The call [transcript] came as a result of economic and cultural implications the nations agricultural community is facing as a result of expanding the expanding mining industry. Knox found that while Mongolia has comprehensive environmental legislation, it lacks a necessary implementation framework, causing damage to the environment. He also said that areas in Mongolia are some of the most polluted due to coal burning affecting the air and mining poisoning the water supply:

This air pollution interferes with the rights to life and health because it causes respiratory and cardiopulmonary illnesses that lead to premature mortality. The effects are felt most severely by the most vulnerable, including the old and the ill. Many studies have shown that children are particularly at risk. For example, in 2016, UNICEF estimated that over 400 children under the age of five were dying every year in Ulaanbaatar as a result of pneumonia related to air pollution. In addition, exposure to air pollution in childhood can result in long-term health problems, including lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.
He called on on Mongolia to standardize mining procedures to safeguard the environment:
Mining standards should ensure that the mining is done safely, that it minimizes environmental harm, and that after the mining is completed, the site is restored as far as possible to its original status. Unavoidable harm should be offset and/or compensated. When done correctly, this process can and should result in benefits not only for the country as a whole, but also for the local communities directly affected by the mining.
More importantly he urged Mongolia to protect indigenous land rights activists, noting recent attacks and threats of violence leveled against environmentalist and human rights defenders.

Mr Knox noted that Mongolia has better statistics than many countries on human rights and environment, but still has some problems. He said, ‘Air-pollution in Ulaanbaatar, water and soil-pollution along the banks of the River Tuul have become very serious problems in Mongolia. Generally, Mongolians are known as having a positive attitude to the environment, nevertheless coal ash and rubbish has been scattered along River Tuul.

During his visit to Zaamar soum, the UN expert warned that environmental pollution is reaching a critical level. Also, Mr Knox criticized the ‘Gold’ programme, implemented by the Mongolian government over the environment situation.

The 2nd China-Mongolia Expo and High Level Forum on China-Mongolia-Russia Cooperation kicks off in Hohhot, on Sept. 26, 2017. [Photo by Zhao Shan /China.org.cn]

Under the theme "Construct the China-Mongolia-Russia (CMR) Economic Corridor, embrace global win-win cooperation," this biennial event serves as an important platform and provides a new possibility of foreign exchange between China and its neighboring countries.

Li Jiheng, Secretary of the Party Committee of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region & Director-General of the Standing Committee of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony on Tuesday morning which stated that Inner Mongolia would actively pursue the neighborhood diplomacy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness put forward by China's President Xi Jinping.

"As the host of the China-Mongolia Expo, Inner Mongolia will make full use of its advantages to create a sound environment to actively incorporate itself into the Belt and Road Initiative, enhancing cooperation between China, Mongolia and Russia," Li Jiheng said.

"This Expo is vital for developing a China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership. Mongolian delegates will further understand China and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region's industrious developments, advanced technologies and experience; Chinese delegates and foreign delegates can also know more about Mongolian economic and social developments," Sanjmyatav, Vice Chairman of the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia, said.

Before the opening ceremony, the leaders of China and Mongolia inspected the exhibition at Inner Mongolia International Convention and Exhibition Center and talked with worldwide exhibitors. "It's my second time to attend the China-Mongolia Expo. This Expo provides me opportunities to expand distribution channels. I plan to set up a factory in Hohhot later," said Erdenechuluun Ochir, a Mongolian exhibitor.

Russia is invited as the special guest to promote the influence of the Expo. Their involvement will speed up the construction of the CMR Economic Corridor, expand multilateral cooperation and promote progress in international exchanges.

This year's expo, the main venue of which covers a total exhibition area of 49,000 square meters, will end on September 30.

- The Acting Cabinet met Wednesday and assigned the Governors of Arkhangai, Bayankhongor, Bulgan, Gobi-Altai, Darkhan-Uul, Dundgobi, Uvurkhangai, Umnugobi, Zavkhan, Tuv, Uvs, Khuvsgul and Selenge aimags to segregate safe zones from which meat will be exported, allocate fodder lands in compliance with relevant laws and regulations and support foreign and domestic investment and initiatives.

- Acting Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry P.Sergelen and Director of General Agency for Specialized Inspection N.Tsagaankhuu and corresponding Governors were tasked to take necessary measures to create and quarantine the safe zones and monitor the movement of domestic animals.

- Moreover, the corresponding officials were ordered to establish safe zones near border stations with foreign and domestic investment based on an agreement with specialized bodies of the neighbor countries.

The Hamilton-based company, which emerged from bankruptcy protection three months ago and is owned by U.S. restructuring firm Bedrock Industries Group LLC, plans to raise $150-million in the share sale that could have a total market value of about $1 billion.

Goldman Sachs & Co. and BMO Capital Markets are acting as joint bookrunners for the offering, while the company is preparing an IPO marketing campaign that targets Canadian and U.S. investors.

Besides making early payments to its pension plans, the money would be injected into the company’s mills that produce galvanized and galvannealed products, primarily used for construction and automotive applications.

The century-old steelmaker operates two facilities in Ontario, one in Nanticoke that processes 3.7 million tonnes a year, and another one in Hamilton, whose capacity is of 2.8 million tonnes of steel annually.

In a recent restructuring, Stelco was able to eliminate $3-billion in debt and $1.4-billion in pension and benefit obligations. Previous to Bedrock’s takeover, the company had already filed for bankruptcy and finally emerged from protection in 2007 when U.S. Steel Corp bought it for $1.1 billion.

According to the Globe and Mail, as of June 30, the company’s only red mark on its balance sheet was $68-million drawn on a $375-million asset-backed credit facility.

On the secondary market for corporate bonds, 1,642 bonds worth MNT 184,795,120 were traded and 24,919 bonds worth MNT 2,446,049,040 were traded by the block.

The MSE ALL Index rose 0.42 percent to stand at 1068.98. The MSE market cap stands at MNT 2,094,869,771,139 .

P.Sergelen, Acting Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry attended the forum, talking about a possibility of Mongolia to export meat.

“Mongolia has vast experience in animal husbandry. To the extent of a gradual increase in livestock number in Mongolia, the country is able to maximize the meat reserve and export 128.5 thousand tons of meat. As of present, 24 slaughtering houses and six processing factories have been licensed by inspection institutions of Russia, China, Vietnam and Iran. These factories will export meat, which is supplied from ten aimags after performing laboratory examinations,” the Minister underlined.

Deputy Director of the China’s Promotion Center for Agricultural Trade Zhang Shaowang pointed out that China is interested in buying Mongolian meat because of its freshness and hygiene. He said China is possible to render assistance to Mongolia for the animal husbandry as China has advanced technologies. He hopes that the Mongolia-China Expo would contribute to the bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sphere.