Politics
Parliament to Consider Appointing MP Kh. Ganhuyag as Deputy Prime Minister Next Week After S. Amarsaikhan’s Dismissal
Published: 2025-11-08
Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar removed Deputy Prime Minister S. Amarsaikhan, citing violations of the cabinet’s “accountability contract,” including signing a motion to dismiss the government and allegedly stoking public concern over fuel supply. The Prime Minister has proposed appointing MP and Budget Standing Committee Chair Kh. Ganhuyag as Deputy Prime Minister, but a parliamentary vote was delayed on November 7 because Ganhuyag had not yet vacated his committee chairmanship. The appointment is expected to be taken up next week. If confirmed, Ganhuyag would oversee key agencies, including the National Committee for the New Cooperative Movement, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Public Procurement Agency, the Investment and Trade Agency, the Agency for Standardization and Metrology, the Anti-Monopoly Agency, and the National Accreditation Center.
“There’s no time to lift my head from the budget; if a ministerial offer comes, we’ll discuss it.” - MP Kh. Ganhuyag (news.mn)
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Published: 2025-11-08
A joint task force was established on November 6 by the Civil Service Council, the Cabinet Secretariat, and the Government Oversight Authority to audit and streamline overlapping functions within central and local government entities. The group will assess mandates across ministries, agencies, provincial and Ulaanbaatar administrations, and their subordinate bodies, reviewing legal authorities, position descriptions, and alignment with common functions. It will identify duplications, propose reallocation of responsibilities, and determine which services could shift to other state bodies, the private sector, or NGOs. The findings will guide a model organizational structure for units implementing common functions, aiming to improve coherence and reduce redundancies in public administration. This initiative signals a push toward efficiency and clearer accountability in Mongolia’s administrative apparatus.
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Economy
City Widens Crackdown on Smuggled Briquettes as Digital Tracking Exposes Card Abuse
Published: 2025-11-08
Ulaanbaatar authorities conducted inspections at the 22nd checkpoint, uncovering attempts to covertly transport semi-coke and improved briquettes to rural areas in violation of the city’s clean-air zone rules. Officials said excess “fuel cards” are being exploited to buy subsidized coal for resale outside the capital at a markup of MNT 10,000–15,000. Over 100,000 tons were illicitly routed to provinces last year. The city has deployed the Hotula app, linked to the national registry, to monitor allocation and “good card” usage in real time; registered cards exceed the roughly 172,000 coal-using households by more than 100,000. Police recorded 95 cases in the past week, enforcing administrative fines rather than criminal charges.
“We detected semi-coke being secretly transported, which violates the ban on moving fuel out of Ulaanbaatar’s air-quality zone.” - Deputy Mayor A. Amartuvshin (eagle.mn)
“These are administrative violations of the supply and control system, and we are imposing fines under the law.” - Police Officer B. Ganbold (ikon.mn)
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Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi Opens Competition for New CEO
Published: 2025-11-08
State-owned coal miner Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi (ETT) announced an open competition to appoint a new chief executive. The CEO will be responsible for long-term strategy to commercialize the Tavan Tolgoi deposit, oversee mine development, and ensure efficient, compliant operations in production, sales, and exports. The role includes capital allocation, budgeting, and financial performance oversight to safeguard profitability and shareholder value, as well as stakeholder engagement domestically and internationally, and enterprise risk management. Candidates must hold a university degree in business, mining, heavy industry, law, finance/economics, or public administration; have at least five years’ experience as a CEO or senior executive; possess a clean criminal record; and have no overdue debts. ETT’s leadership change comes as governance and export reliability remain central to Mongolia’s coal sector performance.
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Diplomacy
Published: 2025-11-08
Germany and Mongolia concluded development cooperation talks in Ulaanbaatar with Berlin committing €43.1 million in grant funding to back Mongolia’s policy reform agenda across education, private sector development, environment, climate, and energy. The package includes €5 million for the “Partnership-based Technical and Vocational Education and Training II (cTVET)” project to expand dual training in “green” professions and strengthen coordination among employers, training institutions, and government bodies. Mongolia’s Ministry of Education reports that dual training has scaled from 147 working learners in 2024–2025 to more than 1,600 students this academic year across 20 institutions and 60-plus companies. The initiative aims to improve employability and create stable jobs, while aligning workforce skills with sustainable industry needs. The grant continues Germany’s long-standing role as a key development partner in vocational education and climate-focused sectors.
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Infrastructure
Ulaanbaatar to Retrofit 5,000 Homes and Connect Them to City Gas Heating This Month
Published: 2025-11-08
Ulaanbaatar authorities are insulating 5,000 households in Gandan, Zuragt, and Bayankhoshuu and will begin connecting them to the city’s gas network from November 15, aiming to cut winter air pollution and improve home heating safety. City hall says exterior insulation was done by certified contractors, while residents handled interior sealing and finishes. The gas systems include automatic shut-off and leakage and carbon monoxide alarms linked to a central control center, with rapid on-site response in 5–7 minutes if alerts go unanswered. UNICEF will train households on usage and safety, with a month of follow-up support. Gas-heated households will receive a 200,000₮ winter utility subsidy via ID and the Hotula app. A December pilot indicated a 10 kg cylinder can heat 50–80 m² for 5–7 days, depending on temperature settings.
“Households that completed insulation will be connected to gas heating within November, with simple, internationally compliant systems and safety training provided to each home.” - A. Amartuvshin, Deputy Mayor for Social Sector, Green Development and Air Quality (urug.mn)
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Environment
Cold Snap and Blowing Dust Reduce Visibility as Light Snow Reaches Eastern and Central Highlands
Published: 2025-11-08
Mongolia faces a sharp temperature drop today with hazardous travel conditions across much of the country. Forecasts from the National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring indicate scattered light snow and blowing snow in eastern and parts of central provinces, with stronger winds of 15–17 m/s across the Gobi, steppe, and plains reducing visibility and raising dust and road risks. Ulaanbaatar is cloudy with light snow, around -5 to -7°C by day; colder pockets include Darhad Depression and headwaters of the Zavkhan–Zag–Baidrag rivers at -9 to -14°C. The south Gobi remains comparatively milder at 0 to +5°C. A colder pattern persists into Nov 11–13, bringing additional snow to western and central regions on the 11th and to eastern areas on the 12th, with nighttime lows in mountain valleys reaching -23 to -28°C and daytime highs mostly -5 to -14°C. Travelers should plan for icy passes, drifting snow, and intermittent road closures in exposed areas.
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Waste Cleared from Yarmag Sewage Pump Station as Authorities Urge Proper Disposal
Published: 2025-11-08
Municipal crews removed accumulated waste from pipelines and the receiving basin at Yarmag’s No. 2 sewage pumping station in Ulaanbaatar, according to the city administration. Officials cited improper disposal practices—such as flushing tissues, wipes, food waste, and hair—as key contributors to blockages that threaten system performance and can trigger service interruptions or backups. The appeal underscores the fragility of urban wastewater infrastructure and the operational costs associated with clearing solid waste from sewer lines. While no service outages were reported, the notice signals heightened monitoring and a renewed emphasis on public compliance to reduce maintenance burdens. For businesses and residential property managers, adherence to waste-separation practices remains critical to avoid pipeline clogging, potential fines, and emergency maintenance that can disrupt operations. The city requests that residents refrain from discarding solid waste into toilets and sewer connections.
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Health
Teachers End Strike with Pay Deal as Doctors Set to Walk Out; Transparency Push and Legal, Aviation Updates Highlight Week
Published: 2025-11-08
Mongolia’s teachers ended a 13‑day strike after union leaders said government talks secured a phased pay rise targeting MNT 2.8 million by 2026, with classes to resume within 24 hours.
“After 13 days and 720 institutions participating, we reached an agreement to raise teachers’ pay to 2.8 million by 2026. Classes will resume within 24 hours.” - Z. Tsogtgerel, Chair of the Education and Science Trade Union (gogo.mn)
Healthcare workers announced a strike from November 13, demanding a base salary of MNT 3.5 million and initiating a labor dispute under the Labor Law.
“As no solution was reached, we are launching a collective labor dispute and will strike from November 13.” - Executive Council of the Mongolian Health Workers’ Trade Union (gogo.mn)
Other developments: Ulaanbaatar moved to reclaim the “Urgöö” hotel after years of non-compliance with a court order; an Air India flight made a precautionary technical landing at Chinggis Khaan International Airport without incident; parliament delayed a motion to dismiss Deputy Speaker Kh. Bulgantuya following a five‑day recess request; the government will publish 581 coal sales contracts of Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi to boost transparency; a youth sports funding dispute drew scrutiny, with the sports minister disputing claims of neglect; a family alleged harm tied to a religious group; and a rare “supermoon” occurred on November 5.
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Safety Advisory Outlines Steps to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Homes
Published: 2025-11-08
A public advisory explains how carbon monoxide (CO) forms from incomplete combustion of coal, wood, vehicle exhaust, and tobacco smoke, emphasizing its colorless, odorless nature and associated risks in Mongolia’s cold season. The guidance links CO buildup to common household issues—poorly sealed stoves, blocked or low chimneys, and failure to clean soot—conditions prevalent in traditional stove-heated dwellings. Recommended measures include not sealing chimneys or closing vents before fuel burns out, regularly checking stove and chimney seals, using certified CO detectors correctly, ensuring fire-safe electrical appliances, improving insulation, and maintaining routine ventilation. Adhering to these steps can significantly reduce CO risk, protecting household health and preventing fatalities, particularly among children and vulnerable residents during peak heating months.
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