President meets FIFA President www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar/MONTSAME/. October 16, President Kh.Battulga received the President of FIFA Gianni Infantino. Expressing gratitude to Mr. Gianni Infantino for his arrival to Mongolia, President Kh.Battulga praised FIFA’s great support for developing professional football in Mongolia and football practice of Mongolian children.

The British Embassy in Mongolia has moved office www.gov.uk

After residing at Peace Avenue-30 for more than 50 years, the British Embassy in Ulaanbaatar has relocated to the Shangri-La complex.

China-Mongolia relations said to be on fast track www.chinadailyhk.com

The China-Mongolia relationship has embarked on a fast track and taken on an inspiring new look in recent years with concerted efforts from both nations, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

FESCO launches new container train from China to Russia via Mongolia www.railfreight.com

FESCO has launched a new rail freight service between the Chinese city of Chongqing and Vorotynsk station in Kaluga region, Russia. The new link is entirely dedicated to the transportation of Chinese cars in containers. Another feature of the service is the route via Mongolia.

Turkish teachers in Mongolia seek asylum in Canada www.news.mn

Earlier yesterday (17 October), it was reported that the Mongolian Immigration Agency has suspended the documents of eight Turkish teachers at the request of the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The Mongolian Immigration then tried to expel them. However, the Turkish teachers in Mongolia consider that they are victims of a suspected kidnapping attempt and have asked a United Nations agency to arrange asylum. Then 35 Turkish nationals – representing five families – left Mongolia in order to seek asylum in Canada.

Mongolia grants 1200 exploration licenses www.news.mn

"Around 40 state-funded geological survey projects are currently being run in Mongolia. Some 1200 exploration licenses have been granted’ said, M.Ochirbat, President of the Mongolian Industrial Geologists Association.

ADB, IFC, and Ulaanbaatar City partner to apply green building standards www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar/MONTSAME/. The Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Municipality of Ulaanbaatar City recently signed a memorandum of understanding to support the implementation of the Excellence for Design and Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) green building standards and certification system for 10,000 new affordable homes to be built under the Ulaanbaatar Green Affordable Housing and Resilient Urban Renewal Sector Project.

A third of Mongolia’s population live in urban ger areas, or settlements of low- and middle-income households. These districts suffer from poor sanitation, inadequate solid waste management, and limited water supply, which pose health and environmental hazards. A heavy reliance in these ger areas on coal and biofuels for heating and energy generates large carbon dioxide emissions and worsens air pollution, especially during winter.

“About 850,000 people live in Ulaanbaatar’s ger areas and have poor access to urban services,” said ADB Principal Urban Development Specialist Mr. Arnaud Heckmann. “Our partnership with IFC will help us apply the EDGE certification system and standard in designing and constructing green, comfortable, and affordable homes for citizens living in ger areas.”

ADB, the Municipality of Ulaanbaatar, and the Development Bank of Mongolia are working to transform the ger areas in the capital city into affordable, climate-resilient, and livable eco-districts with support from the Green Climate Fund and the High-Level Technology Fund. The $570.2 million project, which includes grants and some $350 million in private sector investment, will build 10,000 energy efficient homes in 20 new environmentally friendly districts with good services, green spaces, and access to shops and jobs. Out of 10,000 homes, 1,500 will be social housing, 5,500 will be affordable housing, and the remaining 3,000 will be sold at the prevailing market price.

“At the government’s initiative and with ADB and IFC’s support, we are excited to pilot an internationally recognized format that offers a global perspective, but in a local context,” said the Executive Director of the Capital City Housing Corporation Mr. Sukhbaatar Borkhuu.

With IFC’s help, the design and development of the affordable homes will be improved by adopting EDGE standards. In partnership with the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program administered by the World Bank and the Government of Hungary, IFC has been facilitating the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development and Energy Regulatory Commission to assess the energy efficiency of buildings in Mongolia through the development of a building labeling system. IFC is also promoting green building certifications in Mongolia, including IFC’s EDGE resource efficiency certification.

“An IFC analysis sees a $3.4 trillion green buildings market through 2025 in developing countries. Against this backdrop, green construction can help a rapidly urbanizing city like Ulaanbaatar become more livable—while saving money and securing emission cuts,” said IFC’s Resident Representative in Mongolia Mr. Rufat Alimardanov.

IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. It works with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, using its capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities where they are needed most. In fiscal year 2019, it delivered more than $19 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. In 2018, it made commitments of new loans and grants amounting to $21.6 billion. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Source: ADB

Piers Morgan mocks Andi Peters after presenter falls over live on air in Mongolia www.thesun.co.uk

PIERS Morgan today mocked Andi Peters after the presenter fell over live on air in Mongolia.

Infantino inaugurates new Forward project in Mongolia www.fifa.com

On the second day of his tour of several East Asian countries, FIFA President Gianni Infantino today reached Mongolia, where he had a very busy schedule. His visit coincided with the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the Mongolian Football Federation (MFF) and included meetings with the highest authorities as well as the inauguration of a brand new football project.

Koreas in silent, surreal stalemate as China drop points www.dawn.com

DOHA: North and South Korea played out a surreal 0-0 draw in front of an empty stadium and with no TV coverage while Marcello Lippi’s China dropped their first points as they were held to a surprise goalless draw in the Philippines and Australia smashed seven past Taiwan in Asian World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.

Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min captained South Korea for their first competitive men’s match in Pyongyang, but it was an odd affair with no fans or media at Kim Il Sung Stadium.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was one of the few people in attendance for the rare game between the two Koreas, which remain technically at war because their 1950-53 civil conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

He was one of the lucky ones — South Korean fans will be unable to see the game until the delegation returns from Pyongyang with a recording of the game on DVD.

It was the third time in the countries’ last five meetings in World Cup qualifying that neither side has been able to find the back of the net, and it means both nations remain unbeaten in the second round of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.

South Korea lead the North Koreans on goal difference at the top of Group ‘H’ with both countries on seven points, one point more than Lebanon who defeated Sri Lanka 3-0.

On a busy night of qualifiers for Qatar 2022, China’s 0-0 draw with the Philippines meant the 2002 World Cup qualifiers dropped down to second in Group ‘A’ on seven points, two behind Syria, who beat Guam 4-0 to maintain their perfect start, with Omar Al Somah scoring a hat-trick.

Japan were made to work for their 3-0 win over Tajikistan on an artificial pitch in Dushanbe, with Takumi Minamino scoring twice early in the second half to steer Hajime Moriyasu’s side to their third straight victory.

The Japanese now lead Group ‘F’ by three points from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, who beat Mongolia 2-1 in Ulaanbaatar earlier in the day.

Iraq secured a second straight win in Group ‘C’ with a 4-0 thrashing of Cambodia — highlighted by Amjad Attwan’s belter which flew 25 yards and into the top corner past goalkeeper Keo Soksela — and are joint top of the standings with Bahrain, who claimed a surprise 1-0 win over Iran thanks to Mohammed Al Hardan’s second-half penalty.

AUSSIES PLUNDER SEVEN

Adam Taggart, Jackson Irvine and Harry Souttar scored two apiece as Australia thrashed Taiwan 7-1 in Kaoshiung to maintain their 100 percent record in Group ‘B’ and next month will face Jordan, who secured a 3-0 win over Nepal to remain in second place.

Taggart scored twice in seven first-half minutes — his first goals for Australia in six years, after injury threatened to derail his career.

The Suwon Samsung Bluewings forward nodded the opener from Rhyan Grant’s diagonal cross, and then had a simple finish after Brad Smith and Awer Mabil’s neat interchange on the left.

Chen Yi-wei pulled one back for the hosts before Irvine grabbed two goals of his own, the first from a cool half-volley and the second with a close-range header.

Souttar got the third Australian brace of the night, either side of Jamie Maclaren’s strike, to complete the demolition job.

Eldor Shomurodov scored twice in Uzbekistan’s 3-1 victory over Singapore, which moved the White Wolves into pole position in Group ‘D’, one point ahead of second-placed Saudi Arabia after the five-time World Cup qualifiers were held to a 0-0 draw in Palestine.

Indonesia’s woes continued with a 3-1 loss in Jakarta — their fourth defeat in a row — against Vietnam while Bert van Marwijk was handed his first competitive loss as head coach of the United Arab Emirates, with goals from Teerasil Dangda and Ekanit Panya earning Thailand a 2-1 win in Pathum Thani.

Thailand are now joint top of Group ‘G’ alongside the Vietna­mese, with both teams on seven points, one more than the UAE.

India salvaged a 1-1 draw with Bangladesh thanks to Adil Khan’s header two minutes from fulltime in the countries’ Group ‘E’ meeting in Kolkata while Qatar opened up a four-point gap at the top following their 2-1 win over Oman thanks to goals from Akram Afif and Almoez Ali either side of the break.

In a fast-paced match, Akram struck in the second minute from close range but Rabia al-Alawi restored parity in the 65th minute with a dazzling solo run. Ali then struck from just inside the box in the 71st minute to give Qatar the winning goal.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2019