Sep 5, 2024 57 min read Daily News Summaries

Mongolia News Summary for September 05, 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.

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Politics

Highlighting the Top 10 Young Candidates in the Ulaanbaatar City Council Election

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: gogo.mn

With the conclusion of the 2024 parliamentary elections, local elections are now beginning. The regular election for the representatives' council in provinces, cities, districts, and counties is scheduled for next month on the 11th. According to local election laws, parties must submit their list of candidates for the local representatives' council to the General Election Committee by September 2nd. As of now, the MPP and DP have officially announced their candidates, while the HUN Party has yet to make an announcement.

The development of the city depends on how the candidates representing the 1.7 million residents of Ulaanbaatar are chosen. The Ulaanbaatar City Council elections (CIC) are crucial to tackling issues such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and stagnant infrastructure development. This year's CIC election will see candidates competing in 12 constituencies in Ulaanbaatar. We're highlighting candidates who stand out with their education and work experience.

Candidate B. Dulgunn in the 7th Constituency

For this CIC election, economist B. Dulgunn is running for the MPP in Sukhbaatar District. He holds a bachelor's degree from Connecticut College in the USA and a master's degree from Harvard University. From 2020 to 2022, he served as Deputy Director at the National Development Agency and as an advisor to the Minister of Finance and Development. With over ten years of experience in Mongolia's economic and financial sectors, he is a recognized young expert in his field.

Candidate N. Manduul in the 9th Constituency

N. Manduul is well known for saving the Development Bank from bankruptcy and relieving its debt burden. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the American University in Bulgaria and a master's degree from Brandeis University in the USA. His career includes being the head of the Financial Policy Department in the Ministry of Finance and the CEO of the Development Bank. He worked himself up from an expert in the Ministry of Finance to department head over ten years, during which time he attracted sources of funding for major projects beneficial to Mongolia's development. Currently, he serves as the first deputy mayor for economic development and infrastructure, leading the "Selbe Subcenter" development project.

Candidate N. Bayarchimeg in the 6th Constituency

N. Bayarchimeg is one of the 45 candidates running for the CIC with the MPP. She holds a law degree from the National University of Mongolia and a master's degree in both international business administration from Pacific-Central University (USA) and law from the School of Law at the National University of Mongolia. Her career includes roles as a specialist and head of a division at the National Development Agency, a specialist and the head of the legal department in the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry, and deputy director at "Erdenes Tavantolgoi Mining" LLC. Currently, she manages projects on human development and social policy for the city.

Candidate Kh. Altai in the 7th Constituency

Associated with the Mongolian Stock Exchange, Kh. Altai is running for the MPP in Sukhbaatar District. He served as the CEO of the "Mongolian Stock Exchange" JSC from 2016 to 2023. Altai graduated with a law degree from the National University of Mongolia and has experience working in Switzerland in the mining sector.

Candidate A. Mandakhnaran in the 8th Constituency

A. Mandakhnaran is recognized as a young professional by the HUN Party. Although unsuccessful in the parliamentary elections, he is now running for the CIC in Khan-Uul District. He has educational backgrounds in finance, economics, and politics from Sweden and Japan. His career includes working as an economist at the Ministry of Finance's budget policy department and as a trade and economic advisor at the Mongolian Embassy in Sweden.

Candidate E. Zolzaya in the 1st Constituency

E. Zolzaya is a recognized young expert in urban planning. She was educated in environmental management and natural resource management in Taiwan and has worked in urban development policy and planning for the last ten years. She has also worked as a consultant for ICLEI, an international organization of cities. As an expert focused on urban planning and environmental management, she leads the Council of Urban Development Experts at the HUN Party's Policy Research Institute.

Candidate G. Battömör in the 3rd Constituency

This CIC election features young professionals from various sectors. One of them is G. Battömör, an economist. He graduated in international trade and economics from Beijing University of Economics and Business.

Candidate Ts. Erdenebileg in the 9th Constituency

Trained in accounting and business administration, Ts. Erdenebileg ran in the CIC for Chingeltei District with the DP in 2020. He is the grandson of Sonomyn Luvsangvandan, a notable 20th-century Mongolian intellectual and professor. Erdenebileg holds a master's degree from the University of Chicago (USA) and London School of Economics (UK).

Candidate B. Saruul in the 2nd Constituency

Having joined the Democratic Party as a student, B. Saruul graduated as a lieutenant from the officer training program at the Defense University. He held managerial positions in major food production companies and served as deputy chief of the President's Office and as a policy and operations manager.

Candidate B. Bolor-Erdene in the 5th Constituency

B. Bolor-Erdene is running for the Democratic Party in the Songinokhairkhan District. He specializes in international relations and development research and is pursuing a doctorate at the National University of Mongolia's International Relations and Public Administration School. He also trained as a military communications engineer at the Defense University and enhanced his skills in the USA, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea. With extensive experience, from 2000 to 2016, Bolor-Erdene worked at Golomt Bank and has been a Democratic Party member since 2008.

With the conclusion of the 2024 parliamentary elections, local elections are now starting. The regular election for representatives' councils in provinces, cities, districts, and counties is set for next month on the 11th. As per local election laws, parties are required to submit their list of candidates for local representatives' councils to the General Election Committee by September 2nd. Currently, the MPP and DP have officially announced their candidates, whereas the HUN Party has yet to make a statement.

The development of the city depends on how candidates representing Ulaanbaatar’s 1.7 million residents are chosen. The Ulaanbaatar City Council election is crucial for addressing issues such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and sluggish infrastructure development. In this election, candidates will compete across 12 constituencies in Ulaanbaatar, and we are highlighting candidates who excel with their education and work experience.

China's Communist Party: Focus on Artificial Intelligence, Space Technology, and Biotechnology

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Our economy is heavily dependent on the economy of the People's Republic of China. Our country's export revenue directly relies on the economic growth and demand for mining raw materials from China.

When introducing the draft of the 2025 state budget, Director G. Zolboo of the Ministry of Finance’s Financial and Budgetary Research Department stated, "The downturn in China's real estate sector has not yet revived. The Communist Party recently presented its decisions from the congress. The country will adopt a new development model based on science and technology. In this framework, research and development will be prioritized, and many industries will be established.

For instance, there will be a focus on artificial intelligence, space technology, biotechnology, and digital transition. International organizations, including the World Bank, have predicted China's economic growth to be 4.5% next year. Prices for raw materials supplied by our country to China remain stable.

This year, we planned to export a total of 75 million tons of coal. As of now, no risks have arisen in mining exports. The price of copper remains stable. So far, around 40 million tons of coal have been exported. We have estimated that mining revenue will increase by 3 trillion MNT by the end of the year. We strive to realistically estimate our budget revenue and have not made optimistic forecasts. We do not expect the budget to be in surplus by the end of the year."

However, economists believe that due to the unresolved issues in China's real estate sector, risk analysis should be conducted thoroughly.

IAAC: Responsible Measures Taken Against 25 Officials Based on Complaints and Reports from Citizens

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

According to the information released by the Monitoring, Inspection, and Analysis Department of the Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC), during the first half of 2024, the asset, income, and declaration statements of 263 officials were examined based on the complaints, reports, and information received from citizens, as well as through planned inspections.

Under the anti-corruption legislation, public officials are required to truthfully declare their own and their family members' income and assets. The legality and source of immovable properties, whether they have been acquired through lawful income, are thoroughly scrutinized based on scheduled inspections of asset and income declarations of the following organizations' leaders:

Ministry of Health,
Drug and Medical Devices Control, and Regulation Authority,
General Tax Authority,
"Erdenet Mining Corporation" SOE,
Ulaanbaatar City Health Authority,
"Erdenet-Bulgan Electricity Distribution Network" JSC

Some declarants were found to have negligently complied with their duties, as mandated by the anti-corruption legislation, including reporting their own and their family members' income and assets inaccurately, deliberately omitting to declare assets and income, declaring fictitious income and unowned properties, and failing to report significant changes in assets and income within the legally specified period. As a result, administrative responsibilities were imposed on a total of 25 officials according to Article 13.8 of the Anti-Corruption Law.

For instance, violations such as failing to declare owned land, income from the sale of warehouses and transport vehicles, loans received from banks, jointly owned apartments, family members' owned car spaces, summer houses, a family members' business income, and the legal entities they have founded or have shares in, were identified, resulting in imposing responsibilities as per the Anti-Corruption Law. These include:

Senior specialist “O” of the Drug and Medical Devices Control Regulation Authority,
"A" from the management of "Erdenet-Bulgan Electricity Distribution Network" JSC,
"Ts" the project coordinator of the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry,
The management of "Erdenet Mining Corporation" SOE, identified as "N" and "E".

Government Seeks Public Input to Increase Transparency of Operations

Published: Thu, 05 Sep 2024 | Translated from: montsame.mn

In today's government meeting, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Communication Ts. Baaterkhuu presented about the operations of the unified website for state organizations, https://www.gov.mn/mn.

According to the Law on Transparency of Public Information, state organizations are obliged to openly place 68 types of information on their websites. Members of the government and governors of provinces and the capital city have been instructed to organize the placement and updating of information on the unified government website at the sectoral and territorial levels.

The https://www.gov.mn/mn website includes services and information from 6,006 state organizations. It also contains the services and information of state-owned organizations and their websites in one place. In the future, the websites of government organizations will follow a unified model and standard.

Citizens will have the opportunity to access all necessary information and services in one place, increasing the transparency of government operations, allowing them to acquaint themselves with the policies and decisions being implemented, and improving feedback between the government and the public. The Government Media and Information Office has announced that suggestions regarding enhancing government transparency are being accepted at 1111@gov.mn.

The Democratic Party to Participate in Local Elections in Cooperation with the New Party

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

The Democratic Party has signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate with the New Party in the local elections. The signing ceremony was attended by the acting General Secretary of the Democratic Party, N. Ganibal, B. Jargalan, the city head of the Democratic Party, T. Batsogt, the head of the New Party, Ts. Gantulga, the party secretary B. Gantulga, and the head of the New Party's HEG, L. Enkhtuya.

The New Party is fielding over 60 candidates in eight provinces and six districts under the Democratic Party's name. By these parties joining, it prevents the dispersion of votes which could provide an advantage to the MPP. Therefore, parties with similar political orientations are participating together in the election as an effort to protect democracy. Over the past 30 years, the Democratic Party has only once won the Citizen's Assembly elections in Ulaanbaatar and governed the capital city.

According to Acting General Secretary of the Democratic Party, N. Ganibal: "We have established a memorandum of understanding to participate in the local elections in cooperation with the New Party. The Democratic Party is part of the government coalition. 86 points of the government action plan are from the Democratic Party's election platform. Correspondingly, we are introducing the implementation of the platform in every locality."

The New Party shares a common vision with the Democratic Party on many issues, which is why it is participating in this election together.

New Party head, Ts. Gantulga, noted: "The New Party has decided to participate in this local election under the Democratic Party's banner. We have signed a memorandum of understanding to support the Democratic Party's platform and work together in the election. More than 60 of our candidates are running in eight provinces and six districts under the name of the Democratic Party. We are confident of a successful participation in this local election."

The MPP of the Capital will Prioritize Young Leaders in Education for the Local Election

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Political parties and alliances have announced their candidates for the Citizens' Representative Assembly elections in aimags, the capital, soums, and districts. Among the candidates announced by the Capital City Committee of the Mongolian People's Party, the following young individuals are leading in education. Although they have little experience in public service, they are entering these positions to challenge themselves at the level of policy-making by leading in their respective fields through their education.

In the 2024 State Great Khural elections, the MPP included top youths in their list and brought them into the Parliament. Most of them had little political experience but were selected for candidacy due to their education from some of the world's leading universities and recognition in their fields. This precedent is being repeated in the Capital City Council (NITKH) elections. Let's introduce the young candidates running for the NITKH.

Candidate in the IX electoral district for NITKH, N. Manduul

He obtained a Master's degree in Business Administration from Brandeis University in the United States. He has held various positions such as Deputy Director in charge of Infrastructure at "Erdenes Mongolia" LLC, Head of the Financial Policy Department at the Ministry of Finance, and Executive Director of the Development Bank. Currently, he is working as the First Deputy Mayor of the Capital.

Candidate in the III electoral district for NITKH, E. Odontuya

Engineer E. Odontuya graduated with a Master's degree from Hanyang University in South Korea and has experience working as a researcher at the same university. She also worked as an analyst at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology and is a leading engineer in the construction sector.

Candidate in the VII electoral district for NITKH, B. Dulguun

Economist B. Dulguun holds a Bachelor's degree from Connecticut College in the United States and a Master's degree from Harvard University. He served as the Deputy Head of the National Development Agency and an advisor to the Minister of Economic Development. He also worked on a World Bank project studying air pollution issues and its underlying causes in the capital.

Candidate in the VII electoral district for NITKH, B. Anu-Ujin

She completed an internship in real estate at Lincoln University in the United States and graduated with a Master's degree in Business Administration. She has enhanced her skills in countries such as France, India, and the U.S., and worked as the Executive Director of a real estate brokerage company.

In the coming years, the capital plans to implement major projects such as metro, cable transport, and satellite cities. Therefore, experts in their fields are needed to bring these projects to fruition in the capital. In this sense, the MPP has nominated leaders in education and their respective fields for the NITKH election.

N. Ganibal: Confirmed Partnership with the New Party to Participate in Local Elections with the Democratic Party (AN)

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

A memorandum of understanding has been signed for the Democratic Party (AN) to participate in the 2024 local elections in alliance with the New Party, and representatives from both parties have signed.

The leaders of the AN explained why they are participating together in the local representative council elections.

Acting General Secretary of AN, N. Ganibal stated, "The local elections will be held on October 12. For this election cycle, over 8,100 candidates from the AN are prepared to participate, and registration with the General Election Commission is underway.

One notable aspect is the confirmed partnership with the New Party for the local elections. The AN's local election campaign is based on the unique characteristics of each locality. Eighty-six percent of the government's program aligns with the AN's electoral platform.

The New Party shares the same values in terms of democracy and human rights as the AN, which is why we are joining forces for this election.

Even though a mixed system was established for the parliamentary elections, we have seen how multiple parties split the votes, giving the Mongolian People's Party (MAN) an advantage. Going forward, parties with similar political orientations should unite in elections to safeguard democracy.

If we secure victory, we will boldly make investment-oriented developments in a short period," he said.

Concerning the campaign platform for the local elections, City Democratic Party Leader T. Batzogt stated, "Elections are a way to evaluate. We will assess how Ulaanbaatar has developed over the past four years and how officials' lives have changed.

Four years ago, the MAN proposed a happy city for Ulaanbaatar and won a majority. We will evaluate this on October 12.

By consolidating the results of the previous parliamentary elections, we see that the ruling party today holds 27% of Ulaanbaatar citizens' support.

Unfortunately, the party with 27-28% support is currently governing 100%, and we see the resulting conditions. Meanwhile, the majority of citizens do not support MAN.

The time has come to change the system where approximately 70% of votes are split among many parties, resulting in election defeats. Initial negotiations to enter the local elections by uniting parties sharing democratic values have been successfully conducted.

City Governor Kh. Nyambaatar cannot fulfill his essential duties and is giving empty promises intended to mislead. We will not be like the mayor, who changes curbs while roads are congested.

Our mission, under the ‘September 1st’ program developed for children's development and education, aims to achieve a child-friendly city," he stated.

Series 1: Ministers with Conflicts of Interest

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

After the parliamentary elections, the leader of the Mongolian People's Party (MPP), L. Oyun-Erdene, decided to form a coalition government and proposed forming a coalition government to the Democratic Party (DP) and HUN Party, which have seats in the parliament. This resulted in a second cabinet led by L. Oyun-Erdene, consisting of members from three parties, including the leaders of the Democratic Party and HUN Party.

In the coalition government with 16 ministries and 23 ministers, the MPP appointed 13, the DP 8, and the HUN 2 people to their respective seats. According to the law, the Prime Minister appoints and dismisses cabinet ministers, but since a coalition government is being formed, internal party agreements are made first, and then the Prime Minister introduces the ministers to the parliament and appoints them. In the coalition government led by L. Oyun-Erdene, there are quite a few ministers with conflicts of interest.

Apart from the Prime Minister, 8-9 among the 22 ministers appointed have various degrees of conflicts of interest.

The law defines a "conflict of interest" as a situation where the personal interest of a public official conflicts with public interest and could prevent them from carrying out their official duties fairly and impartially. A member of the government is a public official. In simple terms, a minister with a conflict of interest is someone who is involved in businesses or companies operating in the sector they are leading. The conflicted ministers in the Joint Government led by L. Oyun-Erdene are introduced in a series.

J. Batsuuri, who was elected as a member of the Parliament and then appointed as a minister, is a fortunate and prominent member. Despite his high reputation and ranking in regional surveys, there was a political discussion at the time that he entered the list because he was in the same constituency as President's brother U. Otgonbayar, avoiding competition. If true, it seems that efforts were made, regardless of party affiliation, to get the President's brother elected as a member.

Minister J. Batsuuri was elected to the Parliament twice and appointed as a minister for the first time. He undoubtedly ranks among the ministers with conflicts of interest. His son and sister are involved in companies operating in the construction sector. Specifically, Minister J. Batsuuri declared having ties with the company "Datukom" LLC in his disclosure. He co-owned this company with D. Khosbayar, the Chairman of the Sukhbaatar Provincial Citizens’ Representative Khural, since 2007. Information was previously provided that this company supplied goods, works, and services to the state in 2023.

Additionally, his sister J. Bud’s son B. Bat-Orgil owns a construction company. His “Golden BT S Construction” has acquired large land and built several constructions, building major buildings in Sukhbaatar province. The company has also participated in tenders and completed work. For instance, they conducted the design of the heating pipeline for rental housing in Baruun-Urt soum, Sukhbaatar province, and managed the water supply and sanitation pipeline network design for four blocks of rental housing in Baruun-Urt soum, Sukhbaatar province. The involvement of affiliated entities in the construction sector and participation in state tenders is a conflict of interest.

Minister J. Enkhbayar of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry is not new to politics and is part of the President’s team. He obtained his candidacy for the parliamentary election through a presidential quota from his party and was reappointed as a minister with the President’s support. Although another person's name was suggested for the position of Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry, J. Enkhbayar was suddenly suggested by the Prime Minister and appointed.

He was elected to the parliament for the fourth time. In 2019, it was publicly revealed that he took a loan through a related company from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund, which led to his exclusion from the candidacy for the 2020 parliamentary election. Nevertheless, following the 2021 presidential election, he was appointed Secretary of the National Security Council and served until December 2023.

Thus, he is one of the ministers with conflicts of interest. Minister J. Enkhbayar owns several companies operating in land cultivation and livestock sectors. Specifically, he owns 100 percent of "Gazar" LLC and 74 percent of "Gazar Buudai" LLC, "Gazar Shim," and "Gazar Capital Partners" NBFI.

Before he became the minister of the sector, he received concessional loans provided to the sector through related companies. It remains unpredictable what concessions, support, and incentives he might obtain now as a minister.

While appointing and dismissing government members is within the full authority of the Prime Minister, at least ensuring the candidates they are proposing do not have conflicts of interest and selecting people with clean reputations is imperative to align with the public's trust and esteem in the government.

To be continued...

C. Gantulga: New Party Members Suspend Their Membership and Join the Democratic Party to Participate in Local Elections. We Will Not Betray

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Democratic Party (DP) and the New Party have signed a memorandum of understanding to participate jointly in the 2024 local elections for the Citizens' Representative Councils of provinces, the capital, districts, and soums, with representatives of the parties signing the document.

Continuing, the New Party's Chairperson C. Gantulga provided information on why they have decided to participate together in the Citizens' Representative Councils elections.

He said, "For the local elections, the New Party has united all its members, supporters, non-governmental organizations, and intellectuals, and has signed a memorandum to join forces under the DP banner.

We are committed to protecting the support of 70,000 party supporters and 325,000 voters, advocating for the DP's policy of creating a new monetary policy, government, economy, and an industrialized Mongolia.

We appreciate the DP leadership for supporting the idea of realizing the vision of democracy and providing an opportunity to participate in subsequent activities.

We have nominated more than 60 candidates in eight provinces and six districts under the DP's banner. We are confident that they will support our policy to reform this society, which has been muddled with debts and loans.

Running independently in local elections is not easy. Political parties with a democratic ideology are strong when they learn from their old experiences and unite. What has happened to Mongolia's debt when the MPP governed alone?

When the DP was in power, it bravely carried out many tasks. We are fragments of the DP. Implementing citizen-centric policies was necessary for the country.

The current government was formed violating the constitution. A political party with an absolute majority should lead the government. Unfortunately, even with an absolute majority, the opportunity for cooperation with the DP was provided. Our New Party is also opening up opportunities to participate in joining democratic-oriented parties.

During the last local elections, an issue arose where a member left the party in Bayangol district. The New Party will take definite responsibility, regulated by contract, and fulfill its duty according to the DP's rules. There will be no betrayal or defection from us.

Members of the New Party are suspending their membership and becoming members of the DP to participate in the local elections," he stated.

Economy

The total reserves and resources of the Tavan Tolgoi deposit increased by 1.8 billion tons and established at 8.1 billion tons

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Comprehensive exploration and research work were carried out in the Tsankhi, Borteeg, and Oortsog areas of the Tavan Tolgoi deposit from 2017 to 2023. Over 550 specialists participated in these exploration and research activities.

As a result, "Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi" JSC increased the total reserves and resources of the deposit by 29 percent, or 1.8 billion tons, compared to previous reports, and recalculated them to be 8.1 billion tons. The increase in the deposit's reserves opens up opportunities to improve the country's economic capacity, increase foreign exchange reserves, and boost household income.

This serves as fundamental research for implementing projects that produce value-added products by utilizing the Tavan Tolgoi deposit's resources effectively and processing the deposit's coal deeply to compete in the international market.

In 2011, the total reserves and resources of the Tavan Tolgoi deposit were evaluated at 7.4 billion tons by the US company "Norwest," whereas in 2018, the coal reserves were determined to be 6.3 billion tons.

Every citizen of Mongolia with 1,072 shares has benefited from dividends amounting to 104,000 MNT in 2022 and 256,000 MNT in 2023.

Source: "Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi" JSC

B.Battsetseg: The Visit that Strengthened the Legal Environment for Long-Term Sustainable Supply of Fuel and Energy Was of Great Importance

Published: Thu, 05 Sep 2024 | Translated from: montsame.mn

We had a discussion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, B. Battsetseg, about the results of Russian President V.V. Putin's visit and some related issues.

Our country has been conducting a very active foreign policy, with many visits taking place in recent years. Even this year, starting from the Foreign Ministers of the "Third Neighbor" countries, several heads of state have visited. However, Russian President V. Putin's visit, which just concluded yesterday, has attracted considerable attention.

Russian President V. Putin's official visit to Mongolia, upon the invitation of Mongolian President U. Khurelsukh, was the center of attention not only domestically but also internationally. I'd like to provide you with some information in relation to this. Before discussing this matter, we must mention Mongolia's unique geographic position, its geopolitical environment, and the resulting security and foreign policy principles.

Mongolia's foreign policy principle states, "Maintaining friendly relations with Russia and China is the number one priority of Mongolia's foreign policy, and we will develop broad-based cooperation with these countries as good neighbors, taking into account the historical tradition and unique characteristics of economic cooperation with both countries."

It is vital for any country to have friendly, stable relations and cooperation with its neighbors. Therefore, we have maintained stable bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral relations with our neighbors and will continue to do so in the future.

Within the framework of the Mongolian government's 2024-2028 action plan, 14 mega projects are planned to be implemented. Several projects will be co-executed with our two neighbors.

Two years ago, the Foreign Ministers of China and Russia visited Mongolia. Now, the President of Russia has just visited. A high-level visit from China is expected soon, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Mongolia-China diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Any visit or meeting is planned and coordinated long in advance. High-level visits require even more time and preparation. Visits are conducted periodically, per tradition, based on the history and nature of relations. In 2021, during President U. Khurelsukh's visit to Russia, he invited President V. Putin to visit Mongolia for the 85th anniversary of the Khalkhin Gol victory, leading to this visit. Previously, Russian leaders have traditionally visited Mongolia on the 70th, 75th, and 80th anniversaries of the Khalkhin Gol victory. Of course, these visits also provide a favorable opportunity to discuss and reach consensus on issues like bilateral trade, economy, and infrastructure.

These visits reflect the adherence to the principle of maintaining balanced foreign relations. I have previously stated that balanced relations are the "lifeblood" of our foreign policy. Alongside relationships with our two neighbors, there are also relationships with our third neighbors.

Relationships with our two neighbors should be balanced with the collective sum of relations with our third neighbors.

In the past 2-3 years, Mongolia's foreign relations have developed intensively. Poland, France, Kyrgyzstan, Vatican, Germany, Belarus, Laos, Bhutan, Switzerland, Slovenia, and leaders from numerous countries have visited Mongolia. Does this mean high-level visits from southern neighbors and third neighbors will follow that of the Russian President?

Since the end of the pandemic in spring 2022, Mongolia's foreign relations have been dynamically active. Over the last 30-plus years, high-level visits from Mongolia were predominantly outward. Only a few significant visits were hosted annually. However, in the last two years, we have hosted 11 heads of state, 7 parliamentary leaders, 17 Foreign Ministers, and heads of key international organizations like the UN Secretary-General, the UN Office in Geneva, WHO, UNESCO, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and the International Organization for Migration.

There is a marked increase in interest from our third neighbors in Mongolia, a nation maintaining an independent policy between two great powers. This surge in interest signifies the high evaluation of Mongolia’s "peace-preferred, open, independent, multi-pillar" foreign policy and the heightened prestige of our country. Third neighbors regularly express their understanding of Mongolia's unique geographical location, economic capacity, and resources.

You have explained that the Russian President’s visit was not unexpected and it was conducted within the framework of fulfilling foreign policy principles. Can we now elaborate on the content and outcomes of the visit and some associated complex issues?

Certainly. The Russian President's visit is becoming a significant topic of debate among our citizens and the public. This is a characteristic of democratic, free, and healthy societies. Citizens must freely express their opinions. Meanwhile, the state and government must provide truthful, accurate, and objective information.

Apart from historical, traditional relations, the current reality of purchasing most of our fuel and energy from Russia was an economic and security-related factor and necessity for this visit. Our country imports 95% of its petroleum products and 25% of its electrical energy from Russia.

Therefore, during this visit, the two parties extensively discussed energy cooperation and signed relevant documents. An intergovernmental agreement was signed regarding cooperation in the sectors of petroleum products, fuel supply, energy, and infrastructure.

Strengthening the legal framework for stable, long-term fuel and energy supply was of particular importance.

Regarding the complex issues you mentioned, the decision made by the International Criminal Court has become a subject of discussion and controversy related to the visit. The ICC, of which Mongolia is a member, issued an arrest warrant for Russian President. However, existing international legal documents that are in effect specify the inviolability of a state leader while fulfilling their duties. This principle of non-aggression and respect towards envoys, from high-level delegates to envoys, is a tradition Mongolians have adhered to since the era of the Great Khans, which was later incorporated into international law.

Additionally, the Rome Statute of the ICC explicitly states that no state shall be forced to perform any task that conflicts with its international agreements and obligations with other states.

Back in 1993, our country signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation with Russia, and in 2019, renewed it with a "Mongolia-Russia Friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty," which states, "The Parties shall organize regular consultations at various levels, primarily utilizing high-level meeting mechanisms, and refrain from any actions against the other Party."

Regarding the bilateral treaty between Mongolia and Russia, we have consistently shared information and exchanged views with the ICC concerning the state leader's immunities and privileges.

Some countries, particularly Ukraine, are quite sensitive to this visit. What is your stance on this matter?

We respect and pay close attention to the opinions and positions expressed in the external environment. We maintain good relations with Ukraine and work closely with them. We have had discussions and reached mutual understanding with Ukraine's Foreign Minister during events like the Munich Security Conference. Heads of State from both countries have also had phone conversations and exchanged opinions. We are committed to maintaining this bilateral relationship.

I must emphasize again that Mongolia does not support any form of war, conflict, or use of force. We have always conveyed this stance at the United Nations and other international forums.

During the discussions in this visit, we reiterated our position that war and the use of force are not solutions and that issues should be resolved peacefully through dialogue. Our President, in his address to the media, clearly confirmed this stance.

Looking forward, we are considering and planning initiatives to propose ideas based on our traditional Mongolia philosophy aimed at ceasing wars and conflicts around the world and establishing peace through dialogue and negotiations.

Ministry of Finance: If Energy and Heating Tariffs Increase, Inflation Expected to Rise to 6.5% by Year-End

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: bloombergtv.mn

The Ministry of Finance emphasizes the importance of Mongolia not being subjected to any type of sanctions.

The Ministry has presented the macroeconomic indicators for the first half of 2024 and the forecast expected by the end of the year.

In the second half of the year, inflation is expected to increase due to seasonal factors. The report highlights that if electricity and heating tariffs are increased as part of the energy reforms included in the Government's four-year action plan, the average annual inflation rate in 2024 is expected to slightly increase to 6.5%.

When looking at potential risks to macroeconomic indicators, it is noted that due to severe weather in the first half of the year, the abnormal loss of livestock reached 8.1 million, negatively impacting the agricultural sector's supply. This may increase supply-driven inflationary pressure and adversely affect economic growth.

Furthermore, during these times of geopolitical issues involving neighboring countries, it is critical that Mongolia's credit rating does not decrease and that the country does not face any type of sanctions.

On an external level, uncertainties in global raw material prices, energy shortages, and climate change are cited in the report as potential negative impacts on macroeconomic indicators.

"A Gun Worth $100 is Being Sold for $1000, Prices Must be Reduced"

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: gogo.mn

During the August 21 meeting of the Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy, D. Gankhuyag, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, provided information to the members of the Parliament.

During the meeting, it was stated, "We train citizens in military preparedness by having them bring their own firearms and vehicles. We aim to control the price and allow free entry for gun-selling places, so that citizens can legally own firearms and be ready to use them in any situation." On this issue, clarification was sought from State Secretary D. Gankhuyag.

He stated, "In Mongolia, there are 3-4 organizations selling firearms. These organizations have established monopolies, selling a $100 gun for $1000. At the Standing Committee meeting, I mentioned the need to monitor sites selling firearms legally and to make prices flexible.

In accordance with the law on firearms, a citizen can join a special training on gun ownership and graduate with a certificate. Only after that can one obtain a permit to own a firearm.

Section 9. Ownership of firearms

9.1. Unless otherwise stipulated in the law, a citizen who is 21 years old, with full civil legal capacity, has not deliberately committed a crime using firearms, and has undergone safety training for owning, using, and storing firearms and received a certificate, is allowed to own firearms for civil purposes according to Mongolian law.

Also, according to the Law on Local Protection, training is held to prepare local protection involving public participation. In other words, young people living in the area participate in this training.

Section 8.1 of the law:

During the training, citizens come with their firearms, motorcycles, and horses. They are taught military tactics, shooting lessons, etc. However, in the current situation, the guns used by the citizens are very outdated, their tubes are worn out, and they are not hitting the target accurately. The reason is that buying a gun is very expensive. Therefore, the rights of organizations importing guns should be freed, and prices of guns that are being sold for 10 times more should be reduced.

This does not mean anyone can use their gun anywhere, as they please.

By doing this, the capabilities of citizens owning guns in rural areas will improve. In case of any risk, the local citizens are obliged to confront and withstand the threat, fulfilling the civic duty of protecting the homeland as specified in the Constitution.

This does not mean free distribution of guns and starting conflicts. The laws of Mongolia stipulate that every citizen can own firearms legally. It does not mean anyone can use their gun anywhere, as they please.

According to the defense plan, the local administrative management organizes the local protection. This year, the structure has changed, and the local protection office has been established.

Article 21 in the law on local protection states the responsibilities of a Mongolian citizen regarding local protection:

21.1.1. Be prepared to fulfill assigned duties to protect the locality;
21.1.2. Perform assigned duties in local protection;
21.1.3. Be vigilant and inform relevant organizations promptly about threats;
21.1.4. Participate in training, organization, and other measures related to local protection activities.

SXCoal: Interest of End Users Diminishes, Mongolian Coal Trading Weakens

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: bloombergtv.mn

SXCoal reports that trading of Mongolian coal on the Mongolian Stock Exchange is decreasing and sometimes failing. According to SXCoal, the trade of Mongolian imported coking coal has significantly weakened at China's Gantsmod port. At the beginning of the week, the prices of coal futures and steel products fell again, negatively impacting the purchasing activity of Chinese end users.

At this port, the initial offering price for Mongolian Grade V raw coking coal fluctuates around 1170-1180 yuan per ton, which is a decrease of 80-90 yuan compared to the monthly figure, according to SXCoal's data.

Chinese steelmakers, who are operating at a loss, are reducing the purchase price of Mongolian coal. Trading activity for these exported coking coals on the Mongolian Stock Exchange has also decreased, and in some cases, failed, as emphasized by SXCoal. For instance, on September 3rd, Energy Resources Company offered 19,200 tons of Grade III washed coking coal at a starting price of 1150 yuan per ton on the Mongolian Stock Exchange, but no buyer was found. As a result, the company has failed to sell this type of coal in eight consecutive auctions since mid-August.

The weakening of the Mongolian imported coking coal market is linked to the current conditions of China's domestic market. Coke plants, with adequately stocked warehouses, are only purchasing additional coking coal as needed. Meanwhile, the drop in the price of steel's final products is reducing positive market forecasts.

A.Bayanmunkh: It Was Common to Take a Loan from One Application and Soon After From Another. We Are Working to Close This Condition

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

In order to prevent fraud crimes committed in the digital environment, the Criminal Police Department and the Investigation Department are jointly organizing the "Let's Be Careful" campaign nationwide.

During the press conference to provide information about the campaign, the Financial Regulatory Commission (FRC) also introduced its activities to prevent online fraud.

The Senior Counsel of the Supervision and Regulation Department of the FRC, A.Bayanmunkh, said, "The issue of fintech loans falls under the oversight and regulatory framework of our FRC.

An increasing trend in financial cyber fraud and scams has been observed in Mongolia and globally due to the rapid technological advancements in recent years. Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) have started operating fintech loan activities, prompting the adoption and enforcement of certain specific regulations within the legal framework. Various requirements are also being set.

Moreover, within the scope of preventive measures, a regulatory framework for registering fintech loans was established in 2022. An Electronic Council is also operating for evaluations and assessments. This council includes representatives from authorized state organizations and non-governmental organizations.

As of the second quarter of 2024, out of the 549 NBFIs operating, 56 entities have registered for permission to offer fintech loan products. These 56 entities account for approximately 89 percent of the total creditors in the NBFI sector.

In the future, the FRC will further consolidate its cooperation with the General Police Department. For instance, we are working with the Cybercrime Division to detect unauthorized entities providing financial services online and to mitigate potential consequences and impose responsibilities."

After his information, when journalists inquired about the control over loans offered through mobile applications and the conditions and requirements, it was noted that "since the products utilize technology, it is necessary to minimize risk and carry out credit scoring through technology. In other words, when taking a loan from one application, individuals are required to provide connected information through the KHUR DAN system as per their civic duty. Based on that, the loan amount is determined considering how much loan the borrower has, where they have debts, whether the loans are quality or not, etc.

The main point we need to address is the importance of client confidentiality, or protecting one's confidentiality, when taking a fintech loan. Secondly, there is the issue of financial responsibility for the person who took the loan. It was quite common for people to take a loan from one application and soon after from another. We are working closely with the organizations managing the relevant loan funds to prevent taking loans from even the second or possibly third application.

There have been instances where loans are taken from one application without registering in the Credit Information Database, then taken again. We are working to block this as much as possible.

Diplomacy

The Official Visit of Russian President V.V. Putin Concludes

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The official visit of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, who arrived in Mongolia, has concluded.

During the visit, President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh and President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin held a one-on-one meeting and official talks, providing information on the outcomes.

Additionally, State Great Khural Chairman D. Amarbaysgalan and Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene called on President V.V. Putin.

As part of the visit, documents were signed on cooperation in fields such as energy, petroleum product supply, and environment.

Presidents U. Khurelsukh and V.V. Putin paid respects and laid flowers at the monument of G.K. Zhukov, Hero of the Mongolian People's Republic and four-time Hero of the Soviet Union.

The two state leaders also visited the Ulaanbaatar branch of the Russian Economic University named after G.V. Plekhanov and met with representatives of the faculty and students.

President V.V. Putin’s official visit contributed significantly to strengthening friendly relations and cooperation, expanding mutually beneficial economic cooperation, particularly in the fields of fuel, energy, transportation, environment, culture, education, health, and humanitarian cooperation.

This visit was notable as it took place during the anniversaries of the 85th year of joint victory in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, 75th anniversary of the founding of "Ulaanbaatar Railway" Joint Venture, a symbol of Mongolian-Russian friendship, and 100 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Russia.

President V.V. Putin was seen off at “Buyant-Ukhaa” International Airport by Minister of Foreign Affairs B. Battsetseg, Russian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Mongolia A.N. Evsikov, and other officials.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng to Visit Mongolia from September 6-8

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Within the framework of celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the People's Republic of China, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will visit Mongolia from September 6-8, 2024, at the invitation of the Government of Mongolia.

Five years ago, in 2019, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan visited Mongolia to commemorate the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between China and Mongolia.

Han Zheng, elected as the Vice President of China in 2023, has participated in various distinguished events, including the coronation ceremony of King Charles III of the United Kingdom, the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, and he co-opened the Russia-China Expo with Russian President Vladimir Putin in May 2024.

Between 2003 and 2012, Han Zheng served as the Mayor of Shanghai, and from 2012 to 2017, he was the Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee. During his tenure, Shanghai's GDP increased from 65 billion to 480 billion USD, ranking first among Chinese cities and provinces in terms of GDP. Shanghai is often referred to as the "Dragon's Head" of China's rapid economic development.

From 2018 to 2023, he served as the Deputy Premier of the State Council, responsible for overseeing China's economic policy planning.

After concluding his visit to Mongolia, Han Zheng will participate in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia.

Infrastructure

Payment Terminals for All Bank Cards Operational in Public Transport

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Since August 26 of this year, 109 additional buses have been introduced in the capital for public transport, with a total of 1,191 buses servicing citizens on weekdays and 945 on weekends.

Currently, more than 500,000 people use public transport buses daily, though the potential capacity is 700,000, according to D. Otgonjargal, Director of the Capital City Public Transport Policy Department.

Regarding payment methods for bus rides, they state, "There are two payment terminals installed in public transport buses. One is operated by 'Ulaanbaatar Smart Card' company, while the other reads all commercial bank cards that are operational in our country. Even foreign visitors can pay for their bus rides using their Visa cards," they explained.

They also mentioned that 31 buses have been purchased with the lease payments from over 1,000 buses and are expected to arrive by the 31st of this month.

Vehicle Registration Number Issuance Suspended Indefinitely

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The National Capital City Council approved Resolution No. 18, setting the upper limit of vehicle registration numbers to be issued in the capital city at 730,000. As a result of this decision, vehicle registration number issuance in the capital is being transferred to the Traffic Management Center.

To prevent a complete halt, and following the order of the Minister of Roads and Transport, the process of handing over responsibilities was initiated, and the issuance of vehicle registration numbers in Ulaanbaatar was temporarily suspended as of yesterday. Specifically, the issuance, previously handled by the National Transportation Center, is now being transferred to the Traffic Management Center, as reported by officials. The timeline for completing the handover between the two organizations has not yet been disclosed.

As of now, there are over 750,000 registered vehicles in the capital city, while 55,400 vehicle registrations may potentially be renewed.

These 55,400 vehicles have not undergone technical inspections and diagnostics for more than five years. If they pass the technical inspection and diagnostics, they will be allowed to participate in road traffic. This means that on a daily basis, over 800,000 vehicles could take part in the traffic in Ulaanbaatar.

The road from Geser Monastery intersection to Dulguun Lake intersection will be closed and renovated

Published: Thu, 05 Sep 2024 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The road from the Geser Monastery intersection to the Dulguun Lake intersection on the central ring road of the capital will be closed for renovation from 23:00 on September 6 to 6:00 on September 9.

In this context, works such as adjusting the manhole covers of engineering networks to the level of the asphalt concrete pavement and replacing the curbs will be carried out. Therefore, the Public Relations Department of the Capital City Administration recommends that drivers use alternative routes.

Vehicle License Plate Issuance in Ulaanbaatar Temporarily Suspended from Today

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Following a decision by the Ulaanbaatar City Council, Resolution No. 18 was passed, setting a cap of 730,000 for vehicle registration numbers issued in the capital. In connection with this, the Minister of Road and Transport issued an order to transfer the issuance of vehicle license plates in the capital to the Road Traffic Management Center.

As of today, more than 750,000 vehicles are registered in the capital. However, 55,400 vehicles with registration plates could potentially be renewed. Specifically, these 55,400 vehicles have not undergone technical inspection and diagnostics for over five years. Vehicles that pass the technical inspection and diagnostics will be allowed to participate in traffic. This means that over 800,000 vehicles will be operating in Ulaanbaatar daily.

To prevent a complete halt in operations, the Minister of Road and Transport has issued an order to align the related work. As part of this, the issuance of vehicle license plates in Ulaanbaatar has been temporarily suspended from today.

The vehicle registration plates are now issued by the Road Traffic Management Center

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

In connection with the transfer of vehicle registration to the capital city, changes were made to the registration system and the issuance of state registration plates was temporarily suspended.

According to today's announcement from the Road Traffic Management Center (RTMC), the issuance of vehicle registration plates has resumed normally.

Last year, 50,000 to 60,000 vehicles were imported and received state registration numbers, but in the first nine months of this year, 89,000 vehicles have already been registered with state numbers.

Sh. Gantumur, Head of the RTMC's Violation Registration Department stated, "The maximum limit of state registration numbers has exceeded 730,000. In response, the working group is preparing a proposal to exclude buses, trailers, locomotives, motorcycles, tankers, and mechanisms from the standard requirements."

As a reminder, in February of this year, the Capital City Council set the maximum limit for state registration numbers to be issued to vehicles in the capital at 730,000, resulting in the transfer of the issuance of registration plates to the RTMC by the order of the Minister of Roads and Transportation.

Notice to media organizations (Television, Radio, Social, and Web pages): Please ensure to cite the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in any form, either fully or partially.

The northern road of the EHKMUT will be closed and renewed

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The road in the Bayangol district, Khasbaatar Street, known as the EHKMUT road, will be closed and renewed from 11:00 PM on September 6th to 6:00 AM on the 9th. During this period, works such as adjusting the level of manhole covers to match the asphalt concrete surface and replacing barriers will be performed.

Therefore, citizens and drivers are advised to use alternative roads during this time.

G.Bilguun: We are developing plans to connect remote districts with bicycle paths and to develop travel cycling routes

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

In Ulaanbaatar city, approximately 40 kilometers of additional bicycle paths are being built, but some developments have slowed down.

Regarding this, the head of the UB City Planning and Waste Management Agency, G. Bilguun, stated: "Ulaanbaatar city has 72.3 kilometers of bicycle paths. Currently, an additional 40 kilometers are being built, but some projects have been delayed due to issues related to the contractor companies.

The Ministry of Economic Development provided funding for the design of bicycle paths in 2023. The design work has reached about 80%.

This will clarify how to connect the existing 72.3 kilometers of bicycle paths and further development plans.

According to our plans, we intend to connect current bicycle paths, establish paths in the city center, connect remote districts via bicycle paths, and develop extreme travel cycling routes," he reported.

Initially, in 2013, the City Council approved a land management plan that included the construction of 186.7 kilometers of bicycle paths and 99 complete bicycle stands within three years. Eleven years later, as of today, 72.3 kilometers of bicycle paths have been created.

By the First Nine Months of the Year, 89,000 Vehicles Received National Registration Numbers

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: gogo.mn

In February, the Capital City Citizens' Representative Council set the upper limit for the issuance of national registration numbers in the capital to 730,000. In connection with this, an order was issued by the Minister of Roads and Transportation to transfer the issuance of national registration numbers to the Capital's Traffic Management Center.

In previous years, 50,000-60,000 vehicles were imported annually and received national registration numbers.

With the transfer of vehicle registration to the capital, changes are being made to the registration system. As of today, over 750,000 vehicles are registered in the capital city. Additionally, 55,000 vehicles not inspected or diagnosed for over five years are also registered with national numbers. If these vehicles pass inspection and diagnostics, they will be allowed to participate in traffic.

In previous years, 50,000-60,000 vehicles were imported annually and received national registration numbers, but as of the first nine months of this year, 89,000 vehicles have already received national registration numbers, as reported by the Road Development Management Center.

Head of the Violation Registration Department of the Traffic Management Center, Sh. Gantumur, stated, "The upper limit of national registration numbers has exceeded 730,000. In connection with this, the working group is developing a proposal to exclude buses, trailers, locomotives, motorcycles, tankers, and machinery from the criteria."

Source: Capital City Hall, National Committee on Open Government

The road from Geser Monastery to Dulguun Lake Junction will be repaired starting this month on the 6th

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The road from the Geser Monastery junction to the Dulguun Lake junction, which is part of the Ikh Toiruu road, will be closed and renovated between September 6 at 23:00 and September 9 at 06:00.

As part of this, work will be carried out to adjust the manhole covers of engineering networks to the level of asphalt concrete pavement and replace the curbs.

Therefore, citizens and drivers are advised to choose alternative roads.

Closure of Road on the North Side of the Maternity and Infant Hospital

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The road on Khasbaatar Street, located in the Bayangol District of the capital, near the National Center for Maternal and Child Health (NCMCH), is scheduled to close for renovations from 11:00 PM on September 6th until 6:00 AM on September 9th.

During this period, works include adjusting the manhole covers to the asphalt pavement level and replacing barriers.

Residents and drivers are advised to use alternate routes during this time.

Source: Press and Public Relations Department of the Mayor's Office

D.Otgonjargal: Three dedicated routes and six buses are being arranged for the 1,400 employees working at the State Palace

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

Regarding the implementation of this decision, D.Otgonjargal, head of the City Public Transport Policy Office, explained: "Approximately 1,400 people work at the State Palace. For these people, we have organized three dedicated routes and initially dispatched six buses during the morning and evening hours.

These buses running on the State Palace routes are part of the public transport service. Except during the morning and evening, they operate on regular public transport service principles.

There are discussions at the management level about increasing the involvement and participation of governmental administrative service employees working inside the State Palace to use these buses," he explained.

The city mayor has urged everyone at the State Palace to commute to work by bus, and it has been announced that the additional transportation allowance added to their salaries will be withdrawn by the City Public Transport Department and provided to the buses in operation.

G. Bilguun: The Pavements on Peace Avenue, Chinggis Avenue, Baga Toyruu, Ikh Toyruu, and Olympic Street Will Be Replaced with Natural Stone

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

This year, it has been planned to construct sidewalks over an area of 27,800 square meters in the capital. As of today, this work is 95% complete. Additionally, preparations are underway for the construction of stone pedestrian paths on six major roads, according to officials.

G. Bilguun, the head of the Capital City's Public Facilities and Waste Management Department, stated that this year's sidewalk construction is being carried out around schools and kindergartens. In particular, they are focusing on ensuring safety around Kindergarten No. 107, 110, School No. 81, 86, 44, and Amgalan Complex School. All works except for the pedestrian path at Amgalan Complex School have been completed. The construction around this complex is expected to be finished within the next 10 days.

It has been decided to construct pedestrian paths with natural stone on major streets, and the design budget for six roads has been approved, with tenders announced. So far, a contract has been signed for one package, with evaluations ongoing for four other packages.

This includes the entire Peace Avenue, as well as Baga Toyruu, Ikh Toyruu, Chinggis Avenue, and Olympic Street transitioning to natural stone pavements.

The domestic "Stone Producers' Association" has proposed supplying materials at a low cost as per this plan.

Last year, efforts began to widen the narrow sidewalks in the city. However, there are violations such as vehicles being parked on pedestrian paths and unsolicited excavation of infrastructure, for which accountability is enforced.

Natural stone pavements are durable, absorb rainwater, allow for infrastructure renewal without damaging the path, and can be constructed even during cold winter months.

Society

Schedule for Distribution of Pensions, Allowances, and Child Money in September

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The General Office of Labor and Social Welfare Services has released the schedule for the distribution of social welfare pensions, allowances, discounts, and aid for September 2024.

The schedule indicates that social welfare pensions will be distributed on September 12 and 25, and the children's monetary allowance will be given on the 1st of this month.

The Suspect Who Fled the Scene After Causing a Human Death Has Been Identified

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

On September 1st of this year, at around 01:00 AM, the police conducted an investigation into a case involving a man who was found dead inside a burning car in the territory of the 38th khoroo, Songino Khairkhan district.

Through the investigation, it was determined that a 48-year-old man referred to as "B" committed the crime and fled the scene. He was tracked down and found hiding in Gurvanbulag soum of Bulgan province. The police have arrested the individual and are continuing their investigation into the matter.

Suspect Who Fled Crime Scene After Taking a Life and Hid in the Countryside Has Been Found

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

A suspect who fled a crime scene after taking a life and hid in the countryside has been found, according to a report from the police department.

Specifically, at 01:00 a.m. on September 1st of this year, the police conducted an investigation into a case in the territory of the 38th khoroo of Songinokhairkhan district where "a man was found burned to death inside a car".

The investigation revealed that the 48-year-old male "B" committed the crime and fled the scene. He was found hiding in the Gurvanbulag soum of Bulgan province.

The police department has arrested this individual and the investigation is ongoing.

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: gogo.mn

In our country, there are a total of 111,000 people with disabilities, about 70% of whom spend their day at home, not working.

Regarding the challenges they face in engaging in social interactions, Y. Mungunsarnai says, "It is impossible for a person with a disability to live alone. They need an assistant to go outside. It’s not because we can't, it's because of the conditions of roads and sidewalks, the attitude of service workers, and public transportation.

Due to these issues, we live dependent on our families and cannot independently participate in social interactions. We have the right to participate in social life. Therefore, it is necessary to consult with people with disabilities and make appropriate decisions.

Recently, in our country, buses that are accessible to people with disabilities have been introduced, but people are not well-informed on how to use them," she said.

Yuko Kimura: In Japan, a person with a disability can live a meaningful life like others.

"I have visited Mongolia several times. During my days in the city center, I noticed that people in wheelchairs face many challenges due to road cracks and curb issues. This prevents them from participating in social interactions as effectively as in Japan. This is the most urgent issue that needs addressing.

Although every building seems to have addressed the issue of ramps, they are actually unusable and do not meet standards. In Japan, construction is always done in accordance with legally prescribed standards.

To summarize the social participation and independent living environment of people with disabilities in three ways:

Accessibility of the environment should be designed for everyone.
Introduce effective social protection systems and services to support participation in social life.
Misunderstandings in social perception create the most difficulties. Thus, people's attitudes are the most important.

I want to say one thing. In Japan, a person with a disability can live a meaningful life like others. I have aimed to demonstrate this. Therefore, anyone can live a life with responsibility and meaning. I hope appropriate systems are established in Mongolia that meet the needs of people with disabilities," she said.

Enrollment for the Second Phase of Kindergarten Starts Tomorrow

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The registration for the capital city's kindergarten is being organized in two phases through the integrated public service system E-Mongolia.

Applications for the first phase of kindergarten registration were accepted through the E-Mongolia system from August 1 to 18, 2024, with a total of 105,044 children submitting their applications.

The second phase of enrollment will be received through the E-Mongolia system starting tomorrow, September 5, until the 15th.

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The General Department of Labor and Social Welfare Services (GDLSWS) has announced the schedule for disbursing social welfare pensions, benefits, discounts, and assistance for September.

Specifically, child money allowances are slated for disbursement on the 19th of this month, livelihood-supporting money allowances on the 12th and 25th, and special case allowances on the 12th.

Additionally, allowances for mothers and fathers heading households with many children will be disbursed on the 19th of this month.

Environment

It's Time to Pay Attention to Livestock Suffering from Nutritional Deficiencies

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

For years, whenever livestock fell ill or developed congenital anomalies, mining was often blamed. However, a recent scientific study has uncovered a truly concerning picture: It reveals that many of these assumptions may not be entirely accurate.

In-depth research involving 32,571 sheep and goats from 57 herder households across three different areas—Airag with developed mining, Khuvsgul with no mining, and Ulaanbadrakh where a uranium project is underway—showed almost all livestock suffering from digestive disorders, nutritional deficiencies, and metabolic diseases.

Veterinary Science Doctor and Medical Advisor, Professor Y. Ganbold, noted, "Looking at the study conducted on livestock from these three sums, approximately 150-200 km apart, there's no significant difference or outstanding characteristics in any sum. Generally, all results show common features. Primarily, they suffer from feed deficiency due to overgrazed pastures and water scarcity. These multiple deficiencies lead to metabolic changes, weakening resilience, lowering immunity, and heightening the risk of various diseases," he explained.

Commissioned by "Mon-Atom" and "Badrakh Energy," the Mongolian Veterinary Cooperative and the Veterinary Pharmacology Institute conducted a major study titled "Assessing the Impact on Livestock in Mineral Exploration Areas" over three months in the spring of 2023. The results showed that regardless of mining activity presence, all livestock suffer health problems due to nutrition and water deficits, affirmed by laboratory tests.

To collect this data, clinical examinations were conducted on over 32,000 sheep and goats from 57 herder families in Airag, Khövsgöl, and Ulaanbadrakh sums. Blood and serum samples were analyzed for 367 livestock in total at the “And” clinic laboratory, producing over 10,686 analyses to evaluate normal, elevated, or reduced indicators.

Highlighting some results, almost no livestock appeared unaffected by parasites, with Eimeriosis, a disease caused by protozoa, notably affecting sheep in the three sums. Symptoms observed included digestive disorders, diarrhea, anemia, and weight loss.

Professor Y. Ganbold explained that one common disease manifested in all goats was Eimeriosis, influencing weight loss and resulting in possible unexplained mortality or decline. Significantly, no traces of heavy metals or toxins were found in any sample—only certain microelement deficiencies, like calcium and phosphorus, which can be balanced through pasture management or livestock supplements.

In Ulaanbadrakh, phosphorous levels were significantly lower, while Khövsgöl and Airag were deficient in zinc and calcium, which can lead to certain illnesses and conditions. In contrast, no significant heavy metal or harmful toxin levels were observed in any sum’s livestock.

Back in 2014, a similar study in Dornogovi Aimag suggested results akin to today’s findings, noted Ts. Erdenebaatar, Executive Director of the Mongolian Veterinary Co-operative. This narrative was supported by comparative health studies undertaken in Ölgii and Gurvansaikhan of Dundgovi Aimag in September and October of 2022, as reiterated by Dr. Y. Ganbold.

What this indicates is that the natural environment and climatic changes, as well as pasture degradation—not mining operations—are degrading the nutritional intake of livestock, resulting in their deteriorating health. Due to these phenomena—often unnoticed by herders or veterinarians—laboratory testing is vital to uncover underlying diseases.

This is not solely a problem in Dornogovi Aimag. It reflects a need for Mongolia to focus on livestock quality over quantity and invest in pasture preservation. International studies consistently show pasture degradation across Mongolia. First steps should involve initiatives by local administrations and collaboration with veterinarians to provide suitable feed and prevent disease.

There is also a pressing need to improve herders’ knowledge, highlighted by feedback during the study. For instance, a herder in Ulaanbadrakh expressed a desire to understand disease symptoms and available treatments, revealing a general lack of comprehensive veterinary knowledge among herders. Thus, investment in herders' education and resources to manage their livestock's health is essential.

Though mining’s direct impact isn't established, engaged mining companies should practice social responsibility to support livestock health initiatives, exemplified by “Badrakh Energy,” who initiated a health condition study in 2014, continuing through 2023 with educational events for herders.

Note to Media: When using this information, full or partial, ensure to attribute it to ikon.mn appropriately.

Erdene Mongol Company Begins Cultivating “Bazuna,” the Main Food Source for Mazaalai, in Its Native Land

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Mazaalai bear, which is unique to the Mongolian Gobi, feeds on a very rare plant called bazuna that grows in the desert. However, this plant does not grow every year, so Erdene Mongol LLC has initiated and begun the special cultivation of this plant in the Gobi, which is great news.

Specifically, the Mazaalai bear, a large herbivore, feeds on the roots of bazuna, along with other plants like zergen and kharmag berries. Nonetheless, bazuna is extremely rare, and some years it may not grow at all. As a result, the Mazaalai bear must traverse vast areas in search of food.

Therefore, in order to protect and proliferate this rare animal unique to our country, efforts to cultivate bazuna and other rare plants found in the Gobi have begun, which are crucially important for the growth and reproduction of this highly rare species.

Innovation

Collaborating with South Korea to Implement an Integrated, Digital Road Management System

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The Ministry of Road and Transport of Mongolia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport of the Republic of Korea, and within the framework of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) program, has launched a project aimed at establishing an integrated digital management system for the national roadways based on the K-Smart road management system.

This project will be implemented through the support of the Republic of Korea's ODA and in collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, under a contract with the Ministry of Road and Transport of Mongolia. It will be carried out over four years, from 2024 to 2028, following the pre-calculated budget.

The project will be jointly executed by the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) from South Korea and the Road Transport Development Center of Mongolia as the recipient organization.

Within the project framework:

A master plan for establishing the foundation of the road management system will be developed.
A road pavement management system based on API and a vehicle for evaluating the condition of pavements will be established.
A mobile laboratory for introducing a quality control and management system for the road network will be implemented.
A program to enhance the competencies of engineers and technicians involved in the management and quality control of Mongolian roadways will be carried out.

The purpose of this project is to develop an integrated digital management system for national roadways based on the K-Smart road management system, thus making the road management system more efficient and sustainable.

Government Websites to Adopt Unified Design and Standards

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Communications Ts. Baatarkhuu presented the operations of the unified government website www.gov.mn at the Cabinet Meeting of the Government of Mongolia.

According to the Law on the Transparency of Public Information, government organizations are required to openly publish 68 types of information on their websites. The government has assigned the responsibility of organizing the activities for publishing and updating information on the unified government website to sectors and local administrations, instructing members of the government, provincial governors, and city officials to undertake this task.

The website https://www.gov.mn/mn includes services and information from 6006 government organizations. In addition, the website consolidates services and information from state-owned organizations and multiple web platforms.

In the future, government websites will have a unified design and standards.

This will allow citizens to access all necessary information and services from a single point, increase transparency in government operations, familiarize with the policies and decisions being implemented, improve interaction between the government and citizens, and provide opportunities to receive feedback and suggestions.

Source: Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Communications

If You Have Fallen Victim to Online Fraud, You Can Register with the Cybercrime Agency to Restrict Asset Transfers

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The Criminal Police Department and the Investigation Department jointly announced the organization of the nationwide campaign "Let's Be Cautious."

During this event, information regarding how to protect the interests of citizens affected by online fraud and how to freeze disbursed funds was provided by Senior Inspector B. Bolortuya of the Criminal Investigation Division's Cybercrime Unit.

She stated, "Our country has a population of about 3.6 million people, approximately 90% of whom have access to electronic devices. Following this trend, cybercriminal activities have been increasingly recorded recently.

Although many people seem to be involved in online gambling crime, in reality, it is orchestrated by a single person who scams citizens' money. Furthermore, if your family members or friends spend a lot of time on their phones or tablets, you need to monitor what takes up most of their time. It is also essential to be cautious about providing personal information and using your account for someone else, as it makes you a part of the crime.

People organizing gambling rent apartments or hotel rooms to carry out such activities, so it's important to verify whom you are leasing your property to.

According to the Law on Violations, individuals organizing gambling activities online are fined 100,000 MNT or the used equipment is confiscated as state revenue.

Additionally, to prevent becoming a victim of online fraud, if you receive a message on Facebook asking for a loan from friends, be sure to ask whether it is genuinely from them. Also, if someone offers favorable working conditions via electronic applications such as Telegram, WeChat, or Viber or invites you to apply for a job, advertises products requiring prepayment, giving your personal information to them increases the risk of falling victim to scams. It is advisable to be cautious when communicating with accounts under clearly fake names or profiles with foreign images."

H.Tuvshinbayar: Since the beginning of the year, 7,063 fraud crimes have been registered with the police, of which 4,095 were committed in the digital space

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The General Police Department and the Investigation Department have jointly announced the nationwide campaign "Let's Be Cautious".

The purpose of this initiative is to detect crimes, find the location of the wanted person, resolve cases in the investigation stage in a short period of time, and protect citizens and legal entities whose rights have been violated as a result of crimes and compensate for the damages.

This campaign will be organized in two phases. Firstly, it aims to prevent and stop crimes such as theft, fraud, threats to people's health and cross-border organized cyber gambling, and drug-related crimes.

H.Tuvshinbayar, a senior specialist of the General Police Department (GPD), said, "According to estimates, damage worth eight trillion US dollars was caused worldwide due to cyber fraud in 2023. This equates to damage of 636 billion US dollars per month and 21.9 billion US dollars per day.

Since the beginning of this year, 24,811 crimes have been registered with our police department, out of which 7,063, or 28.5% of the total crimes, are fraud.

About 58% of all fraud crimes, or 4,095, were committed in the digital environment. As digital usage increases, criminals are organizing without regard for time and space, posing risks to anyone.

As of this year, citizens have suffered losses amounting to 209 billion MNT due to digital crimes. Analyzing the victims of such crimes by age group, those aged 30-34 accounted for the majority, with 1,377 male and 1,784 female victims," he said.

"We will identify individuals abroad who have created gambling sites and harmed citizens and hold them legally accountable."

Furthermore, "Since 2020, 1,375 cyber gambling crimes have been registered under Article 20.17 of the Criminal Code of Mongolia. Out of these, the Criminal Police Department has investigated 81 cases, the Investigation Department five, local police departments 436, while district police departments have conducted investigation operations for 853 cases.

From all registered cases, there are proposals to transfer 349 cases to the court, to close 491 cases, to transfer 18 cases to appropriate jurisdictions, to merge one case into another in 144 cases, and investigation operations are underway for 373 cases as of now."

Between 2021-2023, the police department, in cooperation with the State Prosecutor General's Office, the Bank of Mongolia, the Communications Regulatory Commission, and mobile operators, organized comprehensive measures named "Control 1, 2". Within this framework, access to 3,508 domain addresses related to gambling websites was restricted in Mongolia.

Four-point-six billion MNT concentrated in 2,715 accounts used for illegal gambling activities was restricted with the permission of the Prosecutor General, and proposals to delete 102 websites and groups promoting illegal gambling have been submitted to relevant authorities.

There are issues where Mongolian citizens have established gambling websites abroad, especially in countries like Thailand, Turkey, the Philippines, and Vietnam, to defraud people. Efforts are being made to identify and investigate individuals involved in this crime in collaboration with the National Bureau of Interpol. Offenders will be brought to Mongolia and held accountable under the laws applicable to our country's territory." He said.

Media organizations (Television, Radio, Social and Web pages) are reminded to cite the source (ikon.mn) when using our information in full or in part.

WARNING: Lost 25 Million MNT through Completing Tasks on Telegram in an Attempt to Increase Money

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: gogo.mn

About 30% of crimes committed using electronic devices and online platforms are carried out using the "Facebook" platform, with 95.6% of these being fraudulent crimes.

In the past week, the police department registered a total of 704 complaints and information about crimes, of which 62 had characteristics of fraud.

Of these, 72% were committed by methods such as offering part-time online jobs to increase money and provide bonuses, selling goods and products online, and asking for money using a known person's Facebook account.

Some of the recorded crimes include:

Citizen B connected based on an advertisement to complete tasks on Telegram, increase money, and receive bonuses, and transferred 25,000,000 MNT through five transactions and was deceived.
Similarly, Citizen C transferred 16,000,000 MNT through six transactions to an unknown person's account based on the same advertisement and was deceived.
Citizen G, using a hacked Facebook account, sent messages asking for money claiming they needed it, resulting in two acquaintances transferring a total of 1,200,000 MNT and being deceived.

As online usage increases, people are able to access their desired services from anywhere without leaving their home, and many businesses have been established in this field. While ordering goods online and having them delivered to your home saves time and other costs, it also comes with risks.

Therefore, the police department recommends three types of preventative steps to avoid becoming a victim of online fraud:

Step 1: If you receive a chat requesting to "Borrow money" from someone you know, always call to confirm. If you do not confirm, you face a 100% risk of losing your money.
Step 2: If you are ordering any type of goods online, do not transfer a deposit or full payment if the goods have not yet reached your hands.
Step 3: When accessing any kind of service online (such as providing loans, financial assistance, part-time employment, bonuses, etc.), do not transfer any fees for registration or verification.

Health

Y. Davgadorj: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in contact swabs of milkmaids and knives, boards from meat markets

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The results of the study titled "Assessing the hygiene conditions of meat and dairy farms around Ulaanbaatar city and evaluating the antibiotic sensitivity of detected microorganisms" were presented by Y. Davgadorj, expert in the Zoonotic Disease Surveillance department of the Veterinary General Authority.

For meat research:

Knife, table, and hand swabs of workers at meat processing facilities

For dairy research:

Samples were taken from milk tanks, milking equipment, hand swabs of milkmaids, and other equipment, where some types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria were found.

The above study was conducted in 2023, with the sample collection process lasting two weeks and laboratory testing taking 15 days. The collected data was then aggregated and summarized.

Details were sought on issues to consider when preparing animal-derived food products.

He stated, "This research is part of the 13th cohort group of field epidemiology projects. Recently, more antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which are not eliminated by using antibiotics, have been diagnosed and detected. Therefore, to study the presence of such bacteria in meat and milk, students in human, veterinary medicine, and zoonotic diseases aimed to conduct this research collaboratively."

A comparative study was conducted by visiting small-scale meat processing plants and large market centers selling meat. For dairy farms, samples were collected from both machine-milked and hand-milked setups.

As mentioned:

Hand swabs were taken from milkmaids and workers at meat processing facilities
Samples were taken from boards and other equipment
Milk and meat samples were analyzed.

All swabs and tests from the dairy farm revealed the presence of the contamination indicator bacterium E. coli. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were detected in dairy farms, milkmaids' hand swabs, tanks, and milking machines.

High detection rates of E. coli can cause poisoning, although it should be present in permissible amounts in milk, excessive levels pose a risk of poisoning. E. coli should not be present in meat.

The most concerning finding was antibiotic-resistant bacteria in milk from farms without milking machines. The sensitivity test showed resistance to antibiotics such as ampicillin and penicillin.

Regarding meat, two high-tech meat factories and two farms with ISO standards were chosen, from which E. coli was detected on the board of one factory. Sensitivity to antibiotics was confirmed.

An attempt to include manually slaughtering meat factories in the study was made, but during this study, the slaughterhouses had been halted.

Thus, samples were collected from large retail market centers. E. coli and Staphylococcus spp were found in samples from two market center tables. E. coli was also detected from knife samples.

Particularly in markets, the knives and boards used for selling retail meat showed significant contamination. Therefore, having less human involvement and automated processes can result in less contamination.

It is important to note that increased human involvement leads to increased contamination, as emphasized by Y. Davgadorj, expert in Zoonotic Disease Surveillance.

Media agencies (TV, Radio, Social media, and Web pages) using our information, in part or full, must credit the source (ikon.mn).

The National Campaign Against Cancer Team is Working in Bayan-Ölgii Province

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: itoim.mn

Mongolia ranks first in the world for cancer-related deaths, especially due to liver and stomach cancers. The "National Campaign Against Cancer," funded by the Khaan Bank Foundation and implemented jointly by the National Cancer Center and Mongolian National Public Radio and Television, has been crucial in informing citizens that cancer can be prevented, detected early, and fully treated.

In the 14 years since the campaign's inception, it has successfully educated citizens on the early detection and treatment of cancer, risk factors, and prevention, improving awareness about cancer prevention and contributing positively to public health.

This time, the campaign team traveled to the remote western province of Bayan-Ölgii in Mongolia, organizing its opening events today at the central square of Ölgii city. According to the end-of-year report for 2023, newly registered cancer cases in Bayan-Ölgii province comprised 23.7% liver, 23.1% stomach, 11.8% esophagus, 10.1% kidney, 4.1% breast, 3.0% colon, and 24.3% other types of cancer. Although the incidence rate is relatively low compared to the national average, 73.1% of newly registered cancer cases are diagnosed at a late stage, drawing attention.

The campaign team, aimed at providing cancer prevention knowledge, screenings, diagnostics, and early detection, will be working in Bayan-Ölgii province until September 7, and from September 15-21 in Bayankhongor province.

Over the years, the Khaan Bank Foundation has conducted screenings for over 133,000 people within the campaign framework, detected 656 cancer cases, and spent a total of 1.3 billion MNT, which stands as a significant private-sector investment in healthcare. This embodies social responsibility through successful partnerships between professional organizations and the private sector, creating tangible societal change.

Doctors and specialists advise that you can prevent cancer by regularly participating in preventive screenings, paying attention to your mental health, eating healthily, exercising regularly, and avoiding harmful habits.

Selected Children In Need of Surgery but Unable to Afford It Will Be Treated Free of Charge

Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The Matilda International Hospital has announced plans to provide free surgery to children who require specialized medical treatment and surgery but are unable to afford it, after they pass the selection process.

In Mongolia, a charitable initiative will be implemented from December 2023 onwards to provide free treatment for Mongolian children who face difficulties receiving treatment in Mongolia due to their need for specialized medical care and surgery. This initiative is a collaboration between the Consulate General of Mongolia in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, Hong Kong's Matilda International Hospital, and MIAT Mongolian Airlines.

To expand the scope of this initiative, Linda Burgoyne, CEO of Hong Kong's Matilda International Hospital, and Lin Fong, Director of Business Development, are visiting Mongolia from August 27-30, 2024. During this visit, a memorandum of understanding regarding cooperation was signed between the National Traumatology and Orthopaedics Research Center of Mongolia and the Matilda International Hospital. Discussions on future cooperation were held with the Secretary of the Ministry of Health, D. Ochirbat, and the leadership of the Unimed Hospital of Mongolia.

The Matilda International Hospital, with a history of 117 years, provides financial assistance from the "Matilda Child Fund" for children who cannot afford expensive treatments. Doctors and medical staff voluntarily perform surgeries. This fund has been active since 2003, assisting 65 children from various countries with 95 surgeries, significantly impacting their lives. Starting January 2024, two children from Mongolia will receive free treatment at this hospital. Matilda International Hospital plans to continue offering free surgeries for children who need specialized medical treatment and pass the selection process.

The Matilda International Hospital conducts the selection process in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Mongolia, the National Center for Mother and Child Health, the National Traumatology and Orthopaedics Research Center, the Consulate General of Mongolia in Hong Kong, and other volunteer organizations.

Source: Consulate General in Hong Kong

Today's Stories

Politics

Economy

Diplomacy

Infrastructure

Society

Environment

Innovation

Health

Politics

Highlighting the Top 10 Young Candidates in the Ulaanbaatar City Council Election

China's Communist Party: Focus on Artificial Intelligence, Space Technology, and Biotechnology

IAAC: Responsible Measures Taken Against 25 Officials Based on Complaints and Reports from Citizens

Government Seeks Public Input to Increase Transparency of Operations

The Democratic Party to Participate in Local Elections in Cooperation with the New Party

The MPP of the Capital will Prioritize Young Leaders in Education for the Local Election

N. Ganibal: Confirmed Partnership with the New Party to Participate in Local Elections with the Democratic Party (AN)

Series 1: Ministers with Conflicts of Interest

C. Gantulga: New Party Members Suspend Their Membership and Join the Democratic Party to Participate in Local Elections. We Will Not Betray

Economy

The total reserves and resources of the Tavan Tolgoi deposit increased by 1.8 billion tons and established at 8.1 billion tons

B.Battsetseg: The Visit that Strengthened the Legal Environment for Long-Term Sustainable Supply of Fuel and Energy Was of Great Importance

Ministry of Finance: If Energy and Heating Tariffs Increase, Inflation Expected to Rise to 6.5% by Year-End

"A Gun Worth $100 is Being Sold for $1000, Prices Must be Reduced"

SXCoal: Interest of End Users Diminishes, Mongolian Coal Trading Weakens

A.Bayanmunkh: It Was Common to Take a Loan from One Application and Soon After From Another. We Are Working to Close This Condition

Diplomacy

The Official Visit of Russian President V.V. Putin Concludes

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng to Visit Mongolia from September 6-8

Infrastructure

Payment Terminals for All Bank Cards Operational in Public Transport

Vehicle Registration Number Issuance Suspended Indefinitely

The road from Geser Monastery intersection to Dulguun Lake intersection will be closed and renovated

Vehicle License Plate Issuance in Ulaanbaatar Temporarily Suspended from Today

The vehicle registration plates are now issued by the Road Traffic Management Center

The northern road of the EHKMUT will be closed and renewed

G.Bilguun: We are developing plans to connect remote districts with bicycle paths and to develop travel cycling routes

By the First Nine Months of the Year, 89,000 Vehicles Received National Registration Numbers

The road from Geser Monastery to Dulguun Lake Junction will be repaired starting this month on the 6th

Closure of Road on the North Side of the Maternity and Infant Hospital

D.Otgonjargal: Three dedicated routes and six buses are being arranged for the 1,400 employees working at the State Palace

G. Bilguun: The Pavements on Peace Avenue, Chinggis Avenue, Baga Toyruu, Ikh Toyruu, and Olympic Street Will Be Replaced with Natural Stone

Society

Schedule for Distribution of Pensions, Allowances, and Child Money in September

The Suspect Who Fled the Scene After Causing a Human Death Has Been Identified

Suspect Who Fled Crime Scene After Taking a Life and Hid in the Countryside Has Been Found

People with Disabilities Also Have the Right to Participate Equally in Social Interactions

Enrollment for the Second Phase of Kindergarten Starts Tomorrow

Schedule for Disbursing Social Welfare Pensions, Benefits, Discounts, and Assistance in September

Environment

It's Time to Pay Attention to Livestock Suffering from Nutritional Deficiencies

Erdene Mongol Company Begins Cultivating “Bazuna,” the Main Food Source for Mazaalai, in Its Native Land

Innovation

Collaborating with South Korea to Implement an Integrated, Digital Road Management System

Government Websites to Adopt Unified Design and Standards

If You Have Fallen Victim to Online Fraud, You Can Register with the Cybercrime Agency to Restrict Asset Transfers

H.Tuvshinbayar: Since the beginning of the year, 7,063 fraud crimes have been registered with the police, of which 4,095 were committed in the digital space

WARNING: Lost 25 Million MNT through Completing Tasks on Telegram in an Attempt to Increase Money

Health

Y. Davgadorj: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in contact swabs of milkmaids and knives, boards from meat markets

The National Campaign Against Cancer Team is Working in Bayan-Ölgii Province

Selected Children In Need of Surgery but Unable to Afford It Will Be Treated Free of Charge

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