Kazakhstan and Mongolia Coal Cooperation: Strategic Central Asian Partnership www.discoveryalert.com.au

Speaker Instructs Council to Draft Civil Service Law Reforms www.montsame.mn

Chairman of the State Great Khural Byambatsogt Sandag met with the Chairperson and members of the Civil Service Council on April 20, 2026.

At the beginning of the meeting, Civil Service Council Chairperson Tsedevsuren Lhagva. gave a detailed briefing on the council’s mandate, structure, and operations.

She also highlighted major upgrades to the integrated electronic registry system for civil servants, one of the council’s core functions. Since 2025, every civil servant has been able to access the unified database, review their digital personnel file, and verify the accuracy of related information.

According to the 2025 national registry, 213,611 civil servants are employed at 4,330 state institutions, accounting for 14.5 percent of Mongolia’s labor force and 6.0 percent of the total population. However, the number of civil servants declined by 5.9 percent compared with 2024.

Tsedevsuren noted that since the Civil Service Law came into force in 2019, it has been amended 28 times, with most changes related to job classification, grades, and salaries. She said there is a need to streamline those issues, modernize the content and format of training and recruitment examinations, and legislate standards for psychological health and workplace safety.

During the meeting, Speaker Byambatsogt said public trust in government has weakened in recent years and linked this to the ethics, attitudes, skills, education, and experience of public officials. He said Parliament, the Government, and the Civil Service Council should give special attention to the issue, conduct a realistic assessment, and undertake comprehensive policy reform of Mongolia’s civil service system.

The speaker also instructed the council to accelerate reforms to make productivity and performance evaluations more transparent, create a legal framework to raise salaries and incentives in line with performance, strengthen social guarantees for civil servants, and prepare proposals for policy amendments to the Civil Service Law.

Official Website of the UN Convention COP17 Launched www.montsame.mn

The official website of the Seventeenth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, to be hosted by Mongolia, has been officially launched.

Information regarding preparations, the program, and guidance for participants of the conference, which will be held in Ulaanbaatar from August 17–28 this year under the slogan “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope,” is now available through the website.

The COP17 conference is expected to bring together representatives from UN Member States, affiliated organizations, and major investors including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, with an estimated participation of approximately 8,000–10,000 delegates.

Honored Athlete Ser-Od Bat-Ochir Finishes 54th at Boston Marathon www.montsame.mn

Honored Athlete of Mongolia and Asian Marathon Championships gold and silver medalist Ser-Od Bat-Ochir competed in the Boston Marathon in the United States.

Recognized as one of the seven World Marathon Majors, the race is distinguished as the world’s oldest and one of the most prestigious marathons. At the 130th edition of the marathon, Ser-Od finished 54th in the elite race with a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 41 seconds. This marked the first time a Mongolian marathon runner competed in the elite division of the Boston Marathon. Ser-Od also placed third in the men’s 40–44 age category.

More than 30,000 runners from 137 countries participated in this year’s Boston Marathon.

18.4% of Mongolia’s Workforce is in the Public Sector www.insidemongolia.mn

Mongolia has a population of around 3.5 million, of which 266,895 are civil servants, accounting for 6.4% of the total population. Within the labor force of 1.4 million, this translates to 18.4%,  or roughly 1 in every 5 workers,  employed in the public sector, making it one of the largest employers in the country.

Workforce Snapshot

Mongolia’s civil service workforce is both young and well-educated. The average age stands at 39, with nearly 60% of employees in the prime working range of 25–45, while just 1.8% are over 60, suggesting a relatively limited pool of senior-level experience. At the same time, qualification levels remain strong, with more than 72% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Gender Dynamics

A clear gender imbalance is evident as women make up 64.3% of civil servants, dominating administrative and service roles, while men are more represented in political and specialized positions. As a result, many institutions fall short of the recommended 40:60 balance.

Experience Gap: The workforce is relatively new, with over 35% having less than 5 years of experience. While this reflects steady recruitment, it also raises concerns around institutional memory and long-term capacity.
Geographic Concentration: Furthermore, more than half, or 52.7% of civil servants are based in Ulaanbaatar, highlighting a strong concentration in the capital.

Global Context

As you can see, Mongolia’s public sector is relatively large. While public employment averages around 11% worldwide and 18% in OECD countries, Mongolia’s 18% places it above the global norm and close to advanced economy levels. This reflects the state’s key role in service delivery, particularly in rural areas, but also raises questions around efficiency and sustainability.

Overall, the government is moving to streamline and improve the productivity of the civil service. The push is timely. Despite its size, the public sector is often criticized for slow, bureaucratic processes. There is also a broader structural concern. When the state employs such a large share of the workforce, it can crowd out the private sector, tightening the talent pool for businesses. In effect, the government risks becoming one of the largest competitors for labor in the market, raising important questions about balance, efficiency, and long-term growth.

The great steppe: A new agenda for Astana and Ulaanbaatar www.qazinform.com

The state visit of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh to Kazakhstan, scheduled for April 20 to 23, could become a turning point in relations between the two countries. Despite political closeness and the status of a strategic partnership, the economic potential of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Mongolia remains largely untapped. Why trade turnover still falls short of expectations and what role shared history plays in bringing the countries closer is examined by a Qazinform News Agency correspondent.

Kazakhstan and Mongolia established diplomatic relations on January 22, 1992. Over more than three decades, an extensive institutional framework has been formed, with over 60 agreements signed, an intergovernmental commission in place, and political dialogue established.

A turning point came with the state visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Mongolia in October 2024, during which the parties signed a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership, concluded 11 interstate and interagency documents, and outlined priority areas for growth: transport, agriculture, energy, logistics, and investment.

“During the Head of State’s visit to Ulaanbaatar, a Roadmap for the development of trade and economic cooperation for 2025–2027 was agreed, and the intention to accelerate the conclusion of an agreement on the promotion and mutual protection of investments was outlined,” said political analyst Yersultan Zhansseitov.

Against this backdrop, the Mongolian leader’s state visit to Kazakhstan can be seen as an opportunity to give additional momentum to the agreements already reached.

The key question is whether the sides can move from political declarations to tangible results, primarily in the economy. So far, indicators remain modest, even considering recent growth in trade turnover.

Economy: Growth exists, but scale remains limited

Trade between Kazakhstan and Mongolia in 2024–2026 shows growth and forward movement, but this is gradual development rather than large-scale expansion. In 2024, total trade stood at about $150 million, with $83.9 million recorded from January to August. In 2025, the trend continued without sharp increases, reaching $121.5 million from January to November, up 5.5% year on year.

Growth is therefore moderate and reflects inertia in existing flows rather than structural change. This is especially evident in early 2026: trade totaled $20.1 million in January to February, compared to $22.4 million a year earlier, marking a 10.3% decline. The drop was mainly due to a 16.1% fall in Kazakhstan’s exports to $18.5 million, while imports from Mongolia surged nearly fivefold, from $0.31 million to $1.56 million. As a result, Kazakhstan’s traditionally high surplus narrowed from $21.8 million to $17 million.

The main feature of trade is its pronounced asymmetry. Around 90 to 93% of turnover is generated by Kazakhstan’s exports, effectively forming a “supplier-consumer” model. Any fluctuation in key goods immediately affects overall dynamics. For instance, a 25.1% drop in tobacco exports, from $4.5 million to $3.37 million, reduced overall figures in early 2026. Supplies of chocolate and cocoa products fell by 72.7%, equipment and electronics by over 90% in some categories, and bakery products by 12.3%.

At the same time, new growth points are emerging: pharmaceutical supplies increased 15-fold, plastic packaging nearly 13-fold, and pasta products almost doubled. This indicates gradual diversification, although the export base remains narrow.

Imports from Mongolia in 2026 show the opposite trend: sharp growth driven almost entirely by one category. Meat supplies rose from $0.3 million to $1.45 million, accounting for more than 93% of imports. Other categories, including juices and textiles, remain marginal.

As long as trade relies on a limited range of goods, it will remain sensitive to fluctuations. Achieving the stated target of $500 million requires diversification, removal of barriers, and development of stable logistics chains.

Structurally, Kazakhstan exports higher value-added products such as machinery, electronics, food, and petroleum products, while Mongolia mainly exports raw materials, including meat, cashmere, and wool. This asymmetry also represents potential, particularly in agriculture.

Financial analyst Aibar Olzhayev noted that Mongolia has significant livestock resources, while Kazakhstan offers a market and processing infrastructure.

Zhansseitov added that during the Kazakh foreign minister’s visit to Mongolia in June 2025, a pilot project was discussed involving the possible purchase of up to 500,000 head of livestock for export-oriented cooperation in deep processing.

“In general, the visit is likely to result not in a single major document, but in a package of agreements across transport and logistics, trade and investment, as well as agriculture, veterinary cooperation, and industrial collaboration,” he noted.

Olzhayev also highlighted growing importance of investment cooperation. Kazakh businesses are already present in Mongolia, particularly in mining.

“Kazakh entrepreneurs operate in Mongolia, including in the coal sector. Certain investments have already been made. Financial companies also view the country as a promising market for expansion,” he explained.

New areas of cooperation are also being discussed, including security and defense, with Kazakhstan ready to offer modern equipment and share experience in digitalization and personnel training.

“Kazakhstan has practical experience in implementing e-government, pension systems, and digital administrative solutions. These developments may be of interest to Mongolia, including in a commercial format. There is similar potential in the IT sector,” Olzhayev added.

The sides are also considering creating a joint satellite constellation for monitoring natural resources and supporting agriculture.

“Middle powers” between two major centers

Geography remains a key factor: Kazakhstan and Mongolia do not share a border, complicating logistics and increasing dependence on third countries. Trade routes pass through Russia or China, adding costs and reducing flexibility.

Political analyst Burikhan Nurmukhamedov noted the importance of transport infrastructure development.

Zhansseitov emphasized the potential of a new corridor through eastern Kazakhstan and Russia to Mongolia.

“Firstly, the Kazakhstan–Russia–Mongolia highway project, which received particular attention in June 2025, could shorten routes by more than 800 kilometers and boost trade to $500 million. Secondly, Mongolia’s access to the Trans-Caspian corridor via Kazakhstan is under consideration. Thirdly, the development of direct flights between Astana and Ulaanbaatar has been agreed,” he said.

Both countries are located between Russia and China, shaping a shared foreign policy approach based on balance and multi-vector engagement. This gives bilateral relations not only economic but also strategic significance.

“Kazakhstan became Mongolia’s first strategic partner in Central Asia. This means the current visit will likely focus on practical implementation of this status,” Zhansseitov stressed.

Migration and diaspora

Human ties also play a stabilizing role. A significant Kazakh diaspora in Mongolia serves as a natural bridge, strengthening trust through shared culture and language.

Educational cooperation is developing steadily. Kazakhstan hosts over 30,000 foreign students, around 1,000 of whom are from Mongolia, with plans to increase this number, especially in technical fields. The opening of a branch of a Kazakh university in Mongolia is also under consideration.

Tourism is another important area, with joint routes including the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum in Turkistan and the Jochi Khan Mausoleum in Ulytau.

The victory of Mongolian singer Michelle Joseph in the Silk Way Star project in Kazakhstan became a symbol of cultural unity. She was awarded the Order of Dostyk II degree on behalf of the President of Kazakhstan and Mongolia’s Order of the Polar Star by President Khurelsukh.

Cultural, educational, and media initiatives serve as instruments of soft power, strengthening ties beyond economic interaction.

Turning potential into results

Despite these factors, the main challenge remains transforming potential into concrete outcomes. Economic indicators are growing, but not at a pace that could fundamentally change the situation. Infrastructure projects require time and investment, and political dialogue needs consistent practical follow-up.

The current state visit of the Mongolian President to Astana is therefore of particular importance. It may mark the point where accumulated ideas and agreements move into implementation. If the sides agree on concrete steps to expand trade, remove barriers, and launch joint projects, the pace of rapprochement could significantly accelerate.

In the long term, Kazakhstan and Mongolia have the opportunity to occupy a unique niche in Eurasia, shaped not by the size of their economies but by geography and their ability to connect regions.

Today, Kazakh-Mongolian relations are in a transitional phase. They have moved beyond symbolic partnership but have yet to reach full economic integration. The success of current initiatives will determine whether historical closeness can be transformed into a modern competitive advantage.

Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan on April 20 to 23 at the invitation of Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

By Yerzhan Zhanibekov

Mongolia to host International mathematics competition 2026 www.news.mn

The International mathematics competition 2026 is a global contest that brings together students from many countries to solve challenging problems in algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics. It aims to develop logical thinking, creativity, and advanced problem-solving skills through both individual and team rounds.

The 2026 edition will be hosted by Mongolia, highlighting the country’s growing role in international mathematics education and giving local students a valuable opportunity to engage with the global academic community.

The IMC Olympiad will be held from July 22 to 27 at the campus of German-Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology in Nalaikh District. Mongolia has participated in the competition regularly and successfully since 2010, and after winning the trophy at the 25th edition held in Vietnam, it earned the right to host the 2026 competition in its home country. At the closing and awards ceremony of the 25th International Mathematics Competition (VIMC 2025) held last year in Da Nang, the organizing committee officially handed over the IMC 2026 hosting flag to the Mongolian delegation.

In this Olympiad, each participating country is represented by a total of 16 students across different categories; however, due to the special circumstance of hosting the competition this year, Mongolia will be allowed to participate with 80 students.

Draft Revised Law on State Aviation Submitted www.montsame.mn

Member of Parliament and Minister of Defense Batlut Damba submitted the draft revised version of the Law on State Aviation to Chairman of the State Great Khural Byambatsogt Sandag on April 20.

The draft Law has been developed and submitted to Parliament in implementation of Provision 74 of the “Main Directions for Improving Mongolia’s Legislation until 2028,” which stipulates the drafting and submission of amendments to the Law on State Aviation.

The Law on State Aviation was first adopted in 2003 and has regulated relations related to state aircraft operations, as well as ensuring state aviation safety and security. In response to evolving requirements, the law has been amended six times.

In order to implement Government decisions, a Working Group tasked with drafting amendments to the Law on State Aviation was established under Order No. A/12 issued by the Minister of Defense in 2025. During the preliminary assessment and evaluation conducted in accordance with Article 25.1.2 of the Law on Legislation, it was determined that amendments would affect more than 50 percent of the law’s provisions. Therefore, the Working Group concluded that it would be appropriate to develop the draft in the form of a revised version rather than individual amendments.

While preparing the draft law, consideration was given to the growing scope of activities among organizations subject to the Law on State Aviation, particularly the increasing acquisition and operation of state aircraft in recent years. The draft aims to ensure unified policy and management for organizations operating state aircraft, legally define their functions, provide detailed regulation of relations governed by the State Aviation regulatory framework, and improve legal provisions concerning aircraft registration, issuance of airworthiness certificates, contractual employment of foreign nationals, as well as aviation safety, oversight, and regulation of flight operations.

The revised draft law introduces several principal changes, including:

Clearly defining the powers of the State Great Khural, the Government, the central state administrative body responsible for defense matters, the senior military command authority, and organizations operating state aircraft in directing and managing state aviation affairs;

Regulating relations related to unified policy and management as institutions such as the Armed Forces, the General Authority for Border Protection, and the National Emergency Management Agency have begun operating aircraft;

Updating legal regulations related to state aircraft registration, issuance of airworthiness certificates, and contractual engagement of foreign nationals;

Providing detailed regulation of relations governed by the State Aviation regulatory framework and improving legal provisions related to state aviation safety, as well as supervision and regulation of flight operations.

These additions distinguish the revised draft from the currently effective law.

According to the Press and Public Relations Department of the State Great Khural, adoption of the revised Law on State Aviation will not require additional state budget expenditures. The law is expected to clarify the duties, responsibilities, supervision, and regulatory framework applicable to citizens, business entities, and public institutions involved in state aviation activities, improve the legal environment for conducting flight operations, and contribute to the further development of related legal instruments necessary for implementation.

Interest Expressed in Cooperation on Environment Sustainability www.montsame.mn

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mongolia, Jaap van Hierden, expressed readiness to cooperate on ensuring environmental sustainability during a meeting with the Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, Nyambaatar Khishgee.

He also provided an overview of the support and cooperation extended by the United Nations since Mongolia became a member.

Mayor Nyambaatar noted that in recent years cooperation with the UN has been active. He highlighted that 1,385 households in Ulaanbaatar have been included in the “CHIP” project, which meets insulation standards set by the UNICEF.

He further stated that the United Nations Development Programme, in cooperation with Ulaanbaatar Investment Management UCC LLC, is implementing projects in ger areas to support renewable energy, improve livelihoods, and enhance living conditions. In addition, in partnership with UNICEF, projects are underway to prevent infections such as the human papillomavirus (HPV), with causes cervical cancer, and Helicobacter pylori, aiming to reduce disease incidence and ensure a healthy, safe, and peaceful environment for children.

He expressed interest in expanding cooperation more broadly in the field of environmental protection in the future. 

Why Did the Glasses of the Young Minister of Health of Mongolia Attract Attention? www.open.kg

The Minister of Health of Mongolia, Batshugar Enkhbayar, has become the center of attention due to his glasses, which at first glance look ordinary but are actually an advanced technological device.

Even Realities G1 is an augmented reality (AR) accessory designed with a focus on style and convenience. These glasses feature a sleek and lightweight design, making them suitable for everyday use rather than being a bulky gadget. The built-in display provides information directly in the user's field of vision while maintaining a minimalist appearance.

An important feature of the Even Realities G1 smart glasses is the display of key points and texts for speeches or interviews directly on the lenses. Although they look like regular glasses, the information is available right in front of the user's eyes. The displayed text is controlled through a special smart ring that is worn on the finger.

These glasses also offer a multitude of features in a compact and stylish frame. They are capable of translating text in real-time into more than 15 languages, converting text to speech, and displaying maps for navigation while on the move.

One of the main advantages of Even Realities G1 is their lightweight and elegant design, making them ideal for daily wear. Prices for these smart glasses in the international market range from $599 to $699.