Mongolia News Summary for October 26, 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
- Parliamentary Session: Prime Minister to Report on Port Revival
- Amendments to the Nuclear Energy Law to be Discussed Urgently
- LIVE: Discussion Begins on Laws Submitted with the 2024 Budget Bill
- Three Stations in Mongolia for Nuclear Test Detection
- Discussing Mongolia's 2025 Budget
Economy
- Khan Bank Sets Long-term Goal to Provide $2 Billion in Sustainable Financing by 2030
- N. Altankhuyag: If we implement 14 mega projects, Mongolia will end up with massive debt
- Received 699,000 Tourists Over Nine Months
- Economic Growth, But Decline in Citizens' Living Standards
- The TDB will provide $2 billion in financing to its clients by 2030
- B.Javkhlan: Equipment Imported for Trade Purposes Will Not Be Exempted from Customs Duty
Diplomacy
- EVENTS: Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization to give a presentation
- Expressed Proposal to Sign Air Transport Agreement
Infrastructure
- Switch to Renewable Energy in Ger Districts Supported in Collaboration with the UN
- News Briefing: Information on Energy Prices and Presentation of Requirements
- Alexey Evzikov: Russia to Build a Low-Capacity Nuclear Power Plant Near Kharkhorum in 2025
- National Conference on Regional Development to be organized
- Introducing the Implementation of the Port Revival Policy
- The Project to Support Renewable Energy Transition in Ger Areas Will Continue
- Unauthorized Damage to Pavements by Construction Companies and Infrastructure Developers
- 110 Soums and Settlements Connected by Paved Roads in Mongolia
Society
- Micro grants announced for civil society organizations
- Efforts Underway to Extinguish Fire at "Shangri-La" Shopping Center
- Fire Being Put Out at Shangri-La
- NEMA: Efforts to Extinguish the Fire at "Shangri-La" by 20:24
- PHOTO: Fire Spread at "Shangri La" Shopping Center Stopped
Innovation
- A New Strategy Will Be Developed for Mongolia's Tourism Sector
- Developing a New National Tourism Strategy in Collaboration with the US-based "Boston Consulting Group"
- L. Oyun-Erdene: UN support and cooperation are crucial in human resources, green transition, and artificial intelligence sectors
- Chief of Cabinet Secretariat N. Uchral Meets with Representatives of Boston Consulting Group
Politics
Parliamentary Session: Prime Minister to Report on Port Revival
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: news.mn
The unified session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) will begin at 10:00 today. The regular sessions of the State Great Khural are scheduled for every Thursday and Friday, but the session did not meet yesterday. This is because discussions regarding the draft laws of the budget for 2025 of Mongolia, the National Wealth Fund, the Social Insurance Fund, and the Health Insurance Fund, which were submitted to the State Great Khural by the government, are continuing in the relevant standing committees. Therefore, the Parliament decided to skip this week’s unified session originally scheduled for Thursday. In today's session, discussions will be held on whether to debate the draft laws and resolutions submitted along with the 2025 budget law of Mongolia. Additionally, the Prime Minister of Mongolia, Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, will provide information on the implementation of the "New Revival Policy," specifically regarding the port revival policy included within this. During the Prime Minister’s presentation, parliamentarian Member Munkhbayasgalan from the opposition will have a 20-minute debate regarding the implementation of the port revival policy.
Amendments to the Nuclear Energy Law to be Discussed Urgently
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: news.mn
The proposed amendments and additions to the Nuclear Energy Law, initiated and developed by the Government of Mongolia, along with other related draft laws, were presented today to the Speaker of the State Great Khural, D. Amarbayasgalan, by N. Uchral, Minister and Head of the Cabinet Secretariat of Mongolia, and Ts. Tuvaan, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources. Minister Ts. Tuvaan stated, "The Government of Mongolia's action program for 2024-2028 includes 14 mega projects to be implemented. Within this framework, we have drafted amendments to the Nuclear Energy Law in connection with the Investment Agreement project with France's 'Orano Mining' company, and we are submitting it to the State Great Khural." It should be noted that during the session of the State Great Khural, a proposal to urgently discuss the amendments to the Nuclear Energy Law was made and was supported by the majority of the participating members.
LIVE: Discussion Begins on Laws Submitted with the 2024 Budget Bill
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: isee.mn
In today's plenary session of the State Great Khural, discussions have begun on whether to deliberate on the laws and resolutions submitted alongside the draft law on the budget of Mongolia for 2025, as presented by the government.
Three Stations in Mongolia for Nuclear Test Detection
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: montsame.mn
There are three stations in Mongolia that receive information on nuclear tests and explosions. The Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Robert Floyd, visited the Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences today, where he met with research scholars. He answered a few questions: - I understand this is your first visit to Mongolia. What are your initial impressions? - This is my very first visit to Mongolia. It is the second visit at the level of Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). Mongolia is a strong supporter of the treaty to ban nuclear tests. It was one of the first few countries to sign the treaty in 1997 and has consistently maintained its firm stance since then. - What can you say about the relationship between Mongolia and the international organization? - Mongolia communicates with our CTBTO through its embassy in Vienna, Austria. The ambassador represents Mongolia's interests and concerns within our organization very well, and I want to acknowledge that. - What can you say about your country's policy and activities in this sector? - In Mongolia, there are three of our monitoring stations, which are part of the global network. These 3 stations can detect and receive information on nuclear tests and explosions worldwide at any time. We are looking to improve our cooperation with Mongolia. This includes further training of personnel, conducting training sessions, and upgrading the equipment at the stations. Clarification: On September 10, 1996, during a regular session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was discussed and adopted. States that joined the treaty established the CTBTO on November 19, 1996, in Vienna, Austria. Initially, 71 countries signed the treaty. Currently, 187 nations have signed it and 178 have ratified it. Mongolia signed the treaty on October 1, 1996, and ratified it on August 8, 1997. In Mongolia, micro-network station PS2588 for seismic monitoring, infrasound station IS34, radionuclide station RN45, and the noble gas station SPALAX measuring changes in atmospheric radioactive nuclides are operational.
Discussing Mongolia's 2025 Budget
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: ikon.mn
The regular autumn parliamentary session has begun at the State Palace. Today's meeting will discuss a total of four issues. These include: - A draft law to amend the Law on Police Service (prepared in connection with the acceptance of the Constitutional Court's March 2024 conclusion, first discussion). - Laws and resolutions submitted along with the draft law on Mongolia's 2025 budget (submitted by the government on August 30, 2024, to be discussed). - A draft law to amend the Law on Nuclear Energy. - The Prime Minister of Mongolia's information regarding the implementation of the "New Revival Policy" included in the "Port Revival Policy." WARNING: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social, and Web pages) must credit the source (ikon.mn) when fully or partially using our information in any format.
Economy
Khan Bank Sets Long-term Goal to Provide $2 Billion in Sustainable Financing by 2030
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: ikon.mn
Khan Bank (ХХБ) has set a long-term goal to provide $2 billion in sustainable financing to its clients by 2030. The UN-Day 2024, also known as the United Nations Day, was successfully organized on October 24, 2024. During this event, the collaboration among stakeholders engaged in activities aligned with the sustainable development goals was activated, highlighting key initiatives being implemented. Khan Bank (ХХБ), a pioneer in the ESG or Environmental and Social Risk Management System, has continuously integrated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its operations and has been actively promoting sustainable financing in Mongolia. Since 2020, as an accredited entity of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Khan Bank has been chiefly implementing the SDGs #4 “Quality Education,” #5 “Gender Equality,” #8 “Decent Work and Economic Growth,” and #13 “Climate Action” within its operations. The Executive Director's Deputy, Ms. Nyamdorj Sergeen of Khan Bank, participated in the discussion under the theme “Cooperation for Sustainable and Inclusive Development between the UN and the Private Sector.” Ms. Sergeen highlighted the recent activities being implemented by Khan Bank in the field of sustainable development and green financing during the discussion. She stated that Khan Bank has set a long-term objective to deliver $2 billion in sustainable financing to its clients by 2030. As part of this goal, the bank successfully secured initial financing from the United States Government's Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in October 2024. This financing aims to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and women entrepreneurs in Mongolia, as well as to promote green and sustainable businesses. As a leading bank, we are working to increase our share in the SME market with the goal of diversifying the country's economy and creating job opportunities. The aim of the joint project with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), called SFME, is to enhance the capacity of SMEs by increasing their financial accessibility and access to sustainable financing, as well as improving the bank’s processes in SME lending and client collaboration, stated Ms. Sergeen. Additionally, she mentioned during the discussion that Khan Bank is establishing a strategic partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to accelerate sustainable and low-carbon economic growth in the country through cooperation. Under this cooperation, Khan Bank and GGGI are actively organizing knowledge exchange meetings for SME clients on opportunities for greening their business operations, and capacity-building training for bank employees to recognize, evaluate, monitor, report, and verify (MRV) potential green projects. Note: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social Media, and Websites) must cite the original source (ikon.mn) when using this information in any form, either in full or in part.
N. Altankhuyag: If we implement 14 mega projects, Mongolia will end up with massive debt
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: ikon.mn
During today’s session of the State Great Khural, discussions are being held about the 2025 budget. In connection with this, Member of Parliament N. Altankhuyag provided information to journalists at the State Palace. He stated, "This year’s budget is very disorganized, lacking policy. I am part of the budget working group, so I am investigating. The Mongolian People’s Party (MPP), the Democratic Party (DP), and the National Labor Party (NLP) have all said they will not increase budget expenditures. The budget expenditure is currently at 37% of the gross domestic product (GDP) when compared. This has been increasing over the past few years. This means that the state is heavily involved in business operations. The MPP, in their platform, stated they would reduce it to 25%, but it's reaching 40%. This is like building a communist society,” he remarked. Continuing on the topic of the government’s implementation of 14 mega projects, he said: “When working on projects, first you can write a list of dreams. Second, you study your resources and possibilities. Third, you need to prioritize which work to do first. There is a space above Mongolia at an altitude of 35,000 km. If we launch our own satellite there, we can cover and operate communication and information work throughout Mongolia. It is suggested that we will take a large foreign loan to do this. During our government’s time, we halted the proceeding because it involved taking a large foreign loan. Then, we explored how to implement it without foreign loans and concluded that if we allow other interested companies to use space existing in satellite orbits, costs will decrease. What is geopolitics? First, we need to do things that benefit the people's living conditions. Mongolia has two large neighbors. Our private companies use satellites launched by others to meet their needs. I do not support taking foreign loans to force this. If we implement these 14 mega projects, Mongolia will end up with a large amount of debt. In general, focus should be given to projects that will bring return, and initially cost little money. For example, provincial centers should be connected by roads. Later, provincial centers should be connected to border ports. This will develop our infrastructure. It’s absurd to talk about paving roads to remote soums."
Received 699,000 Tourists Over Nine Months
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: unuudur.mn
In the first nine months of 2024, a total of 2.7 million people entered our country's borders, based on duplicated counts. Of these, 25.8% or 699,021 were international tourists. Among foreign travelers, 63.7% (445,717) came from the East Asia and Pacific region, while 31.4% (219,771) were from Europe. The number of tourists from Africa and South Asia were the lowest among the regions, with 1,469 and 5,136 respectively. Looking at it by country, 26.9% of the total travelers were from China, 25.4% were from Russia and South Korea, 3.2% were from Japan, and 3% were from Kazakhstan. Compared to the third quarter of last year, the number of Chinese visitors to our country increased by the highest rate of 61.5%, reaching 49.2 thousand. Following them were tourists from South Korea, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, and Japan, in that order.
Economic Growth, But Decline in Citizens' Living Standards
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: unuudur.mn
Despite economic growth, the living standards of citizens have deteriorated. Looking at the information distributed by those responsible for banking, finance, and economic issues, as well as statistical organizations, it seems that Mongolia has reached the pinnacle of progress and prosperity. They say that as a result of promoting tourism, improving the capacity of ports, and boosting exports in the mineral resources sector, the economy grew by seven percent last year. The per capita gross domestic product (GDP), which had been stuck at around 4,000 dollars for over a decade, reached 6,000 dollars last year, placing Mongolia among the upper-middle-income countries. In 2023, Mongolia ranked second among the top 20 countries with the highest economic growth. Major international agencies have repeatedly upgraded our country's credit rating, making official announcements about the stabilization of the economy. In the first half of this year, the average salary of Mongolians reached 2.5 million tugriks, and the median salary exceeded two million for the first time. It was decided to increase the minimum wage by 20 percent to 792,000 tugriks. The related bodies have forecasted that by the end of 2024, the country's GDP will reach 79.2 trillion tugriks, and per capita income will reach 6,800 dollars. Ministers and officials predict that if we start and implement strategic large projects on schedule as planned, these numerical indicators will continue to grow at "the speed of light." Recently, we have been bombarded with positive statistical indicators about rising and advancing achievements. As the draft budget for next year is being intensely discussed, such information might be deliberately disseminated. However, citizens deny that these "huge" numbers have any impact or influence on our lives. They also talk about how difficult it is in Mongolia to meet basic social needs, live in a healthy and safe environment, and have a quality life on income from employment. Despite being portrayed as "soaring" in economic growth and stability indicators, some facts and statistics hidden behind these numbers reveal the true state of affairs. Inequality in Income is Worsening By the second quarter of 2024, the average monthly salary for Mongolians reached 2.4 million tugriks, an increase of 574,000 tugriks from the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Office. Mongolians are once again disputing this calculation, as many claim they receive less than this amount on social media. The average salary is the total salary amount divided by the number of employees. For instance, if two employees earn 3.4 million and 1.2 million tugriks respectively, the average would be calculated as 2.3 million by adding the two and dividing by two. This calculated average is not widely accepted by the public, and each revision sparks debate and discussion, evidence of the high-income inequality in our society. Economists say this gap has worsened in recent years. Currently, the highest salaries in Mongolia are in the mining sector, with an average monthly salary of 5.6 million tugriks. Meanwhile, those in the hotel and catering sectors earn 1.4 million tugriks, the lowest amount. Averaging the salaries of just these two individuals results in 3.5 million tugriks. Reporting that someone earning 1.4 million tugriks is receiving 3.5 million will understandably lead to frustration and denial. Inflationary Pressure Continues The main reason why economic improvement and increased income and salaries are not felt in citizens' lives is inflation, which is the rise in prices of consumer goods and services. According to statistical organizations, the inflation rate was 6.7 percent nationwide by the third quarter of 2024, down 3.4 points from the same period last year. Additionally, it is expected to stabilize at a targeted level of six percent by the end of the year, according to the Bank of Mongolia. However, looking at the fluctuations and changes in recent years, inflation “takes off like a rocket” while income rises at a “turtle's pace.” This is the reason why the salary is insufficient to meet living expenses. Compared to 2016, citizens' purchasing power has decreased by 60 percent. Something that used to cost 40,000 tugriks now costs 100,000. The current price of staple goods such as flour, meat, milk, and rice has increased by 92-145 percent compared to eight years ago. While nominal salaries have increased by 50 percent over the past three years, the prices of about 10 types of major products have increased by an average of 129 percent. Economists also warn that “inflationary pressure will increase further from next year” and that “the impact of external markets will be significant.” The burden on citizens' shoulders will continue to grow. Household Vulnerability Worsens UN Resident Coordinator Tapan Mishra said, “Although Mongolia is classified as an upper-middle-income country, the poverty rate has not decreased, and it is unable to achieve its sustainable development goals.” Specifically, the poverty rate is currently 27.1 percent, meaning one in three people has consumption below the poverty line (less than 418,090 tugriks). The poverty rate has decreased by only 0.7 points from 2016. For a country that projected the goal of “ending all forms of poverty” and “reducing income inequality and including 80 percent of the population in the middle and affluent middle class” in the “Sustainable Development Vision 2030” document, this is an extremely unsatisfactory and poor indicator. Although statistical data indicate an increase in household income, the vulnerability of this sector has increased due to price rises for consumer goods and services, as stated in the Bank of Mongolia's “Financial Stability Report.” Generally, household expenses exceed income, showing a negative indicator. As a result, the number of citizens with multiple loans, especially those indebted to non-bank financial institutions, has risen to a historical high this year. As of September this year, loans on bank balances increased by 44.2 percent, and those of non-bank financial institutions by 53.4 percent compared to the previous year. Citizens, crushed by rising prices, are increasingly using loans to cover the deficit or living expenses, which reveals another barometer of Mongolians' living conditions. The Cost of Wrong Policies Another factor that exhausts citizens and worsens their quality of life is the tax burden. Every person legally working with a salary has 11.5 percent withheld from their salary for social insurance contributions and 10 percent for personal income tax each month. In addition, employers pay significant amounts for social insurance contributions (12.5 percent) and corporate income tax (10 percent). Although the minimum wage and average salary have increased, the actual money citizens take home does not grow much, and businesses and enterprises do not find favorable conditions. Then the state uses this money as a means of social welfare in the name of providing pensions and allowances. It means taking from the income of those who work and create wealth and distributing it to those who do not create wealth. This deprives us of the opportunity to live well according to our labor and enjoy the benefits of the wealth we create. Researchers and experts have been pointing out that this is the result of wrong government policies and social anomalies for a long time, and citizens have accepted this. Unfortunately, this burden and pressure have not decreased but have increased each year. Adding to this is the cost we pay daily due to air and environmental pollution, traffic congestion, flu, and infectious diseases resulting from flawed social policies. In the first nine months of 2024 alone, the revenue of the Social Insurance Fund increased by 34.1 percent, or 1 trillion, compared to the same period last year, and that of the Health Insurance Fund by 28.7 percent, or 1.4 trillion tugriks. This is the reality of Mongolians' everyday lives as a whole. The disconnect between salary and price increases, unequal distribution, weakening purchasing power due to inflation, debt and loan burdens, poor governance, and a distorted social welfare system, along with excessive dependence on imported goods, products, and mining, have completely exhausted the citizens of our country.
The TDB will provide $2 billion in financing to its clients by 2030
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: news.mn
UN-Day 2024, or the United Nations (UN) Day, was successfully organized on October 24, 2024. During this event, participants engaged in highlighting collaboration aligned with the sustainable development goals and emphasized the main initiatives currently being implemented. The Trade and Development Bank (TDB) is a pioneer in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risk management system and has actively integrated the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its operations, promoting sustainable financing in Mongolia. Since 2020, TDB has been acting as an accredited entity of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), focusing on implementing SDG #4 "Quality Education", SDG #5 "Gender Equality", SDG #8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth", and SDG #13 "Climate Action" in its operational framework. The event, organized under the theme "Collaboration between the UN and the private sector for sustainable and inclusive development", featured a panel discussion where Ms. Nyamdorj Serleg, Deputy CEO of TDB, participated. During the discussion, Ms. Serleg emphasized TDB's latest activities in the area of sustainable development and green financing. She stated that TDB has set a long-term goal of providing $2 billion in sustainable financing to clients by 2030. In line with this goal, in October 2024, the bank successfully secured its first funding from the U.S. Government Agency, the Development Finance Corporation (DFC). This funding aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as women-owned businesses and to promote green, sustainable businesses in Mongolia. As a leading bank, TDB works to increase its share in the SME market to diversify the country's economy and create jobs. Furthermore, Ms. Serleg highlighted TDB's joint project "SFME" in collaboration with the German International Cooperation Society (GIZ), which aims to improve the skills of SMEs, increase their financial accessibility and extend sustainable financing. The project also focuses on enhancing bank staff's ability to process SME loans and improve interactions with clients. Additionally, Ms. Serleg pointed out that TDB is developing a strategic partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to promote sustainable and low-carbon economic growth at the national level. Through this cooperation, TDB, in partnership with GGGI, conducts knowledge exchange meetings for SME clients to explore the greening of business operations. The bank also actively organizes capacity-building training for its staff, focusing on identifying, evaluating, monitoring, reporting on, and verifying (MRV) potential green projects.
B.Javkhlan: Equipment Imported for Trade Purposes Will Not Be Exempted from Customs Duty
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: ikon.mn
During today's session of the State Great Khural, the legal drafts associated with the 2025 budget law are being discussed. In connection with this, members of parliament are raising questions about changes to tax exemptions. Member of Parliament O.Nomintsetseg stated that the government and the Ministry of Finance should carefully consider whether the amendments to the customs duty law meet the same level of thoroughness and alignment as other legislative frameworks. According to the customs duty law, to support regional development and manufacturing, exemptions from customs duty for equipment used in production facilities have been proposed. Additionally, building materials and equipment not available domestically but imported will be exempted. The import of equipment to be registered as fixed assets in production will be duty-free. Nomintsetseg questioned how the government views the manufacturing sector, which level of manufacturing these exemptions apply to, and whether building materials will also be exempt. Finance Minister B.Javkhlan explained that the current budget law includes two laws—the corporate income tax law and the customs duty law. The corporate income tax policy is based on the foundational concept of regional development and incorporates region-specific tax policies to encourage growth. The customs duty law, however, applies nationwide without geographic limitations. For 30 years, there has been discussion about shifting from welfare to labor, from being importers to exporters, and from raw materials to finished products. According to Javkhlan, wealth creators and manufacturers have waited 30 years for tax reforms in the commerce and industry chamber. The customs duty on processing or advanced technology equipment is exempt across sectors, geography, and enterprise size. This legal arrangement aims to revolutionize and modernize the manufacturing industry. The inclusion of the term "fixed assets" is intended to eliminate loopholes in customs regulation. Equipment and assets imported for trade and re-export purposes will not be exempt from customs duty. Assets involved in production, once imported and classified as fixed assets integral to technology, will benefit from exemptions based on the principle of exempting such assets. Building materials, however, will not be included and will be regulated differently.
Diplomacy
EVENTS: Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization to give a presentation
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: ikon.mn
At 10:00 AM in the State Palace, a meeting of the unified session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) will be held.
At 11:00 AM on the 4th floor of the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions (CMTU) building, in connection with discussions about the increase in energy tariffs, measures will be taken to avoid worsening the living conditions of citizens. Proposals for increasing wages and improving the quality of life of Mongolian people will be submitted by the CMTU to the government and relevant authorities.
At 11:00 AM at the Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, will meet with researchers and give a presentation.
At 11:30 AM at the "Century News" newspaper's National Information Center, Finance Minister B. Javkhlan, Minister of Construction J. Batsuuri, and Chairman of the Budget Standing Committee Ts. Davaasuren will provide information on including the budget discrepancy for construction workers' tariff wages in the 2025 budget, addressing demands from companies completing work under state investment.
At 12:00 PM at the Museum of Natural History, the national exhibition "Mongolian Stamp - 100" will open, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Mongolia's first postage stamp "Eldev-Ochir."
Notice:
Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social media, and Websites) must cite the source (ikon.mn) when fully or partially using this information.
Expressed Proposal to Sign Air Transport Agreement
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: montsame.mn
State Secretary of the Ministry of Road and Transport Development S. Batbold received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Italy to Mongolia, Giovanna Picarreta, and a delegation led by Angelo Cecchini, Vice President of Business Development for Northeast Asia and the Maritime Region of the Italian state-owned company Leonardo. At the beginning of the meeting, S. Batbold expressed gratitude for the establishment of the "ICAN 2024" air transport agreement and signing of the memorandum of cooperation during an event held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, emphasizing the government’s focus on the agreement discussed since 2022 between the governments of Mongolia and Italy. Next year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Italy. It was noted that there is a proposal to sign an air transport agreement during high-level visits between the two countries to commemorate the anniversary. The parties discussed cooperation in implementing training and testing new best techniques and technologies introduced in the Italian civil aviation sector and listened to a presentation on the Leonardo company, which operates in over 150 countries and plays a significant role in the industrial sectors of Italy, the UK, Poland, and the USA. Since the 1950s, this company has been manufacturing helicopters and producing aerospace, defense, and security technologies. In particular, it offers the latest technologies such as multi-function radars, IRST sensors for aerial use, and IFF systems for land, sea, and air applications. At the end of the meeting, possibilities were discussed for cooperation in the aviation and air transport sectors, including the introduction of air navigation technology and equipment in flight control, airspace organization, and airspace monitoring technologies. The leadership of Leonardo also extended an invitation to familiarize with their production activities and expressed a desire to learn about the equipment and technology used in Mongolia’s civil aviation sector. State Secretary S. Batbold thanked Ambassador Giovanna Picarreta and other delegation members for fruitful discussions and noted that the Ministry is always open to collaboration in the sectors of air transport and road transport.
Infrastructure
Switch to Renewable Energy in Ger Districts Supported in Collaboration with the UN
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: montsame.mn
The Deputy Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, responsible for social affairs, green development, and air and environmental pollution issues, A. Amartuvshin received the Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Mongolia, Matilda Dimovska. At the beginning of the meeting, A. Amartuvshin stated that the Memorandum of Understanding for mutual cooperation between the city of Ulaanbaatar and the UN Development Programme was signed in 2016. Within this framework, he expressed the desire to further expand and collaborate on the project "Supporting the Transition to Renewable Energy in Ger Districts to Increase Livelihoods". Since air pollution has a significant negative impact on human health, there is a need for Mongolia to transition to new renewable energy models. The project will be implemented in two phases, supporting 50 households in ger districts by purchasing and installing electric heaters and solar panels for heating purposes. This will provide vulnerable households with the conditions to live healthily without indoor air pollution. The "Supporting the Transition to Renewable Energy in Ger Districts to Increase Livelihoods" project will contribute significantly to the development of Ulaanbaatar city. Matilda Dimovska, the UN Development Programme's Resident Representative, stated that she is pleased to support and collaborate in strengthening bilateral cooperation for the successful implementation of the project, as reported by the Public Relations Department of the Mayor's Office.
News Briefing: Information on Energy Prices and Presentation of Requirements
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: news.mn
News Agency will provide a summary of the events happening on Friday, October 25. From 09:00 to 10:00: An event celebrating the 95th anniversary of the establishment and development of the road sector in Mongolia will take place. A tribute will be held at the "Starting Point" of roads located at D.Sukhbaatar Square. The festive meeting will be held at the "Corporate" hotel, where the best employees in the sector will be awarded. At 10:30: At the "Ibis" hotel, a press conference will be held regarding the opening of the "Tourism ITM Mongolia-2024" exhibition at "Misheel Expo." Phone: 9910-9816. At 10:00: A plenary session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) will be held. At 11:00: At the Mongolian Academy of Sciences (MAS): The Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, Robert Floyd, will visit the Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics of MAS, meet with researchers and scientists of MAS, and give a lecture. At 11:00: At the central building of the MNFTU: Information on energy prices will be presented, along with the introduction of requirements. At 11:30: At the "ZM" Information Center: The NGO "Union of Builders for Development" will present information on the demand to include the budget for the difference in tariff wages for construction workers in the 2025 budget for the Parliament and the Government. Phone: 9979-0206, 8019-0070. At 12:00: At the Museum of Natural History: The Mongolian Philatelic Society will open the "Mongolian Stamp-100" exhibition. At the KHAAN Gallery: A joint exhibition "Intermediate World" by Ts.Enkhjargal, a prominent Mongolian surrealist artist and Meritorious Cultural Worker, and his student U.Batsooj has opened. At 15:30: The General Agency for Veterinary Services will deliver information on current-related issues to the public. Contact number: 88885962.
Alexey Evzikov: Russia to Build a Low-Capacity Nuclear Power Plant Near Kharkhorum in 2025
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: itoim.mn
Russian Ambassador to Mongolia, Alexey Evzikov, gave an interview to the 'Izvestia' newspaper. In his interview, he stated, "In the first half of 2025, a treaty may be signed between Russian and Mongolian officials to build a low-capacity nuclear power plant (ASMM - Atomic Station of Low Power) near New Kharkhorum. Both parties are discussing projects to produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and its applications in medicine, agriculture, and other fields." During President Vladimir Putin's visit to Mongolia in September, an agreement was reached to create a nuclear power plant at a suitable site 400 km southwest of Ulaanbaatar, near the new Mongolian capital, New Kharkhorum, over the next 20 years. Evzikov highlighted that the planned capacity of the power plant would be up to 330 MW. He stated, "The parties have agreed to draft an appropriate intergovernmental agreement. We hope to sign it in the first half of next year." In September, 'Rosatom' approved the technical aspects related to the nuclear power plant project. However, the parties still need to evaluate the site, agree on financing sources, and several technical conditions, as well as begin training local experts. Evzikov emphasized the hope that this project will be the beginning of active Russo-Mongolian collaboration in the nuclear energy sector, laying the foundation for a modern technological sector in the Mongolian economy. In June 2024, 'Rosatom' opened a representative office in Ulaanbaatar. The corporation collaborates with its Mongolian partner, 'Mon-Atom,' on developing projects to use nuclear energy in medicine, agriculture, and other sectors. The ambassador mentioned, "Of course, nuclear energy plays a crucial role in energy security. We see that Central Asian countries are also interested in this. For instance, a public referendum was held in Kazakhstan regarding the construction of a nuclear power plant. Mongolia has certain natural resources, including uranium, but lacks its own facilities to utilize these resources, which is why there are discussions to create joint small modular reactors and to cooperate in this field."
National Conference on Regional Development to be organized
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: unuudur.mn
The government has declared 2024 as the "Year of Supporting Regional Development," and the Parliament has approved the "Concept of Regional Development of Mongolia." The government has also included the implementation of the "Regional Development Policy" in its action plan for the next four years. To accelerate the implementation of these documents, identify and solve the factors restricting regional development, and reach a unified understanding, a national conference will be organized by the government and the National Institute of Regional Development tomorrow at the "UG arena" complex. Members of Parliament, government officials, representatives of state and private sectors, international and local administrative bodies, as well as scientists and researchers, will participate to conduct discussions on regional development issues.
Introducing the Implementation of the Port Revival Policy
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: ikon.mn
The joint session of the Parliament's autumn session is underway at the State Palace. This afternoon's session is presenting information on the "Implementation of the Port Revival Policy" included in the "New Revival Policy." WARNING: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social, and Web pages) must acknowledge the source (ikon.mn) whenever they use our information in any form, either in full or partially.
The Project to Support Renewable Energy Transition in Ger Areas Will Continue
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: ikon.mn
Due to the significant negative impact of air pollution on human health, there is a need for Mongolia to transition to a new model of renewable energy. A memorandum of understanding was signed between Ulaanbaatar city and the United Nations Development Programme. As part of this, a project is being implemented to "Enhance livelihoods to support the transition to renewable energy in ger areas." It has been decided that this project will continue. The project, which will be implemented in two phases, aims to support the purchase and installation of electric heaters and solar panels for heating purposes in 50 households in Ulaanbaatar's ger areas that are in need. The Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme, Matilda Dimovska, expressed her willingness to support and collaborate in all aspects to strengthen the bilateral cooperation and ensure the project's success. From the city’s side, Ulaanbaatar City, in cooperation with the UN Development Programme, the Asia Foundation, "URECA" LLC, and "Ger Uurgu" NGO, is implementing a pilot project to transition households in Ulaanbaatar's ger areas to renewable energy use. The Executive Director of "URECA" LLC, E. Orchlon, stated, "We have introduced electric heaters based on a system that uses solar panels and battery storage, replacing the households’ stoves. The system includes smart sensors, allowing us to track where a household's energy is sourced and whether they are using a stove, as well as to calculate the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This can be certified as carbon credits and traded. For example, a household involved in the trial project reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 5-10 tons over seven months, which we sold as credits on our platform. In the coming year, we plan to implement technology that maintains heat for six hours even if the electrical storage is depleted, to avoid adding extra load to the energy system during peak demand, thus utilizing solar panels and battery storage," he informed. Warning: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social media, and Websites) should note that if they use our information in any form, in full or in part, they must cite their source (ikon.mn).
Unauthorized Damage to Pavements by Construction Companies and Infrastructure Developers
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: ikon.mn
Citizens criticize the destruction of pedestrian paths during road repairs, thermal pipeline updates, and building construction in the capital. Concerns were raised about how such issues are monitored and the responsibilities imposed on individuals or businesses involved. The Capital City Inspection and Monitoring Office (CCIMO) stated that within the public supervision and inspection framework, they conduct preliminary, planned, and unplanned inspections annually. Unplanned inspections are based on complaints and official letters from citizens and businesses. Inspections scheduled for 2024 were approved in 2023. According to regulations protecting roads and green areas, permission to dig under roads and structures is granted from April to October each year. Violations involving unauthorized digging or damaging structures, including pedestrian paths, are discovered. As of October 2024, six businesses and three individuals were fined a total of 29,500,000 MNT under relevant provisions of the Violations Act, and official directives were issued to restore public roads and footpaths. During inspections, cases of construction companies and individuals involved in thermal and electrical infrastructure damaging pavements without permission were noted. In the context of road repair and renovation, contractors are responsible for restoring any damaged pedestrian paths and structures. Failure to repair damaged infrastructure incurs a penalty of five million MNT, alongside mandatory restoration. An evaluation company assesses and imposes compensation. No complaints have been reported regarding the planned road repair and renovation in 87 locations across the city, where pedestrian paths have been damaged but not repaired. The Mayor's Office of Ulaanbaatar's Project Management Unit oversees daily monitoring of these developments. The Ulaanbaatar City Mayor's Office indicated that they refer locations where pedestrian paths and green areas have been damaged during repair and renovation efforts to the Road Development Agency. They have confirmed the repair plans for damaged structures. The Capital Road Development Agency mentioned that repairs of pedestrian paths during road maintenance and renovation are carried out by the executing companies. If pedestrian paths or other structures are damaged during building construction or infrastructure work and not restored, citizens can contact the Capital City Inspection and Monitoring Office. Warning: Media organizations (television, radio, social networks, and websites) must cite the source (ikon.mn) when using our information entirely or partially in any form.
110 Soums and Settlements Connected by Paved Roads in Mongolia
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: montsame.mn
The 95th anniversary of the founding and development of the road sector in Mongolia is being celebrated. On this day, the Ministry of Roads and Transport Development paid tribute to the starting point of the Mongolian road network located at Sukhbaatar Square. During the event, Ch. Sugarmaa, Head of the Road Policy and Coordination Department of the Ministry, delivered a congratulatory message. She reported that, following the regional development goals set by the government, all 21 provincial centers in Mongolia were connected by paved roads by 2022, with the last connection being the center of Zavkhan province, completing the Zagastain Pass project. In addition, under the "Recovery of Ports" initiative, work has begun to connect border checkpoints with provincial centers. With the achievement of linking 110 soums and settlements to the capital city with paved roads, road builders are marking their anniversary. To ensure private sector involvement and support in the road sector, a special-purpose, international-standard, two-lane road over 700 km long, running through the Khoshig Valley—Nalaikh—Choir—Zamiin Uud, will be constructed starting next year as a public-private partnership investment. The commemorative event was attended by the Mongolian Road Builders Association, the leadership of the Road and Transport Development Center, past and present representatives of the road sector, and veteran road builders. It is worth noting that the monument at the starting point of the Mongolian road network was built during the sector's 90th anniversary. On the same day, a commemorative meeting was held at the "Corporate Convention" center where awards were given to the sector's top workers. Greetings were also delivered to young people studying engineering and technical specialties in the road sector. Minister of Roads and Transport, B. Delgersaikhan, delivered a congratulatory message at the anniversary meeting. In his message, he mentioned that approximately 10,000 km of roads and about 17,000 meters of reinforced concrete bridges have been constructed with funding from the state budget, foreign loans, aid, and private investments to meet the growing demand for freight and transport needs day by day. He noted that according to the program of action of the newly established government for 2024-2028, the regional development infrastructure projects will be supported. As part of the sector’s esteemed and responsible mission, the execution of the “New Revival’s Five Circles” project includes constructing five vertical and three horizontal international road corridors to connect provincial centers to each other and to nearby border points, developing tourism with a plan to lay 4,440 km of paved roads. The Ministry and road builders are tasked with successfully implementing these government decisions, planning to put over 1,000 km of roads into operation by 2024. Alongside the historic 95th anniversary of Mongolia's road sector, it is also the 16th anniversary of the Mongolian Road Builders Association.
Society
Micro grants announced for civil society organizations
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: unuudur.mn
The Asia Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development, as part of their program "Strengthening Media and Civil Society in Mongolia," have announced a micro grant on the topic of "Civic Impact." The aim of this grant is to support initiatives related to social accountability and to expand the cooperation of civil society organizations. This micro grant will be announced annually, and projects are planned for the years 2024 and 2025 in the provinces of Bayan-Ulgii, Khovd, Arkhangai, Uvurkhangai, Darkhan-Uul, Dornod, Sukhbaatar, and in the districts of Nalaikh and Songinokhairkhan. Civil society organizations, associations, councils, and volunteer clubs that operate in the aforementioned provinces and districts and wish to undertake micro projects with innovative proposals in the field of social accountability can apply. Applications from interested organizations will be accepted until the 18th of the next month. The maximum amount of the grant is up to 50 million MNT. Micro project proposals must be feasible, result-oriented, and incorporate the principles of gender equality and social participation. Additionally, if civil society organizations develop their projects in a collaborative manner, it will be considered an advantage.
Efforts Underway to Extinguish Fire at "Shangri-La" Shopping Center
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: news.mn
A report came in that smoke is coming from the third floor of the "Shangri-La" shopping center located in the 1st khoroo of Sukhbaatar district. In response to the call, the firefighters from the 10th unit of the Chingeltei District Emergency Management Office are working to extinguish the fire.
Fire Being Put Out at Shangri-La
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: gogo.mn
Efforts are underway to extinguish the fire at "Shangri-La" located in the first khoroo of Sukhbaatar district, according to the General Emergency Management Agency. A call was received by the agency indicating smoke was coming from the third floor of the center. In response to the call, personnel from the Firefighting and Rescue Unit No. 10 of the Emergency Management Department of Chingeltei District are working there, having evacuated civilians and contained the spread of the fire.
NEMA: Efforts to Extinguish the Fire at "Shangri-La" by 20:24
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: isee.mn
A call was received at the National Emergency Management Agency today at 19:52 reporting smoke emerging from the third floor of "Shangri-La" located in Sukhbaatar District, 1st khoroo. In response, the firefighters from Firefighting and Rescue Unit No. 10 of the Chingeltei District Emergency Department arrived at the scene and managed to stop the spread of the fire by 20:24. They are currently working to completely extinguish the fire. SOURCE: NEMA
PHOTO: Fire Spread at "Shangri La" Shopping Center Stopped
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: ikon.mn
A report of smoke coming from the third floor of the "Shangri La" shopping center located in the first district of Sukhbaatar was registered with the Emergency Authority at 19:52 today. In response to this call, firefighters and rescuers from the 10th unit of the Chingeltei district Emergency Department arrived at the scene and reported having stopped the spread of the fire. Warning: 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.
Innovation
A New Strategy Will Be Developed for Mongolia's Tourism Sector
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: montsame.mn
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Youth, the Tourism Professional Association, and Boston Consulting Group, a consulting services company, have signed a tripartite agreement to collaborate in the tourism sector. The agreement was signed by Acting State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Youth A. Davaajargal, Director of Operations of Boston Consulting Group Grigory Rubin, and First Vice President of the Tourism Professional Association T. Battulga. Boston Consulting Group, founded in 1963 in the United States, is one of the world's leading consulting services companies. In the past five years, the company has implemented over 1,200 projects in sectors such as air transport, hospitality, entertainment, cruises, and tourism infrastructure. As part of this collaboration, new strategies will be developed for Mongolia's tourism sector to expand cooperation between the public and private sectors and increase tourist flows. Additionally, they will provide policy advisory services to reduce the seasonal dependency of the tourism sector and find solutions to challenges faced by tourists. As of October 2024, Mongolia has received over 700,000 tourists. The government has declared the period up to 2028 as the "Year of Visiting Mongolia" and aims to attract one million tourists by the end of this year. The agreement also supports research, development of policy documents, statistical analysis, and comparative studies with countries providing similar tourism products, as announced by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Youth.
Developing a New National Tourism Strategy in Collaboration with the US-based "Boston Consulting Group"
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: ikon.mn
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth (MCSY), the Professional Association of Tourism, and the consulting company Boston Consulting Group have signed a tripartite agreement to collaborate in the tourism sector. Boston Consulting Group was established in the United States in 1963 and is one of the leading consulting service companies in the world. In the past five years, the company has worked on more than 1,200 projects in sectors such as air transportation, hotels, entertainment, cruises, and tourism infrastructure. Within the framework of this collaboration, policy consulting services will be provided to develop a new strategy for Mongolia's tourism sector, expand public-private partnerships, and increase tourist inflows. In addition, this collaboration will support the reduction of seasonal dependency in the tourism industry and develop solutions to the challenges faced by tourists. As of October 2024, Mongolia has received over 700,000 tourists. The government has declared the period until 2028 as "Visit Mongolia Year," with the goal of reaching 1 million tourists this year. This agreement will support collaboration in various areas such as conducting research and policy document development, statistical analysis, and preparing comparative studies with countries that offer similar tourism products. Source: Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth Warning: Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social, and Web pages) must cite their source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form entirely or partially.
L. Oyun-Erdene: UN support and cooperation are crucial in human resources, green transition, and artificial intelligence sectors
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: unuudur.mn
Yesterday marked United Nations Day. In this context, Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene visited the United Nations office in Mongolia and extended his congratulations. The organization was founded on October 24, 1945, to uphold international law, economic and social development, and human rights. This was seen as a major advance towards peaceful coexistence among the countries and people of the world. Our country became the 101st full-fledged member of the UN on October 27, 1961, flying its national flag. Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene highlighted that during the more than 60 years since Mongolia joined the UN, the country has focused on achieving the goals and objectives set before the international community, strengthening the country's position on the international stage, advancing social and economic development, and ensuring democracy and human rights. He noted, "The UN helped vaccinate 80% of the population during COVID-19 and assisted 12,000 herder households with $1.5 million in donations and aid during the 2023-2024 dzud. I express gratitude to the UN leadership and staff for their long-term contribution and partnership in Mongolia's development advancement." To implement the "Sustainable Development Goals-2030" program, the Prime Minister also emphasized that the government is implementing the "Vision-2050" long-term development policy and the "New Revival Policy" by integrating global advanced concepts with national characteristics. He mentioned that the "Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027" document being implemented in collaboration with the UN is providing significant support. Within this document, issues like human rights, development, green inclusivity, and people-centered governance are being worked on as strategic priorities. The cooperation between Mongolia and the UN has advanced to a new level in recent years, focusing more on "development cooperation" rather than "development assistance." The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of focusing on human resources, artificial intelligence, and the green transition moving forward, noting that UN support, leadership, and cooperation play an important role. Resident Coordinator Tapan Mishra conveyed that the government is committed to strengthening and increasing the content, scope, and inclusivity of cooperation with the UN.
Chief of Cabinet Secretariat N. Uchral Meets with Representatives of Boston Consulting Group
Published: 2024-10-25 | Translated from: isee.mn
The Minister of Mongolia and Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat, N. Uchral, met with representatives of the Boston Consulting Group today at the State Palace. At the beginning of the meeting, Minister N. Uchral expressed his pleasure at the collaboration on developing Mongolia's National Tourism Strategy and working together. He also indicated that there are open opportunities for collaboration in areas such as the reform of state-owned enterprises and enhancing the effectiveness of the national wealth fund. Furthermore, he introduced the implementation of the technical assistance (SMART TA) project in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support the management reform and privatization of State-Owned Enterprises. The representatives of the Boston Consulting Group expressed their interest in collaborating with the Government of Mongolia within these areas and proposed to hold further working meetings. The group is a large management organization with about 80 offices in over 40 countries worldwide.
Member discussion