Mongolia Receives 737,338 Tourists as Arrivals Rise 54.1% www.montsame.mn

Mongolia had received 737,338 tourists as of September 1, 2026, an increase of 258,886, or 54.1 percent, compared with the same period last year.

Tourist arrivals during the same period over the past four years were:

364,594 in 2023
435,037 in 2024
478,452 in 2025
737,338 in 2026
The number of tourists has more than doubled compared with the same period in 2023, according to the Mongolia Tourism Organization.

The number of tourists arriving in Mongolia from Japan has also increased for four consecutive years. As of September 1, arrivals from Japan stood at:

14,396 in 2023
19,246 in 2024
24,579 in 2025
31,980 in 2026

This year’s figure represents an increase of 7,401 tourists, or 30.1 percent, from the same period last year, and a 122.1 percent increase compared with 2023.

Mongolia Establishes Nationwide Air Quality Monitoring System www.montsame.mn

 Mongolia has established a nationwide system to continuously monitor and process air quality data and deliver information to the public in a timely manner.

The system was developed through the “Installation of Automatic Air Quality Monitoring Stations in Ulaanbaatar and the Centers of 21 aimags” project, which was successfully implemented from 2023 to 2026 with USD 8.9 million in assistance. The project was jointly implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia, the Korean Ministry of Environment and the Korea Environment Corporation.

Under the project, automatic air quality monitoring stations were fully installed in Ulaanbaatar and the centers of all 21 aimags. The stations can continuously monitor sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide and meteorological indicators. The public can access the monitoring data through agaar.gov.mn.

At the project closing ceremony, Sandag-Ochir Tsend, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, emphasized that air pollution is not merely an environmental issue but one that directly affects public health and quality of life. He stressed that accurate and reliable monitoring data provide the basis for sound policymaking.

He also noted that while Mongolia had previously been able to analyze weather conditions, the project now enables the public to access air quality forecasts. This will contribute to more effective policies aimed at ensuring people’s right to a healthy and safe environment, protecting the environment, and reducing air pollution, he said.

Battulga E., Director-General of the National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring, noted that a mobile laboratory for measuring air quality indicators had been handed over to the Central Laboratory of Environment and Metrology under the project. The project also developed the MAMIS software for data processing, results assessment and reporting, while around 240 officials received training in Mongolia and the Republic of Korea to strengthen human resource capacity.

Russia, Mongolia Presidential Meetings: September 2026 Update www.russiaspivottoasia.com

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin has met with the President of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh in Bishkek. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the SCO summit.

The Russian delegation included Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office – Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Russian Co-Chair of the Russia-Mongolia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation Alexander Kozlov, Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin, Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov, Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, CEO – Chairman of the Management Board of Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov, and Director General of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Alexei Likhachev.

This is what Putin had to say:

“Mr President, friends, I am very pleased to meet with you again. Russia and Mongolia’s strategic partnership is based on long-standing traditions of good-neighbourliness, friendship, and understanding of each other’s interests. This year, specifically on November 5, we will celebrate the 105th anniversary of diplomatic relations. That’s a momentous timeframe.

In 2025, our trade increased by 4.5%. We are also seeing positive results this year: it grew by more than 18% over the first six months. This is a good number.

The Russia-Mongolia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation is working actively, and, in my opinion, it is working hard and with success. I hope that the interim trade agreement between the EAEU and Mongolia that entered into force in July 2026 will provide preferential treatment for Mongolian traditional exports across the customs territory of our association.

We cooperate constructively within multilateral organisations and forums, as our positions on many pressing international issues are aligned or close.

Today, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit was held successfully and productively. Mongolia participated in it as an observer, and now, in accordance with the decision adopted, it will receive partner state status.”

Natural Resources and Environment

Russia’s Natural Resources Minister attended the meeting, while Mongolia has been hosting COP17 with land degradation a specific theme. Mongolia’s natural resources and energy policy regarding Russia centers on balancing deep economic dependence for fuel and electricity with a strategic “third neighbor” foreign policy. The two countries actively cooperate on joint mineral exploration and energy supply, with Mongolia relying heavily on Russian petroleum imports while offering vast untapped natural resources. Mongolia possesses immense reserves of copper, coal, gold, uranium, fluorspar, and critical rare earth elements, with the two targeting their  border regions to explore for ferrous, nonferrous, and noble metals, coal, and fluorspar.

In terms of the environment, they cooperate closely on cross-border environmental policy, focusing heavily on water resource management, climate adaptation, and the protection of shared ecosystems like Lake Baikal and the Selenga River basin.

Energy
The Russian Energy Minister and Rosatom’s CEO both attended the meeting.  Mongolia imports nearly all of its refined gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel from Russia. Around 90% of Mongolia’s electricity relies on domestic coal-fired plants, but the country still imports supplemental power and works with Russia on infrastructure upgrades like the TPP-3 reconstruction in Ulaanbaatar. Rosatom and Mongolian partners have discussed small modular nuclear reactor (SMNR) development to offset Mongolia’s aging coal infrastructure. Mongolia is reviewing a proposal from the Russian state nuclear corporation to build a small modular nuclear reactor in the country, which may be built near New Kharkhorum, a planned new capital city located about 230 kilometers west of Ulaanbaatar. 

Transport
Rail Mongolia
The Russian Minister of Transport, and the Head of Russian Railways also attended the meeting. Mongolia and Russia are actively expanding their transport cooperation through the upgrade of the Ulaanbaatar Railway and the development of the trilateral economic corridor with China. Officials from both countries are working on the technical plans for the central railway line. This includes plans to build a new branch railway from Bagakhangai to the Khushig Valley,  a strategic development area located in Töv Province south of Ulaanbaatar. This is the home of Mongolia’s International Airport and the site of Mongolia’s planned new satellite city, Hunnu City.

The 2026–2030 technical railway upgrade targets the central railway line (Ulan-Ude – Naushki – Sükhbaatar – Ulaanbaatar – Zamyn-Uud – Erenhot) to boost regional transit. This route forms the backbone of the broader economic corridor linking Russia, Mongolia, and China for expanding Eurasian trade, with a target for it to handle 50 million tonnes of freight annually by 2030. The route carried 33.4 million tonnes in 2025, used by a record 3,850 freight trains crossing Mongolian territory. The upgrade will increase Mongolia’s freight traffic capacity by just under 50%.     

New kharkhoram
Mongolia is building New Kharkhorum as a planned new capital city in the Orkhon Valley to ease severe overcrowding, traffic, and pollution in Ulaanbaatar. It will cover about 189,000 hectares across Uvurkhangai and Arkhangai provinces, roughly 230 to 300 kilometers southwest of Ulaanbaatar, near the historic ancient capital of Kharkhorin. It is designed to accommodate an initial population of approximately 500,000 residents. President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh issued a decree to restore Kharkhorum as capital in 2022. In mid-2025, a development law was submitted to the Mongolian Parliament and approved.

Estimated to cost around US$30 billion, the master plan features a 4E-class international airport, a transport and logistics hub, extensive green spaces, and potential small modular nuclear reactors for clean energy. Russian and Chinese property developers are highly likely to be involved in construction and the supply of materials once the plans are finalised. 

The project does not have a single final completion date, but broader developmental milestones extend toward 2050 and 2065 under long-term national frameworks like Vision-2050.

Economic Development
EAEU Mongolia
The Russian Economic Development Minister was present, as Mongolia has an interim Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) which entered into force in July. The two sides will have discussed how best to utilise this new agreement. The FTA eliminates or reduces customs duties on 367 product categories for both sides, covering about 90% of bilateral trade. Set for an initial three-year period, with automatic renewal for another three years unless terminated or objected to by either party. These are the main considerations:

Mongolian Exports

Agricultural and livestock goods (meat, cashmere, finished leather, wool) make up 97.5% of covered Mongolian exports, gaining preferential or zero-tariff access to the EAEU market.

EAEU Exports

EAEU member states (Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan) gain better access to Mongolia for dairy, beverages, confectionery, cars, trucks, and cosmetics.

Protections

Sensitive domestic sectors are shielded; dairy and alcohol are protected, while Mongolia applies specific quotas on items like milk powder, eggs and wheat.

Although the FTA has only been in operation for a few weeks, it can be expected to have a significant impact on Mongolia’s trade with Russia and Kazakhstan especially. Mongolian cashmere stores have already opened in luxury malls in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Summary
Mongolia is poised for an extensive transformation. Sited between Russia and China, its interconnecting rail network between the two countries is set increase by 50%, the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline is set to transit the country (and supply energy) while armed with a new Free Trade Agreement, Mongolian entrepreneurs can access an EAEU market of 185 million. Mongolia’s population is 3.5 million.

That shortly to be created wealth is already being put to use – a new capital city, and a move to cleaner nuclear energy after decades of polluting coal powered stations. While bilateral trade remains relatively modest at US$2.7 billion, that is a reflection on the smaller Mongolian population. Nevertheless, the bilateral figures, boosted by transit operations and free trade should boost the Mongolian economy in the coming years.  

President Khurelsukh Attends SCO's Expanded Council of Heads of State www.montsame.mn

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held an expanded meeting of the Council of Heads of State in Bishkek, capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, on September 1, 2026. President Khurelsukh took part as an observer, outlining Mongolia's position at the gathering.

The summit was hosted by Sadyr Japarov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, who currently holds the SCO chairmanship, and was held in the expanded "SCO Plus" format under the theme “The United Nations as a Key Element of a Fair World Order: the Contribution of the SCO Plus States to the Formation of a Multipolar World” with the broader "25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development, and Prosperity."

In his remarks, President Khurelsukh reaffirmed Mongolia's commitment to the continuity of its foreign policy, pursuing peace-loving, open, independent, and multi-pillar diplomacy, and standing ready to engage in multilateral cooperation in the region actively.

Leaders and senior officials from some 20 countries attended the meeting alongside Mongolia, including China, Russia, India, Türkiye, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, Laos, and Togo, as well as Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, and heads of other international organizations.

Participants at the meeting focused on:

· Building on the outcomes of last year's summit in Tianjin and implementing the organization's development strategy for the coming decade

· Jointly addressing regional and international security challenges

· Advancing trade, the economy, transport infrastructure, and the establishment of an SCO Development Bank

·Cooperation on climate change, food security, culture, and humanitarian affairs

· Cooperation on digitalization, artificial intelligence, youth exchanges, and sustainable development

Member states signed 28 documents on the Bishkek Declaration and on cooperation in areas including member states' security, combating drugs and narcotics, crime, and climate change, as well as energy, transport, logistics, and information security.

"SCO Plus" refers to the organization's expanded meeting format, in which observer states, dialogue partners, and heads of international organizations such as the UN join the core member states for broader consultations on major issues. The "Plus" reflects the SCO's growing openness, inclusiveness, and expanding influence on global development.

Pakistan will chair the next meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State.

The SCO was established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan with the goal of resolving border disputes and strengthening mutual trust among member states. Its members now include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, India, Iran, and Belarus, while Mongolia and Afghanistan hold observer status. Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Egypt, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Türkiye, the Maldives, and Laos are dialogue partners of the organization.

Presidents Khurelsukh and Putin Meet in Bishkek www.montsame.mn

 Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, the President of Mongolia, met with Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, in Bishkek, capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, on September 1, 2026.

The two heads of state underlined the importance of further deepening and enriching the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" between Mongolia and Russia with new substance while expanding trade and economic cooperation and implementing major mutually beneficial projects and programs.

President Khurelsukh noted that actively developing friendly, good-neighborly relations across all sectors remains one of the priorities of Mongolia's foreign policy, expressing satisfaction that high-level visits and meetings between the two countries have become regular and that cooperation continues to grow.

This year marks the 105th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Russia. The two leaders highlighted that a joint plan comprising more than 30 packages of events being implemented in this framework is of great significance for strengthening the partnership and expanding cooperation.

The sides agreed that the entry into force of the interim free trade agreement between Mongolia and the Eurasian Economic Union has created real opportunities to bring trade and economic cooperation to a new level and increase trade turnover.

The two sides noted energy, road transport, industry, mining, and agriculture as priority sectors of cooperation. They exchanged views on stepping up the work of the joint working group of scientists and researchers on the Egiin Gol hydropower plant project to advance it, as well as on expanding and upgrading Thermal Power Plant No. 3.

Under plans to upgrade the technology and equipment of the Mongolian Railway State-Owned Enterprise, the company's cargo transport capacity is set to rise from the current 30 million tonnes to 50 million tonnes over the next five years. The two sides agreed to study the feasibility of establishing western and eastern railway corridors linking Mongolia, Russia, and China. The western, or vertical-axis, corridor would support the economic development of Mongolia's western provinces and expand trade flows among the three countries, while the eastern corridor would open shorter routes to ports in Russia's and China's northeastern regions, facilitating mining exports and creating a regional economic network.

The leaders also discussed cooperation with Russia's Rosatom on building small and medium-sized nuclear power plants and agreed to intensify cooperation on a project to supply Russian natural gas to China via Mongolian territory.

President Khurelsukh expressed gratitude to the Russian government for its close attention to ensuring a stable supply of petroleum products needed by Mongolia and to safeguarding the country's fuel and energy security. Despite disruptions in supply on international markets, Russia has continued to stably meet Mongolia's fuel needs and ensure fuel security.

More than 400 delegates from Russia are expected to attend the two countries' regional forum in Ulaanbaatar on September 14-15, where the sides will discuss joint projects and programs to be implemented together.

The two sides agreed that intergovernmental commissions and relevant agencies should work actively to translate the agreements reached during high-level meetings and visits into concrete action.

Mongolia, South Korea Explore Expanded Cooperation on Protected Areas www.montsame.mn

Uranchimeg T., Director of the Protected Areas Policy Department at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia, met with representatives of the Korea National Park Service to discuss expanding cooperation between protected areas and identifying potential joint projects.

In the environmental sector, the Seoraksan National Park in South Korea and the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area in Mongolia have maintained cooperation between their protected area administrations since 2009.

During this period, more than 40 specialists and rangers have participated in joint activities, including research on migratory birds, climate change and plant distribution, as well as experience-sharing programs to enhance their knowledge and professional skills.

The sides noted that their cooperation has contributed to strengthening the capacity of protected area administrations, scientific research, the use of technology and equipment, environmental education, and inter-agency partnerships. They also agreed to explore the possibility of implementing a project to establish a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center.

The two sides will also focus on promoting responsible and sustainable nature-based tourism by sharing experience and best practices in managing visitor flows and carrying capacity, introducing environmentally friendly routes and services, and improving visitor safety and access to information. They also plan to strengthen the capacity of rangers and tourism professionals and implement joint environmental education and public awareness programs.

In addition, the National Park Service of South Korea’s Deogyusan National Park and Mongolia’s Gorkhi-Terelj National Park signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in 2025.

BUDGET 2027: Revenue projected at MNT 41.3 trillion, expenditure at MNT 43.6 trillion www.gogo.mn

On August 31, 2026, Prime Minister N.Uchral and Minister of Finance and Member of the Parliament Z.Mendsaikhan submitted to Parliament Speaker S.Byambatsogt the draft 2027 Unified Budget Framework Statement, the draft law amending the 2028–2029 Budget Projections Law, and the draft laws on the 2027 State Budget, National Wealth Fund Budget, Social Insurance Fund Budget, and Health Insurance Fund Budget, together with related legislation.

Prime Minister N.Uchral emphasized that under the proposed amendments to the 2027 Unified Budget Framework Statement and the 2028–2029 Budget Projections Law, balanced budget revenue for 2027 is projected at MNT 41.3 trillion, while budget expenditure is projected at MNT 43.6 trillion, resulting in a balanced budget deficit of MNT 2.306 trillion.

The package also includes amendments to the Fiscal Stability Law. The proposed amendments would increase the maximum total expenditure of the consolidated budget specified in Article 12.1.4 by additional revenue from dividends of state-owned enterprises, dividends from the Oyu Tolgoi project, domestic securities, and unspent balances carried over from the previous year that could not be incorporated when the medium-term budget framework statement was prepared.

The draft also proposes that increases in the maximum expenditure ceiling arising from these additional revenue sources would not be subject to the special fiscal requirements set out in Article 6 of the Fiscal Stability Law.

The proposed fiscal requirements are calculated as follows:

Balanced revenue: Balanced budget revenue is determined by calculating the reference prices of major mineral commodities based on price forecasts issued by international financial institutions, while taking into account key macroeconomic indicators and export prospects.

Balanced consolidated budget balance: The consolidated budget balance is planned as either a deficit or surplus not exceeding 2% of GDP for the fiscal year, in accordance with the special fiscal requirements.

Growth rate of consolidated budget expenditure: The growth rate is calculated so that total expenditure does not exceed the higher of the year's non-mineral GDP growth rate or the average non-mineral GDP growth rate over the previous 12 consecutive years. This is intended to keep budget expenditure aligned with underlying economic growth.

For 2027, the maximum consolidated budget expenditure ceiling would also be increased by the amount of additional revenue. The special fiscal requirement concerning expenditure growth would not apply in 2027, and the special requirements would likewise not apply in 2028 and 2029.

Government debt: The nominal stock of government debt is projected not to exceed 50% of GDP at current prices in 2027 and 2028, and 45% in 2029. These levels remain below the ceiling established under Article 6 of the Fiscal Stability Law, which stipulates that the nominal government debt stock must not exceed 60% of GDP at current prices.

The initiators of the draft legislation said the proposed amendments would allow Mongolia to recalculate key macroeconomic and budget indicators in line with updated economic conditions and create a more realistic basis for preparing the 2027 budget.

The amendments are also intended to support the efficient and rational allocation of state budget resources and the effective implementation of fiscal policy.

China, Russia, Mongolia to hold joint border defense exercise www.en.people.cn

Border defense forces from China, Russia and Mongolia will hold their second joint exercise in early September, China's Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday.

The exercise, code-named "Border Defense Cooperation 2026," will focus on preventing and combating reconnaissance and sabotage activities in border regions, and will include training in joint planning, joint searches, coordinated strikes and arrests, and the joint handover of suspects, the ministry said in a media release.

The exercise is intended to further consolidate strategic mutual trust, deepen border defense cooperation and jointly maintain security and stability in border areas, the statement said.

Border defense forces of the three countries held their first joint exercise of such kind in September 2025.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)

Mongolia to boost trade with Kyrgyzstan 5.3-fold to $100 mln www.interfax.com

Mongolia intends to boost bilateral trade with Kyrgyzstan 5.3-fold to $100 million, the presidential administration said on its website.

Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov ahead of the expanded meeting of the heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of State in Bishkek. They discussed cooperation in politics, economics and trade.

"The parties discussed increasing trade to $100 million, as well as expanding and developing relations in all sectors, including industry, transport, logistics, direct flights, culture and humanitarian aid," the administration said.

Mongolia's General Customs Administration said bilateral trade with Kyrgyzstan reached $19 million in 2025. Livestock and food products are the key goods.

From coal to copper: Mongolia’s new economic era www.asianews.it

According to MongolianNews, Mongolia’s economy has relied primarily on coal exports for many years, but last year saw a historic development: for the first time, revenue from copper concentrate exports exceeded that from coal exports.

This trend has intensified this year due to the fall in global coal prices and the simultaneous rise in copper prices. Consequently, in the first half of the year, copper once again outstripped coal in terms of revenue.

In the first six months of the year, mineral products accounted for 87.2 per cent of the country’s total export revenue. Of this, copper concentrate accounted for 44.7 per cent of revenue, and coal for 37.9 per cent. During this period, Mongolia exported 56.8 million tonnes of coal worth US$3.94 billion; in physical terms, the volume of shipments increased by 21.7 million tonnes, whilst revenue rose by $1.4 billion compared with the same period last year. However, the fall in global coal prices continues to limit further revenue growth in this sector.

At the same time, the volume of copper concentrate exports reached 1.31 million tonnes, generating revenue of $4.65 billion. Compared with the same period last year, exports increased by 253,300 tonnes, whilst revenue grew 1.9-fold to $2.3 billion.

The main driver behind the growth in copper revenues is the rapid growth in global demand. Experts identify three key factors: infrastructure for artificial intelligence, for the large-scale construction of data centres worldwide; eco-friendly transport, with a rapid increase in the production of electric vehicles; and clean energy, resulting from the active expansion of renewable energy projects.

Against this backdrop, the price of refined copper on the London Metal Exchange has reached $13,645 per tonne. International investment banks and research institutes are extremely optimistic about the metal’s prospects; analysts at Goldman Sachs forecast that the price of refined copper will reach $13,735 per tonne by the end of the year, more than 10 per cent higher than their previous estimate of $12,465.

Coal is likely to retain its status as the country’s leading export in terms of volume. However, the statistics clearly demonstrate a profound transformation in the structure of foreign exchange earnings: if global demand for copper remains high and prices continue to rise, the leading role in shaping Mongolia’s economy will gradually shift from coal to copper.

State budget revenues, foreign exchange inflows and overall economic growth will no longer be linked exclusively to the coal sector, but will depend directly on demand and price cycles in the copper market.

In these circumstances, it is important that the state does not simply wait for a favourable phase in the commodities cycle, but actively manages opportunities through a sound long-term strategy. To achieve this objective, it is necessary to step up geological exploration to discover new promising deposits, create a stable legal framework to attract large-scale, long-term investment, and increase the value added of products by introducing deep enrichment and raw material processing technologies at the national level. The implementation of these measures will help to transform the growing global demand for copper into a permanent driving force for Mongolia’s economic development, rather than it simply being a source of temporary gains arising from high prices.