Monument of S.Zorig moved back to original location www.ubpost.mn

The monument of S.Zorig, one of Mongolia’s most prominent political and public figures, has been returned to its original location after being removed without official authorization. According to city authorities, the statue was relocated at approximately 3:00 a.m. on July 31 without the required approval, prompting an immediate response from the municipal government. In response, the Governor of Ulaanbaatar City and the Mayor of the Capital City, B.Purevdagva instructed officials to ensure that the monument was restored to a public space the same day under police protection and with the assistance of a professional technical team.

Widely regarded as a key figure in Mongolia’s peaceful democratic movement of 1990, S.Zorig played a pivotal role in the country’s transition from a one-party socialist system to a democratic state. Following his assassination in 1998, the monument became a place where citizens gather to honor his memory, reflect on the values of democracy and justice, and commemorate important national occasions.

All vehicles exempt from license plate restrictions on September 1 www.gogo.mn

On August 3, the Ulaanbaatar city administration announced that all vehicles will be permitted to operate on September 1, despite the temporary even-odd license plate restrictions that will be in effect from August 15 to September 12.

The temporary traffic measure is being introduced to ease congestion during preparations for the new school year and to accommodate the increased number of visitors attending the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17).

Under the measure, vehicles will be allowed to operate based on the last digit of their license plate between 7:00-21:00, without dividing the city into traffic zones.

Vehicles with even-numbered license plates (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) will be allowed to operate on:

August 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30
September 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12
Vehicles with odd-numbered license plates (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) will be allowed to operate on:

August 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, and 31
September 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11
September 1 is exempt from the restriction, and all vehicles will be allowed to use the roads regardless of their license plate number.

Fuel to be sold by even-odd license plate, with MNT 50,000 limit per vehicle starting August 4 www.gogo.mn

Starting August 4, fuel will be sold by even-odd numbered license plates, with a purchase limit of ₮50,000 worth of fuel per vehicle, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources G.Damdinnyam announced at a press briefing on August 3.

The Minister said Mongolia had maintained the required level of fuel supplies during the Russia–Ukraine war. However, he noted that disruptions to global oil transportation and refined fuel supplies intensified after tensions involving the United States and Iran affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to a worldwide energy supply challenge.

The government is holding discussions with all possible partner countries to secure additional fuel supplies. Negotiations with Kazakhstan were unsuccessful, while talks are continuing with China and Singapore.

Mongolia has reached a political agreement with the Republic of Korea to import 20,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline and 10,000 tons of Jet A-1 aviation fuel each month.

Although plans to build strategic fuel storage facilities had been discussed for more than two decades, implementation only began after funding was approved on December 30, 2025. Construction of fuel storage tanks with a total capacity of 300,000 tons started in March 2026.

The first phase, consisting of 150,000 tons of storage capacity, is expected to be completed this year. Once operational, the reserve will provide approximately three months of fuel storage, enabling Mongolia to withstand a temporary supply disruption of up to 40% without major difficulties.

Mongolia to import 6,000 tons of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline from China www.gogo.mn

Mongolia has reached an agreement to purchase 6,000 tons of AI-92, AI-95, and Euro 5 gasoline from China, with the first shipment of 1,000 tons scheduled to be loaded at Erenhot on July 31, according to B.Dashpurev, State Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.

B.Dashpurev said that fuel reserves and supplies have been affected in recent months by the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war and tensions in the Middle East. In response, the government has been working to increase the country's petroleum reserves and expand fuel storage capacity.

He noted that Mongolia's fuel consumption continues to grow rapidly and that the country currently has the capacity to maintain up to 42 days of fuel reserves, including fuel stored in transit tank cars.

Ahead of the Naadam Festival, the government built up fuel reserves to meet the expected surge in demand during the extended holiday period. Since the spring, Mongolia has been negotiating with Russia, China, and the Republic of Korea to secure additional fuel supplies.

As of today, the country has 31,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline, enough for 15 days of consumption, and 80,000 tons of diesel fuel, sufficient for 20 days.

To further strengthen short-term reserves, Mongolia has increased the volume of fuel imports from Russia for July. Dashpurev also said that Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources G.Damdinnyam is in the Republic of Korea holding talks on fuel imports, including the purchase of Jet A-1 aviation fuel.

The newly signed agreement with China will further expand Mongolia's fuel reserves, with the first shipment expected to arrive after loading begins on July 31 at Erenhot.

G.Dashpurev added that fuel inventories held by Petrovis, Sod Mongol, Shunkhlai, and Tes Petroleum LLC have declined in recent weeks, but expressed confidence that supply shortages will ease as new shipments begin arriving.

Regional Initiative on Dust Storms to Be Launched During COP17 www.montsame.mn

Mongolia and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) are preparing to launch a regional initiative to combat sand and dust storms during the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sandag-Ochir Tsend met with Ganbold Baasanjav, Director of the East and North-East Asia Office of UNESCAP, to discuss cooperation during COP17.

The UNESCAP, in cooperation with the Government of Mongolia and the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, is preparing to launch a regional initiative to combat sand and dust storms during COP17.

Last year, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the coming decade as the International Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms. As part of this effort, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, who co-chairs the UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, is expected to formally launch the regional initiative during her visit to Mongolia for COP17.

During the meeting, Director of National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring Battulga Erkhembayar briefed participants on ongoing efforts and exchanged views on future cooperation. The parties said cooperation is expected to strengthen in expanding monitoring stations, improving assessment and modeling, enhancing technical collaboration, and training professional personnel.

The UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms brings together more than 20 UN agencies and specialized organizations to support countries most affected by sand and dust storms and to strengthen international cooperation on the issue.

By Unurzul.M

Mongolia to import 6,000 tons of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline from China www.gogo.mn

Mongolia has reached an agreement to purchase 6,000 tons of AI-92, AI-95, and Euro 5 gasoline from China, with the first shipment of 1,000 tons scheduled to be loaded at Erenhot on July 31, according to B.Dashpurev, State Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.

B.Dashpurev said that fuel reserves and supplies have been affected in recent months by the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war and tensions in the Middle East. In response, the government has been working to increase the country's petroleum reserves and expand fuel storage capacity.

He noted that Mongolia's fuel consumption continues to grow rapidly and that the country currently has the capacity to maintain up to 42 days of fuel reserves, including fuel stored in transit tank cars.

Ahead of the Naadam Festival, the government built up fuel reserves to meet the expected surge in demand during the extended holiday period. Since the spring, Mongolia has been negotiating with Russia, China, and the Republic of Korea to secure additional fuel supplies.

As of today, the country has 31,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline, enough for 15 days of consumption, and 80,000 tons of diesel fuel, sufficient for 20 days.

To further strengthen short-term reserves, Mongolia has increased the volume of fuel imports from Russia for July. Dashpurev also said that Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources G.Damdinnyam is in the Republic of Korea holding talks on fuel imports, including the purchase of Jet A-1 aviation fuel.

The newly signed agreement with China will further expand Mongolia's fuel reserves, with the first shipment expected to arrive after loading begins on July 31 at Erenhot.

G.Dashpurev added that fuel inventories held by Petrovis, Sod Mongol, Shunkhlai, and Tes Petroleum LLC have declined in recent weeks, but expressed confidence that supply shortages will ease as new shipments begin arriving.

Mongolia, Japan expand energy education partnership www.myanmaritv.com

Mongolia and Japan have agreed to expand their bilateral cooperation through energy engineering education and technical training. The primary focus includes renewable energy infrastructure, power grid reliability, and practical skills development.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an agreement to build Japanese-style practical training facilities and supply equipment in the Mongolian capital. The joint initiative trains local engineering students to support Mongolia's long-term energy transition.

Seoul’s interest in Mongolia’s rare earths www.asianews.it

A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in recent weeks removes tariffs. Meanwhile, since last December, a joint research centre has been studying mineral resources and developing export routes. However, the issue of dependence on Russia and China for rail networks and ports remains.

The MongolianNews website raises the question of whether Seoul’s interest in Mongolia’s mineral resources risks turning into a geopolitical game between China, Russia and the United States.

Experts argue that the rare-earths agreement between Mongolia and South Korea is in fact a covert deal between Ulaanbaatar and Washington. South Korea’s attempt to develop Mongolia’s vast reserves of critical raw materials aims to reduce its dependence on Beijing, but the logistics routes that pass exclusively through China and Russia make this strategy highly vulnerable to external pressure.

“As China tightens its grip on exports of critical minerals, South Korea is looking to Mongolia as an alternative supplier. However, its distribution networks are constrained by China and Russia, which poses long-term risks of political interference from these regional giants,” notes Sarah Cheah, business correspondent for the Korea JoongAng Daily.

Tensions could rise if South Korea were to start redirecting these minerals to the United States, as part of a growing bilateral alliance to ensure supply chain security. Seoul currently leads a coalition of 17 nations, spearheaded by Washington, to reduce global dependence on China for critical minerals.

On 11 July, the presidents of South Korea and Mongolia signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which removes tariffs (previously ranging from 2 per cent to 5 per cent) on imports of copper, molybdenum and rare-earth elements from Mongolia.

Furthermore, since December last year, a joint research centre has been operating in both countries, studying mineral resources and developing export routes. Rare-earth elements are often referred to as the ‘vitamins of the high-tech industry’; their name does not derive from their physical scarcity in the Earth’s crust, but rather from the extreme difficulty of extracting and separating them from minerals.

Microscopic amounts of rare-earth elements are crucial for the production of permanent magnets, which are essential for the manufacture of electric vehicles, microchips, defence products, robotics and drones.

As a landlocked country, Mongolia is forced to transport up to 90 per cent of its exports, including minerals, via Russian or Chinese rail networks and seaports. This total dependence on transit routes makes Mongolian supplies extremely vulnerable: “If China were to enter into direct conflict with the United States, it would simply need to drastically increase customs duties or slow down the clearance of goods at the border,” notes Chang Jae-hyuk, a professor in the Department of Mongolian Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

Alternatively, South Korea is considering the possibility of building processing plants directly in Mongolia, and then exporting the finished, high-value materials by air. Assessing the feasibility of this scenario is currently one of the main objectives of a joint research centre inaugurated at the end of last year.

“Critically important minerals such as tungsten, molybdenum and rare-earth elements can be processed directly on site to produce concentrates or intermediate products. Enriching and smelting raw materials within the country would drastically improve logistical efficiency,” says Son Byung-gu, president of the Korean Association of Mongolian Studies and a professor at Dankook University.

According to the US Geological Survey, Mongolia ranks among the top ten countries in the world for mineral resources, and its subsoil has been officially confirmed to contain over 80 types of minerals, including rare-earth elements, copper, gold and uranium.

By Vladimir Rozanskij

Runic Inscriptions 1300 Years Old Discovered in Mongolia www.open.kg

An archaeological expedition from China and Mongolia has made a significant discovery by uncovering an ancient Turkic runic inscription in the Mongolian province of Bayankhongor. The research was conducted during fieldwork, and the symbols, which date back to the 8th century, were recorded on a rock surface. This information was published by the Chinese tabloid Global Times.

The inscription consists of a series of well-preserved runic symbols and demonstrates excellent condition of the carving. High-resolution photographic documentation was prepared to document the find, a map was created, and detailed records were made in accordance with archaeological research standards. A thorough survey of the surrounding area was also conducted, adding value to the study.

Runic writing was used by various nomadic states on the Mongolian plateau, including the Turkic and Uyghur khanates, from the 7th to the 10th centuries. The most famous examples of such inscriptions are the monuments in the Orkhon Valley.

This find significantly enriches the existing limited collection of runic inscriptions, which are about 1300 years old. It is expected to influence the study of Turkic and Uyghur history, as well as research on the ancient Silk Road. Archaeologists, in collaboration with linguists and historians, will begin deciphering the text and conducting comprehensive studies. The results of their work will be presented to the scientific community.

S. Korea helps Mongolia build cultural heritage conservation program www.koreaherald.com

Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin visited the Mongolian University of Science and Technology on July 10 to review the progress of a higher education cooperation project aimed at training specialists in cultural heritage conservation.

According to the Education Ministry on Thursday, Choi inspected the facilities, established under Korea's Leading University Project for International Cooperation, together with his Mongolian counterpart.

The two ministers toured conservation treatment and analysis facilities, digital documentation laboratories and a cultural heritage conservation education center. They also discussed how the program could become self-sustaining after the Korean-backed project ends and ways to expand higher education cooperation between the two countries.

The initiative is part of South Korea’s official development assistance program for higher education, under which Korean universities support universities in developing countries with the creation or restructuring of academic departments, curriculum development and faculty training.

Kongju National University has worked with the Mongolian University of Science and Technology since 2020 to train professionals in cultural heritage conservation.

Under the project, Mongolia’s first Department of Tangible Cultural Heritage Conservation Technology was established at the university in December 2022.

Kongju National University helped develop the department’s curriculum based on its experience in Korea, produce Mongolian-language textbooks, improve laboratory facilities and administer field training programs.

A total of 51 undergraduate students have enrolled in the department so far, with the first class expected to graduate in May 2027. Graduates are expected to pursue careers at museums, cultural heritage centers and archaeological research institutions.

In 2023, the department was included among professional fields identified by Mongolia’s Education and Science Ministry as necessary for future education, according to the Korean ministry.

The project has also established a Cultural Heritage Conservation Education Center linking undergraduate education with professional training in the field.

The Korean government has also supported faculty development through the Global Korea Scholarship program.

A Mongolian faculty member earned a doctorate in digital cultural heritage at Kongju National University through the scholarship program and is expected to help lead the department and the conservation education center.

The ministry said the program is gradually shifting from a system led by Korean experts dispatched to Mongolia to one operated by locally trained faculty.

“The significance of the project lies in helping partner universities develop the capacity to conduct education and research independently,” Choi said.