Mongolia-Germany Business Forum Draws Over 270 Participants in Berlin www.montsame.mn

The Mongolia-Germany Business Forum was held in Berlin on October 21 within the framework of the State Visit of the President of Mongolia, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, to the Federal Republic of Germany.

The forum was jointly organized by the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, bringing together more than 270 representatives from government institutions, the private sector, and businesses of the two countries.

In her opening remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs Battsetseg Batmunkh noted that elevating Mongolia-Germany relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2024 had opened up new opportunities to expand cooperation in trade, investment, manufacturing, and technology.

She emphasized the importance of advancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation through concrete projects and investment, and of leveraging German advanced technologies and know-how alongside Mongolia’s resources and potential to develop value-added production and exports. She called on businesses to turn new opportunities for joint projects and investment into concrete action.

The forum featured discussions on investment opportunities, development prospects and future cooperation in Mongolia’s industrial, wool, and cashmere sectors. The representatives of businesses exchanged views on introducing advanced production technologies and know-how, manufacturing value-added products, and expanding export markets.

During the forum, businesses from the two countries exchanged six documents aimed at expanding cooperation in trade, investment, construction materials manufacturing, renewable energy, food production, and other business activities.

In particular, Mongolia’s GR Precast LLC and Germany’s CBS Home exchanged a document on establishing a modern manufacturing facility for precast lightweight concrete products in Mongolia. Blackbox Energy and smartOPS exchanged a document on cooperation in renewable energy. Meanwhile, Mongolia’s Khuns Complex LLC signed separate memorandums of understanding on business cooperation with Germany’s Poly-clip System and Eberhardt.

The Mongolia-Germany Business Forum served as an important platform to strengthen direct business ties, establish new partnerships, advance mutually beneficial joint projects, and further strengthen the Mongolia-Germany Strategic Partnership through practical cooperation in trade, economic development, and investment.

Mongolia and Germany sign declaration to strengthen strategic partnership www.qazinform.com

Mongolia and Germany have signed a joint declaration to deepen their strategic partnership, expanding cooperation in education, science, defense, renewable energy and economic development during Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh’s state visit to Germany, Qazinform News Agency cites MONTSAME.

The declaration was signed by Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh and Bernhard Kotsch, State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office. It outlines priority areas for strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between the two countries.

Under the agreement, both sides committed to continuing support for the German-Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology, which operates within the framework of bilateral development cooperation. They also agreed to strengthen scientific and research ties through initiatives such as the first Mongolian-German Science Day and expand scholarship opportunities for Mongolian students.

Cooperation in vocational education and training will also be expanded, with Germany sharing its expertise and best practices and the two countries implementing joint programs in Mongolia.

In defense and security, the countries agreed to enhance cooperation between their armed forces and organize specialized training in United Nations peacekeeping operations and mountain infantry.

The declaration also identifies renewable energy development and the transition to a green economy as priorities for boosting bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

In addition, Mongolia and Germany agreed to explore the mutual recognition of driving licenses and the possibility of concluding a bilateral social security agreement, with talks to be initiated on both issues.

As part of efforts to strengthen diplomatic and consular ties, Mongolia also announced plans to open a Consulate General in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Earlier, Qazinform reported Mongolia and Japan joined forces on afforestation and water projects in the Gobi. 

BY
Adlet Seilkhanov

Mongolian capital's hotline receives 5000 complaints in two months www.thestar.com.my/

The Capital City Governor’s Office launched a dedicated hotline, 150150, on August 14 to receive feedback, requests, and complaints from residents of Ulaanbaatar city.

Over the past two months, the “The Mayor is listening” hotline has received a total of 8,373 submissions, including 7,774 text messages and 599 emails.

Of these, 5,120 were complaints, 2,548 were requests, 400 were inquiries and 209 were suggestions.

According to B. Semjidmaa, the Capital city’s coordinator for Public Service Quality, 89.7 per cent of the submissions have been resolved, with an average resolution time of 5.9 days. The figures were reported by the Media and Public Relations Department of the Capital City Governor’s Office.

An online training session was also held for more than 500 managers and officials from 157 organisations to improve procedures for receiving, distributing, resolving and monitoring citizens’ feedback, requests, petitions and complaints.

The training focused on responding promptly to citizens, improving the quality and accessibility of public services, and strengthening complaint-resolution processes across the participating organisations. - Go Go Mongolia/ANN

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: Proud to See Mongolia Strengthen Protections Against Tobacco-Related Harm www.oncodaily.com

Mongolia’s State Great Khural adopted amendments to the Law on Tobacco Control on October 16, 2026, to reduce tobacco use, prevent related diseases and deaths, and protect public health.

The amendments introduce stricter regulations on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and emerging nicotine products.
Restrict flavors that appeal to young people.
Gradually increase tobacco excise taxes.
Strengthen regulatory oversight.
Expand cessation support and prevention services.
The Ministry of Health will focus on effective implementation, cross-sector collaboration, and stronger public education and awareness campaigns.

Reducing tobacco use is a shared responsibility and a key step toward a healthier, safer population.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General at World Health Organization, congratulates Mongolia on strengthening tobacco control and advancing public health, sharing on Facebook:

“Congratulations, Mongolia, on adopting the new tobacco control laws that aim to reduce tobacco use significantly. This is a big win for the health of people in Mongolia.

Fewer tobacco users mean fewer tobacco-related diseases and more healthier lives.”

President Khurelsukh and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier Hold Official Talks www.montsame.mn

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

Following a tête-à-tête meeting, President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier held official talks. The Heads of State emphasized that the relations between the two countries, built on democratic values such as human rights, freedoms, and the rule of law, were elevated to the level of a "Strategic Partnership" in 2024, and expressed satisfaction with the expansion and development of bilateral cooperation across all sectors.

Both sides highlighted the importance of intensifying trade and economic cooperation and increasing investment, while engaging in detailed discussions regarding cooperation in industry and mineral resources, as well as in food, agriculture, and light industry within the framework of the "White Gold" and "Food Supply and Securtiy" national movements.

Furthermore, they exchanged views on opportunities to expand cooperation in renewable energy, the green transition, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and e-governance.

The two Presidents noted that this year marks the centennial of educational cooperation between Mongolia and Germany, and agreed to implement joint research projects in education, science, and culture, while increasing exchange programs for students, teachers, and researchers.

They also highlighted the significance of organizing the first "Mongolian-German Science Day" during this visit to expand cooperation between universities and academic research institutions.

Additionally, they discussed strengthening and expanding cooperation within the framework of the United Nations and other international organizations, and exchanged views on regional and international issues.

Massive Wildfire Damage in Numrug Reserve to Be Assessed www.montsame.mn

Sandag-Ochir Tsend, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Uranchimeg Ts., director of the Protected Areas Policy Department of the Ministry, worked in Khalkhgol soum in Dornod aimag to review the environmental damage caused by a wildfire at the Numrug Strictly Protected Area and outline further response measures.  

The fire, which broke out on October 8, burned a total of 528,765.5 hectares, including 468,965.7 hectares within Numrug Strictly Protected Area, or 79.8% of the protected area’s total land, according to preliminary estimates. Numrug Strictly Protected Area is vital to preserving Mongolia’s natural landscapes, ecological balance and biodiversity.

The damage assessment will be conducted in accordance with methodologies prescribed by law, utilizing satellite imagery, field measurements and surveys, laboratory analyses, and other supporting evidence. Accordingly, the wildfire damages will not be limited to the size of the burned area. Instead, it requires a comprehensive study and assessment of the impacts on soil, water, flora, fauna, and the habitats of rare and critically endangered plant species, as well as the broader effects on ecosystem functioning and long-term ecological consequences.

Minister Sandag-Ochir instructed a working group established by the Khalkhgol soum governor and a specialist team from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to work together to ensure the assessment is scientifically sound and objective.

The ministry’s specialists will also provide technical and methodological guidance to the local working group and coordinate the assessment.

The assessment will determine the ecological and property damage caused by the fire, the costs of firefighting efforts, the ecosystem’s capacity for natural recovery and the measures needed to protect and restore the affected area. Based on the findings, authorities will develop measures to protect the reserve’s ecosystems, support natural regeneration, carry out restoration where necessary, and prevent future wildfires.

Explainer: How a Japan-invested firm sparks a major wildfire at Mongolia's protected reserve www.xinhuanet.com

 A large-scale steppe fire has erupted in a strictly protected nature reserve in eastern Mongolia, threatening to spread toward the China-Mongolia border and posing cross-border ecological risks.

Initial investigations suggest the fire was triggered by a convoy run by Mobicom, a Mongolian telecommunications company with Japanese investment.

UNEXPECTED WILDFIRE

The first alarm was raised at 11:55 a.m. local time (0355 GMT) on Oct. 8, after the fire broke out in the core zone of the country's Numrug Strictly Protected Area, where unauthorized entry is prohibited, particularly during the autumn fire-risk season.

Although the open flames were extinguished on Friday, dry weather and strong winds continue to raise risks of reignition.

Mongolia activated a cross-provincial emergency response, deploying 606 rescuers and 100 sets of equipment from 60 firefighting teams across three provinces.

As flames approached the China-Mongolia border, China mobilized more than 3,400 firefighters and ground personnel along the Inner Mongolia section of the border for 24-hour patrols to prevent the fire from spreading into the Chinese territory. Both sides continue to monitor the situation amid dry weather and strong winds.

Numrug hosts one of eastern Mongolia's best-preserved original ecosystems, home to reindeer, brown bears, wild boars and other rare wildlife. The fire inflicted irreversible harm on grasslands and animal habitats, while a detailed assessment is pending to determine the full extent of ecological and biodiversity losses.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

According to local media reports, a 13-member convoy of five vehicles from Mobicom, including senior Japanese executives, drove into the restricted core area. Dry grass became lodged beneath one vehicle and caught fire, while strong winds quickly spread the flames across the grassland, making the fire difficult to contain.

After the blaze, Mobicom claimed the trip was an official survey for telecom infrastructure construction, describing the fire as an operational accident.

Mongolian government officials and local media have questioned the explanation, pointing out that the proposed fibre-optic project lacked technical and economic justification.

Local media reports have alleged that the convoy may have entered the area for unauthorized hunting and fishing involving critically endangered species.

The case has been referred to police for investigation, and no official conclusions have yet been released.

PUBLIC OUTCRY

The incident has sparked widespread public anger in Mongolia, with questions raised over whether the convoy had obtained the necessary permits to enter the ecologically sensitive reserve during the fire-prone season.

Temuulen Ganzorig, Mongolia's minister of justice and internal affairs, said those involved, along with personnel from relevant border-port administrations, would be held accountable and ordered to compensate for the losses.

Mongolia's criminal law prohibits unauthorized hunting or capturing animals in specially protected areas, while causing a forest or steppe fire may also carry criminal penalties.

Mongolia is facing increasing risks of grassland fire amid climate change. Official data show average temperatures in the country have climbed 2.5 degrees Celsius since 1941, far exceeding the global average, while 81.9 percent of the country's land is affected by desertification and land degradation. Nearly 80 percent of Mongolian steppe fires are attributed to human activities.

Fan Lijun, a researcher at the Inner Mongolia Academy of Social Sciences, noted the fire went beyond a simple accident.

The incident reflects severe lapses in corporate social responsibility for foreign-invested enterprises operating overseas, Fan said, adding that some foreign-backed firms take advantage of business connections to circumvent local environmental laws and fire-prevention bans, displaying a sense of privilege and disregard for the host country's rules.

Mongolia has thanked China for its rapid emergency response and praised Chinese company employees in Mongolia who volunteered to assist with firefighting efforts.

Berlin Opens ‘Chinggis Khaan and the World of Mongols’ Exhibition www.montsame.mn

The State Visit of the President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa is ongoing.

As part of the visit, President Khurelsukh and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier inaugurated the exhibition “Chinggis Khaan and the World of the Mongols,” held under the auspices of the two Heads of State. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender welcomed President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa at the James Simon Galerie on Berlin’s Museum Island. Dr. Prof. Matthias Wemhoff, Director of the Museum of Prehistory and Early History under the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation of the State Museums in Berlin, introduced the distinguished guests to the exhibits.

In his opening remarks, President Khurelsukh emphasized that the exhibition brings together the findings of more than 30 years of archaeological research in Mongolia, newly discovered artifacts, and a comprehensive collection of historical objects related to nomadic peoples and the Mongol Empire.

He expressed confidence that the exhibits would vividly illustrate the political, economic, commercial, cultural, and religious life of the Mongol Empire, its worldview, the power and authority of its rulers and nobility, and its foreign relations and diplomatic traditions. He noted that the exhibition would shed light on the history of the great empire, which fundamentally transformed the world and is often associated with what has been called the “Mongol Century.”

The President highlighted the joint Mongolian-German archaeological research in the Orkhon Valley, including at Kharkhorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia, as a major symbol and tangible achievement of scientific and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

He noted that archaeological discoveries and scientific research had further confirmed that Kharkhorum was not merely the political and administrative center of the Mongol Empire but also a major international hub connecting East and West through trade, religion, culture, and knowledge.

President Khurelsukh emphasized that presenting the results of years of joint archaeological research to the international public through the exhibition was a clear expression of the Strategic Partnership between Mongolia and Germany and their close ties founded on shared values.

He expressed confidence that the exhibition would foster a deeper and more accurate understanding of Chinggis Khaan and his successors in Germany and across Europe, showcase the richness of Mongolian heritage, and open a new chapter in cultural and scientific cooperation between the two countries.

On behalf of the Mongolian people, the President extended his sincere gratitude to the Berlin city administration, the Museum of Prehistory and Early History, the Chinggis Khaan National Museum of Mongolia, research institutions, archaeologists, historians, restorers, curators, experts, and everyone involved in successfully carrying out the prestigious and important task of organizing the exhibition.

In his remarks, German Federal President Steinmeier described Chinggis Khaan as one of the most influential and powerful leaders in world history. He noted that Chinggis Khaan had united vast territories, established an empire, developed systems of state administration and governance, and built a powerful army, leaving a legacy that continues to fascinate people around the world.

Steinmeier also noted that the U.S. newspaper The Washington Post had named Chinggis Khaan the “Man of the Millennium” in 1995, adding that the world of the Mongols was inseparable from the historical figure of Chinggis Khaan.

He highlighted the close and productive archaeological cooperation between Mongolia and Germany, which began in 1999, and expressed his gratitude to Professor Matthias Wemhoff and Professor Chuluun Sampildondov, Director of the Chinggis Khaan National Museum, for their dedicated efforts to bring the exhibition to fruition.

President of Mongolia to Pay State Visit to Finland www.montsame.mn

At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, President of Mongolia, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa will pay a State Visit on October 22–24.

The upcoming visit marks the first State Visit by the Head of State of Mongolia to Finland in 16 years.

During the visit, the two presidents will hold a one-on-one meeting and official talks to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in energy, culture, education, and geology. The two sides are expected to sign approximately 10 intergovernmental and interagency cooperation agreements.

During the state visit, the Mongolian Grand Theater of National Arts will present its concert "Beautiful Country of Mongolia" in Helsinki, and a Mongolia-Finland Business Forum will be organized.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on July 15, 1963. Finland was the first Nordic country to establish diplomatic relations with Mongolia, according to the Office of the President of Mongolia.

KDDI subsidiary faces criticism and questions over Mongolian wildfire www.japantimes.co.jp

Mobicom, the largest mobile phone carrier in Mongolia and a subsidiary of Japan’s KDDI, is facing scrutiny and possible compensation claims in Mongolia after a vehicle carrying its executives caught fire and started a blaze that burned through a nature preserve on the Mongolia-China border.
About 80% of the preserve, which is in eastern Mongolia and 5,870 square kilometers in size, is estimated to have been burned, according to local media reports.

Mobicom CEO Yasuhiro Ochi and two other executives were visiting the area on Oct. 8, when one of their vehicles caught fire and started the blaze. KDDI owns 98.84% of Mobicom.

The fire rapidly spread toward China’s Inner Mongolia, carried by strong winds and made worse by drought conditions. Chinese authorities deployed 3,400 personnel, including firefighters and local emergency crews, to contain the cross-border fire, China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported.

The blaze was contained on Oct. 12 and extinguished on Friday, said TenGer Times, a Mongolian newspaper, quoting local government sources.

Numrug National Park, where the fire occurred, was designated a “strictly protected area” in 1992. It has a unique landscape with a diverse range of animal species, including moose, red deer, wild boar, brown bear and the Eurasian otter, and is home to 263 species of birds and 24 species of fish. It is a main grazing ground of the Mongolian gazelle, some of which have already crossed into China, according to the newspaper.

Mongolian Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs Temuulen Ganzorig said last week that an investigation is underway, and those responsible for the wildfire will be required to pay compensation for the damage.

“Measures will be taken to hold officers of the border administration and employees of Mobicom Corporation accountable and to recover the damages,” the minister said. “A two-day entry permit had been issued. It appears they accidentally started the fire while leaving.”

Masato Shinoda, professor emeritus of climatology at Nagoya University who has studied Mongolia’s climate, said the Mongolian Plateau, which includes Mongolia as well as parts of Inner Mongolia and Russia, is known for its wildfire-prone conditions. Grassland fires often occur in spring, when snow covering the grasslands melts, exposing dry vegetation, and in autumn, when strong winds and dry grass make fires more likely to spread.

Even so, the latest fire, which burned nearly 5,000 sq. km in just eight days, is “quite huge,” he said.

“Our research based on satellite data has shown that about 13,000 sq. km of land was burned by wildfires per year across the Mongolian Plateau between 2001 and 2021,” he said. “That means the burned area of the latest event may be among the largest over that period.”

Climate change and resulting extreme droughts have generally elevated wildfire risks, though it remains unclear at this point whether or how they played a role in the Numrug fire, he added.

Mobicom’s handling of the incident has caused some concern in the country of 3.5 million people, where the company serves more than 1.8 million mobile subscribers. Initially, the firm released a statement explaining that the managers were in the border region for work related to expanding the mobile carrier’s network coverage. Mobicom later released a prerecorded video on Facebook, in which CEO Ochi apologized to the Mongolian people.

“I understand that related agencies will assess the cause and the extent of the damage,” he said in Japanese. “We will fully cooperate with the investigation and fulfill our corporate social responsibility, and will take necessary measures. I understand everyone’s concerns. We deeply regret the environmental damage caused and apologize to the Mongolian people.”

Mongolian media have questioned whether the convoy had obtained proper permission from the authorities to enter the strictly restricted area.

KDDI told The Japan Times that three Mobicom executives, including Ochi, had visited the border area to perform tests of the 4G telecommunications network, and that the firm had “notified the border security authorities of their entry beforehand.”

In its Mongolian-language statement, the company said that it had received “official permission” to enter the area.

“We recognize the gravity of the fire and the enormous damage inflicted on the Mongolian natural environment in relation to the activities of Mobicom, our group company,” KDDI said in an email response to questions, apologizing to the Mongolian people, customers and stakeholders.

“We will fundamentally review our field testing protocols and safety management measures, and will make all-out efforts to prevent recurrence.”