Mongolia and Central Asian Countries Discuss Climate Change and Exchange Views on Cooperation www.montsame.mn

Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia Odontuya Saldan participated in the Samarkand Climate Forum, a high-level Ministerial Dialogue "Central Asia Facing the Challenges of a Triple Planetary Crisis," held on April 4–5, 2025.
The Dialogue, held in Samarkand, the Republic of Uzbekistan, convened environment ministers from Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The officials addressed urgent global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution.
Throughout the discussions, participating countries shared the measures and best practices implemented under their respective national climate and environmental policies. Several Central Asian countries presented successful initiatives such as the development of fruit farming, the cultivation of drought-resistant trees and shrubs in arid zones, the expansion of urban green spaces, and the training of environmental professionals.
Mongolia contributed its experience in involving the private sector in the implementation of the "Billions of Trees" National Movement. Additional efforts highlighted by Mongolia included the establishment of the Nature Conservation Trust Fund aimed at ensuring sustainable environmental financing, the construction of ponds, and concrete actions taken to protect endangered wildlife.
The impacts of climate change are increasingly apparent across the Central Asian region. Accelerated melting of snow and glaciers, along with the reduction of water resources, threatens food security, intensifies river shrinkage and land degradation, and contributes to the further decline of ecosystems. The drying of the Aral Sea, now transformed into a desert, serves as a striking example of the environmental crises faced in the region.
In light of these challenges, participating countries exchanged views on strengthening collaboration through regional research, joint projects, and coordinated programs. The officials also exchanged views on cooperating in training specialists through the Green University of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Mongolia and Czechia Become Comprehensive Strategic Partners www.thediplomat.com

This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Czechia. In celebration of the anniversary, in March Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa paid a state visit to Czechia, where the two countries elevated their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership level. The upgrade honors a decades-old historical bonds while strengthening economic mechanisms that will help Mongolia and Czechia to navigate the geopolitical shifts in Eastern Europe.  
On April 25, 1950, Mongolia and Czechoslovakia (which later split into the independent states of Czechia and Slovakia) established diplomatic relations. At the time, Czechoslovakia was among five Eastern European nations that established diplomatic ties with Mongolia, along with Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and East Germany. 
Mongolia and Czechia shared a similar transition from socialist states to robust democracies. Czechia’s political history as part of the Soviet-led Eastern Bloc made its democratic transition as challenging and time consuming as Mongolia’s democratization, although neither was part of the USSR. Today, both countries rank high in Freedom House’s Freedom in the World report, with Czechia scoring 95 out of 100 and Mongolia receiving 84 out of 100. 
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Mongolia’s democratization, Mongolia recognized the Czech Republic in 1993 as an independent state. Despite these historical turning points, Mongolia and Czechia’s official diplomatic relations are officially dated back to 1950. Hence, marking the 75th anniversary shows the historical depth of the relationship but also carries strong symbolism for independence and sovereignty.
In commemoration of the Czechia-Mongolia diplomatic anniversary, President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel invited his Mongolian counterpart for a state visit. During Khurelsukh’s four-day state visit to Prague in March, the two countries advanced bilateral ties at the highest level of the government. During Khurlsukh’s state visit, the Mongolian delegation also held high-level meetings with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Senate President Miloš Vystrčil.
“This historic visit – the first in a decade – underscores the Czech Republic’s growing importance as Mongolia’s ‘third neighbor,’” Czech Ambassador to Mongolia Jan Vytopil told The Diplomat. “We are experiencing the best period in Czech-Mongolian relations in decades [and] the highest trade exchange in 25 years.” 
Since establishing diplomatic ties, Czech investments have contributed to the development of Mongolia’s mining sector, constructing key industrial facilities such as the Bayan-Ölgii transmission tower, cement plants, and hospitals in Mongolia. Czech geologists and experts helped discover the Erdenet copper deposit – one of Mongolia’s most significant mineral resources. 
Vytoptil noted that Czechs have played a key role in Mongolia’s development, contributing to important investments and major projects such as the discovery of copper deposits in Erdenet, the construction of Mongolia’s Hospital No. 1 (the country’s largest), as well as the development of the leather and shoe industry. The newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the signing of multiple agreements covering security, education, agriculture, environment, and sports cooperation will further boost bilateral cooperation. 
In support of expanding business relations between the two countries, the Mongolia-Czechia business forum was held during Khurelsukh’s visit. The forum, which gathered around 150 companies, explored new opportunities for trade and investment, particularly in the fields of technology, renewable energy, and logistics and, resulted in business contracts worth over $6.3 million. Memorandums and agreements to advance agricultural collaboration and technology exchange will help grow Mongolia’s presence in the European market, particularly with regards to livestock products. 
Mongolia’s upgrade in bilateral relations with Czechia is an illustration of Ulaanbaatar’s expanding “third neighbor” ties. Mongolia’s third neighbor policy supports strengthening economic cooperation with partner countries beyond the two states it directly borders, China and Russia. An important element of the policy is the quest for economic diversification through access to other markets – in this case, Eastern Europe and the European Union. 
Czechia has been a member of the EU since 2004, and its strong economic relations with the bloc make the country a gateway Ulaanbaatar can utilize. As of 2023, 81.4 percent of Czech exports went to fellow EU member states, and the EU provided 72.8 percent of Czechia’s imports. Czechia’s strong trade networks with the EU can be beneficial to Mongolia’s third neighbor export goals. 
Ambassador of Mongolia to Czechia Gansukh Damdin noted that Mongolia and Czechia will intensify their cooperation within the framework of the EU-Mongolia partnership, including the Global Gateway. Their agreement on education will further support the scholarship program “Mission 2100” for Mongolian students to obtain higher education in Czechia. 
To Czechia, Mongolia’s mining and agricultural sector is of great importance. In March, Ulaanbaatar and Prague signed a three-year agreement on geological cooperation that involves a “geological mapping and general prospecting… in selected areas in Munkhkhairkhan, Zereg, and Mankhan soums of Khovd aimag and the Mongolian Altai sites.” Czechia is also among the first countries to invest in Mongolia’s uranium sector. 
Beyond the economic aspect, high-level state visits and the establishment of strategic partnerships are designed to uphold Mongolia’s geopolitical equilibrium, balancing between Russia and China while reinforcing Mongolia’s unique diplomatic and economic position. Mongolia’s pro-engagement foreign policy has managed to cultivate a diplomatic niche by developing robust and longstanding ties with global partners. 
Khurelsukh’s state visit may be over, but Mongolia and Czechia continue to celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Prague is currently hosting the International Chinggis Khaan International Exhibit at the National Museum. 
BY Bolor Lkhaajav
Bolor Lkhaajav is a researcher specializing in Mongolia, China, Russia, Japan, East Asia, and the Americas. She holds an M.A. in Asia-Pacific Studies from the University of San Francisco.
Erdene-Ochir Enkhbayar
Erdene-Ochir Enkhbayar is a research analyst at Arctus Analytics, based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Mongolia and the European Union Express Interest in Cooperating in Road Projects www.montsame.mn

 Minister of Road and Transport Development of Mongolia Delgersaikhan Borkhuu held a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union to Mongolia Ina Marčiulionytė, Programme Manager at the Delegation of the European Union to Mongolia Arnaud Appriou, and Head of European Investment Bank Representation to Mongolia and China Auvo Kaikkonen.
During the meeting, Minister of Road and Transport Development Delgersaikhan introduced two major infrastructure projects, the construction of a four-lane road on the Lun–Kharkhorin route, and the upgrade of the Zamyn-Uud–Khushig Valley vertical axis road into a four-lane road. The Minister expressed interest in investment and cooperation in these projects.  Mr. Delgersaikhan emphasized, “This route accounts for 78 percent of our country's transportation of imported goods. On average, 1,000 vehicles depart daily from Zamyn-Uud to Ereen and return carrying the same volume of goods. The Ministry of Road and Transport Development is aiming to allocate funding and invest in roads that are economically viable and most heavily trafficked. In other words, we are planning to expand our highways connecting our northern and southern neighboring countries into four-lane roads.”
Program Manager at the Delegation of the European Union to Mongolia Arnaud Appriou said, “Our mission includes an evaluation of the ‘Billion of Trees’ National Movement and related forest development projects. In this context, we have met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia and relevant ministers to discuss the development of satellite cities. The European Investment Bank is placing increased emphasis on the transport sector, and thus we are engaging with your Ministry. Our team possesses extensive experience in the field of transport infrastructure, and we will assess whether the two proposed projects are eligible for financing in accordance with our criteria. If they meet our conditions, we are prepared to proceed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.”
The European Investment Bank will organize a forum for European organizations operating in Mongolia, the Russian Federation, and the People’s Republic of China in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on October 13–14, 2025.

Russia’s FESCO Launches New Anhui-Mongolia-Moscow Rail Container Service www.russiaspivottoasia.com

Russia’s FESCO Transport Group has launched a new railway container service from China to Moscow in transit through Mongolia. This new route runs from the city of Wuhu, in China’s Anhui Province, (close to Shanghai), which is known for its engineering, automotive, electronics and chemical factories.
The train then travels through northern China, and passes through the Mongolian border crossings at Erlian, in China’s Inner Mongolia, through to Mongolia the country, bisecting Mongolia via Ulaan Baatar and then onto Naushki in Russia’s Buryatia region before proceeding west and arriving at the Bely Rast station in Moscow.
According to FESCO, the first train, comprising of 55, forty-foot containers, loaded with ready-made Chinese cars, set off along the route on March 25. The total journey takes about three weeks.
FESCO stated that “In order to expand the geography of overland services between China and Russia, FESCO Transport Group has launched the first regular container train from the city of Wuhu (Anhui Province) to Moscow via Mongolia.”
At the first stage, the new service plans to organise up to four container trains per month. It is expected that the main range of goods delivered to Russia will be consumer goods, equipment and cars from Anhui Province.
German Maslov, Vice President of the FESCO Line Logistics Division, said that “China’s Wuhu City plays a significant role in the economy of both Anhui Province and China as a whole. It is a well-developed industrial centre, known for its mechanical engineering, automobile, electronics and chemical production. All these factors make the new FESCO rail service in demand among our Chinese and Russian customers, who are focused on rhythmic and direct deliveries of various container cargoes to the Moscow region.”
Due to the differences between Chinese and Russian railway gauges, the service is organised in cooperation with a Chinese platform company, with FESCO being responsible for providing container equipment, fitting platforms and providing transportation for the Russian 1520 gauge.

China’s rail ambitions receive another boost as Mongolia approves new line www.scmp.com

Mongolia’s parliament has ratified a deal with China to jointly construct a new cross-border rail connection between the two countries, as it looks to forge closer ties with its southern neighbour amid US President Donald Trump’s tariff war.
Construction of the 19.5-kilometre (12.1-mile) railway – which will allow Mongolia to ramp up its coal exports to China – had been held up for over a decade, but the project has gained fresh momentum in recent months.
Gantumur Luvsannyam, Mongolia’s first deputy prime minister, told the Post in an interview earlier this year that the intergovernmental agreement with China was “one of the top items in the agenda”.
“Construction work will start this year and it’ll be completed in 2027,” he said, adding that coal terminals on both sides of the border would also be completed by then.
The move is the latest in a series of steps forward for China’s attempts to build a pan-regional rail network to boost ties with its neighbours.
The country is also working on a 523km railway extending to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in the west, as well as high-speed links with Vietnam and Thailand in the south.
The Mongolian project – known as the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod cross-border railway – had previously been delayed due to the slow development of Mongolia’s rail industry and some misunderstandings regarding the day-to-day operation of the railway, according to Luvsannyam.
But Mongolia now appears to be prioritising the new line as it looks to strengthen its economic independence by boosting coal exports.
Sumiya Chuluunbaatar, a non-resident fellow at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of International Studies, said that the project would lead to “increased trade” with China and “could be seen as a step towards economic stability”.
“Against the backdrop of Trump’s protectionist policies potentially disrupting global trade, the cross-border railway agreement appears to be a strategic move for Mongolia to support its economy, particularly by strengthening trade with China,” he noted.
Mongolia exported a total of 83.7 million tons of coal last year, official data showed. Once operational, the cross-border railway is projected to increase the country’s coal transport capacity by 30 million tons, allowing Mongolia to maintain an economic growth rate above 6 per cent.
“The ratification demonstrates the unanimous support across the parliament for this project,” said Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrain in an official statement.
“This partnership is unlocking valuable export and investment opportunities, opening Mongolia’s natural resources to drive new investment into the country.”
China is by far Mongolia’s largest trading partner, receiving 91.3 per cent of the country’s exports and supplying 40 per cent of its imports in 2024, according to Mongolian customs data.
BY: Kandy Wong
Kandy Wong returned to the Post in 2022 as a correspondent for the Political Economy desk, having earlier worked as a reporter on the Business desk. She focuses on China's trade relationships with the United States, the European Union and Australia, as well as the Belt & Road Initiative and currency issues. She graduated from New York University with a master's degree in journalism in 2013. An award-winning journalist, she has worked in Hong Kong, China and New York for the Hong Kong Economic Journal and the Financial Times, E&E News, Forbes, The Economist Intelligence Unit, Nikkei Asia and Coconuts Media.

Mongolian Coal Market Heats Up Amid Rising Demand and Declining Port Inventories Boosted by improved downstream demand, activity rises but prices remain constrained Source:SMM (Shanghai Metals Market)

Key Highlights
Increased Market Activity
The Mongolian coal market has seen heightened activity as demand from the domestic coking coal and coke markets in China warms up.
Improved trading atmosphere and increased transportation of coal out of ports are reducing inventory levels.
Prices Remain Constrained
Despite the market boost, coal prices remain limited due to various economic factors, indicating challenges in achieving higher margins.
Impact of Declining Port Inventories
As inventories continue to decrease, analysts anticipate further fluctuations in coal supply and demand trends.

Delegation from Nuclear Energy Agency visits Mongolia www.akipress.com

Nuclear Energy Agency Director General William D. Magwood IV visited Mongolia for a series of meetings with government representatives and to participate in discussions on nuclear energy development in the country, Nuclear Newswire.
Magwood met with Minister of Energy Battogtokh Choijilsuren to discuss the potential deployment of small modular reactors in Mongolia, as well as challenges in the nuclear energy sector related to financing, supply chain disruptions, and workforce development.
He highlighted the NEA's work on these topics and on the analysis of SMR projects around the world, as documented in the NEA SMR Dashboard—a comprehensive assessment report of the progress made by SMR developers worldwide first published in 2023 and updated periodically.
During the visit, which took place on February 20-21, meetings were held with Mongolian officials such as director general of the International Trade and Economic Affairs Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ulziisaikhan Ganbold, state secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Minerals Javkhlanbaatar Sereeter, and secretary of the Nuclear Energy Commission Manlaijav Gun-Aajav.
The discussions focused on the process of preparing for the adoption of nuclear energy technologies, including through the development of legal frameworks and regulatory requirements, expanding local workforce and education programs, and fostering public trust. Magwood emphasized the importance of international cooperation in each of those areas.
Magwood also visited the National University of Mongolia, where he engaged in discussions with students and staff and gave a lecture on the opportunities and challenges in the nuclear sector. He headlined an event titled Clean Energy Transition and SMR Workshop: Towards a Roadmap for Nuclear Energy in Mongolia, where he provided keynote remarks and moderated a panel on nuclear energy's role in the future energy mix of the country.

China deploys rare earths as weapon in trade war with Trump www.mining.com

China has expanded its use of critical minerals as a trade weapon with curbs on exports of rare earths, threatening to shake-up the global supply of key materials used widely in high-tech manufacturing from electric vehicles to weaponry.
As part of its retaliation to President Donald Trump’s so-called reciprocal tariffs on imported Chinese goods, Beijing said Friday it will tighten controls on exports of seven types of rare earths. The country is by far the world’s biggest supplier of the minerals, which comprise 17 elements in the periodic table.
The move triggered big gains for related stocks on Monday, with China Rare Earth Holdings Ltd. rising as much as 10% in Hong Kong. China Northern Rare Earth Group added as much as 9.2%, and Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. as much as 5.1%.
China accounts for almost 70% of the world’s production of rare earths, according to the US Geological Survey. Its grip on a host of niche commodities has long been viewed as a potential geopolitical weapon, given America’s reliance on Chinese supplies.
Beijing had already rolled out similar curbs on other critical minerals, such as gallium, germanium, graphite and antimony, over the past two years amid rising trade tensions.
The latest export controls aren’t a blanket ban, but they mean that any overseas shipments will be subject to greater scrutiny over who is buying, and why. Other metals have seen export volumes crash to zero after controls were rolled out, with exporters needing time to get certified.
“The new controls may further tighten global supply,” analysts from Citic Securities Ltd. said in a note. The policy “safeguards China’s national security interests, and bolsters the strategic value of investing in the rare earth industry chain,” they wrote.
Supply chain
The list of rare earths announced Friday includes samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium. But two of the most common — neodymium and praseodymium — weren’t included. They’re used in powerful magnets that are one of the best-known applications for rare earths.
“Unlike the seven rare earths selected, these are more readily available outside China, which could make any controls less impactful,” said David Abraham, affiliate professor at Boise State University in Idaho. “They may have been excluded to preserve the option of future controls.”
The export restrictions won’t harm the stability of the international supply chain, according to a statement from the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association on Sunday.
“As long as companies do not engage in activities that harm China’s national sovereignty, security and development interests, the export control measures won’t affect their normal operation and trade,” the industry body said.
On Friday, China’s commerce ministry said establishing the controls on so-called dual-use items that have military applications is in the interests of national security, regional stability and world peace.

Transporters Submit Formal Request to Change Road Load Control Standards of Mongolia www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar Begins Installing Cable Car Pillars www.montsame.mn

Within the Tuul River basin area, six support pillars are currently under installation as part of the Ulaanbaatar Cable Car Project.
This Project is one of Ulaanbaatar's 24 mega projects. The first line of the cable car is now under construction, with six of its 19 support pillars being built in the Tuul River floodplain area ahead of the spring runoff and seasonal flooding.
The second line of the Project will stretch 2.7 kilometers from Shangri-La to the National Garden Park, featuring three stations and 70 to 74 cabins. The cable car project is expected to alleviate peak-hour traffic congestion, mitigate bottlenecks in the Yaarmag and Nisekh areas, and increase the average speed of city traffic by 4 percent.
Each cabin will accommodate up to 10 passengers, with a travel time of approximately 11 minutes. The support pillars will range in height from 7.5 to 42 meters, and the cable cars will operate at a speed of 21 kilometers per hour.