Mongolia News Summary for October 16, 2024

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 Mongolia Strategy Center or its members.

Today's Stories

Politics

• Vice Chairwoman Kh. Bulgantuya and Delegates Attend 149th IPU Assembly
• The Governor of the Capital Appoints New Deputy Mayors

Economy

• IMF Advises Mongolia to Tighten Fiscal Policy
• Position: The Coalition Government Aims to Diversify the Economy
• Khan Bank Secures $25 Million in Green Bond Financing
• IMF Advises Mongolia to Tighten Fiscal Policy
• Mongolian Mutton Now Available in Gulf Retailers
• Cashmere: Possibility of Earning 1.5 Billion USD from Spun and Knitted Products
• IMF Advises Mongolia to Tighten Fiscal Policy
• 4.7 Trillion Tugrik Deficit in the Pension Fund - A Ticking Time Bomb
• Successfully Organized the Primary Market Offering of USD Bonds Under "Khan Bank" JSC's "Green Bond" Program
• Export of "Shindongjin" Rice from Gunsan, South Korea to Mongolia for the First Time
• Attempt to Smuggle Wheat Under the Name of Barley Results in Charges
• Certification Ceremony for Banking Expert Advisors Held
• Ceremony for Awarding Certificates for Customer Advisor Bank Specialist Training
• P. Bat-Erdene: Budget Expenditure Has Not Increased to an Extent That Would Drag Down the Economy
• Successfully organized the primary market trading of US dollar bonds under "KHAAN Bank" LLC's "Green Bond" program
• AN: Will Reduce State Involvement in the Economy

Diplomacy

• Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene to Meet with Government Leaders of Neighboring Countries
• The President's Visit to Turkmenistan: Benefits for Mongolia
• The President of the Australian Senate, Ms. Sue Lines, Will Visit Mongolia
• The Asia-Pacific Disaster Ministerial Conference Officially Opens Today
• Representatives from 106 countries participate in the 6th World Media Summit
• Mongolia Ranks Eighth Globally in Peacekeeping Troop Contributions
• Saudi Authorities May Affect Russia's Ability to Finance the Ukraine War

Infrastructure

• "Citizens of the capital will not experience power outages during peak winter load"
• Discussion Topic: Increase in Electricity and Heating Prices and Potential Limitations
• According to the government's action plan for 2024-28, a policy to utilize nuclear power plants will be implemented
• Increased Flight Frequency to Ölgii City
• MIAT Increases Flight Frequency to Ölgii
• Japanese Government Provides $111,808 in Grant Aid to Renovate Tsegtsegbilig School in Saikhan-ovoo, Dundgovi
• 500-600 Thousand Households Need Housing
• Winter Preparation in Ulaanbaatar is 95.5% Complete
• From today, individuals operating unauthorized taxi services will be fined five million MNT
• 500-600 thousand households need housing
• Road Closures This Week
• This week's road closures
• Road Closure and Renovation from Peace Bridge to Camel Statue
• The road from the west of the Film Factory to Dorj Street will be closed and renovated

Society

• The Social Consensus for Allocating Natural Resources Begins
• A New Tourist Information Center in Ulaanbaatar's Central Square
• Dundgovi: Signed Agreement for the "Grassroots Grant Assistance for Human Security" Project
• Household's Average Income Increased, but Expenses Expanded, Increasing Vulnerability

Environment

• Emergency service personnel to plant 10 million trees by 2030

Innovation

• "Smart Education IV" Project: Digital Classroom, "SMART" Event, Mentorship Program
• TODAY: "Digital Signature" Discussion to be Held
• Training of Professional Auto Mechanics and Engineers Begins
• Only a Few Seats Left in the 3-Month UI/UX Designer Training Program
• Testing detection skills of crimes committed using artificial intelligence

Health

• Telemedicine Center Established for Remote Diagnosis and Treatment
• Policy Reform in the Field of Occupational Safety and Health
• Policy reforms in occupational safety and health sector
• Policy Reforms in Occupational Safety and Health Sector
• Policy Reform in Occupational Safety and Health Sector
• Is Artificial Intelligence the Future of Healthcare?
• Policy reforms in occupational safety and health sector

Arts

• LKHAM Gallery Participates in Asia NOW 2024, Europe's Largest Asian Art Festival

Politics

Vice Chairwoman Kh. Bulgantuya and Delegates Attend 149th IPU Assembly

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is taking place in Geneva from October 13-17. Deputy Speaker of the State Great Khural (Parliament) Kh. Bulgantuya, Members of Parliament O. Nominchimeg, G. Khosbayar, and Secretary General of Parliament B. Baasandorj are attending the assembly. The assembly aims to adopt an outcome document on the main theme of the general debate. Discussions will be held by all structural bodies of the IPU, including the Governing Council, Standing Committees, the Human Rights Committee of Parliamentarians, the Committee on Middle East Questions, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, and the Forum of Young Parliamentarians. This assembly's general debate focuses on "Integrating science, technology, and innovation for peaceful and sustainable futures." Representatives from member countries of the IPU are expected to consult and exchange ideas on reducing the risks and increasing the benefits of new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, and to invigorate inter-parliamentary activities. The assembly will also address the emergency item on "Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Democracy, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law," and adopt resolutions on issues discussed by the Committee on Democracy and Human Rights. An outcome document on the general subject of the debate will also be adopted. The Inter-Parliamentary Union, which unites the parliaments of countries globally, was founded in Paris, France in 1889 and now has 180 member parliaments and 15 associate members (regional parliaments). The IPU's primary goals are to establish communication among parliaments and parliamentarians, foster cooperation, and encourage discussions on pressing international issues, issuing recommendations and resolutions, directing parliamentary activities towards these goals, improving parliamentary operations, and contributing to the protection and promotion of human rights, an integral part of parliamentary work. The People's Great Khural of the Mongolian People's Republic joined the IPU in 1962. In the early 1990s, Mongolia transitioned to a new political and economic system and established a permanent parliament under a democratic Constitution, elevating its relations and cooperation with the IPU to a new level. A notable example of this progress is the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding between Mongolia's State Great Khural and the IPU, focusing on strengthening the guarantee of human rights, the foundation of democracy, and gender equality, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. This was achieved through a self-assessment of human rights and gender issues by the parliament, using methodologies developed by the IPU. The State Great Khural of Mongolia thus became the 13th parliament to evaluate its gender sensitivity and the first to conduct a self-assessment on human rights protection, as reported by the Mongolian Parliament's Press Office.

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The Governor of the Capital Appoints New Deputy Mayors

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The governor of the capital, H. Nyambaatar, has appointed his deputies. Specifically, he has appointed T. Davaadalai, a representative of the City Council, as the first deputy governor, and A. Amartuvshin as the second deputy governor. T. Davaadalai was elected from the Mongolian People's Party in the election for the districts of the provinces and city, where he was nominated in Bayanzurkh district. He is an engineer by profession and speaks Russian and English. In 2006, he graduated from Secondary School No. 73 and from 2006 to 2011 studied at Saint Petersburg State Transport University in Russia, where he earned a degree in locomotive engineering. From 2015 to 2017, he pursued a master's degree in management-based engineering-business administration at the University of Queensland in Australia. Regarding his work experience: - From 2011 to 2015, he worked at Ulaanbaatar Railway's cooperative as an assistant machinist, repair receiver, machinist, and repair engineer. - In 2016, he founded the startup "UniCar". - In 2017, he was the site manager for "Bats-Urgoo" LLC's OT site. - In 2018, he was the business development manager at "Applies Mongolia LLC". - In 2020, he served as the director of "Davaa Business Consulting" LLC. - In 2020, he was the OT project manager at "NCSS LLC". - From 2019 to 2021, he was the technical advisor team manager at "Wagner Asia" LLC. - Since 2021, he has been the project manager for "Tavan Tolgoi Coal Loading and Logistics Center" at "Bodi International" LLC. - Since 2022, he has worked as the head of the R&D center for the "Bodi Group". He has started working today as the first deputy governor responsible for economic development and infrastructure issues. A. Amartuvshin has previously worked in the Citizen's Representatives Meeting at Khan-Uul district and was elected this time for the first time as a representative in the City Council. He holds a degree in diplomacy, international relations, and law. In 2007, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in politics and foreign studies from Monash University in Australia, and in 2011 he completed a master's degree in foreign relations from Deakin University in Australia. Regarding his work experience: - In 2008, he worked as an organizer in the administration department of the State Great Khural's (Parliament's) Secretariat. - From 2008 to 2013, he served as an organizer, analyst, and reference officer in the foreign relations department of the State Great Khural's Secretariat. - From 2013 to 2016, he was a diplomatic officer and consul at the Embassy in the Republic of Belarus. - Since 2016, he has been working as deputy governor responsible for social policy at the Governor's Office of Khan-Uul district. - From 2020 to 2024, he is serving as a representative of the Khan-Uul district's Citizen's Representatives Meeting. Starting from today, he has assumed the role of deputy governor responsible for social sector, green development, and air and environmental pollution issues in the capital's governor's office.

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Economy

IMF Advises Mongolia to Tighten Fiscal Policy

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised the Mongolian government to tighten its fiscal policy to effectively manage the current rise in commodity prices. The IMF stated that the government should create external and fiscal buffers to pursue ambitious investment programs and other reforms necessary to maintain external and internal balance while aligning with the economy's absorption capacity. Between September 25 and October 1, an IMF team worked in Ulaanbaatar. The IMF highlighted the government's commendable step of setting a nominal debt ceiling with strict prohibitive conditions. According to an IMF statement, "The effective refinancing of foreign debt, and the payment by the Bank of Mongolia of half of the remaining balance of the swap line with the People's Bank of China, have positively impacted by reducing external debt risks and improving the country's credit rating." The IMF predicts that Mongolia's economic growth will remain stable in 2024-2025, supported by the expansion in the mining sector, increased high-grade copper production in China, strong coal exports, and irreversible planning of the 2024 budget amendments and the draft budget for 2025. Source: MSN.COM

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Position: The Coalition Government Aims to Diversify the Economy

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: news.mn

The Budget Stability Council, in cooperation with the Open Society Forum, discusses the budget foundation for Mongolia in 2025. “We don't see it as a budget with high economic growth to crash the economy.” Director of the Budget Expenditure Department of the Ministry of Finance’s Budget Policy Planning Department, P. Bat-Erdene: - The budget for the coming year has been introduced to initiate 14 mega projects by the Government. In addition to starting large projects, the budget includes essential social services expenses to provide more accessible and higher quality public services. For example, starting from January 1, next year, pensions for senior citizens and salaries of government employees will be increased by 6% in line with inflation. As a result, salary expenses have increased by 1.1 trillion MNT. Additionally, due to the increase in the number of pensioners receiving from the social insurance fund, the fund's expenses are projected to increase by 658 billion MNT. The increase in budget expenditure is due to economic expansion as GDP is growing. The proportion of expenses increases with economic growth. When looking at the expense growth rate, it does not seem to increase so drastically that it would crash the economy. According to an IMF study, the policy measure to increase civil servant salaries does not significantly impact inflation, and its effect is felt about a year later. Therefore, international institutions' studies have been considered when planning to increase these salaries and pensions. "The budget for next year is focused on urgent priorities" Economist J. Delgersaihan: - One thing we know today is that Mongolia’s budget expenditures over the past 30 years have not been handled well. While we've made many achievements in politics and society, we haven’t expanded the economic scale or achieved significant results. We are at a developmental crossroads on how to proceed. Particularly, a relatively rapid economic recovery is taking place post-pandemic. Therefore, implementing the 14 mega projects outlined in the 2025 budget's developmental plan is deemed reasonable. These projects align with the macroeconomic objectives outlined in the Government's program and budget policy, targeting what needs to be done immediately. The main objectives, such as supporting the private sector, improving citizens' livelihoods, accelerating economic growth, increasing GDP per capita, and reducing poverty, are well planned, and the policy direction is correct. However, we need to address what should be done to avoid repeating past mistakes. In addition to fiscal expansion, plans include significant off-budget investments. The economy must cautiously handle whether it can sustain such large expenditures. Secondly, we must ensure proper implementation without failure over the next four years, planning to invest 120 trillion MNT. Realistically focusing on successful implementation of the 14 mega projects is critical. "Social sectors need to optimize allocated budget rather than seek more money" Member of the Budget Stability Council, L. Otontuya: - The draft budget for 2025 has been submitted to the Parliament by the Mongolian Government. The Council has provided relevant conclusions. This budget aims to align its policy with the Government’s action plan, which is a significant advantage. Moreover, budget investments are targeted towards mega projects and other infrastructure projects, aiming for consistency with economic and social infrastructure development policies. However, there is concern about high expenditure, and with GDP expected to grow by 2%, the budget deficit is included, suggesting optimistic estimates for revenue. If GDP does not reach 95 trillion MNT, the indicators will be problematic. Currently, 39 organizations oversee the national budget’s expenditure, with seven or eight of them accounting for nearly 80% of total expenditure. In current expenditures, substantial funds are allocated to the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Protection, the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Health. There is a particular focus on the development of children with disabilities, but there are no measurable achievement indicators for using funds allocated to the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Protection. Therefore, it is necessary to create realistic indicators for how every budgeted MNT spent impacts citizens' well-being. The social sectors need to prioritize budget optimization over seeking additional funds. The spending system should be improved to use budgetary resources more efficiently and effectively. "Next year's budget is aimed at regional development" Director of the Finance and Investment Department of the Ministry of Finance, J. Delgerjargal: - First, the main goal of budget investment should be understood. Public funds are used for investments, such as roads between provinces, that private firms do not construct voluntarily. As the population grows, demand increases, leading to increased investment. Out of the 14 mega projects, three will be launched with foreign loans and aid, like the oil refinery and Erdeneburen satellite projects. Four projects will proceed with state-owned enterprises’ investment, with tenders already announced. The remaining seven projects will be executed with public-private partnerships. The budget also includes expenses related to project loan use. Some legal reforms to support projects via a tax policy have been incorporated. The investment for next year’s state budget focuses on regional development. The planned state budget investment is to reach 4.3 trillion MNT. Previously, over 1,100 projects were approved for state budget investments, 400-500 of which were new projects. Next year, it’s planned to implement 640 projects, 38 being new construction projects. Next year’s budget will focus on infrastructure, energy, and regional development. For instance, to develop the western region, roads and new energy sources are necessary. The main goal of investment is to tackle the fundamental social issues and diversify the economy, enhancing the country’s competitiveness. According to the World Bank, Mongolia needs to focus on developing basic infrastructure for better competitiveness and economic diversification. Hence, next year’s budget is strategically aligned with these goals. "Mongolia has lagged in producing value-added products" Member of the Budget Stability Council, A. Enkhbat: - With lots of mineral resources, Mongolia has small domestic markets and vast land. The Council’s conclusion is that relying on the mining sector may introduce risks for next year’s budget revenue forecasts. The global raw materials market is volatile due to various political, economic, and social conditions. China’s steel industry's primary raw material is coal, meaning its reduction directly impacts coal purchases from Mongolia and price too. In the budget, coal was calculated at $105 per ton. If prices fall, revenue will drop, possibly stopping expenditures, leading to sourcing external financing and liabilities. Mongolia has missed opportunities to produce value-added products, selling raw minerals like coal, copper, and gold, then using that revenue for social expenses and raising pensions and wages. The Coalition Government aims to construct an economy with a more solid foundation and diversify it. This involves establishing industrial processing facilities to produce value-added products from raw materials. This policy is a strategic advantage for the Government's objectives. It’s appropriate to diversify an economy reliant only on mining.

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Khan Bank Secures $25 Million in Green Bond Financing

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have jointly invested in Khan Bank, which has successfully launched a US Dollar Green Bond on the domestic capital market for the first time under the "Green Bond Program." In June 2023, the Financial Regulatory Commission approved Khan Bank's "Green Bond Program," which aims to raise a total of $30 million in two phases. As a first step, in December 2023, Khan Bank successfully offered Green Bonds worth $5 million, equivalent to 17 billion Mongolian tögrögs, for public trading at the Mongolian Stock Exchange. In the second phase of the program, Khan Bank's long-term partners, ADB and EBRD, each invested $12.5 million into a $25 million Green Bond that is specifically offered to strategic investors. By issuing a Green Bond domestically, Khan Bank adds green products to the Mongolian capital market, expands it, attracts international strategic investors, and creates new investment opportunities. This bond will not only leverage the growth of Khan Bank's green loan portfolio but also significantly contribute to the sustainable financing of Mongolia's financial market. Under the Green Bond Program, Khan Bank defined the "green" characteristics of this bond and the funded projects and has committed to reporting on the use of bond proceeds to investors. The "Green Bond Financing Framework" aligns with the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) Green Bond Principles and the "Mongolian Green Finance Taxonomy" principles of the Sustainable Finance Association. The underwriting of this successful program and its public listing on the Mongolian Stock Exchange was conducted by BDSec Securities Company. With robust financial performance and reliability, having earned the trust of customers, Khan Bank manages one-third of the banking sector's total assets and serves 82% of the Mongolian population. Now, it has launched internationally-recognized Green Bonds in both local currency and foreign currency on the Mongolian Stock Exchange for the first time, laying the foundation for introducing innovative financial tools and new asset classes to the domestic capital market. This also sets a good example for green financing and sustainable investment. "Issuing a US Dollar bond on the domestic capital market with the support of strategic investors demonstrates the trust of international financial institutions and investors in Khan Bank. Additionally, introducing innovative financial instruments to the domestic capital market shows the bank's ability to attract new funding sources from international investors. This financing aligns with Khan Bank's strategic objectives to support green financing and sustainable economic growth and encourages clients to implement green and sustainable practices in their business activities, while playing a vital role in achieving the country's sustainable development goals," shared Mrs. G. Munkhbayar, Deputy Executive Director for Risk at Khan Bank. "We believe the green bond proceeds will not only expand Mongolia's green financing market but also be a more inclusive investment supporting micro enterprises, especially women-owned businesses and farmers, to improve their livelihoods," remarked Ms. Susan Gaboury, Director General for Private Sector Operations at ADB, on ADB's investment in Khan Bank's Green Bond. "As a leading green bank that aligns all projects and programs with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change, EBRD is delighted to invest in the first Green Bond launched on the Mongolian capital market by our long-term partner, Khan Bank. This investment supports Khan Bank's green financing efforts and is unique for being listed on the Mongolian Stock Exchange," said Mr. Hannes Takacs, EBRD's Resident Representative for Mongolia. In December 2023, Khan Bank fully utilized the proceeds from the 17 billion tögrög Green Bond offered publicly on the Mongolian Stock Exchange, increasing its green loan portfolio from 377 billion to 590 billion tögrögs by the second quarter of 2024, marking a 56% growth in the first half of the year. Currently, Khan Bank accounts for 55% of all green loans issued in the sector and is actively promoting green and sustainable financing solutions to its customers. Growing Together Harmoniously – Khan Bank

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IMF Advises Mongolia to Tighten Fiscal Policy

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised the Mongolian government to tighten its fiscal policy to effectively manage the current commodity boom. The IMF suggests that the government should establish external and fiscal buffers to maintain external and internal balance while implementing an ambitious investment program and other reforms aligned with the economy's absorptive capacity. An IMF team visited Ulaanbaatar and praised the government's establishment of a nominal debt ceiling with strict prohibitive conditions as a commendable step. In a statement, the IMF mentioned, "The successful refinancing of external debt and the Mongol Bank's payment of half of the outstanding balance on the swap line with the People's Bank of China have reduced external debt risks and positively impacted the country’s credit rating." The IMF projects that Mongolia's economic growth will remain stable in 2024-2025, supported by the growth of the mining sector, increased production of high-grade copper in China, strong coal exports, and the expansionary inclination of the 2024 budget amendment and the irreversible commitment to the 2025 budget draft.

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Mongolian Mutton Now Available in Gulf Retailers

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, and other Gulf countries have started selling Mongolian mutton in their major retail chain stores. This was mentioned by P. Sergelen, the Mongolian ambassador to Kuwait, in an interview with "Ödriin Sonin". He noted that our country has actively collaborated in trade with the Gulf countries, particularly Kuwait, Jordan, and Qatar, since 2022. As a result of this collaboration, the legal framework for exporting meat and meat products has been established. On the Mongolian side, there are plans to regularly export 30 to 100 tons of fresh mutton per week. The importing parties have also expressed interest in purchasing beef, camel meat, and by-products. Additionally, there is the possibility of transporting the meat by plane and bringing back fruits from the Gulf countries on return trips. If the exporting and importing parties reach an agreement, the Mongolian embassy in Kuwait is ready to provide support and assistance. To export livestock meat to the Gulf countries, our country obtained a halal product certificate last May. The Gulf countries are among the world's top consumers of meat, and Kuwait's meat consumption expenditure is expected to rise from the current $2.1 billion to $2.4 billion by 2026.

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Cashmere: Possibility of Earning 1.5 Billion USD from Spun and Knitted Products

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar. Last year, our country exported 441.2 million USD in the cashmere sector. From this: 5,449 tons of washed cashmere were exported for 263.6 million USD, and 1,001 tons of dehaired cashmere for 95.8 million USD, respectively. About 74% of the 7,400 tons of washed cashmere were exported. In terms of products, 1.8 million pieces of knitted goods were exported for 38.7 million USD, and 58.2 thousand meters of woven fabric were produced, according to D. Altantsetseg, Executive Director of the Mongolian Wool and Cashmere Association, at the "Mongolian Cashmere Research-2024" scientific conference. Our country produces 728 tons of spun yarn annually for the international market. It was presented that yarn and dehaired cashmere are supplied to global brand manufacturing companies. The value and appreciation of pasture-based, naturally colored cashmere products made from free-grazing goats continue to increase year by year in the global market, she emphasized. Consumer trends are increasingly directed towards purchasing high-value, natural, and quality products from the market. Additionally, the demand for and sales of recycled cashmere products are rising as consumers become more knowledgeable and informed about environmental issues. Currently, our cashmere production has a capacity of washing 19,000 tons of cashmere; dehairing 11,400 tons, and spinning 2,278 tons. Mongolia prepares 10,000 tons of raw cashmere annually, and if the export of washed cashmere is limited, there is a capacity to produce and export 4,600 tons of spun yarn. This could result in sales of 80 million USD and the production of spun and knitted goods, providing the potential to earn a total of 1.5 billion USD. In the cashmere production sector, 10,000 people are employed, 85% of whom are women, and 75% are young people aged 18-45. The implementation of the "White Gold" movement, proposed by the President of Mongolia, aims to create a favorable legal, investment, and tax environment, and to support the quality of raw materials and their supply chain, has begun.

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IMF Advises Mongolia to Tighten Fiscal Policy

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised the government of Mongolia to tighten its fiscal policy to effectively manage the current surge in commodity prices. The IMF suggested that the government should create external and fiscal buffers to maintain both external and internal balance and to generate the necessary policy space to implement ambitious investment programs and other reforms, aligning with the country's economic absorption capacity. An IMF team visited Ulaanbaatar and acknowledged as a commendable step the government's establishment of a nominal debt ceiling with stringent restrictions. In a statement, the IMF noted, "The successful refinancing of external debt and the payment by the Bank of Mongolia of half of the balance of the swap line with the People's Bank of China have reduced external debt risks and positively impacted the country's credit rating." The IMF forecasts that Mongolia’s economic growth will remain stable in 2024-2025, supported by growth in the mining sector, an increase in high-grade copper production in China, robust coal exports, and the expansionary stance of the 2024 budget amendment and the 2025 budget proposal.

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4.7 Trillion Tugrik Deficit in the Pension Fund - A Ticking Time Bomb

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

A deficit of 4.7 trillion tugrik has accumulated in the pension fund. This situation is akin to a ticking time bomb. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, represented by Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan, presented the legal reforms of the sector along with the 2024-2028 action plan to the members of the State Great Khural's (Parliament) Standing Committee on Social Policy. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, L. Munkhzul, along with directors of the departments and divisions, attended this event. Major policy objectives have been set for the period from 2024 to 2028, which aim to halve the levels of unemployment and poverty, to increase the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita to 8,000-10,000 US dollars, and to advance 10 positions in the human development index. Let's highlight some key points from the meeting. Currently, there are 983,485 families in our country. One in five families has housing issues, and one in three families faces financial problems, leading to more than 4,000 couples filing for divorce on average each year. Efforts are underway to improve the legal environment focused on family-based employment and social services, making it possible for each province and district to have a family psychologist. Within the framework of the INCOME-CONFORMING HOUSING program, more young families will be involved. As part of the reforms in social insurance, pensions are now adjusted annually according to inflation and are inheritable. Going forward, the introduction of a private pension system, making the social insurance fund transparent, digitizing services based on artificial intelligence, and transitioning to a virtual format are the goals set. The policy to transition from welfare to employment will be maintained to eliminate the overlap of benefits and eradicate poverty, with social welfare only reaching targeted groups. The applications for determining 97 diseases leading to loss of work capacity will be processed indefinitely, and bureaucracy has been fully eliminated. The main objective in the coming years will be the PRODUCTIVITY REVOLUTION, transitioning to a system where productivity increases lead to wage growth. The Pension Fund resembles a TICKING TIME BOMB. Due to populist decisions such as the law on compensation insurance, favorable conditions for establishing pensions, setting up pensions based on five out of the last seven years, and annual increments, a 4.7 trillion tugrik deficit has developed in the pension fund. From 2025, the Mother Glory II medal will be increased to 200,000 tugrik, and the I medal to 400,000 tugrik, doubling their value. Various forms of nursing care and specialized services for the elderly will be introduced, and protection against domestic violence will be ensured. Support will also be provided to families with children with severe disabilities by increasing allowances by 30% and establishing SUPPORT CENTERS nationwide to offer labor, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and guidance to caregivers. Additionally, draft laws on key sectoral regulations such as the package of amendments and additions to the Social Insurance Law, amendments to the Law on Labour Migration, the Family Support Law, the revised draft of the Employment Services Law, the revised draft of the Social Welfare Services Law, the draft law on private supplementary pension insurance, the revised draft of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law, the proposed draft of the Accessibility and Inclusivity Law, and the draft of the Sign Language Law are prepared to be submitted during the autumn session of the 2024 Parliament, as reported by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. Warning: Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social, and Web pages) must provide credit to the source (ikon.mn) when using this information in any form, either fully or partially.

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Successfully Organized the Primary Market Offering of USD Bonds Under "Khan Bank" JSC's "Green Bond" Program

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

"Khan Bank" JSC has successfully launched the first green bond product in Mongolia's capital market under its "Green Bond Program," with "BDSEC CLC" working as the underwriter. Within this program, bonds in both togrog and USD are being offered in stages. The first stage, which involved 5 million USD equivalent to 17 billion togrog bonds, was offered to the public with a par value of 100,000 togrog, an interest rate of 16%, and a 3-year term. This was successfully raised in December 2023. The second stage involves offering USD bonds to international strategic investors aiming to support sustainable development, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Development Bank. The primary market offering was successfully organized on October 15, 2024, at 10:00 AM, raising 25 million USD. The goal is to create green investment options for international investors, support Mongolia's sustainable development and green economic growth, and increase sustainable financing opportunities for local entities to conduct environmentally and socially responsible activities. "BDSEC CLC" works as the underwriter of the initial "Green Bond Program" in this context. Globally, the number of green financing sources aimed at combating climate change has been rapidly increasing. The financing amount doubled to 1.3 trillion USD in 2021-2022 compared to the 2019-2020 average, indicating growing investor interest in green projects. "BDSEC CLC" is pleased to collaborate on raising financing for green projects and investments. Warning: Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social media, and Websites) must mention the source (ikon.mn) when using our information, in whole or in part, in any form. Please take note!

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Export of "Shindongjin" Rice from Gunsan, South Korea to Mongolia for the First Time

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

"Shindongjin" rice produced in Gunsan, South Korea, was exported to Mongolia for the first time. This export is part of the "2024 Food Crop Export Promotion Project," which plans to export a total of 90 tons of rice to Mongolia through China in four batches. The rice will be sold in three types of packages: 1 kg, 4 kg, and 10 kg. Kim Sang Gi, head of the Technology Distribution Division of the Agricultural Technology Center in Gunsan city, stated, "In such difficult conditions where rice stockpiles in production sites are excessive, this export agreement will greatly help rice farmers. We will produce high-quality Gunsan rice and expand our exports abroad."

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Attempt to Smuggle Wheat Under the Name of Barley Results in Charges

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

A charge has been filed against a customs official for attempting to illegally transport and smuggle 2,332 kg of wheat disguised as barley through a border checkpoint. Specifically, the Prosecutor's Office has filed charges against B.V, a public official in the Customs organization, who conspired with others to secretly transport 2,332 kg of wheat under the name of barley to an international highway checkpoint in Dornod Province. The charges have been filed under Article 22.1.1 of the Criminal Code for abuse of power and position, and the case has been forwarded to the Court of First Instance for Criminal Cases of the province.

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Certification Ceremony for Banking Expert Advisors Held

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: news.mn

A certification ceremony for banking expert advisors was held today for graduates of the new combined theoretical and practical banking course implemented jointly by the Bank of Mongolia, the Sparkasse Bank's Mongolia Foundation, the Mongolian Bankers Association, and the Banking and Finance Academy. More than 70 staff from four banks who participated in this training received their certificates. The ceremony was opened with a speech by the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Mongolia, Mr. G. Enkhtaivan. Additionally, speeches were given by the Economic Cooperation and Development Section Head of the German Embassy, Mr. U. Weber, Deputy Chairman of the Mongolian Bankers Association, Mr. B. Uurtzaisk, Executive Director of the German Sparkasse Bank Foundation, Mr. N. Bergmann, the Sparkasse Bank's Mongolian Representative, Mr. Markus Loch, and Executive Director of the Banking and Finance Academy, Ms. G. Bumchimeg, who congratulated the graduates. The banking expert advisor training has been implemented by the Bank of Mongolia, the Mongolian Bankers Association, and the Sparkasse Bank's Mongolia Foundation since 2017. Since 2022, it has been updated under the name “New Banker” combined theoretical and practical course, continuously improving and developing the key professional skills of banking staff. As of today, the number of students participating in this course has reached 624. The Central Bank of Mongolia has established foundational standards for banking sector staff as part of its objective to improve the public's financial literacy and implement training and development programs. By meeting these standards, banking staff who undergo international level combined theoretical and practical training can deliver banking services to citizens in a more understandable and accessible manner. Ultimately, this enhances the financial literacy of clients, protects the rights of financial consumers, and ensures stability in the financial sector.

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Ceremony for Awarding Certificates for Customer Advisor Bank Specialist Training

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

A ceremony to award certificates to graduates of the theoretical and practical training for new bankers, jointly organized by the Bank of Mongolia, the Sparkassenstiftung Mongolia, the Mongolian Bankers Association, and the Banking and Finance Academy, took place today. Over 70 employees from 4 banks who participated in this training received their certificates. The ceremony was opened with a speech by the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Mongolia, G. Enkhtaivan. Speeches were also given by U. Weber, Head of the Economic Cooperation and Development Department of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, B. Uurtsetsegbaatar, Deputy President of the Mongolian Bankers Association, N. Bergmann, Executive Director of the Sparkassenstiftung, Markus Loch, resident representative of the Sparkassenstiftung Mongolia, and G. Bumchimeg, Executive Director of the Banking and Finance Academy, who congratulated the graduates. The customer advisor bank specialist training program, which began in 2017 as a collaboration between the Bank of Mongolia, the Mongolian Bankers Association, and the Sparkassenstiftung Mongolia, was revamped in 2022 into the "Theory and Practice Combined Training for New Bankers" to enhance and empower the essential skills of bank employees. As of today, a total of 624 participants have completed the program. The Bank of Mongolia aims to improve the basic financial literacy of the public and implement training and development programs by establishing unified foundational requirements for banking sector employees. By fulfilling these requirements, bank employees who participate in international level theory and practice combined training can deliver banking services to citizens in a more comprehensible and straightforward manner. This also serves to enhance customers' financial education, protect financial consumer rights, and maintain the stability of the financial sector.

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P. Bat-Erdene: Budget Expenditure Has Not Increased to an Extent That Would Drag Down the Economy

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The government, in drafting the 2025 budget, plans for Mongolia's consolidated budget revenue to be 33.7 trillion MNT, or 35.5% of GDP, with total expenditures reaching 35.6 trillion MNT, or 37.5%, and a deficit of 1.9 trillion MNT or 2% of GDP. The budget expenditure for the coming year is projected to increase by 5 trillion MNT compared to this year's approved budget. P. Bat-Erdene, Director of the Budget Expenditure Department under the Ministry of Finance's Budget Policy and Planning Department, explained the reasons for the increase in budget expenses. He stated, "In 2025, we are increasing total budget expenditures by 5 trillion. Of this, we are increasing current expenditures by 3.5 trillion MNT. Looking at the budget picture for next year, the government has aimed to start implementing 14 mega projects, which are included in the budget proposal. Additionally, necessary social basic services for citizens will be financed as before, and some projects have been added with the goal of delivering more accessible and quality government services to the public. We have planned the expenditures for the social services sector, including health, education, and social protection, to be slightly higher than the national average expenditure growth." Major projects mentioned include an estimated 6% increase in government employees’ salaries and pensions for seniors starting January 1, in line with inflation, to counteract the loss of purchasing power due to rising inflation. As a result, salary expenses have increased by 1.1 trillion MNT. Additionally, the expenditure for the social insurance fund is expected to increase by 658 billion MNT due to the growing number of pensioners drawing from it. According to an IMF study, the policy measure of increasing public servant wages has a relatively low impact on inflation. Furthermore, the inflationary effect becomes noticeable about a year later. Therefore, in planning these salary and pension increases, we have taken international studies into account. Increased budget expenditure is unfavorable for individuals and households; however, it is necessary to maintain a reasonable level. The government has a vast number of mandates it implements. Regarding the budget expenditure increase, the economy itself is expanding. GDP is increasing, and with it, the ratio of expenditure grows. When looking at the rate of expenditure growth, it is not expanding in a way that would significantly disrupt the economy. Amendments have been made to the Fiscal Stability Law, introducing the concept of the basic balance, which is legislated to have a 2% surplus. The budget proposal submitted to the government and parliament complies with this requirement. The basic balance, therefore, consists of our domestic tax and non-tax revenue, rather than any external sources. J. Delgerjargal, Director of the Development Finance and Investment Department of the Ministry of Finance, discussed significant changes planned for budget investment in the next year. She said, "Our main goal is to make budget investments more efficient; how to diversify the economy through budget investment and support economic growth. On the other hand, we focus investments towards policies that enhance the quality and accessibility of basic social services everywhere people live. Next year's public budget investment is directed towards regional development, concentrating on infrastructure issues like road transportation, energy, and basic infrastructure. By doing so, we aim to impact the development of other sectors, such as livestock, tourism, and increase competitiveness. This policy is very distinctive because it is an approach we have long hoped to implement. Although budget investment is 4.3 trillion MNT, there are fewer projects. Previously, over 1100 projects would be approved in the national budget investment, with 400-500 being new projects. For next year, 640 projects are planned, of which 38 are brand new construction projects. From the 14 mega projects to be implemented by the government, three have been started with foreign loans and assistance, such as the oil refinery project, the national satellite, and the Erdeneburen hydropower plant projects. Additionally, four projects are being implemented with investment from state-owned companies, some of which have already announced tenders. The remaining seven projects will be funded by public-private partnerships. Some budgets include expenses related to loan utilization for these projects. Moreover, some legal reforms linked with these projects are more supported through tax policy in the budget. Thus, they are associated with the budget." Properly planning budget investments can solve social and economic issues and support the private sector. If state investment were to cease, private companies might lose jobs. Looking at the total budget expenditures, investments most support the private sector. According to a survey from last year, the Ministry of Finance signed contracts with over 3000 enterprises, keeping 34,000 jobs. Projects funded through budget investments are carried out by the private sector. It is vital for implementing agencies, such as ministries, to focus especially on making budget investments more efficient and adhere to plans. To manage this, we have improved and approved our methodologies. Furthermore, we have developed a website and application dedicated to budget investments. This makes everything transparent, improves financing and implementation processes, and creates public oversight. We aim to continue enhancing and developing this.

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Successfully organized the primary market trading of US dollar bonds under "KHAAN Bank" LLC's "Green Bond" program

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

"KHAAN Bank" LLC has successfully implemented the "Green Bond Program" with 100% success as the first green bond product offered on Mongolia's capital market, with "BDSec JSC" serving as the underwriter. As part of this program, bonds in both MNT and USD are being offered in stages. The first phase, equivalent to 17 billion MNT (about 5 million USD), with a nominal value of 100,000 MNT, a 16% interest rate, and a 3-year term, was successfully raised in December 2023. The second phase, which involves offering USD bonds aimed at supporting sustainable development, was offered to international strategic investors such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Development Bank. The primary market trading was successfully organized on October 15, 2024, at 10:00 AM, and 25 million USD was successfully raised. "BDSec JSC," as the underwriter of the first "Green Bond Program," aims to create options for green investment for international investors, support Mongolia's sustainable development and green economic growth, and increase the potential for sustainable financing, supporting domestic organizations in conducting environmentally and socially friendly operations. The number of sources of green financing aimed at combating climate change at the international level is increasing rapidly, with funding amounts doubling from the 2019-2020 average to the 2021-2022 average, reaching 1.3 trillion USD, indicating increasing investor interest in green projects. "BDSec JSC" is pleased to collaborate in obtaining funding and making investments in green projects.

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AN: Will Reduce State Involvement in the Economy

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The party factions in the parliament met yesterday, and the AN held a press briefing. The head of the faction, O. Tsogtgerel, stated, "Our party has lost in seven out of the last eight elections. Previously, we used to receive many votes in the capital, and young people greatly supported us. This time, we have also faced defeat, so we acknowledge this and need to conduct an internal analysis and reform our electoral system. Moving forward, the AN will work as a more effective opposition." Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene announced that Mongolia's economy grew by 5.6% in the first half of this year. However, AN members pointed out that during this period, profits and revenues in the agricultural sector decreased by 27%. They highlighted, "The decline in the agricultural sector indicates that our country's economy is becoming very vulnerable. Therefore, the AN will lead initiatives to improve economic and monetary policy. We will eliminate government interference in business conducted under the appealing names of mega projects and natural resources. Unless the state's involvement is reduced in this way, a socialist economy is about to emerge." It is worth mentioning that although the MPP faction had a meeting, they did not hold a press briefing.

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Diplomacy

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene to Meet with Government Leaders of Neighboring Countries

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene traveled to Islamabad, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He is participating as an observer in the expanded meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states. The meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO member states will take place on the 15th and 16th of this month. During his visit to Pakistan, Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene plans to hold a trilateral meeting with the government leaders of Russia and China. Additionally, he is scheduled to hold one-on-one meetings with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Premier Li Qiang of the State Council of China.

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The President's Visit to Turkmenistan: Benefits for Mongolia

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

Within the framework of Mongolia’s active foreign policy towards Central Asia, President U. Khurelsukh made an official visit to Turkmenistan. This historical first visit since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was fruitful, though it raised many questions for me as a journalist who witnessed it firsthand. - VISITING A CLOSED COUNTRY AS THE FIRST DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT - To anyone visiting the closed-off country of Turkmenistan, it was like entering a new world. Since diplomatic relations were established in 1992, this was the first visit at the level of a head of state. The country requires visas for all foreign nationals, and currently, there is no information on any Mongolian nationals living there. We were received in the capital city, Ashgabat, which boasts a total of 543 white marble buildings, earning it the Guinness World Record for being the "city of white marble." Interestingly, even vehicles are painted white. The law had previously prohibited black cars, though this has recently been revoked. Women wear long traditional clothing and vividly colored scarves on their heads. However, opportunities to learn about their daily lives were limited, due to the country being closed off. We were informed that restrictions were imposed on citizens due to the country hosting an international conference for the first time. To citizens of a democratic country, this felt unusual, as if something was being hidden. It seemed as if they only wanted to show us the good aspects of their city. Additionally, Turkmenistan can be considered a land of natural gas. They provide electricity, water, and gas to their citizens free of charge. During the visit, fruitful discussions were held about the possibility of collaborating with Mongolia on future natural gas supply projects and transporting gas to Mongolia via routes used for gas exports to China. - INTERNATIONAL FORUM WITH THE PRESENCE OF RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT AND LEADERS OF EIGHT COUNTRIES - During President U. Khurelsukh’s visit to Turkmenistan, an international forum was held attended by Russia's President V. Putin and heads of state from eight countries and international representatives. The event celebrated the 300th anniversary of the birth of Turkmenistan’s famous poet Makhtumkuly Fraghi, under the theme “The Link Between Time, Culture, and Peace Foundation and Development.” Countries participating included Armenia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Turkey. While this meeting might appear as a celebration of a poet’s anniversary, it drew significant attention to geopolitical issues. The participation of Mongolia, a neutral party amidst countries like Armenia, Georgia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, which were part of the former Soviet Union, raised intrigue due to current geopolitical tensions. Furthermore, Turkmenistan agreed to allow Mongolia to use its Caspian Sea port, enabling the establishment of maritime connections with Central Asian countries and providing an alternative route through the Volga-Don Canal, a Russian-built and controlled waterway, which connects the Caspian and Black Seas. - ALIGNING "TURKMENISTAN'S REFORESTATION" AND "THE BILLION TREES" PROGRAMS - Agreements were made to collaborate across numerous sectors such as agriculture, foreign relations, and cultural arts, with plans to export wool, cashmere, meat, and meat products. Additionally, a "Business Forum" was organized with the participation of 40 Mongolian and 43 Turkmenistani business representatives, opening opportunities for joint business ventures between the citizens of both countries. Interestingly, Turkmenistan, despite its desert and hot climate, has planted trees everywhere to create soft and warm environments through combined green and white shades in its cities. This led to their "Turkmenistan Reforestation" initiative, which has planted over 145 million trees to date, aligning with Mongolia’s "Billion Trees" national program for collaborative efforts. A noteworthy development is the imminent establishment of a joint commission between the Governments of Mongolia and Turkmenistan to strengthen cooperation. In conclusion, the President paved the way for future cooperation and economic enhancement through multiple agreements and negotiations. For me as a journalist, it was an introduction to a new world. Furthermore, Mongolia’s foreign visits, which were previously focused on seeking loans and aid, have now shifted towards fostering mutually beneficial cooperation, enhancing our country’s reputation.

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The President of the Australian Senate, Ms. Sue Lines, Will Visit Mongolia

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

At the invitation of Dashzegviin Amarbaysaglan, the Speaker of the State Great Hural of Mongolia, the President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, Sue Lines, will pay an official visit to Mongolia from October 16-19, 2024. Within the framework of the visit, Speaker of the State Great Hural D. Amarbaysaglan and President of the Senate Ms. Lines will hold an extended meeting on the expansion and development of cooperation among the legislative bodies of the two countries. In addition, during the visit, President of the Senate S. Lines will pay a courtesy call on the President of Mongolia, U. Khurelsukh. This visit is notable as it is the first visit implemented at the level of the President of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Australia, and it is important for strengthening political dialogue and mutual trust between Mongolia and Australia.

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The Asia-Pacific Disaster Ministerial Conference Officially Opens Today

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

The Asia-Pacific Disaster Ministerial Conference, organized from October 14 to 18, 2024, in Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines, officially opened today. A delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister S. Amarsaikhan of Mongolia is participating in this high-level conference. During the conference, Deputy Prime Minister S. Amarsaikhan held several official meetings. He met with Mr. Kamal Kishore, the UN Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Ms. June Kunugi, the Director of UNICEF Asia and the Pacific Regional Office, and Mr. Ariel Nepomuceno, the Deputy Secretary in charge of disaster risk reduction management in the Philippines. They discussed expanding cooperation in disaster risk reduction. The Asia-Pacific Disaster Ministerial Conference is a significant event where issues of regional disaster prevention, preparedness, and capacity building to reduce disaster risk are discussed under one roof. It includes cooperation between governments, the private sector, and civil society, and reviews achievements, advancements, innovative methods, and solutions in disaster risk reduction activities. Additionally, the United Nations has expressed its support for the policies and actions of the Mongolian government to address climate change, overcome the challenges of natural and climatic conditions, droughts, and to reduce the potential damage.

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Representatives from 106 countries participate in the 6th World Media Summit

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The 6th World Media Summit, under the theme "Artificial Intelligence and Transformations in the Media Sector," is currently taking place in Urumqi, China. This summit, organized by Xinhua News Agency and the Xinjiang Administration, brings together representatives from UN agencies and international media organizations to exchange information on the transformation and changes in the media sector due to artificial intelligence. The participants shared their innovative experiences in the media industry. They discussed topics such as "Development and Transformation: AI Applications in Media Development," "Rules and Responsibilities: Journalism Ethics in the AI Era," and "Facts and Truth: The Mission of Media in the Digital Age." The discussions also delved into new generation technologies in media, the role of artificial intelligence in the industrial revolution, and the advancement of global collaborative development. High-ranking officials from the Central Government of China, the Government of the Xinjiang Region, and the President of Xinhua News Agency, Fu Hua, along with leaders from member organizations of the World Media Summit, delivered keynote speeches. As artificial intelligence grows, media professionals must adhere to ethical standards and professional norms. This meeting serves as an important platform for international media cooperation, emphasizing the significance of deepening collaboration in the sector for a better future. At the opening session, Xinhua News Agency’s President Fu Hua mentioned that with the development of artificial intelligence, productivity had increased by 70%, highlighting Xinhua's leadership in media artificial intelligence technology. The opening of the 6th World Media Summit featured speeches from Ma Xingrui, a member of the Political Bureau of the CCP Central Committee and Secretary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region's Committee, and Chen Wenjun, Deputy Director of the CCP Central Committee's Propaganda Department, among others. Over 500 delegates from 208 media and government organizations across 106 countries, as well as representatives from international bodies, including MONTSAME’s delegation, attended the summit. Representatives from MONTSAME had previously participated in the summit in 2009, 2013, and 2018, and this year, members from the English and Chinese editorial offices, the publishing department, and translators are attending. During the high-level meeting of world media organizations, Deputy Head and Head of MONTSAME's Department of Administration and Operations T. Enkhtuya met with Yuan Bingzhong, the Vice President of Xinhua News Agency. They discussed revitalizing their cooperation, which had slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing journalist and content creator exchanges, and sharing news. They agreed to renew their cooperation agreement in Ulaanbaatar in 2025. MONTSAME and Xinhua News Agency have been expanding their partnership since they first signed an information-sharing agreement in 1958, marking 66 years of cooperation. Over the past 103 years, MONTSAME has worked with numerous international news agencies to create a bridge of cooperation, sharing information about Mongolia with the world, one of its key partners being Xinhua News Agency. MONTSAME exchanges information with 42 international news agencies and has comprehensive partnerships with them. Meetings with leaders of these organizations provided valuable opportunities for face-to-face discussions, fostering warm conversations. This year, representatives discussed deepening these collaborations.

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Mongolia Ranks Eighth Globally in Peacekeeping Troop Contributions

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

The 14th contingent of the Mongolian Armed Forces, set to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping operation in South Sudan representing Mongolia, paid tribute to their military banner yesterday. This year, the Ministry of Defense has set a goal to triple the participation of peacekeepers in this operation. It also plans to increase the provisions and salaries of military personnel and defense sector members. Currently, about 900 Mongolian military personnel are serving in seven UN peacekeeping missions. Over the past 22 years, a total of 22,000 Mongolian soldiers have participated in peacekeeping operations. With these figures, Mongolia ranks eighth among 120 countries contributing troops to peacekeeping missions, 16th in terms of female military personnel participation, and first among Northeast Asian countries.

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Saudi Authorities May Affect Russia's Ability to Finance the Ukraine War

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Analysts are writing that the alliance relationship created by Saudi Arabia and Russia in the global oil market may come to an end. If so, it will have a serious negative impact on the ability of the Russian authorities to finance the Ukraine war. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has declined to participate in the BRICS summit to be held in Kazan. In September, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, expressed a desire to involve the Saudi leader in what he called "the most important foreign policy event in Russian history." However, last week diplomat Yuri Ushakov reported that the prince refused the invitation and that the Saudi Foreign Minister would attend instead. While Ushakov did not explain why the prince declined, he criticized Western countries for pressuring the nations invited to the Kazan summit. Since the start of the Ukraine war, Saudi Arabia has been an ally of Russia in the oil market and even refused to join Western sanctions. In the fall of 2022, when U.S. President Joe Biden visited Saudi Arabia and tried to persuade it to increase production to replace sanctioned Russian oil supplies, he was unsuccessful. At that time, the Saudi prince remained true to the promises made to Putin and limited oil production to not exceed two million barrels per day. Thus, the two countries aimed for the global market price of oil to reach $100 per barrel, which was important for Russia's financing of the war in Ukraine. However, after two years, the policy of the Saudi authorities has begun to change. Observers believe that the reason for the policy change is due to the decline in Saudi Arabia's market share in the global market as a result of keeping prices high for so long. In late September, Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Abdulaziz Bin Salman warned some OPEC member countries, such as Kazakhstan and Iraq, that they might increase production and lower the price of oil to $50 per barrel because they were not fulfilling their quotas. According to London School of Economics researcher Luke Cooper, this would be the worst-case scenario for Russia. The Russian government has planned a barrel price of $70 for this year's budget and $69.7 for next year's budget. Therefore, if the market price reaches $50, it will be very difficult for Moscow to finance the war. Luke Cooper explains that Saudi Arabia can better endure lower prices due to lower production costs, as Saudi oil reserves are located close to the surface in the Arabian Desert, unlike Russia's oil reserves buried deep in Siberia's permafrost. Saudi Arabia can also quickly increase its production to easily offset revenue losses from lower prices. Crown Prince Bin Salman demonstrated this advantage to Putin in 2020. At that time, Russia proposed to withdraw from its agreement with OPEC. But when Saudi Arabia increased production to 12 million barrels per day and announced unprecedented discounts, oil prices fell to 1990s levels (Brent prices below $10 per barrel). A few months later, Russia abandoned its plan and entered into a new agreement with OPEC. "Unlike Saudi oil, the production cost of Russian oil is high, so it is difficult for the Russian side to adapt to a low-price environment. This explains the Russian war logic of achieving victory on the battlefield before oil prices fall," Cooper said. Currently, Saudi Arabia is extracting 8.9 million barrels of oil per day, the lowest amount since 2011. According to sources from the Financial Times, Saudi Arabia plans to increase daily production by 83,000 barrels per month starting this December and reaching an increase of one million barrels per day by December 2025. If OPEC member countries do not fulfill their quota obligations, Saudi production can increase even more rapidly, the sources indicated. Source: Financial Times Note: Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social and Web pages) must mention the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in whole or in part.

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Infrastructure

"Citizens of the capital will not experience power outages during peak winter load"

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Director of the City Engineering Infrastructure Department of UBZAA, Chief Engineer M. Baldandorj, provided information regarding the prevention of power outages for the citizens of the capital during peak winter load periods. He stated, "During last winter's peak load, challenges were encountered in ensuring uninterrupted power supply. A total of 1.9 million users were affected by power limitations, and studies indicated that this number could double by the winter of 2025. Therefore, in order to prevent difficulties during the peak load of winter 2025, we are planning to solve the situation by investing in heat sources that were never made before by the capital. Specifically, by connecting the 150 MW power plant in Bööröljüt and the 50 MW battery storage station in Baganuur to the central power system in November, we will increase the electrical energy." In order to improve the power supply to households in Ger district, energy-efficient electric heaters are being researched. In addition, energy-saving meters are being installed in specific locations, support is being provided to missing sources, and special heat energy packages for Ger district are being organized. Preparations for 2,755 power supply lines and equipment have been made, and 257 projects of 6-10 kW have been integrated into the power transmission network. As a result, the winter preparedness of the power supply is currently at 94.3% completion.

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Discussion Topic: Increase in Electricity and Heating Prices and Potential Limitations

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: news.mn

Preparations for winter in the energy sector are currently 86.8% complete. An additional subsidy of 131 billion MNT is being allocated to the energy sector through the budget amendment to finance winter preparations. Minister of Energy B.Choijilsuren emphasized that "If the winter does not become extremely cold, the capital city will be able to sustain itself at last year's level. We plan to avoid any freezing." He noted that the prices of electricity and heat would be increased, with decisions on this to be announced soon. The use of electric and thermal energy is increasing by an average of 6-7% annually. In 2021, the peak load of the central region's integrated power network reached 1387 MW. This is expected to grow by about 100 MW annually, reaching 1680 MW by 2025. In December 2021, 12.4% of the peak load capacity of the central region's system, or 172 MW, was purchased from Russia. Mongolia supplies 20% of its total energy consumption from imports. Officials have reported that financial losses in the energy sector are increasing year by year. Last year, the losses amounted to 240 billion MNT, and this year's losses are estimated to be around 270 billion MNT. The Minister of Energy highlighted that the sector is in a financial deficit. There are 27 state-owned companies approved by the Energy Minister with a target level. These companies have short-term liabilities of 539.6 billion MNT and long-term liabilities of 1.8 trillion MNT. Although energy consumption and economic growth are increasing, the inability to maintain domestic sources has led to a reliance on imported energy to meet growth demands, according to sector representatives. Minister B.Choijilsuren stated that "Energy prices will increase, including electricity, heat energy, and hot water for consumption. A decision on this will be made in the coming days. According to the energy law, the Energy Regulatory Commission independently makes decisions. Research related to this is being conducted. We produce, distribute, and supply 1 kWh of energy at 285 MNT. However, we sell it to households for 140 MNT, which is not even 50% of the cost. Regarding heat, it's obtained from CHP-3, CHP-4, CHP-2, and Amgalan heating plant. The cost for one household is 506 MNT per square meter monthly. I produce heat for 90 thousand MNT and sell it for 35 thousand MNT. If energy prices were liberalized, they would have to increase above production costs. That's a long-term issue. Our initial focus is on reducing the losses, not liberalizing the market and creating competition within the energy sector in the coming years. Transitioning to market principles could be possible through phased increases in energy prices during the government's tenure, potentially by 2027-2028." The government's plan involves fully meeting domestic consumption from local sources by establishing 11 power plants. Both renewable and conventional coal-based technologies are included. The construction of a 150 MW power plant is being completed with private investment in Tuv province, based on the Bureltgiin mine, and its first phase is set to be operational on October 5, 2024. The new sources are expected to be operational in at least 3-5 years, so the current situation poses pressing issues, as noted by industry representatives.

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According to the government's action plan for 2024-28, a policy to utilize nuclear power plants will be implemented

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Currently, our country is facing an energy shortage and is importing 22% of its total energy from neighboring countries. The issues of upgrading the energy system, developing infrastructure, and constructing new energy sources are becoming more pressing. Globally, countries are increasingly interested in using nuclear energy to ensure energy security and combat climate change. According to the IAEA, 27 countries have expressed interest in newly adopting nuclear energy in recent years, 11 of which have made government decisions to use nuclear energy. Mongolia is discussing the opportunity to use nuclear energy to diversify its energy supply, especially to eliminate energy shortages and combat climate change using green energy, and this is included in the government's action plan for 2024-2028 as '... implementing a policy to use nuclear energy and conducting basic research'. A working group to study the issue of using nuclear energy was established in 2022, led by the Ministry of Energy. The government reviewed the working group's report in May this year, instructed to conduct the necessary studies, develop a preliminary feasibility study, and present it to the head of the Nuclear Energy Commission. The Nuclear Energy Commission is working closely with the IAEA to complete the related foundational research and organize it in collaboration with other organizations. A project to 'study the possibility of using nuclear energy and strengthen nuclear and radiation safety' is being implemented under the IAEA's technical cooperation framework from this year for a duration of two years. As part of the project, IAEA experts visited and participated in a national seminar on 'Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Issues: National Position and Energy Planning' organized by the Nuclear Energy Commission and the National University of Mongolia, sharing information with participants. The goal of the seminar is to inform professionals, organizations, and decision-makers about what a nuclear energy program is, how countries address the 19 infrastructural issues when using nuclear energy, especially the roles and responsibilities of the government, financing, energy planning, and strategy development, preparation of preliminary feasibility studies, using the experiences of Estonia and Pakistan as examples. The seminar will be held in the conference room of the library of the National University of Mongolia from October 14 to 18, with more than 80 representatives from 25 organizations including the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Nuclear Energy Commission, the Energy Regulatory Commission, the National University of Mongolia, the University of Science and Technology, and the institutes of the Academy of Sciences participating. The most feasible alternative energy source that could replace coal could be a nuclear power plant. We spoke with M. Chadraabal, head of the Nuclear Technology Policy Department at the Nuclear Energy Commission. - Is it time for Mongolia to use nuclear energy? - Firstly, we need to study the availability of resources in our country to use nuclear energy and what advantages it would bring. Currently, we are in an energy deficit, investment has mostly stopped, and there is a considerable lack of new sources. The energy system needs reform. The global trend is moving towards energy sources with low greenhouse gas emissions due to climate change, abandoning coal. - As coal-fired power plants, which emit a lot of greenhouse gases, begin to cease operations, activities are underway to transition to other energy sources, such as renewable energy, hydroelectric power plants, and nuclear power plants. Mongolia can replace coal in the next few years, but if coal power plants, technology, and investment stop in the long term, we will face difficulties. We rely on coal for about 80% of our total energy. Thus, the most feasible energy source to replace coal could be a nuclear power plant. This must be proven through research. The current event aims to study how countries use nuclear power plants, how they solve encountered problems, how they develop infrastructure, the extent of required funding, how they handle used fuel safely, how many jobs are created, how local areas are developed, what support it brings to our macroeconomy, and what advantages it has compared to other energy sources. The focus is on what to study, who should do it, and with what budget. - What is the governmental policy and public attitude towards this issue? - The government's action plan for 2024-28 includes implementing a policy to use nuclear power plants and conducting basic research. Many key industry organizations and large enterprises, especially those in the energy sector, must participate in this study. Information must be shared with the public constantly. Currently, public understanding of nuclear energy is relatively low. We don't have this type of experience or technology and are studying foreign experiences. We need essential studies on whether it is feasible to build a nuclear power plant in our country, how much capacity we need, and whether it would be harmful or harmless. Mongolia has uranium, which is the main raw material used as fuel in nuclear power plants, providing us with an advantage. - Which country has the most experience with nuclear energy? - Over 30 countries in the world use nuclear power plants, with Russia being the first. Major countries include the USA and China. The most advanced countries in terms of technology are the five nuclear weapon states and the European Union, as well as emerging countries in Southeast Asia. - Can nuclear energy help us completely overcome our energy shortage? - I can't say we will completely overcome it. We should strive to supply 100% of our energy domestically. For that, we will use our internal resources. Mongolia has uranium, which is the main raw material used as fuel in nuclear power plants, giving us an advantage. - What are your thoughts on storage safety? - We will study international experiences on where and how to store, what efforts are required, what budget is needed, how many people will work, and how to safely store the materials. We will utilize international standards in Mongolia. If we can adopt the best international practices in Mongolia, it means this amount of cost, personnel are required, and there are legal changes to be made. If we can manage this, we should be economically sustainable. - How many years do you estimate it will take? - International experience shows that nuclear power plant projects last for 100 years. It takes 10-15 years to study and build, and 60-80 years to be used after construction. We will conduct our research for 1-3 years, then present our report, hold public discussions, and conduct public surveys. Recently, a nationwide referendum was held in Kazakhstan on October 6. Such activities should take place in Mongolia. Based on this, the government will make a decision, an official state decision will be made, human resources will be prepared, and an open international tender will be announced to prepare the technical materials for the next stage. - List the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy. - The advantage of nuclear energy is that it is a reliable source. It can produce energy 24/7, regardless of weather conditions, using minimal fuel to generate a large amount of energy and heat. The disadvantage is the issue of how to handle spent fuel and waste management. Mongolia contains 1% of the world's uranium resources. We spoke with Sh. Molor, a researcher at the Institute of Physics and Technology of the Academy of Sciences. - How many countries have nuclear power plants? - Approximately 35 countries use nuclear power plants for their energy needs. About 440 nuclear reactors are operational worldwide. There are also research-oriented power plants, with over 50 countries operating more than 200 research reactors. - What type of nuclear power plant would be suitable for our country? - In nuclear energy, there are mainly two types of designs based on the technology. There are less common types, but the commonly used types are pressurized water and boiling water reactors. Over 50% of the world's energy-producing reactors use the pressurized water reactor type. - What is the production cost per kWh? Producing 1 kWh of energy involves inputting various data. Our preliminary research suggests that it is possible to produce at approximately 7 cents per kWh. Compared to our current energy sources and the regional countries, this cost is generally competitive with the basic costs of other energy sources. - What can you say about the uranium reserves? - Mongolia holds 1% of the world's uranium reserves. We think it's more time to research than to use it. Seminar participant J. Saruadamba: - How do you view today's event? - I see it as one of the issues faced in implementing major mega projects and the government's Vision 2050. It seems timely. - What are your thoughts on using nuclear energy? - I'm not sure what to say specifically. I think it's more time to research than to use it. I hope foundational research will be conducted. - What do you think about the risks? Everyone perceives risks similarly. Uranium is an inherently dangerous substance, and the waste from nuclear plants is hazardous. If technology can overcome these risks, it can be safe. Since the Fukushima disaster, technology has reportedly improved significantly.

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Increased Flight Frequency to Ölgii City

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

MIAT JSC has increased the frequency of its flights to Ölgii City in Bayan-Ölgii Province. There are now direct flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The company announced that direct flights will be available from November 4, 2024, until March 28, 2025. The starting ticket price is 407,550 MNT for one-way and 810,150 MNT for round-trip.

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MIAT Increases Flight Frequency to Ölgii

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

MIAT JSC has increased the frequency of flights to Ölgii city in Bayan-Ölgii province by adding a flight on Mondays, now offering direct flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The company announced that direct flights will be operated from November 4th until March 28th, 2025. The ticket prices start at 407,550 MNT for a one-way trip and 810,150 MNT for a round trip.

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Japanese Government Provides $111,808 in Grant Aid to Renovate Tsegtsegbilig School in Saikhan-ovoo, Dundgovi

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The renovation of the Tsogtsegbilig School, a general education institution in Saikhan-ovoo, Dundgovi aimag, is set to be carried out with grant aid from the Government of Japan. Japan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Mongolia, Masaru Igawahara, and the Deputy Governor of Dundgovi aimag, M. Ankhbayar, signed the contract for this project within the framework of the "Grassroots Human Security Grant" program of the Government of Japan. Under this initiative, the main educational building and the extension of the Tsogtsegbilig School in Saikhan-ovoo will be renovated. Due to many years of use, the school's old and deteriorating wooden windows allow significant drafts, making classrooms very cold in winter. Furthermore, water constantly leaks from the roof, hindering the provision of a healthy and safe educational environment for the school's 436 students and 46 teachers and staff. Upon completion of the renovations, a healthy and safe learning environment will be established. Since 1990, the Government of Japan has been implementing the "Grassroots Human Security Grant" program in Mongolia for 34 years up to now. This current project marks the 607th project within the Grassroots Grant initiative and the 17th project to be implemented in Dundgovi aimag. Additionally, the upper limit for the funding of this approved project is 111,808 USD, according to the Japanese Embassy. Notice Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social, and Web pages) must cite the source (ikon.mn) if using our information in any form, either in full or partially.

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500-600 Thousand Households Need Housing

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Today, 32.1% of the 941,547 households in our country, or 302,237 households, live in apartments with engineering infrastructure. Meanwhile, 29.7% or 279,639 households live in housing districts without full engineering infrastructure, and 38.2% or 359,671 households live in ger (traditional yurt) settlements, according to a study. Therefore, it was discussed during the National Housing Committee working group meeting that approximately 600,000 households are in need of housing. There was also an exchange of opinions regarding whether increasing mortgage loan financing will raise housing prices, how to involve international organizations in this program, and whether there are additional financing options. The working group includes representatives from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development (MCUD), the Bank of Mongolia, MIK, TOCK, and the Mongolian Bankers Association from both public and private sectors. It is planned to finance mortgages with over one trillion MNT next year. This financing should primarily reach the target groups. In addition to providing housing for ger district residents in the capital, there is a demand for affordable housing for citizens and civil servants living and working in rural areas. Although infrastructure has been established in over 90 soums nationwide, construction is insufficient. During the working group meeting, the Mongolian Bankers Association suggested "green" housing with environmentally friendly solutions that can secure additional financing from international organizations and are energy-efficient. Meanwhile, MCUD proposed offering long-term rental options for households wishing to enter into housing, in addition to mortgage loans, as a way to prevent price hikes. According to research by the Mongolian Mortgage Corporation, since 2013, 155,000 households have obtained housing through mortgage loans. Of the households that obtained loans, 30% paid off their loans and expanded their housing. Internationally, it is common for people to sell their housing purchased with mortgage loans back to state companies, which then provide opportunities for others. Many such proposals will be consolidated into a clear resolution. To achieve this, changes to the relevant laws and regulations are necessary.

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Winter Preparation in Ulaanbaatar is 95.5% Complete

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: news.mn

In preparation for the 2024-2025 winter season, a total of 654 projects and measures related to clean and wastewater, electricity, heating supply, and other necessary areas have been implemented in the capital. As of October 14, winter preparations are 95.5% complete. Heating has been provided to residential and commercial buildings. In terms of heating supply, 25.1 km of pipelines have been installed at 18 locations. Preparations for 2,755 electrical lines and equipment have been completed, and 257 tasks involving 6-10 kW have been integrated into the power grid. As a result, the readiness of the electricity supply for winter is 94.3% complete. We sought clarification from M. Baldandorj, the Director of the Urban Engineering Infrastructure Department and Chief Engineer at the Ulaanbaatar City Administration (UBZA), on measures being taken to prevent power cuts for city residents during the winter peak demand. "Last winter, ensuring uninterrupted power supply during peak loads posed challenges. A study predicted that the number of affected electricity users, which was 1.9 million last winter, would double in 2025. Therefore, to prevent difficulties during the 2025 winter peak load, we believe the situation can be addressed by investing in a previously unutilized thermal power source in the capital. Notably, a 150 MW power plant in Boroogluut and a 50 MW battery storage plant in Baganuur will be connected to the central energy system in November to increase electricity supply. We are also exploring the use of energy-efficient electric heaters to improve electricity supply for ger district households. Additionally, efforts are being made to install energy-saving meters in certain locations, support deficient sources, and develop a special thermal energy package for the ger districts,” he said. Furthermore, 88,000 tons of improved briquettes have been prepared in 42 warehouses across seven districts, and 29 enterprises are distributing them through three routes. Additionally, 588 points are selling the briquettes.

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From today, individuals operating unauthorized taxi services will be fined five million MNT

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: isee.mn

According to the law aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Ulaanbaatar city and facilitating the relocation of ger district residents into apartment housing, individuals wishing to operate taxi services must pay a license fee ranging from 3 to 10 million MNT in order to obtain a permit. Accordingly, the Law on Violations has introduced a regulation that fines individuals 5 million MNT and legal entities 50 million MNT if they operate taxi services without permission. Starting today, taxi service operators are required to obtain a special license for their operations. This measure aims to regulate unauthorized or private individuals providing taxi services and to address related crimes and accidents. However, services obtained through applications such as "UB Cab" and "Aba Mongolia" are not subject to this regulation. The State Great Khural (parliament) has added a provision to their resolution stating that services provided through digital platforms are exempt from this requirement.

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500-600 thousand households need housing

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Currently, 32.1% of our country's 941,547 households, or 302,237, live in apartments with engineering infrastructure. Meanwhile, 29.7% or 279,639 households are in house districts without full engineering infrastructure, and 38.2% or 359,671 live in ger dwellings. Therefore, about 600,000 households need housing, as discussed during the meeting of the National Housing Development Council's working group. There was also an exchange of opinions on whether increasing mortgage financing will cause housing prices to rise, how to involve international organizations in this program, and whether there are possibilities for additional financing. The working group includes representatives from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development (MCUD), the Bank of Mongolia, MIK, and the State Housing Corporation (SHC), as well as representatives from the public and private sectors. It is planned to finance mortgages with over one trillion tugriks next year. This loan should primarily reach the targeted groups. There is a demand to provide affordable housing not only for the ger districts of the capital but also for citizens and civil servants living and working in rural areas. Infrastructure has been resolved in over 90 sums nationwide, but construction is still insufficient. During the session, the Mongolian Banks Association proposed energy-efficient "green" housings as an environmentally friendly solution, and suggested raising additional financing from international organizations. MCUD proposed allowing households wishing to enter housing not only through mortgage loans but also long-term rental options to prevent price increases. According to research by the Mongolian Mortgage Corporation, 155,000 households have moved into apartments using mortgage loans since 2013. 30% of these households have completed their loan repayments and upgraded their housing. Internationally, there is a practice where houses purchased through mortgage loans can be sold back to state companies, providing opportunities for other people. All these suggestions need to be consolidated into clear solutions, requiring amendments to relevant laws and regulations.

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Road Closures This Week

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The road from the Ulaanbaatar Railway Station to the "Petroleum" Gas Station in Bayangol District, 21st Khoroo, will be closed in the south lane starting today at 22:00 and will reopen on the 17th at 06:00. The north lane will be partially closed from October 17 at 06:00 to October 18 at 06:00 for repairs. The road from the West 4-way intersection to the Narnii Road will be closed from 23:00 on October 15 to 06:00 on October 18 for renovations. The road from the "Home Plaza" intersection to the "E-Mart" store intersection will be closed from 22:00 on October 15 to 06:00 on October 18 for renovations. Citizens and drivers are advised to use alternative routes. In KHUD's 2nd Khoroo, the road from the "APU PLC" intersection to the northwest intersection of the 19th service center will be closed from 23:00 on October 14 to 06:00 on October 16 for renovations. The east side road from the General Archive Agency to the Airport Circle, heading northward, will be closed from 23:00 on October 14 to 06:00 on October 17 for renovations. During this time, the northbound traffic will be directed via the right side lane heading southward. In SKHD's 4th and 5th Khoroos, the road from Tolgoit Road to Bayankhoshuu along the embankment will be closed from 23:00 on October 14 to 06:00 on October 17 for renovations. Citizens and drivers are advised to use alternative routes.

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This week's road closures

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Road Closure Updates The southern lane of the road from the Ulaanbaatar railway station in Bayangol district's 21st khoroo to the "Petrolium" gas station on Narny road will be closed from 22:00 on October 15th and will reopen at 06:00 on October 17th. The northern lane will be partially closed for repairs from 06:00 on October 17th to 06:00 on October 18th. The road from the Western 4-road junction to Narny road will be closed for renovations from 23:00 on October 15th to 06:00 on October 18th. The road from the "Home Plaza" intersection to the "E-Mart" store intersection will also be closed for renovations from 22:00 on October 15th to 06:00 on October 18th. Citizens and drivers are advised to use alternate routes during this time. The road from the "APU JSC" intersection to the northwest intersection of the 19 Service Center in the 2nd khoroo of KHUD will be closed for renovations from 23:00 on October 14th to 06:00 on October 16th. The east side road from the General Archives Office to the Nisekh roundabout, going north-south, will be closed for renovations from 23:00 on October 14th to 06:00 on October 17th. Traffic will be managed in reverse on the west side lane going south-north during this period. The road from Tolgoit road to Bayankhoshuu along the embankment in the 4th and 5th khoroo of SKHD will be closed for renovations from 23:00 on October 14th to 06:00 on October 17th. Citizens and drivers are advised to use alternate routes.

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Road Closure and Renovation from Peace Bridge to Camel Statue

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Roads will be closed and renovated in three locations in the capital city this week, on Wednesday and Friday. The road from the intersection of D.Sukhbaatar Avenue and Dilav Khutagt Jamsranjav Street to the 25th Pharmacy intersection will be closed for renovation from 23:00 on October 16 to 06:00 on October 18. The road from the Peace Bridge to the Camel Statue will be closed for renovation from 23:00 on October 18 to 06:00 on October 21. The eastern side of the road from the General Archives Office to the Aviation Circle will be closed for renovation from 23:00 on October 18 to 06:00 on October 21. During this time, traffic will be rerouted to the right lane from north to south. Therefore, citizens and drivers are advised to choose alternative routes. Source: Public Relations and Information Department of the Mayor's Office Notice: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social and Web pages) must mention the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, either fully or partially.

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The road from the west of the Film Factory to Dorj Street will be closed and renovated

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The road from the west of the Film Factory to Dorj Street will be closed and renovated between 22:00 on October 16th and 06:00 on October 19th. Therefore, citizens and drivers are advised to choose alternative routes.

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Society

The Social Consensus for Allocating Natural Resources Begins

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: news.mn

The "Mining Week 2024" event, a gathering of foreign and domestic investors and suppliers in the mining sector, featured a clear statement from Mongolia's Minister and member of the Cabinet Secretariat N. Uchral, representing the government. The key idea is for the government to negotiate with holders of mining licenses to allocate 34-51% of dividends from strategic deposits to an Accumulation Fund, distributing the benefits to the people. The negotiation document will be finalized by Parliament. This will clarify the government’s share and involvement in private enterprises exploiting strategic deposits, allowing the people to reap the rewards of the nation's wealth. The government will also enforce the law, establishing a cooperative consensus for resource allocation. Historically, a significant portion of Mongolia's wealth has been exported, supposedly generating huge profits. Yet, ordinary citizens have struggled to see any real benefits or improvements in living standards, prompting questions the authorities haven't addressed until recently. Engaging in dialogue with citizens affected by mining, particularly those facing health and environmental issues, has been challenging. These obstacles have mostly been faced by mining companies and local communities. Now, social initiatives and concrete steps are being taken to resolve longstanding disputes over natural resources. This signifies the people owning their wealth, businesses conducting their operations, and the government establishing clear regulations. The notion of citizens owning their wealth was introduced in 2019 through an amendment to Article 6.2 of the Constitution and became effective with the Wealth Fund Law passed in May 2024. Citizens now have the opportunity to directly benefit from mining revenues and apply those benefits to their standard of living. In the long run, equitable distribution of resources helps mining companies secure social licenses from the public, allowing them to operate sustainably. The Wealth Fund Law, approved by the previous Parliament along with amendments to the Minerals Law, ensures every citizen gains directly from dividends from strategic deposits. Every citizen of Mongolia will now have a savings account, which can be used for health, education, and housing. The 2020 "Mining and Mind" study by the World Bank advised Mongolia to allocate its resource revenues towards human capital development. The Accumulation Fund will focus on creating healthy, educated Mongolians using the dividends from the state’s 34% stake in strategic deposits. Currently, state-owned enterprises have accumulated 500 billion MNT in the Accumulation Fund. These funds provide financing for housing, allowing approximately 5,000 households to access mortgage loans. The profit of 500 billion comes from "Erdenet Plant," "Khutul Cement Lime," and "Darkhan Metallurgical Plant." Previously, these three enterprises were sources of financing for political and economic groups when concentrated in the hands of related parties. Now, however, their tax contributions to the state and local budgets have increased, creating real benefits for the people, made possible by the Accumulation Fund. As of the strategic 16 deposits approved by Parliament’s Resolution No. 27 of 2007, state-owned companies operate on 7 deposits, and over 20 companies hold licenses on the remaining sites. Nine of these strategic deposits — Oyu Tolgoi, Tavan Tolgoi, Nariinsukhait, Boroo, Tumurtei, Tumurt's Ovoo, Shivoo-Ovoo, Erdenet's Ovoo, Baganuur — pay taxes and fees to the state. Globally, the extraction of natural resources significantly impacts both a country's development and its citizens' livelihoods. Consequently, the process of owning and utilizing these resources, and the income derived from them, must be transparent. Concentrating resources in the hands of one person or entity can lead to corruption, conflicts of interest, and social inequality. Thus, information about license holders and their related enterprises must be transparent. In the past, the so-called "resource curse" burdened Mongolia, often due to unchecked practices. Recent scandals, such as the "coal theft" surrounding the Tavan Tolgoi deposit, highlight such issues. Monopolies on natural wealth led to governance crises. However, the 2019 constitutional amendments, Wealth Fund Law, and the Public Information Transparency Law have improved this situation, enabling greater transparency and distribution of resource benefits. Thus, the current government calls on private enterprises to participate in negotiating the distribution of wealth from strategic deposits to benefit the public. Encouragingly, some private companies are starting to accept this invitation. For instance, "Mongolian Alt MAK" LLC, which holds licenses on the Tsagaan Suvarga and Nariinsukhait strategic deposits, welcomed the constitutional amendments and expressed openness to government negotiations as of September 27. However, these negotiations on state ownership percentages will not apply to companies with existing investment agreements with the government or those with over 10% of their shares publicly traded. Instead, social consensus talks will focus on license holders of strategic deposits surveyed with state funds whose stability agreements have expired. Changes to the Minerals Law note that parties will mutually decide during negotiations on whether to receive state ownership in strategic deposits as dividends or through mineral resource payments. N. Uchral explained that making agreements with license holders would stop political instability harmful to foreign investments. The government's participation does not include interest in placing officials in company management. Rather, the ultimate goal is to have dividends deposited into the Accumulation Fund. This initiative aims not to deter foreign investment or expropriate private enterprises but to implement the constitutional principle that the majority of natural resource benefits should return to the people. The new government is striving to achieve this under the completed legal and political frameworks. Now is the time for Mongolians to unite and legally redistribute their natural resources fairly.

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A New Tourist Information Center in Ulaanbaatar's Central Square

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

A new "Tourist Information Center" has been opened in the central square of Ulaanbaatar city. This information center's building features a modern design with a spherical shape, is portable and can be used throughout all four seasons with minimal heat loss, and is energy-efficient. It was designed to reflect national characteristics and was built with a wooden frame structure in collaboration with "Ord Ger" LLC. The Tourist Information and Promotion Center first opened its initial branch on July 5, 2013, and now has 3 permanent locations, 3 seasonal locations, and 1 location in Germany, totaling 7 branches. Due to the increasing number of tourists each year, efforts are being made to provide fast and high-quality services. In 2022, "Tourist Information Centers" operated in 6 locations in Ulaanbaatar, serving 15,000 people; in 2023, in 7 locations serving 16,950 people; and in 2024, during the third quarter, in 7 locations serving 16,180 people. In total, information and service have been provided to 48,130 foreign and domestic visitors. Through these information centers, foreign tourists can access the following services: - Travel routes around the city - Information on places of interest in the city - One-day city tours - Public transportation routes (from the airport to the city) - Local public transportation routes, operating hours, and locations - Location and operating hours of currency exchange offices - Information on Ulaanbaatar's entertainment and service venues, their locations, and operating hours - Locations and operating hours of major shopping centers in Ulaanbaatar - Information related to airports and domestic and international flights - Instructions on how to claim refunds after tax-free shopping and a list of eligible goods - Locations, pricing information, and phone numbers of hotels, inns, and guest houses - Locations, operating hours, and pricing information of tourist camps and resorts - Information on events and gatherings - Contact details and operating hours of tourism organizations - Contact information of local tourism organizations - Locations of cellular companies, places where data SIMs can be obtained, and their operating hours - Information on taxi services and their contact numbers - Information on healthcare facilities and their contact numbers - Contact details for emergency services - Information on applications that tourists can use, etc. Additional information provided to local residents: - Information on Integrated State Services Centers - Instructions on how to use E-Mongolia - A list of information hotline numbers - Information on extending activity permits. Warning: Media organizations (television, radio, social networks, and websites) must cite their source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, in whole or in part.

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Dundgovi: Signed Agreement for the "Grassroots Grant Assistance for Human Security" Project

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Mongolia, Masaru Igawahara, visited Dundgovi province and signed an agreement with M. Ankhbayar, the Deputy Governor of the province, to implement a school building renovation project for Tsegts Bilig School in Saintsagaan soum. Under the "Grassroots Grant Assistance for Human Security" program of the Government of Japan, a project to renovate the school building and expand facilities of Tsegts Bilig School will be carried out this year with financing of 111,808 US dollars. The school has 46 teachers and 436 students. The school building has deteriorated, with wind blowing through wooden windows and leaks in the roof, making conditions for study poor. The "Grassroots Grant Assistance for Human Security" program of the Government of Japan provides funding for projects that directly benefit the local population in cooperation with local governments, educational, and health institutions. This program has been implemented in Mongolia since 1990, and this is the 607th project and the 17th project being implemented in Dundgovi province.

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Household's Average Income Increased, but Expenses Expanded, Increasing Vulnerability

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

As a result of policies to stabilize the post-pandemic economy and support growth, employment and income have increased worldwide, with economic growth exceeding analysts' estimates by 3.2%. However, the economic growth forecast for 2025 and 2026 is expected to be at a lower level than the historical average of the past 20 years. This is attributed to geopolitical tensions, geo-economic divisions, financing costs, and productivity growth. In our country, while the labor market conditions have improved and the average household income has increased, household expenses have expanded due to the rising prices of non-food goods and services, resulting in a negative indicator as total expenses have surpassed income. As a consequence, citizens have financed the gap in expenses through loans, raising the risk of increased vulnerability in the household sector. The amount of loans provided by non-banking financial institutions has continuously grown since 2019, reaching 4.1 trillion MNT in the second quarter of 2024, a 49.3% increase compared to the same period last year. The number of citizens holding double loans from both banks and non-banking financial institutions has also significantly increased, with outstanding bank loans rising by 44.2% and non-banking financial institution loans by 53.4% compared to the previous year. The report notes that Mongolia has reduced its foreign debt repayment burden by settling some commercial and concessional foreign loans, bonds, and swap agreements in the first half of this year, increasing foreign currency reserves to 4.8 billion USD.

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Environment

Emergency service personnel to plant 10 million trees by 2030

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Emergency service personnel will plant trees over the coming weekend. As part of the "Billion Trees" national movement, emergency service personnel have set a target to plant 10 million trees by 2030. As per the spring tree planting activities this year, a total of 353,309 trees, fruit-bearing trees, and shrubs were planted. During the fall tree planting activities, 200 trees, including Mongolian Juniper and Yellow Acacia, were planted in the National Garden Park. In the International Eco Garden Park, 175 trees, including Common Pine, Siberian Spruce, Siberian Larch, Common Rowan, Common Sea Buckthorn, and Blackcurrant, were planted, bringing the total to 375 trees and shrubs planted, with subsequent watering and care provided.

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Innovation

"Smart Education IV" Project: Digital Classroom, "SMART" Event, Mentorship Program

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The "Smart Education" project, initiated by Mobicom Corporation LLC to provide students with the opportunity to learn online during the pandemic, is now in its fourth year. The project has reached 27,000 students across 14 schools, contributing to increasing access to education. In 2024, more than 12,000 students from six schools in the Bayan-Ulgii, Selenge, Gobi-Altai provinces, and Ulaanbaatar city will study in fully equipped digital classrooms that are integrated with technological advancements, including high-speed internet, laptops, VR devices, and interactive lessons. As part of the "Smart Education IV" project's launch, a "SMART" event in collaboration with TEDxUlaanbaatar will be organized on October 25, 2024. This event, aimed at high school students, will feature young leaders who have excelled in their fields and initiated change, such as film director P. Zoljargal, producer O. Bayarsaikhan, cyclist traveler B. Ochirvaani, and "Tesla" data engineer E. Javkhlan. They will share their stories and experiences and provide new and interesting insights into future career and profession choices, fostering discussion. Additionally, there will be an interactive exhibition of documentary photographs showcasing the daily lives of students from Khuvsgol, Dundgovi, and Bulgan provinces who participated in the "Smart Education" project, along with gratitude letters from children who benefited from the project. The first 700 students charged with the Mobicom's 9,000 MNT digital card will be sent invitations. Don't miss the chance to top up your number and get your invitation. The distinctive feature of the "Smart Education IV" project is the mentorship program for students. This program is intended to provide 10th and 11th grade students the opportunity to develop their skills, define their future goals, and foster personal growth. Selected school students will collaborate with 10 leading mentors across various fields for five months, learning from their experiences and values. Media outlets (Television, Radio, Social, and Web pages) must cite the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in full or in part in any form.

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TODAY: "Digital Signature" Discussion to be Held

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Overview of some events occurring on Tuesday, October 15: 09:30-15:00: At the National University of Mongolia: A discussion involving experts from the Atomic Energy Agency continues. 09:00-16:00: At the "Gallery Ulaanbaatar" Center: The Ministry of Health, the National Center for Mental Health, and the University of Medical Sciences of Mongolia will jointly organize the "Mental Health-2024" National Conference. Contact: 9906-2682. 10:00-15:00: The working group and standing committees of the Parliament will meet. 13:00: The lottery drawing for the Value Added Tax E-receipt will take place. 14:00-17:00: At the "Blue Sky" Hotel: An open discussion "Solution Meeting-Digital Signature" will be held.

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Training of Professional Auto Mechanics and Engineers Begins

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

A ceremonial event was held to hand over the certificate of the "TOYOTA-Technical Training Program" at the School of Mechanical Transport, affiliated with the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST). With this, the school will implement specialized training in automobile repair diagnostics for second and fourth-year students majoring in automotive engineering and vehicle electronic systems. "Toyota Sales Mongolia," the official distributor of Toyota Motor Corporation in Mongolia, has furnished classrooms and repair facilities with theoretical lessons and equipped them with training materials under this program. Additionally, a Prius 50 hybrid vehicle and other tools and equipment were donated as additional training materials. This provides students the opportunity to conduct diagnostics and maintenance practice using hybrid engine vehicles for hybrid system training. WHAT IS THE TOYOTA-TECHNICAL TRAINING PROGRAM? Mongolia officially recognized the School of Mechanical Transport as the first university to implement the "Toyota-Technical Training Program." This event contributes significantly to preparing highly skilled personnel by training professional mechanics and engineers for the automotive sector under this program and aims to strengthen related support. The program, developed at a high professional level with subject matter, involves experienced instructors from Japan who come to teach and significantly contribute to the knowledge acquisition of young Mongolian students and personnel through a globally recognized program. The ceremony was attended by representatives of Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Sales Mongolia LLC, the Embassy of Japan in Mongolia, MUST, the administrators of the affiliated School of Mechanical Transport, and representatives from official dealer companies such as Tavan Bogd, Munkhada, and Top Motors, as well as teachers and students. MUST's rector, Dr. Namnan T., stated, "Our school has been collaborating with Toyota Motor Corporation since 1998. We have trained over 3,000 automotive engineers using the training engines gifted by the corporation, and the training stands for gasoline and diesel engines are still in use today. Today, we are opening a new chapter in the history of cooperation by starting to implement the "TOYOTA-Technical Training Program" in Mongolia for the first time, which is a great support for us. MUST aims to become a research university by 2030, and the next major goal of this project is to develop University-Industry cooperation and an innovation ecosystem, so we plan to further expand our cooperation and fully realize the work of preparing and empowering world-class Mongolian engineers with the support of Toyota Motor Corporation. The Toyota Fund, initiated by Toyota Motor Corporation's founder and HONORARY Doctor of MUST, Mr. Shoichiro Toyoda, was first launched at MUST in 1998. Continuing this initiative, from this academic year, scholarships will be offered to students studying automotive engineering, vehicle electronic systems, electric power supply, electronics engineering, and other specialties, with a total of 232 students having benefited from this scholarship since 1998. Mr. Yaguchi Yohei, Executive Director of "Toyota Sales Mongolia" LLC, stated, "Our company aims to contribute to the development of the automotive market and the advancement of Mongolia by selling Toyota/Lexus brand cars, providing repair services, and preparing skilled personnel to empower automotive mechanics. As a significant step, we are officially certifying the School of Mechanical and Transport as the first school to implement the Toyota-Technical Training Program in Mongolia, aiming to support students aspiring to become automotive mechanics and engineers. Mr. Akitoshi Takemura, Deputy General Manager responsible for the regions of India, East Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East at Toyota Motor Corporation, expressed his deep gratitude that, like in their homeland of Japan, many people in Mongolia are choosing Toyota-branded cars. Toyota's long-term mission is "the great manufacture of happiness," and our goal is to provide safety, peace of mind, and comfortable movement for everyone. The core of this operational purpose is "Human Resource Development." Toyota believes that "Manufacturing is the development of people," and we are delighted to pass along this mission, further strengthening university cooperation. We will continue to support young people's business careers, contribute to building a happy life, and develop personnel that supports Mongolia's economy.

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Only a Few Seats Left in the 3-Month UI/UX Designer Training Program

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The IT sector is a vast field that encompasses many professionals, among which the UI/UX designer has become one of the most sought-after professions in recent years, both internationally and in Mongolia. So, who are UI/UX designers? They are specialists who create designs for digital products such as mobile applications and websites, making them easy, pleasant, and accessible for users. As digital products have become an inseparable part of people's daily lives, the feelings, interactions, and experiences that arise during the use of these products have a significant impact on whether users continue to use them. UI/UX designers study, empathize with, and identify the problems of users and deliver the most straightforward and user-friendly solutions to them. Advantages of choosing a career as a UI/UX designer: 1. The UI/UX designer profession will always be in demand. This is because creating digital products that cater to users' needs, behaviors, and emotions is crucial, and only UI/UX designers can fully understand and meet these needs, unlike AI or other technologies. 2. Flexible scheduling and more opportunities. Like other IT professions, UI/UX designers can work remotely, allowing you to plan your own schedule while traveling or working from home. You can engage with many different projects and interact with professionals from various fields, making your lifestyle very interesting. 3. High salary. The average monthly salary for UI/UX designers starts from $6,000 internationally, and you can undertake projects from abroad and work remotely, no matter if you're in your home country or elsewhere. For those interested in learning this profession and becoming a future UI/UX designer, iCode Academy is offering an intensive 3-month program based on international standards, starting from the beginner level and practical experience. Characteristics of iCode Academy's UI/UX Designer Training Program: - Practice-based program. Starting from the basic concepts of UI/UX design, this program implements lessons practically as they are taught. - Work on 2-3 projects throughout the program. - Within the program, you'll work on mobile app design and fully responsive website design, gaining real experience guided by a UI/UX design teacher with many years of experience, from selecting and researching a project to completing the final design. - Build your own portfolio page. Learners will also create a portfolio page or a website to showcase their work, enabling them to directly enter the workforce upon graduation. Depending on your foreign language skills, you may also be able to take on projects from abroad and work remotely. How to register for the program? The UI/UX designer training program begins on 10/28, and if you register before 10/20, the standard fee will decrease from 4 million₮ to 2.9 million₮, with the option to pay in two installments. For more detailed information about the program or to register for the training, please contact us through the following channels: - Website: https://icode.mn/course/ux-ui - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iCode.Academy.mn - Phone: 9400-9229, 7575-7515 - Address: MN Tower 1011, in front of Tengis Cinema

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Testing detection skills of crimes committed using artificial intelligence

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The National Security Council and the Cyber Crime Department of the Criminal Police conducted a competition aimed at detecting electronic crimes committed using advanced "Artificial Intelligence" and enhancing the professional skills of officers. The competition saw 64 officers from 7 districts and 15 departments of the Criminal Police division demonstrate their knowledge and skills by successfully completing a 6-stage challenge. The top place was awarded to the Criminal Police division of the 1st department of Sukhbaatar District Police Department. The second place was awarded to the team from the Criminal Police division of the 1st department of Chingeltei District Police Department. We wish success to all the officers who participated and competed to improve their knowledge and skills in combating crimes in the digital realm and who achieved placing and participated. Source: General Police Department

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Health

Telemedicine Center Established for Remote Diagnosis and Treatment

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The Third State Central Hospital of Mongolia (TSCHM), in collaboration with Dong-A University Hospital of South Korea, has established a Telemedicine Center designed for remote diagnosis and treatment. Through this center, the hospitals aim to organize joint discussions, consultations, and virtual training seminars in areas such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, and various other specialized fields. Dong-A University's Hospital is noted as the largest medical center in Busan, specializing in cardiology, neurology, spinal surgeries, emergency care, cancer treatment, and organ transplantation, with a reputation for quality and technological advancement. Additionally, a multi-faceted Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Busan administration, the International Economic Cooperation Agency, and the Director of Dong-A Hospital, outlining plans for collaborative efforts with TSCHM. As part of this agreement, a professional exchange program will be implemented, starting with the training of two cardiology specialists from Mongolia at Dong-A Hospital next month.

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Policy Reform in the Field of Occupational Safety and Health

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Protection, L. Enkh-Amgalan, visited the Center for Occupational Safety and Health. Maintaining a worker's operating capacity and health during their work, and creating healthy and safe conditions is important. In this area, the director of the center, M. Davaabat, introduced the implementation of occupational safety and health (OS&H) laws and standards throughout Mongolia, studying labor conditions at workplaces, conducting hygiene measurements, providing evaluations and conclusions, diagnosing occupation-related diseases, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation, issuing certificates for OS&H training registration, and preventive activities within their duties. From 2019 to 2023, throughout the country, 240 people have lost their lives while fulfilling their labor duties, 823 people suffered serious injuries, and 686 people suffered minor injuries, with a total of 1,748 industrial accidents and acute poisonings recorded. Of all accidents, 13.7% resulted in death. 25.2% of these accidents were recorded in the mining and extraction sector. Discussions were held on solutions and possibilities for reducing workplace accidents and improving the operations of the OS&H sector. The minister emphasized legal and policy reform in this sector, stressing the need to study both international and domestic best practices that could be implemented across all sectors to improve occupational safety.

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Policy reforms in occupational safety and health sector

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Minister of Family, Labour and Social Protection, L. Enkh-Amgalan, visited the Center for Occupational Safety and Health. It is important to maintain the working capacity and health of individuals during work and to provide a healthy and safe environment. In this regard, the head of the center, M. Davaabat, introduced the implementation of the OSH laws, regulations, and standards across Mongolia, studying working conditions at workplaces, conducting hygiene measurements, making assessments and conclusions, diagnosing, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation care for occupational diseases, labor regulation and judgment, issuing OSH training certificates, and implementing preventive actions as part of its duties. From 2019 to 2023, 240 people lost their lives, 823 people were seriously injured, and 686 people were lightly injured while fulfilling their work duties nationwide, with a total of 1,748 occupational accidents and acute poisonings recorded. Of all accidents, 13.7 percent resulted in fatalities. Out of these accidents, 25.2 percent were recorded in the mining and extraction sector. Discussions were held on solutions and opportunities to reduce accidents and fatalities at workplaces and to vigorously improve the activities of the OSH sector. The Minister emphasized the need for legal and policy reforms in this sector and directed the study of good practices from both international and domestic sources that can be implemented across all sectors to improve occupational safety.

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Policy Reforms in Occupational Safety and Health Sector

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The Minister for Families, Labour, and Social Protection, L. Enkh-Amgalan, visited the Occupational Safety and Health Center. Maintaining a person's working capacity and health during work processes and creating safe and healthy conditions is essential. To this end, the head of the center, M. Davaabat, introduced the implementation of OSH laws, standards across the country, examining working conditions, conducting hygiene measurements, making evaluations and conclusions, diagnosing and detecting occupational diseases early, treating, rehabilitating, caring, regulating labor, conducting verifications, issuing OSH training certificates, and implementing preventive activities within its functional framework. From 2019 to 2023, 240 people lost their lives fulfilling their labor obligations nationwide, 823 were severely injured, and 686 were lightly injured, with a total of 1748 industrial accidents and acute poisonings recorded. Of these, 13.7 percent resulted in death according to statistical data. 25.2 percent of these accidents were recorded in the mining and extraction sector. Exchanges were made on solutions and opportunities to reduce accidents and fatalities at workplaces and intensively improve OSH sector operations. The minister highlighted the need for legal and policy reforms in this sector and instructed to study both foreign and domestic best practices applicable to improving occupational safety across all sectors.

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Policy Reform in Occupational Safety and Health Sector

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Protection L. Enkh-Amgalan visited the Occupational Safety and Health Center. It is crucial to maintain human working capacity and health while creating a healthy and safe environment during work. In line with this, Director M. Davaabat introduced the implementation of labor safety and health laws and standards at the national level in Mongolia. This includes studying working conditions at workplaces, conducting hygiene measurements, making evaluations and conclusions, diagnosing occupational diseases, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation care, labor regulation, certification of occupational safety and health training, and preventive activities. From 2019 to 2023, 240 people lost their lives while fulfilling their labor duties, 823 people were seriously injured, and 686 people incurred minor injuries, with a total of 1,748 industrial accidents and acute poisonings recorded nationwide. Of these accidents, 13.7 percent resulted in fatalities. 25.2 percent of these accidents occurred in the mining and extraction sector. The Minister discussed solutions and possibilities to reduce accidents and injuries in the workplace and to improve the activities of the occupational safety and health sector intensively. He emphasized the need for legal and policy reform in this sector and instructed to study good foreign and domestic practices that can be implemented across all sectors to improve labor safety.

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Is Artificial Intelligence the Future of Healthcare?

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: ikon.mn

With the help of artificial intelligence-based devices, it has become possible to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment process, bringing significant advancements to the healthcare sector in many countries worldwide. However, the question of "Can artificial intelligence replace doctors?" continues to be raised. Sharing international experiences: USA: During trials, Google Health's system reduced the error rate in early diagnosis of breast cancer by 11.5%. This has resulted in significantly fewer diagnostic errors. UK: With the help of artificial intelligence, the NHS Foundation Trust has increased early detection of lung cancer by 25% and improved treatment outcomes by 15%. China: By using an artificial intelligence system capable of producing a COVID-19 diagnosis based on CT and X-ray in 30 seconds with 99.7% accuracy, hospitals have significantly reduced their workload. Let's explain the two main advantages of artificial intelligence-based devices in simple terms: 1. Makes diagnostics more reliable. Artificial intelligence relies on its BIG data (ranging from tens of thousands to millions) to quickly analyze dozens of images and compare them with normal scans. As a result, it highlights abnormal or potentially diseased areas using different colors, alerts, etc., thus informing the doctor. This reduces the likelihood of diagnostic errors depending on the physician's expertise. 2. Provides healthier choices. Devices like CT, X-ray, etc., that use radiation create more health-friendly options. By using very low X-ray doses, image quality degradation and negative impact on change detection are avoided. However, using high-dose X-rays can improve image quality, yet they are not health-friendly. On the other hand, devices using artificial intelligence improve image quality even with less X-ray use, providing more reliable diagnostics in a patient-friendly manner. Additionally, solutions to reduce examination time have positive effects. Let us highlight the artificial intelligence-based devices at And Medical hospital: - 2024 GE HEALTHCARE branded CT scanner from the USA - 2024 DK MEDICAL SYSTEM branded full digital X-ray machine from South Korea - 2023 VINNO branded ultrasound machine from China - 2024 Fujinon branded endoscope from Japan Artificial intelligence cannot replace doctors but serves as an excellent assistant. While doctors have the ability to feel patients' suffering with empathy and painstakingly gather information to make diagnoses, artificial intelligence performs analysis based on data. The specialized team at And Medical hospital recommends the most appropriate treatment after precise AI-based diagnostics and offers comprehensive healthcare services, including outpatient and inpatient treatment, all in one place. Get a more accurate diagnosis and early treatment. You can get detailed information by calling 72028080 or visiting www.andmedical.mn. Warning: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social and Web pages) must mention the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, in full or in part.

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Policy reforms in occupational safety and health sector

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Welfare, L. Enkh-Amgalan, worked at the Occupational Safety and Health Center. Maintaining a person's working capacity and health during work and ensuring safe and healthy conditions are important. In this regard, the director of the center, M. Davaabat, introduced the implementation of occupational safety and health laws and standards nationwide in Mongolia. This includes studying working conditions, conducting hygiene measurements, making assessments and conclusions, diagnosing and early detection of occupational diseases, treating and rehabilitating, regulating labor, certifying occupational safety and health training registrations, and implementing preventive activities within their mandate. Between 2019 and 2023, 240 people lost their lives, 823 people were severely injured, and 686 people were lightly injured, totaling 1,748 registered industrial accidents and acute poisonings while fulfilling their labor duties nationwide. The overall statistics indicate that 13.7% of these accidents resulted in fatalities. Of these accidents, 25.2% occurred in the mining and extraction sector. Discussions were held on solutions and possibilities to decrease workplace accidents and to rapidly improve the activities of the occupational safety and health sector. The minister emphasized the need for legal and policy reforms in this sector and directed the investigation of effective domestic and international practices that can be applied across all sectors to improve occupational safety.

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Arts

LKHAM Gallery Participates in Asia NOW 2024, Europe's Largest Asian Art Festival

Published: 2024-10-15 | Translated from: gogo.mn

It is with pleasure that we announce that Mongolia's first international contemporary gallery, LKHAM Gallery, will participate in the 10th anniversary exhibition of Asia NOW, Europe's leading Asian art festival, to be held in Paris from October 17 to October 20, 2024. For the first time in the festival's history, Mongolia will be represented, marking one of the significant highlights of the event, where works by the artist Baatarzorig Batjargal will be showcased. Artist Baatarzorig Batjargal creates using the techniques of Mongol Zurag, incorporating elements of pop culture and addressing various themes such as social issues and political ideologies. LKHAM Gallery believes that presenting the development of contemporary Mongolian art through Mongol Zurag works to an international audience is both interesting and innovative. About Baatarzorig Batjargal: Baatarzorig Batjargal was born in 1983 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. He studied Mongol Zurag, a Buddhist tradition, at the Mongolian State University of Arts and Culture and graduated in 2005. He is a member of the Union of Mongolian Artists (UMA), the Mongol Zurag Association, and the Global Artist Pension Trust. His works have been exhibited in world-class art biennales, museums, and galleries, including Jack Bell Gallery (London, 2022), Spirit of Gobi (2021), Seventh Mediations Biennale (Lodz, 2020), Bangkok Art Biennale (London, 2022), and the 2nd Yinchuan Biennale (Yinchuan, 2018). Baatarzorig's artworks are recognizable for their intricate interrelations of images and colors. His images often engage in self-reflection and criticism, combining Buddhist spirituality and Mongolian shamanic culture with modern political and social issues, and pop culture symbols, offering viewers the opportunity for introspection and a stimulation of both imagination and consciousness. About LKHAM Gallery: LKHAM Gallery is Mongolia's first international contemporary gallery, aiming to present exhibitions with international standards and introduce these standards to artists, establishing us as pioneers in our field. While working to bring Mongolian and Central Asian artworks to the international market, we provide artists the opportunity to focus solely on their creations as we handle full management from the gallery's side, setting a model for the Mongolian art sector. We continue our operations through research and experience while collaborating with a team of professional art management personnel, international advisors, and named gallery curators.

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