1 ZANDANSHATAR GOMBOJAV APPOINTED AS PRIME MINISTER OF MONGOLIA WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      2 WHAT MONGOLIA’S NEW PRIME MINISTER MEANS FOR ITS DEMOCRACY WWW.TIME.COM PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      3 ULAANBAATAR DIALOGUE SHOWS MONGOLIA’S FOREIGN POLICY CONTINUITY AMID POLITICAL UNREST WWW.THEDIPLOMAT.COM PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      4 THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF) IN MONGOLIA, THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR SUPPORTING THE BILLION TREES MOVEMENT, AND CREDITECH STM NBFI LLC HAVE JOINTLY LAUNCHED THE “ONE CHILD – ONE TREE” INITIATIVE WWW.BILLIONTREE.MN PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      5 NEW MONGOLIAN PM TAKES OFFICE AFTER CORRUPTION PROTESTS WWW.AFP.MN PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      6 GOLD, MINED BY ARTISANAL AND SMALL-SCALE MINERS OF MONGOLIA TO BE SUPPLIED TO INTERNATIONAL JEWELRY COMPANIES WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      7 AUSTRIA PUBLISHES SYNTHESIZED TEXTS OF TAX TREATIES WITH ICELAND, KAZAKHSTAN AND MONGOLIA AS IMPACTED BY BEPS MLI WWW.ORBITAX.COM  PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      8 THE UNITED STATES AND MONGOLIA OPEN THE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING IN ULAANBAATAR WWW.MN.USEMBASSY.GOV  PUBLISHED:2025/06/12      9 MONGOLIA'S 'DRAGON PRINCE' DINOSAUR WAS FORERUNNER OF T. REX WWW.REUTERS.COM PUBLISHED:2025/06/12      10 MONGOLIA’S PIVOT TO CENTRAL ASIA AND THE CAUCASUS: STRATEGIC REALIGNMENTS AND REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS WWW.CACIANALYST.ORG  PUBLISHED:2025/06/12      БӨӨРӨЛЖҮҮТИЙН ЦАХИЛГААН СТАНЦЫН II БЛОКИЙГ 12 ДУГААР САРД АШИГЛАЛТАД ОРУУЛНА WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/15     ОРОН СУУЦНЫ ҮНЭ 14.3 ХУВИАР ӨСЖЭЭ WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/15     МОНГОЛ УЛСЫН 34 ДЭХ ЕРӨНХИЙ САЙДААР Г.ЗАНДАНШАТАРЫГ ТОМИЛЛОО WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     SXCOAL: МОНГОЛЫН НҮҮРСНИЙ ЭКСПОРТ ЗАХ ЗЭЭЛИЙН ХҮНДРЭЛИЙН СҮҮДЭРТ ХУМИГДАЖ БАЙНА WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     МОНГОЛ БАНК: ТЭТГЭВРИЙН ЗЭЭЛД ТАВИХ ӨР ОРЛОГЫН ХАРЬЦААГ 50:50 БОЛГОЛОО WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     МОНГОЛ ДАХЬ НҮБ-ЫН ХҮҮХДИЙН САН, ТЭРБУМ МОД ҮНДЭСНИЙ ХӨДӨЛГӨӨНИЙГ ДЭМЖИХ САН, КРЕДИТЕХ СТМ ББСБ ХХК “ХҮҮХЭД БҮРД – НЭГ МОД” САНААЧИЛГЫГ ХАМТРАН ХЭРЭГЖҮҮЛНЭ WWW.BILLIONTREE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     ЕРӨНХИЙЛӨГЧИЙН ТАМГЫН ГАЗРЫН ДАРГААР А.ҮЙЛСТӨГӨЛДӨР АЖИЛЛАНА WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     34 ДЭХ ЕРӨНХИЙ САЙД Г.ЗАНДАНШАТАР ХЭРХЭН АЖИЛЛАНА ГЭЖ АМЛАВ? WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     “АНГЛИ ХЭЛНИЙ МЭРГЭШЛИЙН ТӨВ”-ИЙГ МУИС-Д НЭЭЛЭЭ WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     Г.ЗАНДАНШАТАР БАЯЛГИЙН САНГИЙН БОДЛОГЫГ ҮРГЭЛЖЛҮҮЛНЭ ГЭЖ АМЛАЛАА WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/12    

Events

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MBCC “Doing Business with Mongolia seminar and Christmas Receptiom” Dec 10. 2024 London UK MBCCI London UK Goodman LLC

NEWS

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Mongolia's central bank purchases 8.5 tons of gold in 7 months www.xinhuanet.com

Mongolia's central bank purchased a total of 8.5 tons of gold in the first seven months of this year from legal entities and individuals.
As of July, the Bank of Mongolia's average gold purchase price had been 215,352.28 Mongolian tugriks (62 U.S. dollars) per gram, the bank said in a statement on Monday.
Purchasing gold is one of the key ways for the central bank to ensure the country's economic stability by consistently increasing foreign currency reserves, said the bank.
Mongolia's foreign exchange reserves stood at 3.9 billion dollars in mid-June, according to the central bank.
The country's forex reserves stood at 4.9 billion dollars at the end of April 2021, hitting an all-time high.
The Bank of Mongolia aims to obtain at least 22 tons by the end of this year. It bought 22.9 tons of gold in 2022.
 
 
 
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Mongolia signs digital skills partnership with Google as landlocked nation seeks closer ties with US www.scmp.com

Google and the government of Mongolia have struck a new partnership to bring digital devices and training to Mongolian classrooms, as the East Asian country, sandwiched between China and Russia, seeks to strengthen ties with the US.
Under the plan, 20,000 new Chromebook laptops will be supplied to Mongolian teachers and provide training for 10,000 of them, promoting proficiency in the use of technology in classrooms, the Mongolian government said in a joint press release with the Californian company.
Google for Education is a “key partner” for Mongolia in its long-term development plan, which seeks to prepare the country’s school-age children for the digitally transforming world, it said.
“Through this initiative with Google, the life chances of Mongolia’s youth will not only improve, but our thriving start-up ecosystems and growth in high innovation sectors will be further supported,” said Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene.
Mongolians long for space in rapidly-urbanising capital Ulaanbaatar
Google will also provide the country with 1 million Google for Education Workspace accounts and 1,000 scholarships for Google Career Certificates to “upskill Mongolians in high-demand tech skills ranging from cybersecurity to data analytics”, John Solomon, vice-president at Google for Education and ChromeOS, said.
Google executives and Mongolian officials also discussed other collaborative opportunities that would incorporate Google for Start-ups, YouTube Local and artificial intelligence, according to their statement.
Oyun-Erdene signed the deal during an eventful trip to the US, where he also met with US Vice-President Kamala Harris, other senior government officials and private sector figures in Washington last week to discuss strengthening bilateral strategic partnerships.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, Mongolia and the US agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas including rare earth minerals, technology and energy. Both governments also hailed a new Open Skies Agreement that allows direct flights between the countries.
Mongolia holds a growing role in the global tech landscape, as it is rich in rare earth and copper deposits, which are crucial in the manufacturing of hi-tech products such as defence equipment and electric vehicles, which are part of many nations’ plans to address climate change.
Mongolia has cultivated partnerships with both the US and China this year. Landlocked Mongolia has long relied on its two massive neighbours, China and Russia, for most of its trade.
The country has a population of over 3 million, 65 per cent under the age of 35, making it ready to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the worldwide growth of the digital and technology sectors, according to the government.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently spoke with Oyun-Erdene over possible investments and cooperation in the electric vehicle sector. SpaceX, another company helmed by Musk and the operator of satellite internet system Starlink, received government approval last month to provide internet services in Mongolia.
In the past two years, Mongolia has moved up 18 places on the United Nations E-Government Development Index, which measures how a country is using information technologies to promote access and inclusion of its people. It currently ranks 74th.
BY Dylan Butts
Dylan is an American who graduated from the University of Hong Kong's Master of Journalism programme in 2022.
 
 
 
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Lightning kills 2 in western www.xinhuanet.com

Two girls aged 11 and 12 were killed and a boy aged 14 seriously injured due to lightning in western Mongolia, the country's National Emergency Management Agency said Sunday.
The incident happened in Tarialan soum (administrative subdivision) of Uvs province on Saturday evening, the emergency agency said, adding that the injured boy is now under treatment in a local hospital.
In the coming days, large parts of Mongolia, especially the central and eastern provinces, are expected to see torrential rains accompanied by lightning and thunder, the agency said, urging the public to take precautions.
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Mongolian Mutton Store in Dubai www.montsame.mn

The largest food shopping center in Dubai of the United Arab Emirates has started selling Mongolian mutton.
As part of the implementation of the goal to "increase meat exports" specified in the Action Program of the Government of Mongolia, Mongolian meat producers commenced supplying meat prepared by halal method in Mongolia to the UAE market from April 2023. In order to bring Mongolian mutton closer to consumers of the Emirates, a Mongolian mutton store has been opened in Dubai's largest food shopping center in August.
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US Eyeing ‘Creative Ways’ to Help Mongolia Export Rare Earths www.asiafinancial.com

The US and Mongolia have agreed to look at “creative ways” to help the landlocked, minerals-rich country export its rare earths metals to the world market.
Prime Minister L Oyun-Erdene said, after meeting US Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington this week, that Mongolia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, would deepen cooperation with the United States on mining rare earths and other minerals with high-tech applications.
On Friday, he met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and signed an “Open Skies” civil aviation agreement, and both sides pledged further economic cooperation.
A US State Department official briefing reporters said the national carrier MIAT Mongolian Airlines would be able to fly direct to an as-yet-undecided US airport by next year.
The two sides also discussed how to follow up on a memorandum of understanding signed in June by the State Department and Mongolia’s ministry of mining and heavy industry.
“The many discussions that we’ve had over the last few days were talking about specific areas where we can help Mongolia understand what it has, ways where it can extract it, and ways where it can produce it,” the official said.
“We certainly are eager to help the Mongolians find creative solutions by which it can help take more control over mining, exploring, extracting and producing critical minerals and rare earth elements.”
Asked about how to ensure that Mongolia could exporting such commodities without hindrance, the official said it was in a “tough geopolitical situation”, being landlocked. “So we talked about … very creative ways where we can get that … available to the market.”
Rare earths and copper are vital for high-tech applications, including defence equipment, and for US President Joe Biden’s efforts to electrify the auto market to help stave off climate change.
The United States is keen to secure sources beyond its main global rival, China, which last year accounted for more than 70% of world rare earth production.
BY: Sean O'Meara is an Editor at Asia Financial. He has been a newspaper man for more than 30 years, working at local, regional and national titles in the UK as a writer, sub-editor, page designer and print editor. A football, cricket and rugby fan, he has a particular interest in sports finance.
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Today’s youth present a new era of skyrunning. Spain and Mongolia triumph www.skyrunning.com

With 31 countries from five continents participating in the first race of the 2023 Youth Skyrunning World Championships, the competition, camaraderie, colours and burning lungs highlighted the event – for many their first attempt at a Vertical Kilometer® – and a medal.
With four categories and 75 medals at stake, Spanish star Ïu Net, 19, clinched the gold in his category and stopped the clock at 36’46”, the fastest time on the course today. The fastest woman was 16 year-old Ingeborg Syntnes from Norway in 46’39”, who beat all the other categories paving the way for a new skyrunning era. Both athletes took gold medals in the 2022 Youth Championships.
The surprises are far from finished. The first ever participant from new ISF Member Mongolia, Natsagdorj Luvansharav conquered the VERTICAL in the U23 and took a gold medal home.
It was a day of global results. The medal count saw Spain take nine medals; Japan and Italy three; Sweden and Germany two; and one each for Norway, USA, Switzerland and Chile.
Valeria Correa from Chile, who took three gold medals in the South American Skyrunning Championships earlier this year, won the first medal for her country in the Youth Championships, a silver. However, it was Caroline Ulrich from Switzerland who crushed the competition with an almost a three-minute lead, proving the stellar level of this edition.
Set in Italy’s Appenine mountains in Gran Sasso, the weekend’s calendar unfolds as follows:
August 4 – VERTICAL – 3.8 km long with 1,033m vertical climb
August 6 – SKY – 23 km long with 2,226m vertical climb
August 6 – SKY YOUTH A & B – 13 km long with 1,300m vertical climb
This seventh edition of the Youth Skyrunning World Championships represent the first occasion to carry out scientific research on young skyrunners. The aim of the study is to investigate hydration before competing and blood lactate accumulation after the VERTICAL. Results of the studies will be published in November.
Spain is currently leading the team ranking followed by Japan and UK, but the battle for the team title is still wide open.
Saturday will be dedicated to some well-earned rest with the VERTICAL medal award ceremony before Sunday’s two SKY races awarding also the COMBINED titles for the sum of the VERTICAL and the SKY results.
YOUTH A MEN
GOLD – Biel Sagués (ESP) 40’03”
SILVER – Kanji Kishimoto (JPN) 42’42”
BRONZE – Walter Silas (GER) 42’46”
YOUTH A WOMEN
GOLD – Ingeborg Syntnes Hole (NOR) 46’39”
SILVER – Riko Obata (JPN) 49’07”
BRONZE – Uma Plans (ESP) 50’28”
YOUTH B MEN
GOLD – Lluis Puigvert (ESP) 37’54”
SILVER – Coby Marvin (USA) 41’56”
BRONZE – Martino Utzeri (ITA) 43’27”
YOUTH B WOMEN
GOLD – Gabriela Lasalle (ESP) 47’36”
SILVER – Karen Kobayashi (JPN) 49’44”
BRONZE – Alice Maniezzo (ITA) 50’23”
YOUTH C MEN
GOLD – Iu Net Puig (ESP) 36’46”
SILVER – Jan Castillo (ESP) 38’43”
BRONZE – Finn Hösch (GER) 39’52”
YOUTH C WOMEN
GOLD – Carrodilla Cabestre (ESP) 47’42”
SILVER – Lisa Åkesson (SWE) 49’02”
BRONZE – Erika Åkesson (SWE) 49’45”
U23 MEN
GOLD – Natsagdorj Luvansharav (MNG) 37’28”
SILVER – Arnau Aranda (ESP) 37’42”
BRONZE – Gianluca Ghiano (ITA) 39’22”
U23 WOMEN
GOLD – Caroline Ulrich (SUI) 47’57”
SILVER – Valeria Correa (CHI) 50’52”
BRONZE – Nuria Tarragó (ESP) 51’03”
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We’re ‘landlocked but not mindlocked’ Mongolian PM tells US on visit to Washington DC www.intellinews.com

“Mongolia is landlocked but not mindlocked,” remarked Mongolian Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene as he visited Washington DC this week and met with US Vice President Kamala Harris.
Oyun-Erdene appeared very eager to work with the Americans on a wide range of issues and expressed gratitude for the expansion of educational exchanges and the sending of additional US teachers to Mongolia as part of the Strategic Third Neighbour Partnership between the two nations.
Speaking at the White House stood alongside Harris, he said: “In the 1990s, the people of Mongolia voted for democracy and the market economy and we are very proud that the Americans regard us as an oasis of democracy. For us, the United States is not only our strategic third neighbour, but also the guiding North Star for our democratic journey.”
During the visit, the US and Mongolia pledged closer economic engagement and the strengthening of cooperation in the areas of security, outer space and critical minerals, including rare earth elements (REEs). Amongst various other agreements, they entered into an "Open Skies" civil aviation accord, with direct Mongolia-US flights to commence next year.
Oyun-Erdene was set to follow up his visit to Washington with a tour of Nasa, while he also mentioned that he was planning another trip to the US, during which he intended to hold discussions with business magnate and investor Elon Musk in California. The discussions would likely focus on potential investment and collaboration opportunities with Tesla in the realm of electric vehicles (EVs) and Space X in space exploration.
Ulaanbaatar has already authorised Space X to provide internet services in Mongolia. Musk, meanwhile, has expressed an interest in facilitating a manned mission to Mars, and Mongolia wants to help.
Mongolia’s Gobi Desert has an environment very similar to that of Mars, with its ferrous, reddish soil and big temperature swings, from +45C during the day to -45C at night. Mars V, a Mongolian company, headed by Erdenebold Sukhbaatar, plans to build a Mars analogue training centre in the desert. It is hoped that cooperation with the Americans could make Mongolia an integral player in the space travel industry. The Mars analogue would be open to space programmes from around the world.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III also met with the Mongolian PM for a discussion on security cooperation between the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) and the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF).
Last month, Mongolia hosted the Americans in a joint training exercise dubbed Khaan Quest. The MAF have also sent soldiers to international peacekeeping operations, in which they served alongside American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. More military education and training, as well as equipment, will now be provided to MAF by the US.
Mongolia’s relationship with the United States is critical to Ulaanbaatar, given that the country is encircled by two big power neighbours, Russia and China. Generally, Mongolian people distrust China, while the older generation has a bit of nostalgia for the days of closer ties with Russia.
Economically, Mongolia is extremely dependent on China. That often makes it difficult for Mongolia to resist Beijing’s influence.
Historically, Mongolian leaders have managed to balance relations with Moscow with closeness to China, and vice versa, preserving their nation’s integrity. At the same time, Mongolia is always looking to strengthen relations with “third neighbours” such as the US, Japan, South Korea and India, as a way of offsetting Chinese and Russian influence.
Ulaanbaatar often refers to the US as an “important strategic third neighbour”. It signed a strategic partnership with Washington back in 2019.
The war in Ukraine has put Mongolia in a difficult position. With respect to relations with Beijing and Moscow, Mongolia and the Central Asian republics have not condemned the war. But the conflict has caused a marked shift across the region, away from Russia and towards China, as the former Soviet satellites do not wish to in anyway become regarded as a possible next point of Russian expansion.
While toeing the line between China and Moscow, Mongolia is also being careful not to damage its relationship with the US or other third neighbours. The meeting between Harris and Oyun-Erdene comes at a time when Mongolia wants and needs to intensify its third-neighbour relations, particularly with the United States.
On the US side, the meeting is fortuitous because Washington does not want China’s growing influence to squeeze the US out of Mongolia and the wider region. Furthermore, Mongolia is the perfect geographic location from which to monitor both Beijing and Moscow.
In June, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on securing reliable mineral supply chains. On the agenda this time was cooperation on rare earth minerals, which play a vital role in national security. Such critical raw materials (CRM) are required for the manufacturing of advanced weaponry, space applications and computer chips. They are also crucial to achieving climate goals as they are needed for the production of electric cars, wind turbines and solar panels.
Currently, China, which possesses 36% of the world’s rare earth minerals, controls over 70% of the world's REE extractive capacity, as well as 90% of processing capacity. Mongolia has 61.4mn tonnes of copper and 3.1mn tonnes of rare-earth minerals, access to which could decrease US rare-earth dependence on China.
Given that Mongolia is landlocked, it is difficult for the country to export anything by rail or road without Russia or China’s agreement. Seeking a mitigation strategy, a source at the US State Department told Reuters that the US was exploring “very creative ways” that would enable Mongolia to get its extracted rare earth minerals to world markets beyond Russia and China.
Oyun-Erdene also met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss enhancing democratic values. Mongolia is often talked of as an island of democracy as Russia and China are, effectively, single-party autocracies, while the nearby Central Asian “Stans” have low-quality democracies.
Supporting democracy is talked of by diplomats as the essential path via which the US can forge closer ties to Mongolia. And for that democracy to be free and meaningful, the US must help Mongolia develop economically, so that it will be less beholden to Russia and China.
By Antonio Graceffo in Washington DC
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Flood death toll rises to 4 in Mongolian capital www.inform.kz

Two more deaths related to a flash flood that hit Mongolia's capital on Saturday evening have raised the death toll to four, the country's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said Sunday, Kazinform cites Xinhua.
«Unfortunately, we found that a 10-month-old child and a teenager lost their lives in the flood in Bayanzurkh District, one of the two hardest-hit districts in Ulan Bator,» the NEMA said in a statement.
In addition, homes of at least 97 families, around 120 vehicles, hundreds of fences and several infrastructure facilities such as power lines and roads have been flooded in the city, the emergency agency said.
The central and eastern parts of the Asian country, including the capital city, are expected to see more rain in the coming days, the agency said, warning the public to take precautions.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Representatives from 28 Political Parties of Asia to Convene in Ulaanbaatar www.montsame.mn

The 6th Meeting of the ICAPP Youth Wing and the 7th Meeting of the ICAPP Women’s Wing of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) is to take place in Ulaanbaatar on August 4-7.
The 6th Meeting of the ICAPP Youth Wing will be held under the theme “Youth Participation in Social Dialogue for Social and Economic Progress After the Pandemic” while the theme of the 7th Meeting of the ICAPP Women’s Wing will be “Supporting Women’s Leadership for Making the Post-pandemic Revival Gender Sensitive”. In other words, issues on ways to increase youth and women’s participation in politics, and possibilities of economic support to women and youth after the pandemic will be the main topics of the meeting discussions and the meeting gives opportunity to the participants to learn from experiences of political parties of other countries.
Representatives of 28 political parties from 21 countries have arrived in Mongolia to participate in the meeting, which was postponed twice due to the pandemic. Besides representatives from Asian countries such as Russia, China, South Korea, Turkiye, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iraq, Georgia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Bangladesh, political parties’ representatives of Ghana from Africa, and Spain from Europe came to take part in the Meeting.
ICAPP was launched in Manila, Philippines in September 2000 to promote exchanges and cooperation among political parties with various ideologies in Asia and Oceania. As of 2018, more than 350 political parties from 52 countries in the region have joined the ICAPP. As political parties join the ICAPP regardless of their political and ideological backgrounds, the Mongolian People's Party (MPRP), Democratic Party, and HUN Party are the members from Mongolia. The Mongolian People's Party has been actively participating in the ICAPP activities since 2004 and was elected and has been working as a member of the Standing Committee since 2013.
Park Ro-byug, Secretary General of the ICAPP visited Mongolia in June 2019. During the visit, he met with MPRP Secretary General D. Amarbayasgalan, where the MPRP General Secretary made the initiative to organize the 6th Meeting of the ICAPP Youth Wing and 7th Meeting of the ICAPP Women’s Wing in Ulaanbaatar. The initiative was approved by the ICAPP Standing Committee at its 33rd meeting held in Malaysia on December 13, 2019.
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Marie Favereau: Research is a constant endeavor, and it feels like this is just the beginning www.montsame.mn

In our latest exclusive, we sit down with Marie Favereau, an Associate Professor of History at the Paris Nanterre University. Favereau has recently penned a riveting new book entitled "The Horde: How the Mongols Changed the World"
“The Horde was neither a conventional empire nor a dynastic state, even less a nation-state...” The opening line of "The Horde: How the Mongols Changed the World" by Marie Favereau is the source of this intriguing quote. You might be pondering, "what exactly is a Horde?" Favereau provides an enlightening explanation: “It was a great nomadic regime born from the Mongol expansion of the thirteenth century, an equestrian regime that became so powerful it ruled virtually all of today’s Russia, including western Siberia, for almost three centuries.”
Marie Favereau is an associate professor of History at Paris Nanterre University, member of the French Institute for Oriental Archaeology, and member of the major project "Nomadic Empire” (https://nomadicempires.history. ox.ac.uk/) at the University of Oxford.
With an engaging narrative and meticulous research, "The Horde" by Marie Favereau presents an intriguing exploration of the Mongol Empire. The book, filled with compelling details and captivating insights, tells the story of the Mongols and their transformative influence on global history.
Contextually, the roots of the Golden Horde lie in the events following Zuchi's passing in the 1240s. His descendants, warriors, and their kin began a journey to an area between the Volga- Urals and the Black Sea, known for its mild climate. Here, a unique Mongol state, separate from the original Mongol Empire, was born. The initial steps involved setting up an administrative structure. The Mongols, steadfastly adhering to their cultural customs, firmly established themselves in this newly acquired territory, forsaking any aspirations of returning. Over three decades, the population exploded from a humble few thousand to numerous hundreds of thousands, aiding the creation of a sophisticated social structure aimed at building an autonomous empire. When visualized on a modern map, the scope of the Golden Horde would cover the lands of Ukraine, Bulgaria, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Russia, including Tatarstan and Crimea.
Favereau's book is not just a historical account but also an investigative masterpiece that delves into the heart of the Mongol Empire. It takes readers on a vivid journey across the vast landscapes of Asia and Europe, painting a vibrant picture of the world as it was under the rule of the Golden Horde. The book unfolds the might and majesty of the Mongol Empire, which propelled a new era of trade, diplomacy, cultural exchange, and warfare.
"The Horde" challenges conventional perceptions about the Mongols, often depicted as savage conquerors. Instead, it introduces readers to their sophisticated political and economic systems, progressive policies, and tolerance towards different cultures and religions. Favereau's book showcases how the Golden Horde was instrumental in shaping geopolitical boundaries, influencing trade routes, and fostering cultural exchanges between East and West. It emphasizes that the Mongols were not just ruthless warriors but also skilled administrators and shrewd diplomats.
Beyond being a comprehensive historical narrative, "The Horde: How the Mongols Changed the World" is a meticulous study that combines archival sources with modern scholarly research. It unravels the complexity of the Mongol Empire and its lasting impact on world history. The book is a must-read for history buffs and anyone interested in understanding how a nomadic tribe from the steppes of Mongolia established one of the largest empires in history.
Marie Favereau's book serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Mongol Empire and its Golden Horde. It reminds us that history is not merely about dates and events but also about understanding complex socio-political dynamics that shape our present world. It imparts valuable lessons about leadership, tolerance, diplomacy, and resilience that are as relevant today as they were during the reign of the Mongols. So, whether you are an avid historian or a casual reader looking to venture into world history, "The Horde: How the Mongols Changed the World" promises an enlightening and captivating journey.
Interview with Marie Favereau
-As a researcher of the Golden Horde and the Mongol Empire, could you delve deeper into the core aspects of your research?
-My research is concentrated on the exploration of the Mongol Empire, with unique emphasis on the Golden Horde. These subject piques my interest due to the transformative impact the Mongols had when they founded the Golden Horde. They implemented their distinct governance style, worldviews, language, culture, commerce, communication methods, and religion. In essence, they transferred the nomadic lifestyle, a hallmark of Mongolia, to Europe. The transmission of this extraordinary nomadic culture to Europe via the Mongols is a captivating feature that I find singularly appealing.
The cultural effect and additional values that the Mongols transported to Europe lingered for three hundred years and acted as the basis for further advancement within the Golden Horde. With this understanding, I have chosen to compose a book that delves into this subject.
It's prevalent, particularly in Europe, to concentrate on the historical narrative of the rise and fall of the Mongol Empire. Nevertheless, my research highlights the Golden Horde-an influential state born from the extension of the Mongol Empire. This state endured across Eurasia for 300 years and its legacy had a considerable influence in the formation of contemporary governing structures, aiding in the progression of history and culture, and the establishment of specific territories and boundaries. My aim is to share these discoveries grounded on factual proof.
-How did the influence of the Mongol Empire and the Golden Horde shape the XVI century and contribute to transformative global discoveries, ultimately shaping the modern world?
-The Mongol Empire, which existed from the XIII to the XV centuries, holds a significant place in world history. As historical events unfold, one period often influences the next. Therefore, the Mongol Empire's impact during the XIII-XV centuries naturally extended into the XVI century. It was during this time that the Renaissance emerged in Europe. The Renaissance, a period of great cultural and intellectual development, played a crucial role in shaping the world we inhabit today. Hence, the gradual progression of historical stages, including the Mongol Empire, the XVI century influence, and the Renaissance, paved the way for the new era we find ourselves in today.
The Mongols' profound influence on European society is a key factor in the advent of the Renaissance. They introduced novel systems of organization, traditions, culture, language, and religion, all of which had considerable impact on Europeans. This influence incited an era of intellectual curiosity and openmindedness within the region. Europeans started to prioritize education and knowledge, laying the groundwork for future ambitions and objectives. Absent the knowledge, free trade, and diverse viewpoints brought by the Mongols, it's debatable whether the Renaissance or any subsequent new age would have come into existence. I have underscored the importance of this historical link in my book, amplifying the notion that the Mongols' powerful influence is at the root of contemporary European development.
-Could you elaborate on the primary motivations and strategic objectives behind the Mongol invasions?
-Within the realm of Russian historical studies, Mongolians have frequently been depicted as barbaric intruders and destroyers. This perspective has long formed the basis of the historical account of Mongol invasions. Nonetheless, I argue that this interpretation is not accurate. The underlying objective of the Mongol invasions was not to annihilate or demolish. Rather, the Mongols intended to implement a centralized governance and control over their nomadic populace, thereby instating order globally and creating a secure, efficient framework for international relations, economy, and commerce. The emergence of the Golden Horde state is attributed to this policy.
Throughout both the Mongol Empire's invasion and the Golden Horde's reign, the Mongols did not adopt a strategy of expansion and domination through destruction and slaughter. Instead, the Mongols, upon establishing order in the countries they sub[1]jugated, aimed to bring together diverse populations of varying ethnicities, cultures, and religions. They accorded respect and recognition to the fundamental culture and religion of the conquered territories, permitting the inhabitants to go on with their lives unimpeded. Trade engagements were carried out without unnecessary hurdles.
This strategy of preserving order, honoring a multitude of cultures and religions, and facilitating unhindered trade has resulted in the term "Pax Mongolica" being associated with this era in global history. This term embodies the relative peace and stability that existed under Mongol dominion, promoting interconnectivity and affluence across various regions.
-Reflecting on the intriguing timeline of the Golden Horde, which remarkably outlasted even the Mongol Empire by clocking in three centuries of existence–what do you think were the key factors or strategies that contributed to its longevity?
-In my view, the extraordinary length of the Golden Horde's reign, exceeding 300 years, can be attributed to two primary factors. The first pertains to the establishment of robust mutual trade and economic networks during the rule of Zuchi, which was integral to their enduring presence. The strategic geopolitical positioning served as a crucial bridge between Europe and Asia and linked the South to the North. The Golden Horde's strategy of intertwining diplomacy with commerce and market systems had a significant impact on its sustained existence.
The second factor is the inclusive and unbiased diplomatic approach the Golden Horde utilized towards regions under its rule and neighboring territories. It did not discriminate based on nationality, ethnicity, or faith. Indeed, the Horde incorporated a diverse populace of Christians and Muslims. The policy of the Golden Horde to accept anyone who pledged loyalty to it acted as a magnet that attracted and unified a multitude of peoples and nations, encouraging expansion and progress. These combined aspects facilitated the Golden Horde's survival for over three centuries.
-Can you elucidate on the key factors that precipitated the downfall of the Golden Horde?
-The decline and disintegration of the Golden Horde can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the Mongol Empire's highly interconnected trade and diplomacy with the rest of the world played a significant role. However, during the second part of the 14th century, a devastating plague pandemic occurred, affecting the Golden Horde's main trade partners and resulting in a significant loss of life. Although the Mongols themselves suffered from the plague to a lesser extent due to their nomadic lifestyle, their trade partners, upon whom they relied heavily, were greatly affected.
The rise of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century further contributed to the Golden Horde's decline. The Ottomans gained control over the Black Sea, a crucial gateway connecting the Golden Horde to Europe, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean area. By blocking the Black Sea, the Ottomans disrupted the Golden Horde's trade routes and hampered their economic activities.
Furthermore, the decline of the Mongol Empire, including the collapse of the Yuan Dynasty and the Il khans, had a profound impact on the Golden Horde. The diminishing connections between regions due to the contraction of the Mongol Empire disrupted the social space of the Golden Horde, making it increasingly difficult to maintain trade and diplomatic relations.
The decline of their empire also led to a loss of connections through means such as marriage, which previously facilitated exchanges between the East and the West.
In summary, the decline and disintegration of the Golden Horde can be attributed to multiple interconnected factors. These and their control over the Black Sea, the decline of the Mongol Empire and the disruption of connections with other regions, and the overall decline in trade and economic relations due to external pressures. These challenges forced the Golden Horde to adapt and ultimately contributed to their decline as an influential power.
-In the intricate task of defining the Empire, what obstacles did you grapple with? How did your involvement with the 'Nomadic Empire” project and the intellectual exchange with scholars at Oxford University catalyze in overcoming these challenges?
-Before I began my research on the Mongol Empire, I had already published books, particularly on the history of Egypt, relationship between the Mamluks, the Sultanate in Egypt and Syria. However, I had a strong desire to write a book specifically about the Mongol Empire and the Golden Horde, catering to the needs of students who would benefit from a handbook.
The challenge arose when I tried to define this unique empire to others, including colleagues focused on Western topics. They would question and argue that the definition did not fit the conventional definition of an empire. The organization and structure were different, making it dif­ficult to convince them. However, while at Oxford, I had the fortune of meeting scholars who were experts in the study of nomadic powers. One academic, whose area of expertise was American Indians, brought to light the existence of a noteworthy empire in 19th century America – the Comanche Empire. This comparison led us to recognize that the problem was rooted in the interpretation of an empire derived from studies on the Roman Empire or stationary agricultural empires. We were dealing with an entirely different form of power, prompting us to abandon the conventional definition in favor of our own.
Hence, I decided to maintain the term "Horde" in my work, as it holds great importance in highlighting the distinct nature of this nomadic power, without any equivalent in the Western context. Oxford played a crucial role in deepening my understanding and providing substantial support throughout the writing process of this book.
-What are the main areas of interest in your ongoing research and what are your objectives within those areas?
-“Research is a constant endeavor, and it feels like this is just the beginning.”
Firstly, I’m interested in investigating the link between the Golden Horde and the Mongol Empire. Secondly, while Chinese researchers are delving into the history of the Yuan Dynasty and Russian researchers are examining the Russian Empire, I hope to bridge the gap between these researchers and foster a collaborative research community that amalgamates ideas and promotes a unified approach to individual studies. For instance, this collaboration could provide insights into the connections between the histories of the Yuan Dynasty, the Russian Empire, and the Golden Horde.
Thirdly, I've been gathering information from Turkish archives that stretch back to the Golden Horde's era. I'm curious to find out if the terminology associated with the Golden Horde corresponds to the Mongolian language of that period. This requires a thorough analysis of which words correlate and which do not, as well as understanding the reasons for these discrepancies. Presenting these findings accurately in the context of world history is a formidable challenge.
Lastly, I plan to extend my research on the long-lasting impact of the Mongol Empire and the Golden Horde. My study focuses on the historical examination of the Mongol Empire with a specific emphasis on the Golden Horde. Consequently, it encompasses not only an exploration of the Mongol Empire and the Golden Horde but also an investigation into the broader history of the Mongols.
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In conclusion, she stressed that her main goal in undertaking historical research is to enhance public understanding that history is more than just written records destined for oblivion. Rather, she views history as a continuous link connecting the past, present, and future. Indeed, history acts as the essential strand that intertwines the stories of the past, present, and future. As a result, she spoke of her commitment to in-depth investigation of the significant inf­luence of history on people's lives, both now and in times to come.
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