Mongolia has officially launched a national program to promote the development of football under the auspices of President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, the presidential press office said on Saturday.

The national program is being implemented across the country, within the framework of developing public sports reflected in the president's policy and the government's "Healthy Mongolians" program, according to the press office.

"We hope that the national program will help increase the number of children and youth involved in football, create professional high-ranking footballers and pave the way to promote the country's name internationally through the sport," Khurelsukh said at the program's launch ceremony on Saturday.

"I also hope that under this program, the number of professional teachers and sponsors will significantly increase," he added.

According to the program, Mongolia will organize an annual football competition called "Dream Goal" for students of all ages, build standard football fields in all 21 provinces, and implement the "Cooperation and Partnership" program to promote domestic products and services around the world through football.

On April 21, the High-level consultation meeting "Challenges and solutions for water sector of Mongolia" was held under the auspice of the President of Mongolia at the Government House in Ulaanbaatar.

The meeting was organized by the Country Water Partnership of Mongolia and the Water Agency of Mongolia. This meeting was attended by the high-level persons from the Government of Mongolia, Parliament, ministries, as well as representatives of water sector, academicians, NGOs, scientists, researchers and various experts.

They all gathered to discuss current water problems of Mongolia and exchange views and propose its solutions. The President of Mongolia U. Khurelsukh, in his speech at the meeting, said: "I am glad to meet with you today to discuss water policy in Mongolia. An essential part of Mongolia's policy is the environment and water. Scientists and researchers know that 76% of the territory of our country is decertified, degraded, and rivers have dried up, and natural and ecological difficulties have arisen. Therefore, I am glad that the "Billion Tree" national campaign initiated by the President of Mongolia has been supported and is becoming a nationwide movement. From the United Nations platform, Mongolia has announced that it will plant billions of trees by 2030. I am glad that citizens, businesses, and organizations supported this campaign and started organizing and working with the initiators to plant and protect trees in our country. Hundreds of years of scientific research have shown that "forests are the most reliable protectors and natural water reservoirs." Hence, water supply needs to be addressed first to grow forests. Our water sector was established in 1938 and is now on its 84th anniversary. In 2020, the Law on Water was amended, and the Water Authority was reorganized. Today, it operates under the Ministry of Nature, Environment, and Tourism. According to the 2021 water assessment, 6767 rivers, 4057 lakes and ponds, 13222 springs, and 635 mineral springs were counted in our country. In the last three years, 1586 rivers and streams have been restored, and 2452 rivers, streams, and springs have dried up. It shows the current natural condition of Mongolia and climate change impact on our environment.”

During the meeting, the Country Water Partnership of Mongolia's Chairman Prof. Basandorj Davaa presented a letter of appreciation to the President of MongoliaFrom left to right: Minister of Environment and Tourism, CWP-Mongolia Chairman and the President of Mongolia with the Letter of Appreciation Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. He said: "I appreciate your authentic leadership in Mongolia's water sector. I am pleased to give you a letter of appreciation on behalf of the Country Water Partnership. We want to emphasize your contribution to Mongolia's water security, which is adaptable to climate change and has a sustainable future. Accept this letter of appreciation from the Country Water Partnership, as our wish to continue our long-term cooperation with you.”

The meeting presentations covered the following topics: - Prospects for water demand in Mongolia and solutions to meet growing water needs; - Transboundary accumulation and use of surface water (foreign experience); - Approaches to strengthening water governance.

Participants came to conclusions followed presentations:

The best solution to meet most of the growth in water demand is from available resources in the Arctic Ocean basin and the Selenga River catchment area.

Implementing the Orkhon-Gobi and Orkhon-Ongi surface water reuse projects will address the short-term low water demand. However, obstacles to these activities include transboundary water issues and environmental and social impact assessments.

The fact that many ministries are responsible for water issues is a severe obstacle to a unified approach to the further development and policy of water sector and finding appropriate solutions to current and future situations.

Water resources and river basins, protection, rational use, rehabilitation, construction of water facilities, and ownership, use, and services should be considered comprehensively and based on water governance and management.

The working group involving NGOs on water problems in Mongolia has to be established.

The IWRM approach and establishing river basin councils are coming a target for water sector of Mongolia.

The Updated Draft Water law of Mongolia has been passed by Prof. Basandorj to the President office. The President of Mongolia came to the conclusion that the improvement of water governance as a strategic direction should attract serious attention from the government and parliament, as well as civil society.

Mongolian Prime Minister Oyunerdene Luvsannamsrai has instructed the Development Bank of Mongolia (DBM) to explore potential options, including an early payment, to settle its outstanding Samurai Bond obligations. Following this, the Bank says it will be able to further manage its future obligations and improve its overall debt profile. The move will reduce Mongolia's general government debt as the sovereign guarantee on the bond will concurrently mature.

According to Mr. Manduul Nyamdeleg, CEO of DBM, the Bank is waiting on potential options to make an early payment on its first-ever Samurai bond of JPY 30 billion (US $231 million) before its maturity date of December 2023. DBM is the only policy-oriented financial institution in the country with a mandate to finance large-scale, strategically important development projects in Mongolia. DBM serves a unique role in the local economy by filling the gap created by the emerging domestic banking sector, which remains unable to finance large development projects. Since its inception in 2011, the Bank has financed energy, transportation, affordable housing, agriculture, processing factories and mining projects in the country.

Due to its policy nature and the Government backing, DBM has maintained a strong funding base with a longer tenure and lower cost compared to those of the commercial banks in Mongolia.

In 2013, the Bank issued Mongolia's first-ever Samurai bond in the amount JPY 30 billion with a 10-year maturity and coupon rate of 1.52%. The guarantee from the Government of Mongolia and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) made it possible to secure the long-term funding with a lower interest rate at the time. The proceeds from the bond have been used to finance affordable housing, processing factories, and agricultural projects in Mongolia.

Founded in 2011, Development Bank of Mongolia is wholly owned by the Government of Mongolia. Its principal objectives are ensuring sustainable economic growth in Mongolia, fostering value-added, export-driven production, and introducing financial solutions designed to implement Government development policies. As of May 10, 2022, total assets are MNT 4,196,004.38 million (US$1,351 million). Total loans and advances represent MNT 2,592,042 million (US $834.7 million), with the loan portfolio focusing on key sectors such as mining, agriculture and energy. Though the Bank was only established 11 years ago, it has successfully issued a number of notes in the international capital markets.

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As part of his working visit to Ulaanbaatar on 10 May 2022, CICA Executive Director Ambassador Kairat Sarybay held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Ms. Battsetseg Batmunkh and full-format consultations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia on a wide range of CICA-related issues.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Ms. Battsetseg Batmunkh reaffirmed Mongolia's commitment to the principles and goals of CICA, as well as support for the initiatives of the Kazakh Chairmanship to transform the Conference into a full-fledged international organization, and expressed readiness to actively participate in the process. In turn, Ambassador Kairat Sarybay informed the Minister about preparations for the Sixth CICA Summit to be held on 12-13 October 2022 in Nur-Sultan. Kairat Sarybay noted the importance of the principles of multilateralism in the context of the evolving geopolitical situation in the world and emphasized the role of CICA as an effective mechanism for multilateral cooperation on the Asian continent. The head of the Secretariat paid special attention to the opportunities that CICA could provide to increase connectivity in the region with a number of landlocked developing countries. The Executive Director encouraged Mongolia to implement its potential in the priority area of environment protection coordinated by Ulaanbaatar.

During the consultations of Ambassador Kairat Sarybay in the Multilateral Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, the parties had a thorough discussion on the ways to step up cooperation on confidence building measures under all five dimensions of CICA, as well as through the advisory bodies of the Conference: Business Council, Youth Council, Think Tank Forum and Council of Eminent Persons. Environmental Dimension Expert Dr. Ugur Turan presented the Secretariat's vision on topical issues of the environmental dimension, including the introduction of advanced green technologies. The Mongolian colleagues expressed their readiness to study the topical issues within the framework of environmental cooperation and give the necessary impetus to the development of that priority area.

During a meaningful conversation with the candidate to the CICA Council of Eminent Persons from Mongolia – Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Mongolia Ambassador Khasbazaryn Bekhbat, the sides discussed the future substantive work of the new CICA advisory body and its membership.

In order to enhance environmental cooperation, Expert in the Environmental Dimension of the CICA Secretariat Dr. Ugur Turan held a meeting at the Climate Change Department of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia. The Ministry’s specialists confirmed their interest in developing an updated concept in the priority area of environment protection and in organizing appropriate events to implement CICA confidence building measures.

During the visit, Executive Director Kairat Sarybay delivered a lecture to students of the National University of Mongolia and experts of the Mongolian association of researchers, which included the 30-year history of the development of CICA, the priorities of the Kazakh Chairmanship, as well as the activities of the Conference planned for the near future. The Executive Director emphasized the importance of interaction between the academic and research communities in the search for joint solutions to the challenges facing the CICA Member States, urging Mongolia to join the CICA Think Tank Forum.

As part of the visit, Ambassador Kairat Sarybay was also introduced to the activities of the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries, which was established by the United Nations at the initiative of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar in 2009. The parties agreed to identify areas for future cooperation in order to meet the special needs of landlocked countries, as well as to consider the possibility of implementing joint projects.

At the close of the visit, Ambassador Kairat Sarybay was interviewed by the Montsame news agency, where he presented the activities of CICA.

The Development Bank of Mongolia (‘DBM’) to look into potential prospects, including an early payment before maturity, to pay off the outstanding bond obligations of the JPY 30 Billion Samurai Bond. The Samurai Bonds are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by the Government of Mongolia and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) with a maturity date of December 2023.

In 2013, the Bank issued Mongolia’s first-ever Samurai bond when the Mongolian balance of payments was at stake with foreign trade deficit rising to $1.4 billion and foreign investment falling by 47 percent. But the Government of Mongolia and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) made it possible to secure long-term funding with a lower interest rate.

DBM is steeped in controversies surrounding the credibility of its financial capabilities; being the only policy-oriented financial institution in the country with a mandate to finance large-scale, strategically important development projects in Mongolia. However, despite public questioning of the credibility Mr. Manduul Nyamdeleg, CEO of the DBM, states the bank’s potential to make early payments of the Samurai bond.

Since 2011 DBM has mandated 60% of its loans to finance large-scale domestic industrial projects in Mongolia and facilitate Mongolia’s overall development, and the rest to diversify the Mongolian economy to better insulate the economy against future macroeconomic changes in the demand and price for Mongolia’s commodities exports. Over the past five years, the trade turnover for Mongolia averaged $13.2 billion. Despite the pandemic, the foreign trade turnover has been positive since 2014; the trade balance was negative $2 million in 2013 and increased to $9.25 billion in 2021.

DBM’s issuer credit ratings from Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch are B3, B, and B, respectively, corresponding to Mongolia’s long-term sovereign credit rating outlook. This reflects a vital link to ongoing Government support for the Bank’s critical policy-oriented role in the Mongolian economy. Though the Bank was established 11 years ago, it has successfully issued several notes in the international capital markets and has a healthy risk fund through its 2% origination fees.

Despite the controversy and some non-performing loans, DBM’s performance and allocation of funds to repay the Samurai Bond reflect its perseverance. If the recent turnaround of the bank is anything to go by, stricter measurements on loan processing and the correct allocation of funds enable the bank to fulfill its initial purpose. It seems DBM is set to rebound after some setbacks.

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As of today, companies and entities are using 130.5 hectares of land out of the 500 hectares of land available at Altanbulag free trade zone. While licenses are possible to be issued for 34.6 hectares, there are 188.4 hectares of land that have been reserved. Licenses were issued for most of the land between 2018 and 2019.

Although a readiness assessment is currently being carried out in the trade zone, corresponding feasibility studies have yet to be conducted. In 2003, a detailed environmental assessment was completed. And previously, general and master plans were also developed for the trade zone - yet, both of the plans were not approved at the time. Thus, the Ministry of Economy and Development and the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development are jointly developing new plans.

The Tsagaannuur free economic zone has a total area of 708.5 hectares Of the nine entities registered in the zone, four have been issued licenses for 101.3 hectares. Despite developing a general development plan and conducting a detailed environmental assessment in 2008, the documents were also not approved.

With 81 entities registered, 101.9 hectares of land are in use out of the 900 hectares available in the Zamiin-Uud free economic zone. Some documents were developed for the zone’s development in 2011. However, they are still in the final stage of receiving approval at the moment.

As for Khushig Valley free economic zone, it was decided to establish the zone with a territory of 1,000 hectares of land in Sergelen soum, Tuv aimag per the resolution issued by the State Great Khural. Infrastructure works have yet to be completed for the zone, and corresponding studies and research are being carried out.

The current state of free trade and economic zones in the country were noted as such during a presentation by Acting Head of the Border Checkpoint Development and Free Zone Policy Department at the Ministry of Economy and Development Kh.Erdenebulgan at the discussion, ‘Development Policy of Free Economic Zones’, which took place at the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on May 12.

During the discussion, it was highlighted how there are certain common issues such as insufficient policy on workforce and human resources in the free economic zones, and the lack of corresponding agreements reached with neighboring countries. Noting the necessity to take the appropriate measures by taking these issues into account, the participants highlighted the opportunity to launch the works for Khushig Valley based on sufficient planning. Currently, there are several pressing issues being faced in successfully developing the free economic zones, such as:

• reaching a mutual agreement with the neighboring countries on establishing free economic zones, and reflecting the suggestions put forth by investors,

• ensuring the stability of policy,

• transitioning into a public-private system,

• deciding on the model of investment and governance by holding discussions with investors.

During the discussion, President of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry O.Amartuvshin put forth a suggestion to establish a consortium of private entities in order to resolve the issues that have not been resolved by the state in the last 25 years. He also noted how the establishment of the Ministry of Economy and Development is giving a certain degree of hope to those in the private sector.

Deputy Minister of Economy and Development S.Narantsogt said, “Today, the factors limiting the development of free economic zones are different in each case. During the event, we discussed implementing corresponding works in partnership with the private sector. The past has shown how the state should not be solely in charge of the development of free economic zones.”

IFC has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry (MMHI) today to build the digital skills of people, including those in the public sector, to spur greater use and understanding of existing data for the benefit of local mining communities.

Under the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), IFC will provide technical assistance to MMHI on open data best practices, which can meet the information needs of local communities about mining and build the digital skills of local officials, communities, civil society organizations, and others to use the available data. Information sharing is critical to the government of Mongolia’s goal of continuously building a transparent and responsible mining sector in line with the nation’s long-term development policy Vision 2050.

G.Yondon, Mongolia’s Minister for Mining and Heavy Industry, noted: “Last year, mining made up 24 percent of Mongolia’s gross domestic product (GDP), 77 percent of foreign direct investment, and 93 percent of exports. Sharing more information with local communities is essential for the industry to gain the social license to operate and prosper. Additionally, it will allow Mongolia to attract more long-term investors and rebuild the economy in a sustainable and inclusive way.”

IFC’s work is part of its global initiative called “From Disclosure to Development Program” (D2D).

Rufat Alimardanov, IFC’s Resident Representative in Mongolia, said: "Effective disclosures and data use practices are vital to help ensure that all stakeholders can share in the benefits generated from investments in the mining sector. It especially helps local communities better understand the benefits mining operations can create —jobs, and supply chain opportunities for local businesses, among others —as well as environmental and social risks that impact their lives. We are optimistic that this initiative will contribute to building trust between investors and communities, paving the way for sustainable and inclusive mining development in Mongolia”.

Since 2019, IFC’s D2D program has been promoting better disclosure and open data usage in Mongolia in partnership with the BHP Foundation. So far, the program has reached over 500 infomediaries in the private and public sectors – such as civil society, media, academia, and youth – through over 15 data capacity-building sessions and data competitions.

International Finance Corporation

The movement of herders and livestock into the eastern steppe is of great interest to researchers, but few scholars have linked the introduction of herds and horses to the rise of complex societies.

Now, a new study in the journal PLOS ONE provides interdisciplinary support for connections between livestock dairying and the rise of social complexity in the eastern steppe. Using proteomic analysis of human dental calculus from sites in the Mongolian Altai, the researchers demonstrate a shift in dairy consumption over the course of the Bronze Age.

By tracking the consumption of dairy among populations in the Altai Mountains in Mongolia, researchers revealed the critical role of domesticated sheep, goats and cattle in ancient economies. The adoption of ruminant livestock eventually led to population growth, the establishment of community cemeteries and the construction of large monuments. While these pronounced changes occurred in tandem with the earliest evidence of horse dairying in Mongolia, the consumption of horse dairy remained a relatively novel practice until later periods.

Thus, the spread of herds into the Mongolian Altai resulted in immediate changes to human diets, with a delay in subsequent social and demographic transformations, said study lead author Alicia Ventresca Miller, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Michigan.

“As we push back the dates of the introduction of livestock, we need to rethink the pace of social change, which may occur on much longer timescales,” she said.

Ventresca Miller and colleagues from U-M and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany extracted proteins from calculus samples to identify caseins and whey associated with ruminant and horse dairy. Results were interpreted in consultation with researchers from the National University of Mongolia and National Museum of Mongolia, in an effort to clarify how ancient societies changed after the adoption of domesticated livestock.

Dramatic social changes and monumental constructions were fueled by a long-term dependence on sheep, goats and cattle, Ventresca Miller says. This is supported by finds of mostly ruminant bones in large monumental Khirgisuurs in the Altai Mountains, while in other areas of Mongolia horse bone deposits have been identified along with ruminants.

“These new results might allow for a shift in our understanding of Bronze Age dynamics,” said Tsagaan Turbat, professor of archaeology and anthropology at the National University of Mongolia.

Turbat believes that Deer Stone-Khirgisuur complexes, the most studied in the region, may have originated from Sagsai groups in the Altai Mountains.

The current study pushes back the earliest date of horse dairying in the eastern steppe associated with Sagsai burials to about 1350 B.C. As initial evidence of horse milk consumption is rare, this may have been a novelty since horses were an important feature of ritual life, the researchers say.

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The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has lowered its forecast of Mongolia's gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2022 to 3.5 percent from the previous estimate of 6.0 percent in March, local media reported Wednesday.

The revised forecast reflected the impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the EBRD said in its May edition of the Regional Economic Prospects report on Tuesday.

The EBRD forecasted that Mongolia's economy will expand by 7.0 percent in 2023, the same growth rate as predicted in March.

Last month, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank lowered their respective forecasts of Mongolia's GDP growth in 2022 to 2.5 percent and 2.3 percent due to some external factors such as border closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The Asian country's GDP expanded 1.4 percent year-on-year in 2021, according to the National Statistics Office

A total of around five million animals have been vaccinated against the deadly foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) across Mongolia, local media reported on Thursday, citing the country's General Authority for Veterinary Services (GAVS).

FMD is a viral infectious disease that spreads among cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs.

"Almost five million cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs and reindeers have been vaccinated against FMD since Mongolia launched a month-long nationwide immunization campaign against the infectious disease on April 18," the GAVS said in a statement.

Since the beginning of this year, over 356,800 cases of FMD have been registered in 20 of the country's 21 provinces, according to the GAVS.

Mongolia has developed a 2022-2028 strategy to fight FMD and keep livestock healthy, the GAVS said, adding that under the strategy, efforts will be intensified to support the immunity of animals susceptible to FMD. In particular, high-risk animals are expected to be vaccinated against the disease every six months.

The livestock sector is a main pillar of the Mongolian economy with around 70 million heads of livestock in the country as compared with its 3.4 million people.

The landlocked country is striving to develop its livestock sector by raising meat exports in a bid to diversify its mining-dependent economy.

However, frequent outbreaks of livestock animal diseases such as FMD and mad cow disease are impeding the process.