May 6, 2025 83 min read Daily News Summaries

Mongolia News Summary for May 06, 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

A Working Group Will Be Established for Amendments to the Law on the National Wealth Fund

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: montsame.mn

At today's meeting of the MPP group in the State Great Khural, preliminary presentations of draft laws were heard. Among them: The government has established a working group tasked with revising the Law on Procurement of Goods, Works, and Services with State and Local Property to align it with social, economic, and legal circumstances. The working group is currently drafting this law under the name "Law on Procurement Operations." The proposed law includes changes in seven main areas, which were introduced, and members participating in the group meeting asked questions and received answers regarding the draft law's principles and concepts. Information regarding the draft law for amendments to the Law on the National Wealth Fund, as well as the accompanying draft legislative resolution, was provided by the Minister of Finance, B. Javkhlan. In connection with the drafting process, the MPP group in the State Great Khural decided to form a working group and consolidate suggestions from group members for presentation. Additionally, presentations on the draft amendments to the Law on the Development Bank of Mongolia and information regarding children, education, and nutrition were postponed at the suggestion of the members of parliament.

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Implementation of the Law on Public Information Transparency to Be Improved

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: montsame.mn

State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy and Development I. Batkhuu met with commissioners of the Anti-Corruption Agency. During the meeting, they discussed the presentation of mega projects, improving the coordination between government organizations, implementing the Anti-Corruption Law, and enhancing the enforcement of the Law on Public Information Transparency. The two organizations have agreed to work together to make information about 14 mega projects transparent in accordance with the principles of the Law on Public Information Transparency.

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FACT: Legal action taken to make public the MPP's decisions and agreement on forming a 'Coalition Government', including the agreement signed by L. Gantumur /VIDEO/

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: isee.mn

As a result of the 2024 parliamentary elections, a coalition government was formed. In this process, the Chairman of the Mongolian People's Party (MPP) and Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene, Chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) and First Deputy Prime Minister L. Gantumur, and Chairman of the HUN Party and Deputy Prime Minister T. Dorjkhankh signed the joint government's "Commitment for Rapid Development" agreement on August 12, 2024. This agreement included major projects and programs initiated in the past such as social policy reforms, regional development policy, a corruption-free government, and the strengthening of electronic governance for justice, as outlined in the MPP's platform. It was also said to include goals from the DP's platform, such as human development, protection of private property rights, and guaranteeing economic freedom. In addition, officials highlighted the inclusion of HUN Party's objectives regarding reforms in the energy and education sectors and the resolution of foreign trade and investment issues. However, while L. Oyun-Erdene, L. Gantumur, and T. Dorjkhankh were signing the agreement, members of the DP's parliamentary group were holding a meeting to discuss and criticize the draft coalition government agreement, and they had not yet made their final decision. Despite this, L. Gantumur signed the "Commitment for Rapid Development" agreement without informing the DP's parliamentary group, which led to discontent among its members. To date, the coalition agreement titled "Commitment for Rapid Development" established between L. Oyun-Erdene and L. Gantumur has not been officially disclosed. Therefore, a number of lawyers and citizens are demanding that this agreement be made public and have filed a case in the civil court. Specifically, lawyer N. Ariunbold made the following requests: — The proposal sent by the MPP, which had the most seats from the 2024 regular parliamentary elections, to the DP and HUN Party regarding the formation of a coalition government,
— The agreement on forming and operating a coalition government between the MPP, the DP, and the HUN Party, signed after the 2024 elections,
— The decisions made by the MPP, which won the most seats in the 2024 elections, to cooperate with other parties and form a government (such as the MPP Small Congress resolution, Executive Board resolution, etc.), For this information, he submitted a request to the MPP on October 14, 2024. However, the party did not respond to his request, so lawyer N. Ariunbold filed a complaint with the Sukhbaatar District Primary Civil Court on November 6, 2024. In his claim, he demanded that "the MPP and party chairman L. Oyun-Erdene be ordered by law to provide the above information." The civil court accepted the claim and opened a case, scheduling several court hearings, but for various reasons, the hearings have repeatedly been postponed. Most recently, on May 5, 2025, a hearing was scheduled, but it was postponed because the MPP's authorized representative did not attend the hearing and the lawyer requested time to familiarize himself with the case materials. In any case, lawyer N. Ariunbold is demanding that Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene, who is promoting transparency and starting the process of a transparent government, should disclose the "Commitment for Rapid Development" agreement made when forming the coalition government, ensure the public's right to know, and demonstrate leadership through transparency.

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Salaries of People Who Worked in Government with Fake Diplomas Will Be Recovered

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: news.mn

Last year, the Ministry of Education and Science uncovered a significant number of people working in the education sector with fake diplomas and held them legally accountable. However, people continue to work in government with fake diplomas. One such example is T. Batbileg, Head of the Road Construction and Engineering Facilities Department of the Capital City Road Development Agency. He submitted a diploma numbered D200828037 claiming he graduated in 2008 as an electrical engineer from the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST) when applying for the job. However, this diploma is fake, with the original diploma number D200828037 actually belonging to T. Örnoh, who graduated in hydrogeology, as confirmed by the director of the Department of Training Policy and Programs at MUST, M. Erdenetuya, and an official letter sent to the Road Development Agency. According to the Civil Service Law, requirements for civil servants are clearly specified. For administrative positions in government, it is legally required to have a higher education and a bachelor's degree. We asked E. Munkhgerel, the Senior Referent of the Dispute, Inspection, and Investigation Department of the Civil Service Council's Secretariat about the consequences of working in government with a fake diploma. - What are the consequences if someone enters the civil service with a fake diploma? - According to the Civil Service Law, general requirements for career public servants are established. For those in administrative positions, a higher education and bachelor's degree are mandatory. Using a fake diploma means not meeting these requirements. Therefore, not only can such a person not work in government, but they cannot even be appointed to an administrative position. If someone is appointed and working in such a position, the Civil Service Council conducts inspections based on complaints or information received. During inspections, all documents from relevant organizations, including educational institutions, are checked and studied to confirm if the diplomas are fake. The final confirmation is made through law enforcement investigation. The criminal law provides for liability for creating fake documentation. According to Article 30 of the Civil Service Law, if someone does not meet the requirement of having a higher education, they are given an assignment with a deadline. The official responsible for appointments is tasked with fulfilling this within the timeframe. If the assignment is not fulfilled within the time set by the Civil Service Council, the Council has the right and obligation to annul the appointment decision. According to a recent Supreme Court decision, if someone works in the civil service with a fake diploma, the entire salary received during that period must be repaid to the state. - What measures are taken against heads of organizations who knowingly continue to employ people with fake diplomas? - If the competent authorities have determined that someone has a fake diploma and have repeatedly demanded their removal from office, failure to comply makes the appointing official subject to legal liability as well. Damages caused to the state, such as the salary paid to the person, will be recovered. - How many people with fake diplomas were removed from public service last year? - Last year, the Minister of Education and Science checked and identified those who entered the education sector with fake diplomas, and all of them were dismissed. As for wider government, investigations to identify those with fake diplomas are ongoing, so it is not yet possible to state the current total number of dismissals.

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Issues to be Discussed at the Parliament Session

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: news.mn

The Parliament of Mongolia will hold sessions this week on Thursday and Friday. The following issues will be discussed during the sessions: - Appointment and dismissal of the State Auditor General of Mongolia. - Draft law amending the Law on Legislation and related laws and resolutions submitted together (submitted by Member of Parliament D. Tsogtbaatar and 9 others; first discussion, questions and answers for 90 minutes). - Conclusion no. 4 of 2025 by the Constitutional Court of Mongolia (regarding whether the relevant provision of Article 72.1 of the Election Law of Mongolia is in violation of the Constitution). - Draft law amending the Law on Permits and related draft laws (submitted by the Government; first discussion, questions and answers for 90 minutes). - Draft law amending the Law on Credit Information and the related resolution (submitted by Member of Parliament E. Batshugar; final discussion, questions and answers for 60 minutes). - Draft law to repeal the Law on Exemption from Customs Duty (submitted by the Government; final discussion, questions and answers for 60 minutes).

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Secretary General of the Parliament's Office B.Baasandorj Allegedly Pushing His Associate B.Tögstsengel Forward to the Civil Service Council, Possibly Leading to Secrecy in the Selection Process Information

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: isee.mn

On April 21st, the Civil Service Council publicly announced the selection process to nominate a representative of civil servants as a member of the Civil Service Council, in accordance with Article 68 of the Law on Civil Service and the procedures for the selection of a civil servant representative. Since then, no official information about the selection process has been provided. The intention is that the selection committee should be established to conduct the competition impartially and fairly, free of outside influence. This committee is responsible for assessing whether registering civil servants meet the requirements to be a Council member. According to the procedure, civil servants who pass the assessment should be registered. However, there is currently no information about whether registration has taken place according to this procedure. It appears that the Civil Service Council is withholding information related to this selection process for a reason. Reportedly, even though the selection committee received sealed information from the participants, news has already spread that six candidates have been nominated for this selection. It is also rumored that politicians are pushing their own people into the process. Specifically, Secretary General of the Parliament’s Office B.Baasandorj is said to be "pushing" B.Tögstsengel, who was the head of the Internal Audit Department of the Parliament Secretariat and is considered his associate. For this reason, the Civil Service Council appears to be keeping the details of the selection process secret. In contrast, in previous years, the selection of civil service representatives was conducted openly, and information about the process was made available to the public in detail. By the way, a candidate for membership in the Civil Service Council must meet the following requirements: - A citizen of Mongolia at least 45 years of age; - Have a higher education degree; - Have worked at least 15 years in a permanent government position, with at least four years in a management position; - Be specialized in public administration, economics, law, or education; - Have no prior criminal convictions; - Not have held a position in any political party organization, either elected or otherwise, in the past year; - Not have been dismissed from government service for disciplinary reasons.

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Kh. Temuujin: The Prime Minister should sit among the MPs, the principle that the President cannot be re-elected should be maintained, and the Speaker of Parliament should be removed from the National Security Council

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: ikon.mn

MP Kh. Temuujin gave information on the decision made at the meeting of the Democratic Party group in Parliament. He stated: "The events that took place last week showed that the boundaries between the executive branch (the government) and the legislative branch (the Parliament) have been eroded, with the government placing itself above the Parliament. This is not just a recent problem. After the 1992 Constitution was adopted, we have not taken steps to properly distribute authority. Our traditional, leader-worshiping methods and state ceremonial office organization have turned the country into one with three main leaders. Even the parliamentary sessions are run with three top leaders presiding. This situation must stop. I also urge journalists to stop using the term 'Three High Leaders of the State' with poetic admiration. Due to such references, the officials in those positions mistakenly consider themselves as the three leaders of Mongolia. To fix this, we need to make the Parliament function as a real parliamentary body. According to the Constitution, Parliament must consist of 126 members. If the Prime Minister is one of the 126 MPs, the Prime Minister must sit among them. Last week's debates showed that the Prime Minister, sitting separately at a designated table and chair, acted like a boss and treated MPs disrespectfully. Yet, when it came to accountability, explanations were made that it was just an argument among MPs. If the Prime Minister and Cabinet want separate chairs and tables, we should, as in the German Parliament, create special seats for government members among the 126 MPs, and make sure that they speak as government members and not as MPs, establishing a clear boundary. We are preparing to submit a draft law to this effect this week. When I met with the Speaker and the leader of the MPP group to submit the draft law last week, they asked if the law could be split into 2-3 parts. Lowering the seat of the Prime Minister could be a separate law. Turning the Prime Minister's information hour into a parliamentary question period, where MPs ask questions and the Prime Minister answers, thus moving towards a parliamentary debate, could be another draft law. Also, introducing provisions that hold government officials accountable if they provide false information to Parliament could be a separate law. On these last two issues, MPP members have said they are ready to sign. Additionally, there are three ways to prevent Mongolia from becoming a country dominated by its leaders. First, as the person representing executive power before Parliament, the Prime Minister should be given the authority that executive powers have in parliamentary countries worldwide. Second, since there are rumors circulating about amendments to the 2019 Constitution to allow the President to be re-elected, the Democratic Party group in Parliament—42 MPs—will firmly stand on the political decision that 'if the Constitution is amended once, it cannot be changed again for eight years.' Third, since the Speaker of Parliament should not have extra-parliamentary powers, the Speaker should be removed from the National Security Council. Once these issues are solved, the principle of the separation of powers in the Constitution will function properly and Mongolia will move towards order, not the rule of three top leaders. These draft laws will be submitted one after another." Warning: News organizations (TV, Radio, Social media, and Websites) are prohibited from using our news, in whole or in part, in any form, except with agreement and only when indicating the source (ikon.mn).

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A Reminder that Democracy is not Dead

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene's attempt to keep the parliament, Mongolia's legislative body, under his control has faced obstacles. He believes himself to be the boss of everyone and recently insulted and slandered a member of parliament from the parliamentary podium. Because he has managed to bring together members from the Democratic Party (DP, or АН in Mongolian), the HUN Party, the Civil Will-Green Party, and the National Coalition into his government, he has tried to control the parliament according to his will. However, he has underestimated the fact that not everyone in the DP is swayed by power. The DP parliamentary group described his actions as "evidence of a distortion of power, where an official appointed by parliament acts as being above parliament." They demanded that the Prime Minister apologize to Member of Parliament J. Bayarmaa and to parliament from the parliamentary podium before May 1. If he did not, they declared they would not participate in parliamentary discussions. However, instead of apologizing, the Prime Minister defended himself and began a smear campaign against his critics through all available channels. This is, in fact, his main skill. MINIMIZING THE ISSUE
The Prime Minister seems to consider it justified to insult a member of parliament and to belittle the parliament. Therefore, through journalists and 'actors' who are paid to protect the government, he began a campaign to justify and strengthen his actions and to smear those who criticise him. This campaign has two main parts. First, he tried to blur the fact that he gained excessive power by explaining the incident as merely a conflict between two politicians, unrelated to the nation's business. The Prime Minister is also a member of parliament, but on April 25, he was giving information not as a member, but as the appointed Prime Minister at parliament's request—a process called the "Government Information Hour." In 2012, U. Khurelsukh once punched MP G. Bayarsaikhan in front of the chamber, which was indeed just a dispute between two MPs, unrelated to national matters. But when an MP is fulfilling their full power to represent the people and oversee the government in parliament, the Prime Minister calling them by someone else's name, insulting, and accusing them of relaying others' statements is completely inappropriate and unethical. This is an issue of the division of power between the legislature and executive. The head of government has infringed upon the authority of a legislative member. The public is not ignorant; they can sense the distortion of power when the Prime Minister controls parliament. Thus, trying to downplay this as a personal spat or claiming MPs cannot be held accountable for statements in parliament are not convincing arguments. The second part of the campaign targeted DP members who spoke out, especially MP J. Bayarmaa. Orders went out to certain palace journalists, some senior DP members, and a few naive citizens to claim "J. Bayarmaa is a person of S. Bayartsogt"—that she rose in the DP ranks thanks to S. Bayartsogt. It was enough for some citizens to claim things for money, regardless of whether they understood. One woman claimed, "MP J. Bayarmaa is against the National Wealth Fund law, and that's wrong," even though the real question was simply about adjusting projected revenues to the fund. Linking all of this back to the DP, the narrative pushed was that "DP did not defend J. Bayarmaa out of principle, but rather it's just another opportunity for political jockeying among those who haven't yet gained power or office." The intent was to paint this as just another political scuffle among DP factions. Politics is not being denied. However, if power and governance become centered around a single person to be worshipped, the consequences—as seen in Mongolia over the last few years—are negative. Freedom of speech has shrunk and Mongolia has slid away from democracy. Even if the DP's motives are mixed with politics, the discussion of the issue itself is a healthy and positive step. It is necessary to remind the Prime Minister that democracy is not yet dead, and he is not the boss of all. LOWERING THE POSITION OF THE PRIME MINISTER
To correct the growing concentration of power, the DP group prepared a draft to amend the law on parliamentary procedure in three areas and submitted it for urgent consideration. The Prime Minister is required to attend parliament monthly to report and answer questions. There is a law requiring that material be distributed to MPs one week in advance for review. In practice, however, the Prime Minister has started changing the content of his report at will. On April 25, for example, MP B. Jargalan said material was distributed on a different topic, but the Prime Minister reported on the implementation of the National Wealth Fund law instead. The proposal is to make this session a dedicated Q&A with MPs, so the Prime Minister cannot choose the topic at will and must answer members' questions in person. In this 126-member parliament, the Prime Minister is also an MP. The DP proposes that, being a "dual-role" Prime Minister, there should not be a special elevated seat for him in the parliamentary hall—he should sit among the 126, not above the rest. Also, if any official, including the Prime Minister, lies during a parliamentary address, there should be a system for holding them accountable and dismissing them from office. With these changes, the DP believes, the principle of parliament as the supreme organ of state power and the government as the executive can be restored. MP Kh. Temuujin stated, "Only by doing so will we correct the distortion of power. MPs will be able to work without intimidation or insult, and true parliamentary debate can become the norm, making parliament like parliament, and the government like the executive." WHY DID MPP ITSELF NOT MEET THE QUORUM?
Since the deadline for the Prime Minister's apology had passed, the DP did not attend the parliamentary session starting May 1. Immediately, news spread that "the DP boycotted parliament, failed to ensure a quorum during the discussion of a crucial Human Rights Commission report, and ignored citizens' pressing issues." In fact, the Mongolian People's Party (MPP, or МАН in Mongolian) has 68 members, 54% of parliament. Added to that are eight from the HUN Party, four each from the Civil Will-Green Party and the National Coalition. Even without the DP's 42, parliament could continue functioning. However, it seems even some MPP members skipped in response to the DP's decision, or perhaps deliberately to make the DP look bad. It is legitimate to wonder. DP group leader D. Tsogtgerel said, "We may not have attended the session, but we were present in the State Palace, at our workplaces." The MPP blamed the DP for lack of quorum, even though with 68 members they should have been able to ensure it themselves. The job of forming quorum belongs to Parliament Speaker D. Amarbayasgalan; failing to gather his party's 68 and then blaming the DP is contradictory. For him, the undermining of parliamentary power and the rise of the Prime Minister over parliament seem to be only a personal quarrel between two people. With a Speaker so inadequately committed, it's no wonder that parliamentary capacity cannot improve. On the other hand, MPP itself, when in the minority from 1996–2000, boycotted sessions about 120 times, and its old politicians conducted a "sofa sit-in" in 2013, blocking the chamber for days to protest. The public has not forgotten how they themselves, twice as a minority, took breaks and blocked sessions at will. Now, they have forgotten their own history. In any case, the DP now has taken a step to address the crisis and distortion in governance. However, some argue that, if there is to be real accountability for the Prime Minister, they should withdraw from the government. Yet, the DP says, "We will not leave the government." It seems they want to correct the distortion without "escalating" the crisis. But is this really possible? Their draft reforms are unlikely to be supported by the majority in parliament. Thus, this step may be insufficient. Nevertheless, the DP group's decision is at least a reminder that democracy is not dead in Mongolia, and that things should be in their proper place.

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URGENT: The court hearing to obtain the "contract" made by L. Oyun-Erdene and L. Gantomor has been postponed due to the absence of the MPP's appointed representative

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: isee.mn

The court hearing to acquire the "contract" made between L. Oyun-Erdene and L. Gantomor was postponed on the grounds that the Mongolian People's Party (MPP)'s authorized representative did not attend.

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Liability Imposed on Governors Who Violated the Law

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: news.mn

The Anti-Corruption Agency reviewed and resolved 340 petitions, complaints, and reports received last April from citizens, businesses, and organizations regarding requests to investigate corruption and conflicts of interest by public officials. The inspections revealed that it is common for laws that prohibit appointing unqualified individuals to public office, issuing administrative acts related to affiliated persons, signing contracts, and engaging in dual business activities to be violated. Moreover, the implementation of legislation is particularly inadequate within local self-governing bodies. Consequently, disciplinary measures under the Anti-Corruption Law and the Law on Regulating Public and Private Interests in Public Office and Preventing Conflicts of Interest were imposed on a total of 38 officials who were found to have committed violations. For instance, the governors of Khanhongor district in Umnugobi province, Turgen district in Uvs province, Bayantümen and Khalkhgol districts in Dornod province, Uulbayan district in Sukhbaatar province, Bayanglig district in Bayankhongor province, and Hovd province were found to have violated regulations by directly appointing nominees to public office without first reviewing their preliminary conflict of interest declarations. Therefore, they were held accountable in accordance with Article 29.2.2 of the Law on Regulating Public and Private Interests in Public Office and Preventing Conflicts of Interest. Additionally, official letters have been sent to the Minister of Education, the Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth, and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Health, requesting that they ensure disciplinary action is taken against named officials who committed violations, make the appointments and selections of officials more open and transparent, improve internal control, and ensure the implementation of duties to prevent corruption and conflicts of interest.

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Economy

Russia's 'Rosatom' Corporation Proposes Uranium Exploration and Mining at the Mardai Deposit in Mongolia

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: isee.mn

Russia's state atomic energy corporation "Rosatom" has officially proposed to explore and mine uranium at the Mardai deposit in Mongolia's Dornod province, and bilateral preparations have already begun. D.Dalaijargal, director of "Mon Atom" LLC, informed the government last week about this proposal and the current status of the work. This is not a newly decided issue; the initial document was signed during Russian President V. V. Putin's visit to Mongolia last September. Thus, discussions have been underway even before that. In addition, officials from both countries have signed and certified an agreement to build a small-capacity nuclear power plant near New Kharkhorum, and D.Dalaijargal has provided updates on the progress. This means that the Russians, alongside the French, have proposed to participate in uranium exploration and mining projects in Mongolia. Mongolia has already begun a uranium mining project at the Zuuvch-Ovoo deposit in Dornogovi province in partnership with France's Orano Mining company. Under this project, 68,900 tons of uranium are expected to be produced, generating estimated revenues of about five billion US dollars. Furthermore, new technologies and know-how that meet French and European Union standards for uranium extraction will be introduced to Mongolia, and 1,600 highly qualified professionals will be trained. This project was discussed during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Mongolia in May 2023 and was solidified when Mongolian President U. Khurelsukh made a reciprocal visit to France, with the signing of the relevant documents. At the same time, the Russians have already begun work on building a small-scale nuclear power plant in Kharkhorin and on exploring and mining uranium at the strategically significant Mardai deposit. The Mardai deposit contains 2,300 tons of uranium. The Mardai uranium deposit was first discovered by Soviet geologists and registered by the Soviet Mineral Reserves Commission. It was planned for open-pit mining, with the establishment of the Erdes settlement, drilling of deep wells, construction of high-voltage power lines, and even plans for a dedicated railway to transport goods. Erdes town was a clean, well-equipped settlement with special services, schools, kindergartens, sports complexes, pools, and hospitals, and housed 8,000-12,000 people, restricted to professionals and high-ranking officials only. However, with information emerging about the severe environmental harm caused by open-pit uranium mining, the Mardai open-pit mine was closed in 1997. A detailed exploration team, based in Bayandun soum, Dornod province, conducted research with over 10 million rubles and validated that the deposit contains 2,300 tons of uranium at a concentration of 0.100. This time, the Russians intend to use in-situ leaching technology to extract uranium underground, rather than open-pit mining. From 1986 to 1990, 535 tons of uranium were extracted. After mining operations ceased, the facility was handed over to the Mongolian government, but today only ruins remain. Currently, waste dumps and water drawn from underground are left in open lakes. Russia has been known to resist Mongolia's efforts to cooperate with third countries on energy projects—a typical example being the halting of the French uranium project in Ulaanbadrakh, Dornogovi, in recent years.

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Concerns Over Off-Budget Fiscal Expansion

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: news.mn

Interview with Member of Parliament A. Ariunzaya - You have served as the Minister of Labor and Social Protection. Therefore, I believe you are more closely attuned to the pressing social issues facing the country. During your time as minister, in which areas did the targets you set show any progress in Mongolia's society today? For instance, by what percentage has the poverty rate decreased? - There are only a few social issues that can change positively in a short time, from today to tomorrow. Poverty is not among those. This is because poverty cannot be solved instantly. Providing one-time welfare, a single payment, or special benefits does not eliminate poverty. The policy to escape poverty is a long-term effort and is resolved as a result of multi-sectoral coordination. While I served as minister, the world was struck by the COVID pandemic. At that time, our focus was on maintaining pensions and welfare payments without interruption, increasing child benefits, and implementing policies to maintain people's livelihoods during strict lockdowns, and protecting their incomes. We increased the child benefit fivefold and the caregiver's allowance by 100,000 tugrik. At that time, the welfare fund expanded twofold, reaching almost 7% of GDP. After the pandemic, although there was discussion to lower child benefits, it was evident that the fivefold increase had a significant impact on household livelihoods. If child benefits had been reduced back to 20,000 tugrik, it would have been a heavy blow for citizens. Adjusting for inflation, 20,000 tugrik from 2012 is equivalent to about 50,000 tugrik today. Raising the child benefit to 100,000 tugrik, according to economic calculations, increased unemployment by two percentage points. Policies around child benefits and various welfare measures are important economic and political decisions, so even with limited budget resources, it was a major political decision to keep the child benefit at 100,000 tugrik. However, on the downside, the policy that contributed to a rise in unemployment by two points remains an issue for employers, as there is a shortage of workers even in jobs that don't require much skill. Daily needs can now be met with just the child benefit. Perhaps today, the policy to transition from welfare to employment is not being implemented effectively. To promote employment, welfare should be reduced, and opportunities for employment must be increased. - Compared to the COVID period, Mongolia's social and economic situation and macro-level numbers have expanded. There are criticisms that the state has grown too large and the budget is being spent extravagantly. Do you agree? - The expansion of the economy and the growth of budgetary organizations are separate concepts. Economically, Mongolia's GDP has doubled since 2020 and per capita GDP has gone from about $3,000 to around $7,000. This is a positive indicator in terms of economic size. However, the next issue is which indicator this expansion is based upon. Was it due to the expansion of companies and businesses in Mongolia, resulting in greater trade and activity, or was it because the price of mining products—especially coal—was high? As the economy depends heavily on mining, the quality issue arises. Economic growth affects households only if companies and people's livelihoods improve their economic opportunities. However, many citizens criticize that the wide economic expansion has not reached the level of households and families. In reality, expansion has not been significant for companies and businesses; it has been directly related to mining products. Regarding budget allocation, for the 2025 budget, the government submitted and subsequently cut the first ever deficit-free budget. While this seems like a good step, it delays the implementation of mega projects that support further economic expansion and postpones the timeline for major programs in local and regional governments, delaying their economic benefits. When we look at the numbers, the off-budget expansion is cause for concern. Beyond the approved budget, expansions are happening outside the structure of government agencies, such as state-owned enterprises and the National Committee. Therefore, supervision needs to be improved and the regulation of SOEs tightened. - Expenditures related to salaries, pensions, and recurring expenses create budgetary pressure, but the outcome is unsatisfactory due to inflation, isn’t it? - If we look at household income and expenditure compared with official statistics, there are figures showing a real increase in average household income, salaries, and pensions. Although the government has increased these, prices have also risen rapidly. Thus, the government's measures may not seem to have had a real effect. Price increases are due to the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, US President Trump’s policies, and trade wars. External and negative influences cannot be ignored. Nevertheless, the government has increased salaries and pensions as much as possible. For households living below the poverty line, specific support policies are needed. - For the first time, Parliament consists of 126 members and a coalition government has been formed. The main challenge is that government policies and decisions are not continuously implemented. Do you agree? - The main obstacle to Mongolia's development over the past 30 years has been unstable government and unstable policy. If a minister or top official changes, the policy should continue as normal. In reality, changes in ministers, officials, and experts result in prior investments being wasted. As a politician, I believe that even if the minister changes, the policy must be consistent. Legislation envisages this, and public service laws provide protections, but in practice, implementation is inadequate in Mongolia. Loopholes are sought, rules are bypassed, or ignored, which remains a major constraint on Mongolia's development. The main point is to implement the law and maintain stable policy. - During your tenure as minister, everything was blamed on COVID. Earlier you mentioned economic challenges might also arise due to the US-China trade war. Is it possible that the principle of always finding excuses for failures is being applied here? - We all witnessed the impact of COVID. For two years, we went through undeniable challenges. After that, the Ukraine war inevitably impacted Mongolia's fuel prices and transportation. Election cycles similarly affect the economy. Mongolia operates in four-year cycles, withholding investments for two years and then spending heavily before elections. We are stuck in this vicious cycle. Risks from internal and external factors are real, so implementing policies to prevent risks is crucial. - Finally, there have been many complicated issues arising from the relationship between Prime Minister and Member of Parliament J. Bayarmaa. What is your stance on this? - If MP J. Bayarmaa believes that the Prime Minister has slandered or insulted her, she has the right to file a complaint with the Ethics and Discipline Standing Committee. The process involves the committee receiving the complaint, forming a working group, hearing both sides, and deciding on potential sanctions or requiring a public apology. This can be done publicly or privately, and there are provisions for salary deductions of up to six months. Everything must be done according to the law. To date, there has not been a case where the Ethics and Discipline Standing Committee has discussed such a matter after receiving a complaint.

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Warren Buffett Advises the Mongolian Government to Stabilize Its Currency Exchange Rate

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The world-renowned investor and billionaire Warren Buffett has given some valuable advice to the leaders and authorities of our country. During the annual general meeting of Berkshire Hathaway investors, held last weekend in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, representatives of young Mongolians asked him, "What should the Government of Mongolia do to attract foreign investors?" To this, he responded: "It is important to keep the currency exchange rate stable in the long term and create value. No one will invest or take risks in a country with high inflation and an unstable currency exchange rate. Creating a business-friendly environment and focusing on stabilizing the exchange rate yields many benefits." This advice from the renowned investor serves as a significant reminder addressed to the government and the central bank, which play the main roles in managing and regulating the financial market and monetary policy. In recent years, the exchange rate of the Mongolian tögrög has continuously fallen, drastically reducing the purchasing power of citizens. The Mongolian state has been unable to maintain inflation at a stable level, increase the value and resilience of its national currency, the tögrög. As of today, the exchange rate for the US dollar announced by the Mongolbank is 3,570 tögrög, while the rate on the black market has reached 3,600 tögrög. Unless the government and the central bank take tangible and effective measures to alleviate the pressure on the tögrög and accumulate foreign currency reserves, Mongolia will continue to be considered a highly risky and "unattractive" market for foreign investors. As a side note, over 40,000 people participated in this year's Berkshire Hathaway meeting, and Warren Buffett officially announced that he would step down from his position as chief executive officer at the end of the year.

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Accusations of Favoring Chinese Companies

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: news.mn

It has become a subject of accusation that opportunities are being given to Chinese companies. The Sélbé sub-center in the capital is serving as the foundation for a plan to build housing for 10,000 households, and land clearance has already begun. In the first phase, housing for 4,300 households is to be built, and a tender was announced last March to select contractors, which attracted proposals from 14 companies. The majority of these companies are backed by Chinese investment. Taking into account the criteria set by the capital and the proposals submitted by investors, it has been preliminarily estimated that the price of apartments built in the Sélbé sub-center will be three million tugriks per square meter. Compared to the current market prices for housing being sold today, an apartment costing three million tugriks per square meter is considered a reasonable price. However, members of the State Great Khural (parliament) are pressing and accusing Ulaanbaatar’s Mayor Kh. Nyambaatar by saying, “There is no need to have Chinese companies build the housing; our national companies should build them.” Some even connect this pressure and criticism to the presence in parliament of members who run construction businesses. The reason seems to be that if Chinese investment companies put apartments on the market at three million tugriks per square meter, domestically built, more expensive apartments by national companies may face difficulties selling. Meanwhile, Ulaanbaatar’s Mayor Kh. Nyambaatar is reportedly standing firm, stating that the Sélbé sub-center should serve as a model for other sub-centers and become a '20-minute city,' and that he will not back down from the tasks he has started. On the other hand, even if national companies are brought into this project, they would not be able to deliver apartments at three million tugriks per square meter, and the price would increase. Moreover, when national companies were involved in redevelopment projects in the past, there were many instances where citizens suffered losses. Many people have been cheated by national construction companies and have lost hundreds of millions of tugriks. Therefore, even though the goal is to avoid repeating past mistakes and to build reasonably priced homes for citizens, it has become increasingly difficult to launch the project in the face of opposition fueled by politicians who have amassed wealth from construction businesses.

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"Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC Leads with 3.5 Trillion Tugrik Tax Payment

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: news.mn

The General Department of Taxation has selected and certified the leading taxpayers among enterprises for 2024, and today handed over the certificates. “Erdenes Tavantolgoi” JSC has become the leading company among the Top-10 companies by paying the highest amount of tax to the state budget of Mongolia in 2024, amounting to 3.5 trillion tugrik. In 2024, the company mined 30.4 million tons of coal and sold 29.6 million tons, collecting 3.5 trillion tugrik in taxes and fees into the state and local budgets, and working with high efficiency to make a real contribution to the country’s social and economic development—making it a historic year. Furthermore, in 2024, major infrastructure projects such as the Coal Beneficiation Plant, Tavantolgoi Coal Loading Logistics Center, and the Zag Water Pipeline were put into operation, creating long-term conditions for stable and efficient operations. The company’s Acting CEO, Kh. Munkhjargal, also highlighted that improvements were made to human resource capacity and technical capabilities, as well as developing optimal solutions for mining and sales, which have enabled the company to operate stably and efficiently even during market downturns. In 2023, "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC paid 2.8 trillion tugrik in taxes, making it the highest taxpayer enterprise that year. In 2024, by paying 3.5 trillion tugrik in taxes, it has been recognized as the country’s highest taxpayer for the second year in a row. The taxes paid by the company account for 12% of all tax revenues, contributing significantly to the development and prosperity of basic sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure.

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Contracts Signed with Businesses Selected for Soft Loans

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund (SMEDF) has signed contracts with businesses selected to receive soft loans in 2025. By order of the Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry, it was approved to provide a total of 8.0 billion MNT in financing from the repayment sources of the SMEDF loans to small and medium enterprises and service providers in Tuv province. In the selection process, 113 business entities submitted loan requests totaling 16.9 billion MNT through the electronic loan system, and the subcommittee supported 25 projects totaling 3.7 billion MNT. On the 2nd of this month, the head of the SME Agency, Ya.Erdenesaikhan, signed contracts with the businesses that were selected to receive the soft loans.

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Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

It has become possible for the assets of the Social Insurance Fund to increase by 105 billion tugrik. Based on a decision by the National Council of Social Insurance, 700 billion tugrik of the free balance of the Social Insurance Fund will be deposited in systemically important commercial banks as a time deposit with an annual interest rate of 14.2 percent. The Council decided to deposit the funds in State Bank, Golomt Bank, Khan Bank, and Trade and Development Bank, which all proposed an interest rate not lower than the minimum approved by the Council, with a 15 percent annual interest rate for one year. As a result, it is possible to increase the free balance of the Social Insurance Fund by 105 billion tugrik over one year by depositing 700 billion tugrik in this manner.

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The Best Taxpayer Enterprises Have Been Announced

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The General Department of Taxation has selected the best taxpayer enterprises (businesses) for 2024. Every year, the tax authority organizes "Taxpayers’ Days," which this year is held under the theme "Advisory and Supportive Tax Office." The event recognizes large, medium, small, and micro-segment taxpayers that have made valuable contributions to the state budget. The ten leading taxpayer enterprises are listed as follows: "Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi" JSC, "Oyu Tolgoi" LLC, "Erdenet Factory" SOE, "Energy Resources" LLC, "Tavantolgoi" JSC, "Mongolyn Alt (MAK)" LLC, "Khaan Bank" JSC, "Golomt Bank" JSC, "APU" JSC, and "Trade and Development Bank" JSC. For example, "Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi" JSC extracted 30.4 million tons of coal and sold 29.6 million tons last year, paying 3.5 trillion MNT in taxes to the state and local budgets. Acting CEO Kh. Munkhzhargal of the company emphasized, "Our company has been selected as the largest taxpayer for the second year in a row. The taxes we pay make up 12 percent of total tax revenue, which significantly contributes to the development of key social sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure." Among micro-business service providers, "Nomin Rent" LLC, "Sodon Oil Trade" LLC, "AMC" LLC, "Doctor Auto Chain" LLC, and "Abiko Foods" LLC were selected as the best. The Taxpayers’ Days will continue until May 9th this month. The General Department of Taxation will be organizing training sessions and competitions to improve tax literacy among children and youth, while also publicizing legislative changes and updates to taxpayer individuals and enterprises.

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126:1 The Secret Owner of 'Zes Erdeniin Khuv' Company

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: news.mn

In this issue of the 126:1 series by NEWS.MN, we introduce E. Bat-Amgalan, who was elected as a member of parliament in the 2024 parliamentary elections for the Bayanzurkh district, the 8th constituency. The politician whose business flourished and whose wealth skyrocketed to billionaire status in his first year in parliament is E. Bat-Amgalan. While the private sector was left struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic, his company, “Optu” LLC, erected 10- and 23-story apartment complexes in Bayanzurkh district, arousing envy among other politicians whose businesses failed. A few years ago, as a young man, he started a business running bars and guesthouses in the strictly protected Khan Khentii area. Not only did he reach parliament, but he also found success in the construction sector, leaving many surprised. Some suggest this, among other reasons, is why amongst members of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) there is talk that "it is wrong to say E. Bat-Amgalan only got elected because he was in the circle of J. Chinuduren and Kh. Bulgantuya." Shortly after this talk, E. Bat-Amgalan became the deputy head for capital city affairs in the MPP faction in parliament. Most first-time MPs try to avoid controversy, but E. Bat-Amgalan could not escape it. During a session of the Legal Standing Committee, he insulted MP B. Purevdorj, saying, “I will kill Khovd’s Puujii. Come outside,” and was alleged to have been intoxicated at the time. He later denied the accusation: “First, I never drink alcohol, everyone who knows me knows this. Second, if I had drunk, I have the decency to apologize. It is true, I argued with MP B. Purevdorj and raised my voice. There was no personal conflict between us, just a minor work-related dispute. Someone took a picture and posted it on social media. I’ll find the person. Saying I drank when I don’t is just politics.” B. Purevdorj said, “He shouts at me at every meeting. If I criticize his party, he shouts. He’s shouted at me many times, you’re only pointing one out. I don’t know if he was drunk.” He was also angered when the LRT project was not included as part of the Budget Savings Law and argued with former Budget Committee chair Ch. Khurelbaatar, threatening a boycott. Bat-Amgalan stated, “Ch. Khurelbaatar, read the technical and economic assessment yourself. Don’t use the podium to mislead the public. You talk as if the government is going to issue bonds worth $2.8 billion. The feasibility study was completed; it will cost $926 million, with the government guaranteeing $510 million. But you scare people by saying the debt ceiling will be breached. Do your job. The Budget Committee should cooperate with the government on projects the public wants. But Chairman Khurelbaatar always says no. When you were Minister of Finance, you invested billions in Uvs. Don’t approach things from a narrow interest. Are Ulaanbaatar citizens not people, but those in Uvs are? Don’t do that. When we try to do a major development for the city, those few in Uvs hinder it. Don’t use parliament’s podium to harm the city’s interests. I speak only for the capital’s people. If the project is not submitted again or if Ch. Khurelbaatar is not dismissed as committee chair, 24 members of the temporary committee will not attend parliament,” he said. In the end, Ch. Khurelbaatar won that dispute. Bat-Amgalan was first elected to parliament in 2020 and won re-election in the Bayanzurkh district in 2024, which is his birthplace. He graduated from the School of International Relations at the National University of Mongolia (NUM) with a major in German studies and international diplomacy. After graduating, he became executive director of "Bayan Khadat" tour LLC, but the company made headlines for operating without a permit in the protected area of Khan Khentii. He led the company for six years, then joined the MPP, competed in local elections, and was elected as a representative for Bayanzurkh district in 2008-2012. During this time, he also served as head of production and service at the district administration and deputy director of the National Park Management Agency. When the MPP lost the 2012 election, the party was pushed out, but Bat-Amgalan became head of the Foreign Relations Department at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in 2015. The saying “a big shot in every party” follows him for this reason. Now serving his second term in parliament, Bat-Amgalan has emerged as the secret owner of "Zes Erdeniin Khuv" LLC, one of three companies using the waste piles of the Erdenet Mining Corporation. Government representative J. Batzandan, tasked with negotiating the state's share in strategic deposits, stated, “One of the three companies exploiting the Erdenet’s byproduct deposits is Zes Erdeniin Khuv LLC. Behind this company are two MPs, one of whom employs his brother as director.” From its inception until now, Zes Erdeniin Khuv LLC, which has earned 232.5 billion MNT in revenue, is 70% owned (on paper) by Bat-Amgalan’s younger brother E. Batbayar and daughter-in-law E. Enkhmaa. Bat-Amgalan does not deny this. The question is whether he is truly the secret owner, as many in political circles suspect, which time will tell. MP D. Batlut, when he was governor of Orkhon province, issued the order for the factory of Zes Erdeniin Khuv LLC, further supporting Batzandan’s suspicion that there are two MPs behind the company. While the government rushes to determine the state’s share in byproduct deposits, Bat-Amgalan has remained silent regarding Zes Erdeniin Khuv and the government has been targeting only the Achit Ikht company, leading to speculation that the MPP has been protecting Zes Erdeniin Khuv from the start. On his declaration of assets for the 2024 elections, Bat-Amgalan reported a total income of 290.3 million MNT, real estate worth 2.7 billion MNT, vehicles worth 226 million MNT, savings of 420.4 million MNT, receivables worth 300 million MNT, and shares in Optu LLC, placing him on the billionaire’s list. EDUCATION AND PROFESSION - 1994: Graduated from Ulaanbaatar Secondary School No. 1 - 1998: Graduated from NUM School of International Relations, specializing in German studies and diplomacy - 2004: Graduated from NUM School of Law, legal studies WORK EXPERIENCE - 2002-2008: Executive Director, Bayan Khadat Tour LLC - 2008-2010: Head of Production and Service Department, Bayanzurkh District Administration - 2008-2012: Representative, Bayanzurkh District Citizens Representative Council - 2010-2012: Deputy Director, National Park Management Agency - 2015-2020: Head of Foreign Relations, Chinggis Khaan International Airport - 2016-2020: Representative, Ulaanbaatar City Citizens Representative Council - 2020-2024: Member of Parliament - 2024-present: Member of Parliament

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Central: 25 Projects Selected for Soft Loans for Small and Medium Enterprises

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Within the framework of supporting small and medium enterprises, 25 projects from Tuv aimag have been selected to receive a total of 3.7 billion MNT in soft loans. Across Tuv aimag, 8 billion MNT of financing has been approved for 16 leading sectoral directions. The selection process, aimed at supporting SMEs and wealth creators, consisted of three stages, during which 111 projects requesting a total of 16.7 billion MNT were submitted. Representatives from the 25 selected enterprises participated in trainings on topics such as "Utilization of Project Loans," "Usage Reports, Duties and Rights Under Loan Contracts, Repayment, and Responsibilities of the Parties." The governor of Tuv aimag, L. Tumurchudur, said, "Today, we have received many manufacturing projects including clothing, dairy products, pastries, and more. I am confident that among them, those who truly work hard and aspire to expand their factories and businesses have been able to secure this loan. Always strive to produce healthy, vitamin-rich, non-toxic, eco-friendly products, just as you would make for your family and loved ones. The consumer is always the top priority. In the near future, another selection process will take place to allocate the remaining 4.3 billion MNT to those in need." The founder of the Tugs Bio brand said, "As of today, we produce three types of frozen and dried yogurt, including sea buckthorn, bird cherry, and plain varieties, which are notable for serving as yogurt cultures. With this loan, we can alleviate the manual work caused by a lack of technology." From Darkhan-Uul, Selenge, and Tuv aimags, a total of 319 enterprises verified and submitted loan requests amounting to 48.8 billion MNT through the online loan system in the first stage.

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The General Department of Taxation Selects Mongolia's Top Taxpayer Companies for 2024

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: ikon.mn

According to the minutes of the May 1, 2000 meeting of the Government of Mongolia, it was decided that the second week of May each year would be organized as “Taxpayers' Days.” Accordingly, the Mongolian Tax Administration is holding the “Advisory Tax Authority” week for the 26th time nationwide from May 5 to 9, 2025. During these days, the Mongolian Tax Administration is organizing a wide range of activities including educational programs and competitions for youth and children to improve tax literacy, raising awareness about new amendments to tax laws among taxpayers—citizens, enterprises, and organizations—recognizing the best and most honest taxpayers, publicly expressing gratitude to every taxpayer of Mongolia electronically, and promoting key initiatives of the tax authority for the year. Moreover, all taxpayers will receive a digital acknowledgment indicating the amount of taxes they paid, which they can share publicly. Sample of the message: “We express our gratitude for responsibly fulfilling your constitutional duty as a taxpayer and for paying valuable taxes to the national and local budgets of Mongolia in 2024.” Within the framework of Taxpayers' Days, an awards ceremony for the best taxpayers was held at the “Silver Tree” Hall of the Chinggis Khaan National Museum. This event was attended by Dr. (Ph.D) Ch. Chimidsuren, Head of the General Department of Taxation, directors from the organizational and structural units of the General Tax Department, heads of city and district tax offices, top taxpayers, and representatives of the media. Dr. Chimidsuren and others delivered welcoming remarks to all taxpayers and distinguished guests. The Mongolian Tax Authority has set its vision to become an internationally benchmarked tax agency and aims to become an advisory authority by 2025. In pursuit of this goal, it has started legal, organizational, and digital reforms to prevent risks for taxpayers and to offer guidance. The authority also announced the implementation of TATVAR-GPT, an artificial intelligence-based service providing 24/7 assistance to taxpayers. At the event, special awards were given to the following leading contributor companies for 2024 under the category “Top 10 Taxpayers,” as well as companies recognized as the best taxpayers in the large, medium, small, and micro segments: Top 10 Taxpayers by Contribution: - Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC - Oyu Tolgoi LLC - Erdenet Mining Corporation LLC - Energy Resource LLC - Tavantolgoi JSC - Mongolian Gold MAK LLC - Khan Bank JSC - Golomt Bank JSC - APU JSC - Trade and Development Bank LLC Best Taxpayers in the Large Segment: - COAL LLC - Tsairt Mineral LLC - Univision LLC - Shunkhlai LLC - Redpath Mongolia LLC - JUR-UR LLC - Tumenshuvuut JSC - Tavan Bogd Foods Pizza LLC - APU Dairy LLC Best Taxpayers in the Medium Segment: - Tavan Bogd Property LLC - Talst Investment LLC - RDC LLC - MMS Engineering LLC - Monos Foods JSC - KKTT LLC - Gofro LLC - Ochirdaginas LLC - Corporate Hotel and Convention Center LLC - Everyday Farm LLC Best Taxpayers in the Small Segment: - Aleph Experience LLC - Hasu Dayan LLC - Magnus Capital LLC - Khairkhan Auto Service LLC - Geomaster LLC - Avdar-Urgoo LLC - Sod Khaan Travel LLC - Ice Mark Distribution LLC - Armos LLC - Tsagaan Nomgon Olzii LLC Best Taxpayers in the Micro Segment: - Nomin Rent LLC - Sodon Oil Trade LLC - AMIC LLC - Magna Machinery Global LLC - Vitafit UB LLC - Doctor Auto Chain LLC - Zuiwind Mongolia LLC - Agglomeration LLC - ABICO Foods LLC - Mongolia Processing Technologies LLC Across the country, all tax authorities will celebrate Taxpayers' Days from May 5th to 9th, 2025. The organizational and structural units of the General Tax Department will hold relevant training sessions, both in-person and online, in the “Taxpayers' Hall” on the 8th floor of the General Tax Department building, according to the schedule posted on the official page of the Mongolian Tax Authority. All taxpayers are encouraged to participate. Source: Public Relations Center of the General Department of Taxation Notice: Media organizations (TV, radio, social media, and websites) are prohibited from using this information in full or in part in any format without permission and must mention the original source (ikon.mn) if use is permitted.

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Diplomacy

EXCHANGING VIEWS WITH THE UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Brigadier General B. Baatar, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces, met with UN Resident Coordinator Jaap Van Hierden to discuss strengthening Mongolia's participation in UN peacekeeping operations, paying attention to the social issues of peacekeepers, and collaborating in these areas. In 2002, Mongolia sent its first two military observers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking the country's tangible contribution to global peace and security efforts. Since then, more than 23,000 Mongolian military personnel have participated in peacekeeping missions, and even now, they continue to successfully fulfill their duties in global hotspots.

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Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg Paid a Courtesy Call on the President of Iceland

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: isee.mn

Within the framework of her official visit to Iceland, Minister of Foreign Affairs B. Battsetseg paid a courtesy call on the President of Iceland, Halla Tomasdottir, on May 2. During the meeting, Minister Battsetseg conveyed greetings from the President of Mongolia, U. Khurelsukh, and extended an invitation for a state visit to Mongolia. She mentioned that within the policy framework of Mongolia's "third neighbor" strategy, there is an opportunity to expand and develop cooperation with Iceland in sectors such as energy, light industry, environmental protection, and tourism, and to enrich the bilateral relations with economic content. She also expressed her belief that the President of Iceland will participate as an honored guest at the World Women Entrepreneurs' Forum, to be held in Ulaanbaatar at the end of August under the auspices of the President of Mongolia.

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DUNDGOVI: UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia Jaap van Hierden Visits Dundgovi Province

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Jaap van Hierden, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Mongolia, along with Soyolmaa D., Information and Communications Officer at the Resident Coordinator's Office, and Saruul-Ukhaan S., an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visited Dundgovi Province from May 3 to 4 this month. During this time, Resident Coordinator Jaap van Hierden met with provincial leaders, visited the "Magic Land Dundgovi" children's development and protection center, and became familiar with the support provided by UNIDO within the framework of the "Promoting Employment in Mongolia" project as well as other related activities. In addition, he and his family planted trees at the Guyanii grove in the province. The meeting was attended by J. Munkhchuluun, Chairman of the Provincial Citizens' Representative Khural, S. Munkhchuluun, Governor of the province, and other officials. During the meeting, Governor S. Munkhchuluun presented the results of projects and programs implemented in the province with UN funding in recent years and expressed his desire to further cooperate in mitigating desertification and in various social and economic sectors of the province. Resident Coordinator Jaap van Hierden expressed his support for these requests. As a result of the meeting, to prepare for the 17th Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification to be held in Mongolia in 2026, and coinciding with the International Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, it was announced by the provincial administration that the "Young Herders' Summit" will be organized in Dundgovi Province on June 16-17 next month.

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Infrastructure

From June 1, Ulaanbaatar will be divided into 14 cities including Yarmag, Chingeltei, and Selbe

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: isee.mn

The revised Law on Cities and Villages was passed on June 5, 2024, and from June 1, 2025, Ulaanbaatar city will be divided into 14 cities such as Yarmag, Chingeltei, and Selbe. Specifically, the capital city administration decided to develop Ulaanbaatar into 14 independent cities: Khan-Uul City, Yarmag City, Buyant-Ukhaa City, Songinokhairkhan City, Bayankhoshuu City, Tolgoit City, Önör City, Bayangol City, Chingeltei City, Selbe City, Sukhbaatar City, Bayanzurkh City, Dari-Ekh City, and Amgalan City.

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Opinion: The Country Will Develop Through Regional Development

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: news.mn

The government has declared 2024 as the "Year to Support Regional Development," and has discussed and approved a government resolution to that effect. It has been 24 years since the Parliament's Resolution No. 57 of 2001 approved the "Concept of Regional Development of Mongolia." As of today, 46.8% of the total population lives in Ulaanbaatar, 75.8% of enterprises operate there, 84% of trade and services are concentrated there, and the capital accounts for 63% of the country's GDP. Due to these disparities, there is a shortage of labor in rural areas, loss of economic diversification, and on the other hand, excessive population concentration in Ulaanbaatar has led to sharp increases in traffic congestion, smoke, and environmental pollution. Let's look at the positions of scientists and researchers on this issue. V. Battsengel, Director of the Urban and Regional Development Research Institute at the National University of Mongolia: - The concept of regional development was approved in 2024, and policies and decisions are already starting to be implemented. Previously, people used to think only in the narrow spatial context of aimags, soums, and bags, but now the scope is wider. Natural conditions and economic resources are no longer limited by administrative borders. For example, a resource such as pastureland might stretch across two or three soums, not just one. Aimags and soums can now use their resources effectively and rationally at the regional level. Regional development means classifying the country's territory into specific regions based on various factors such as natural resources, geographic characteristics, infrastructure, and economic capacity, and implementing suitable strategies and development policies for each. This is not a new initiative; Mongolians have practiced such policies since ancient times. During the era of the Mongol Empire, vast territories were managed and tax policies implemented by dividing them into regions. Many countries worldwide have implemented experiences related to regional development. The world's most developed countries such as Denmark, the USA, China, and the countries of the European Union have accumulated significant experience in regional development and are implementing effective policies. Previously, Mongolia adopted the "Concept of Regional Development" with five regions by Parliamentary Resolution No. 57 in 2001, but its implementation was lacking. Now, the government is working together with citizens to implement the policy. Engaging with citizens in meetings and holding government sessions to solve issues within the scope of regional development is an advantage. One of the main goals of regional development is to create territorial balance and minimize development disparities. In Mongolia, there has been an extreme concentration of people and resources in the capital. Decentralizing through regionalization is one way to address this. Japan fully implements such a regional approach. Mongolia should study and adopt international experiences like these. "REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT MEANS DIFFERENTIATING AND CONCENTRATING ECONOMIC SPACES AND RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY" G. Battuvshin, Scientist, Professor, and Regional Studies Expert at MUST: - On June 14, 2001, Parliamentary Resolution No. 57 approved the "Concept of Regional Development of Mongolia." Prior to that, the policy focused on developing agriculture. But what exactly is meant by regional development? It means differentiating and concentrating economic activities in spaces with the right accumulation of resources. For example, the cluster of businesses formed around the Oyu Tolgoi mine provides the mining sector with the closest, most cost-effective supply and demand. Urbanization is often discussed and is one form of regional development policy. Urbanization leads to clusters of intelligent people, innovations, technologies, and a concentration of the shifting economy. Economic entities are drawn to locations with the greatest returns, which naturally create an attraction. Regional development means concentrating dispersed economic resources in one place to create scale benefits and development opportunities. Such spaces should be managed centrally and connected within an integrated system. In other words, it is a sum of networks that create added value. By carrying out production, technology is introduced and knowledge and experience are gained, leading to the production of valuable products in return. Regional development is needed if a country is to develop. Such regional development creates its own centers of gravity, attracting other economic activities into the economic space and creating mutual benefits. The theoretical basis of the regional development concept lies in the approach of concentrated or specialized development. Mongolia has a vast territory but a small population. Therefore, adopting a policy of regional development, creating growth, and spreading development through corridors is the way forward.

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A Draft Law to Amend the Law on Urban Development Has Been Submitted

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Member of Parliament J. Aldarjavkhlan submitted a draft law to amend the Law on Urban Development to the Speaker of the State Great Khural (Parliament), D. Amarbaysgalan. This draft law was developed with the aim of updating the legal environment to ensure citizens' rights to live in a healthy, safe, and comfortable environment, to optimally plan access to hospitals, schools, and kindergartens, and to control such planning—within the framework of the "Vision-2050" long-term development policy and the "New Revival Policy"'s aim for urban and rural revival adopted by the State Great Khural. The draft law stipulates that when developing general and partial development plans for cities and towns, these plans must strictly meet the requirements set by law. This will clearly mandate that the Citizens' Representative Khural of aimags (provinces) and of the capital city has the right to oversee and approve compliance with relevant legal requirements. For instance, when planning any new settlement in an aimag or city, special consideration must be given to the accessibility of kindergartens and schools, and it is to be calculated that for every 250 households there should be one kindergarten, and for every 1,000 households, one state-owned school. The initiator of the law emphasized that passing this draft law will clarify the rights and responsibilities of stakeholders and implementers in urban development activities and also define the role and responsibility of professional organizations. Ultimately, it is expected that implementing a regionally-balanced development policy will help create cities that are favorable for citizens, environmentally friendly, and equipped with social and engineering infrastructure.

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The "Ulaanbaatar City 2040" General Development Plan Introduced to Officers of Chingeltei and Sukhbaatar District Administration Offices

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: isee.mn

The general development plan "Ulaanbaatar City 2040," the progress of 24 mega projects to be implemented in the capital, and the concept of a 20-minute city were presented to government officials and staff of the Chingeltei and Sukhbaatar District Administration Offices as a start to inform them with up-to-date information related to development. “There are around 6,000 civil servants citywide. Only when the staff and workers delivering government services at all levels are informed will there be understanding between the government and citizens. Therefore, it is important for you to know how and in what ways the district you work and live in will develop until 2040, which developments are planned in which locations, and at what stage project implementation currently is,” emphasized G. Batsaikhan, a representative of the City Citizens' Representative Khural (Council) and head of the Ulaanbaatar 2040 lobby group. City Council Representative B. Semjidmaa added, “The foundation of Mongolia’s development is Ulaanbaatar, according to the Mongolian government and the city’s leadership structure. We are gradually introducing this brand new city planning model to our citizens, the general public, and civil servants. Therefore, the Mayor of the Capital and Governor of Ulaanbaatar Kh. Nyambaatar has started organizing expedited meetings with the district and khoroo (sub-district) governors, listening to their issues and challenges, and working in close cooperation, which represents a new policy approach. Thus, districts and khoroos now have the opportunity to plan, prioritize, and present their own issues for resolution.”

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Electricity Outage Schedule for Sukhbaatar, Bayanzurkh, Chingeltei, and Khan-Uul Districts on May 6

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: ikon.mn

On May 6, 2025, the supply of electricity will be restricted in certain locations within Sukhbaatar, Bayanzurkh, Chingeltei, and Khan-Uul districts of the capital city, affecting households and organizations. This measure is being taken to allow for repairs and maintenance of electrical lines and equipment. The electricity restrictions will be in effect based on location, and are scheduled to last from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Locations where electricity will be limited on May 6:
You can view the detailed repair schedule for electrical lines and equipment by clicking HERE. Notice
Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social media, and Websites) are strictly prohibited from using our information in any form, either in full or in part, unless agreed upon, and they must cite the original source (ikon.mn) if use is permitted.

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S.Batsaikhan: This summer, the longest — six-kilometer — stormwater drainage line will be installed on Chingis Avenue

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: ikon.mn

This year, a total of 16 kilometers of stormwater drainage lines will be installed in 10 locations in the capital city. Regarding the installation of the stormwater drainage system, S. Batsaikhan, Chief Engineer of the Geodesy, Water Construction and Facilities State-Owned Enterprise, said: "This summer, our organization plans to install a six-kilometer stormwater drainage line on Chingis Avenue — the longest drainage line that will be constructed in 2025. Also, drainage lines will be installed in places where heavy rainwater tends to collect and hinders pedestrian movement, such as around the railway station parking area and on the auxiliary road behind Altai Apartment Complex." The stormwater drainage works to be completed this year are as follows: - Stormwater drainage line around the railway station parking area – pipe diameter: 400-1500 mm, length: 1,793 meters, - Drainage system under the road area at the lower part of the Peace Bridge, - Stormwater drainage line around Apt. 14, Altai Apartment Complex – line length: 412 meters, - Renovation and extension of the Engles Street stormwater drainage – diameter: 400-600 mm, capacity: 0.102 m3/s, line length: 1,003 meters, - Renovation and extension of the drainage system from the intersection behind TPP-3 to Dund River Bridge – diameter: 300-1000 mm, capacity: 1,398 meters, line length: 1,398 meters, - Stormwater drainage line for Khuvisgal Street, - Stormwater drainage line for Chingis Avenue, - Stormwater drainage near Nart Housing Area, Khoroo 14, Bayanzurkh District, - Stormwater drainage line for the road near Naran Housing Area, Khoroo 1, Khan-Uul District, and Petrovis Gas Station – diameter: 300-600 mm, line length: 1,200 meters, - Installation of stormwater drainage line for the road behind Building 22b, "Dragon" area, Khoroo 29, Songinokhairkhan District. Warning: Media organizations (TV, radio, social and web pages) are prohibited from using our content in full or in part by any means, except with permission and by citing the source (ikon.mn).

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ARKHANGAI: Inter-city Road Traffic Remains Closed

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Archangai Province Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring Department has issued a weather summary. In Arkhangai Province, it started snowing early yesterday morning. As of 8 a.m. today, there is no snow in the areas of Ögii Nuur, Ölzhiit, Khairkhan, Khangai, Khashaat, Tsetserleg, and Chuluut soums, but up to 30 cm of snow has accumulated in the other soums. Due to the heavy snowfall, visibility has been limited, and the provincial governor has ordered the closure of roads from 3 p.m. on May 4, 2025, for an indefinite period. Currently, inter-city road travel remains closed, while snow clearing operations are being conducted on the Tsagaan Davaa pass and national highways. According to the weather forecast until the 14th of this month, there will be rain and wet snow in some areas on the 6th, and across most of the province on the 7th. Winds are expected to blow at 5-10 meters per second for most of the period and could reach 12-14 meters per second at times, potentially causing dust storms, according to the provincial meteorological department.

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Zavkhan: The Solongot Pass Road Section Has Not Been Fully Opened Yet

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The national paved road between Tosontsengel (Zavkhan) and Tsetserleg (Arkhangai) remains closed for an unspecified period of time. The Zavkhan Provincial Emergency Commission decided to close the A0603 national road connecting Tsetserleg and Tosontsengel, starting from 17:00 on May 4, due to conditions on Solongot Pass. As of 09:00 today, movement on that route has not resumed. On May 4, a heavy snowfall at the Solongot Pass caused icing and dangerous slippery conditions. Nine emergency workers with two vehicles from the Tosontsengel Emergency Unit ensured the safety of 24 vehicles and 96 passengers stranded at the pass. Workers from Zavkhan AZZA Company cleared the snow from the traffic lane. Authorities have advised citizens to listen for weather updates and to refrain from traveling on this route for the time being. The Zavkhan Emergency Department stated that the road will reopen when weather conditions improve and the road is completely safe for travel. The Tsagaan Pass in Arkhangai province also remains closed, with the local branch of "AZZA NEGDEL" State-Owned Company working to clear the roads. As of 06:36 on May 5, the sky was clear and some snowfall had ceased. Clearing continues with graders on the 57-117 km section of the A0602 Kharkhorin-Tsetserleg national road, where thick ice and snow have accumulated.

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E. Enkhtuvshin: The project to renovate the pedestrian path from Tavan Shar to Sapporo will be completed by August 25

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Work has begun to replace the tiles on the pedestrian walkway from Tavan Shar's central laboratory to the Officers' Palace with natural stone. Regarding this, E. Enkhtuvshin, a road engineer at Badrah Engineering LLC, which is carrying out the construction, said, “The project to renovate the pedestrian path from the Tavan Shar intersection to the Sapporo intersection has started. Currently, about 10 percent of the total 28,000 square meters planned for the walkway has been completed. The new stone tiles are being laid according to standards, with a width of four meters to ensure accessibility for pedestrians. Guidance tiles for people with disabilities will be installed from the Tavan Shar intersection to the Sapporo intersection. This section of the project will be fully completed by August 25.” This year, the city budget will allocate ₮32 billion for the improvement of pedestrian walkways and public spaces. Attention: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social media, and Websites) are prohibited from using our information in any form, in full or in part, unless an agreement is made and the source (ikon.mn) is clearly cited.

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SCHEDULE: Locations in Bayangol District with Hot Water Restrictions for 14 Days from May 15 to 29

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The following locations in Bayangol District will experience hot water restrictions for 14 days from May 15 to 29. Last week, the "UBDS" Joint Stock Company approved the summer schedule for repairs of heating pipelines and equipment. In Ulaanbaatar, central heating for households, schools, kindergartens, and hospitals will be stopped from May 15, at which time repair work will commence. These repairs will continue until August 20, during which hot water supply will be restricted according to the schedule. The following locations affected from May 15 to 29 all belong to Bayangol District. The layout of the areas under repair and reasons for the maintenance are provided. To see more details on the schedule, please click the link. Notice: Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social and Web pages) are strictly prohibited from using our information in part or whole in any form, except with mutual agreement and by citing the source (ikon.mn).

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The Draft Law on Heat Supply Presented to the Leaders of the Ministry of Energy

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

M. Enkhtsetseg, a member of the State Great Khural (Parliament) and head of the working group tasked with updating the Law on Energy, the Law on Renewable Energy, the Law on Energy Conservation, and relevant legislation by Order No. 80 of 2024 of the Speaker of the State Great Khural, together with advisors from the group's executive team, met with the leadership of the Ministry of Energy and presented the draft Law on Heat Supply. M. Enkhtsetseg briefly outlined the fundamental principles, concepts, and newly included policy regulations of the draft law, and noted that they are collecting detailed feedback from all sector participants. Advisor and engineer Kh. Erdenechuluun, also from the working group's executive team, presented the draft law section by section, providing a detailed explanation of the specifics and changes in the regulated relations. The draft law clearly sets out regulations in 15 chapters, covering sector policy and planning, the full authority of state and administrative organizations, heat supply organizations, heat energy systems, organization and network operations, information, metering, tariffs, investment, renewable energy, efficiency, consumer rights and duties, technology, safety, their inspections, and dispute resolution. Minister of Energy B. Choijilsuren evaluated the current situation of the system, congratulated the working group for their in-depth study of foreign legal frameworks, and advised that detailed economic calculations be made and problematic issues be thoroughly studied. He also remarked that, according to international standards, energy sector laws and regulations are usually improved by amendments and changes rather than completely new legislations, suggesting that the laws on electricity and heat should be developed and submitted together, taking into account Mongolia’s current energy conditions and characteristics. He instructed the department heads of the ministry to review the draft, prepare their proposals, and report back. He also ordered the relevant officials to work closely with the working group. Ts. Tsendel, advisor to the Minister of Energy, emphasized that while the basic structure of the draft law is well-planned, it is important to thoroughly study complex issues such as internal sectoral conflicts, connections between state and private networks, pricing, and to correctly identify development and technological trends.

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SELENGA: Having a unified emergency number 112 will allow for timely access to many services

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: montsame.mn

As part of the implementation of the Government of Mongolia's resolution "On measures to increase accessibility to emergency assistance," a working group led by the head of the Information and Rapid Response Management Center of the General Police Department worked in Selenge aimag (province). The working group was received by the Chairman of the Citizens' Representative Khural of the province, G. Bat-Orkhon, and the Chief of the Governor’s Office, U. Suvdaa, and discussed their proposals. During the meeting, they discussed preparations for transitioning the emergency assistance number to a unified 112 number in accordance with international standards. With the introduction of the nationwide unified emergency number 112, citizens can call for emergency assistance at any time (regardless of mobile network), from anywhere, and receive ambulance, fire brigade, and police assistance without delay. In addition to immediate assistance, it will have several advantages, such as preventing crimes and providing timely services. As part of the transition to the unified 112 emergency number, the costs required for software updates and system expansion will be reflected and financed in the state budget for 2026.

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Zavkhan: Inauguration of the Altai-Uliastai Paved Road Project

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The opening ceremony for the initial section of the 178-kilometer Altai-Uliastai highway and the 40-kilometer paved road project between Uliastai and Tsagaankhairkhan has been held. The event, part of the "Regional Road Development, Repair, and Maintenance Project," was attended by Parliament Speaker D. Amarbayasgalan, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Roads and Transport S. Batbold, MP O. Amgalanbaatar, Governor of Zavkhan Province G. Önörbayar, project contractors, and local residents. Construction and installation works for the 40 km highway from Uliastai soum to Tsagaankhairkhan soum, and in the direction of Altai, have thus commenced. The 40-kilometer Uliastai-Tsagaankhairkhan highway is the second package of the third phase of the “Regional Road Development, Repair, and Maintenance Project,” to be implemented with concessional loans from the Asian Development Bank in the area of Aldarkhaan soum. This road is planned to be commissioned in 2028. This highway is important as it connects the provincial center to soum centers, forms part of the west vertical axis highway extending from Uliastai-Altai to the Burgastai border post, and has significant importance. The Altai-Uliastai highway will be carried out with the support of the Asian Development Bank and state budget investments, with the project executed by China Jiangsu International Economic Technical Cooperation Group. Today, in Tüdevtei soum, Zavkhan province, the groundbreaking ceremony will be held for the A18 highway section from Nömrög-Ulaangom highway to the Artsuur border post, funded by state budget investments. These highways will form a western corridor connecting Russia and China. Zavkhan province will become the logistics center for this corridor. The province administration has announced a tender for design documentation and a feasibility study for the project. Governor G. Önörbayar of Zavkhan province stated: “These highways will be part of a western corridor connecting Russia and China. Zavkhan will become the logistics center of this corridor.”

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Warning Issued to Avoid Traveling on the Following Routes Blocked by Snow

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: news.mn

Since last Friday, some areas have experienced snowfall and snowstorms, resulting in limited visibility. Due to these conditions, the Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring Agency and the National Emergency Management Agency are urging all citizens to refrain from traveling long distances. Over the weekend, heavy snowfall occurred, and as a result, travel on the following roads is being advised against for an indefinite period. The state highway in the Tsetserleg-Tosontsengel direction remains closed. By the decision of Zavkhan Province’s Emergency Commission, due to the situation at Solongot Pass, the state highway in the Tsetserleg-Tosontsengel direction with code A0603 has been closed since 17:00 yesterday for an indefinite period. Additionally, in Arkhangai Province, heavy snowfall has caused 35 vehicles and over 100 people to become stranded in the Tarialt, Tsenkher, Tuvshruulekh, Bulgan, and Erdenebulgan soums. Emergency service personnel are conducting rescue operations and providing assistance to those affected. As such, herders, citizens, and drivers are again urged not to travel in these directions. Apart from the above routes, last night in the areas of Övörkhangai and Dundgovi, there were heavy rains and wet snow, causing blizzard conditions. Mountain passes and hills have been blocked by snow, creating slippery and hazardous driving conditions on the roads.

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Society

Freedom of the Press Shackled by State Censorship

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

When Reporters Without Borders released its 2025 World Press Freedom Index, Mongolia was ranked 102nd out of 180 countries. Last year, Mongolia plummeted 21 places to 109th, its worst historical result so far. Although the score has improved to 102nd this year, Mongolia remains in the “difficult” category. Especially since 2020, Mongolia’s press freedom rating has steadily declined, slipping from the “problematic” to the “difficult” category. The index is divided into five categories; while Mongolia’s social and economic indicators improved this year, journalist safety remains the most severe concern. While Mongolia generally supports pluralism, a lack of protections for confidential sources, and tough defamation laws that make it easy to take journalists to court—which leads to censorship—remain worrisome, according to the assessment. Scandinavian countries continue to top the Press Freedom Index, led by Norway for the tenth consecutive year, followed closely by Estonia, the Netherlands, and Ireland in the “green zone.” In contrast, Mongolia shares its ranking range with African countries such as Angola, Mozambique, Guinea, Maldives, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, and Chad, all ranked after 100th. According to Reporters Without Borders, the global average press freedom score has dropped below 55 points for the first time in 10 years, with a quarter of countries now falling into the “serious problems” or “difficult” categories. This year, World Press Freedom Day was marked under the theme “Reporting boldly in a new world—Press Freedom and the Impact of AI on Media.” The role of journalists to inform the public with truth and urgency, thus aiding decision-making, requires not only skill and knowledge but also courage, a fact acknowledged worldwide. NEW LAW WILL PREVENT STATE INSTITUTIONS FROM HIDING PUBLIC INFORMATION There are currently 112 laws in Mongolia that relate, directly or indirectly, to the media. According to Dr. B. Bayarmaa, a lecturer at the Department of Journalism and Public Relations at the National University of Mongolia, most of these laws impose “restrictions on freedom.” At this pivotal moment, the government has tabled a draft Law on Press Freedom to Parliament for discussion. On April 24, Reporters Without Borders called on the Mongolian government not to rush the adoption of this law. On May 3, World Press Freedom Day, the Mongolian Journalists’ Association organized a forum on “The Legal Environment for Media and Legal Reforms,” with active participation from journalists. During the forum, Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs O. Altangerel presented the revised draft law, which sparked lively discussion. While views on the draft law are mixed, there was unanimous agreement that it is important to guarantee by law the right of journalists to keep their sources confidential, even in court. Since the early 1990s, Mongolia has practiced liberal democracy and respected press freedom and pluralism, but the legal environment has been insufficient to protect sources, and defamation laws have led to unfair prosecutions of journalists. Furthermore, if the new law is adopted, state institutions will lose the right to conceal or delay the release of public information. Refusal to provide information will be subject to responsibility, potentially eliminating one of journalists’ most common obstacles. In other words, the government will no longer have the right to evade providing information. Another notable improvement over the law from 27 years ago is the distinction between “false information” and “deliberately false information.” Specifically, clause 4.1.9 defines “false information” as erroneous information that does not correspond to reality, was disseminated without an intent to harm, and could not have reasonably been known to be incorrect. Clause 4.1.10 defines “deliberately false information” as groundless reports spread intentionally to harm a person, organization, or country. E. Bat-Uul, who authored the 1998 law, reminded Minister Altangerel that past laws prohibiting state interference contributed greatly to press freedom. He emphasized that the main focus of the new law should be protecting press freedom from state intervention, a principle that should be clearly stated in the law's title. “PRESS OFFICES” AS OBSTACLES TO PRESS FREEDOM Mongolia’s press freedom ranking has dropped by 55 places over the last decade, and the media sector itself must responsibly acknowledge its role in this. A key concern discussed today is the bloated and well-funded press offices attached to government institutions. These offices often operate in violation of the law prohibiting state institutions from owning media outlets, setting up their own editorial teams, refusing to provide information at their discretion, and employing many staff at taxpayers’ expense. For example, while only 4–5 people worked in the capital city’s press office under Mayor E. Bat-Uul, this office expanded during D. Sumiyabazar’s leadership to a department with a budget of 2–4 billion MNT. Under the current administration, it has grown further to over 16 employees, even surpassing the Government’s own press staff. Whereas a single press officer once sufficed, today 3–5 people share the work. Yet many lack public servant awareness and instead have contributed to the restriction of press freedom. In the past, journalists could easily obtain official information from dedicated press representatives, regardless of the administration. Now, many press office employees have become a barrier between the media and government, requiring permission for every interview or statement, selectively providing information only to favored outlets. If this bad practice becomes entrenched, even the best laws will not prevent decline in press freedom. As G. Ulsbold, commentator at Eagle TV, noted, government press offices have become obstacles to press freedom, often acting as propaganda arms to push government or individual leaders' agendas on the public—a practice that dates back to the socialist era. In recent years, Mongolia’s political powers have continued the tradition, allocating significant resources and staff to propaganda. In short, press offices have grown into departments and means of control, further tightening the shackles on press freedom in Mongolia.

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Stop Mocking Tourists by Pretending to Run Buses to Khushigiin Khundii

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The Public Transport Policy Office announced that, starting from the 1st of this month, buses serving tourists have begun operating on a schedule to Chinggis Khaan International Airport located in Khushigiin Khundii. Last Saturday, the office also announced changes to the bus schedules for the Sukhbaatar Square–Khushigiin Khundii and Tavan Shar–Khushigiin Khundii routes. The first tourist bus from the airport to the city center departs at 07:40, with subsequent buses every hour until 22:40. Essentially, tourists will be transported on these routes 16 times a day. Meanwhile, the bus on the Khushigiin Khundii–Tavan Shar route will start its first trip at 07:40, and the next buses from the airport will depart at irregular times: 08:46, 09:53, 11:00, 12:06, 13:13, and so on. The timetable for the bus from Tavan Shar to Chinggis Khaan airport is likewise inconsistent. In July last year, buses from two points in the city center started running to Chinggis Khaan International Airport, but they were stopped before the tourist season had ended. At the time, relevant officials explained, "There is not enough passenger flow on this route to operate buses regularly; to avoid losses, it is only appropriate to have a limited number running in the mornings and evenings." Last summer, the public transport office also published detailed routes and timetables as they have now, but in reality, the service was not provided, causing inconvenience by making tourists wait for hours or leaving them stranded. This year, tourism officials are reminding the transport authorities not to repeat these mistakes and to ensure that public buses stick to the established routes and schedules. At the very least, during the peak tourist seasons of summer and fall, there is a demand and need for continuous public transport service on these routes. In 2024, the fare from the city center to the airport was 10,000 MNT for adults and 5,000 MNT for children. This year, the fare on the Tavan Shar–Khushigiin Khundii route remains the same, but from Sukhbaatar Square to the airport, children and youth will be charged 7,000 MNT, and adults 15,000 MNT. Uniquely, each bus will have a guide who speaks three to five languages and can provide information and advice to tourists.

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President U.Khurelsukh to Attend Victory Day Ceremony, Mongolian Armed Forces Personnel to Parade

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: ikon.mn

With special permission from the MPA Agency, photos were used. President of Mongolia U.Khurelsukh, at the invitation of President V.V. Putin of the Russian Federation, will participate in the 80th anniversary celebration of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War to be held in Moscow on May 9, 2025. President U.Khurelsukh will hold an official meeting with President V.V. Putin to exchange views on bilateral relations and cooperation. On May 9, the President will take part in the Victory Day celebration on Red Square alongside heads of state and high-level officials from other countries, and lay flowers at the "Monument to the Unknown Soldier" in Alexander Garden. He also plans to lay flowers at the "Horses Striving for Victory" monument in the Victory Park on Moscow's Poklonnaya Gora and meet with representatives of Soviet Union and Russian citizens who have been awarded the title of Hero of the MPR and Labor Hero. The President's Office has reported that Mongolia's Armed Forces personnel will participate in the Victory Day parade. Notice:
Media organizations (telephone, radio, social and web sites) are prohibited from taking and using this information in whole or in part in any form, and may only use it with a mutual agreement and by citing the source (ikon.mn).

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Report: 48% of Young People Change Jobs in Less Than a Year

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: news.mn

Young people of working age are losing interest in employment, and the labor force nationwide is declining year by year, which has become a cause for concern. B. Enkhtaivan started his career in the field of information technology after graduating from university. However, the reality he encountered in his new job was completely different from his hopes and dreams. “I was very energetic at first. I arrived with new ideas and ambitions. But the company's internal organization was weak, there was no support from management, and the workload was excessively high. It felt like I was working not just five days a week, but all seven. Although I received a salary, I could no longer give my heart to the job.” Now, he is considering taking a break to pivot his career. 24-year-old A. Munkhtuya, who majored in business administration, works in the trade sector. She is doing her job but is not satisfied. “Every morning, I ask myself many questions. I keep doing my duties. But there is no personal growth or development. Employers see young people only as 'human resources.' It’s very important for them to accept us as people and create an environment for development. Unfortunately, that environment just doesn't exist,” she said. Psychologist B. Enkhjargal highlighted that the psychological state, labor value, and satisfaction of young people are changing significantly. “Before, people focused on salary and stable jobs. Now, young people place importance on meaning, growth, and satisfaction. However, employers do not understand this new trend, and instead, perceive it as demanding too much. In such cases, young people are unable to value themselves, leading to inner conflict. This leads to depression and lost confidence,” she warned. The structure of Mongolia’s labor market has changed drastically since 2020. According to statistics introduced by the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Protection, young people aged 18-34 make up 31.8% of the total workforce, but 54.6% of them are employed in unstable, temporary jobs. In addition, 48.3% of all employed young people change jobs in less than a year. A surplus of qualified professionals, expectations in the labor market, and differences in organizational culture are among the many factors causing constant uncertainty and psychological pressure for young people. As labor market researcher B. Bat-Orgil summarized: “It is easy to blame young people for being unstable and lacking patience. But what they want is a fair salary, a clear career path, and open communication. The main issue is that employers cannot let go of the old culture and authoritarian management.” In 2023, his research team conducted a survey among 500 young employees from 10 organizations in Ulaanbaatar. 78% of respondents said a negative work environment atmosphere caused them to quit their jobs. Additionally, 66% said their management ignored their initiatives, while 42% admitted their professional skills need improvement and expressed a desire to develop further. 26-year-old IT specialist B. Enkhtaivan: “My profession is in demand, but they don’t trust me. Even if I suggest ideas, the boss immediately dismisses them. I wish performance was measured by results, not by hours spent at the office. But being present until 6:00 p.m. is what they value.” 24-year-old accountant A. Ariunzaya: “When I worked in finance, management was very harsh. They would scold people publicly and make us stay overtime. It felt like my personal life, health, and well-being didn’t matter at all. Even though I’m now at another organization, that experience has made me lose confidence in myself.” "THE EXPECTATIONS OF YOUTH ARE TOO HIGH" HR manager Ts. Erdenetsetseg, from a private company, said: “We try to develop our young employees and meet their needs and requirements. But often their expectations are too high. They don’t understand that they need to learn first, and after just three months they expect to advance. Some complain that their salary is low. They don't realize the realities of the business environment. Although we recognize the change in young people's attitudes, we see expectations that don’t align with the realities of the labor market. In the past two years, about 70% of job applicants have prioritized career growth, flexible hours, and a comfortable environment. However, for companies, profit and stability are important. When these two sides don't align, misunderstandings arise. We try to listen to the needs and desires of young people, but sometimes we just can’t meet all the practical conditions.” She also mentioned, “The average tenure of our employees aged 20-34 is only 9 months.” The company said it has hired many young professionals last year and is trying to create a stable long-term work environment. “We give new employees many opportunities, but they want quick results. This might not align with the company’s structure or development methods. However, instead of blaming youth, we understand that there are inevitable changes needed in our organizational culture and development. Young people's tech skills, quick thinking, and creativity are beneficial to the company. But they also need significant emotional support and encouragement,” she emphasized. To retain young employees, the company is implementing the following steps: - Mentorship program: new employees are guided and developed by experienced staff - Internal training and development programs: online and offline courses tailored to organizational needs - Supportive communication: management is striving for more open and honest communication HR manager Ts. Erdenetsetseg: “The relationship between employee and employer must be based on mutual understanding. Young employees should not just work for tasks; they need to understand they can have stable and successful careers.” "THE NEED TO BE ACCEPTED IS THE MAIN PSYCHOLOGICAL PILLAR FOR YOUTH" Psychologist B. Maralmaa has over 10 years of experience in organizational psychology, job stress, and career planning for youth. In the past two years, she has worked one-on-one with more than 180 young employees and noted some clear trends emerging. “Young people are not just looking for a job; they are looking for a sense of acceptance, opportunities for self-development, and humane relationships. But this understanding is missing in many organizations. Overly hierarchical structures and top-down management styles push them away and cause internal doubts,” she noted. According to her, the most common psychological issues encountered are: - Loss of confidence: constant criticism and lack of recognition cause young people to lose self-confidence, and afterward they remain depressed even after quitting a job - "Imposter syndrome": even if they perform well, they constantly feel “I can’t do this” or “I only succeeded by luck” - Career uncertainty: not being able to imagine their future or having a job that does not align with their profession or goals is a major source of stress - Hidden forms of abuse: harsh management, scolding in front of colleagues, or exerting pressure are not considered ‘abuse,’ but in reality, they cause strong psychological harm "Recently, about 60% of young employees who approached me made the decision to quit due to psychological stress. Strangely, most do not regret quitting, but regret not speaking up sooner,” she said. She recommends that organizations retain young people not only through salary and incentives but also by cultivating a culture of communication and psychological safety. For example, being welcoming to new hires, asking for their opinions, expressing gratitude, or at least saying ‘you’re doing a good job’ daily increases productivity. People are not machines; they have feelings, confidence, expectations, and desires. Unemployment and job dissatisfaction are not just economic problems, but real reflections of human development, psychology, and organizational culture. Young people want to feel they are needed, meaningful, and valued.

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The Largest International "Mommy & Baby Expo 2025" Exhibition to Be Held

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The "Mommy & Baby Expo 2025", the largest and most comprehensive event aimed at supporting the health, education, and development of mothers and children, will be held at the Hunnu Shopping Mall Exhibition Hall from May 30 to June 1 this year. The main organizer and sponsor of the exhibition is HI MOMMY, a specialized store for mother and child products. Supporting organizations include Abiko LLC and, as gold sponsors, Green Gate International LLC and Best Force LLC. Silver sponsors are Asia Pharm Distribution LLC and Mongolian Star Distribution LLC. More than 80 organizations from the sector will present their products and services at the exhibition. The exhibition will include pregnant mothers, new parents, families with children, as well as professional organizations, consultants, governmental and non-governmental entities working in the field of children's education, health, and social protection. The main objective of the exhibition is to introduce solutions, services, and products that are modern, safe, health-friendly, and cater to the educational and psychological needs of mothers and children to the wider public. Organizations and businesses operating in the following areas are registered to participate: baby food, nutritional supplements, infant formula, diapers, skincare and personal care products, toys, clothes, shoes, bags, educational institutions, children's hospitals, women's health organizations, maternity clothing, yoga and exercise centers, advisory centers, and organizations specializing in psychology and family planning. Also, civil society organizations working in care, protection, and development of children will participate. For participating organizations, this is an important opportunity to reach a wide audience with their products and services, study customer feedback and attitudes, connect with new customers, compare themselves with industry peers, increase competitiveness, establish new partnerships and collaborations, make contracts and agreements, and increase both direct and indirect sales. For visitors, the event will be a unified solution platform addressing all the needs, issues, and questions that arise from pregnancy to after the birth of a child. Parents will have the opportunity to get acquainted with, compare, and experience new products and services available on the market, receive free professional advice from doctors and consultants, acquire knowledge on health, psychology, and education, and participate in gifts, promotions, sample product distributions, and various competitions. Special programs, play areas, and entertainment for children will also be organized. The "Mommy & Baby Expo 2025" is a valuable opportunity to support communication and connection among parents, children, manufacturers, service providers, and professional organizations, bringing together all those committed to socially responsible and child welfare-focused work. The expo will run for three days starting from May 30, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and is open and free to attend. Contact Information:
Phone: [8885-1276]
Email: [expo@minex.mn]
Facebook Page: Mommy & Baby Expo Notice:
Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social Media and Web pages) are prohibited from using our information in whole or in part in any form unless agreed with us, and in such cases must cite the source (ikon.mn).

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The Decision to Suspend Sentence of Korean Man Who Raped Mongolian Woman Is Deemed Unjustified

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

On the night of September 13-14, 2024, at the "Terelj Resort" tourist camp operating in Nalaikh district, a woman referred to as Ch was raped by a citizen of the Republic of Korea. After the investigation conducted by the local police station, South Korean citizen Park Hae-son was charged based on Article 12.1-1 of the Criminal Law: "Engaging in sexual intercourse through force against the victim's will, taking advantage of their inability to defend or resist themselves, or engaging in acts of sexual nature involving force." Subsequently, the district prosecutor's office issued an indictment against Park Hae-son and transferred the case to the first-instance criminal court for Bagakhangai and Nalaikh districts. On February 5 of this year, the court sentenced him to a two-year suspended sentence. Victim Ch and her legal representatives did not accept the first-instance court's decision and appealed to the capital city’s appellate criminal court. Last Wednesday, the appellate court reviewed the case, found the first-instance court’s decision to be inconsistent with the law and the sentence inappropriate, and overturned the verdict, returning the case for reconsideration by the same first-instance court. According to the aforementioned provision of the Criminal Law, if found guilty, the punishment is one to five years of imprisonment. However, it is unclear on what grounds Judge B. Battulga of the first-instance court sentenced him to a penalty that is not provided in the relevant legal provision.

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Environment

GIZ and the Mongolian Billion Tree Fund to Cooperate in Mongolia’s Forestry Sector

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Within the framework of technical cooperation between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), which has been operating in Mongolia since 1992. Since 2002, GIZ has made significant contributions to Mongolia’s forestry sector, particularly in legal and management reforms and the implementation of the multi-purpose National Forest Inventory. As part of the forestry component of the project “SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEM AND AGRICULTURE MANAGEMENT FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN MONGOLIA” (STREAM+), jointly implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and co-founded by the European Union and the Government of Germany, the parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and agreed to cooperate with the Mongolian Billion Tree Fund. The Mongolian Billion Tree Fund is committed to establishing a sustainable finance mechanism for Mongolia’s forestry sector by creating diverse sources of funding, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and the implementation of sustainable forest management. The fund works independently and transparently according to the principles of good governance in line with international standards. The main objective of the cooperation between GIZ and the Mongolian Billion Tree Fund is to support effective forest restoration and sustainable forest management in Mongolia, promote the development of responsible and economically viable forest enterprises, and raise public awareness of the importance of forest conservation. Key areas of collaboration: - Strengthening reforestation cooperation to promote sustainable forest management and green development in Mongolia - Joint implementation of the STREAM+ and SPACES II project activities - Enhancing technical capacities in the forestry sector - Supporting responsible and sustainable forest enterprises - Introducing green technologies This cooperation aims to support both policy and practical efforts toward forest protection and restoration in Mongolia, thereby contributing to the long-term goals of environmental sustainability and ecological resilience. Notice: Media organizations (TV, radio, social media, and websites) are prohibited from using our information in whole or in part in any form, except with permission and by citing the source (ikon.mn).

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S. Odontuya: The Interest Rate of Green Loans Will Be Lowered

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: montsame.mn

At the "Warm House" private residential expo organized by the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development and hosted in Ulaanbaatar, over 80 domestic and international businesses from the construction sector introduced their technical and technological products. Opening the event, Minister of Construction and Urban Development and Chair of the National Committee for Reducing Air Pollution, S. Odontuya, stated: "Many citizens and representatives of enterprises have mentioned that bank loan interest rates are extremely high. An annual interest rate of 13 percent would be considered a commercial, not a green, loan in other countries. With such high interest rates, it is not possible to effectively take strong steps to reduce air pollution, as I have learned after meeting with citizens and businesses. Therefore, it is essential for the government to address as a priority the issue of lowering the interest rate for green loans so that citizens and enterprises can have access. If this is resolved, enterprises will be able to introduce the latest technology independently and gain customers without government intervention. The National Committee for the Reduction of Air Pollution has also sent proposals to enterprises to cease using raw coal, and businesses have supported this. For instance, public organizations such as schools and kindergartens in Bayangol district have already stopped using raw coal. We are now working to ensure that public organizations in Chingeltei district also stop burning coal," he added, calling on Parliament, Government, businesses, households, and every citizen to collaborate in reducing air pollution. The "Warm House" expo will continue until the 7th of this month.

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Under the guise of tree planting, covert land deals are being exposed

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Today, local residents of Battsumber soum in Tuv province held a press conference at the National Press Center regarding illegal land allocation in the southern part of Suvarga Khairkhan. A representative of the soum’s residents said: "A man known as Zairan E announced he would plant 100,000 trees in Battsumber soum, Tuv province, but without any permission, he unilaterally plowed up 20-30 hectares of land. We visited the site. When we asked why he plowed the land on his own accord, he did not answer and caused misunderstandings, engaging in a serious violation of the Land Law. According to relevant provisions of the Land Law, land can only be granted to a citizen or business entity for the purpose of ownership, use, or possession. This should be developed and implemented based on the soum’s annual and long-term development plans and the relevant procedures. However, the governor of our soum did not hold even a single hearing with the citizens as required by the General Administrative Law and disregarded the residents. While it is true that the national ‘One Billion Trees’ program is being implemented across the country by Presidential decree, it is now being used as a cover to conceal covert land deals. It’s unfortunate to see anyone claiming to have spoken with the governor and just digging up land as they please. This kind of thing seems to be spreading, and it's happened first in our soum. We are holding this press conference to stop it and to warn other provinces and soums. If someone is really going to plant trees, they are welcome to do so, but it must be done in accordance with laws and regulations. Therefore, we will request relevant officials to be investigated by law enforcement for this unauthorized matter. We will stop this." B. Lkhagvasuren, a member of the Citizens’ Representative Khural (CRH) of Battsumber soum, Tuv province, stated: "About 20 hectares of land in front of Suvarga Khairkhan have been fenced without any permit, the land has been plowed, and they are claiming trees will be planted. This, firstly, is a violation of the Land Law. Secondly, it seriously violates the local residents' right to be informed. Any activity must comply with the law, have the appropriate permit, contract, and documentation. But these individuals are acting on their own, as if they are above the law. Therefore, lawful action must be taken and the final decision communicated to the citizens. Stop the illegal activity. If the allocation was lawful, inform the citizens." Notice: Media organizations (TV, radio, social networks, and websites) are strictly prohibited from using all or part of our information without agreement, and may use it only by referencing the source (ikon.mn) when consent has been obtained.

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More than 30 Percent of the Country at High Risk of Forest and Steppe Fires

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: montsame.mn

According to a nationwide assessment, 7.8 percent of the administrative and territorial areas are at very high risk, 25.8 percent at high risk, and 15.4 percent at medium risk for forest and steppe fires. When looking at each province, it has been evaluated that 14 soums (districts) in Dornod aimag, one in Sukhbaatar, three in Khentii, 17 in Tuv, four in Selenge, one each in Bulgan and Khuvsgul, and two districts of Ulaanbaatar city are classified as very high risk. Therefore, the National Emergency Management Agency urges citizens to be vigilant and to take precautionary measures since the risk of forest and steppe fires remains high.

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7.8 Percent of Forest and Steppe Areas Are Highly Prone to Wildfires

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

An assessment of the vulnerability to forest and steppe fires across the country revealed that 7.8 percent of administrative and territorial forest and steppe areas have a very high risk, 25.8 percent have a high risk, and 15.4 percent have a moderate risk. Examining the risk of forest and steppe fires by districts in each province, 14 districts in Dornod province, 1 district in Sukhbaatar province, 3 districts in Khentii province, 17 districts in Tuv province, 4 districts in Selenge province, 1 district in Bulgan province, 2 districts in Arkhangai province, 1 district in Khuvsgul province, and 2 districts in Ulaanbaatar city were rated as having a very high risk. Therefore, since the risk of forest and steppe fires is high, every citizen is advised to remain vigilant and take preventive measures.

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Under the Patronage of the President, a Project to Reintroduce Przewalski's Horse Will Be Implemented in the Nomrog Strictly Protected Area

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: montsame.mn

A project to reintroduce the Przewalski's horse into the Nomrog Strictly Protected Area will be implemented under the patronage of the President.

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Warning Given Not to Openly Burn Yard Grass and Waste

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring Agency has reported a high level of dryness in the green zone of the capital city. Last year, 48 cases of dry grass fires occurred in the capital, burning 62.7 hectares of land, causing damage to citizens' property and the environment. Last week alone, there were one forest fire and 105 calls for structural fires registered. The dryness in the green zone increases the risk and danger of possible forest, steppe, and dry grass fires. Therefore, the Emergency Management Agency of the capital advises citizens who are traveling in the green zone and households living in the summerhouse area to get into the habit of placing hot ashes in a covered metal container, to thoroughly extinguish cigarettes, matches, and open flames, and not to openly burn dry grass or waste in their yards. It is also warned to follow the recommendations issued by professional organizations to prevent fire hazards and protect your health, life, and property. Source: Public Relations and Media Division of the Capital City Governor's Office Warning: Media outlets (TV, Radio, Social and Web pages) are prohibited from using our information fully or partially in any form unless agreed upon, and it may only be used by indicating the source (ikon.mn).

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Innovation

The Foreign Study Selection System Will Soon Open

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: news.mn

The regulations for the Education Loan Fund (ELF) have been updated, and following the issuance of a government resolution, the Minister of Education, P. Naranbayar, reported that information on 14,000 individuals with ELF loans has been submitted to Mongolbank's "blacklist." These individuals are now registered as debtors in Mongolbank's credit information system. The selection system for studying abroad funded by the ELF will open in 15 days. Therefore, it is advised to thoroughly study the revised regulations of the ELF. For example, the new regulation includes a 2+2 program, which allows students to study for two years at a domestic university and then continue for two years at a top university abroad. In such cases, an educational loan will be provided for the 2+2 program. Additionally, one child from a family that has herded livestock for more than ten years can now study land management or agricultural fields for free at a state-owned university. This law, effective from January 2025, will enable scholarships to be awarded starting September of the upcoming academic year. Regarding students studying abroad, the new regulation indicates a loan repayment period of up to 20 years. It also accommodates those who have worked abroad for up to three years and then returned to the country. Moreover, the selection process is now less dependent on individual discretion; as long as the required documents are correctly submitted, the chance of being selected is high. While previously only two children per household could receive scholarships, the updated regulation allows any number of children from the same family to be granted scholarships. It is expected that the efficiency will increase without additional financial burden on the budget. Out of 14,000 people living and working in Mongolia with ELF scholarships or loans, about 1,200 have studied abroad. In total, the state has financed around 300 billion MNT, and 204 billion MNT has been used for students studying abroad. The issue of registering the information of those not repaying their ELF loans in Mongolbank's credit information system has been discussed for many years. As mentioned earlier, information on 14,000 people has been submitted in three phases to the blacklist. Last year, 438 million MNT was repaid by those studying abroad, while in 2025, this amount has tripled to 1.2 billion MNT. As a result, a decision has been made to collect 30 billion MNT this year through repayments to the ELF and thus provide more opportunities for others to study.

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NET: Results of the Mongolian Language Exam to be Announced on May 9

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: isee.mn

The Mongolian language and writing exam was held nationwide on April 18-19. This time, a total of 84,969 examinees registered for the exam. Specifically, there were 39,164 12th-grade students, 30,824 11th-grade students, 12,909 10th-grade students, and more than 2,108 examinees who graduated in previous years. The Education Evaluation Center has announced that the results and scores of the 2025 Mongolian language and writing exam will be announced on May 9, 2025.

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Registration for Vietnam Government Scholarship Program for Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral Degrees Ends on the 22nd of This Month

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Vietnamese Government has announced a fully funded scholarship program for citizens of Mongolia. This program is open to high school seniors (12th graders), as well as students and researchers at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. The scholarship includes: - Full tuition coverage
- Accommodation
- Monthly living allowance
- One year of Vietnamese language preparatory course at a prestigious Vietnamese university (classes will be conducted in Vietnamese). Registration will be conducted online from May 1, 2025 to 10:00 AM on May 22, 2025. Applicants should visit https://scholarship.esis.edu.mn/grant/login.html to create a user account, read the application guide, complete the electronic application, and submit it. Each required document mentioned in the application must be attached in the "documents" section as a PDF file (each file must not exceed 5Mb). As the registration deadline approaches, system load increases; therefore, it is recommended to register early. For issues related to the registration system, please call 75772727 on working days between 09:00 and 17:00. For questions about the scholarships, contact the Department of Foreign Cooperation at the Ministry of Education at 51-263495 between 09:00 and 17:00. There will be no additional registration after the deadline, so please make sure to register within the specified period, the Ministry of Education announced. Notice:
Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social Media, and Websites) are prohibited from using this information in whole or in part in any form, except by agreement and with proper attribution to the original source (ikon.mn).

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Health

Audits to be Conducted on Projects Aimed at Improving Drinking Water Quality

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Today, the National Audit Office opened its audit of projects and programs related to drinking water and sanitation facilities and their effectiveness. This audit will focus on reviewing the implementation of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 6.1 and 6.2. The audit aims to evaluate the effectiveness of government policies on providing the population with healthy, safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, and to present the results to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Budget, relevant organizations, and officials. D. Enkhbold, Director of the Performance and Compliance Audit Department at the National Audit Office and lead auditor, opened the audit, introduced the audit plan and program, and provided information on important issues to consider during the audit process. The audit will cover the Government, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing, their affiliated organizations, the Water Authority, the 21 River Basin Administrations, provincial and city Citizens' Representative Khurals, Governor's Offices, the Water Supply Authority, and other relevant organizations.

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The Health Sector Has Been Shaken Due to Conflicts Between New and Former Ministers

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

13A Forms to Become Digital Starting Next Month The health sector experienced turmoil last week. During a parliamentary session, Minister of Health T. Munkhsaikhan, in response to criticism from parliament member J. Chinburen, stated, "Let the relevant organization investigate it." Shortly after, the director of the National Center for Cancer, N. Erdenekhuu, was suddenly dismissed. Although the reason given for this unexpected decision was a demand for 500 million MNT in medicinal tax, Minister T. Munkhsaikhan has not yet provided an explanation. MP J. Chinburen harshly criticized that during last year's medicine hearings, there were discussions regarding conflicts of interest, including the founder of "Mongol Pharm," L. Namkhainorov, now appointed head of the Medicine Policy Department at the Ministry of Health, who directly made deals with pharmaceutical companies. Also, the list of discounted medicines has not been updated since 2022, but those medicines began being sold at discounted prices, allegedly violating several laws. Such actions, despite legislative efforts to close loopholes in the sector, show that problems and violations are only worsening. In response, Minister T. Munkhsaikhan stated, "Since last August, we have studied and communicated with the factories, and from November we started importing medicine. Currently, we are importing our 28th medicine. Recently, we brought in five types of medicines used for cancer, delivering them to the National Center for Cancer. These are being sold at a lower price than the previous medicines, which also had more side effects, and are more accessible to patients. I do not understand why there is so much discussion about this now." Following this, he dismissed N. Erdenekhuu, and reports followed that MP J. Chinburen will request an investigation into Minister T. Munkhsaikhan by the prosecutor’s office, and that Dr. N. Erdenekhuu plans to approach the courts regarding his sudden dismissal. At last Friday's parliamentary unified session, the appointment of B. Ragchaa, deputy president of the Mongolian Federation of Trade Unions, was discussed and approved as the representative member of the National Health Insurance Council. Interestingly, L. Khorolsuren was appointed as an independent expert tasked to objectively evaluate the nominee’s knowledge, professional qualification, ethics, skills, and experience. After reviewing the submitted materials and holding an individual interview, the nominee was evaluated as lacking in some professional criteria but met requirements on knowledge, experience, skills, and ethics, and so was recommended. However, nobody questioned the reasoning behind this, focusing instead on the fact that health insurance benefits are not reaching local hospitals and enrollees. In previous years, both the spending and safeguarding of the health insurance fund's finances have frequently heated debates for successive ministers. Depending on where and how the funds were kept, there have been cases where money was lost to commercial banks and had to be recovered through court decisions. This has affected the accessibility and quality of health services, causing loss for insured individuals. By law, health insurance funds are now prohibited from being held in commercial banks and must be kept in the State Treasury, which seems to have improved the situation. According to Minister T. Munkhsaikhan, the Health Insurance Fund is neither empty nor bankrupt. This year’s budget allocated 2.3 trillion MNT for the fund, with about 700 billion MNT already distributed in the first quarter, and currently around 1.6 trillion MNT remaining in the fund. He acknowledged that the fund faced difficulties due to large outlays during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, over 300 billion MNT in debts owed to hospitals nationwide has been settled. This year, funding for all soum (district) hospitals was increased, but for some types of performance-based funding, the amounts were reduced. For instance, soum health centers previously received large funds for patients hospitalized unnecessarily, but essential services such as stroke and heart attack care often ran out of funding by year end. Efforts are underway to correct this. Regarding health insurance effectiveness, Minister Munkhsaikhan explained that, for example, in 2020, insured individuals could not utilize insurance for services costing over 2 million MNT, but following reforms, patients can now receive a liver transplant costing 104 million MNT by paying just 5 million MNT. Members also criticized the removal of the 13A form, stating it caused patients to bypass primary clinics and overwhelm central hospitals. The minister replied, “We will restore the 13A form in electronic format and start integrating related data from June. This will generate complete records of consultations and diagnoses, allowing doctors to see patients’ diagnostic information, decide where they should be treated, and schedule appointments, effectively reducing overload and bureaucracy.”

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Arts

The First World Mongolians Festival to Be Held in Brussels

Published: 2025-05-05 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The first World Mongolians Festival will be organized on the 28th of next month in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. During the festival, events such as traditional wrestling, archery contests, shagai shooting competitions, exhibitions and sales of national goods, products, and food, as well as cultural performances, will be held to promote Mongolian heritage and culture internationally. Athletes wishing to participate in the wrestling, archery, and shagai shooting competitions are required to register with the embassies in Europe or relevant professional associations. This festival is the first major event organized for citizens residing abroad within the framework of Mongolia’s long-term development policy “Vision 2050.”

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Today's Stories

Politics

Economy

Diplomacy

Infrastructure

Society

Environment

Innovation

Health

Arts

Politics

A Working Group Will Be Established for Amendments to the Law on the National Wealth Fund

Implementation of the Law on Public Information Transparency to Be Improved

FACT: Legal action taken to make public the MPP's decisions and agreement on forming a 'Coalition Government', including the agreement signed by L. Gantumur /VIDEO/

Salaries of People Who Worked in Government with Fake Diplomas Will Be Recovered

Issues to be Discussed at the Parliament Session

Secretary General of the Parliament's Office B.Baasandorj Allegedly Pushing His Associate B.Tögstsengel Forward to the Civil Service Council, Possibly Leading to Secrecy in the Selection Process Information

Kh. Temuujin: The Prime Minister should sit among the MPs, the principle that the President cannot be re-elected should be maintained, and the Speaker of Parliament should be removed from the National Security Council

A Reminder that Democracy is not Dead

URGENT: The court hearing to obtain the "contract" made by L. Oyun-Erdene and L. Gantomor has been postponed due to the absence of the MPP's appointed representative

Liability Imposed on Governors Who Violated the Law

Economy

Russia's 'Rosatom' Corporation Proposes Uranium Exploration and Mining at the Mardai Deposit in Mongolia

Concerns Over Off-Budget Fiscal Expansion

Warren Buffett Advises the Mongolian Government to Stabilize Its Currency Exchange Rate

Accusations of Favoring Chinese Companies

"Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC Leads with 3.5 Trillion Tugrik Tax Payment

Contracts Signed with Businesses Selected for Soft Loans

700 Billion Tugrik from the Social Insurance Fund to be Deposited in Commercial Banks with Interest

The Best Taxpayer Enterprises Have Been Announced

126:1 The Secret Owner of 'Zes Erdeniin Khuv' Company

Central: 25 Projects Selected for Soft Loans for Small and Medium Enterprises

The General Department of Taxation Selects Mongolia's Top Taxpayer Companies for 2024

Diplomacy

EXCHANGING VIEWS WITH THE UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR

Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg Paid a Courtesy Call on the President of Iceland

DUNDGOVI: UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia Jaap van Hierden Visits Dundgovi Province

Infrastructure

From June 1, Ulaanbaatar will be divided into 14 cities including Yarmag, Chingeltei, and Selbe

Opinion: The Country Will Develop Through Regional Development

A Draft Law to Amend the Law on Urban Development Has Been Submitted

The "Ulaanbaatar City 2040" General Development Plan Introduced to Officers of Chingeltei and Sukhbaatar District Administration Offices

Electricity Outage Schedule for Sukhbaatar, Bayanzurkh, Chingeltei, and Khan-Uul Districts on May 6

S.Batsaikhan: This summer, the longest — six-kilometer — stormwater drainage line will be installed on Chingis Avenue

ARKHANGAI: Inter-city Road Traffic Remains Closed

Zavkhan: The Solongot Pass Road Section Has Not Been Fully Opened Yet

E. Enkhtuvshin: The project to renovate the pedestrian path from Tavan Shar to Sapporo will be completed by August 25

SCHEDULE: Locations in Bayangol District with Hot Water Restrictions for 14 Days from May 15 to 29

The Draft Law on Heat Supply Presented to the Leaders of the Ministry of Energy

SELENGA: Having a unified emergency number 112 will allow for timely access to many services

Zavkhan: Inauguration of the Altai-Uliastai Paved Road Project

Warning Issued to Avoid Traveling on the Following Routes Blocked by Snow

Society

Freedom of the Press Shackled by State Censorship

Stop Mocking Tourists by Pretending to Run Buses to Khushigiin Khundii

President U.Khurelsukh to Attend Victory Day Ceremony, Mongolian Armed Forces Personnel to Parade

Report: 48% of Young People Change Jobs in Less Than a Year

The Largest International "Mommy & Baby Expo 2025" Exhibition to Be Held

The Decision to Suspend Sentence of Korean Man Who Raped Mongolian Woman Is Deemed Unjustified

Environment

GIZ and the Mongolian Billion Tree Fund to Cooperate in Mongolia’s Forestry Sector

S. Odontuya: The Interest Rate of Green Loans Will Be Lowered

Under the guise of tree planting, covert land deals are being exposed

More than 30 Percent of the Country at High Risk of Forest and Steppe Fires

7.8 Percent of Forest and Steppe Areas Are Highly Prone to Wildfires

Under the Patronage of the President, a Project to Reintroduce Przewalski's Horse Will Be Implemented in the Nomrog Strictly Protected Area

Warning Given Not to Openly Burn Yard Grass and Waste

Innovation

The Foreign Study Selection System Will Soon Open

NET: Results of the Mongolian Language Exam to be Announced on May 9

Registration for Vietnam Government Scholarship Program for Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral Degrees Ends on the 22nd of This Month

Health

Audits to be Conducted on Projects Aimed at Improving Drinking Water Quality

The Health Sector Has Been Shaken Due to Conflicts Between New and Former Ministers

Arts

The First World Mongolians Festival to Be Held in Brussels

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