Electronic waste from Kyrgyzstan to be recycled at plant in Mongolia www.24.kg

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to Mongolia Aibek Artykbaev took part in the official opening ceremony of a plant for sorting and recycling electronic waste in Mongolia. The press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.
According to it, the enterprise was created as part of joint cooperation between private companies of Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Japan with the support of JICA.
«In order to further implement the project, it is planned to establish systematic supplies of electronic waste from Kyrgyzstan for subsequent processing at the new plant. In 2024, representatives of Japanese and Mongolian companies visited Kyrgyzstan and conducted a preliminary assessment of the potential for the supply of electronic components for recycling,» the statement says.
At the initial stage of cooperation, the first batch of used computer circuit boards was purchased in Kyrgyzstan and exported to Mongolia.
«Implementation of the project represents an important contribution to the development of international cooperation in the field of environmentally friendly recycling of electronic waste and contributes to strengthening economic ties between Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Japan,» the Foreign Ministry reported.

Playtime Festival to Welcome 100,000 Attendees www.montsame.mn

The Playtime Festival 2025, which aspires to become one of Asia’s top five leading music festivals, will be held on July 3-6, 2025, at Playtime Field, Ulaanbaatar.
The 23rd Playtime Festival is preparing to host 100,000 attendees over four days, creating 3,000 temporary jobs and partnering with over 200 businesses. As a result, it is estimated to generate MNT 12 billion in added value to Ulaanbaatar's economy.
Regarding this year’s Festival, Natsagdorj Tserendorj, Founder of Playtime Festival, said, “This year is notable by the introduction of two important new technologies: QR-coded tickets and a cashless payment system using wristbands. These advancements offer numerous advantages, particularly in ensuring the safety of attendees. One of the common issues is the counterfeiting and illegal sale of tickets. The adoption of these technologies is a critical step in protecting our audience. Paying with wristbands will help prevent long queues and eliminate the risk of losing cash or bank cards. In addition, sanitation facilities have been upgraded, and camping areas are now free of charge, which is another benefit. Previously, young people had to travel back and forth to Ulaanbaatar, covering up to 100 kilometers. Instead, they can now come dressed warmly and stay comfortably on-site. This year, we are operating with the objective of delivering a genuine camping festival experience. We aim to offer each attendee a musical experience unlike anything they have encountered before.”
Last year, the Festival attracted 72,000 attendees and is aiming at becoming one of Asia’s top five music festivals by 2027. This year, performances will be delivered by 37 international and 67 domestic bands and artists across eight stages. Some notable international acts include:
Alcest (France) - Post-metal
Envy (Japan) - Post-hardcore
Jambinai (South Korea) - Post-rock
YHWH Nailgun (USA) - Alternative/Indie, Dance/Electronic, Rock
Balming Tiger (South Korea) - Hip-Hop/Rap
Megumi Acorda (Philippines) - Indie Pop
Selica Gel (South Korea) - Indie Rock
VVAS (Thailand) - Post-punk, Indie Rock
The Festival, held under the motto “Earth. Music. Art. Love,” is selling tickets through Shoppy.mn, with discounted prices available until July 3, 2025.

Chinese servicemen to take part in peacekeeping exercise in Mongolia www.akipress.com

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) detachment will set off for Mongolia in mid-June to participate in the "Khaan Quest-2025" multinational peacekeeping exercise, Xinhua reports with reference to a defense spokesperson.
The PLA detachment is at the invitation of Mongolia's Ministry of Defense, said Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference.
Jiang also announced that the 20th meeting of the Experts' Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations under the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) will be held in the city of Nanjing in Jiangsu Province, east China, from June 11 to 14.
The member states and observer states of the ADMM-Plus, as well as the United Nations and the ASEAN Secretariat will send representatives to the event, which aims to deepen military mutual trust and security cooperation among regional countries and enhance their capacities for peacekeeping operations, he said.

Jade Gas Holdings commissions Mongolia's first horizontal coal bed methane well www.akipress.com

 Jade Gas Holdings Limited (ASX:JGH) said it had become the first company to commission a horizontal coal bed methane (CBM) well in Mongolia.
The company has achieved a significant milestone by commencing production from its first two Coal Bed Methane (CBM) gas wells in Mongolia's South Gobi region.
Jade Gas Holdings is actively pursuing partnerships to commercialize its gas production, aiming to replace diesel fuel with natural gas for transportation and power generation, which could lead to early revenue opportunities.
The company operates in the energy sector, focusing on the exploration and production of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) gas. It is primarily engaged in developing gas resources in Mongolia, with a market focus on providing cleaner energy solutions to replace diesel fuel in transportation and power generation sectors.
"Jade continues to discuss these near-term commercialization opportunities with partners, focusing on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) opportunities for revenue generation," Jade added, a sentiment supported by company chief executive Dennis Morton.

Mongolian Mining Industry 2025 www.mondaq.com

Mongolia is in the heart of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt located between the East European, Siberian, North China, and Tarim cratons, and is considered the largest area of Phanerozoic continental crustal growth. Mongolia is a favorable environment for medium and long-term foreign direct investment (FDI) for its vast natural resources, wide agricultural potential, and its geographical location neighboring countries that are major Asian markets. In the first half of 2024, Mongolia's gross domestic product (GDP) reached MNT 37.4 trillion, reflecting a growth by 6.4 trillion MNT (20.8%) compare to the same period last year. The primary drivers of this growth were the mining sector, which saw a significant increase in added value of 3.8 trillion MNT, representing a 31.2% rise, services sector, which also experienced an increase in added value of 1.8 trillion MNT, marking a 20.0% upswing compared to the same period last year.
The Mongolian government is actively seeking foreign investment to maximize the exploitation of its abundant natural wealth and mineral resources. As illustrated in the diagram below, mining accounts for 83.9% of foreign direct investment as of 3rd quarter of 2024, while the remaining investments are distributed across trade, science, technical, and other sectors.
read more: https://www.mondaq.com/.../mongolian-mining-industry-2025

Mongolia adopts the standard employment contract templates www.ilo.org

The ILO provided technical support to the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Protection for the transition to the formality of informal workers and informal businesses in Mongolia. Under the project, ten (10) types of employment contracts have been developed according to the labour law of Mongolia. The standard templates were approved by the decree A/86 of the Minister for Family, Labour and Social Protection dated 26 December 2024.
A revision of the Labour Law was approved in 2021, which reflected the general principle that all forms of work should be treated equally, most notably introducing provisions that recognize the types of employment contracts, including non-standard forms. Some non-standard forms of employment are predominantly informal and tend to be over-represented in the informal economy.  
With the new templates applied, the use of verbal agreements between employees and employers will decrease.
1. Standard employment contract template for apprentice 
2. Standard employment contract template for intern 
3. Standard employment contract template for probationary employee
4. Standard employment contract template for special terms and conditions
5. Standard employment contract template for employee work from home
6. Standard employment contract template for remote work
7. Standard employment contract template between citizens
8. Standard employment contract template for assistant herder
9. Standard employment contract template for domestic workers
10. Standard employment contract template for part-time work
https://www.ilo.org/.../mongolia-adopts-standard...

Ex-Mongolia leader urges Japan lawmakers to end death penalty www.english.kyodonews.net

A former Mongolian president known for abolishing his country's death penalty urged Japanese lawmakers in a recent interview to take the same step despite the public's continued support for executions.
"If you are a good politician, (and) if there are some bad practices, you have to go ahead and change public opinion," said Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, who led the move to terminate capital punishment in Mongolia in 2017 after taking the post in 2009.
In Japan, 83.1 percent of people support the death penalty, saying the existence of the system is "unavoidable," according to a government survey conducted last year.
Elbegdorj suggested that to gain public understanding, the Japanese government should disclose more information about the death penalty to facilitate an "open debate" about it. The country has often been criticized for withholding details, including the criteria for its application and how it is decided when death row inmates will be executed.
The former leader said he had been "surprised" at the secrecy still surrounding the death penalty in Japan, which he compared to the situation he had found in Mongolia. When he became president, he decided he needed to stop "this madness," he said.
He described the death penalty as going against the spirit of democracy which respects human rights and the sanctity of life. He also noted that there is always the danger of taking the lives of people wrongly convicted.
"I think the death penalty is one issue where you have to exercise leadership," he told Kyodo News on May 20. "When people get more knowledge, more understanding, they usually appreciate (arguments for its abolition) after that."
While some argue capital punishment has a deterrent effect, it was not the case in Mongolia, Elbegdorj said, noting a decrease in violent crimes after the punishment was abolished. He noted that perpetrators might have sought to kill witnesses to avoid facing the death penalty.
Japan has not executed anyone since July 2022, possibly affected by the retrial and acquittal of Iwao Hakamata, an aging former inmate accused of a 1966 quadruple murder. It is a pause of rare length in recent years.
As of the end of 2024, 145 countries had abolished the death penalty in law or practice, according to human rights organization Amnesty International.
Regarding capital punishment, Japan is in "the same group" as North Korea, China and Iran, Elbegdorj said, adding that Japan will have a "better" relationship with Mongolia if it abandons the death penalty.
Calling his achievement of ending the practice his "legacy," Elbegdorji said, "Today, Japanese members of parliament, the prime minister, the justice minister can have that legacy."

Global shifts for strategic mining revenue growth highlighted www.ubpost.mn

Silver Gerege Discovered on the Territory of Mongolia for the First Time www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar resident J. Otgonjargal organized the transfer of the Silver Gerege, discovered at the “Ulaan Davaa” site in Bulgan soum, Bayan-Ulgii aimag, by local citizens A. Ansagan, Kh. Amanjol, and E. Amanbek in May 2024, into state ownership under relevant laws and regulations.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth of Mongolia awarded the citizens with certificates of merit in recognition of their initiative and contribution to preserving national cultural heritage. The Chinggis Khaan National Museum of Mongolia will display this historical artifact, calling for citizens to actively participate in the protection and preservation of our cultural heritage.
According to researchers, the Silver Gerege was written in Square Script during the period of the Mongol Empire, namely the Great Yuan Dynasty.
When transliterated into Latin, the scripture on the Silver Gerege reads “möngke tengri yin küčün dür qaɣan nere qutuɣtai boltuqai ken ülu buširegu aldaqu ükügü,” meaning, “Under the power of the Eternal Sky, May the Khaan's name be blessed, Whoever fails to revere Him shall blunder and perish.”
Additionally, six characters along the embossed perforation read “Emblem of Honor, Number 69”.
It is worth noting that, as of the present, only three artifacts similar to the Silver Gerege discovered in Mongolia are in collections in the Russian Federation and the United States, underscoring the need for further detailed study.

Rural residents to lead mortgage queue as urban applicants fall behind www.ubpost.mn

Two friends applied for a subsidized housing loan simultaneously, preparing the necessary documents together. However, while one received the loan in less than a month, the other has been waiting for nearly ten months since submitting his application. A bank employee explained, “According to the loan review period, citizens’ applications are processed in order. They have not reviewed your materials and have not discussed them at the loan committee meeting. On average, it takes six to 12 months to process an application, and in busy periods, it can take up to 24 months.” Frustrated by the delay, the young man, who hopes to secure a home before the arrival of a new family member and the end of his lease, simply shook his head, saying, “This is impossible”. Meanwhile, his friend has already moved into his apartment and settled in. He even offered his friend a chance to get a house through a short-term mortgage. However, the young man said he did not even consider accepting the offer, as he had his own plans and a clear intention to work and live in Ulaanbaatar. Left with limited options, he remains dependent on the bank’s overwhelmed waiting list, which holds thousands of pending applications.
The striking difference in the mortgage loan approval timelines between two friends underscores a growing divide in housing access policy across Mongolia, driven primarily by geographic location. One of the friends, a resident of Ulaanbaatar, has been waiting nearly a year for a subsidized housing loan without any substantial progress. Meanwhile, his friend, who resides in Darkhan-Uul Province, had his mortgage approved and processed within a matter of weeks. Despite submitting their applications around the same time and preparing similar documentation, the outcomes were vastly different.
The core reason behind this discrepancy lies in a policy shift that the government has begun to implement in earnest: offering preferential mortgage loan conditions that differ between urban and rural residents. Under this framework, citizens in provinces outside the capital, such as Darkhan-Uul, Orkhon and Selenge, are prioritized for mortgage financing, granted faster processing, and eligible for lower interest rates and reduced down payment requirements. In contrast, residents of Ulaanbaatar face longer waiting periods, stricter terms, and limited quotas due to rising demand and redirected funding.
This policy, though not new in concept, is now actively reshaping the apartment landscape. As part of a larger national strategy to decentralize Ulaanbaatar and stimulate development in rural areas, the government has embedded more detailed regulations into official mortgage loan agreements. These provisions seek to encourage migration away from the overcrowded capital, which continues to struggle with pollution, infrastructure strain, and housing shortages. 
The young man from Darkhan-Uul not only benefited from a more favorable loan environment but also tried to convince his friend to relocate. He painted a picture of a quieter, healthier life outside the capital, free from smog, noise and congestion. While the idea was tempting, his friend chose to stay in Ulaanbaatar, committed to his work, family plans and urban lifestyle. Unfortunately, this decision came with trade-offs: continued uncertainty, delays, and the real possibility of losing out on affordable homeownership. Their experience reflects a broader social dilemma now facing many young Mongolians. As government incentives for rural migration strengthen, more families will be confronted with a difficult choice: move to a province to access faster, cheaper housing, or remain in the capital and wait indefinitely under more competitive and constrained conditions.
Government Resolution No. 483 of 2023, titled “On Some Measures to Provide Apartments for Citizens”, alongside the Mongolian Regional Development Concept, introduced a preferential mortgage loan program aimed at promoting regional settlement and reducing congestion in Ulaanbaatar. Beginning two years ago, the policy began offering staggered interest rates to local residents. Specifically, it opened the door for citizens who move to rural areas, work in the civil service, and are purchasing their first home to access mortgage loans with a three percent interest rate. The remaining three percent of the standard six percent loan is subsidized by the state. Moreover, the usual 30 percent down payment requirement has been reduced to 12 percent. This means that a citizen who would have previously needed to pay 45 million MNT upfront now only pays 18 million MNT. This regulation remains in effect today.
However, the outcome of this policy, originally aimed at supporting rural communities, has significantly reduced the opportunity for urban residents to access mortgage loans. From 2013, when the concessional mortgage loan program was first implemented, until 2023, 20 to 25 percent of total mortgage financing was allocated to local governments, with the majority going to citizens in the capital. In contrast, over the past three years, a new policy has required at least 40 percent of the mortgage loan quota to go to local areas, reversing the distribution balance. This year alone, the central bank, commercial banks, and the Guarantee Fund have set aside over 600 billion MNT, roughly 45 percent of total financing, to be distributed to local governments. As a result, mortgage loan issuance in Ulaanbaatar has slowed considerably, leading to delays in application reviews and approvals. This shift has fueled public sentiment that “mortgage loan issuance has been delayed due to financing”, highlighting the growing disparity. While rural residents can now more easily access mortgages, capital residents face longer wait times, often stretching months or even years. To further this agenda, Mongol Bank is drafting revised regulations for commercial banks, mandating that at least 50 percent of mortgage financing be directed to rural areas, with plans to increase this share gradually. In addition, a new tiered interest rate system is expected to be introduced for Ulaanbaatar residents, distinguishing between those living in the city center and those in suburban districts.
Last spring, Governor of Mongol Bank B.Lkhagvasuren announced that mortgage interest rates would range from six to 14 percent, depending on the location and type of apartments. Around the same time, Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing J.Batsuuri stated that mortgage loans would primarily be directed toward the outskirts of the capital, particularly to projects such as the New Centennial City, now rebranded as Hunnu. These positions have since been formalized in the new regulatory framework. As part of the broader policy to develop ger areas and decentralize Ulaanbaatar, 50 percent of mortgage loans issued in the capital are now planned to be allocated to redevelopment zones, new settlements and satellite towns. In effect, loan access will be limited in the densely populated, central districts of the city, with priority given to suburban areas and ger areas.
This shift means that more than half of the total national mortgage financing will now be directed to rural regions, while the remaining portion will go to what are termed “urban rural areas”, or the outskirts and peripheral zones of the capital. As a result, opportunities for purchasing homes with mortgage loans in Ulaanbaatar’s central districts are becoming increasingly scarce. When asked which specific districts, redevelopment areas, and satellite towns will be prioritized under the new policy, the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing responded, “We do not know how our suggestions and recommendations were finally reflected in the mortgage loan regulations and contracts. Mongol Bank knows this.” The central bank, in turn, stated, “We will provide the public with objective and comprehensive information about this when we are ready to comply with the new regulations.”
The Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Security and the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing submitted a proposal to the central bank to introduce a four-tiered interest rate structure for mortgage loans, based on apartment size. According to an expert from the Housing Department’s Sector Development, Housing Policy and Regulation Division, the recommendation suggests setting the mortgage interest rate at six percent for apartments up to 60 square meters, and eight percent for those between 61 and 80 square meters, with corresponding amendments to existing regulations. Contrary to public speculation, loans will not be restricted solely to apartments of 50 to 60 square meters. Instead, these units would simply qualify for the lowest, or base, interest rate. The proposal also includes an interest rate of 10 percent for apartments up to 100 square meters, and 14 percent for those exceeding that size.
Although the need to differentiate subsidized mortgage loans based on citizens’ income levels and housing needs has been discussed for years, it has yet to be realized. This reform aims to change that. Data shows that access to mortgage loans remains disproportionately limited for low- and middle-income citizens. Of the 110,000 borrowers who have received preferential loans to date, only 40 percent are from middle- or low-income groups; the majority are high-income earners. “We are pursuing a policy to create more favorable and accessible conditions for middle-income and below-average income citizens, particularly first-time homebuyers living in suburban and rural areas,” the expert noted, emphasizing a shift in policy direction toward greater equity and inclusivity. 
To further strengthen the government’s efforts toward equitable housing access and regional development, the mortgage loan reforms are being integrated with newly introduced social and economic support frameworks. Programs like “My First Home” are designed specifically for first-time homebuyers, with a focus on young families and newly employed citizens, particularly in rural and suburban areas. “My Rental Apartment” aims to support those who are not yet ready to buy but need stable and affordable housing, while “My Primary Apartment” focuses on making permanent, quality housing more accessible through long-term ownership support. The “My Choice Local Area” and “My Choice Civil Servant” programs target regional migration and public sector workforce stability by offering preferential mortgage terms for those relocating to or working in rural provinces and small towns. These programs align closely with the government’s strategic goal of easing population pressure in Ulaanbaatar by encouraging voluntary relocation to satellite cities and underpopulated regions.
Mortgage loans under these programs are subject to revised eligibility and approval criteria that prioritize citizens with no previous homeownership, consistent employment, and long-term plans to reside in the target region. Importantly, these changes promote sustainability, requiring that financed housing meet green standards, including energy efficiency, modern insulation, seismic safety and reduced utility consumption.
In addition to adjusting interest rates and apartment size eligibility, the revised mortgage regulations also include new terms for down payments, loan periods, and credit scoring criteria. Special considerations are now being explored for single parents, citizens with disabilities, and young couples - groups that have traditionally faced higher barriers to entering the housing market. Despite the growing anticipation around these changes, a lack of clarity around timelines continues to raise concern. Commercial banks are awaiting final regulatory approval and official guidelines from Mongol Bank before updating their lending procedures. Until then, implementation remains in a transitional phase, with limited public awareness and confusion over current versus future loan conditions.
Meanwhile, housing developers are beginning to respond to the new policies by planning construction projects in compliance with green and resilient building standards. Some provinces have reported a rise in inquiries from citizens considering relocation, spurred by the promise of easier loan access and more favorable living conditions. Experts say that the success of this ambitious housing reform will hinge not only on its design but on its execution, particularly the fair allocation of funding, transparent communication of rules, and consistent coordination between ministries, banks, and local governments. If these elements are managed well, the reform could significantly reshape Mongolia’s housing landscape and offer new hope to tens of thousands of aspiring homeowners.