Politics
Customs Inspectors Probed for Fake Declarations and Bribe Scheme; 1.6 Billion MNT Tracked to Unregistered Accounts
Published: 2025-12-06
Mongolia’s law-enforcement agencies have launched a probe into alleged systematic bribery and customs fraud involving inspectors in Ulaanbaatar and Zamiin-Uud. Investigators say inspectors, working with intermediaries, routinely falsified import declarations—reducing quantities and values—for over 100 companies, allegedly collecting monthly cash kickbacks. Ten customs officers are suspected of receiving more than 300 million MNT in bribes, with funds possibly laundered into real estate, vehicles, and jewelry. Authorities seized cash, bank cards, phones, a “black ledger,” and 32 million MNT prepared for payoffs. Eleven unregistered bank accounts used by intermediaries reportedly accumulated over 1.6 billion MNT; these assets have been frozen for potential forfeiture. More than 20 individuals, including inspectors, were detained for questioning. The report also notes the Prime Minister’s unannounced visit to the Customs General Administration and potential leadership changes following promised institutional reforms.
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Ulaanbaatar Approves 2026 Budget with ₮2 Trillion for Infrastructure and Major Debt Service
Published: 2025-12-06
Ulaanbaatar’s Citizens’ Representative Khural approved the 2026 city budget at ₮4.6 trillion, allocating ₮1.5 trillion for operating costs and ₮2 trillion for capital works. The city will remit ₮263.7 billion to the state budget and distribute ₮265.2 billion to districts. Debt service includes ₮408 billion for securities and interest and ₮100 billion for on-lending repayments. The Tuul Expressway will receive ₮800 billion in 2026, with a further ₮1 trillion planned in 2027. Education infrastructure is prioritized across Bayangol, Khan-Uul, and Bayanzurkh, including new builds, purchases, and expansions. The city plans to procure an AI-powered server to evaluate tenders without human involvement. Air-quality and land-acquisition programs each receive ₮200 billion, with resettlement targeting several ger-area zones for apartment construction. The Fifth Power Plant gets ₮200 billion in 2026 and additional funding in 2027.
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Economic Council Reviews Draft Law to Expand Economic Freedom and Investor Protections
Published: 2025-12-06
Mongolia’s Economic Development Council reviewed a draft “Law on Economic Freedom,” with the government aiming to submit it to parliament within the year. Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar said the bill was developed by the Ministry of Economy and Development with broad public consultation, incorporating 642 submissions from domestic and international stakeholders. The legislation seeks to codify principles limiting state intervention, protect property rights, and streamline permits, alongside amendments to more than 100 related laws, including on investment and licensing. Officials cited over 40 laws restricting foreign investment and identified 110 that directly conflict with economic freedom. Business leaders urged swift parliamentary action, highlighting tax reform and differentiated regional development. The government says adoption would clarify policy principles, improve dispute resolution, and enhance transparency for investors, addressing Mongolia’s middling rankings on economic freedom and business climate.
“The law will fully guarantee the right to conduct business operations.” - Minister of Economy and Development J. Enkhbayar (isee.mn)
“The draft is being developed with public consultations, and feedback is being incorporated.” - Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar (isee.mn)
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Infrastructure
Ulaanbaatar Cable Car to Begin Six-Month Trial in March, Targeting Q2 2025 Launch
Published: 2025-12-06
Ulaanbaatar plans to start trial operations of its first urban cable car in March 2025, with a six-month testing phase involving police and emergency services before commissioning in the second quarter, officials said. The initial Yarmag–Kharkhorin line spans 4.2 km with two stations, 19 pylons at 7.5–42 meters, and 98 cabins carrying up to 10 passengers each, for an hourly capacity of 2,300. The line is designed to withstand cold conditions and winds up to 75 km/h and will be fully electric. Fares are estimated at MNT 1,500–2,600, pending final approval. Authorities say the route—crossing the Tuul River and over the city’s rail corridor—could handle up to 18% of passenger flows in the western and southern zones, with a one-way travel time of about 12 minutes. > “We will start testing the cable car in March, conducting rescue drills with police and emergency services over six months.” - A. Amartuvshin, Deputy Governor of Ulaanbaatar (news.mn)
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Society
Rescuers Warn of Ice Breakthrough Incidents on Khuvsgul Lake and Major Rivers
Published: 2025-12-06
Mongolia’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reports 60 incidents of people and vehicles breaking through ice between 2023 and November 25, 2025. Most cases occurred in Khuvsgul, Ulaanbaatar, Khovd, Zavkhan, and Uvs, with Khuvsgul Lake, and the Tuul and Orkhon rivers the main hotspots. Such incidents typically rise in January–April and November–December when ice is unstable due to freeze–thaw cycles. Authorities urge residents, herders, and drivers to avoid traveling on frozen lakes and rivers to prevent loss of life, property damage, and health risks. For businesses and logistics operators, this underscores seasonal transport hazards across northern and central corridors where winter routes sometimes cross frozen waterways. NEMA emphasizes heightened caution as winter progresses and ice thickness varies widely with weather conditions.
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Rights Complaints Mount Over Selbe Subcenter Redevelopment as Resident Alleges Unlawful Land Seizure
Published: 2025-12-06
A redevelopment drive in Ulaanbaatar’s Selbe subcenter—planned to deliver 12,000 apartments across 158 hectares in Sukhbaatar’s 14th khoroo and Chingeltei’s 14th and 18th khoroos—has triggered rights concerns after a resident alleged his land was taken without consent. The article details claims that city officials fenced off and began construction on B. Nyamaasuren’s plot in April 2025 before relocation terms were agreed, with structures allegedly demolished and access restricted. Authorities reportedly valued his property at MNT 92.8 million, but he declined the offer and later received mortgage-based apartment proposals he could not afford. The National Human Rights Commission said it issued recommendations to the mayor to avoid forced displacement and ensure protections aligned with international standards. City leaders publicly back the project, which allocates 80% of new units to developers and 20% to funding the Ger Area Development Fund, leaving no direct unit entitlement for displaced residents.
“They fenced my yard and started construction before I moved, demolishing outbuildings and making it uninhabitable.” - B. Nyamaasuren (unuudur.mn)
“Do your apartment research; we’ll arrange it accordingly… Even if you go to court, you’ll end up coming back to us.” - M. Govisaikhan, head of NOSK, as recounted by B. Nyamaasuren (unuudur.mn)
“International human rights standards were not observed in this urban renewal, so we sent recommendations to the mayor to prevent forced evictions and rights violations.” - S. Dondov, Member, National Human Rights Commission (unuudur.mn)
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Environment
Ulaanbaatar Air Pollution Intensifies as Mayor Outlines Relocation and Infrastructure Plan
Published: 2025-12-06
Air quality across Ulaanbaatar deteriorated on December 6, with elevated particulate matter recorded at multiple monitoring points citywide, according to agaar.mn. Authorities advise mask use due to health risks. Mayor Kh. Nyambaatar linked the smog to widespread household fuel use in ger districts and said the city will pursue large-scale land clearance, utility expansion, and a new thermal power plant to curb emissions. He cited rapid population growth and halted allocations of 0.07-hectare plots, noting 3,000 plots were cleared this year with further removals planned in Dambadarjaa, 6 Buudal, areas behind Gandantegchinlen and the 3rd–4th microdistricts, parts of Songinokhairkhan, Tsaiz, and near School No. 34 in Khan-Uul.
“Air pollution will only be solved by relocating households and expanding infrastructure; burning fuel inevitably emits smoke and gases. We are planning extensive land clearance and starting a new CHP project.” - Mayor Kh. Nyambaatar (ikon.mn)
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Winter Livestock Risks Elevated as 17% of Territory Faces High Dzud Threat
Published: 2025-12-06
Mongolia’s Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology forecasts challenging wintering conditions for herders, with dzud risk assessments showing 4% of the country at very high risk and 17% at high risk in December. Moderate risk covers 33% of territory, while 25% is low risk and 21% faces no significant difficulty. High and very high risk conditions are expected across much of Bayan-Ölgii and Uvs, with moderate to high risk in most of Khovd, Selenge, Töv, Övörkhangai, and Zavkhan, and parts of Govi-Altai and Bayankhongor. Hovsgol, Arkhangai, Bulgan, and Dundgovi are projected to see mostly moderate conditions. The outlook is based on satellite and ground data including pasture load, biomass, temperature, precipitation anomalies, snow depth, and December weather forecasts. Authorities advise early preparedness and close use of short-, medium-, and long-range forecasts.
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Winter Temperature Inversions Trap Pollution in Ulaanbaatar as Monitors Show December Air Quality Improvement
Published: 2025-12-06
Ulaanbaatar’s winter climate frequently produces temperature inversions, limiting vertical air mixing and causing smoke from households and power plants to concentrate near the ground. City data attribute roughly 55% of air pollution to ger district household stoves, about 30% to vehicle emissions, and 15% to other sources including steam and hot-water boilers, waste burning, and ash ponds at thermal power plants. Despite structural pressures, monitoring from 19 fixed stations indicates notable year-on-year improvement on December 4, 2024: PM2.5 down 22.3%, PM10 down 18.7%, NO2 down 13.5%, SO2 down 53.0%, and CO down 19.5%. Thermal power and steam/hot-water boilers reportedly burn over 6.3 million tons of raw coal annually—around ten times household fuel consumption—underscoring the scale of stationary-source emissions and the challenge of sustained reductions during inversion-prone periods.
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Health
Ulaanbaatar Moves Grades 6–9 to Online Classes as Flu Cases Trend Up
Published: 2025-12-06
Mongolia’s Incident Management Team recommended continuing remote learning for middle grades after surveillance indicated influenza activity typically peaks in weeks 51–52, with current trends pointing to further growth. Weekly monitoring for 2025 week 47 showed illness decreased slightly among ages 0–4 but rose among ages 5–14 and those 65+, signaling elevated risk in school settings. Under an Education Minister’s order dated November 27, public and private general education schools in Bayanzürkh, Bayangol, Nalaikh, Sükhbaatar, Songinokhairkhan, Khan-Uul, and Chingeltei will adjust schedules: grades 1–5 will remain in-person December 8–12, while grades 6–9 will shift online for the same period. Authorities are also discussing environmental controls and establishing “flu examination and diagnostics” sections to manage the seasonal surge. No end date beyond December 12 was specified.
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