Correction: An earlier email today contained only one story because of a newsletter ranking error. This corrected edition contains the full briefing. We apologize for the duplicate email and inconvenience.
Politics
Revised Family Law Strengthens Child-Protection Rules
Published: 2026-08-23
Parliament approved a revised Family Law during its spring session, introducing child welfare as a core principle for decisions involving family relationships. The law gives the parent granted custody authority to decide matters including a child’s health care, education, overseas travel, religion and development of talents. It also states that parents have equal rights and joint responsibilities toward their children regardless of whether they are married or living together. New provisions protect children’s separate property, including inheritances, gifts, benefits, intellectual-property income and wages; children aged 14 or older may sue for compensation for damage to their property. The law also requires child support to be at least the subsistence minimum, strengthens guardianship rules and prioritises placement with foster families before institutional care.
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Diplomacy
Israel and Mongolia Plan Expanded Water and Desertification Cooperation
Published: 2026-08-23
Environment and Climate Change Minister Ts. Sandag-Ochir met Einat Shlein, director general of Israel’s MASHAV international development agency, during COP17 to discuss expanded cooperation on water management and combating desertification. The parties agreed to develop cooperation in stages on water-resource management, irrigation technology, professional training, exchange programs, joint research, drought-risk reduction and climate adaptation. Sandag-Ochir outlined Mongolia’s Steppe Plan, which it is presenting internationally at COP17 to protect steppe ecosystems, reduce land degradation and promote sustainable use. He also cited the launched 333 Lakes-Soum Program, which aims to collect surface water, restore ecological balance and reduce groundwater use. MASHAV, established in 1958, shares Israeli development expertise, technology and training with developing countries. Shlein said MASHAV could expand collaboration on water management, advanced irrigation technology, capacity building, research and innovation.
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Infrastructure
Odd-Numbered Vehicles Allowed on Roads Today
Published: 2026-08-23
Vehicles with licence plates ending in odd numbers—1, 3, 5, 7 or 9—may travel today under a temporary plate-number restriction. The restriction has applied daily from 07:00 to 21:00, regardless of zone, since 15 August and is scheduled to remain in force until 12 September. The source says it was introduced as the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification COP17 conference is being held and preparations for the new school year begin. Vehicles are being allowed to travel according to whether their number plates are odd or even. Today’s permitted vehicles are those whose licence plates end in an odd number.
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Eligible Residents Can Apply Online for Road-Fee Exemption
Published: 2026-08-23
Residents of Songinokhairkhan District’s 32nd khoroo, Khan-Uul District’s 14th khoroo and all khoroos in Nalaikh may apply online to exempt a vehicle they own from national and international road-use fees. A government resolution dated 1 July 2026 revised the charges, which took effect on 1 August. Passenger-car fees rose from MNT 1,000 to MNT 5,000, and truck fees from MNT 10,000 to MNT 20,000. If their real property is registered in their name, eligible residents can apply through a newly introduced section of the E-Mongolia app, entering and confirming their registration number. Those without property registered in their name must attach the property certificate and provide information verifying their address.
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City Signs Agreements on Ring Roads and Up to USD 250 Million in Green Investment
Published: 2026-08-23
Ulaanbaatar signed cooperation memoranda during the COP17 Mayors Forum with China Central Strategic Advisory Group and the Global Green Growth Institute. The memorandum with the Chinese firm provides for joint study of investment, financing, technology, feasibility studies and implementation arrangements for projects including the city’s first and second ring roads, road infrastructure and new public-transport systems. It also includes a project to recycle coal-combustion waste from Thermal Power Plant No. 5 into construction materials. Other separate initiatives cover green infrastructure, waste-to-energy and energy-storage systems, and energy-efficient detached housing with local infrastructure solutions. A separate memorandum with the Global Green Growth Institute starts cooperation to mobilise up to USD 250 million in green investment. The institute has worked with the city since 2016 and supported a USD 32.5 million grant for thermal upgrades to prefabricated apartment buildings.
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Dunjingarav Parking Area Reopens Temporarily During COP17
Published: 2026-08-23
Ulaanbaatar will temporarily reopen the Dunjingarav shopping center parking area and roads from Naran Tuul junction to Dunjingarav junction and Zuuni Jangjin junction on August 23, in line with the COP17 program. The Naran Tuul and Dunjingarav parking areas were temporarily closed for COP17, and some roads were restricted. On August 22, authorities reopened the road from Naran Tuul junction to Uguumur Market junction and the Naran Tuul shopping center parking area. The routes scheduled to open on August 23 will close again at 07:00 on August 24. Agencies urged residents and drivers to plan travel accordingly. Vehicle license-plate restrictions remain in effect: even-numbered vehicles may travel on August 22 and odd-numbered vehicles on August 23.
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Environment
COP17 Puts Land Restoration and Drought Resilience at the Forefront
Published: 2026-08-23
The 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, COP17, is bringing together about 8,000 delegates from more than 100 countries in Ulaanbaatar through 28 August. Discussions cover desertification, land degradation, drought, pasture management and land restoration. A political high-level meeting begins on 24 August, with ministers from 106 countries registered to attend. On 25–26 August, countries, international organisations and major companies are expected to announce investment and financing commitments to combat desertification and land degradation. The Green Zone’s Resilience Day programme discusses ways to strengthen the resilience of communities, ecosystems and herder livelihoods. It will present climate-smart data analysis, drought early-warning systems, community-based landscape restoration and climate-resilient herder communities.
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Draft Noise Pollution Law to Open for Public Consultation
Published: 2026-08-23
MP Kh. Gankhuyag says a first standalone Noise Pollution Law has been drafted and will soon be opened to public consultation. The proposal would set maximum permitted noise levels by zone, identify noise sources, and establish tougher operating requirements and oversight. It would also clarify the rights, duties and liability of individuals, companies and public institutions. The initiative addresses constant high-volume noise from vehicles, motorcycles, construction, industry and entertainment venues, which research has linked to poorer health and quality of life. Mongolia currently applies standards on allowable noise, but Gankhuyag said they are limited to technical requirements and lack adequate enforcement and accountability. The planned public discussion will hear views from professional organizations and researchers to make the draft more realistic and suited to citizens’ needs.
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Innovation
Kindergarten Registration Closes for 2026-2027 School Year
Published: 2026-08-23
Registration for Ulaanbaatar kindergartens for the 2026-2027 school year closes at 23:59 on August 23, after opening on August 1. Parents and guardians can review their application status through parent.edu.mn. Authorities expect 258,921 children nationwide to attend preschool in the coming school year, including 126,827 in the capital. Ulaanbaatar’s expected preschool population comprises 27,832 two-year-olds, 31,303 three-year-olds, 32,002 four-year-olds and 35,690 five-year-olds. As of August 23, 94,160 children had submitted requests to attend kindergarten through the E-Mongolia system. In local areas, 6,694 children had made requests to attend kindergarten by the same date. The source also gives a nationwide projection of 258,921 preschool children for the coming school year.
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