The National Library of Mongolia (NLM) houses over three million books and publications. Over one million volumes of the collection, in the Mongolian, Tibetan, Chinese, and Manchu languages, are rare and valuable books, sutras, and manuscripts, Montsame reports.

Over 2 million pages of sutras in Tibetan language have been digitalized since 2018 as part of a project jointly implemented by NLM and the Asian Legacy Library.

As a global non-profit organization, the Asian Legacy Library provides a combination of technology, scholarship, and partnership to locate, digitally preserve, and safeguard the priceless cultural wisdom literature of the world. The Asian Legacy Library currently partners with seven preservation operations located across Mongolia, Nepal, and India.

The progress of the ongoing project was introduced at NLM on November 23, sharing the technology and experiences.

An interview with Shannon Stowell, CEO of Adventure Travel Trade Association

- Could you tell us the purpose of your visit? What are the possibilities of cooperation between the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and Mongolia?

-Firstly, I would like to express gratitude to the Government of Mongolia and the Minister of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia Bat-Erdene Bat-Ulzii for successfully organizing the "Years to Visit Mongolia" to develop tourism. I'm interested in learning the role and impact of adventure tourism on nature conservation as part of the Sustainable funding program for nature conservation jointly carried out by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia and the Nature Conservancy (TNC) NGO. A classic conservation approach of adventure tourism focuses on locals, in other words, it is community-based. Adventure tourism plays an important role in supporting the economy by adding value to natural resources and it is comprised of nature and culture with vigorous activities as complex. In this sense, adventure tourism benefits the local people and the local economy much greater than mass tourism.

-What makes adventure tourism different from mass tourism?

According to a study conducted a few years ago, the benefits from mass tourism for local communities make up 15 percent of the total money spent there, while adventure travelers spend 70 percent for locals. Adventure tourists stay at local inns, eat in local restaurants, and buy local goods investing in the local economy. Before the pandemic, in 2019, the pharmaceutical supply market was valued at USD 630 billion, and the adventure tourism market has grown much larger than that. Therefore, we requested funding from the World Bank for new research. As Asian countries are new players in the adventure tourism market, funding is likely to increase.

- Adventure tourism is new for Mongolia, but I think Mongolia has the potential to develop adventure tourism using its unique nomadic culture and abundant natural resources. What does adventure tourism provide? What are the advantages of Mongolia, what makes Mongolia an adventurous destination?

- There are three leading profitable products in the world's adventure tourism market - walking, cycling, and trekking.

This is the best pleasure and opportunity to cross the country on foot or by bicycle. In this sense, I think there is a lot of opportunity to promote Mongolia among international traders, tour operators, and large companies.

-As the Mongolian Government declared 2023-2025 the "Years to Visit Mongolia," many celebrities from many countries visited Mongolia last summer. How we can attract more adventure travelers to Mongolia?

-I arrived in Mongolia to find the answer. The ATTA has many member tour operators and media representatives. We provide professional support for the improvement of adventure tourism products and bring the media staff to a particular country. Besides, we visit the destinations and study what should be explored and what media channels should be used to promote it. Once this is studied, it will open doors for international wholesalers and media advertising.

- I suppose, adventure travelers are attracted to challenging, complex, novel journeys, and they feel pleasure and energy accordingly. What is the main criterion for choosing a destination for them?

-In the past, well-traveled and experienced tourists were interested in adventure. A hundred years ago adventurers traveled to enjoy the natural beauty of countries, but over the past 20 years, the interest and nature of the adventure tourism market has changed. Today they are more interested in national culture and people you meet. When tourists come to Mongolia to see the nature, plains, and wild animals, the main thing that makes the trip unique is meeting and interacting with the people and locals. I have a wish to learn more about Mongolia's culture to enrich its tourism products. For us, we are more interested in human-oriented products. Looking at the plains and nature of Mongolia, I assume there is a competitive product for the tourism market. However, more detailed information is not yet available.

-How adventure tourism products have changed over the past 20 years of your experience?

- I had perceived adventure travel must be risky and could not always achieve that.

Discovering uncharted land and challenging yourself may be, used to make the adventure travel more attractive and appealing. However, the situation is changing and the scope of adventure tourism is expanding. For example, for some people, visiting a country where the native language is not English and experiencing a different culture and way of life can be an adventure. Over the past 20 years, the concept of tourism has expanded, products have diversified, and many alternative forms of tourism have emerged. There are opportunities to involve a wider population. In the past, tourism was focused more on material issues, but now tourists are more interested in culture and building bonds with local people.

-Mongolia has many big rivers with strong streams and high mountains and there are many experienced guides and teams. Could you share some of good examples of how to assess risk for adventure travel?

- Training reference standards on how to properly manage risk according to ISO were first developed eight years ago, Today, for instance in Okinawa, Japan, tour guides are trained in risk management, and adventure tour products have been improved. Adventure travel is about challenging yourself and enjoying activities that often require physical fitness and stamina. Such a wonderful journey can become dangerous if the risks are not mitigated. Minimizing risks in adventure travel must be fundamental for all travel companies, along with offering inspiring, challenging, and fascinating tours. For example, it is extremely dangerous to have a ride on an inflatable boat in a fast mountain river without a guide or proper risk management. Therefore, there must be guidance that can reduce the risk. We prepare product safety guides and training manuals in all areas and conduct training.

-Mongolia has a large territory and is sparsely populated. How to overcome the risks such as lack of emergency service and communication when traveling to remote areas?

- When visiting a country, our team makes a risk management plan after conducting a risk assessment. For example, it would be very irresponsible if a tour operator allowed a tourist with minimal experience of horse riding to gallop. When riding a horse, it is necessary to ensure safety, such as choosing a gentle and tamed horse and at least wearing a safety helmet. Of course, it is impossible to eliminate all risks, but we can evaluate and make a plan for potential risks, and train our people.

Additionally, the course and decisions should be produced in consultation with locals and guides. Being aware of the local culture, knowledge, and mentality is very important. For example, in Brazil, there are swamps and ponds where piranhas live. When developing our tours, we consult with locals who know when piranhas are away, when it is safe to swim, and when it is not, so together with international trainers we solve the problem and make adventure tourism products risk-free. Recently, tour operators have begun to offer insurance for helicopter services, especially in remote areas. Assuming an average adventure traveler spends USD 3,000 on a ten-day trip, an extra 10 percent can help reduce the risk of a long-distance trip.

-Influencers tend to take perilous journeys and actions to increase the number of their followers. There are many sad cases of tragic deaths. What are the ways to minimize the risk?

-This is a problem today. The ATTA, as a professional association, has different standards. Such risky, reckless, unethical, illegal, unlawful, or disrespectful behavior is never supported. It is wrong to take a photo of yourself wearing shorts and jumping in the air when you are in a mosque. Our requirements and ethics are on a different level. We value influencers whose followers are ethical and decent. Our influencers who are ethical themselves and have few but loyal followers benefit locals because they share their experiences about the culture and nature of the places they travel to.

-How many countries does ATTA operate in?

-We have been operating in more than one hundred countries. We have our teams in 10 countries. We organize 20-40 courses a year and we conduct activities at a global scale. Over a month ago, the SDSN Hong Kong held its first "Global Conference on Sustainable Development" (GCSD 2023) in Asia. More than 800 international representatives attended and we exchanged views on tourism sustainability, challenges, and what tour agencies can offer depending on the country. During the Conference, I met with representatives of the Mongolian companies, but we could not discuss the issue in detail. While I am in Ulaanbaatar, I am interested in opening up a market to "sell" and promote Mongolia. We want to expand the sale and promotion of the Mongolian affiliates' products in our tour agencies. There are travel agencies to provide information about Mongolia in case the public is not well-informed.

As of the initial 10 months of 2023, the total revenue and aid amount of the state budget reached MNT 19.8 trillion, which increased by MNT 5.7 (40.2%) trillion from the same period last year. And the amount of balanced income aid reached MNT 19.0 trillion, an increase of MNT 6.0 (46.2%) trillion.

The amount of total expenditure and repayable net loans reached MNT 16.9 trillion, and the balanced balance showed a profit of MNT 2.1 trillion.

Total tax revenue reached MNT 17.6 trillion, an increase of MNT 5.7 (47.3%) trillion from the same period last year, which influenced by income tax revenue increased by MNT 2.1 (75.7%) trillion, mineral usage payment increased by MNT 1.8 (2.5 times) trillion, social insurance revenue by MNT 719.9 (30.4%) billion, value added tax by MNT 640.3 (20.4%) billion. While excise duty decreased by MNT 73.8 (10.1%) billion.

S.Taivan, Lieutenant Colonel of Cyber Security Division of Police Department gave following information:

A fake video of the President of Mongolia speaking Chinese, made by using modern technology and software, was posted on social media recently. And the police are investigating the case of defamation of the President of Mongolia and distribution of edited videos.

M and A, citizens of Mongolia, posted the video on social media, and it may be criminal to attack national unity and independence of Mongolia, attack the dignity and reputation of others, and spread false information.

On November 20, we obtained a statement from the suspect and arrested him without a court order in accordance with Article 31.5 of the Criminal Investigation Law. They may have committed the crime of disseminating false information under Article 13.14 of the Criminal Code.

Mongolia's GDP grew by 6.9% in the third quarter of 2023 compared to last year, the country's National Statistical Office reported.

The increase in GDP was facilitated by the growth of value added in the services sector and the post-Covid recovery of the transport sector.

Experts from international banking and financial organizations expect that the Mongolian economy will continue to grow in near future. Mongolia's economy will grow 5.7% in 2023 and 5.9% in 2024, according to a September forecast by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The country's GDP grew by 4.8% in 2022, according to Mongolia's National Statistical Office.

South Korea and Mongolia launched a joint committee Monday for cooperation in the supply of rare metals and other critical minerals, Seoul officials said.

The two sides also began a project to establish a joint center for partnerships on rare metals as part of South Korea's official development assistance to Mongolia.

"We hope that this project will serve as an opportunity for Mongolia to pursue turning its rare metals into high value-added products, and for Korea to solidify its domestic supply chain base," Lee Ho-hyeon, deputy industry minister for energy policy, said in a ceremony in Ulaanbaatar that drew government officials of the two countries.

The move is a follow-up measure to the agreement reached in February when Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene visited Seoul.

Mongolia has various rare metal reserves, including rare earth elements. It is the world's eighth largest producer of molybdenum, a key metal used to make steel alloys.

In Monday's talks, the two countries agreed to work together to ensure a stable supply of rare metals and secure a sustainable industrial competitiveness in the critical minerals area.

They also exchanged information and updates on rare metals and discussed the trends in rare metal cooperation at bilateral and multilateral stages, as well as in the research and development.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will welcome Battsetseg Batmunkh, Mongolia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Ottawa on November 20, 2023.

This visit will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Mongolia, as both countries remain eager to continue this long-lasting friendship and advance common priorities.

The ministers will explore opportunities to further strengthen bilateral relations between our two countries including on climate change and on the energy transition, and will discuss shared regional and global security challenges, notably peace and stability in Northeast Asia and challenges to the rules-based international order.

The father of murdered Mongolian model-translator Altantuya Shaariibuu has cried foul over the release of former Malaysian policeman Sirul Azhar Umar from a detention centre by the Australian government.

Mongolian film professor Dr Shaariibuu Setev’s reaction came about a week after the Australian Immigration’s decision to release Sirul and 86 other detainees following a High Court ruling that quashed indefinite detention.

On Nov 11, Sirul, 52, was released from the Villawood immigration detention centre in Sydney, where he had been held since 2015.

In an interview with The Australian, Dr Shaariibuu said he was shocked that his daughter’s killer was now walking free in Australia, adding that he was “disappointed with Australia”.

He was quoted by the newspaper as saying that he had not been informed by any Australian government representative that his daughter’s killer was among the detainees freed.

“Where is the human rights for the victim’s family? We are right here, we are still alive and suffering.

“There is a Mongolian embassy in Australia, an Australian embassy in Mongolia. No one has contacted me,” he said.

Dr Shaariibuu also asked when the Australian government would send an apology to him.

“I really wonder why Australia released a murderer,” said Dr Shaariibuu.

“It makes me think that all the murderers of the world can go to Australia, spend time in immigration detention centres and eventually be released and become free men.”

Altantuya, a mother of two, was driven to a jungle in Selangor in 2006 and shot twice in an execution-style murder before being blown up with explosives.

Sirul, a former bodyguard of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, maintained he had abducted Altantuya on orders.

His bid for asylum in Australia was rejected in 2019.

In December 2022, the Shah Alam High Court ordered another former policeman, Azilah Hadri, 47, Sirul, Najib’s former associate Abdul Razak Baginda, 63, and the government – the first to fourth defendants – to pay 5 million ringgit (S$1.46 million) in damages to Altantuya’s family.

Dr Shaariibuu and his wife Ms Altantsetseg Sanjaa as well as their two grandsons Mr Mungunshagai Bayarjargal and Mr Altanshagai Munkhtulga had filed the suit in June 2007, seeking 100 million ringgit for compensation as well as exemplary and aggravated damages. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Gobi Joint Stock Company have signed a $30 million sustainability linked loan to support the cashmere value chain in Mongolia and provide stable incomes and employment to 1,200 herders and 1,300 industry employees. The loan will be used to procure raw cashmere from herders, as well as for cashmere processing activities.

In addition, a $1 million technical assistance grant will be provided to support scalable sustainable pasture and herd management, and to run workshops on climate-resilient practices for herder groups in the Khuvsgul and Bayankhongor provinces. Sustainability linked loans incentivize the achievement of sustainable performance goals in return for a variable or lower interest rate. This loan will target increased direct procurement from herders, emission reduction, and water conservation, as well as training herders in pasture management.

Mongolian herders are severely affected by climate change, which is causing or contributing to increased heatwaves, droughts, dzuds (severe winter conditions), and desertification. Careful management of pasture and ecology is essential to mitigate the effects of overgrazing and improve climate resilience. The reliable income and technical support provided by Gobi is critical to supporting herders in these endeavors.

“Mongolia contributes nearly half of the global raw cashmere supply, but most of it is exported and only a fraction is processed into final products inside the country. Fostering a sustainable cashmere production industry will help diversify this important industry and boost its contribution to the broader economy,” said ADB Director General for Private Sector Operations Suzanne Gaboury. “While women are heavily engaged in Mongolia's livestock sector, they lack income-generating jobs and training. Gobi and ADB share a commitment to make sure that women receive a fair share of financial rewards for their hard work, and are able to play a greater role in the industry’s development.”

The grant will support capacity-building activities on sustainable pasture management, basic pasture ecology, financial literacy, and budget management for at least 200 nomadic herders, of which at least 80 will be women. It will also fund support for the improvement of pasture ecology and management and seek solutions to help herders reduce herd sizes while maintaining or increasing income.

ADB will help Gobi to advance gender equity and women’s empowerment in its operations. Key milestones include ensuring that at least half of new operations staff are women; providing training opportunities to female staff; dedicating nearly half of Gobi’s training outreach to women herders; encouraging female herders to join herder groups promoting scalable pasture and herd management; and developing awareness materials on gender-based violence.

“With our partnership with ADB, Gobi JSC will produce more finished goods with value-add, which will increase foreign currency revenue inflow into the country’s economy, as well as create more jobs,” said Gobi JSC Chief Executive Officer Baatarsaikhan Tsagaach.

Gobi is the largest cashmere manufacturer in Mongolia. As a member of the Sustainable Fiber Alliance, Gobi focuses on sustainable value chain practices including sustainable animal husbandry and community management, and procures raw cashmere from Mongolian herders. Gobi is part of Tavan Bogd Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Mongolia, and an existing ADB client.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Summary of this week's events on November 20-26:

In Ulaanbaatar:

November 20: Regular meeting of the party groups of the Mongolian People’s Party and Democratic Party in the State Great Khural will be held at the State Palace.

November 20: The opening of the poetry festival named after “Lawyer Sandag”, renowned representative of ancient Mongolian prose, will be held.

November 20-22: The National Risk Forum will be held for the 14th year under the auspices of the Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia. More than 1,500 representatives of international organizations of the public and private sector, civil society, media, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization, Children’s Fund, Population Fund, WHO, and the Red Cross Society of Mongolia will participate in the forum.

November 21: The United Nations Development Program will present the “Report on Human Development in Asia and the Pacific” at the library of the National University of Mongolia. The annual UNDP Report assesses and analyses the diversity of human development at the global, regional, and country levels. The Report is an important resource for policymakers, researchers, media, and human development researchers.

November 21, 22: Standing Committee sessions in the State Great Khural will be held.

November 22: The regular meeting of the Cabinet will be held at the State Palace.

November 22-23: The State Great Khural of Mongolia will organize two types of evaluation activities on human rights and gender issues according to the methodology developed by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The self-evaluation will cover the issues defined based on the self-evaluation methodology “Parliament and Human Rights” and “Gender Sensitivity of the Parliament” of the IPU and will be conducted as joint and session discussions.

November 23, 24: Plenary session of the State Great Khural will be held.

November 24: “The World” group’s second solo performance “Ongod” will be held in Khun Theater.

November 25-30: The Exhibition of petroglyphs “The Wonder of Gobi Cultural Heritage: Early Nomads and Imperial Nobles” jointly organized by the Science and Technology Park of the National University of Mongolia, Umnogobi aimag’s Citizen's Representative Khural, Governor’s Office, Governor’s Office of Gurvantes soum (Gurvantes Medee) will be open in the Norphei Art Gallery of the Blue Mon Tower. The Exhibition will feature unique images and photographs taken by teams of the Department of History and Archaeology of the Ulaanbaatar School of the National University of Mongolia during archeological exploration in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023 in Bulgan, Sevrei and Gurvantes soums of Umnogobi aimag.

November 26: The Proclamation of the Mongolian People’s Republic or the anniversary of the adoption of the first Constitution of Mongolia will be celebrated.

November 26: The final selection of the “Bolor Tsom-41” Grand Poetry Festival of Mongolia will be held at the Cultural Center.

Local news:

November 20: A monthly campaign for the prevention of acquired disability organized by the Citizen's Representative Khural of Khuvsgul aimag will begin.

November 20: Under the Cultural Creative Month, the National Campaign of the Ministry of Culture “A Captivating Evening” performance dedicated to legendary Mongolian singer N. Norovbanzad, Hero of Labour, People’s Artist of Mongolia, Laureate of the State Premium, will be organized by Dundgobi aimag’s Folk Song Drama Theater, Anir Mongolian Pop Orchestra, Mongolian Circus Entertainment Center in Dundgobi aimag.

November 21: “Asariin Undur” historical play will be performed in the Music and Drama Theater of Zavkhan aimag.

November 21: “Love Yanzagan Khuree” conference of Eastern eco clubs will be organized in Sukhbaatar aimag.

November 23, 24: An economic conference “Open Bayan-Ulgii” will be held in Ulgii city, Bayan-Ulgii aimag.

November 24: The branch of the Mongolian Women’s Union in Dundgobi aimag will organize a ceremony “Noble Mothers” for the 15th time.

November 24: Marking the 99th anniversary of Dornod aimag and celebrating Civil Service Day, a competition of public servants will be organized.

November 24: The “Oral Literature - 2023” Festival will be organized in Dashbalbar soum, Dornod aimag.

November 24, 25: A puppet show days “The Sign of Skies” will be organized in Children’s Theater in Dundgobi aimag.

November 25, 26: An international competition of aitys, a Kazakh folk song, will be held in Bayan-Ulgii city, Bayan-Ulgii aimag.

Abroad:

November 17 – December 2: The epic theatrical spectacle “The Mongol Khan”, based on an earlier play “The Throne without the Seal” written by renowned Mongolian writer B. Lkhagvasuren will be performed in Coliseum Theater in London

November 17-22: A photo exhibition “Nuudliin ai” will be open.