1 ZANDANSHATAR GOMBOJAV APPOINTED AS PRIME MINISTER OF MONGOLIA WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      2 WHAT MONGOLIA’S NEW PRIME MINISTER MEANS FOR ITS DEMOCRACY WWW.TIME.COM PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      3 ULAANBAATAR DIALOGUE SHOWS MONGOLIA’S FOREIGN POLICY CONTINUITY AMID POLITICAL UNREST WWW.THEDIPLOMAT.COM PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      4 THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF) IN MONGOLIA, THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR SUPPORTING THE BILLION TREES MOVEMENT, AND CREDITECH STM NBFI LLC HAVE JOINTLY LAUNCHED THE “ONE CHILD – ONE TREE” INITIATIVE WWW.BILLIONTREE.MN PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      5 NEW MONGOLIAN PM TAKES OFFICE AFTER CORRUPTION PROTESTS WWW.AFP.MN PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      6 GOLD, MINED BY ARTISANAL AND SMALL-SCALE MINERS OF MONGOLIA TO BE SUPPLIED TO INTERNATIONAL JEWELRY COMPANIES WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      7 AUSTRIA PUBLISHES SYNTHESIZED TEXTS OF TAX TREATIES WITH ICELAND, KAZAKHSTAN AND MONGOLIA AS IMPACTED BY BEPS MLI WWW.ORBITAX.COM  PUBLISHED:2025/06/13      8 THE UNITED STATES AND MONGOLIA OPEN THE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING IN ULAANBAATAR WWW.MN.USEMBASSY.GOV  PUBLISHED:2025/06/12      9 MONGOLIA'S 'DRAGON PRINCE' DINOSAUR WAS FORERUNNER OF T. REX WWW.REUTERS.COM PUBLISHED:2025/06/12      10 MONGOLIA’S PIVOT TO CENTRAL ASIA AND THE CAUCASUS: STRATEGIC REALIGNMENTS AND REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS WWW.CACIANALYST.ORG  PUBLISHED:2025/06/12      БӨӨРӨЛЖҮҮТИЙН ЦАХИЛГААН СТАНЦЫН II БЛОКИЙГ 12 ДУГААР САРД АШИГЛАЛТАД ОРУУЛНА WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/15     ОРОН СУУЦНЫ ҮНЭ 14.3 ХУВИАР ӨСЖЭЭ WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/15     МОНГОЛ УЛСЫН 34 ДЭХ ЕРӨНХИЙ САЙДААР Г.ЗАНДАНШАТАРЫГ ТОМИЛЛОО WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     SXCOAL: МОНГОЛЫН НҮҮРСНИЙ ЭКСПОРТ ЗАХ ЗЭЭЛИЙН ХҮНДРЭЛИЙН СҮҮДЭРТ ХУМИГДАЖ БАЙНА WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     МОНГОЛ БАНК: ТЭТГЭВРИЙН ЗЭЭЛД ТАВИХ ӨР ОРЛОГЫН ХАРЬЦААГ 50:50 БОЛГОЛОО WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     МОНГОЛ ДАХЬ НҮБ-ЫН ХҮҮХДИЙН САН, ТЭРБУМ МОД ҮНДЭСНИЙ ХӨДӨЛГӨӨНИЙГ ДЭМЖИХ САН, КРЕДИТЕХ СТМ ББСБ ХХК “ХҮҮХЭД БҮРД – НЭГ МОД” САНААЧИЛГЫГ ХАМТРАН ХЭРЭГЖҮҮЛНЭ WWW.BILLIONTREE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     ЕРӨНХИЙЛӨГЧИЙН ТАМГЫН ГАЗРЫН ДАРГААР А.ҮЙЛСТӨГӨЛДӨР АЖИЛЛАНА WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     34 ДЭХ ЕРӨНХИЙ САЙД Г.ЗАНДАНШАТАР ХЭРХЭН АЖИЛЛАНА ГЭЖ АМЛАВ? WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     “АНГЛИ ХЭЛНИЙ МЭРГЭШЛИЙН ТӨВ”-ИЙГ МУИС-Д НЭЭЛЭЭ WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/13     Г.ЗАНДАНШАТАР БАЯЛГИЙН САНГИЙН БОДЛОГЫГ ҮРГЭЛЖЛҮҮЛНЭ ГЭЖ АМЛАЛАА WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/12    

Events

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

NEWS

64x64

Buryats Seek Refuge in Mongolia Escaping War www.mongoliaweekly.org

A hundred years later Mongolia witnessed a long line of motorists at its northern border post Kyakhta from a region with Buryats, who are attempting to flee the Ukraine war, as Putin declared a partial mobilization of Russian reservists to augment his war effort in Ukraine.
Cars standing in line to enter Mongolia
Russian motorists at the Russian border to enter Mongolia. Source: @batbayarlaw
According to Justice Minister Nyambaatar, the country will not bar Russian “tourists” from entering for a 30-day visa-free stay.
As Mongolia is becoming Russia’s primary gateway to China images of huge lines at the border revealed that Mongolia had unexpectedly become a safe haven for men, women and children escaping Russia.
So far, Mongolians’ initial attitude to Buryats has been cordial and favorable. Former President Elbegdorj, who is a staunch advocate of worldwide ethnic Mongolians, called citizens to embrace their brothers and sisters from Russia and urged Putin to end the brutal war.
Expat Buryats launched a Telegram channel and other online forums to help people cross the border, find rental homes in Ulaanbaatar and find out if physicians in hospitals speak Russian.
Businesses and entrepreneurs perceive the unexpected demand for shelter, food, and basic services as an opportunity to make good money as most “migrants” come with cash unable to use their Russian bank cards in Ulaanbaatar because of sanctions.
Also, Mongolia is a safe transit route for fleeing Russians to South Korea, the United States, and other destinations.
Many questions have arisen as a result of this sudden influx from the northern neighbor: whether Ulaanbaatar can accommodate thousands of these political migrants, whether Putin would press Mongolian leaders to return his military-capable citizens, what happens to legal status of Russians/Buryats who overstay their one-month visa, and so on.
"Tourists" from Russia are not yet considered refugees or asylum seekers. A small group of expats demonstrated in New York City, urging visiting President Khurelsukh to provide Buryats safe haven and to establish a "humanitarian corridor" for Russians fleeing the war.
Mongolia works with the UN and offers limited assistance to refugees and asylum seekers but they do not enjoy legal status in the country. The government does not provide them with work permits, health care or education.
In Russia, there are around 400,000 Buryats encircling Lake Baikal with the main city of Ulan-Ude.
They speak Mongolian dialect, however Russian is the first language of most urban and younger Buryats. Another 40,000 Buryats live in northern Mongolia, with another 70,000 in northeastern China.
...


64x64

EBRD Board Directors to visit Mongolia www.ebrd.com

A delegation from the EBRD’s Board of Directors will visit Mongolia on 26 October 2022.
During their five-day stay the Directors will meet senior Mongolian officials to discuss reforms and priorities for the country’s economy. The visit will also present an opportunity to take stock of the EBRD’s assistance to Mongolia aimed at overcoming the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and mitigating geopolitical adversities caused by Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Representatives from the EBRD Board of Directors visiting Mongolia will include:
Caspar Veldkamp representing the Netherlands, China, Mongolia, North Macedonia and Armenia
Eva Cassel representing Sweden, Iceland and Estonia
Cagatay Imirgi representing Turkey, Romania, Azerbaijan, Moldova and the Kyrgyz Republic
Philip Lindsay representing Australia, Korea, New Zealand and Egypt
Yann Pouezat representing France
Leander Treppel representing Austria, Israel, Cyprus, Malta, Kazakhstan, and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Enrique Alejo representing Spain and Mexico and the United Arab Emirates
Dimitris Metaxas-Trikardos representing Portugal, Greece, San Marino and India
Markus Schulte representing the European Union.
The EBRD is the largest foreign private sector investor in Mongolia with 93 per cent of its portfolio in the private sector. To date the Bank has invested almost €2.2 billion in the country’s economy through 122 projects.
...


64x64

Healthy Forest Project launched to protect Mongolia forests for future generations www.riotinto.com

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia (MET), Rio Tinto Mongolia, and the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) have today signed a comprehensive three-year partnership agreement which aims to tackle and reverse the erosion of Mongolia’s forests caused by the rapid spread of forest defoliators – insects and other pests which feed on plant matter and can cause widespread and significant tree mortality.
The Healthy Forest Project is the first major component to be implemented within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation to Combat Climate Change and Desertification signed between the MET and Rio Tinto Mongolia on June 24 this year.
This public-private partnership project will draw on international expertise to pilot and introduce new higher efficacy treatment techniques as well as build long-term national capacity to promote sustainable forest management. The Project aims to build on, and complement, existing efforts to restore Mongolia’s forest areas as part of the national One Billion Trees initiative.
Mongolia’s forest-covered area is currently 7.9 percent of its territory. According to research conducted by MET’s Forest Research and Development Centre in 2021, Mongolia’s forests are experiencing severe outbreaks of forest defoliators. This study estimated a total impacted area of 300,000 hectares in nine provinces, as well as the Bogd Khan Mountain National Park. Without immediate action, an estimated 1.1 billion trees will be lost and up to 126,000 hectares of forest area will be severely degraded.
Rio Tinto Mongolia will contribute MNT 7.4 billion (~US$ 2.3 million) funding to support the Project, which will be overseen by MET and implemented by ICCF’s internationally recognized forest practitioners. Over the duration of the partnership a total of 300,000 hectares of at-risk forest areas will be treated. The project will introduce innovative and efficient international techniques which will increase the efficacy of treatment to more than 90%.
Alongside this, the project will build national capacity to protect Mongolia forests, through:
Strengthening national academic research capability in entomology and related fields
Co-ordinated research efforts between MET, Mongolian Academy of Science and National University of Mongolia
Development of dedicated university programs to train forest pest and management specialists.
Sharing of international best practice on sustainable forest management.
Taken together, these measures will assist Mongolia in the development of long-term approach to support and conserve the country’s forests for future generations.
Launching the Partnership, Minister of Environment and Tourism B.Bat-Erdene said: “Under this partnership, we will aim to save a billion trees by reducing the growing spread of forest defoliators driven by climate change, develop the capacity of our human resource in forestry, and introduce innovative technologies.”
Rio Tinto Mongolia Executive Director Kh. Amarjargal said: "Caring for our environment and communities is a core priority for Rio Tinto and we are proud to co-design and fund this innovative project which will help protect Mongolian forests and create a green future together. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Ministry, and with the assistance of ICCF’s international recognized experts to deliver on our joint goal to tackle climate change and desertification.
International Conservation Corps Executive Director Todd Koenings said: “The ICCF Group will bring in world class experts to support Mongolia in improving the health of national forests. This strategic public-private partnership promises to develop proven methods to combat forest pests and build domestic capability within Mongolia to take control as responsible stewards of healthy forests.”
Contact
Media Relations at Rio Tinto Mongolia
Dashnyam Bayarjargal
dashnyam.bayarjargal@riotinto.com
+976 94042241
Category: Oyu Tolgoi
...


64x64

China spent record amount on Russian energy in August – Bloomberg www.rt.com

Chinese energy imports from Russia have continued to grow, with the nation spending a record $8.3 billion last month, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing customs data. The spending on energy in August made up 83% of China’s total imports from Russia.
According to the report, Beijing has expanded its reliance on Moscow for overseas supplies of crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas and coal.
The haul for August was reportedly 68% higher than a year ago and included a record amount of coal. It brought the total over a period of six months to nearly $44 billion, an increase of 74%.
Statistics showed that Russian oil exports to China grew to 8.34 million tons last month, from 7.15 million tons in July and 6.53 million tons a year ago. Imports of Russian coal by Beijing hit a new high of 8.5 million tons, up 57% on the year, with coking coal for the steel industry totaling 1.9 million tons. Purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) amounted to 671,000 tons, the most since 2020 and a 37% increase year-on-year.
The report noted that the volumes exclude imports via pipelines, which are the main channel to transport Russian fuel to China. The customs service hasn’t reported on those supplies since the start of the year.
“Russia is likely to ship more crude and products to destinations including China in the coming months as Europe tightens sanctions,” Bloomberg wrote, noting that some of those supplies come at discounted rates.
...


64x64

Mongolia registers 61 coronavirus cases in past 24h www.akipress.com

Mongolia registered 61 new coronavirus cases in past 24 hours.

31 of them were contacts in Ulaanbaatar, and 30 were recorded in the regions. No imported cases were found.

The death toll from coronavirus in Mongolia remained 2,131.

...


64x64

From Silicon Valley to Mongolia: Impact Investor Rekha Pai Kamath www.mn.usembassy.gov

Are you a high school/college student, young entrepreneur or a career professional who’s pursuing the field of STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics? Then do not miss the opportunity to meet a 🇺🇸 Silicon Valley investor here in Mongolia! Rekha Pai Kamath is an angel investor and managing director at Kamath Family Foundation who has over 20 years of experience in working with companies such as Symantec Corp, Applied Materials, Sun Microsystems, and Procket Networks (acquired by CISCO).
Check out the full schedule of open-to-public programs featuring Rekha throughout next week below.
Monday, September 26 (UB)
14:30 – 16:00 Rekha Empowering Women in STEM Talk
Venue: MPM Event Center, 4th Floor
Speakers: Rekha Pai Kamath
Theme: Rekha’s personal experience as a woman in STEM and her journey to a stellar career in Silicon Valley, empowering women in STEM
16:15 – 18:15 Small Panel Discussion
Venue: MPM Event Center, 4th Floor
Speakers: Rekha Pai Kamath and other panel members
Theme: Global and domestic perspective of the STEM and technology industry from leading women in the field
Tuesday, September 27 (UB)
18:00 – 19:00 Rekha Empowering Women in STEM Talk
Venue: American Corner Ulaanbaatar
Speakers: Rekha Pai Kamath
Theme: Rekha’s personal experience as a woman in STEM and her journey to a stellar career in Silicon Valley
Wednesday, September 28 (Darkhan)
18:00 – 20:00 Rekha Empowering Women in STEM Talk
Venue: American Corner Darkhan
Speakers: Rekha Pai Kamath
Theme: Rekha’s personal experience as a woman in STEM and her journey to a stellar career in Silicon Valley
Friday, September 30 (Erdenet)
16:30 – 18:30 Public talk
...


64x64

Sluggish Growth, Soaring Inflation to Persist in Mongolia in 2022 www.adb.org

ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA (21 September 2022) — Economic growth is forecast to remain low in Mongolia this year before picking up next year, assuming external risks are mitigated and border issues with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) resolved in 2023, according to a new report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Meanwhile, inflation and the current account deficit are expected to outpace earlier projections.
Growth is forecast at 1.7% this year, down from an April projection of 2.3%, while the forecast for next year has been lowered to 4.9% from 5.6%, according to Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2022 Update, released today. This is due to prolonged border restrictions, deterioration of purchasing power under persistently high inflation, higher borrowing costs, a likely decline in the availability of credit, and a continuation of monetary tightening.
“Despite initial signs of recovery, the economy’s near-term growth prospects remain uneven,” said ADB Country Director for Mongolia Pavit Ramachandran. “A combination of persistently high inflation and a large current account deficit creates a pressing need for achieving better macroeconomic balance while focusing on medium-term structural reforms.”
The prolonged restrictions at the border with the PRC as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine have disrupted trade, reduced essential imports, increased import prices, escalated price increases, and dampened industrial sectors and business sentiment. Contraction continued in the mining, manufacturing, construction, and transportation sectors, and recovery in industry is likely to take time. Still, the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions since February 2022 has revived domestic demand, assisted by accommodative monetary and fiscal policies.
Inflation escalated and remained above the central bank’s target for the past 16 consecutive months. The surge in inflation will continue, mainly due to persistent supply disruptions, rising transportation costs, exchange rate depreciation and its pass-through impacts, and higher prices for food, fuel, and imported durables. The current account deficit will exceed ADO 2022 forecasts in both years, mainly because of higher imports, lower growth expected in the PRC, and continued downward corrections to exporting commodity prices.
Downside risks to the outlook are any new restrictions at major trade portals with the PRC, a decline in mineral commodity prices, negative spillovers from the global slowdown, aggressive monetary tightening, or rising balance sheet risks in the domestic financial sector.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
...


64x64

President meets European Commission’s President www.montsame.mn

On the sidelines of his participation in the General Debate of the 77th Session of General Assembly, President U.Khurelsukh met with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
At the meeting, President U.Khurelsukh said that expanding relations and cooperation with the European Union and its member states- ‘third neighbor’ of Mongolia, is one of the priorities of foreign policy.
He mentioned the EU’s consistent support to Mongolia’s democracy and social transition, while underscoring its support and assistance in the past and during the pandemic.
He said that Mongolia is interested in expanding and developing cooperation in all aspects to reduce the impact of environmental degradation, desertification and climate change, and expressed gratitude for inviting Mongolia to be in the EU’s ‘Forest Partnership’ program.
For her part, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the broad possibility to intensify bilateral economic cooperation and to cooperate in the fields of energy and green development in the future.
In particular, she expressed support to the national movement ‘One Billion Trees’ initiated by the Mongolian president. Therefore, she expressed readiness to cooperate within the framework of the ‘Forest Partnership’ program, a part of the EU’s green initiatives which aim to develop forest protection and restoration, forest use and sustainable forest management in an economically beneficial way. Mongolia will become the first country in Asia to participate in the ‘Forest Partnership’ program.
 
 
 
...


64x64

Mongolia, Australia Celebrate 50 Years of Diplomatic Relations www.thediplomat.com

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Australia. In recognition of this milestone, the two governments have organized a diverse range of activities celebrating the past and present and looking forward to a successful next 50 years.
To commemorate the anniversary, Canberra lit up two historic buildings, the National Carillion and Old Parliament House, with the colors of the Mongolian national flag.
In Ulaanbaatar, the foreign minister of Mongolia, Battsetseg Batmunkh, received Australian Ambassador to Mongolia Katie Smith. During the meeting, the two sides reiterated the past 50 years of diplomatic relations and ongoing bilateral projects such as education, economy, mining, agriculture, and defense.
The Australian embassy in Mongolia also hosted a celebratory evening with parliamentarians, foreign ministry officials, and civil society members. Our relationship is flourishing, and we look forward to the next 50 years!” Smith declared.
Mongolia and Australia established diplomatic relations on September 15, 1972. Per long-time leader Tsedenbal Yumjaag’s foreign policy agenda, Mongolia looked to establish diplomatic relations with countries beyond Russia and China, Mongolia’s only two direct neighbors. Australia, although geographically distant from Mongolia, is similar in its landscape and rich natural resources, and Mongolia had much to learn from its experience.
Soon after Mongolia’s democratic revolution in 1991, the two nations exchanged high-level visits. This was an attempt for the Australian government to test the waters. In the early to mid-1990s, Mongolia’s foreign policy was intertwined with the country’s need for economic aid and political reform. By boosting bilateral relations with developed democratic countries, Mongolia was gaining knowledge it could apply to its constitutional reform and new market-based economy. From Australia, Mongolia was particularly interested in the management of natural resources and sought technical assistance in activating its mining sector.
In 1997, Mongolia’s first democratically elected president, Ochirbat Punsalmaa, became the first president to visit Australia. However, despite Ochirbat’s effort to activate what Tsedenbal had started 25 years prior, Canberra did not open an embassy in Mongolia until 2015. Instead, the Australian embassies in Moscow, Beijing, and Seoul served as a liaison at different times.
For its part, in 2007, Mongolia recognized Australia as a “third neighbor.” A year later, Mongolia opened its embassy in Canberra, and Jambaldorj Tserendorj was appointed ambassador.
The embassy’s opening was credited to the auspicious efforts of previous high-level visits and bilateral dialogues. Official visits to Australia by Foreign Minister Gombosuren Tserenpil in 1993, President Ochirbat in 1997, and speaker of the parliament Nyamdorj Tsend in 2007 played a significant role in encouraging Canberra to recognize Ulaanbaatar as a possible partner. Sukhbaatar Batbold became the first Mongolian prime minister to visit Australia in 2011.
Canberra also began to send officials in the 1990s. In 1994, Governor-General Bill Hayden visited Mongolia along with Foreign Minister Gareth Evans. Between 2005 and 2007, senior Australian officials, including Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, visited Mongolia searching for business partnerships in tourism and resource management.
In 2011, Austrade was established in Ulaanbaatar, which later became the Australian Consulate Center. In December 2015, then Foreign Minister Julia Bishop announced the opening of the Australian Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, and John Langtry became the first resident ambassador. Before being appointed, Langtry oversaw the North Asia division at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Langtry told The Diplomat, “One of the main reasons why the Australian government decided to establish an Embassy in Ulaanbaatar in 2015 was because we realized Mongolia was a democratic partner with a shared commitment to an open economy located in a very challenging geopolitical environment.”
He noted that the same logic still holds true today. “The fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine certainly has not made Mongolia’s position any easier,” Langtry said. “However, I know that Mongolia’s efforts to strengthen its relations with ‘third neighbors’ in these difficult times and well understood and welcomed in Australia.”
Australia, even before opening its embassy in Ulaanbaatar, had prioritized enhancing Mongolia’s human capital by increasing access to higher education. Considering Mongolia’s young population – the median age is 28 – education has been an essential aspect of Australia-Mongolia bilateral relations. The Mongolia-Australia Society, known as the Mozzies, has become a bridge for education, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connections.
According to DFAT, since 1994, “over 600 Australian scholarships have been provided to Mongolian to study in Australia.” As a result, the number of Mongolian students studying in Australian institutions has increased significantly. As of 2019, just before the pandemic hit and shut down many study abroad opportunities, the Embassy of Mongolia in Australia estimated that over 6,000 Mongolians were studying in Australia.
In recognition of Australia’s contribution to Mongolia’s education sector, the state secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, Ankhbayar Nyamdorj, visited the Australian National University (ANU) in March. ANU has been an important building block for enhancing Mongolia’s human capital and has become a popular destination for Mongolian students.
Beyond education links, since 2003, the Australia-initiated Direct Aid Program has assisted over 100 organizations and so far, implemented over 130 projects in Mongolia aimed at reducing poverty, health and youth issues. The 2022-2023 Direct Aid Program selected 13 organizations in Mongolia to receive grants, such as the National Center for Maternal and Child Health, National Institute for Disaster Management, National Center Against Violence, Little Scientists NGO, and others.
In 2015, Mongolia and Australia established a joint initiative known as the Australia-Mongolia Extractives Program (AMEP) to assist Mongolia in the development of its resource-led economy. Between 2015-2019, the joint program completed its initial phase, which covered improving Mongolia’s investment environment by providing incentives for governments, civil society, and the private sector. The AMEP is still active today and will host “Mongolia Mining 2022: International Mining and Oil Expo” from September 21-23 in Ulaanbaatar.
Beyond the cooperation in the education and mining sector, Mongolia and Australia have participated in peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and Sierra Leone. Australia is also active in Mongolia’s annual Khaan Quest international peacekeeping exercise.
The past 50 years have shown the possibilities and the challenges of Australia-Mongolia relations. There were many difficulties and certain geopolitical nuances that prevented Canberra from recognizing Mongolia as a potential partner for the bulk of that time. In retrospect, Mongolia’s recognition of Australia as a “third neighbor” was the ultimate push for Canberra to see it through a different lens.
“I am pleased in this connection to see the pace of high-level visits picking up, particularly with Deputy [Prime] Minister Amarsaikhan recently in Canberra to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations,” Langtry told The Diplomat.
...


64x64

Why the Yoon administration sees a powerful partner in Mongolia www.nknews.org

In strictly objective terms, Mongolia is far from a major global player. Its population of about 3.3 million is roughly similar to Puerto Rico. Its annual gross domestic product in 2021 was just over US$15 billion, around 130th among all countries and territories.
Yet the vast, landlocked nation is also rich in natural resources and has positioned itself as a neutral party in regional disputes, two things that have not escaped the notice of South Korea in recent years.
Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1990, South Korea and Mongolia elevated their ties to a “comprehensive partnership” in 2011 and then to a “strategic partnership” in 2021. Now under the Yoon administration, the two countries have the potential to deepen cooperation in a range of areas ranging from technology and tourism to the environment.
These efforts could face hurdles due to Mongolian laws and other factors that have made Korean investors wary of doing business in the country in the past. But at least diplomatically, Mongolia appears eager to play a mediating role on Korean Peninsula issues.
Former President Moon Jae-in saw Mongolia as a key partner in his New Northern Policy, which aimed at improving strategic ties with northern countries. The first formal meeting under Moon came in Jan. 2018, when he met then-Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. The two sides discussed ways to increase cooperation, while Ukhnaagiin also offered his full support to Moon’s peace-driven agenda with North Korea.
In 2020, South Korean finance minister Hong Nam-ki expressed the government’s desire to further economic cooperation with northern countries, including Mongolia. That year also marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. At the time, South Korea’s Ambassador to Ulaanbaatar Lee Yeo-hong lamented that high-level visits would have to be postponed due to the pandemic.
Nevertheless, the countries’ leaders were able to meet again last year and followed through with their plans from 2018 to elevate bilateral ties, upgrading their relationship to a “strategic partnership” and laying out multiple areas for further cooperation.
During their virtual summit, the two leaders agreed to deepen and expand cooperation in many fields, ranging from politics and the economy to science, technology, health and tourism. Moon also particularly emphasized the potential for cooperation between the two nations in eco-friendly industries such as green energy.
Overall, the Moon administration strengthened relations with Mongolia and laid important groundwork for further cooperation between the two nations.
President Yoon Suk-yeol has only been in office for a few months, but his administration has already taken steps to further strengthen South Korea’s partnership with Mongolia.
Last month, Park Jin became the first South Korean foreign minister to visit Ulaanbaatar since 2014. He indicated that Seoul’s interest in Mongolia is due at least in part to its rich abundance of natural resources, something which has been in high demand ever since the war in Ukraine.
“We would like to deepen cooperation with Mongolia, the world’s 10th resource-richest nation, for stabilizing and diversifying supply chains,” Park said.
Mongolia also seems interested in what South Korea has to offer. Mongolia’s foreign minister Batmunkh Battsetseg said the two sides discussed ways to achieve synergy between Mongolia’s natural resources and South Korea’s advanced technologies.
As a result of their talks, the two sides agreed to launch an institute “at an early date” to enhance cooperation on rare earth metals. Mongolia would offer land and South Korea would be using its official development assistance funds for the project.
Park also reportedly visited the Mongolian president and delivered a handwritten letter from president Yoon, expressing his desire “to further develop the strategic partnership” between the two nations.
FRIENDS WITH NORTH AND SOUTH
One of the key ways Mongolia can help South Korea politically is in relation to North Korea. Mongolia is one of only a few countries that maintains friendly relations with both North and South Korea, as well as with China, Russia and the U.S. This rare position could prove to be a great help in future diplomatic engagement with the DPRK.
Ulaanbaatar’s relations with Pyongyang go back much further than its more recent friendship with the South. During the Korean War, for instance, the Mongolian ambassador in North Korea was the only foreign ambassador who refused to leave the capital in a show of solidarity.
Over the years, Mongolia has tried to use its position as a “neutral” country in the region to promote multilateral diplomacy. In 2013, for example, the government launched the Ulaanbaatar Dialogue Initiative on Northeast Asian Security, which established itself as a regular venue for track one and two diplomacy from 2014 to 2019, restarting earlier this year after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
According to the Mongolian foreign ministry, the ultimate goal of the initiative is to “defuse tensions on the Korean Peninsula and help promote confidence building and peacemaking in Northeast Asia.”
Some analysts have suggested Ulaanbaatar could serve as the “Geneva or Helsinki of the East.” Mongolia has also declared itself a “nuclear-weapon-free zone,” a status recognized at the U.N. level and a potential boon to multilateral diplomacy on North Korea’s nuclear program.
Ulaanbaatar also tried to play an active role in the peace process under former President Moon Jae-in: Mongolia’s president offered to host a summit for Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un in the country, which he called “the most suitable, neutral territory.”
Besides cooperation with the two Koreas, Mongolia also assisted Tokyo with the issue of North Korean abductions of Japanese nationals, organizing a reunion between the parents of the abductee Megumi Yokota and their granddaughter who lives in the DPRK.
While opportunities for cooperation, hurdles remain to South Korea and Mongolia developing further ties.
For one, Mongolia’s government has revised and amended laws and regulations that have negatively impacted foreign companies conducting business in the country, according to a Korea Economic Institute of America report, while corruption has also been an issue.
Moreover, costly logistics due to a lack of infrastructure, harsh weather especially in winter, poor working conditions and structural vulnerability in the banking sector are also concerns for Korean businesses, the report found.
Still, the two countries appear committed to improving their bilateral relationship and expanding cooperation.
Mongolia appears to be retrying its hand at playing the role of inter-Korean mediator. After hosting the U.N. secretary-general in early August and less than two weeks after South Korea’s foreign minister left the country, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh reportedly invited Kim Jong Un to visit the country.
According to KCNA, Khurelsukh suggested Kim come “at a comfortable time” once the COVID-19 pandemic situation is “resolved,” adding that he would be interested in visiting Pyongyang as well.
Even though diplomacy with Pyongyang remains at a standstill, Seoul could benefit from keeping Ulaanbaatar close in case an opportunity for renewed engagement with North Korea emerges.
Until then, South Korea and Mongolia will look to strengthen cooperation in natural resources, energy and technology. With global uncertainty and tension high due to the war in Ukraine and U.S.-China competition, neutral partners such as Ulaanbaatar will only become more important to Seoul.
Edited by Bryan Betts
 
 
 
...