1 39 MONGOLIAN STUDENTS TO STUDY IN GERMANY UNDER “PRESIDENT'S SCHOLAR - 2100” PROGRAM WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/07/30      2 MONGOLIAN FLAG CARRIER TO START NON-STOP FLIGHTS BETWEEN SINGAPORE AND ULAANBAATAR FROM NOV 4 WWW.STRAITSTIMES.COM PUBLISHED:2025/07/30      3 WHEN CHINA SNEEZES, MONGOLIA CATCHES A COLD WWW.INTELLINEWS.COM PUBLISHED:2025/07/30      4 MONGOLIA–JAPAN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS INNOVATION FORUM TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 18 WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/07/30      5 GREENHOUSE PROPAGATION TECHNOLOGY FOR CONIFEROUS TREES UNDER TESTING WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/07/30      6 DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM KOREA TO MONGOLIA'S KHUVSGUL LAUNCHED WWW.AKIPRESS.COM PUBLISHED:2025/07/30      7 8 KILLED, 41 INJURED IN ROAD ACCIDENTS IN MONGOLIA OVER NAADAM FESTIVAL WWW.XINHUANET.COM PUBLISHED:2025/07/30      8 CONSOLIDATING PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY IN MONGOLIA WWW.VERFASSUNGSBLOG.DE  PUBLISHED:2025/07/29      9 MONGOLIA’S NEW CHALLENGE: ILLEGAL DRUGS WWW.THEDIPLOMAT.COM PUBLISHED:2025/07/29      10 PRESIDENT OF MONGOLIA PARTIALLY VETOES PARLIAMENTARY RESOLUTION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF “GOLD-3” NATIONAL CAMPAIGN WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/07/29      ГАНГИЙН ЭРСДЛИЙН ҮНЭЛГЭЭГЭЭР ТАВАН АЙМАГ ЭРСДЭЛ ИХТЭЙ ГАРЧЭЭ WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/07/30     МОНГОЛЫН КОКСЖИХ НҮҮРСНИЙ ҮНЭ ХЯТАДЫН БООМТУУДАД ДАХИН ӨСЛӨӨ WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/07/30     НИЙСЛЭЛД ХЭРЭГЖҮҮЛЖ БУЙ МЕГА ТӨСЛҮҮДЭД ХАМТРАН АЖИЛЛАХААР САНАЛ СОЛИЛЦЛОО WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/07/30     ОХУ-ЫН ШАТАХУУН ЭКСПОРТЫН ХОРИГ МОНГОЛ УЛСАД ҮЙЛЧЛЭХГҮЙ WWW.NEWS.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/07/30     ЕРӨНХИЙ САЙДЫН АХЛАХ ЗӨВЛӨХӨӨРӨӨ Б.ДАВААДАЛАЙГ ТОМИЛЖЭЭ WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/07/30     НИЙТИЙН ЭЗЭМШЛИЙН 50 БАЙРШИЛД ТӨЛБӨРТЭЙ ЗОГСООЛ БАЙГУУЛЖ, ТОХИЖИЛТ ХИЙГДЭЖ БАЙНА WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/07/30     “MONGOLZ” БАГ УКРАИНЫ “NATUS VINCERE” БАГТАЙ БААСАН ГАРАГТ ТОГЛОНО WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/07/30     МӨРӨН НИСЭХ БУУДАЛ АНХ УДАА ОЛОН УЛСЫН НИСЛЭГ ХҮЛЭЭН АВЛАА WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/07/29     ХОТЫН ДАРГА Х.НЯМБААТАР БЭЭЖИН ХОТЫН ДАРГА ИН ЮНТАЙ УУЛЗАВ WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/07/29     ЧИНГИС ХААН БАНКНЫ ӨР ТӨЛБӨРТ ХӨРӨНГӨ АВАХААР БОЛЛОО WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/07/29    

Category

Events

Events

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

NEWS

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Project on “Supporting Climate Change Adaptation in Mongolia” to Be Implemented in Rural Areas www.montsame.mn

The Launching Ceremony of the “Supporting Climate Change Adaptation in Mongolia” Project, financed by the China International Development Cooperation Agency and to be jointly implemented by the Mongolian Red Cross Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), was held on May 26, 2025. 
Globally, the number of natural disasters and hazardous events driven by climate change is becoming increasingly frequent. In Mongolia, disastrous cases increased by 26 percent over the decade (2015-2024) compared to the previous ten years, with associated economic losses rising by 47 percent. The severe dzud in 2023-2024 led to the loss of 8.1 million heads of livestock and caused widespread socio-economic disruption, affecting 186,000 herder households. 
The Project, aimed at strengthening the capacity of communities to adapt to climate change, reduce disaster risks, and build resilient livelihoods, particularly among vulnerable and at-risk groups, will be implemented in Bayankhongor, Gobi-Altai, Dundgobi, and Umnugobi aimags, benefiting around 20,000 people, of whom 5,000 will receive direct support. 
Under the Project, the project team will establish early warning and response systems in targeted aimags and soums, raise public awareness and knowledge about climate issues, enhance institutional capacity, and support the development of climate-related policies.

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Mongolia PM expected to call vote of confidence in the face of protests www.theguardian.com

The political direction of mineral rich Mongolia is to be put to the test, with the country’s prime minister expected to call a vote of confidence in his premiership, amid claims that allegations swirling about his son’s lavish lifestyle are being exploited to push the country back to authoritarianism.
Mongolia has been an outpost of parliamentary democracy since 1992, uneasily squeezed between superpowers Russia and China.
Small but persistent protests by young Mongolians have been held in the capital’s main square over the past week after reports appeared on Instagram that the son of prime minister, Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, had given lavish gifts to his fiancee. Concerns over inequality and minerals related to corruption have been a frequent source of protests, but until recently the prime minister maintained a reputation as someone who was challenging the many vested interests that kept rare minerals in the hands of a small wealthy oligarchy.
The prime minister’s allies say he is leaning towards announcing the vote of confidence on Tuesday with the vote likely to occur in the middle of next week.
The protests have been fuelled by allegations the prime minister’s family are enjoying wealth far beyond a civil servant. The fiancee of the prime minister’s 23-year-old son, Temuuleni, posted pictures on her Instagram account showing luxury bags, an expensive ring and even a Mercedes-Benz, prompting anger.
It has been claimed the prime minister must have been aware of his son’s luxury lifestyle or even funded some of gifts. Luvsannamsrai has submitted himself to a full inquiry by the country’s anti-corruption watchdog, but has explained little in public. A petition signed by 59,000 people had called for him to quit citing the unknown sources of his son’s wealth, high inflation and growing repression of press freedom.
But sources inside the government say the lifestyle of the prime minister’s son is being exploited by the supporters of Mongolia’s President, Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükhto, in a bid to give him the power to sideline the parliament and take up a second term in office. Currently the president can only serve one term of six years.
Last September the president courted controversy in Europe when he invited Vladimir Putin to Mongolia even though as a signatory to the Rome Statute, Mongolia had an obligation to arrest the Russian leader for war crimes in Ukraine as requested by the international criminal court. The president also attended Putin’s recent “victory parade” in Red Square.
Figures inside the government say Khürelsükh, previously the country’s prime minister and like the current prime minister a member of the Mongolian People’s Party, wants to be able to stand for a second six year term and would like to see Luvsannamsrai removed in favour of someone willing to reduce the power of the parliament.
Luvsannamsrai was re-elected prime minister only 10 months ago, with his party winning 68 seats in the 126 seat parliament. But trying to build a political consensus around the long-term changes needed to modernise the country’s economy, including developing a national wealth fund and some major infrastructure investments, he chose to form a three party coalition with the Democratic Party (42 seats) and the HUN Party (8 seats) instead of governing alone.
But after three members of the Democratic Party (DP) expressed support for the street protests against the prime minister, the Congress of the Mongolian People’s Party at a marathon closed door meeting voted to declare the DP had expelled themselves from the coalition, a decision that could spell the end for the prime minister.
DP leader Gantumur Luvsannyam, who is the deputy prime minister, said that the views of the three legislators were not his or his party’s position, but exercising their right to free expression was not in conflict with any coalition agreement.
Jargal DeFacto, a leading Mongolian commentator and broadcaster, told the Guardian: “Those that want an extended Presidency with more power have a simple argument. They say because China and Russia, our neighbours, have stability, when we keep changing political leaders, we need a strong Presidency. This clash has been coming for more than a year because the next Presidential election is in 2027. The controversy is dividing the ruling Mongolian People’s Party into two camps”.
He added “The government also wanted to move away from being a commodity and debt driven economy by setting up a sovereign wealth fund funded by strategic deposits. That has set the prime minister against wealthy private individuals that will not relinquish their strategic resources to the wealth fund.”
“Ironically he is facing political resistance because he is disclosing corruption in banking, mining and education, which means he is making a lot of enemies, but the court system is itself corrupt so they do not go after the big shots, and instead concentrate on small cases. It creates distrust in the state as a whole, especially when inflation and interest rates are high.”
China is Mongolia’s single biggest export market, but the coalition government has tried to diversify the economy by focusing on a raft of 14 major infrastructure projects.
BY Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor

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Mongolia’s Youth Protests Lead to Political Shenanigans www.diplomat.com

After two straight weeks of youth protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, Mongolia’s political atmosphere has taken a sharp turn as instability mounts and prime minister contenders battle for power. While Mongolia’s young protestors have successfully mobilized a peaceful protest that seems set to result in a change of government, internal political dynamics and oligarchic interests are also at play here.
Two weeks into May, public outrage erupted after a social media post showcased Oyun-Erdene’s son’s lavish birthday and a fancy engagement proposal. Outraged young Mongolians used social media platforms to mobilize and execute protests.
As of May 27, the protests were entering their 14th consecutive day. The Instagram page @ogtsrokh_amarkhan has gathered nearly 60,000 supporters for a petition to not only oust Oyun-Erdene as prime minister but also overthrow the coalition government that he leads.
On May 26, organizers read the following extended demands to the public:
1. The resignation of Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai under the premise of political and moral accountability;
2. Oust the coalition government and not to reconstitute a new coalition government;
3. For the purposes of government stability, not to amend the Constitution.
Although these demands are organic concerns raised by the people, without a coherent agenda, the door was opened for political shenanigans by the Mongolian leader.
Oyun-Erdene responded to the public’s demands last week, after days of silence. Speaking to members of the media, he stressed that the social media posts were personal matters and said that his son had not asked for any financial support from him. He emphasized that Mongolia’s Anti-Corruption Agency is currently investigating the situation and offered to resign – without protest – if the agency discovered any irregularities in his financial statement.
But Oyun-Erdene also broached a topic that he had not discussed publicly before, by mentioning certain families affected by his government’s decision making. Oyun-Erdene insinuated that some of the country’s mining oligarchs are seeking to remove him from office, as the coalition government has aimed to dismantle the oligarchic system. Oyun-Erdene’s government has been seeking to create a system in which mining conglomerates are obliged to share profits, either via taxation or by state ownership over a certain percentage of strategic sites. The prime minister implied that the mining oligarchs’ opposition to these policies was behind the movement to force his resignation.
The protests – and the demand for a just society and an end to corruption – emerged organically. But there’s no denying that the redistribution of wealth in Mongolia is of great concern to certain actors.
Observing the youth protest and the ongoing political environment, parliamentary members began to speak up but most remain hesitant to show full support for overthrowing the coalition government, fearing political instability. Mongolia’s ruling coalition consisted of Oyun-Erdene’s Mongolian People’s Party (MPP), the Democratic Party (DP), and the HUN Party.
The MPP held a party congress last week to hear Oyun-Erdene’s political statement. It ultimately decided to disband the coalition government by excluding the DP, after several members of the Democratic Party offered support for the protests. In response, the DP has formally demanded that the MPP provide a written explanation and public apology for its abrupt decision to remove DP from the coalition government without official notice.
Parliamentary member Uyangakhishig Gonchigdorj of the HUN Party told the media that “we need to assess the current situations separately – Oyun-Erdene’s social media matters [must be separated] from the coalition government’s work.”
She added, “The overthrowing of the coalition government will not protect nor defend Mongolia’s national interest. The ousting of the prime minister will need to go through the Parliament.”
A Democratic Party MP, Lodoisambuu Chuluunbileg, stated, “In the last two days, I have heard – in hearsay – that there are talks of $2 trillion to preserve the coalition government.” Neither he nor the press offered confirmation of the claim.
Lodoisambuu added that whether the coalition is to be disbanded, or Oyun-Erdene to resign, the parliament will need to discuss it.
As the youth protest continue to grow, a “battle of the five armies” – the coalition government, the MPP, the Democratic Party, the Parliament, and the Office of the President – will determine the government change. While political dealings can happen behind doors, especially within political parties, the mechanism and the power to maintain a stable government – and to constitute a new government – resides in the State Great Hural, Mongolia’s parliament. The fight for executive power is likely to center on political wrangling within the MPP, which holds over half the seats in the legislature.
Opposition parties, analysts, and constitutional experts have warned against a possible attempt to amend to the constitution, with a presidential election coming up in 2027. Under a 2019 amendment to the constitution, Mongolia’s president is limited to a single six-year term. But President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa’s power play within the MPP, and the power to steer the next government have increased suspicion of an amendment that might reshape the presidency.
On May 18, the Press Office of the President stated that Khurelsukh will not be seeking a second term in the 2027 election. Opposition party, observers, and some analysts say differently.
Democratic Party parliamentary member Temuujin Khishigdemberel stated that one of the roles of the DP as an opposition party is to defend the constitution, which bars Khurelsukh from seeking another term. Temuujin also highlighted the “three-headed government” of Mongolia, while claiming that the Office of the President was wielding its political powers within the MPP in choosing the next prime minister.
“The discussion on Mongolia considering becoming a presidential government is not a new topic,” political economy analyst and columnist Bolorerdene Bazarsuren told The Diplomat. “The current political situation is more a constitutional rather than a legal debate. In the case of Mongolia changing its governance model, there might a legitimate grounds for considering presidential governance.”
Other political analysts and observers have raised concern over the fact that neither the president, the prime minister, nor the coalition government has made a public statement amid 14 days of continued protest. As a result, the suspicion of backroom political dealings and the mingling of politics and business has only risen.
Protests are a healthy democratic function, where the youth assemble and voice their concerns. However, there are still reasonable grounds for concern over the stability of the Mongolian government amid opportunistic political shenanigans.
When it took office, the coalition government was a fresh face for Mongolia. It aimed to diversify the country’s mining-dependent economy, increase foreign investments, and proactively expand Ulaanbaatar’s foreign policy. The disbanding of the coalition government and reshuffling of the Cabinet certainly creates opportunities for other political factions to manipulate the situation to their advantage.
From a foreign policy standpoint, Mongolia once again will need to convince global partners that it is a stable, legitimate government that can deliver on its promises.
Despite the internal political chess game taking place as the country braces for another government change, this round of youth protests once again highlighted the vibrant but fragile nature of Mongolia’s democracy. With the protestors putting forward three concrete demands, it is likely that the parliament will yield to the will of the people. Thus far, the quest for strong, stable, continued government in Mongolia has been a difficult one.
By Bolor Lkhaajav

 

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Mongolia steps up fight against tobacco and e-cigarettes www.who.int

Tobacco use claims around 4 300 lives every year in Mongolia. The government is stepping up its efforts to fight the tobacco epidemic by introducing amendments into the Tobacco Control Law. In addition to tobacco, e-cigarettes are catching up as a serious threat, especially among the youth. 
E-cigarettes are harmful and are not smoking cessation alternatives. They contain nicotine and other substances such as heavy metals, cancer-causing chemicals, and toxic flavourings. Even products claiming to be nicotine-free have been found to contain it.
These products are aggressively marketed to the youth, with sweet flavours, flashy designs and through gamification, and influencers promoting them on social media. The result: a false image of fun and safety that masks serious health threats.
E-cigarettes are harmful to health:
E-cigarettes impair brain development in adolescents, increase the risk of anxiety and learning disorders, and lead to lifelong nicotine dependence.
The toxic chemicals in e-cigarettes can damage the lungs and contribute to heart diseases.
They are a pathway to nicotine addiction. Alarmingly, using e-cigarette triples the likelihood that youth will begin smoking traditional cigarettes.
A new study commissioned by WHO Mongolia reveals a worrying picture:
Nearly 60% of surveyed youth have tried e-cigarettes or vaping products.
1 in 3 adolescents are current users.
Among current users, nearly 1 in 5 vape 10 or more times per day, signs of growing addiction.
E-cigarette imports surged in 2024, making up nearly a quarter of all tobacco imports 
These findings were presented at High-Level Meetings held on 14–15 May 2025 in Ulaanbaatar. The event brings together parliamentarians, health leaders, partners and technical experts to:
Share the evidence.
Recommend urgent policy actions.
Build consensus on strong, protective regulations to protect youth.
Mongolia does not currently have comprehensive regulation on e-cigarettes. Similarly to conventional tobacco products, stringent regulations and a comprehensive ban should be introduced to protect the health of children, youth and the entire population. Without immediate policy intervention, e-cigarette use risks becoming deeply entrenched in the lives of Mongolia’s next generation, putting thousands at risk of lifelong addiction and long-term health harms.

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Mongolia and the Republic of Austria Sign a Joint Declaration www.montsame.mn

At the invitation of President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, Federal President of the Republic of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen is paying a State Visit to Mongolia on May 25-28, 2025.
During the State Visit, the two parties signed the following documents to strengthen the legal basis for bilateral cooperation. 
1. The Joint Declaration of Mongolia and the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.
The two sides reaffirmed shared commitment to respecting the fundamental principles of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and international law, including human rights, strengthening multilateral cooperation within international organizations, promoting human rights and freedoms, ensuring global peace and security, addressing global challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, ensuring the effective implementation of international humanitarian law, and advancing sustainable development.
The two sides agreed to expand friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries, aligning the principles of Mongolia's peace-loving, independent, open, and multi-pillar foreign policy and the "Third Neighbor" policy with Austria's consistent policies and activities aimed at strengthening global peace, security, and sustainable development.
2. An Agreement on Social Protection between Mongolia and the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Family, Labor and Social Protection of Mongolia Enkh-Amgalan Luvsantseren and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.
The Agreement establishes legal conditions to ensure social security for citizens of the two countries, create favorable working and living conditions and opportunities, and receive pensions for the period of payment of social insurance contributions in Mongolia and Austria.
3. An Agreement on Visa Exemption for Diplomatic Passport Holders between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.
Citizens of the two countries holding diplomatic passports can now travel visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The Agreement aims at easing visa requirements for citizens traveling abroad and increasing the number of countries that Mongolian citizens can travel to visa-free under the “Strong Mongolian Passport” goal.
4. An Agreement on the Repatriation of Illegally Residing Citizens between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Republic of Austria was signed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Austria Tsengeg Mijiddorj and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.
The Agreement will establish the legal framework for the formal requests for repatriation of citizens illegally residing in the two countries, and expand bilateral cooperation in facilitating legal migration.
5. A Letter of Intent on Financial Cooperation between the Ministry of Finance of Mongolia and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Finance of Mongolia Javkhlan Bold and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.
Following the completion of the EUR 40 million Financial Cooperation Agreement, the two sides affirm mutual aspiration to establish the next agreement. The two sides will work together to spend the funds from the General Loan Agreement on health, medical equipment, infrastructure, agriculture, and education sectors.
6. A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Exchanging New Technology and Best Practices in Mining between the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of Mongolia and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of Mongolia Tuvaan Tsevegdorj and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the two sides will collaborate in sharing and introducing new technology and best practices, conducting joint research, and training professionals in the mining sector.
The two sides agreed to cooperate in facilitating cooperation between research and analysis institutions of the two countries, implement joint projects and programs, implement projects that support the planning, construction, and operation of waste processing plants, develop sustainable energy technologies, ensure cybersecurity, digitize small and medium-sized enterprises and develop engineering operations in the mining and mineral resources sectors. To implement these measures, a joint Working Group will be established.
7.  An Agreement on Cooperation in Science between the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and the Austrian Academy of Sciences was signed by President of the  Mongolian Academy of Sciences Demberel Sodnomsambuu and President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Heinz Fassmann.
Under the revised Agreement, the scope of cooperation will expand, the number of traditional and new joint research projects and programs will increase, and the human resources of the sector will be strengthened.
8. A Protocol on the Implementation of an Agreement on Cooperation in Science between the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and the Austrian Academy of Sciences for 2025-2030 was signed by President of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences Demberel Sodnomsambuu and President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Heinz Fassmann.
The two sides will implement the "Mobility" Project to exchange scientists and researchers, exchange information and good practices through joint research, strengthen human resources of the sector, and expand the network of scientists and researchers.
9. A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Mongolian State Conservatory and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna was signed by Director of the Mongolian State Conservatory Sharavtseren Tserenjigmed and Rector of the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna of the Republic of Austria Ulrike Sych.
The two universities will collaborate by exchanging classical music teachers, students, and musical pieces by Mongolian and Austrian composers, jointly creating works, implementing joint projects for teachers, organizing scientific and academic conferences, and implementing projects on morin khuur, tsuur, and ethnic musicology in collaboration with Austrian music scholars. It will enable the introduction of new teaching methods and new approaches in Mongolia for the first time.
10. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Chinggis Khaan National Museum of Mongolia and the Institute of Iranian Studies of the Austrian Academy of Sciences was signed by Director of the Chinggis Khaan National Museum of Mongolia Chuluun Sampildondov and President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Heinz Fassmann.
The two sides will collaborate on scientific studies and research, mutually study historical documents and collections, and implement joint scientific projects.

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Construction of the Selbe Sub-Center to Begin on May 29 www.montsame.mn

 Construction of the Selbe Sub-Center will start on May 29, 2025.
Contractors have been selected for the first two packages of the model “20-Minute City” Selbe Sub-Center Project, which spans 158 hectares and 2,206 land plots in Chingeltei and Sukhbaatar districts. Geographically, these initial packages cover a 25.6-hectare zone around “Zurgaan Buudal” and the Orgil Shopping Center, where apartments for roughly 4,400 households will be built.
Work on social facilities and engineering infrastructure across the 158-hectare site is underway. Current projects include 6.7 km of roads, 5.3 km of power and telecommunication lines, 9.7 km of district-heating pipes, 19.7 km of water-supply and sewer lines, a 2.4 km flood-protection dikes, a 1,000 cubic meter water reservoir, three bridges, a heating plant, an information-communications hub, a business incubator training center, and a substation. Two kindergartens with capacities of 150 and 240 children each have already been commissioned.

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Centennial anniversary of air force celebrated www.ubpost.mn

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Mongolian Air Force, a special “Open Day” event was held at Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport on May 25, beginning with the opening of an exhibition showcasing the evolution and milestones of the nation’s aviation history.
The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of high-ranking officials, including Major General S.Ganbyamba, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces; Brigadier General D.Gankhuyag, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense; Colonel B.Munkh-Ireedui, Commander of the Air Force; along with representatives from the Ministry of Road and Transportation, veteran aviators, and other dignitaries. Organized in collaboration with the Mongolian Military Museum, the Air Force Command, Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport, the Border Protection and Emergency Management agencies, local airports, and domestic aviation companies, the exhibition offered visitors a rich visual journey through the nation's military and civil aviation heritage, featuring rare photographs, equipment displays, and historic artifacts.
The program also included a ceremonial parade involving over 1,000 service personnel, aerial demonstrations, parachute jumps, and a spectacular aerobatic performance by Russia’s renowned “Strizhi” (Swifts) team. A festive atmosphere prevailed throughout the day, further animated by hot air balloon flights, cultural performances, and a closing fireworks display in the evening.
The event concluded with a strong sense of national pride, paying tribute to a century of aviation excellence and the continued service of Mongolia’s Air Force.

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Mongolian Government Accuses Rio Tinto Group of Bribery, Corruption www.marketscreener.com

Rio Tinto Group (ASX:RIO) has been accused of political bribery in a secret lawsuit involving its Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia, the Australian Financial Review reported Sunday, citing details obtained on the allegations filed on May 20.
The dispute has persisted for nearly two decades, with company and Mongolian officials squabbling over the mine's wealth, AFR reported.
The Mongolian government's decision to file the lawsuit in a British court suggests the tension has not been resolved despite outgoing Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm spending nearly AU$8.5 billion on buying out minority shareholders and waiving government debts.
The lawsuit aims to force the company to produce evidence, helping Mongolia argue its case in the arbitration, the report said.
While Mongolian authorities directly accuse the company and its subsidiaries of corruption and bribery, there is no suggestion that Stausholm was involved in the incidents, which took place between 2008 and 2012, or that the lawsuit led to his resignation, according to the report.
Rio Tinto did not immediately respond to a request for comment by MT Newswires.
(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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After Protests Force a Shake-up, Who Would Become Mongolia’s Next Prime Minister? www.diplomat.com

For the past week, Mongolia’s government has found itself embroiled in a sudden political scandal over the prime minister’s lavish lifestyle, as reflected through his son. Social media posts of Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai’s son’s extravagant engagement went viral and sparked outrage in Mongolia’s social media. As a result, young Mongolians have gathered in front of the government palace for over a week to express their discontent with the prime minister.
Despite surviving previous calls for resignation, the sustained nature of the current unrest, coupled with internal party pressures, suggests that Oyun-Erdene’s position has become untenable. His anticipated resignation appears to be a strategic move to preserve party unity and public confidence, as reported by the Associated Press.
Public pressure has pushed the ruling Mongolian People’s Party – led by Oyun-Erdene – to deliberate on the future of the government and its coalition with the Democratic Party and the HUN Party. Ultimately, the MPP decided to cut ties with the Democratic Party to save face and blame the Democrats for breaking their agreement with the MPP, essentially attempting to reorient the narrative on why the government faltered. 
According to local news reports, Oyun-Erdene will officially announce his resignation early next week. Now, the question becomes, who will be his successor?
If Oyun-Erdene stepped down during a time of relative calm, many members of the MPP leadership would be eager to take his position. But in this time of public pressure and corporate disapproval of the government, none of the so-called contenders want to be the one to fix this. Oyun-Erdene rose to power in a similar manner in 2021, as the Mongolian government was being heavily criticized for its handling of the COVID-19 lockdowns and economic downturns from that period. Oyun-Erdene was handpicked to take the reins of government by the last prime minister and current president, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. 
Who has the same standing as Oyun-Erdene, maintains positive relations with Oyun-Erdene and the president and his party, and is recognized as a deal broker? The current chairman of the State Great Hural (parliament), Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve.  
Mind you, Amarbayasgalan has expressed that he doesn’t want to be the next premier and does not wish to stifle his friendship with Oyun-Erdene. However, it appears that he has no other option. The MPP needs a leader who enjoys popularity both inside and outside the party and who can effectively navigate through challenges. Furthermore, he would be expected to push the previous Cabinet’s agenda, such as Vision 2050.
Amarbayasgalan has earned a reputation as a political “Mozart” – a skilled strategist with a deep understanding of Mongolian politics. His rise through the ranks of the MPP, from secretary-general to chief cabinet secretary and now chairman of parliament, reflects both his political acumen and influence within the party. Along the way, he played a pivotal role in securing major victories, including the MPP’s landslide win in the 2016 and 2020 parliamentary elections. He also led significant legislative efforts, such as expanding the number of parliamentary seats and increasing the quota for women in parliament.
Known for his ability to navigate complex party dynamics and for his strong commitment to social democratic values, Amarbayasgalan brings a leadership style built on communication and consensus. With a strong, commanding voice, he is a better orator than Oyun-Erdene. In 2023, as the coal-theft protest was unfolding, Ambarbayasgalan served as the arbiter in discussions with the protest organizers. Currently he is the first chairman to oversee a parliament that has 126 seats. 
One of the key reasons Amarbayasgalan might choose not to pursue the premiership is his deep commitment to parliamentary reform – particularly his focus on implementing the “Three Perfections” policy. This initiative outlines a vision for transforming the State Great Hural into a more effective and principled institution. The first pillar emphasizes strict adherence to modern legal frameworks; the second calls for eliminating delays in the legislative process; and the third aims to dismantle the systemic roots of bureaucracy, corruption, and inequality within the legal environment. If fully realized, the policy positions parliament as the central mechanism for addressing institutional inefficiencies and promoting a more transparent, accountable, and forward-looking governance model. 
Despite his strong political instincts and reputation as a skilled technocrat, Amarbayasgalan remains relatively unknown to the broader public. This is largely due to his reserved media presence – a characteristic not uncommon within the ruling party. In fact, the current president has yet to give a formal media interview since taking office. While Amarbayasgalan is unlikely to follow that path entirely, he may adopt a cautious media strategy, especially in light of how Oyun-Erdene’s missteps in friendly media interviews have damaged his standing, particularly among younger voters.
Amarbayasgalan’s reserved nature and instinct to operate behind the scenes could become even more pronounced if he seeks to avoid similar pitfalls. This may make him appear increasingly insular at a time when the public is demanding greater transparency and accessibility from its leaders. At the same time, his well-known ability to broker consensus could act as a double-edged sword – preventing bold reform in favor of preserving stability. Yet this may be precisely what the ruling party wants: a steady hand who can manage internal pressures and maintain continuity without provoking public unrest.
By Anand Tumurtogoo

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Rio Tinto hunts broadly for new CEO, in contrast with strong BHP bench www.reuters.com

MELBOURNE/LONDON, May 22 (Reuters) - As Rio Tinto (RIO.L), opens new tab, (RIO.AX), opens new tab searches for a new CEO, the miner will cast a wide net due to a very short list of possible internal candidates, sources said, in contrast with laser-focused succession planning at its main rival BHP.
Rio, the world's largest iron ore miner, took investors by surprise on Thursday when the company announced CEO Jakob Stausholm will step down later this year once a successor is appointed. It gave no reason for the move.
One source familiar with the matter said the board had held meetings on the succession in recent months with the help of executive recruitment firm MWM Consulting, vetting internal candidates including Bold Baatar, Simon Trott and Jerome Pecresse, while looking for external leaders too.
"The next generation of big mining leaders will have to be more aggressive than the last. There's less copper around and they will have to take bigger risks to get it," said one person who consults for top executive appointments in the industry.
Both mining giants are in the midst of changing CEO at a critical juncture as the hunt for copper is crucial due to demand for use in multiple technologies including artificial intelligence and the clean energy transition.
A febrile atmosphere characterised 2024 as diversified miners failed in pulling off big ticket M&A - something both companies might hope to succeed in with new leadership. Among Rio's internal suite of candidates, Singapore-based Baatar, Rio's chief commercial officer, has found some strong support.
"We believe Baatar's communication, portfolio knowledge and problem-solving skills (as showcased during his role at Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia and Simandou mine in Guinea) would prove key in leading Rio," RBC analysts said in a note.
The Mongolian has worked in leadership positions in Rio's marine, iron ore sales and marketing divisions. He joined the Executive Committee in 2016, running the Energy & Minerals product group, before heading its copper division.
Head of iron ore Trott, a more than 20-year veteran at Rio, has brought to market its biggest new iron ore mine in more than a decade, in Australia, and is building out a huge programme of replacement tonnes.
Her family firm in Takasaki, north of Tokyo, makes auto parts.
But he has faced pushback from investors because the quality of ore in Rio's exports has dropped during his tenure and has also fallen short of production targets.
OUTSIDE CONTENDERS
Pecresse was appointed head of the aluminium division in October 2023, joining the company from General Electric (GE) Renewable Energy. He worked at Alstom and Imerys prior to that, and is seen internally as a very sharp, but understated leader. His wife is French politician Valerie Pecresse.
Outside contenders include Newmont CEO Tom Palmer, who had also been considered in 2020, and previous OZ Minerals CEO Andrew Cole, both former Rio veterans.
That compares with a very strong internal cadre at BHP, the world's biggest listed miner, where CEO Mike Henry is expected to leave in the next year and a new CEO announced at the same time.
BHP (BHP.AX), opens new tab regularly rotates top talent through key roles so it has a depth and breadth of experience to choose from. Internal CEO candidates are mentored for years by the chair and some members of the board, as a sort of pre-screening exercise, a source familiar with the company said.
The company pledged in 2016 to have 40% female staff by 2025, which it is on track to achieve, and its top two contenders are women.
BHP's Australia president Geraldine Slattery is well liked by investors for her operational nous, having previously led the company's petroleum business out of Texas. She has been at BHP for three decades. One investor described her as "steely".
CFO Vandita Pant is seen as a cool head in uncertain geopolitical times, having helped to steer ABN Amro and RBS though the thick of the global financial crisis, the latter where she worked with BHP's new chairman and former RBS CEO Ross McEwan. Pant joined BHP in 2016. A weakness could be her financial, not operational, background, some investors have said.
(This story has been refiled to expand the company name of Rio Tinto in the headline)
Reporting by Melanie Burton and Clara Denina; Editing by Veronica Brown and Susan Fenton

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