On Monday, annual inflation in Mongolia was 9.2 percent in July 2023, the National Statistical Committee announced.

It is noted that the inflation rate was directly affected by the increase in prices for food products, soft drinks and mineral water by 14.4 percent, for housing services, water, electricity, gas and other fuels by 5.5 percent, and for medicines and medical services by 7.6 percent.

According to the Central Bank of Mongolia, annual inflation in the country reached 10.6 percent in June 2023. This figure fell to 10.4 percent in Ulaanbaatar, where more than half of the country’s population lives.

The Central Bank predicts that Mongolia’s GDP will grow by 5 percent by the end of 2023.

In the last week of June, Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene went to Beijing. He met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People and came away with a raft of agreements deepening economic and trade ties with his southern neighbor. But around the same time, Mongolian officials in the capital Ulaanbaatar met with Jose Fernandez, the U.S. undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, and signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on cultivating a supply chain of critical minerals and rare earth elements — resources that are key to the world’s clean energy transition and plentiful in Mongolia.

The interactions then offered a snapshot of the delicate dance played by Oyun-Erdene, whose landlocked country of some 3.4 million people remains in many ways beholden to its huge neighbors China and Russia, but whose democratically elected government is steadily working to diversify its economy and expand its ties to other powers in the region, including Japan, South Korea and the West.

Oyun-Erdene was in Washington last week, participating in meetings at the White House with Vice President Harris and separate sessions with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Harvard-trained reformist had discussions on cooperation regarding minerals, including copper, and signed an “Open Skies” civil aviation agreement with the United States.

“Mongolia is developing its ‘third’ neighbor policy and it is very important to maintain balance in our foreign relations,” Oyun-Erdene told me during an interview in the Mongolian Embassy in Washington last week, stressing that he saw the United States as “one of the most important ‘third’ neighbors” his nation could have.

China and Russia draw closer, but how close?

But Mongolia’s leader also was clear-eyed about the complexities of his country’s position. Mongolia is heavily dependent on its imports of electricity, fuel and many other goods from Russia and China. It’s hoping to develop new infrastructure deals with Beijing that would better link the Mongolian economy to transit routes and ports through China. Long within Moscow’s orbit, Mongolia’s fledgling democracy emerged in the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union, but many bonds remain. Mongolia abstained on a U.N. General Assembly vote condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.

Speaking beneath a portrait of Genghis Khan, the famed medieval Mongol conqueror, Oyun-Erdene extolled his nation’s parliamentary democracy and commitment to political values shared with the United States. But he cautioned against the ideological hawkishness that’s taken hold of U.S. Congress, with many lawmakers pushing for more of a direct confrontation with China.

“If there will be a new Cold War, it will be very different and difficult from the first one we had,” Oyun-Erdene told me, pointing to the dangers posed by conflict in a world shaped by rapidly advancing new technologies, including artificial intelligence. He said that while China’s “development path” and values differ greatly from that of the United States, the two global powers have a shared stake in many global challenges, including collective action on climate change.

The Mongolian prime minister also stressed that neither Russia nor China were a threat to his country, despite particularly pronounced anti-Beijing sentiment among his compatriots. “We have two immediate neighbors and we are different in government system and in some values,” he said. “But those two neighbors understand our development path chosen by the people of Mongolia, and they do have respect for our development path even though we differ from their systems.”

Despite reforms, mining for EV metals in Congo exacts steep cost on workers

But Mongolia is keen to broaden its horizons. Oyun-Erdene touted his government’s efforts to overcome a difficult political environment, which the U.S. ambassador in Ulaanbaatar described in January as “capricious, non-transparent, unpredictable,” adding that “corrupt application of laws and regulations make Mongolia unattractive for investors and challenging for importers and exporters.”

An aggressive anti-corruption crackdown is underway. Meanwhile, new constitutional reforms expanded the legislature and reshaped elections along a mixed system of proportional representation seen in countries like Germany and New Zealand. These measures, Oyun-Erdene told me, would help improve governance and transparency, especially surrounding the lucrative mining industry. “In the past, we did have some mistakes,” he said, but “now we are improving the investment environment.”

The potential could be huge, given Mongolia’s rich bequest of minerals — including copper and uranium — and rare earths. “Demand for critical minerals including rare earth elements, lithium and cobalt are expected to surge by as much as 600 per cent over the coming decade,” noted the Financial Times. “Demand for copper is forecast to double to about 50 million tons annually by 2035. And if the world is to reach net zero emissions by 2050, annual investment in nuclear energy will also have to triple to about $125 billion over the coming five years, according to the [International Energy Agency].”

Oyun-Erdene sees his nation’s gross domestic product potentially tripling by the end of the next decade. The most significant illustration of its prospects may be the mammoth Oyu Tolgoi copper mine, which sits amid the vast Gobi Desert and is run by multinational conglomerate Rio Tinto with a minority stake controlled by the Mongolian government. The mine is positioned above one of the world’s largest reserves of copper and gold deposits and started underground production in March after years of wrangling between the company and Ulaanbaatar.

This surge in output is a start, but further efforts to curb graft and improve transparency and significant investment in infrastructure need to follow. Oyun-Erdene speaks hopefully of his nation’s resource blessing enabling the development of more high-end sectors of the supply chain; he has pitched Mongolia to Tesla chief executive Elon Musk for its ability both to contribute to the manufacture of electric vehicles as well as ventures into space.

“Mongolia should not just be a mining country. We have great potentials in other sectors, too,” Oyun-Erdene said. “There is a phrase that I like to say: ‘Mongolia is landlocked but not mind-locked.’”

By Ishaan Tharoor

Ishaan Tharoor is a foreign affairs columnist at The Washington Post, where he authors the Today's WorldView newsletter and column. In 2021, he won the Arthur Ross Media Award in Commentary from the American Academy of Diplomacy. He previously was a senior editor and correspondent at Time magazine, based first in Hong Kong and later in New York

In the first week of September, Pope Francis will be on a visit to Mongolia, a country sandwiched between Russia and China. It will be the first time that a pope sets foot on Mongol land. And, this papal visit will be full of geopolitical significance.

Diplomatic relations between the Catholic Church and the Mongols have a pluri-secular history. The first encounter between the two occurred in the 13th century, long before most nation-states existed.

In 1289 Pope Nicholas IV sent a first legate, Italian Franciscan missionary Friar John of Montecorvino, to the Great Khan of the Yuan dynasty. At the time, the dynasty covered a transcontinental empire, which included all of China and parts of Eastern Europe.

Montecorvino was able to formalize relationships between the two superpowers and re-establish Christianity in the Far East. In 1336, we see Toghun Temor, the last emperor of Yuan dynasty, sending an embassy to Pope Benedict XII based in Avignon, France.

Unfortunately, a few years later, the Black Death came. Over a few months, millions died and the world was reshaped. Yet, the Mongols and the Catholic Church survived. They were deeply impacted but they never disappeared. They continued to evolve, and their testimony remains alive today.

In other words, Pope Francis in Mongolia is not an absolute beginning. It is a reconnection with centuries of intercultural exchanges, marked by breakthroughs and setbacks, but filled with resilience that may help to address the difficulties of contemporary world affairs.

"This nation stands at the center of long-term Asian interests"

In Mongolia and with the Mongols, Pope Francis is walking with a great civilization for the sake of the Mongols and the rest of the world.

Today, Mongols have lost most of their territories. Their northern lands have been colonized by the Russians and their southern steppes by the Chinese. In China, a gigantic Inner Mongolia province still exists, and some Chinese politicians do not hesitate to claim sovereignty over the whole of Mongolia.

In the rest of Central Asia, a handful of sovereign states emerged. They share a long history with the Mongols and remained influenced by cultural and political traditions coming from the Great Khan. Whatever happens to the Mongols resonates with the rest of the region.

In the eyes of the West, Mongolia might be at the periphery of contemporary trading roads and maritime exchanges, but this nation stands at the center of long-term Asian interests.

When the Soviets collapsed, Mongols soon embraced the ideal of self-determination and democracy. For decades, their new state worked hard to build national autonomy and was able to succeed in building economic growth and secure harmonious relationships with powerful neighbors. Mongolia was a model for other Central Asian states.

But 30 years after the collapse of the Soviets, doubts about democratic ideals are growing. Mongolian elites are facing a crisis of confidence. The economic boom of the 2000s is gone. Urban migration pushed half of the nation to lose its ancestral lifestyle. Corruption and authoritarian temptations are growing.

In this context, it is most likely that Pope Francis will act as he did in Kazakhstan. During his visit in 2022, he did not hesitate to sermon with Kazakh elites. His point was not to support one political system over another. His goal was to question the ultimate values that a nation wants to defend and serve.

Francis will certainly talk again about the need for an inclusive political system able to cherish every single life, support justice and peace for all, and nurture natural resources.

"The Chinese regime is reluctant to improve its relations with the Holy See"

Unfortunately, Mongolian lands have long been treated as a site of selfish extraction. Either by the Russians during the Soviet Era or by the Chinese and Australians after 1990, Mongol territories have long been vandalized and abused.

The multi-secular wisdom of the Mongols has been silenced by the egoist interests of a few. Vast pastoral lands have been turned into gigantic mines. In central Asia, the massive extraction of natural resources is at the center of deep political interests, international relations, and ecological catastrophes.

Pope Francis is well aware of how Central Asia is vital for the ecology of our world. After the Amazon, it is the second lung of the earth. When the sky of the Mongols is no longer blue anymore and their steppes no longer green, our planet is in danger. Pope Francis is naturally expected to talk about the ecological challenges that Mongolia is facing.

Like in Kazakhstan, papal concerns about Russia and China will also be an important part of the visit. In 2022, Francis tried to meet with Xi Jinping in Nur-Sultan but the Chinese leader was too busy to meet with him. The Chinese regime is reluctant to improve its relations with the Holy See.

Sino-Vatican relations are historically low. But if China does not come to Rome, Francis invites himself in Mongolia and knocks at the door. Francis never gives up!

Similarly, Russia will be on the agenda. The war in Ukraine and the madness of Vladimir Putin cannot be ignored. This is a threat for the entire humankind. If papal calls for peace and justice are difficult to listen to, Pope Francis will not stop explaining them. Violence cannot be the solution.

With the Mongols who built a unique civilization, interconnected continents, and gathered centuries of wisdom, Pope Francis will invite all to not let the difficulties of our time overwhelm us. The ecological tragedies and political mistakes of the past should be a lesson for today.

BY: Michel Chambon

*The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial position of UCA News.

As of August 8, "Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC has sold 15 million tons of coal. The company reported that this figure is the highest sales in the company's history.

Last year, 11.5 million tons of coal were sold. Actually, the amount of coal that was sold during the whole year is fulfilled in half a year.

"Erdenes Tavantolgoi" JSC has paid MNT 1.5 trillion in taxes, payments, and fees to the state and local budgets in the first 8 months of this year.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Shannon Cowlin as its new Country Director for Mongolia. Ms. Cowlin will oversee ADB’s operations in Mongolia, including the implementation of the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for 2021–2024 to help the country continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and lay resilient foundations for inclusive and sustainable growth.

“ADB’s operations in Mongolia focus on three strategic priorities: inclusive social development and economic opportunity; climate-resilient infrastructure; and sustainable, green, and climate-conscious development,” said Ms. Cowlin. “I am looking forward to working with the government and other key partners in supporting these priority areas.”

Ms. Cowlin has over 24 years of professional experience, including more than 10 years in ADB. She has been leading energy and multidisciplinary climate change dialogue and projects. She has been based out of Mongolia Resident Mission since September 2021. A national of the United States (US), Ms. Cowlin holds a master’s degree in environmental health sciences and a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering sciences from the University of California, Berkeley in the United States. Prior to joining ADB, she was a manager at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the United States where she led US–India and South Asia regional energy collaboration on behalf of various US government and multilateral agencies.

Mongolia has been a member of ADB since 1991. To date, ADB has committed 357 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance totaling $3.7 billion to Mongolia. ADB’s assistance is aligned with Mongolia’s New Recovery Policy and Vision-2050.

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.

Source: ADB

XII International Congress of Mongolists is to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 9 to 14, 2023. The Congress is co-organized by the Office of the President of Mongolia, the Ministry of Education and Science, and the International Association for Mongol Studies. The central theme of the Congress is "Pax Mongolica and Historical Experience."

XII International Congress of Mongolists will have six sections:

Prehistory and History of Mongolia and the Mongols

Current Situation and Historical Development of Mongolian Language and Literature

Mongolian Society, Economy, Politics, and Legislation

Mongolia’s Relations with the Outside World

Mongolian Culture: Tradition and Innovation

Young Mongolists Conference

The organizers emphasized that the sections would examine the distinctive aspects of history, tradition, language, literature, society, economy, politics, relations with the outside world, and civilization of nomads.

The opening ceremony will be held at the State Palace on August 10, 2023. Mongolists with a Doctorate or higher degree are allowed to participate in the Congress.

The Congress will feature presentations from 307 Mongolists from over 20 countries, including the United States, the Republic of Korea, Great Britain, Kazakhstan, Canada, the Russian Federation, Poland, Türkiye, Hungary, Germany, China, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, the Czech Republic, Australia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Norway, Italy, and Denmark. Invitations to the Congress were sent to over 650 Mongolists from 36 countries between April 24 and May 15.

In addition to the main sections, the Congress will also host activities to support the young generation of Mongolists. This includes a conference for doctoral researchers, where 59 young Mongolists will present their work.

Academician S. Chuluun, Secretary-General of the International Association for Mongol Studies, said that the International Congress of Mongolists is the major conference that has been held every five years since 1959. On average 400 scholars from 30 countries participate in the Congress. The Congress is well recognized in the world for its number of participants, the breadth of its research, and its regularity.

With the financing of the Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, expansion and renovation of the Ulaanbaatar-Darkhan road and the construction of an additional two-lane road have been under construction since 2019.

The construction work funded by the Asian Development Bank has been completed and traffic has opened. As for the remaining two sets, the second set has performance of 72.27% and the fourth set has 66.5%. 275 people and 103 machines are operating on the road construction work.

The construction of an additional two-lane road financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development continues with completion of 60.2%.

In particular, the first set from the intersection of Western province to Kharmodot pass has performance of 77.1%, the second set from the back of the Kharmodot pass to Urikhan has performance of 54.2%, the third set from Urikhan to the Sumber intersection has performance of 53.1%, and the fourth set from the Sumber intersection to the Tsaidam valley is 53.4%, and the fifth section from Tsaidam valley to Darkhan intersection is 63.2%. Total of 548 people and 259 equipment are operating.

Four people died and hundreds of families were affected and suffered damages associated with the flooding in Ulaanbaatar from torrential rain on August 5.

According to the Mongolian National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring, 12 mm of rain fell in the areas of Jamsran Mountain, the territory of 21, 27, 29 khoroos /the smallest administrative unit/ of Bayanzurkh District, causing heavy flash flooding.

The emergency response began with rescue and displacing operations, cutting off damaged roads and passages, recovering the electricity supply, and distributing relief items.

Governor of the capital city and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar Sumyabazar Dolgorsuren informed that the city administration decided to provide apartments to the families of the deceased and furnished Mongol Gers to 16 families, who lost homes due to the flooding, financed from the Capital City Governor’s Reserve Fund.

Now flooding rescue and relief activities, including setting up relief centers, distribution of more relief items, disinfection of flooded areas, and restoring and strengthening damaged roads and bridges are underway. Over 1200 emergency officers and some 90 vehicles are working in the damaged areas.

A total of 250 cars have been affected by the three extreme events of flooding in Ulaanbaatar this summer times, as insurance companies reported.