Mongolia, Russia to Cooperate in Railway Project and Restoration of Direct Flight www.montsame.mn

Within the framework of the Mongolia-Russia-China Economic Corridor Program, discussions will be held to consolidate the feasibility studies for the central railway corridor, and a relevant document is expected to be signed during the International Transport and Logistics Forum to be held in St. Petersburg this April.

Minister of Road and Transport Delgersaikhan Borkhuu held a virtual meeting with Russian Deputy Minister of Transport Dmitry Zverev, during which the parties agreed to finalize and sign documents related to this initiative, as well as Bagakhangai-Khushig Valley branch railway project, according to the Ministry of Road and Transport.

The parties also agreed to advance discussions on restoring direct flights between Ulaanbaatar and Moscow and to intensify preparatory work.

The Mongolia-Russia-China Economic Corridor Program was approved in 2016, when the presidents of the three countries signed the agreement in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The central railway corridor of the trilateral economic corridor will span 5,975 km. China has completed the feasibility study for the 328 km Jining-Erenhot section, while Russia has prepared the feasibility study for the 254 km Naushki-Ulaan-Ude section. Mongolia, for its part, has included in its feasibility study the construction of a second railway line spanning 1,087 km between Sukhbaatar and Zamiin-Uud.

The government has decided to liquidate LLC "Erchist Mongolia," a state-owned enterprise www.open.kg

The tasks of LLC 'Erchist Mongolia' included representing the interests of the state as a shareholder, including:

Participation in 34 percent of the shares of state joint-stock companies in the energy sector, as well as

Acting on behalf of the government in six different companies, such as MIAT Mongolian Airlines, the State Joint-Stock Company 'Mongolian Railways', the Road Repair and Maintenance Company, Auto Impex, LLC 'Information and Communication Network', and LLC 'State Housing Corporation'.

Operational expenses were financed through loans from commercial banks, resulting in the company accumulating a debt of ₮3.5 billion, which led to serious financial difficulties.

Founded in accordance with government decrees dated January 8, 2025, the purpose of creating the company was to ensure centralized management and control over state enterprises. However, despite these intentions, it failed to fulfill its assigned tasks and created additional financial problems. In this regard, the government decided to dissolve the company to prevent further deterioration of the financial situation.

Hilton to enter Mongolia with Conrad Ulaanbaatar signing www.latteluxurynews.com

Hilton has inked its first hotel in Mongolia, signing a management deal to open the Conrad Ulaanbaatar in the nation’s capital in 2028. The 227-room hotel will rise within the Ulaanbaatar Eco Tower, a landmark mixed-use complex that brings together commercial, entertainment, hospitality and upscale lifestyle offerings in the capital city. 

“Entering Mongolia with Conrad Hotels & Resorts marks a significant milestone in Hilton’s continued growth in the region,” said Qian Jin, President, Greater China & Mongolia, Hilton. “This signing reflects our confidence in the long-term potential of Mongolia, and our commitment to partnering with owners to deliver meaningful, experience-led luxury for today’s discerning traveller.”

The luxury hotel will offer a prime location within walking distance of key cultural and commercial landmarks such as Sükhbaatar Square, the National Art Gallery, and the National Academic Drama Theatre.

“This landmark signing to bring Conrad Hotels & Resorts to Ulaanbaatar meets the city’s evolution as a gateway between tradition and modernity,” Candice D’Cruz, Vice President, Luxury Brands, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said. “Conrad’s bold design approach and intuitive service will bring a contemporary expression of luxury that resonates with globally minded travellers while celebrating the character and culture of the destination.”

Conrad Ulaanbaatar joins almost 100 trading and pipeline Conrad Hotels & Resorts properties across five continents in iconic destinations, 16 of which are located in Greater China. Conrad hotel openings this year include Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Greece.

Mongolia is Rapidly Moving Towards a Digital Future www.open.kg

As part of the government's strategy called "Vision 2050," Mongolia plans to use digitalization to promote socio-economic development while balancing regional influence with concerns for environmental protection and cultural heritage.

Mongolia, a country with unique natural landscapes, the Gobi Desert, and diverse flora and fauna, including the Przewalski horse, ranks first among landlocked countries, with its territory being four times larger than Germany.

With a population of 3.5 million people and neighbors Russia and China, Mongolia seeks to integrate into the global community through advanced technologies.

In May 2020, the Parliament of Mongolia, known as the Great State Khural, adopted the strategic document "Vision 2050," aimed at transforming the country into a regional leader and a high-income country by 2050.

In an interview with GovInsider, Ariunbold Shagdar, Director of the Census and Data Analysis Department of the National Statistical Office of Mongolia (NSO), noted that the country aims to achieve leadership in socio-economic development by 2050, "while it is important to preserve our national identity and care for the environment."

One of the key tasks of "Vision 2050" is to use digitalization for the economic diversification of Mongolia, reducing dependence on the mining sector.

The second goal is to create a comfortable living environment through the expansion of digital government services on the E-Mongolia platform, he adds.

According to Ariunbold, the NSO has become the foundation for decision-making in the country based on factual data.

THREE-STAGE DIGITALIZATION PLAN

Ariunbold outlines three stages in the country's digital roadmap.

"By 2030, we will focus on creating a legal framework and security system for digital government," he notes.

"Then, by 2040, we will move to the integration stage, implementing innovations in information and communication technologies (ICT) across all sectors of the economy to enhance productivity," he adds.

"By 2050, we aim to create a fully digital government that is citizen-centric, ensuring transparency, combating corruption, and placing citizens at the center of public service," emphasizes Ariunbold.

He views this transition as the final stage of a long-term progress that began with the establishment of the NSO in 1924.

According to him, the 1960s marked the time of establishing a scientific base, while the 1990s were a transition to a market economy.

DATA IN MANAGEMENT

"Mongolia has made significant progress in data-driven governance," emphasizes Ariunbold, adding that the country views data as a strategic resource alongside countries like Estonia, Canada, and the USA.

He mentions collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications since May 2024 to develop an integrated state database and metadata.

"This has created a unified ecosystem where government agencies, businesses, and citizens can access quality data for research and policy development," he says.

Since 2020, the NSO has abandoned outdated data collection methods and transitioned to more efficient registry-based methods.

"For the interim census in 2025, we combined 30 databases from 14 different government agencies, verifying data for 570,000 households through digital systems," Ariunbold recounts.

In 2026, the NSO plans to conduct a census using "mixed methods," where more than half of the data will be collected from administrative records.

"Our goal is to create an e-government ecosystem where data is used to improve citizens' lives through smarter and faster decisions," he adds.

INTEGRATING BIG DATA INTO OFFICIAL STATISTICS

Ariunbold reports that the NSO is collaborating with the UN Global Platform for integrating big data into official statistics.

"We are transitioning from an 'analog' to a 'digital' future, focusing on three aspects: human potential, technical infrastructure, and data security," he explains.

He also emphasizes that traditional agricultural data collection in Mongolia poses a serious challenge.

Currently, 17,700 enterprises and households fill out paper questionnaires nine times a year, which slows down the data processing process.

With UN support, the NSO is pioneering the use of remote sensing for automating data collection.

During the 2022 agricultural census, the NSO collected "benchmark" data for training machine learning models.

Now the NSO applies the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) method for classifying crops, using satellite images and multispectral data obtained from drones.

After identifying crops, the NSO uses a random forest algorithm to estimate yields. "This allows us to identify crops like wheat and potatoes solely from satellite images," he adds.

In 2024, the NSO, together with PARIS21, launched a pilot project in the Arkhangai aimag, achieving an accuracy of 81.63% in identifying livestock and 98.11% for traditional Mongolian dwellings known as gers.

USING AI FOR COUNTING SHEEP

Last year, the NSO tested an AI-based application for counting sheep and goats from video footage during the grazing season.

Ariunbold noted that while the results are promising, "we recognize the complexities; obtaining quality images and working with drones require significant costs and specialized skills."

According to him, therefore, the country continues to invest in training specialists in image processing and AI for sustainable management of these technologies.

His agency also collaborates with the ministries of food, agriculture, and light industry to develop an open-source system, which will allow for the broader application of remote sensing methods across the country.

Ariunbold emphasizes that international cooperation is a key element of Mongolia's digitalization. In 2025, Mongolia joined the board of the UN Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP).

"Our chair is part of the Executive Committee of PARIS21 and the Board of Directors of the Association of Directors of National Population and Housing Censuses and Statistics of the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific (ANCSDAAP)," he adds.

"These positions allow us to shape global data standards rather than just follow them," continues Ariunbold.

"Our data is the main evidence of progress," he emphasizes, adding that "thanks to adherence to national quality standards of the UN, our international rankings have reached record levels."

Mongolia ranked 11th in the world and second in East Asia in the Open Data Inventory (ODIN) for data openness.

In 2024, the World Bank's Statistical Performance Index placed the country 47th in the world, improving its position by five points.

"These achievements confirm that the National Statistical Office of Mongolia has become a world-class institution providing high-quality and transparent data in accordance with international standards," concludes Ariunbold Shagdar.

Author: Amit Roy Choudhury

$462M Infrastructure Investment Delivered On Time and On Budget www.montsame.mn

As the Millennium Challenge Account–Mongolia Water Compact approaches its end on March 31, 2026, it stands out as a rare achievement in large-scale infrastructure. The compact faced significant odds, yet delivered on time and within budget—while also adhering to standards of transparency, accountability, and quality.

The Water Compact represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in modern Mongolian history—and one of the most urgently needed. For a capital city where water demand is expected to soon outpace supply, the Compact offers a critical lifeline for the future of Ulaanbaatar.

Foreign technical experts and independent oversight teams, both foreign and local, played a central role in ensuring the Compact followed international standards at every stage—from design and procurement to construction and final commissioning.

Both foreign contractors and local authorities commented on how everyone part of the compact helped reinforce transparency, fairness, and accountability while providing rigorous quality control and technical assurance throughout the implementation process.

The Compact itself is a $462 million partnership—one of the largest investments—between the Government of Mongolia and the United States development agency, the Millennium Challenge Corporation. The USA contributed $350 million, while Mongolia committed $111.76 million.

The Compact includes three main components: an advanced water purification plant drawing on groundwater deposits near Biokombinat, Shuvuun, Mongolia’s first large-scale wastewater recycling plant, and a long-term sustainability program designed to build the institutional capacity needed to operate both facilities long after the Compact closes. Yet the Compact almost failed to reach this point.

Last year, the Mongolia Compact was at risk of being terminated just a year before its completion when the Trump administration put a freeze on certain foreign aid programs as part of its “America First” policy. Beginning in May 2025, most Millennium Challenge Corporation compacts worldwide were paused, and recently, a few were terminated. But Mongolia's Water Compact emerged as a notable exception.

Michael J. Petti, a vice president at Tetra Tech, a US engineering firm overseeing the Compact’s construction as Program Management Consultant (PMC), arrived in Ulaanbaatar expecting to help close it down.

“I came here initially to assist with the closeout, because we believed the Compact was going to be terminated—like many others,” Petti said.

"I was impressed by the Compact, but more by the team's dedication and professionalism,"

“But as the US government completed its global review and assessment of Compacts around the world, the Mongolia Compact remained as one they [the administration] chose to keep—probably because of how close it was to completion.”

Petti said the decision reflected the value of the infrastructure—and the people behind it. "I was impressed by the Compact, but more by the team's dedication and professionalism," he said.

The need for the investment has long been clear. While Mongolia is not globally considered a water-scarce country, studies by the World Bank show the challenge lies in availability rather than overall supply. Water resources are often not located where demand is highest or available in the right condition. That imbalance is particularly evident in Ulaanbaatar, home to over half of the population in the country. 

Delivering the Compact required navigating two major crises that might have ended it. Construction began in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when borders were closed and global supply chains were severely disrupted. The Compact later faced uncertainty again when the foreign aid freeze was announced.

Luis Baires, the Compact’s Fiscal Agent Manager, USA, from Cardno Emerging Markets, said those challenges made the final outcome even more significant.

“These five years will end this month,” he said, “but there has been an enormous amount of work to reach this moment—especially with the pandemic, global conflicts, and disruptions to supply chains.” 

A key element in keeping the Compact moving was the independent oversight structure, which ensured procurement and financial management followed strict international rules.

Giorgi Tvalavadze, Procurement Agent Manager representing Charles Kendall & Partners, UK, oversaw roughly 270 contracts and coordinated contractors from 19 countries during the Compact.

All procurement decisions were accepted without formal challenge—a rare outcome for a compact of this scale.

There is a lot of human potential here That has been a decisive factor in delivering a Compact that is successful...

“I have experience working in many different countries,” Tvalavadze said. “Mongolians are perhaps the most motivated and very well-educated people I have worked with, and they have a strong sense of responsibility.”

Baires also agrees that the local team’s capability played a decisive role.

“There is a lot of human potential here,” he said. “That has been a decisive factor in delivering a Compact that is successful after five years of hard work.”

With foreign teams preparing to depart, responsibility for operating the new facilities will soon shift fully to the Mongolian side.

Odkhuu Natsag, head of the Engineering Policy Department at the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (USUG), said local engineers began training early in the Compact, starting with theoretical instruction and moving to hands-on experience inside the facilities in 2024.

“Being physically present and working hands-on brings out the spirit of wanting to do things,” he said. Most of the engineers who will operate the facilities are young—a deliberate strategy to build long-term institutional capacity. “It will be a difficult undertaking, as we haven’t worked on such a facility before,” Odkhuu said. “But we are ready. We know there will be challenges, but we have taken many precautions to mitigate those risks.”

Looking back on the Compact’s journey through a pandemic, global supply disruptions, and a near cancellation, he pointed to one factor that kept it on track.

“They had very good management,” he said. “Without good managers, things can stall easily.”

As the projects close and the system begins operation, the Compact stands as a rare example of how strong international partnership, transparent governance, and rigorous quality oversight can deliver complex infrastructure—even under extraordinary circumstances.

The government has decided to liquidate LLC "Erchist Mongolia," a state-owned enterprise

The tasks of LLC 'Erchist Mongolia' included representing the interests of the state as a shareholder, including:

Participation in 34 percent of the shares of state joint-stock companies in the energy sector, as well as

Acting on behalf of the government in six different companies, such as MIAT Mongolian Airlines, the State Joint-Stock Company 'Mongolian Railways', the Road Repair and Maintenance Company, Auto Impex, LLC 'Information and Communication Network', and LLC 'State Housing Corporation'.

Operational expenses were financed through loans from commercial banks, resulting in the company accumulating a debt of ₮3.5 billion, which led to serious financial difficulties.

Founded in accordance with government decrees dated January 8, 2025, the purpose of creating the company was to ensure centralized management and control over state enterprises. However, despite these intentions, it failed to fulfill its assigned tasks and created additional financial problems. In this regard, the government decided to dissolve the company to prevent further deterioration of the financial situation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to visit Mongolia in 2026 www.gogo.mn

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Mongolia this year. It would be Xi Jinping’s first state visit to Mongolia since 2014, when he addressed a plenary session of the Parliament.

Mongolia and China marked a series of diplomatic milestones in 2024, including the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 30th anniversary of the renewed Treaty of Friendly Relations and Cooperation, milestones that have been highlighted by both governments as a basis for stepped-up high-level exchanges.

Mongolia previously sent its head of state to Beijing most recently in February 2020, when then-President Kh.Battulga met President Xi during an official visit to China.

Separately, Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella has accepted an invitation from President U.Khurelsukh and is scheduled to pay a state visit to Mongolia in 2026.

Joint Statement on the U.S.-Mongolia Annual Bilateral Consultation www.state.gov

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Mongolia on the occasion of the Annual Bilateral Consultations.

Begin text:

Representatives of the United States and Mongolia held the 17th Annual Bilateral Consultations on March 17 in Ulaanbaatar.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Michael George DeSombre, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and L. Munkhtushig, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia. It was attended by Richard Buangan, Ambassador of the United States of America to Mongolia, and U. Batbayar, Ambassador of Mongolia to the United States of America; by representatives from the U.S. Department of State and Department of War; and by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy and Development, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Energy, and Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications of Mongolia.

Recognizing that Mongolia and the United States have a shared interest in global peace, freedom, democracy, and economic prosperity, the two sides expressed their continued support for the U.S.-Mongolia Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership and pledged to deepen cooperation. Both sides celebrated the upcoming completion of the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s $462 million Mongolia Water Compact.

Mongolian and U.S. officials discussed their cooperation to promote bilateral and regional cooperation on peace and security matters, including in the Indo-Pacific, grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. The United States welcomed Mongolia’s commitment to increasing its contributions to international stability and security, including through playing a leading role in peacekeeping missions around the world. Both sides highlighted their shared resolve to promote responsible and legal travel through the Travel Responsibly campaign and other cooperation. They also discussed continuing their work together to uphold freedom of expression, religious freedom, and other human rights.

The two sides reaffirmed the importance of exchanging high-level visits and maintaining regular dialogues, as well as bolstering mutually beneficial economic engagement. They also committed to exploring opportunities to expand energy cooperation as a means of increasing long-term economic growth for both countries. Both sides expressed interest in collaborating in the digital domain, including artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, to strengthen connectivity and prosperity. They highlighted critical minerals and clean coal technologies as areas for potential cooperation, and affirmed their desire to explore cooperation on alternative sources of energy. Both sides recognized that a predictable and transparent business climate is essential to expanding economic cooperation and increasing bilateral trade and investment.

The two sides committed to continue to work together to bolster people-to-people ties through educational and cultural exchanges and the promotion of the English language in Mongolia.

The United States and Mongolia decided to maintain the exchange of high-level bilateral visits and hold the next Annual Bilateral Consultations in 2027 in Washington.

President Khurelsukh Calls for Greater Responsibility, Leadership www.montsame.mn

Under the auspices of the President of Mongolia, the Third National Conference “Mongol Er Khun” (Mongolian Man) was held at the State Palace on March 17, 2026.

Opening the conference, President Khurelsukh noted that Mongolians have traditionally raised their sons to be courageous, wise, far-sighted, broad-minded, resilient, disciplined, honest, and faithful to their oaths. Men who embody these qualities and serve as a reliable pillar for their state and people have long been regarded as true Mongolian men. The Head of State emphasized his pride in Mongolian men and youth who carry forward the legacy, ideals, and achievements of their ancestors, elevating the reputation of their homeland across continents and the world. In particular, he highlighted the contributions of thousands of peacekeepers serving in global hotspots, who have brought recognition to the name “Mongolian soldier” worldwide.

The President stressed that loving and honoring one’s homeland, people, family, and children, while assuming greater duties and responsibilities and carrying the heavier burden, is a matter of a man’s honor and a noble obligation. He called on every man to strive to be physically healthy, mentally sound, broad-minded, possess the right attitude, uphold cultural heritage and values, and be knowledgeable, educated, and diligent.

The 2026 conference addressed three main themes: the traditional understanding of Mongolian manhood, leadership of the modern Mongolian man, and the value of men within the family. On this occasion, Minister of Family, Labour and Social Protection, Aubakir Telukhan, stated: “Men constitute 49 percent of our country’s total population. However, Mongolian men are more prone to accidents and have higher alcohol consumption, which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and premature death. Therefore, the government is implementing more systematic policies and measures targeting men.”

For instance, during the first national conference, attention was drawn to the significant disparity in life expectancy compared to the global average. As of the end of 2021, the average life expectancy for men was 66.7 years, while for women it was 76.2 years—a gap of 9.5 years. According to statistics at the end of 2024, male life expectancy reached 67.92 years and female life expectancy 77.1 years, reducing the gap by 0.32 points.

Since 2022, considerable attention has been given to improving occupational safety in male-dominated sectors such as mining, transport, road construction, and building. Policies and measures have also been implemented to support work–life balance for employees, the Minister noted in his report.

Subsequently, Deputy Minister of Defense Baasandamba Dashtseden introduced an initiative, proposed by the President, to launch the national movement “Ekh Oronch Mongol” (Patriotic Mongolian) for the year of 2026–2030. The movement aims to promote national core interests and cherished Mongolian values among children and youth, and to foster citizens who are healthy, educated, and ethically grounded.

More than 800 representatives from government bodies, civil society, and some aimags, the capital, and districts participated in the conference and issued policy recommendations. The conference has previously been organized under the auspices of the President of Mongolia in 2022 and 2024.

Mongolia, US to Expand All-Round Cooperation www.montsame.mn

Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav received Michael DeSombre, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, on March 17.

Prime Minister Zandanshatar expressed his satisfaction with the strengthening and development of the Mongolia-United States Strategic Partnership. He emphasized Mongolia’s commitment to expanding bilateral relations and cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and mining, and to promoting private-sector partnerships and attracting investment within this framework.

Assistant Secretary Michael DeSombre expressed his sincere gratitude for the meeting and highlighted that the U.S. administration places great importance on its Strategic Partnership with Mongolia. He also thanked Mongolia for becoming one of the founding members of the “Peace Council” initiative proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, noting that this further reaffirms Mongolia’s commitment to international peace and stability. He added that the United States will continue to pay special attention to expanding bilateral relations and cooperation across all sectors.

Prime Minister Zandanshatar and Assistant Secretary DeSombre also noted with satisfaction that the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Water Compact, co-financed with approximately USD 460 million, will conclude on March 30, 2026, and that one of its key achievements, the Wastewater Recycling Plant in Ulaanbaatar, has been successfully commissioned.