diesel and electric buses. The Anti-Corruption Agency investigated the transaction, and the case was transferred to the criminal court of Chingeltei district. Authorities reported a financial loss of 134 billion MNT due to the purchase contract with "Tenuun-Ogoo" LLC. However, the director of "Tenuun-Ogoo" LLC, A. Gankhuyag, is currently under investigation and has spoken to the media, claiming that no fraud was committed, and that the "green buses" were indeed new, according to an expert report. Because of the "Green Bus" scandal, Member of Parliament J. Sukhee, who was in charge of reducing traffic congestion, resigned from his position, and former Mayor of Ulaanbaatar D. Sumiyaabazar also stepped down. J. Sukhee stated that he had no involvement in the bus purchase, only in resolving the budget, which was managed by the city. The anti-corruption agency transferred the case to the prosecutor on January 9, 2024. The prosecutor then transferred it to the court on March 11, 2024, with proceedings delayed multiple times. The next court session is scheduled for February 24, 2025. In the notorious "Coal Case," which has been under investigation since 2022 with 40 trillion involved, many politicians have been accused. However, it remains unresolved. When the Anti-Corruption Agency first announced the 17 officials involved, it grabbed public attention, but many have since been exonerated. The Development Bank case involved 80 people, with the Supreme Court's final session held before the new year. Some politicians' sentences were upheld, while others were subject to retrial.

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Advice on Human Rights Given to Prosecutors

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The Chief of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Mongolia, D. Sunjid, participated in a meeting with the leadership of the prosecutor's office and provided information. He mentioned that the NHRC has conducted research and analysis on case review and enforcement conditions and has included the findings in the 19th to 23rd reports on the state of human rights and freedoms in Mongolia. Specific measures to be implemented according to the relevant parliament resolution were mentioned. It was highlighted that the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Law, which require court permission to arrest a suspect, represent significant progress in protecting human rights during the legal proceedings. Furthermore, the law enforcement agencies need to strictly protect personal data and ensure the implementation of the Law on the Protection of Personal Information, he noted, offering professional and methodological advice. Additionally, action will be taken in connection with a hearing on the implementation of human rights regarding torture and inhuman or cruel treatment, and work will be done to ensure the implementation of the Law and Justice Committee's resolution number 09. Last year, within the framework of ensuring human rights in the administration of imprisonment, 25 training sessions were organized, involving prosecutors.

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Economy

Demand for US Dollars Increases, Exchange Rate Reaches 3,479 Tugriks

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Due to delays in coal exports and disruptions in mining product revenue, Mongolia's foreign exchange reserves have declined. Banks have ceased selling amounts above 10,000 US dollars, and the exchange rate of the "greenback" against the tugrik has been continuously strengthening. However, officials from the Bank of Mongolia reported that despite decreased foreign currency revenue due to the Tsagaan Sar holiday, the flow of Mongolians going abroad, and the slowdown in mining exports, there is still a reserve sufficient for five months of national consumption, standing at 4.9 billion US dollars. In this context, there was interest in the current exchange rate of the US dollar. At the currency exchange market "Naiman Sharga," brokers were buying the "green" for 3,475 tugriks and selling it for 3,480 tugriks. As of yesterday, they were selling it for 3,485 tugriks. In contrast, according to the rate announced by the Bank of Mongolia, the US dollar was equivalent to 3,458 tugriks yesterday. This means there was a 27-tugrik difference between the official and the black market rates. Last week, brokers reported that the "greenback's" rate at the same market had risen to 3,512 tugriks. Compared to one month ago, the rate of the US dollar announced by the central bank has increased by 25 tugriks or 0.7%, and compared to the same time last year, it has increased by 52 tugriks or 1.5%. Meanwhile, at the currency exchange center, the rate of the US dollar was 3,485 tugriks yesterday, showing an increase of 52 tugriks or 1.6% from a month ago and an increase of 80 tugriks or 2.4% from the same period last year. The exchange rate of the Yuan has also been steadily increasing in recent days. Yesterday, the Chinese currency was equivalent to 479.5 tugriks at "Naiman Sharga," reflecting an increase of eight tugriks compared to last week and 14 tugriks from one month ago. As a side note, in the first month of this year, Mongolia's export revenue decreased by 47% compared to the same period last year, and coal sales on the mining exchange decreased by 80%.

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Western Region Provinces Can Create a Centralized Economic Market through Integration

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The meeting with residents of the western region provinces, organized by Speaker of the Parliament D. Amartuvshin and Members of Parliament E. Bolormaa and M. Mandhai, continued in the Tarialan and Undurkhairkhan soums of Uvs aimag. During this event, they introduced prominent legislation approved by the newly formed parliament, which is composed of representatives from five parties and coalitions established as a result of systemic changes, during its regular autumn session. At the beginning of the meeting, the Speaker of the Parliament introduced the "Three Perfections" policy aimed at renewing the legal environment, highlighting that the upcoming four-year strategic plan of this parliament is focused on human-centered legal principles. He emphasized the importance of updating laws to meet the needs and demands of the rapidly changing social life both in urban and rural areas, ensuring preconditions that prevent any violations of human rights. The Speaker underscored that by integrating into the economic framework, the provinces of the western region can establish a centralized market for trade, services, and production, which is a fundamental direction of regional development policy. They aim to implement coordinated policies related to road and infrastructure development, investment in the energy sector, and regional development policy suited to the specific characteristics of the provinces. This year's state budget investment includes projects such as building a cellular relay station and improving the voltage of power lines in the Tarialan soum. More than 80% of the residents of Tarialan soum are engaged in agriculture, yet policies in the sector predominantly focus on the central region and are not sufficiently inclusive, as noted by the participants. The residents expressed the need for support of household producers, enhancement of the "New Cooperative Movement," and attention to addressing infrastructure issues in ger districts. They also conveyed their opinions on the development of responsible mining that does not harm the environment. The primary and secondary school in Undurkhairkhan soum was designed for 350 children but has more than 700 students currently studying. Participants pointed out issues such as overfilled classrooms and insufficient educational resources. Citizens also raised concerns about their lack of knowledge of laws, which impacts their rights, and difficulties in accessing full government services due to bureaucratic obstacles. In response, Speaker D. Amartuvshin highlighted the need to revise laws focusing on regulating state activities rather than individual matters. Uvs aimag, which is part of the agricultural backbone region, has the potential to fully satisfy the demand for flour and vegetables for the western region inhabitants. Furthermore, by developing their distinctive product manufacturing, they can diversify the economy and increase tourism benefits, as reported by the Parliament’s Press Office.

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Mongolia's E-commerce Week to be Organized in March

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The inaugural meeting of the working group, tasked with ensuring the implementation of the "Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific," initiated by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 13th of this month. During the meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced the working group members to the draft action plan for the "Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific," as well as the "Mongolia E-commerce Week" event, to be organized in collaboration with UNESCAP and the European Union-supported project to promote Mongolia's foreign trade, in March. Additionally, the members outlined future trends and identified challenges related to the digitization of trade activities, in order to make adjustments at the level of participating organizations, to ensure the implementation of the "Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific." The meeting was chaired by G. Ulziisaikhan, Director of the Department of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over 30 representatives from public and private sectors, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Digital Development and Communication, Ministry of Roads and Transport Development, Ministry of Economy and Development, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, the General Customs Authority, General Agency for Specialized Inspection, Statistics Office, National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bank of Mongolia, the National Data Center, and Mongolia Post JSC, participated in the meeting.

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The Balanced Budget Deficit for January 2025 Stands at ₮492.7 Billion

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The total revenue and aid for the consolidated state budget were ₮1.7 trillion according to the preliminary execution report for January 2025. This represents a 36.7% decrease, or a decline by ₮1 trillion compared to the same period in the previous year. The balanced revenue including aid reached ₮1.7 trillion, showing a reduction of 38.9% compared to the same period in the previous year. Total expenditures, including net loans to be repaid, amounted to ₮2.2 trillion in January 2025, resulting in a balanced budget deficit of ₮492.7 billion, as reported by the National Statistics Office. Total tax revenue reached ₮1.5 trillion in January 2025, marking a 44% decline from the same period last year. Significant contributors to this decrease include income tax revenue, which fell by 46.6% or ₮358 billion, value-added tax which decreased by 33.9% or ₮151.8 billion, and mineral resource usage fees which dropped by 86.1% or ₮590.1 billion. Conversely, social insurance income grew by 24.7%, amounting to an increase of ₮65.1 billion, and foreign activity income saw a 7.3% rise, increasing by ₮9.8 billion. Source: National Statistics Office Notice: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social, and Websites) must credit the original source (ikon.mn) when fully or partially using our information in any format.

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Orkhon: Over 2500 Jobs to be Created

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The opening ceremony for the establishment of the "Erdenet Machine" complex factory at the "Erdenet Factory" SOE has taken place. The Ministry of Road and Transport, aiming to enhance Mongolia's competitiveness in meeting the growing demands for products in the machinery and metal production sectors, has developed and approved the feasibility study for the project. The "Erdenet Machine" complex factory will introduce and localize advanced technology and equipment that are environmentally friendly and safe, with the goal of producing final products to replace imports and include added value. Research has shown that the establishment of this factory will create approximately 2500 new jobs. To attract investment for the factory's development and propose collaboration opportunities, the "Erdenet Machine Complex Factory-2025" forum is being organized. Participants include the State Secretary of the Ministry of Road and Transport, S. Batbold, Director of the Erdenet Factory SOE, G. Yondon, President of the MNCCI, L. Tsoodol, and representatives from over 40 enterprises.

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The State Budget Balance Shows a Deficit of 492 Billion Tugriks

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: isee.mn

The state budget balance for January shows a deficit of 492 billion tugriks. Specifically, the total expenditures and net loans to be repaid reached 2.2 trillion tugriks in January 2025, resulting in a budget deficit of 492 billion tugriks. In terms of the budget's total revenue and aid, the preliminary performance for January 2025 shows it reached 1.7 trillion tugriks, a decrease of 1.0 trillion tugriks compared to the same period last year. This reduction of 1.1 trillion tugriks in balanced revenue and aid has been the primary influencing factor.

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Information about companies participating in tenders being revealed and bonuses taken from purchases is false, says Oyu Tolgoi

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: isee.mn

Oyu Tolgoi has released a statement expressing its position. In this statement, it asserts, "We reject the blatantly false and baseless information about Oyu Tolgoi's procurement activities that has recently appeared on online platforms and some media channels. This information undermines the reputation of our company, employees, and many suppliers who work in compliance with the laws, regulations, and standards honestly." The claim that "Oyu Tolgoi discloses information about companies participating in tenders to give certain suppliers an advantage and takes bonuses from purchases" is unfounded. No clarification or inquiry was made from the company before publishing such information, nor was the organization's position conveyed, which seriously violates the ethical principles of responsible journalism to deliver true information to the public. Our procurement activities are conducted transparently and fairly under multiple layers of control according to the relevant laws, regulations, and procedures of Mongolia. We responsibly state that no procurement decision is made by one person alone. Moreover, national and international auditing organizations regularly conduct monitoring and inspections of the company's operations. We provide detailed and transparent information about our procurement procedures on our website at http://ot.mn. Oyu Tolgoi has procedures to receive and investigate any reasonable and documented complaints related to its procurement activities. We receive such complaints while strictly maintaining the confidentiality of personal information at [email protected]. This is open to everyone, including current and former employees, contractors, suppliers, service providers, partner organizations, and local residents in areas where we operate. All complaints are taken seriously and are followed up with relevant inspections conducted by independent third-party organizations. Any violations found are addressed according to internal procedures and applicable laws. Oyu Tolgoi maintains that it will take all measures according to the law to protect the reputation of its employees and organization.

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BBCA Loan Interest Exceeds 40% While Borrowers Rise to 5.3 Million

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: news.mn

Criticism has been raised over the high interest rates of loans offered through apps by non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), with reports that many Mongolians are becoming victims of such loans without realizing it. Despite these concerns, statistics show that the number of NBFI clients has increased by 800,000 compared to the previous year, reaching 5.3 million. According to the Financial Regulatory Commission's 2024 Q4 financial sector overview, the number of borrowers from NBFIs increased from 4.5 million in 2023 to 5.3 million in 2024. The interest rate on loans from NBFIs was 2.8% per month in 2023, but it rose to 3.5% per month in 2024, resulting in an annual interest rate exceeding 40%. The total loan amount in this sector reached 5,750.4 billion MNT, marking a growth of 56.4% or 2,074.5 billion MNT over the previous year, and a 4.3-fold increase or 4.4 trillion MNT since 2020. Customers attribute the increase in NBFI loan interest rates to a "greed for excessive profit," while industry members cite the high cost of funding as a factor. Businesses have increasingly turned to entering the capital markets for funding, but the high costs lead them to utilize NBFIs as the sole means to achieve returns, issuing loans via apps. As a result, app-based loans comprise 70% of total loans issued by NBFIs. Moreover, the number of NBFI borrowers has risen by 800,000 in a year due in part to the lower borrowing criteria. NBFIs require no collateral, and loans can be obtained even if previous loans have not been paid off, making the criteria less stringent compared to commercial banks. Loan disbursement volumes have also increased: 1.327 trillion MNT in 2020, 2 trillion in 2021, 2.7 trillion in 2022, 3.6 trillion in 2023, and 5.704 trillion MNT in 2024. Furthermore, statistics reveal that 90.8% of loans are in good standing, 3.1% are overdue, and 6.1% are non-performing. Of all loans remaining, 90.5% are given to individuals, while 9.5% are granted to legal entities. Additionally, 21.7% of NBFI loans are for under 1 month, 20.8% are for 6-12 months, 19.4% are for 2.6-5 years, and 16.5% are for 1-2.5 years, with 69.1% of all loans being consumer loans. On average, 2.5 million MNT is borrowed per borrower from NBFIs in Mongolia, with this figure being 1.5 million MNT in rural areas and 2.5 million MNT in Ulaanbaatar. The national average was 2.3 million MNT the previous year, showing a 6.9% increase in the reporting year. The clients of NBFIs include 2.9 million women, 2.4 million men, and 7,900 legal entities. Education-wise, 56.1% of borrowers have higher education, 25.7% have completed secondary education, 8.2% have vocational education, 7.6% have secondary education, and 2.4% have primary education, according to the Financial Regulatory Commission's report. In the reporting year, the total revenue of NBFIs reached 1,828.2 billion MNT, with 98.4% being operational revenue consisting of 89.9% or 1,644.1 billion MNT from interest income and 8.5% or 154.5 billion MNT from non-interest income. There were 573 NBFIs with special permits from the Financial Regulatory Commission, an 8.3% increase from the previous year. Nationally, there are 53.7 NBFIs per 100,000 people aged 18-64 and 10.1 NBFIs per 1,000 businesses. Regionally, the ratio is 28.7 and 9.1 in rural areas, with the Central region having 37.7 NBFIs per 100,000 people and the Eastern region having 12.6 NBFIs per 1,000 businesses, leading in accessibility. In Ulaanbaatar, there are 80.7 NBFIs per 100,000 people and 10.5 NBFIs per 1,000 businesses, showing better accessibility compared to rural areas.

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Apartment and Public Utilities Workers Demand Double Pay Increase

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Workers from the apartment and public utilities sector organized a protest in the central square. They raised the slogan, "We want our work to be valued and our quality of life to improve." In this context, they emphasized sending demands to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing, the Energy Regulatory Commission, and the city council and administration to increase their salaries and improve their working conditions. Most of the workers earn less than the national average, or less than one million tugriks per month, while engineers get a salary of one million tugriks. Hence, they demanded their salaries be doubled. "The prices of essential goods and products are increasing day by day. How are we supposed to live and support our families on a salary that is less than one million tugriks? Leaderships across successive governments have consistently neglected our sector. Thus, along with demanding higher salaries, we also aim to make it clear that in our country, our sector operates continuously and employs many people. It is, in fact, an important sector comparable to education and healthcare. We work to ensure that water, heat, and electricity for apartment users are not interrupted," the protestors stated. They also highlighted the immense pressure faced by those in the public utilities sector. For instance, they spoke of the heavy pressure coming from both clients and managerial staff, which impacts their mental well-being and is one reason why they feel burdened by their jobs. To resolve this issue, one of the main demands of the protestors was for our country to join and ratify the International Labor Organization's Convention No. 190 against Violence and Harassment. This convention includes provisions for preventing all types of violence and harassment that may arise in the workplace and addressing these issues comprehensively if they do occur. Protestors carried signs stating, "Harassment and discrimination in the service sector are excessive." It should be noted that over 10,000 people work in the apartment and public utilities sector nationwide. Approximately 20 percent of them hold managerial and technical positions such as engineers, while the remaining are other professionals like repair workers for clean and wastewater pipelines, plumbers, electricians, and welders.

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Reserves Meat to Be Sold at 446 Locations Starting Tomorrow

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: isee.mn

The sale of reserve meat has been ongoing in the capital since February 07. As of today, reserve meat is being sold at 179 locations across the city at discounts of 25-30% off the market price. Starting from February 15, it will be available at a total of 446 locations. The price is set at 13,800 MNT for beef with bones and 11,800 MNT for mutton with bones. In 2025, 10,000 tons of reserve meat have been prepared to meet the spring needs of the capital's residents.

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Public Food Service Sector Revenue Increased by 13.8% from Last Year

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The National Statistics Office reported that the revenue of the public food service sector reached 1.7 trillion MNT in 2024, an increase of 209.7 billion MNT (13.8 percent) from the previous year. The public food service sector includes businesses such as restaurants, cafes, bars, canteens, and catering services. Revenue from restaurants increased by 143.2 billion MNT, catering by 28.1 billion MNT, canteens by 9.6 billion MNT, cafes by 23 billion MNT, and bars by 5.8 billion MNT. In December alone, the sector’s revenue reached 184 billion MNT, a 29.7 percent increase from the previous month. Moreover, hotel revenue reached 614.5 billion MNT last year, up 69.6 billion MNT from the previous year. Non-rated hotels and resorts generated the most revenue, reaching 40.2 billion MNT, while three-star and above hotels earned 28.2 billion MNT, and two-star hotels earned 1.1 billion MNT. In rural areas, the hotel revenue of Umnugovi, Uvurkhangai, Darkhan-Uul, and Arkhangai provinces increased, with a high number of guests received.

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Housing Prices Increased by 13.3%

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The National Statistics Office has presented the social and economic status of Mongolia. Among this information, the details on housing prices were highlighted. In January 2025, housing prices increased by 13.3% compared to the same period last year, and by 0.5% compared to the previous month. Looking at housing prices by age, new housing prices rose by 11.2% compared to the same period last year, while old housing prices increased by 15.0% over the same period. The average price per square meter for new housing reached 4.53 million MNT, with the highest price in the Sukhbaatar district at 5.82 million MNT. Meanwhile, the average price per square meter for old housing was 4.42 million MNT, also with the highest price in the Sukhbaatar district at 5.82 million MNT. In terms of year-on-year growth, the average price of new housing in the Sukhbaatar district saw the highest increase of 40.0% (1,660,100 MNT), while Khan Uul district had the smallest increase at 8.6% (359,300 MNT). For old housing, the largest increase was 30.6% (1,361,200 MNT) in the Sukhbaatar district, while Khan Uul district saw the smallest increase of 12.5% (525,300 MNT).

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Diplomacy

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene's Working Visit to China Begins

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The working visit of the Prime Minister of Mongolia, L. Oyun-Erdene, to the People's Republic of China is beginning. Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene will meet with the Premier of the State Council of China, Li Qiang, today. After the meeting, the two sides will sign an "agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China on transborder railway at Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port, coal trade, and the cooperation to increase the capacity of the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine." Additionally, the Prime Minister will participate in the closing ceremony of the 9th "Harbin-2025" Asian Winter Games held in Harbin, China.

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Turkish Ambassador Receives "Golden Gerege"

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar, February 14, 2025. On February 12, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, L. Munkhtushig, received Turkish Ambassador to Mongolia, Zafer Ateş, as he returns to his home country permanently. State Secretary L. Munkhtushig noted that the state visit of the President of Mongolia to Turkey 21 years later was successful within the framework of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He also emphasized the elevation of the relationship to a Strategic Partnership. Additionally, he expressed gratitude for Ambassador Zafer Ateş’s valuable contributions to expanding the relations and cooperation between the two countries and strengthening the friendship between the peoples of the two nations, and presented him with the "Golden Gerege," wishing him success in his future endeavors.

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European Countries Demand Participation in Ukraine Talks

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: montsame.mn

European powers such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany have announced that they must participate in any discussions on the Ukraine issue, emphasizing that a fair settlement with security guarantees will establish lasting peace. “Our common goal should be to position Ukraine strongly. Ukraine and Europe must be part of the talks,” said a statement from seven countries and the European Commission. Furthermore, the statement noted, “Providing security guarantees to Ukraine and establishing fair and durable peace are prerequisites for transatlantic security.” European countries eagerly await discussions with their American allies on further measures to take. The foreign ministers of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, and Spain, along with the President of the European Commission, met with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister in Paris on Wednesday. This meeting, scheduled weeks in advance, aimed to define the European Union's defense strategy, strengthen Ukraine, plan future peace talks, and determine positions for discussions with the U.S. administration during the security conference in Munich this weekend. However, a stern statement by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on behalf of the Trump administration on the U.S. stance in the nearly three-year-running war between Ukraine and Russia has cast doubt on the conference’s agenda. He stated that restoring Ukraine's borders to pre-2014 lines is impossible and that NATO membership for Ukraine will not, in the view of the U.S., lead to a peaceful resolution. After Hegseth’s statement, Trump had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which both parties agreed to start negotiations promptly. The foreign ministers noted that Trump did not inform European countries about his intention to speak with Putin.

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Infrastructure

The Prime Minister Will Officially Sign the Border Connection Agreement for the 'Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Port Railway' Today

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: isee.mn

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene is visiting China for discussions related to various collaborative efforts. As part of this visit, the Prime Minister of Mongolia and the Prime Minister of China will officially sign an agreement on the railway border connection. Specifically, the government has initiated the signing of the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod railway border connection agreement, which is one of the 14 mega projects, and submitted the relevant bill to the State Great Khural (Parliament). The Parliament has given the government the directive to make the agreement, and the government has instructed the Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry, Ts. Tuvgaan, and the Minister of Roads, Transportation and Development, B. Delgersaikhan, to sign the agreement.

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Agreement Signed to Connect Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Border Crossing Railway

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Prime Minister of Mongolia, L. Oyun-Erdene, met with the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Li Qiang, in Harbin. This meeting marks the fifth meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two countries. The projects and programs discussed at each visit have been successfully implemented and turned into tangible actions, for which both sides expressed their gratitude. Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene congratulated the Chinese government for successfully organizing the "IX Asian Winter Games." Since their meeting in Shanghai last November, both heads of government expressed their satisfaction with the active development and specific achievements in Mongolia-China relations and cooperation. In particular, the project to connect the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod border crossing by railway, which is one of the 14 mega projects being implemented by the Government of Mongolia, is actively progressing. During this meeting, the "Intergovernmental Agreement on the Cooperation to Increase the Capacity of the Tavan Tolgoi Coal Mine, Cross-Border Railway of Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod, and Coal Trade" was signed, highlighting its significance in taking bilateral cooperation to a new level. Moving forward, the parties agreed to maintain the frequency of high-level mutual visits, coordinate their development strategies, diversify trade structures, interconnect border crossings, strengthen the legal basis of relations and cooperation between the two countries, and expand cooperation in fields such as environment, tourism, production, new energy, green and digital economy. The parties also agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation between Mongolia, China, and Russia. Source: Government of Mongolia. Notice: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social and Web pages) must mention their source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form fully or partially.

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Agreement on Railway Border Connection to be Signed Today

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: news.mn

The government has initiated the establishment of an agreement for the railway border connection in the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod direction, which is one of the 14 mega projects, and has submitted the relevant bill to the Parliament. The Parliament has given the direction to the government to proceed with negotiations, and today's agreement will be signed by Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry Ts. Tuvaan and Minister of Road and Transportation Development B. Delgersaikhan. In connection with this historic event, Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene of Mongolia is making a working visit to the People's Republic of China. During the visit, Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene will meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. After the meeting, the parties will sign an agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of China concerning the transborder railway, coal trade, and increasing the capacity of the Tavantolgoi coal mine. Last Wednesday, Minister of Road and Transportation Development B. Delgersaikhan mentioned that, based on proposals from members of parliament, improvements have been made to the contract. For example, when the construction of the Gantsmod-Gashuunsukhait railway begins, the connection of all ports will be resolved simultaneously. Relevant ministries will also sign their respective contracts. In particular, our ministry will discuss with our southern neighbor whether to engage one company for the transborder railway construction or to announce a selection process. Since the transborder construction is a single project, it is seen as more beneficial for one company to undertake it. Nonetheless, according to Mongolia's laws, tenders will be announced and ways to reduce costs will be included in a detailed agreement. The financing for the railway border connection will be paid in cash by Erdenes Tavantolgoi, without any barter agreements. It was stated that this financing will not affect the dividends due to the citizens. Additionally, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Ts. Tuvaan stated that the matters resolved in 60 meetings of the working groups of the two governments will also be signed by the Prime Ministers of both countries. This agreement will be ratified by the Parliament. After that, a contract between companies will be signed. The right to sign the agreement was given to Minister B. Delgersaikhan and me, following deliberations of the relevant permanent committees of the Parliament. During this meeting, suggestions for improving the agreement were given by members of parliament. For example, some ambiguous provisions regarding renewable energy were noted, which were revised to say that the parties will cooperate in the field of renewable energy. Furthermore, all three parts, namely the sale and purchase of coal, increasing the mine's capacity, and railway construction, will commence simultaneously once the agreements are signed. It was corrected that favorable conditions were granted to Chinese companies for increasing the mining capacity, and changes were made to work lawfully and mutually beneficially. The Government of Mongolia has submitted the main directions to adhere to when establishing the transborder railway connection investment agreement at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port. Specifically, the draft project for determining the main directions to implement the agreement to build the transborder railway connection at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of China has been officially presented to the Parliament. WHAT THE PROJECT PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT INCLUDES When approving this agreement, it was stated that third parties will not participate within the comprehensive cooperation agreed upon at a high level between the Governments of China and Mongolia. To ensure economic efficiency, the agreements will establish long-term contracts for railway construction, coal sale and purchase, increase the mine capacity, and will not transfer shares or mineral licenses owned by Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC to other entities. Conditions and pricing methodology will be used as references, and the agreement duration will be set for up to 16 years starting from the initiation of negotiations, ensuring 27 million tons by 2025-2029 and not dropping below 20 tons after 2030. In determining coal agreement prices, conditions of previously made agreements between state-owned companies of the two countries will be used as references, emphasizing stable long-term cooperation anchored in mutually agreed methodology. AGREED NOT TO RECREATE BROAD AND NARROW GAUGE CONTROVERSY The parties have agreed to end the longstanding wide and narrow gauge controversy within the framework of the agreement and to prevent any future disputes regarding broad or narrow gauge. They will commence and complete construction simultaneously under a "single design, a single contractor" principle for the transborder railway at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port. The sides agreed that Mongolia will manage the construction project for the transborder railway and related infrastructure at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port according to the tender procedures, collaborating with China's selected company. The cooperation to increase the mine capacity will not allow the transfer of exploration and exploitation licenses held by Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC to any party nor affect company shares in any way, as stated in the project. HIGHLIGHTS - Connecting previously built railways with the Gantsmod port within China’s border and absolving claims of past losses or damages related to railway border connections and necessary investments in the future. - By starting the transborder railway construction at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port, reaching agreements on stepping up projects to connect other ports such as Shiveekhuren-Sekh, Khangi-Mandal, and Bichigt-Zuunhatalch with railways. - Mutually beneficial cooperation on renewable energy export, energy coal export, deep processing coal industry, Gobi region irrigation, combating sandstorms and desertification, and housing issues. - Cooperating to construct the railway and related infrastructure with the selected Chinese enterprise for the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port transborder railway project. - Implementing the resolution through government-to-government agreements, formal protocols between working groups, inter-company cooperation agreements, and establishing necessary legal frameworks. Approval of this resolution will provide an opportunity to determine the direction to be followed during the government-to-government negotiations for implementing the transborder railway construction at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port between the Government of Mongolia and the People's Republic of China.

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SÜKHBAATAR: Memorandum of Cooperation Signed to Build a Thermal Power Plant

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Sukhbaatar aimag is planning to expand its economy over the next four years through the implementation of 10 rapid development projects. As a step towards this goal, one of these projects has begun to take shape. A memorandum of cooperation has been signed with "Grand Zotel Energy" LLC to carry out the work on a 70 MW thermal power station. The project involves building and commissioning a thermal power plant with a capacity of 70 MW in the new settlement area of Baruun-Urt sum, as well as renewing and improving the related power transmission networks. Additionally, within the framework of supporting local development, the partnership will provide professional and methodological assistance to enterprises and the education sector, enhance human resources in the energy sector, and implement scholarship programs for local students. Once completed, the thermal power station project is expected to fully meet the electricity, heat, and steam needs of Baruun-Urt sum by 2028.

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Completion of the Cross-Border Railway Will Boost Coal Exports to 165 Million Tons

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: news.mn

Mongolian Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene met with Premier Li Qiang of the State Council of the People's Republic of China in Harbin. Following the meeting, representatives from Mongolia and China signed an agreement to connect the transborder railway at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod border port. After signing the agreement, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene made a statement. "Dear Mongolians and esteemed international investors. Today, the State Government of Mongolia has signed an agreement with the Government of the People's Republic of China to connect the transborder railway at the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod border, ranked first among Mongolia's 14 mega development projects. We express our gratitude on behalf of the Government to President U. Khurelsukh for his political support, Speaker D. Amarbayasgalan for paving the way by approving the official direction and granting signing authority, distinguished members of Parliament, leaders of political parties represented in the Parliament, the Government's working group, and sector experts," he declared. The Prime Minister also thanked the Government of China, Premier Li Qiang, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and the two countries’ embassies for reaching mutual understanding and accepting the proposal to sign an international agreement directly between governments without involving any third parties. This project has been under discussion since 2004, with over 60 rounds of talks since 2008, resulting in three recommendations from the National Security Council, six resolutions from Parliament, and 45 government resolutions, finally coming to a resolution today. The Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod cross-border railway becomes the second such connection after the transborder railway established under a 1955 agreement between Zamiin-Uud and Erenhot, marking a historic event," he commented. Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene also added, "With the operation of this railway, Mongolia's port capacity will double, and coal exports, which currently average 83 million tons per year, are expected to reach 165 million tons. Consequently, coal revenue will increase by USD 1.5 billion annually. This will increase the revenue of the National Wealth Fund’s Accumulation Fund and form the foundation for implementing the long-discussed tax reform. This agreement also paves the way for stepwise railway connections at the Shiveehuren-Sehee, Bichigt-Zuun Khatavch, and Khani-Mandal ports between Mongolia and China. The possibility of contracting directly between the two governments, avoiding any third parties, existed as far back as 2004. Had this agreement been made 21 years ago, Mongolia could have earned at least USD 31.5 billion at current prices without the disputes surrounding Tavan Tolgoi and the gauge debate, and all the pressing infrastructure issues would have been entirely resolved by now. The joint government will further prioritize national interests and will overcome private interests that have hindered the country's mega development projects."

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Work Schedule of Mongolia's Border Checkpoints in 2025

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The General Customs Administration has announced the work schedule for Mongolia's border checkpoints in 2025. The schedule for new checkpoints has not yet been released. Notice: Please note that media organizations (Television, Radio, Social media, and Websites) are required to mention the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, either fully or partially.

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MUIS Students Learn from Japan's Transit-Oriented Development Experience

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The JICA Office in Mongolia, in collaboration with the National University of Mongolia (MUIS), is implementing the "JICA Chair" or "Japan Modernization and Development Studies" program. As part of this, special open lectures and experience-sharing meetings for industry specialists were held under the theme "Development Experience Based on Public Transit Participation in Japan." A special lecture was presented to students and teachers within the "Japan Modernization and Development Studies" course at MUIS. This is now an approved elective course for 3 credits within the Asian Studies Department, allowing students to study according to credit hours from September 2023. Under the program, distinguished professors from various fields in Japan provide special lectures and seminars. On previous occasions, lecturer and professor Naohiro Kitano from Waseda University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, also a guest researcher at the JICA Institute, led a seminar on "Development Experiences in Japanese Urban Planning." The open seminar featured first-class architect ABE TOMOKO, who spoke on "Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Japan with Citizen Participation" at JICA's invitation. Architect Abe Tomoko has contributed proposals to the general development plan for Ulaanbaatar City until 2030 and has worked in countries like Indonesia and the Philippines. "I first visited Ulaanbaatar in 2006 to collaborate on developing the city's master plan under JICA's research scheme. I also participated in a project to draft the Urban Redevelopment Law and worked on the feasibility study of the subway project. When drafting the development plan up to 2030, it became clear that public transport services needed to be improved, with proposals for high-capacity systems like metros. Additionally, improving living conditions in ger areas was highlighted. This research was compiled 20 years ago. Although it's challenging to resolve these changes in a day, prioritizing planning that enhances living environments is essential. Mongolian counterparts shared the view of creating more compact cities, working towards a common goal. Ulaanbaatar's air pollution and traffic congestion, resulting from excessive urban concentration, were noted. Today's lecture also addresses these issues with a focus on transit-oriented solutions. Developing high-capacity public transport like metros could be a significant reason for citizens to opt out of car use. Urban planning to support walkability is also emphasized. This will be introduced based on Japan's experience,” Tomoko said. S. Battulga, the leading professor of "Japan Modernization and Development Studies" at MUIS's Asian Studies Department, stated: "Today's topic, studying transportation challenges with citizen participation based on Japan's example and discussing real cases, is our focus. Our students will explore Japan’s experience to solve pressing issues in Mongolia. This discussion will help formulate strategies based on Japan's experience and Mongolia's uniqueness. Our curriculum aims to incorporate diverse methods. The course content includes 15 topics covering Japan's contemporary issues regarding economics, politics, foreign policy, social structures, and population management. Besides discussing these topics, we will study how Japan has historically addressed unresolved issues. Students can learn from Japan's experience to prepare in solving future urban challenges. Japanese urbanization has evolved with distinct features from the 1800s, achieving high development levels back then. Understanding Japan's modernization issues and developmental solutions is crucial for tackling Mongolia's future challenges. By engaging in these discussions, our students gain a diverse knowledge base," he said. An experience-sharing meeting was also held with industry specialists, including the Working Office of the "20-Minute City" National Committee and Ulaanbaatar's Chief Architect Office, who exchanged ideas. Yoshimura Tokuji, deputy director of JICA’s Mongolia Office, said: “The severe traffic congestion resulting from urban planning issues in Mongolia needs a government-level solution. Today's meeting is to discuss potential methods and share Japan's experience in resolving these issues. Alongside, we are discussing how Japan’s experiences can address Mongolia’s current challenges in short, medium, and long terms, focusing on creating conducive living environments through public transport as proposed by the "20-Minute City" concept introduced by the Mongolian government. Urban planning expertise from Japan is invited to discuss citizens' involvement in planning and developing public transport-integrated urban plans," he stated. C. Tugstulga, Ulaanbaatar's chief architect, discussed how public transport solutions are integrated in the "Ulaanbaatar City Development Plan Until 2040." "We are in the final stages of having the 2040 development plan approved by the government and Parliament. The document’s goal is to make Ulaanbaatar accessible and livable for people by 2040. Enhancing the city's environment and transport is a key goal. Especially, implementing transport-oriented urban planning to make areas accessible based on people's needs is crucial. Learning from Japan's experience is important. Transport-oriented urban planning, while defined by Americans, has been successfully practiced in Japan for over 100 years. This approach plans subway stations to not only provide transport but also accommodate various services to meet people's needs. In Japan, subway stops offer essential services, from shopping to dining and entertainment, at one place, benefiting commuters. Similarly, our 2040 plan focuses on metro, trams, and other public transport options, ensuring their stops meet passenger needs. Stations for buses, cable cars, and trams will be located in Ulaanbaatar's center. Therefore, attention must be on building transport infrastructure in centralized urban areas and successfully implementing it. The 2040 plan focuses not just on transportation but on a transport-oriented development concept,” he explained. B. Batbold, advisor to the National Committee on the 20-Minute City and Minister, mentioned: "In line with Ulaanbaatar's 2040 development plan and the '20-Minute City' concept, citizen involvement is critical. Since 2006, planning alongside Japan's JICA experts has increasingly underscored the need to incorporate citizens' aspirations. The plan aims primarily to bring services closer to residents and foster citizen participation in addressing transport and infrastructure issues. General concepts in the master plan will be detailed in subsequent plans, highlighting the significance of incorporating citizen suggestions and involvement for project success." The "Japan Modernization and Development Studies" course isn’t limited to classrooms; it also provides hands-on experience by engaging with the operations of Japanese-invested companies in Mongolia.

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Zavkhan: This Year, Government Employees in Three Soums Will Be Housed

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: montsame.mn

In the three soums of Zavkhan, 8-15 unit housing complexes will be built. The Government of Mongolia has promoted a policy to provide housing for local government employees. It aims to increase the accessibility of mortgage loans with a 3 percent interest rate in rural areas. As part of this policy, a phased program will be implemented to house government employees in rural areas. This year marks the first phase of the comprehensive housing program for government employees, which will be implemented in the aimags and soums. The budget for the program has been approved in the package of the Minister of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing. Within the framework of the Minister’s directive, housing for government employees will be constructed in Tosontsengel, Numrug, and Bayankhairhan soums of Zavkhan aimag. A 15-unit housing complex will be built in Tosontsengel soum, and 8-unit housing complexes will be built in each of Numrug and Bayankhairhan soums. This will provide significant support to the social issues of government employees working and living in rural areas, helping to ensure their stable employment. According to the Zavkhan aimag governor's office, the program to house government employees will continue in other soums starting next year.

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Public Consultation on BRT Corridor in Five Districts of Ulaanbaatar

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Preparatory design work for the introduction of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Ulaanbaatar is being funded by the Asian Development Bank. The project team plans to organize environmental and public consultation meetings. Residents from the districts of Songinohairkhan, Bayangol, Chingeltei, Bayanzurkh, and Sukhbaatar are invited to participate in these meetings. The consultations aim to include the residents of 58 khoroos (sub-districts) along the proposed corridor from Ard Ayush Avenue to Ikh Khuree Street, encompassing the five districts. The BRT project will be implemented along a 12.7 kilometer corridor with 20 stops, isolated from mixed traffic to allow for high-capacity public transport in a central lane, estimated to transport some 30,000 passengers daily. The schedule for the consultation meetings is as follows: On February 15, meetings will be held in Songinohairkhan and Bayangol districts: - 10:30-12:30: Residents of Songinohairkhan district at the “Bus Depot 2” conference hall. - 15:00-17:00: Songinohairkhan district residents at the 93rd school. - 15:00-17:00: Bayangol district residents at the 93rd school's venue. On February 16, meetings will be held in Chingeltei, Sukhbaatar, and Bayanzurkh districts: - 10:30-12:30: Residents of Chingeltei and Sukhbaatar districts at Mongol 3 school. - 15:00-17:00: Bayanzurkh district residents at the 84th school. This information was announced by the unit implementing the integrated project to reduce road congestion in Ulaanbaatar. Notice: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social and Web pages) must mention the source (ikon.mn) when using this information in any form, in whole or in part.

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Plans to Develop 10 Special Tourism Areas and Parks

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

This year, the "Tourism Week" event is being organized under the topic of "Regional Development and Tourism." As part of this, several meetings and discussions involving industry researchers, specialists, and business owners are taking place this week. Yesterday, a B2B meeting of tourism business owners was held at the Mongolia National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Over 300 representatives from more than 100 tour operator companies, which organize tours both domestically and internationally and operate in markets in China, Russia, South Korea, Japan, and the USA, participated and concluded around 30 cooperation agreements. Our country plans to develop 10 special tourism areas and parks aligned with the regional development policy, as announced by the Executive Director of the National Institute of Regional Development, D. Erdenebayar, during this event. Specifically, significant developments are planned around locations such as the sacred Khantai Mountains in Dariganga sum of Sukhbaatar aimag, Khuvsgul Lake, Buir Lake, the paleontological resources near the Tsagaan Suvarga area of Dundgovi, and the cultural heritage of the Altai Mountains. Additionally, there are plans to establish complexes based on the cultural heritage created by Undur Gegeen Zanabazar, as well as film and content production centers, a "Nomadic" cultural festival special zone, and a special tourism area based on the Hunnu city to be constructed in the Khushig Valley. Relevant policy documents have outlined the development of these zones, focusing on history and cultural monuments. Each special area is planned to be established on 100-150 hectares. The construction will be carried out through public-private partnerships.

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Society

Aid of 103,000 US Dollars to Be Provided to Khuvsgul Aimag Under the 'Grassroots' Project

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Japan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Mongolia, M. Igawahara, and the Governor of Mörön soum in Khuvsgul aimag, K. Taivanbayar, signed a contract for the "Project for the Construction of a Recycling Center in Mörön soum, Khuvsgul aimag" under the Japanese government's "Grassroots Human Security Grant Aid" program. The project aims to construct a facility for receiving recyclable waste in Mörön soum, Khuvsgul aimag. This initiative addresses the urgent issue of increasing waste resulting from population growth, the revival of the tourism sector, and active business operations in the soum. The objective of the project is to increase the output of recyclable resources from waste, reduce the negative impact on human health and the environment, and improve living conditions. The Government of Japan has been implementing the "Grassroots Human Security Grant Aid" program in Mongolia since 1990. This project is the 611th under the program and the 31st to be implemented in Khuvsgul aimag. The maximum funding approved for this project is 103,632 US dollars. The "Grassroots Human Security Grant Aid" program, initiated by the Government of Japan in 1990, collaborates with municipal governments, as well as educational and health organizations in developing countries. Funding is provided for projects directly beneficial to local residents, with Japanese diplomatic missions abroad playing a crucial role in facilitating grant aid. Within the framework of the project, a recycling center building will be constructed in Mörön soum, Khuvsgul aimag. The soum faces challenges due to increasing waste, linked to population growth, renewed tourism activity, and business operations. This project aims to enhance the extraction of recyclable resources from waste, reduce adverse effects on human health and the environment, and improve living conditions. The Japanese government's "Grassroots Human Security Grant Aid" program has been active in Mongolia since 1990. This is its 611th project overall and the 31st in Khuvsgul aimag, with approved funding of up to 103,632 US dollars. The program, started by the Japanese government, works with local governments and organizations in developing countries, focusing on projects that provide direct benefits to local residents, with support facilitated by Japanese embassies and consulates.

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Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: ikon.mn

A working group has been established at the Ministry of Education to study the regulation of children under 16 participating in social networks. The ministry plans to study the experiences of Australia and make decisions based on proposals from various sectors of Mongolian society. Education Minister P. Naranbayar stated, "On November 29, 2024, Australia passed a law prohibiting children under 16 from accessing social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok, which has attracted global attention. The working group will begin research to consider incorporating similar age restrictions for certain social networks in Mongolia. We need a lot of research to make a fundamental change. It's important to discuss within society and reach consensus. We will communicate with all affected social groups. We aim to achieve results using a bottom-up approach." The Ministry of Education has begun preparations. A 2020 national baseline study on the safety of children in the digital environment showed that 91% of parents were unaware of their children experiencing online harm, whereas 87% of children reported experiencing some form of digital harassment, with 60% not informing their parents. Minister P. Naranbayar added, "There are many issues like inappropriate content exposure, age-inappropriate behavior, and online bullying among children on networks like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok. Our duty is to protect our children from these. Additionally, learning to communicate appropriately and culturally in the digital space is crucial for society." Regarding international experiences with children's online engagement, the Ministry of Education reported: - In France, children under 15 require parental consent to use social networks. - Norway is discussing extending the age restriction from 13 to 15. - In Germany, parental consent is required for 13-16 year olds to join social networks. - In the US, UK, and Canada, parental consent is needed to collect data from children under 13. "If Mongolia doesn't take action, it may be too late. There are many negative consequences, but we will not infringe on children's rights to access the internet, like using online classes and educational resources on platforms like YouTube," Minister P. Naranbayar highlighted during the press conference. He noted that the use of School Management Systems (SMS) and Learning Management Systems (LMS) is likely to increase, recommending that parents, teachers, and students communicate via designated programs rather than Facebook. Additionally, collaborations with governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as policy researchers, will be established to address limiting the participation of children under 16 in social networks. Warning: Media outlets (TV, radio, social media, and websites) must cite the original source (ikon.mn) if using our content in any form, either fully or partially.

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P. Naranbayar: Research started on a law to ban children under 16 from using Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: isee.mn

Minister of Education P. Naranbayar provided information on current issues today. He stated: "A working group led by my adviser D. Gantulga has been established at the Ministry of Education. On November 29, 2024, Australia passed a law that has drawn the world's attention. Specifically, the law prohibits children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter. Therefore, we have established a working group to study this law, examine its effects, and consider introducing similar restrictions in Mongolia to prohibit and limit children under 16 from accessing the aforementioned social networks. Significant research is required to implement fundamental changes like this. We are initiating discussions and consensus-building within the public and social community. We will engage with all social groups whose interests are affected and reach agreements. However, we must achieve results. A foundational study on child safety in the digital environment was conducted in 2020. According to this study, 91% of parents believe their children have not fallen victim to online threats. However, 87% of children reported experiencing some form of attack, with nearly 60% not informing their parents. Recently, many issues have arisen on social media such as inappropriate content, enticing children into wrongdoing, and cyberbullying. It is our duty to protect children from these threats. Therefore, we must study the experience that is unfolding in Australia. However, other means to access the internet will remain available to children. Consequently, the use of SMS and LMS by schools is expected to increase. Parents should also communicate with their children on designated platforms rather than Facebook Messenger. We will listen to different opinions, conduct major discussions, and move this work forward. We will collaborate with relevant government agencies and NGOs," he said.

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P. Naranbayar: A Law Will Be Introduced to Prohibit Children Under 16 from Entering the Online Space

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Minister of Education P. Naranbayar announced that a working group has been established to examine the issue of prohibiting children under the age of 16 from entering the online space. The working group is led by the minister's advisor, D. Gantulga, and will conduct research work to draft the bill. It will be decided after discussions with social groups whether a separate law will be introduced or amendments will be made to the Law on Child Protection. In any case, the government plans to submit the law. After reaching consensus with social groups, the bill will be submitted to the Parliament. Minister of Education P. Naranbayar stated, "Australia has passed a law prohibiting children under the age of 16 from entering the online space. We will examine this law, assess its impact, and study the issue of prohibiting children under the age of 16 from accessing social media in Mongolia. It is appropriate for society as a whole to discuss and make a decision on this issue. We will talk with all social groups whose interests are affected. However, we must achieve a result." A 2020 foundational study on children's safety in the online space revealed that over 90 percent of parents reported their children had not been exposed to online threats. However, 87 percent of children reported experiencing some form of online threats, and 60 percent said they did not inform their parents. Therefore, it is our duty to protect children from the online space.

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Urged to Ensure Complete Safety for Those Attending the 'Blue Pearl' Ice Festival

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The country's main winter tourist event, the 'Blue Pearl' Ice Festival, kicked off in the village of Khatgal with the 'Wonder of Mongolia' ice sculpture festival and the national championship ice skating competition for ages 7-10. This year's event is distinguished by being organized for more days than before, from February 13-23, by the Governor's Office of Khuvsgul Province in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth. Today and tomorrow, the Blue Cup poetry festival, multi-ethnic cultural performances, the opening of the 'Tsaatan Village', an evening party dedicated to Valentine's Day, and an ice volleyball competition will take place at Khui Tolgoi in Khatgal. From the 16th to the 18th, ice skating, ice skate shooting, tug-of-war on ice, and horse-drawn sledge racing competitions are planned. On the final days of the festival, there will be trot horse racing, rib testing games, the Darhat shaman's fire ceremony, an ice marathon, and sports fishing competitions as part of the packed schedule. In addition to residents of the capital and provinces, many tourists visit the 'Blue Pearl' Ice Festival. Due to traffic congestion, crowds of people and vehicles, and weather conditions during this time, incidents and violations tend to increase. In connection with this, the Khuvsgul Province Emergency Department, the festival organizing committee, and tourism professional organizations provided alerts and advice to citizens and the public. Firstly, citizens were cautioned to be careful when driving on ice and roadways. Due to recent warm weather, the thickness of the river and lake ice varies and is not sufficiently strong in some areas, developing black ice and flooding cracks. Therefore, it was advised not to travel over ice to save time or shorten paths, and only to use the routes and markings established by professional organizations. Also, they advised not to move after sunset, particularly after 6:00 PM, when visibility is limited, and if necessary, to ensure the full maintenance of vehicles and to follow approved routes. When participating in public events and competitions, ensure personal safety is fully secured, do not consume alcohol or intoxicating drinks, and do not leave young children unattended. Fire safety precautions should be taken when staying at recreational areas, tourist camps, or campgrounds to prevent potential risks.

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Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The Minister of Education, P. Naranbayar, announced the establishment of a working group under the Ministry of Education. The group will be led by the minister's advisor, D. Gantulga. On November 29, 2024, Australia passed a law prohibiting children under 16 from accessing online platforms, especially social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok. This law has drawn worldwide attention. To examine this law and evaluate its impact, the working group is exploring the possibility of drafting legislation to prohibit children under 16 from accessing social networks in Mongolia. To address such a fundamental issue, it is necessary to have discussions and reach a consensus within society and the community. The group will negotiate with all social groups whose interests are affected, working upward from the grassroots. The main goal is to achieve results. According to the "Children's Safety in the Digital Environment" survey conducted in 2020, 91% of parents said their children had not experienced abuse online. However, 87% of children reported having encountered some form of online harassment, with 60% stating they did not tell their parents. Recently, there have been numerous issues such as children being exposed to inappropriate content on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok, as well as cyberbullying occurring among children. It is our duty to protect children from these threats. European countries are taking significant steps in this direction. For example, France requires parental permission for social media use by users under the age of 15. Norway, which had banned social media for those under 13, is considering extending it to age 15. In Germany, children aged 13-16 use social networks with parental consent. The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have regulations that require parental permission to collect information from children under 13. Educational programs like Eduten are not restricted. If steps are not taken in this direction, it will be too late. Many negative consequences are arising, but the right of children to access the internet will not be infringed. Channels like YouTube and Medle will remain open for educational and necessary information. As a result, the use of school management systems (SMS) and learning management systems (LMS) will improve. Teachers should communicate with students using dedicated programs, not Facebook Messenger. Eduten is used by students from the second grade. On average, children spend 20 minutes on this program. They do not use mobile phones on Eduten, but rather smartboards in class and computer screens at home. It appears that Mongolia has become the nation with the highest number of problems solved on Eduten. Usage of educational programs like this will not be limited as they do not lead to screen addiction. Screen addiction results from wasting time. D. Gantulga, the leader of the working group, mentioned that children are developing an addiction to screens. This has become a global issue. Countries are considering how to free their children from screen addiction, and there is little knowledge and information about the future of these addicted children. Therefore, by examining Australia's approach, it is believed it is possible to safeguard our children from screen addiction. When children develop a dependency on screens, the level of dopamine released from the brain increases. When a person becomes addicted to alcohol, drugs, or gambling, their dopamine levels increase. The unnoticed increase in dopamine in children as young as 2-3 years old can have significant negative future consequences. Becoming dependent on screens poses a grave risk of mental illness.

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Inviting Applicants for "Police", "Police Driver", and "Security Officer" Training Programs

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: isee.mn

In order to fill vacant positions and create a reserve for the police and internal military organizations, individuals who have completed at least secondary education, fulfilled their military service obligations (either in-person or alternatively), or have higher education, and meet the specified requirements and criteria, are invited to apply for training in "Police", "Police Driver", and "Security Officer" professions. Applications and related documents from citizens wishing to participate in exams for the police and internal military organizations will be accepted at the institution that announced the vacancies from February 3, 2025, to February 20, 2025, until 5:00 PM. Click here for information on vacancies and requirements. Click here for special requirements. Click here to see salary and social security details. Those who meet the general and special requirements for the positions mentioned above and wish to work in the police and internal military organizations will be registered and subjected to examinations. Required documents include: - Application (Download, fill out, and submit as .pdf) - Personal identification (Filled out completely according to the "State Civil Service Employee's Form" approved by the State Service Council's 2022 Decision No. 600) - Educational documents /diploma/ with a certified translation if graduated from a foreign university /.pdf/ - Student record; /.pdf/ - National ID card; /.pdf/ - Three-generation biography /.pdf/ - Residence address verification /.pdf/ - Military obligation certificate /.pdf/ - Proof of previous employment (original of social insurance book, labor book); if released from service, copy of order; archive certificate /.pdf/ - A "3 x 4" sized portrait photo; Notes: - The above documents do not need to be notarized, and the applicant is responsible for the accuracy of the documents. - Any damages or liability due to concealing or submitting false or incomplete documents will be borne by the responsible party. - Original documents should be photocopied and submitted electronically within the specified time. - The State Civil Service Employee's form and application for the exam must be signed by the applicant. - The examination committee reserves the right to request additional materials if necessary. - Health examination will be conducted at the Unified Hospital of Special State Employees. - Assemble the files in the order stated above and submit them as a single file (pdf, rar, zip) to the designated electronic address. In Ulaanbaatar, registration and surveys will be conducted at the relevant district police offices, Public Order Protection and Community Safety Agency, Traffic Police Agency, Finance and Logistics Department, Strategy, Policy, Innovation, and Development Agency, Environmental Police Agency, Prevention Agency, Railway Police Department, Witness and Victim Protection Department, Police and Internal Military Training Center, Registration Control Center, Sports Club, Suld Ensemble, Auto Base, Suuj-Uul Resort, Service Center, Internal Military Headquarters, and Internal Military Units No. 05 and 805. In the provinces, contact your local police and internal military organizations for registration and survey participation. (Click here to see the list of legal documents to read and study.)

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Environment

Organs of Birds, Marmot, and Wolf Skins Found Without Proper Permission

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Ecological Police Department warns against purchasing wildlife organs and products derived from them. A total of 59 cases have been identified through inspections around the city of Ulaanbaatar. These include 10 cases classified as criminal and 49 as violations. For instance, activities such as transporting bird organs, marmot, wolf skins, and their organs, as well as saiga, capercaillie, and ibex horns without proper permission have been detected. According to Article 7.6 of the Law on Violations, "If animals are captured, hunted, or transported in places other than hunting areas, during prohibited times, or using prohibited methods, items used in the violation, illegally obtained assets, and income will be confiscated, damages will be compensated, and fines will be imposed." Additionally, those who capture, hunt, or transport such animals will be fined between 820,000 and 880,000 MNT based on twice the ecological-economic valuation of the animal, as stated in Article 49 of the Law on Environmental Protection. For example, marmots are valued at between 410,000 and 440,000 MNT depending on gender. If these acts are committed without permission in specially protected areas, the fines range from 5.4 million to 27 million MNT, or travel rights may be restricted for 1 to 5 years, or imprisonment for 1 to 5 years may be imposed. Therefore, the public is warned against purchasing, transporting, or selling rare animal and plant species, as well as products derived from them. Note: Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social Media, and Websites) must cite the original source (ikon.mn) when using this information in any form, either fully or partially.

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Feedback is being requested on the updated air quality standards

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

An expert working group was established under the directive A/03 issued on January 10 of this year by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. This group was tasked with revising the standard MNS 4585:2016 concerning air quality and technical requirements, as well as updating the procedures for assessing and reporting air quality based on the Air Quality Index. The group has completed the revised air quality and general technical requirements standard and has submitted it to the Standards and Metrology Agency. The agency has started collecting public feedback on the draft of this standard through its website as of the day before yesterday. The draft of the standard includes updates to terminology regarding major air pollutants, permissible concentrations, and the maximum allowable levels of adverse physical effects. For instance, it specifies permissible levels for sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter, with concentrations averaged over periods from 20 minutes to one year. Citizens are encouraged to review these updates in detail and have the opportunity to submit their feedback by 5:30 PM on the 3rd of the upcoming month.

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Innovation

Manufacturing Plant to Produce Trucks, Buses, and Automobiles at Erdenet Machine Complex

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The "Erdenet Machine Complex-2025" conference is currently being organized. Establishing this plant is expected to create approximately 2500 new jobs. The purpose of the conference is to attract investment for the plant's construction, propose partnership opportunities, and provide information. The conference is attended by Secretary of State of the Ministry of Road and Transportation S. Batbold, Director of Erdenet Factory State Enterprise G. Yondon, President of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry L. Tur-Od, and representatives from over 40 businesses. The factory's capacity is planned to include the production of 500 freight train wagons per year, assembly of 500 various types of buses in Completely Knocked Down (CKD) format annually, and manufacturing of ten thousand units of 1-10 ton capacity freight vehicles each year. The goal of the Erdenet Machine Complex is to introduce and localize environmentally friendly, safe, advanced technologies and equipment to produce value-added final products that replace imports. The Ministry of Road and Transportation has reported that the feasibility study for the project has been developed and approved.

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B. Enkhtuvshin: The Most Important Thing for Effectively Integrating AI is Organizing Big Data with a Data Center

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: gogo.mn

IT specialists gathered today at the State Palace to discuss the policies Mongolia should pursue in the areas of big data and artificial intelligence. Representatives from the private sector participated and presented how they have been using AI in their businesses and the results they have achieved. "In 2023, we were processing 3 terabytes of data a day, but today, we are processing 7 terabytes a day. One terabyte is equivalent to text on seven million sheets of paper. Therefore, in the future, the currently used databases and Data Warehouse concepts will become outdated. We are working on transitioning to a Data Lakehouse model, which is a more secure and capable system for processing larger amounts of data," noted B. Enkhtuvshin, Deputy Director responsible for Corporate Business at Unitel Group. Unitel Group alone receives 5 million phishing attacks per month. During the discussion, Enkhtuvshin advised, "Data is gold. Therefore, protect it well, and let professionals secure it for you. Do not see this as a cost, but as an essential expense and an opportunity to grow your business. The state also mentioned the creation of a data center, which is, of course, a good idea. However, it's time for public and private sectors to cooperate with a united policy to ensure the usage, investment, long-term sustainability, and safety operations of data centers. We are ready to cooperate," he said. Another focus of the Data AI discussion was cybersecurity, with several people addressing this issue. Unitel Group alone faces 5 million phishing attacks a month, and attempts to overload the network are constant. Networks experience around 12 million attacks a month, which is something major group companies are observing. To protect their systems, they claimed to have invested millions of dollars to continually safeguard their systems and networks. Companies shared experiences of integrating AI, mentioning that Unitel Group implemented AI technology in its internal network, where employees share information and documents. Due to receiving hundreds of resumes, they have adopted this technology for selecting new employees. The introduction of an AI-based automatic chatbot significantly eased the work of 300 call center employees, and the percentage of correctly answered queries rose to 80%. Other examples of AI integration in their work were also shared. They expressed readiness to share their know-how. The term "knowledge economy" is gaining popularity, and research and analysis are proven to lead to faster growth for companies or countries. However, our country only spends 0.2% of GDP on research. This means we are hardly investing in knowledge creation. Additionally, Mongolia has 500 scientists per million people, which is low compared to other countries. Since big data and AI require specialized knowledge and experience, participants emphasized the need to increase the research budget. Countries like Israel and South Korea lead the world in research budget, which correlates with their fast development. Research results can be monetized by selling them to state organizations, private sectors, and startups. The Ministry of Digital Development and Communication announced plans to train 300 PhDs specializing in big data and AI over the coming years and establish data centers in Darkhan, Baganuur, and Töv aimag. Concerns about preserving national identity, history, and cultural heritage in the age of AI were also expressed. There have been instances where AI-created images or videos have incorrectly depicted traditional Mongolian structures like yurts, which can mislead people.

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Mongolia to Establish a Bus and Truck Assembly Factory

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: news.mn

Mongolia is initiating work to establish a factory for assembling buses and trucks. According to S. Batbold, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Road and Transport Development, the groundwork for this project was laid in 2023. Specifically, the Ministry of Road and Transport Development has begun work by signing a memorandum of understanding with Erdenet Corporation to collaborate in developing machinery production. Currently, the feasibility study for establishing a bus and truck assembly factory has been developed. This feasibility study has been discussed by Erdenet Corporation and the Ministry's Science and Technology Council. It is believed that the development of the metallurgical and machinery industry will contribute to the economy. Statistics show that about 40 percent of the total value of goods imported into Mongolia comprises metals and machinery. If a portion of these could be produced domestically, it would also provide an opportunity to curb the outflow of currency. As of now, there are approximately 230 public and private sector entities operating in the field of metallurgy and machinery in Mongolia. To remind, Mongolian engineers have previously assembled J-800 buses within the country and introduced them into public transport services.

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What Did Organizations Say on Developing a National Strategy for Big Data and Artificial Intelligence?

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communication of Mongolia and the UN Development Program jointly organized the first national symposium on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence strategy discussions at the State Palace yesterday. Highlighted discussions from the symposium on "Artificial Intelligence Tomorrow: Risks, Advantages, Cooperation" are presented here. "Four people are doing the work of many tax inspectors" B. Batsaikhan, Director of the Risk Management Department of the General Taxation Office, stated, "The Taxation Office set out a goal to implement a data analysis strategy in 2020. Currently, six models are being used, focusing heavily on predictive models. Using data collected by the Taxation Office, the models are trained and the results are communicated to businesses who then manage the risks identified on their own. As a result, within a project under one model, it was identified that 1,462 taxpayers might have under-declared their forecasted income, which was communicated to the businesses, leading to a 192 billion MNT increase in declarations within a month. Previously, this would have required numerous man-hours, financial resources, and inspector assignments. Now, only four people are managing this model. The productivity of over 1,700 tax inspectors nationwide is being improved through this modeling." "Loans can now be obtained via mobile in 2-3 minutes" B. Ariunbold, Deputy Director responsible for IT at Khan Bank, said, "Since 2018, Khan Bank has started working in this direction. Loans are now processed through mobile phones within 2-3 minutes. It’s also being used to rapidly deliver services. Around 90% of customer inquiries are handled by chatbots. Furthermore, we are actively working to automate IT operations. People educated in IT and data science tend to go abroad, and it’s necessary to create jobs on the Mongolian market. If even just one branch of a large tech company enters the market, this situation will change." "Developing a Data Lakehouse model to work with more data and faster" B. Enkhtuvshin, Deputy Director responsible for Corporate Business at Unitel Group, said, "In 2023, Unitel Group processed 3TB of data daily; today this has increased to 7TB. This is projected to reach 20TB by 2028. Organizations should start seeing their data as a means to expand and develop their business and operations, focusing on reliable storage. With the rapid growth in daily processed data, the Data Warehouse concept has become outdated, and it’s time to take it to the next level. This is the Data Lakehouse model which enables handling larger data volumes faster. Unitel Group has already started this implementation and aims to complete it this year. Our main goal is to deliver services tailored to each customer. Data security is essential, and our company has made significant investments to ensure reliable and stable operations. We plan to share our innovations and technological experiences with institutions and provide services as a leading tech company. It was mentioned earlier that establishing a data center is necessary—certainly. However, it’s time for the government and private sector to collaborate with unified policies to ensure long-term sustainable and secure operations of data centers." "Data Centers are very well suited to Mongolia’s cold climate due to their high heat levels" Ailiya Borjigon, Director of the Singapore branch of PRO AI LLC, mentioned, "Data centers are crucial. They generate a lot of heat, which makes Mongolia’s cold climate ideal. Additionally, energy is very important in data centers, and Mongolia has vast reserves of green energy such as wind and solar. Singapore’s government invests 1.5% of its GDP in AI. In the next five years, one billion dollars will be allocated to AI development." "Data engineers, data architects, analytics engineers, and data analysts who build foundational infrastructures are rare in our market" G. Guen, Director of Data Home LLC, stated, "Our sector needs various specialists such as data engineers, data architects, analytics engineers, and data analysts. Implementing AI requires data, which poses the question of who and how the foundational infrastructure of this data is built. As this workforce is scarce in our market, it’s necessary to collaborate with higher education institutions and offer structured training programs to impart professional skills in a systematic way. A well-organized policy to prepare human resources domestically is required." "Research works by many scientists and researchers in our country should be included in big data" President of the Academy of Sciences S. Demberel stated, "The Academy of Sciences creates a vast database. Preparing the data foundation for AI correctly is very important. The research works of many of our country's scientists and researchers need to be computerized. Therefore, the Academy of Sciences is ready to collaborate in integrating our large database into big data." If the state is to develop a national strategy for big data and AI, it's crucial to collaborate with government and private organizations to make decisions such as where to allocate financial resources. This symposium was an opportunity for representatives from the state, private sector, international organizations, and scientific institutions utilizing AI in their work and business operations to express their views on the matter. Participants emphasized the need for professionals who contribute to building the national big data and its foundational infrastructure, collected from both the government and the private sector, to achieve a national-level AI.

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B. Bat-Ulzii: A database will be created without the possibility of identifying personal information

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The first conference to discuss the national strategy for big data and artificial intelligence was held yesterday at the State Palace. Mongolia introduced and discussed with the public the national strategy project for big data and artificial intelligence for the first time. Deputy Prime Minister S. Amarsaikhan opened the discussion with a speech, and many experts from domestic and international fields participated and presented papers. Jayaretanam Pillay, a consultant for UNDP, provided information on global trends in artificial intelligence, saying, "According to a UNESCO study, the global artificial intelligence market was approximately $136.6 billion in 2022, and by 2030, the annual total growth is expected to increase by 37.3%. The U.S., China, and European countries are leading in AI development. AI helps solve complex problems and increase efficiency. AI is divided into general and narrow categories. After 2025, AI systems will be able to develop intelligence tasks similar to humans. However, they will not be competitors to humans but partners in solving issues such as climate change, disease, and poverty." He emphasized that it is important to develop artificial intelligence responsibly and inclusively. B. Bat-Ulzii, head of the Digital Development Policy Implementation Coordination Department of the Ministry of Digital Development, said, "Organizations that make decisions based on data work 19-23 times more effectively than enterprises that make decisions using traditional methods," referring to international research. The state based on AI will process data and provide decision-makers with the most correct proposals. In developing AI, 79% of the work involves model development. The kind of AI intelligence we create depends on the data we use to train it. Therefore, we must have well-organized data. It is possible to purchase ready-made data from the international market. However, the possibility that this data is of Mongolian origin is very low. Incorrect data will lead AI to make wrong conclusions. It is vital to anonymize individual data; otherwise, there is a risk of disclosing sensitive personal data. The government has decided to create big data, which will be established without the possibility of identifying personal information. Ana Kristina Torland, a governance and public administration expert from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, warned that it is important to follow UNESCO's ten principles to create ethical AI. After that, P. Munkhbat, head of the Innovation Policy Coordination Department of the Ministry of Digital Development, introduced how the national strategy project for big data and artificial intelligence of Mongolia was developed. He said, "In relation to formulating the strategy for AI, a series of discussions were organized involving about 500 stakeholders. Based on public feedback, we focused on five areas: policy, digital infrastructure, human resources, security, and ethics. It is important to become a favorable country attracting foreign investment to establish data centers. Institutions will be established to implement the strategy for big data and AI. Research on 100 important topics in six sectors will be announced and planned for implementation. Specifically, AI products and services will be developed in the mining, energy, banking, and financial sectors, contributing to the creation of startups that will enter the global market. Domestically, AI will be introduced by policy to priorities such as health, education, state productivity, environment, ecology, defense, and disaster prevention. Plans are laid out to implement 30 tasks with five objectives over three years. Then, the strategic project will be approved."

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Health

Advised to Wear Masks Due to Peak Season for Meningococcal Infections During Tsagaan Sar

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The National Center for Communicable Disease Studies has provided recommendations for the prevention of meningococcal infections. Director N. Suvdmaayar discussed how outbreaks of meningococcal infections intensify in the spring season, and made the following recommendations. She stated, "Our country has been monitoring respiratory and other common infectious diseases by epidemiology since the 1950s. This monitoring is based on week, age, season, and epidemiology. In the spring, respiratory infections increase, and in the summer, the risk of intestinal infections rises. The main concern with meningococcal infections is their epidemiology. This type of disease tends to break out every 5-6 years. Globally, between 100,000 to 500,000 cases are registered annually. However, there is a risk of involving many people in outbreaks after certain periods. Our country experienced widespread infections in 2007, 2013, and 2019. If we look at the epidemiology of meningococcal infections by month, the peak period has been March and May, according to the epidemiology of the last 10 years. The traditional Tsagaan Sar holiday is approaching soon. It is advised that people incorporate recommendations from reliable sources and professional organizations into their daily lives. Preventive measures should always be followed. Firstly, masks should be worn correctly and disposed of properly. Secondly, gargling plays an essential role. Gargling Recommendations: Different solutions can be used for gargling. You can prepare a solution with soda, boiled warm water, salt, potassium permanganate, or lemon to gargle your throat and mouth. Each week, use a different type of solution and switch to another type for the next gargling session. When gargling, strictly follow hygiene standards, and each person should have their gargling container. Advice: Young children are in the risk group. The course of meningitis infection depends on the human immune system and the severity of the disease. People of all ages are at risk, but observations of previous cases show that children under five years old are more severely affected. The main feature of meningococcal infection is that it manifests with symptoms of high fever. Even after taking fever-reducing medication, the temperature can rise back up to 39-40 degrees Celsius. Adults can carry the bacteria of the infection from outside and transmit it to young children. Therefore, it is advised that adults should remove their outerwear and gargle their mouth and throat after coming home, maintaining hygiene before interacting with young children. Symptoms: - Suddenly high fever reaching 38-42 degrees Celsius - Does not subside with fever medication - Rapid recurrence of high fever - Weakness, nausea - Vomiting, irritability, extreme mood swings, or lethargy - Pale complexion - Hemorrhagic rash appears within 12 hours of the disease onset. If the disease is severe, necrotic rash appears within 4-6 hours. It can rapidly worsen, leading to fatalities. Note: Media outlets (television, radio, social media, and websites) must mention the source (ikon.mn) in any form if using our information, in whole or part.

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NCCD: Virus Spread Increasing with Start of Kindergartens and Schools

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: news.mn

The National Center for Communicable Diseases gave its regular briefing. According to Dr. Ts. Naranzul, head of the Virology Department at the NCCD: "Let me present the virological surveillance data for the sixth week of 2025. Pathogens of six types were detected in 60.9% of those tested for viral spread. This is an 18.9% increase compared to the fifth week. The recent increase in viral spread is attributed to the movement associated with schools and kindergartens. Among the six types of pathogens, rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus infections are predominant, each accounting for 20.3%. Notably, rhinovirus spread has increased by 14.3%. High seasonal flu activity is observed in countries of the northern hemisphere's temperate zone. In Europe, all types of seasonal flu viruses are circulating; in North America, flu A virus; and in Asia, A(H1N1)pdm09 virus is prevalent. The SARS-CoV-2 virus activity is high in countries in Europe, South America, and South Asia. Since the first recording in 2022, there have been over 123,000 cases registered in 128 countries of monkeypox by February 1, 2025. Recent reports indicate one monkeypox case in France, three in Thailand, and cases of Zika virus infection in Bangladesh. Hence, our citizens who travel abroad for official or unofficial purposes are advised to protect themselves and research the dominant illnesses in their destination countries, considering what precautions to take and what vaccinations to get before traveling. Meningococcal infection causes outbreaks among the population every 5-6 years, and it has been 5-6 years since the outbreak registered in 2019. Reviewing the ten-year cyclical pattern of meningococcal infection, high registration is noted between January and May. Since the beginning of 2024, a trend of increase and continuation over a stable period is being observed, as highlighted by the doctors. Therefore, citizens are advised to constantly follow these recommendations: - Proper wearing and disposal of face masks - Cleaning with moisture indoors - Air ventilation - Washing hands with soap whenever contaminated - Symptom surveillance in children's institutions - Consulting a doctor and getting advice if symptoms appear - Boosting the immune system - Dressing warmly - Early detection and treatment of chronic inflammation of the mouth, nose, and throat - Consuming nutritious food - Getting good sleep - Avoid kissing children - Avoid unnecessary public gatherings, do not invite guests home, and pay special attention when organizing events and meetings - Obtain correct information from reliable sources

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Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The team is working to deliver information directly from the National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCZD). They reported on the situation of flu-like illnesses, meningococcal infections, monkeypox, and other infectious diseases. The head of the NCZD's Virus Research Department, Dr. Tserendorj Naranzul, and NCZD unit head N. Suvdmaa provided the following updates: - Six types of pathogens have been identified among those tested. The increase in virus spread is associated with the start of the school season, with rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus infections being more prevalent. The boco virus was found in 8% and the flu virus in 5% of all tests conducted. Looking at the overall situation this year, respiratory infections are affecting people of all ages. However, children under the age of 5 are the most affected among those infected, with 8 out of every 10,000 people contracting flu-like illnesses. In four provinces, the infection is active, while in others, it is sporadic. Therefore, recommendations have been sent to the health organizations of the provinces where active infections are present. Each virus has its own characteristics. Children under two years are more susceptible to syncytial virus, which can lead to pneumonia and eventually laryngitis. Elderly people are also vulnerable to this virus. Sore throat is a complication of rhinovirus, which affects the ear, nose, and throat more severely. It commonly causes outbreaks in family, work, and school environments. It spreads when hands are dirty and someone touches their eyes or when cleaning a child's mouth and nose. If infected with the Type A H1N1 flu virus, the throat becomes painful and the illness is prolonged. Without medical attention, secondary bacterial infections and complications can arise. Always wear a mask, which protects against both infection and dust. Regarding meningococcal disease, our country saw many cases in 2007 and 2019. Infections are typically recorded from January to May, with March having the highest number. This is because many celebrations occur during this month. As festivities begin and markets become crowded, it is advised to wear a mask when visiting these places. Kindergartens, schools, and workplaces should ventilate their air every two hours. If symptoms appear, consult a doctor for diagnosis. Boosting immunity is important as defenses weaken between seasons. Wear appropriate clothing, and caregivers should ensure that children wear hats. Kissing children on the feet is intended to prevent infection transmission, they explained.

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Under the "Single Source Medicine" Policy, Citizens Have Access to Quality and Affordable Medicines

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: isee.mn

The Government of Mongolia has implemented a regulation to improve the quality and safety of medicines and stabilize the prices of medicines intended for the treatment of common diseases. As part of its policy, it has started supplying medicines from a "single source." To date, price agreements have been made to import 18 types of medicines from companies such as Dongkoo Bio & Pharm (5), CKD (4), Hanmi pharm (5), and Hanlim pharm (4). Negotiations are underway with companies like Yuhan Corporation, Hanmi pharm, and Korea United Pharm to import more than 20 types of cancer chemotherapy injections, with the first 10 medicines already entering the market. Through discounts provided by the Health Insurance Fund, citizens can access medicines such as Dongkoo Bio & Pharm's Amlodipine/Valsartan 10/160 mg tablets (Avartan), Amlodipine/Valsartan 5/160 mg tablets (Avartan), Dapagliflozin 10 mg tablets (Dapaprosin), Itraconazole 100 mg capsules (Sponex), and Clopidogrel 75 mg tablets (Clopina) for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and blood thinners. Additionally, the National Cancer Center has introduced 5 types of cancer chemotherapy injections from Korea United Pharm into its treatments. The Department of Drug and Medical Device Registration and Regulation compares these prices with the import prices of equivalent internationally named drugs registered in Mongolia and recognized by the World Health Organization, showing a reduction of 30-92% compared to these international equivalents and 23-94% compared to other countries. As of January 2025, citizens can purchase single source medicines with 50-70% discounts through pharmacies that have agreements with the General Health Insurance Agency. For example, with the health insurance discount, the cost of a Dapagliflozin 10 mg tablet for diabetes is 220 MNT each, totaling 6160 MNT per purchase. According to Government Resolution No. 42, the Department of Drug and Medical Device Registration and Regulation has openly announced tenders for "Medicine Storage, Distribution, and Logistics" on tender.gov.mn. The selected contractor for pharmaceutical supply must carry out storage and distribution of medicines to pharmacies and healthcare institutions in compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and standards. Two logistics tenders have been organized; one such tender, numbered EEKHZG/20240203006, was announced on October 29, 2024, using a comparative method, with "Azifarma" LLC winning the contract. Acquiring internationally compliant human medicines, medical devices, bio-products, and vaccines from a single source allows for the improvement of drug quality and safety, ensures the continuity of health services, reduces the financial burden on citizens to access healthcare services, and enhances accessibility.

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Sports

Prime Minister of Mongolia Participates in Asia Winter Games Closing Ceremony

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: isee.mn

Ambassador Shen Minjuan reported that "It is an honor for the Prime Minister of Mongolia to participate in the closing ceremony of the Asia Winter Games and meet Premier Li Qiang." Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene will visit China from February 13 to 15. During his visit, an intergovernmental agreement will be made to commence the construction of a railway connection at the border crossing of Gashuunsukhait-Gants Mod, and the contract will be finalized. Additionally, the Asian Winter Games will be held in Harbin, China, from February 7 to 14, 2025. In accordance with the tradition of hosting international sports events, the country has invited leading politicians and leaders from neighboring countries to participate in the opening and closing ceremonies. Notably, the event includes the Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister of Thailand Phaethon Tharn Shinawatra, and Speaker of the South Korean National Assembly Woo Won-shik. We previously informed that our Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene would participate in the closing ceremony. Now, China's Ambassador to Mongolia Shen Minjuan has stated on her social media, "It was an honor for the Prime Minister of Mongolia to participate in the closing ceremony of the Asia Winter Games at our invitation and meet Premier Li Qiang in Harbin. This visit will further strengthen the relations between our two countries, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and contribute to illuminating Asia." She also tweeted that Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene's participation at their invitation in the closing ceremony of the Asia Winter Games and meeting with Premier Li Qiang in Harbin was an honor and expressed confidence that this visit would strengthen bilateral relations and contribute positively to the region.

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PHOTO: Weigh-in for the WBA Central Asia Championship "Night of Champions, Ulaanbaatar-2025" is taking place

Published: 2025-02-14 | Translated from: isee.mn

Honored Master of Sports E. Tsendsuren is preparing for his next professional boxing match, which will take place tomorrow in his homeland. His opponent in the main event will be the Mexican athlete Pedro Bernal Rodriguez. Rodriguez has fought a total of 17 professional matches, with 14 wins, one loss, and two draws. He has knocked out his opponents in six of those fights. He is ranked 11th in the Mexican rankings and 58th in the world rankings, and is considered one of the top promising young athletes in the "WBC" lightweight division. Today, for the first time in Mongolia, the weigh-in for the "Night of Champions, Ulaanbaatar-2025" professional boxing tournament, which is for the WBA Central Asia Championship, is taking place.

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Under the "Single Source Medicine" Policy, Citizens Have Access to Quality and Affordable Medicines

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Prime Minister of Mongolia Participates in Asia Winter Games Closing Ceremony

PHOTO: Weigh-in for the WBA Central Asia Championship "Night of Champions, Ulaanbaatar-2025" is taking place

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