President Khurelsukh Arrives in Belarus for State Visit www.montsame.mn

At the invitation of President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko, President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa has arrived in Minsk for a State Visit to the country.

Upon arrival at Minsk National Airport, the President was welcomed by Minister of Industry of Belarus Andrei Kuznetsov, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lukashevich, Ambassador of Belarus to Mongolia Mikhail Orda, Ambassador of Mongolia to Belarus Baigalmaa Gunaajav, and other officials.

This marks the first visit by a Mongolian Head of State to the Republic of Belarus.

During the visit, the two Heads of State will hold a one-on-one meeting and official talks, followed by a joint press statement.

The two sides will sign cooperation agreements aimed at expanding traditional friendly relations and bilateral cooperation in agriculture, light industry, customs, accreditation, education, healthcare, sports, and communications.

Diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Belarus were established on January 24, 1992, and the Belarusian Head of State paid his first visit to Mongolia in 2024.

Mongolia, Finland Sign 10 Documents to Strengthen Bilateral Relations and Cooperation www.montsame.mn

During the State Visit of the President of Mongolia to Finland, the two sides signed 10 documents on October 23, 2026, aimed at expanding and strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation.

Cooperation in Education and Sports

-A Joint Declaration between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Republic of Finland on Cooperation in Education and Sports was signed by Enkh-Amgalan Luvsantseren, Mongolia’s Minister of Education, and Anders Adlercreutz, Finland’s Minister of Education.

Under the declaration, the two sides will cooperate in developing education, physical education and sports, as well as formulating and implementing policies and programs to promote physical activity among the population. The declaration establishes key areas for bilateral cooperation in education and sports, supports stronger institutional ties and the exchange of experience, and provides a foundation for further mutually beneficial cooperation.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education of Mongolia and the University of Turku of Finland was signed by Minister Enkh-Amgalan Luvsantseren and Professor Marjo Kaartinen, Rector of the University of Turku.

-An Agreement on Cooperation in Higher Education between the Ministry of Education of Mongolia and the University of Eastern Finland was signed by Minister Enkh-Amgalan Luvsantseren and Professor Laura Hirsto, Vice Rector for Education at the University of Eastern Finland.

Under these agreements, students selected through the Mongolian President’s Scholarship Program will have the opportunity to study at the University of Turku and the University of Eastern Finland. The University of Eastern Finland will admit up to five Mongolian students annually to bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, with opportunities facilitated through the Ministry of Education and the Education Loan Fund.

The parties will also conduct joint research in learning sciences, neuroscience, holistic child development, educational data analytics, and the evaluation of curriculum implementation.

In addition, the Mongolian National University of Education and the National Institute for Educational Research will cooperate with the Finnish universities to reform teacher education and strengthen institutional capacity.

Cooperation in Culture and Museums

-A Memorandum of Understanding between the Chinggis Khaan National Museum of Mongolia and the National Museum of Finland was signed by academician Sampildondov Chuluun, Director General of the National Museum of Chinggis Khaan, and Elina Anttila, Director General of the National Museum of Finland.

Under the memorandum, the two museums will cooperate in museum operations, collections, academic activities and research, and jointly organize international academic conferences, training sessions, seminars and forums.

The official partnership will create opportunities for jointly curated exhibitions in Ulaanbaatar and Helsinki, with potential to expand cooperation across the wider region.

Mongolia’s nomadic heritage, including equestrian culture, felt craftsmanship and the legacy of the Mongol Empire, is expected to attract considerable interest among audiences in Scandinavia and Europe. Meanwhile, exhibitions on Finland’s prehistoric peoples, Arctic lifestyles and Finno-Ugric cultures will offer Mongolian audiences a unique opportunity to explore the civilizations and cultural heritage of Northern Europe.

Digital Education and Anti-Bullying Initiatives

-A Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education of Mongolia and Eduten Ltd. of Finland was signed by Enkhbayar Baatartsol, Director of the Department of Foreign Relations at Mongolia’s Ministry of Education, and Henri Muurimaa, Chief Executive Officer of Eduten Ltd.

The agreement will create opportunities to introduce and expand Eduten’s digital learning platform, developed by a University of Turku spin-off and powered by artificial intelligence and learning analytics, across primary, lower secondary and upper secondary classes in general education schools throughout Mongolia.

-A Memorandum of Understanding on the Introduction of the KiVa Anti-Bullying Program in Mongolia, between the Ministry of Education of Mongolia, NGO “Zurkh Setgeliin Bolovsrol” (Social Emotional Learning-SEL) and the University of Turku of Finland, was signed by Enkhbayar Baatartsol, Director of the Department of Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Education; Altansor Tsogtkhuu, Director of the Q Education Group; and Professor Marjo Kaartinen, Rector of the University of Turku.

The memorandum will pave the way for the introduction, piloting and wider implementation in Mongolian general education schools of the internationally recognized KiVa anti-bullying program, developed jointly by the University of Turku and Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture.

Regional Cooperation Between Khuvsgul Aimag and Lapland

-A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between Mongolia’s Khuvsgul aimag and Finland’s Lapland Region was signed by Munkh-Ulzii Tserendorj, Mongolia’s Ambassador to Finland, and Hannu Takkula, Regional Governor of Lapland.

Under the memorandum, the parties will exchange knowledge and best practices to promote sustainable regional development in both countries. Priority areas will include reindeer husbandry, sustainable tourism, winter tourism and environmental conservation.

Strengthening Business and Trade Ties

-A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) and the Finland Chamber of Commerce was signed by Lkhagvajav Baatarjav, President of the MNCCI, and Juho Romakkaniemi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Finland Chamber of Commerce.

Under the memorandum, the parties will exchange information on trade, investment and market opportunities, and jointly organize business delegations, trade missions, business forums, exhibitions and trade fairs.

They will also facilitate business matchmaking between companies from the two countries and support the development of commercial partnerships in sectors of mutual interest.

The memorandum is expected to strengthen direct ties and partnerships between private-sector organizations and businesses in Mongolia and Finland, while further expanding bilateral business cooperation.

Cooperation in Sustainable Construction

-A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between Honka Log Home LLC and Honkarakenne was signed by Enkhbayar Badia, Director of Honka Log Home LLC, and Magnus Hindström, Chief Executive Officer of Honkarakenne.

Building on 20 years of cooperation in Mongolia, the parties will expand their partnership to develop Finnish log-building solutions that promote healthy and safe living environments and improve energy efficiency.

They will also work to increase the use of natural materials in residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, tourism facilities and public infrastructure projects. Cooperation will include the exchange of technical knowledge and experience in architectural design, construction, operation and maintenance.

Cooperation in Clean Energy and Thermal Energy Storage

-A Memorandum of Understanding between Bichura Energy LLC and Polar Night Energy was signed by Erdenedorj Batbayar, Chief Executive Officer of Bichura Energy LLC, and Markku Ylönen, Chief Technology Officer of Polar Night Energy.

Under the memorandum, the parties will explore opportunities to introduce thermal energy storage technology in Mongolia. Their cooperation will focus on reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency and security, increasing the use of renewable energy, and developing industrial and district heating solutions.

The memorandum is expected to support Mongolia’s energy transition, strengthen energy security and expand technological, innovative and commercial cooperation between the two countries in the clean energy sector.

President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa Welcomed by President of Finland Alexander Stubb www.montsame.mn

President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa is paying a State Visit to the Republic of Finland on October 22-24 at the invitation of Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

President Khurelsukh was officially welcomed by Finnish President Alexander Stubb on October 23. Following the welcoming greetings by Alexander Stubb, the national anthems of both countries were played, and the delegations of both sides were introduced to the heads of state.

President Khurelsukh signed the “Guest Book of Honor” at the Presidential Palace and posed for an official photograph.

Mongolia and the Republic of Finland established diplomatic relations on July 15, 1963, and have since maintained friendly relations and cooperation.

Munkh-Ulzii Tserendorj, non-resident Ambassador of Mongolia to the Republic of Finland, presented his Letter of Credence on April 1, 2025. Mikko Kinnunen, non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to Mongolia, presented his Letter of Credence on April 21, 2026.

This is the first visit to Finland by a Mongolian head of state in 11 years. Alexander Stubb assumed office as the 13th President of the Republic of Finland on March 1, 2024, according to the Office of the President of Mongolia. 

Mongolia Launches Website to Combat Online Fraud www.montsame.mn

Mongolia's Cybersecurity Council, chaired by Prime Minister Uchral Nyam-Osor, held a regular meeting to address the growing threat of online fraud and strengthen measures to combat cybercrime.

Cybercrime accounted for 32% of all recorded crimes in Mongolia in 2026, up from 19% in 2021. While Facebook was used in 78% of cybercrime cases last year, the figure had fallen to 60% this year following police efforts. More than 11,440 cybercrime cases were recorded in the first nine months of 2026.

Cybercrime caused losses of MNT 26.5 billion in 2025, of which MNT 15.9 billion was frozen and MNT 1.8 billion recovered. As of October this year, losses had reached MNT 28 billion, with assets worth MNT 15 billion frozen and MNT 1.5 billion recovered.

To help the public recognize and prevent online fraud, the website www.zalilan.113.mn has been established. It provides information on common scams, tools for checking suspicious links and emails, and guidance on what to do if victims fall prey to fraud. Common schemes include fake accounts, suspicious links, fraudulent lotteries, and requests for money made under another person's identity.

Prime Minister Uchral instructed relevant ministries and agencies to comprehensively reform and strengthen the system for combating online fraud. He also directed the police, the Communications Regulatory Commission, the Bank of Mongolia, and commercial banks, among other institutions, to develop proposals for adopting international best practices that would enable agencies to coordinate their efforts through a centralized system and respond more quickly. The proposals are to be presented to the Cabinet.

Mongolia Harvests Nearly 90% of Grain and Vegetables www.montsame.mn

 Mongolia has harvested nearly 90% of its grain and vegetables and completed its potato harvest, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry reported.

As of October 19, farmers had harvested 509,200 tonnes of grain from 303,200 hectares, 169,100 tonnes of potatoes from 12,800 hectares, and 177,600 tonnes of vegetables from 11,900 hectares. Additionally, 189,000 tonnes of animal feed crops from 67,700 hectares and 30,800 tonnes of oilseed crops from 47,500 hectares.

According to the preliminary harvest forecast, Mongolia expects to harvest 555,300 tonnes of grain, including 497,100 tonnes of wheat; 168,200 tonnes of potatoes; 218,400 tonnes of vegetables; 50,400 tonnes of oilseeds; and 201,800 tonnes of animal feed crops.

This year, the country planted a total of 580,400 hectares of crops, including 369,700 hectares of grain, of which 317,900 hectares were sown with wheat. The planted areas also included 12,800 hectares of potatoes, 13,400 hectares of vegetables, 94,100 hectares of animal feed crops, and 90,400 hectares of oilseeds.

Japanese company admits subsidiary activities caused grassland fire on China-Mongolia border www.english.dotdotnews.com

Japanese telecom operator KDDI acknowledged on Oct. 20 that a large-scale grassland fire in a Mongolian nature reserve earlier this month was connected to activities involving an executive of its subsidiary.

The fire broke out on Oct. 8 in the Numrug Nature Reserve in Dornod Province, Mongolia, according to reports. Mongolian media said that more than 10 people and five vehicles from MobiCom, a Japanese-controlled Mongolian telecom operator, entered the reserve, including several Japanese nationals. Dry grass was ignited as the vehicles were driving, sparking the fire. The open flames were extinguished on the 16th.

KDDI said its Japanese executive at the subsidiary was inside the reserve at the time of the incident, and that it takes "extremely seriously" the fact that activities related to MobiCom caused a fire and had a major impact on the natural environment. The company said the personnel entered the reserve to conduct 4G network communication tests and had obtained formal permission in advance from Mongolia's border guard authorities.

However, several Mongolian media outlets reported that the group entered the reserve for another purpose—possibly to hunt or fish for an endangered species of fish. Relevant Mongolian authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

Mongolia's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change released preliminary statistics on Oct. 20: the fire burned about 530,000 hectares, with about 470,000 hectares affected in the reserve, accounting for 79.8% of the reserve's total area. The ministry has launched a comprehensive assessment of ecological and environmental damage.

Thiess wins two long-term mining services contracts in Mongolia www.thiess.com

Under the two five-year contracts, Thiess will deliver underground mining services at the Rio Tinto-managed Oyu Tolgoi Mine, as well as provide asset management services for Energy Resources at the Ukhaa Khudag (UHG) Mine.

Since establishing operations in Mongolia in 2007, Thiess has developed strong in-country capability and delivered mining and maintenance solutions across a range of projects nationwide. 

Thiess Executive Chair and CEO Michael Wright said the contracts reflected Thiess’ focus on growing from its core while expanding across services, commodities and geographies. 

"These awards demonstrate the trust our clients place in Thiess and reflect the strength of our long-standing partnerships with Oyu Tolgoi and Energy Resources, as well as the capability of our team.

Our success is built on our global expertise, our local people and our local capability, and we’re proud these contracts will create new career opportunities as our workforce grows.” 

CIMIC Group President and Executive Director Roberto Gallardo said the contracts reinforced the strategic importance of Thiess’ client relationships and natural resources capabilities. 

"Long-term contracts with leading clients are central to Thiess’ strength and to CIMIC’s natural resources strategy, and these awards in Mongolia are a clear example of that in action. 

Mongolia remains a key market for Thiess, and these contracts reinforce our long-term commitment to our clients, communities and the country.” 

Oyu Tolgoi Copper - Underground Mining Services 
At the Oyu Tolgoi Mine, Thiess, through the Thiess-Khishig Arvin Joint Venture (TKAJV), will provide underground mining services, including underground development, ground support installation and block cave infrastructure construction. 

The project will support the continued development of one of the world’s largest copper-gold operations and is expected to create more than 110 new roles over the next few months. The workforce is projected to grow to almost 800 people by the end of the contract term, making it Thiess’ largest underground mining operation globally. 

The award builds on Thiess’ established presence at Oyu Tolgoi, where it has operated since 2016 through the TKAJV.  

Energy Resources - CHPP Asset Management Services 

Under the agreement with Energy Resources, Thiess will provide Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) asset management services at the Ukhaa Khudag Mine. 

The scope includes asset management, supply chain management, technical support and planning services to support efficient, reliable operations.  

The award extends Thiess’ long-standing relationship with Energy Resources and reflects a shared commitment to safety, operational excellence and continuous improvement. 

Export micro-businesses to receive 2.4 billion MNT in loans www.ubpost.mn

The final stage of selection for concessional loans to Ulaanbaatar micro-enterprises that manufacture and export finished goods from agricultural raw materials is under way. Seven shortlisted businesses are now presenting their projects to the Project Selection Committee.

Under Order No. A/320 (2026) of the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund is authorized to lend 2.4 billion MNT through the program. Enterprises dealing in meat and meat products, and in wool and cashmere products, are excluded.

Applications were accepted through an online system from September 2 to October 1. Of the 66 enterprises that registered, 41 submitted finalized applications. Together they requested about 10 billion MNT, more than four times the funds available. Of the 41 applicants, 73.2 percent, or about 30 businesses, asked for between 200 and 300 million MNT. The maximum amount each business can receive is set according to its sales revenue.

The selection ran in three stages. The first checked that project documentation was complete and made a preliminary assessment, and 15 enterprises passed. The second was a detailed on-site evaluation, after which seven remained, about one in six of the original applicants. The final stage will decide which of them receive loans.

The program targets value-added processing rather than raw material exports. Mongolia’s agriculture sector has long been dominated by raw material sales, and policymakers have said they want to diversify the economy beyond mining.

President Khurelsukh Meets German Federal Chancellor www.montsame.mn

The State Visit of the President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, to the Federal Republic of Germany is ongoing.

During the visit, German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz paid a courtesy call on President Khurelsukh. At their meeting, the two sides exchanged views on expanding and strengthening the Mongolia-Germany Strategic Partnership, translating into concrete action the agreements reached during reciprocal state visits by the two countries’ heads of state, and exploring new opportunities for cooperation.

They also discussed implementing the 2011 intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the fields of minerals, industry, and technology, and launching a major investment project that could become a symbol of the strong ties between the two countries.

The two sides noted that the Mongolia-Germany Business Forum, being held as part of the visit, has brought together representatives from around 250 companies, demonstrating strong business interest and broad opportunities for expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

President Khurelsukh expressed satisfaction with the active development cooperation between the two countries and conveyed Mongolia’s interest in expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital governance.

He also highlighted the potential to attract German technology and investment to renewable energy projects and energy storage systems, drawing on Mongolia’s abundant solar and wind resources.

The two sides further agreed to work together to strengthen people-to-people ties, which serve as a solid bridge between the two countries, and to establish an agreement on pensions and social security.

Mongolia Deepens European Ties With German Diplomatic Summit www.theowp.org/

In an age of intense great-power competition, landlocked democracies are challenged in preserving their diplomatic portfolios. This careful balancing took center stage in Berlin when Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh arrived for an official visit at the invitation of German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The visit is significant for European-Asian relations, marking the most important bilateral engagement between the two countries in over 10 years. As reported by Montsame News Agency, discussions between the two heads of state focused on expanding joint clean industrial initiatives and securing development agreements. Underlying this is Mongolia’s long-standing “Third Neighbor” policy, which seeks to ensure its economic cooperation does not become geopolitical vassalage. The policy is based on developing Mongolia’s economy through links with countries other than its two immediate land neighbours, Russia and China.

​Geographically trapped between Russia to the north and China to the south, Mongolia occupies one of the most sensitive geopolitical positions on the planet. Ulaanbaatar has sought to protect its democratic institutions through political, cultural, and trade ties with its so-called “third neighbors” (Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S.). The policy is fragile given Western sanctions on Moscow and the increasingly hostile trade relationship with Beijing. Mongolia depends entirely on Russian energy for electricity and fuel supplies. More than 80 percent of its mineral exports across the southern border go to Chinese industry. A Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung analysis points out that Khürelsükh’s mission to Berlin aims to give Mongolia breathing space. It intends to allow the country to remain a neutral player in international affairs, committed to the rules-based order, without being squeezed by economic pressure from either neighbor.

​A key element of this phase of diplomacy is Mongolia’s vast endowment of critical raw materials essential to the worldwide transition to renewable energy. The country has large quantities of untapped copper, lithium, uranium, and other materials. Germany established a formal raw materials partnership with Mongolia in 2011. The German government is vigorously pursuing an approach to diversify its critical supply chains away from total dependence on one source. According to policy briefs from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, German technical assistance supports the German-Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology in Ulaanbaatar. The aim is to build domestic processing capacity rather than treat Mongolia as just a raw materials extraction hub. As the European Governance and Security Institute’s Security and Trade Review states, access to Mongolian uranium and other critical minerals provides Europe with significant supply chain diversification and gives Ulaanbaatar the sovereign revenues needed to modernize its economy. Ulaanbaatar has always been a country of positive neutrality, nuclear non-proliferation, and multilateralism. The only real problem is the complete logistical difficulty. As the regional energy folks have pointed out, being a landlocked country means that every kilo of refined mineral output or high-tech equipment that Mongolia wants to send to Europe has to go via Russian rail or Chinese ports. That leaves it extremely exposed to the risk of sudden border closure or tariff spike.

​The international community must go beyond transactional resource deals and invest in long-term multilateral resilience. Germany may support Mongolia’s economic self-determination through local processing, with a clear devotion to environmental standards and the rights of local communities protected by international labor law. The UN and the World Bank should work with Central Asian transit corridors to formalize internationally guaranteed trade routes benefiting landlocked developing countries. European democracies must provide strong institutional backing for Mongolia’s active peace diplomacy. Transparent networks can enable the global community to demonstrate that national security is best preserved through cooperative diplomatic partnerships.