Mongolia is expected to experience freezing weather next week, the country's weather agency said Sunday.

Starting next Wednesday, the cold air mass originating in Siberia, Russia, will affect large parts of Mongolia, and overnight temperatures will exceed minus 40 degrees Celsius, according to Mongolia National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring.

It said that the extreme cold weather is expected to continue until the end of the week, urging the public, especially nomadic herders and drivers, to take extra precautions against possible disasters.

Mongolia's climate is strongly continental, with long and frigid weather. A temperature of minus 25 degrees is standard during winter.

The freight volume passing through land checkpoints in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, which borders Mongolia and Russia, has surpassed 100 million tonnes this year, with the annual throughput breaking the benchmark for the first time, according to the region's commerce department.

Inner Mongolia has a border line that stretches over 4,200 km and boasts 14 land ports. These ports handle more than 90 percent of the land transport between China and Mongolia, as well as over 65 percent of the land transport between China and Russia.

By Dec. 8, the railway freight via the ports had reached 35.8 million tonnes and that of road transport amounted to 64.3 million tonnes so far this year.

Among them, cargo trade with Russia logged 21.4 million tonnes, and that with Mongolia reached 78.7 million tonnes.

Cao Junpei, an official with the regional administration of customs, said the regional government has been committed to supporting upgrades in infrastructure and facilities on the land ports, especially major ports such as Manzhouli and Erenhot.

He said the China-Europe freight train service through the land ports provides convenient land routes for international economic and trade exchanges, and has given a strong impetus to the growth of freight trade in Inner Mongolia.

According to the customs data, there are 57 China-Europe freight train service lines passing through the port of Manzhouli, and 63 lines via the port of Erenhot. Combined, these lines account for about 40 percent of the total number of China-Europe freight train lines.

In the first 11 months of this year, 7,708 China-Europe freight trains passed through the land ports in Inner Mongolia, with the number surging by 14.8 percent year on year.

In November 2023, the Bank of Mongolia (BoM) purchased 1,856.4 kg of precious metal. The total amount of precious metal purchased in 2023 has reached 16.1 tons so far.

Since the beginning of the year, the BoM branches in Darkhan-Uul and Bayankhongor aimags bought 1957.7 kg and 951.8 kg of precious metal respectively.

The purchase price of precious metals by the BoM is determined by the price of the world market, and the average purchase price of gold in November this year was MNT 219,514.35.

Since 2021, the Immigration Agency of Mongolia has been progressively digitalizing its services to increase accessibility and streamline processes, reducing delays and the necessity for multiple in-person visits. Previously, citizens had to visit the Agency 7 to 15 times, but now it is limited to two times, making services available online.

The Immigration Agency of Mongolia has launched a new digital Alien Registration and Monitoring System. Through this system, foreign citizens and enterprises worldwide can access Agency services via the integrated DAN authentication system.

Starting from December 1, 2023, the Immigration Agency of Mongolia will offer four services through its new online system on the Agency's website (immigration.gov.mn):

-Visa permission,

-Applying for a visa (including applications for multiple-entry visas),

-Applying for residency in Mongolia for official or private purposes,

-48-hour registration of temporary stay of foreigners.

Seven services can still be accessed through eimmigration.mn website:

-Visa extension

-Changing the category of a residence permit

-Extending and canceling a residence permit

-Changing residency address

-Updating passport information

-Reacquiring lost or abandoned residence cards

These services will be transferred to the new system soon.

By shifting to the new system, the Agency expands its services internationally and offers facilitated services, including:

- Information exchange through "KHUR," the state information exchange system.

-Receiving all types of services offered by the Immigration Agency of Mongolia from a single system.

- Customer's direct control over decisions within the system.

-Paying fees online.

Mongolia ranked 47th out of 81 countries in the PISA 2022 assessment, Montsame reports.

Among the six countries participating for the first time, Mongolia secured first place. In mathematics, the average score of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was 472, while the Asian average stood at 451. Mongolia's average mathematics score was 425, 2.3 years behind the international average and 1.2 years behind the Asian standard.

The PISA assessment reveals an international average score of 476 in reading, with an Asian average of 427. Mongolia, ranking 65th, scored 378 points, falling 5 years behind the global average and 2.5 years behind the Asian average.

In natural sciences, the international average score is 485, the Asian average score is 449, and Mongolia's average score is 412, ranking 53rd. Science test results showed Mongolia is three years behind the international average and 1.8 years behind the Asian average.

Mongolia has participated in the PISA for the first time. A sample of 7,300 students from 196 schools across the country took part in a computer-based assessment of math, reading, and science skills.

PISA is the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment. PISA assesses the extent to which 15-year-old students near the end of their compulsory education have acquired the knowledge and skills that are essential for full participation in modern societies.

Erenhot, the largest land port on the China-Mongolia border, handled nearly 1.33 million inbound and outbound travelers in the first 11 months of this year, reaching a peak of over 8,870 people in a single day, Xinhua reports.

The land port handled some 169,000 vehicles, according to the port's entry-exit border inspection station.

Customs clearance services for passenger traffic at the Erenhot highway port, located on the border of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, resumed on January 8. China-Mongolia international passenger train services resumed on August 30.

In recent years, bilateral trade between China and Mongolia has seen a steady rise in scale.

Bilateral trade totaled $12.2 billion in value in 2022, up 34% year on year. It soared 62.6% year on year in the first six months of 2023, maintaining a strong growth momentum, according to official data.

Within the framework of the National Campaign "Food Supply and Security" initiated by the President of Mongolia "Harvest Festival 2023" ceremony was held at the Corporate Hotel and Convention Center on December 6, 2023. Farmers and national top food producers summed up their achievements discussed future goals and awarded the best.

At the ceremony, the President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa thanked the farmers and food producers and wished them success in the future. President U. Khurelsukh noted the growth of production, domestic supply, and export of staple food items as a result of state-private sector collaboration under the "Food Supply and Security" Campaign. He highlighted that a loan of MNT 675 billion given to 1,857 enterprises and citizens, and customs duty relief and exemptions provided to 428 types of equipment needed for 19 types of food and agricultural products were a crucial stimulus for intensive development of the "Food Revolution" initiative.

Further, President U. Khurelsukh stressed the importance of consolidating achievements focusing on climate change, soil degradation, seed quality, quality, and standards of raw materials for food production. In this context, Mr. U. Khurelsukh emphasized the significance of supporting private sector investment and cooperation as well as finding optimal and affordable use of economic incentives such as budgets, funds, loans, financing, taxes, and insurance.

"Developing nomadic and intensive animal husbandry, optimizing full use of livestock products, and increasing the income and livelihood of herders are vital goals of the "Food Revolution" initiative. It is expected to make progress in preparing the succession of shepherds, protecting animal health, improving animal breeds, showing cooperation at work, increasing feed production, and improving pasture management. Especially in 2024, special attention should be paid to the production of vaccines and biological products, and fulfilling the goal of making Mongolia an animal disease-free region. State and private sector must cooperate in reducing the risk of desertification and dust storms, supporting green development, establishing food and agricultural clusters and complexes, an integrated system for the preparation and supply of raw materials, setting up transport and logistics networks, supporting small and medium enterprises, introducing new technologies and develop a workforce development program. In the future, we should strive to meet domestic demand for 19 staple food items, and unite to work together with the state, the government, and the people to become a food exporting country," said President U. Khurelsukh.

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry has declared 2023 the "Year of Agricultural Revival." As part of the "Food Supply and Security," National Campaign, the "Agricultural Revival 2023" conference was held before the spring sowing season signifying implementation of the "Food Revolution" initiative of the President of Mongolia.

As part of State Great Khural's Resolution No. 36 of 2022, 10 commercial banks provided MNT 89.7 billion to agricultural producers and MNT 24.3 billion to vegetable growers, a total of MNT 114 billion of soft loan, which allowed spring sowing, ploughing, plant protection, and harvesting at the right time.

In 2023 Mongolia's domestic yield met the demand for potatoes at 100 percent and for vegetables at 85.0 percent setting a record for vegetable harvesting for the first time in history. Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Kh. Bolorchuluun emphasized the need to increase the workforce, stabilize prices, and increase sales to increase historical success.

He noted that measures to limit the import of vegetables and wheat, intensification of seed production, and planting elite seeds had a positive effect on the quality of the harvest. As a result of the intensification of seed production, wheat production increased by 32 thousand tons compared to last year, and the country's average yield per hectare reached 15 tons. This is the highest result in the last five years.

The 22nd session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP22) to the Rome Statute is taking place in New York on 4-14 December 2023. The election of 6 judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the period of 2024-2033 was held on December 5, 2023. A Mongolian candidate, Justice of the Supreme Court of Mongolia Erdenebalsuren Damdin obtained 81 votes from 114 States Parties in the first round of voting. Hence, Erdenebalsuren's election as an ICC judge marks a historic moment for Mongolia, as he becomes the first Mongolian to ever hold this position.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an international court that investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression. Currently, 123 countries have joined the Rome Statute of the ICC. Mongolia ratified the ICC Rome Statute in 2002.

A total of 13 countries put forward candidates for the election of 6 judges of the ICC. Mongolia's candidate's victory in the first round of voting demonstrates not only the country's active foreign policy but also the international community's faith in Mongolia.

Justice Erdenebalsuren Damdin has over a decade of experience serving at the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Mongolia and 30 years of experience in criminal law and criminal proceedings. By serving as a judge of the International Criminal Court for the first time, Mongolia will make a significant contribution to international law, particularly international criminal law. Moreover, it will be of great importance in strengthening the court proceedings of Mongolia.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Amartuvshin Gombosuren and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Botswana Lemogang Kwape signed the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations in New York on December 6, 2023.

The two countries agreed to strive to develop friendly relations and cooperation in areas of mutual interest, adhering to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the UN Charter, and the principles and norms of international law.

The parties emphasized that the establishment of diplomatic relations opens up wider opportunities for the development of cooperation in mutually beneficial areas, mutually supporting and cooperating within the framework of international organizations.

Having established diplomatic relations with a total of 192 member states, Mongolia has fully implemented the goal of establishing diplomatic relations with all UN member states.

Mongolia has substantial known uranium resources, but does not currently have nuclear energy. However it has been exploring tentative plans over recent years, with World Nuclear Association saying three possible sites have been under consideration.

During the SMR Day, Rosatom highlighted its small modular reactor project in Yakutia, with commissioning planned in 2028, as well as outlining its plans for floating nuclear power plants, following the Akademik Lomonosov, which has been in commercial operation since 2019.

Kirill Komarov, deputy director general of Rosatom, said: "There are more than 70 small modular reactor projects in the world in the design stage. Rosatom is the only technology company that has moved from words to action ... we are confident that the experience gained in the coming years will allow us to offer our partners around the world the best solutions in the field of SMRs."

Earlier this year, in June, Rosatom and the Mongolian company Dayan Deerkh Energy Ltd signed an agreement on strategic cooperation on the joint implementation of projects in the field of nuclear, wind and hydropower, aimed at ensuring the energy independence of Mongolia.