Politics
Cabinet Reviews Emergency Economic Response Plan and Key Governance Bills
Published: 2026-03-25
The Cabinet held its regular session on March 25 to review a broad agenda centered on external risk management and domestic governance reforms. The main item was a contingency plan to limit damage to Mongolia’s economy from instability in the Middle East. According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development J. Enkhbayar, the response framework will be implemented in six areas: fiscal discipline and savings, uninterrupted food and agricultural supply, medicine and medical reserves, fuel and energy, transport and logistics, and higher investment. Ministers also discussed draft laws on whistleblower protection, occupational safety and health, and citizen-state oversight, plus amendments to public procurement rules. Other items included a plan to expand a nationwide mobile network, review a consultation titled
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Court Jails Visa Scam Operator for Five Years After MNT39 Million Fraud
Published: 2026-03-25
Police say visa-related fraud has become a persistent online scam in Mongolia, with 235 cases recorded over the past two years and 11 more logged in the first two months of this year. Authorities said most of these schemes are carried out on social media and messaging platforms, where fraudsters promise fast, cheap, guaranteed visas and even claim jobs and accommodation will be ready on arrival. In one case, a person identified as D was found to have posted fake ads offering South Korea visas between 2018 and 2020, carrying out 89 fraud acts and causing losses of MNT39 million. A Mongolian court sentenced D to five years in prison under the Criminal Code’s fraud provision. Police urged applicants to use only embassies, consulates, and official visa application centers.
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Parliament Stalls as Boycott Blocks Cabinet Swearing-In and Corruption Allegations Target Justice Minister
Published: 2026-03-25
Mongolia’s parliament remains effectively paralyzed after the Democratic Party boycott prevented quorum in both plenary and standing committee meetings, blocking the swearing-in of proposed ministers L. Enkh-Amgalan and B. Naidalaa. The delays have widened political pressure on Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar’s government, which has already seen two ministers step down voluntarily. At the same time, former prime minister and MP L. Oyun-Erdene submitted 894 pages of material to the Anti-Corruption Agency, alleging that Justice and Home Affairs Minister B. Enkhbayar may have taken USD 1.3 million in cash linked to Bodi International and other corruption-related matters. He said,
“I am handing over 894 pages of materials to the Anti-Corruption Agency today” - L. Oyun-Erdene (news.mn). Enkhbayar rejected the claims as defamation, but lawmakers are now openly calling for him to resign and face investigation as parliamentary gridlock deepens.
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Cabinet Tightens Asset Recovery Rules and Unveils Crisis-Response Measures
Published: 2026-03-25
At its March 25 meeting, the Cabinet moved to strengthen Mongolia’s legal tools for recovering state losses from corruption and confiscating illicit assets. Officials said the task force on restoring public and state-linked funds from failed banks and Development Bank borrowers has recovered MNT 127.87 billion so far, and ministers ordered draft amendments to the Criminal and Civil Codes plus new laws on an asset management company and compulsory confiscation measures to be submitted urgently to Parliament. The government also approved a six-part emergency response plan to cushion the economy against external shocks, covering fiscal discipline, food supply, health stockpiles, fuel and power, logistics, and investment. Other decisions included a plan to connect 104 off-grid rural districts to mobile networks, upgrade the Nalaikh industrial park, and advance infrastructure, consular, and winter livestock support measures.
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Parliament Deadlock Raises Questions Over Government Stability
Published: 2026-03-25
The State Great Khural remains unable to convene as the Democratic Party caucus refuses to participate, arguing that a party leader should not also serve as Speaker. Although the MPP-led governing bloc nominally controls enough seats to pass legislation, internal divisions within the ruling party are now the main obstacle to reaching quorum. The standoff is linked to growing resistance from more than 30 MPP lawmakers who oppose Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar and are aligning, at least indirectly, with the Democratic Party’s boycott. The article says the immediate pressure point is a possible leadership change in parliament, with Speaker N. Uchral viewed as the likely figure to move into the premiership if the deadlock is resolved. If the impasse continues, the stability of Zandanshatar’s government will remain uncertain.
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Published: 2026-03-25
B. Ganhuyag, the former chief executive of Erdenes Tavantolgoi, is expected to be released this week after completing his prison term in the high-profile coal-related corruption case involving 11 defendants. An appeals court had sentenced him to 3 years and 9 months in prison and banned him from holding public office for five years. He was detained together with former lawmaker T. Ayursaikhan, who was released on February 28. According to the head of the General Authority for Enforcement of Court Decisions, A. Namsamand, Ganhuyag’s release reflects time already served, including more than 400 days in pretrial detention and additional sentence reductions earned through work assignments.
“After serving the prison term ordered by the court, our law allows inmates to earn sentence reductions through work, and those bonus days are counted toward the original sentence. He was also held in pretrial detention for more than 400 days, and when all of that is combined, B. Ganhuyag is expected to be released soon.” - A. Namsamand, Head of the General Authority for Enforcement of Court Decisions (urug.mn)
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Deputy Minister Says Oyun-Erdene Bypassed Tender Process for Tavan Tolgoi-Zuunbayan Railway
Published: 2026-03-25
Deputy Justice and Home Affairs Minister D. Munkh-Erdene said the government had reviewed recent developments and presented documents alleging that former Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene handled procurement for the 416.6-km Tavan Tolgoi-Zuunbayan railway project, valued at about 1.4 trillion tugriks, without a competitive tender. According to his briefing, the project was instead arranged through a direct contract model. The remarks come after Oyun-Erdene asked the Anti-Corruption Agency to investigate Justice Minister B. Enkhbayar and raised questions about the minister’s past work with Bodi International Group. Munkh-Erdene also said private companies completed 88% of the overall work, underscoring the scale of private-sector execution in one of Mongolia’s most politically sensitive infrastructure projects.
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Economy
Diesel Prices to Rise in Stages as Fuel Supply Risks Build After Middle East Disruption
Published: 2026-03-25
Mongolia’s fuel policy is shifting after Middle East tensions pushed global oil prices above $100 a barrel and raised supply concerns. Industry and Mineral Resources State Secretary B. Dashpurev said A92 petrol will remain unchanged for now, while diesel is set for a phased increase to avoid a sharp shock to inflation and supply chains. He noted that the government has already secured 10 billion MNT in the 2026 budget to expand storage capacity, which would allow about one more month of fuel reserves. A 10,000-ton diesel shipment for spring planting will be delivered at the current price to limit downstream pressure on grain and flour costs.
“We will increase diesel by 300 tugriks first” - B. Dashpurev (news.mn).
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Published: 2026-03-25
Beef prices in Ulaanbaatar have climbed to around MNT 30,000 per kg, the highest level in five years, as seasonal supply weakness, lower winter reserves and changes in market structure squeeze availability. At Khuuchit Shonkhor, one of the capital’s main meat hubs, many stalls were empty and sales were slow, with wholesalers and retailers saying consumers are buying less or switching to smaller cuts. A vendor said,
“The price of beef is sky high, and people are finding it hard to buy meat” - Unnamed beef vendor (news.mn). Sellers blamed the new livestock market system for reducing the stock they can hold for spring, while others pointed to unregulated exports and strong demand from Chinese traders. National Statistics Office data show beef, mutton and goat meat prices all rose sharply year on year, adding pressure on household budgets.
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Oyu Tolgoi Talks Turn to Debt, Returns, and Public Trust
Published: 2026-03-25
The government’s latest Oyu Tolgoi negotiations are shifting the debate from political theatrics to the project’s financing structure and the timing of benefits for Mongolia. Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar has taken a hard line, saying,
“We will not accept unfairness” - Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar (ikon.mn). He has also warned that avoiding difficult talks would harm the national interest. The project’s operators say production is moving toward profitability, with plans to mine and process 42 million tons of ore, produce 390,000 tons of copper, and generate about $5.5 billion in revenue. But the resulting cash flow is expected to go first toward debt repayment, including a $4.3 billion project finance loan and a $1.6 billion related facility. That means higher revenues may not quickly translate into dividends for Mongolia, intensifying pressure for clearer terms, transparency, and a faster path to returns.
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Government to Channel MNT 130 Billion in Soft Loans for Spring Planting
Published: 2026-03-25
As part of the “Atar-IV” campaign for sustainable crop development, the government will provide MNT 130 billion in working-capital loans for the 2026 spring planting season through 10 commercial banks. Applicants must submit requests through the Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Ministry via the food and agriculture departments in their province or Ulaanbaatar district, and complete registration in the online system at www.plant.mofa.gov.mn. The loans will run for 24 months, carry a market rate of 16-17 percent, but will be subsidized to 6-7 percent for borrowers, with up to six months of principal repayment relief. Of the total, up to MNT 90 billion is earmarked for grain, oilseed and fodder producers, MNT 25 billion for potato and vegetable growers, and the remainder for greenhouse, mushroom, fruit and berry enterprises.
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Nalaikh Industrial and Technology Park to Be Developed as a Special Economic Zone
Published: 2026-03-25
The government has decided to convert the Nalaikh Industrial and Technology Park into a special economic zone with favorable tax, investment, and financing conditions. Officials were also instructed to ensure that public-private partnerships can be implemented locally without obstacles, signaling a push to accelerate regional development outside the capital. The decision follows Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar’s March 22 visit to the Nalaikh District Health Center, where he met local officials and reviewed service conditions. The government will now work on finalizing the 79 MW Nalaikh new heat source project, selecting a construction contractor, and securing financing for related grid and substation upgrades through international financial institutions. It will also seek a broader solution to the district’s heat tariff gap and examine building a hospital under an ADB-backed health sector project.
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Tuv Aimag and South Korean Firm Sign Labor Training Accord
Published: 2026-03-25
Tuv Aimag officials and MS Korea signed a memorandum of cooperation on March 25 to prepare local residents interested in seasonal work in South Korea. Under the agreement, MS Korea will organize training for Tuv Aimag residents who want to work abroad, with participants expected to gain eligibility for employment in South Korea after completing the program. The training is scheduled for April in Tuv Aimag, and the specific date will be announced through official information channels. The initiative reflects growing provincial efforts to connect local labor supply with overseas employment opportunities, while also giving residents a structured pathway into Korea’s seasonal work market.
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TOP-20 Index Falls to a Three-Month Low as Recent IPO Stocks Come Under Pressure
Published: 2026-03-25
The Mongolian Stock Exchange’s TOP-20 index has slipped to its lowest level in more than three months, erasing gains made earlier this year. After reaching a peak at the start of the year, the benchmark has fallen for two straight months and is now down 6% from its high. Only five of the index’s constituent companies are currently trading in positive territory, while the rest remain in negative zone. Premium Nexus has become the index’s weakest performer after a sharp prior rally tied to share buybacks last year. Shares of LendMN NBFI and InvesCore NBFI are also down more than 10% year to date, adding pressure to the overall market. The report suggests that most companies that listed via IPO this year have faced valuation pressure, with only a few managing to deliver gains.
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Foreign Bank Entry Debate Intensifies as Officials Weigh Credit Costs and Legal Reform
Published: 2026-03-25
Public debate is growing over whether allowing foreign banks into Mongolia would lower borrowing costs or simply expose gaps in the financial system. Bank executives and officials said high interest rates are driven less by bank margins than by funding costs, inflation, and credit risk. Kapitron Bank CEO B. Uurtsaikhbaatar said lengthy court processes and deposit costs push lending rates higher, while Deputy Finance Minister B. Khulan argued that foreign banks with longer-term funding could ease pricing pressures. Hask Bank CEO G. Tsevegjav cautioned that foreign funding would still face country risk and currency-conversion costs. Officials also stressed that current laws allow foreign banking activity in theory, but regulatory uncertainty and capital requirements remain major barriers. Mongolia is revising banking rules, including ownership limits that could require about MNT 2 trillion in additional capital.
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Reserved Meat Sales Reach 10 Tons in Darkhan as Spring Demand Holds Up
Published: 2026-03-25
Darkhan-Uul Province has sold 10 tons of reserved meat in the first 10 days after launching supplies on March 15 to stabilize food prices and meet spring household demand. Of the 102 tons prepared, 30 tons were released to the market through 20 contracted grocery stores across 18 khoroos in Darkhan Soum. Sales averaged 500-1,000 kilograms a day, with beef accounting for 4.3 tons, mutton 3.6 tons and goat meat 2.2 tons. The meat was prepared by Darkhan Meat Erdene Combine LLC and had passed five laboratory tests for bacteria and other safety requirements. Prices were set at MNT 16,300 for beef, MNT 14,800 for mutton and MNT 11,200 for goat meat, with officials reporting no complaints so far.
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Diplomacy
Mongolia and China Central Banks Move to Deepen Swap Use and Digital Payments Cooperation
Published: 2026-03-25
Bank of Mongolia President S. Naranjtsogt and People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng held formal talks focused on extending the yuan-tugrik swap line, expanding its practical use in trade settlement, and aligning monetary cooperation with broader regional financial stability goals. The two sides said the swap arrangement, in place since 2011, should do more than support liquidity; it should help raise bilateral trade, encourage local-currency payments, and deepen economic integration. They also discussed modernizing cross-border payments through digital infrastructure, including possible cooperation under mBridge and other next-generation systems designed to cut costs and speed up transactions. Naranjtsogt said:
“I am confident that today’s dialogue will provide a solid foundation for future trade, investment, and stable economic growth.” - S. Naranjtsogt (isee.mn)
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Parliament Committees Set to Revisit Russia Jet Fuel Supply Agreement
Published: 2026-03-25
Parliamentary committees are set to review a draft intergovernmental agreement between Mongolia and Russia on supplying aircraft fuel to Mongolia, along with a protocol to amend it. The Economic Standing Committee is scheduled to consider the document first, with the Security and Foreign Policy Standing Committee to follow on Friday. The deal is tied to a planned joint venture between Russia’s Rosneft and Mongolia’s Erchis Oil, which would operate from Chinggis Khaan International Airport. The proposal was previously rejected in last spring’s parliamentary session, when the Democratic Party caucus in the State Great Khural said it would not support the agreement. Its return to committee review suggests the government is trying again to secure approval for a strategically important aviation fuel supply arrangement with Russia.
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Foreign Ministry Objects to U.S. Visa Bond Rule for Mongolian Applicants
Published: 2026-03-25
Mongolia’s Foreign Ministry says it has formally raised concerns with Washington after the United States included Mongolian travelers in a new visa bond program requiring some tourist and business applicants to place USD 10,000 in a bank account. State Secretary L. Munkhtushig said the move was unexpected and that the ministry has already called in U.S. embassy officials to express regret over the decision. He added that Mongolia is now taking a step-by-step approach to pressing its position with the U.S. side, while also seeking to revive a 2017 campaign aimed at reducing visa overstays and unlawful stays by Mongolian citizens. The ministry is also facing questions over whether Ambassador U. Batbayar’s term in Washington has been extended, but Munkhtushig defended the envoy’s record.
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South Korea Reaffirms Critical Minerals Cooperation With Mongolia
Published: 2026-03-25
South Korea has said it will continue working with Mongolia on critical minerals, building on the joint Rare Metals Research Center established in Ulaanbaatar with Korean grant assistance. The pledge was made during talks between Deputy Minister Kwon Hee-jin of South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and State Secretary B. Dashpurev of the Ministry of Industry and Energy. Dashpurev said the two countries have already delivered successful cooperation in petroleum and are now expanding into gas-sector standards and rare-metals research.
“We should focus on training staff, meeting standards, and ensuring the center operates sustainably, with both sides supporting its capacity building” - State Secretary B. Dashpurev (montsame.mn)
The ministry said its draft list of critical minerals and amendments to the Minerals Law are nearly ready, signaling a stronger regulatory framework that could open new opportunities for third-country partners in exploration, extraction, and processing.
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Infrastructure
Planned Power Cuts Set for Multiple Ulaanbaatar Districts During Grid Maintenance
Published: 2026-03-25
Ulaanbaatar power utility notices on March 25 and March 26 outlined scheduled, temporary electricity cuts linked to planned maintenance on transmission lines and equipment. The outages are part of a broader maintenance program running through March 3-31 and will affect multiple locations across the capital, including parts of Khan-Uul, Chingeltei, Bayanzurkh, and Nalaikh districts, as well as several soums in Tuv Province. One notice said the work will be carried out only after the relevant equipment is fully de-energized, and warned that schedules may change depending on weather conditions, with updates sent to registered phone numbers. Residents and businesses in affected areas were advised to prepare accordingly and manage electricity use during the announced outage windows.
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Ulaanbaatar Faces Backlash Over Tuul Highway Tree Removal and Costly Tram Plans
Published: 2026-03-25
Ulaanbaatar’s latest transport mega-projects are drawing scrutiny over cost, transparency, and environmental risk. Work has begun on the 33-kilometer Tuul Highway, budgeted at 2.3 trillion tugriks, after contractors cleared riverside poplars and willows. Officials had said the trees would be relocated, but residents say many have disappeared. Former city manager T. Torkhuu had argued that trees should not exist inside flood-control infrastructure and said willows were being moved to Har Usan Toihoi. Separately, the city is advancing the 26-kilometer Ulaanbaatar Tram project at an estimated 2.7 trillion tugriks, or about 103 billion tugriks per kilometer. City officials say it will cut congestion and improve transit, but critics in the city council warn the spending is excessive and unproven. The two projects have intensified debate over whether Ulaanbaatar is prioritizing prestige infrastructure over water security, utilities, and basic services.
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Cabinet Approves Emergency Funding for Fuel and Livestock Feed in Hard-Hit Spring Areas
Published: 2026-03-25
The Cabinet decided on March 25 to draw from the government reserve fund to finance fuel deliveries and livestock feed for provinces facing severe spring conditions. The measure is intended to improve access to difficult road passes, support herders with aid delivery, and reduce logistical barriers to transporting hay and feed. Authorities said the funding will help vulnerable areas cope with emerging risks while minimizing losses. For rural Mongolia, where harsh spring weather can quickly disrupt transport and livestock survival, the decision signals a targeted emergency response designed to stabilize supply chains and protect herding households during a period of elevated seasonal stress.
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Water Compact Reaches 97% Completion as Ulaanbaatar Expands Long-Term Supply Capacity
Published: 2026-03-25
The second Compact agreement between the Mongolian government and the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation is nearing completion, with officials saying its goal is to prevent future water shortages in Ulaanbaatar through new supply, recycling, and sector reform. The program combines three linked projects: a new western water source with 30 deep wells, a deep water treatment plant, a wastewater recycling plant, and a policy and institutional reform package. B. Uuganbayar of the Millennium Challenge Fund said the effort was designed because water scarcity could threaten the capital’s economy and services.
“If water shortages hit the capital, production could stop and urban development would slow” - B. Uuganbayar, Director of Monitoring, Evaluation and Economic Analysis, Millennium Challenge Fund (news.mn). By end-2025, physical implementation stood at 97% and indicator delivery at 80%, with an estimated internal rate of return of 10.9% over 30 years.
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Ulaanbaatar Flags 1,024 Households at Risk as Seasonal Flood Threats Rise
Published: 2026-03-25
Ulaanbaatar authorities say warm winter conditions are increasing the risk of spring meltwater flooding at 12 protected sites across the city, with 1,024 households identified as potentially exposed. The highest-risk areas include the Tolgoit River, the Selbe River, the retaining wall in Chingeltei District’s 18th khoroo, and drainage channels in Denzhyn Myanga. Officials say drone mapping and database cross-checks were used to refine flood-risk zones and separate properties with and without legal land rights, as district offices begin clearing vulnerable areas. According to the city’s flood-control agency, around 100 households in Sukhbaatar District’s 14th and 15th khoroos are affected every year.
“This year’s warm winter means the water has not fully frozen, so ice jams and meltwater flooding are developing more often, which is increasing the risk.” - B. Byambasaihan, Head of the Ulaanbaatar Flood Protection Agency (news.mn)
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Ulaanbaatar to Launch 52 Km of Road Works and New Transport Infrastructure in May-June
Published: 2026-03-25
Ulaanbaatar plans major road and transport upgrades across 13 locations this year, including 52 km of new road and road infrastructure construction, 33.8 km of rehabilitation at five sites, 31 km of street lighting, and two pedestrian overpasses. The work is scheduled to begin in May-June 2026, with projects spread across Khan-Uul, Songinokhairkhan, Bayangol, Bayanzurkh, and Sukhbaatar districts. The largest single package includes a 12.55 km road connecting the outskirts of the Emelt Eco Industrial Park to Shuvuun Fabrik. Other priority links include access roads near schools, residential areas, and key intersections. City officials expect the upgrades to reduce traffic congestion and ease pressure on the capital’s road network, where chronic bottlenecks remain a major operational issue for businesses and commuters.
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Ulaanbaatar Accelerates Prefabricated Housing Insulation to Cut Heating Demand
Published: 2026-03-25
Ulaanbaatar is insulating its 1,077 prefabricated apartment blocks in stages under a 2023-2027 energy-efficiency program, with work now underway on the first 45 buildings. City officials say the retrofit could reduce energy consumption by 31% and extend building lifespans, while also improving winter comfort for residents. By 2025, 370 blocks had already been insulated, and another 210 are planned for 2025-2027, including 115 next year. The program uses non-combustible mineral wool, metal facades and roof upgrades rather than foam insulation, reflecting a broader city shift toward safer materials. Officials say the completed program could save enough heat to match Thermal Power Plant No. 2’s output, underscoring its significance for Ulaanbaatar’s strained heating system.
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Environment
Western and Central Mongolia Face Wet Snow, Strong Winds, and Sharp Temperature Swings
Published: 2026-03-25
Mongolia’s weather service has issued repeated alerts for March 25-31, warning of wet snow and snow in parts of the western and central aimags on March 25, then in western southern and eastern northern areas on March 26-27. Wind speeds are expected to strengthen to 14-16 m/s in the Altai foothills and western Gobi, raising the risk of dust storms. Ulaanbaatar is forecast to stay mostly cloudy but dry, with daytime highs around 7-9C. The broader outlook points to another round of precipitation on March 28-30, followed by colder conditions across the north and much of the country. In Uvs province, overnight snowfall has already built up to 21 cm in some soums, highlighting the potential for travel disruptions and livestock risks as late-winter conditions persist.
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National Earthquake Preparedness Drills Highlight Rising Seismic Risk Across Mongolia
Published: 2026-03-25
Mongolia marked its annual Earthquake Disaster Prevention and Awareness Day with nationwide drills, school-based safety lessons, and public training coordinated by the National Emergency Management Agency and local disaster offices. Officials said the country remains highly exposed: 52.6% of territory is in a very high-risk seismic zone, while 95.3% of Ulaanbaatar falls into the highest-risk category. The warning comes after 5,178 earthquakes were recorded in Mongolia and nearby border areas in the first two months of the year, including 10 quakes above magnitude 3.5, up 43% year on year. Authorities also urged households to secure heavy items, prepare emergency bags, and build readiness plans. In Ulaanbaatar, active faults and past damage assessments underscore the potential for severe urban losses, while Bulgan Province reported 706 tremors since the start of the year.
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Environmental Professor Warns Tuul River Highway Could Damage Water Flows and Urban Air Corridor
Published: 2026-03-25
MUIS environmental engineering professor O. Altansukh said the Tuul River and its groundwater basin are a strategic resource for Ulaanbaatar, supplying drinking, household, and industrial water while also helping disperse air pollution through the river valley. He argued that a riverside expressway would create long-term ecological costs beyond the visible footprint of its pillars.
“The foundation of a highway pillar takes up a much larger area than what is visible from above. This disrupts the hydraulic connection between surface water and groundwater” - O. Altansukh (ikon.mn) He also warned that construction could increase shadowing, dust, heavy metal exposure, soil salinization, and noise. Altansukh said the key question is not whether to build roads, but where to build them, and urged a broader mobility plan that prioritizes public transport, walking, cycling, and alternative alignments away from the river corridor.
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Nationwide Disaster Sirens to Sound at 4:00 p.m. in Drill Exercise
Published: 2026-03-25
A nationwide disaster alert drill will take place today at 4:00 p.m., when warning sirens are scheduled to sound across the country as part of the regular quarterly preparedness exercise. The National Emergency Management Agency is urging the public to take part actively and follow the recommended safety instructions during the drill. The exercise is intended to familiarize residents and institutions with emergency response procedures and reinforce readiness for disaster scenarios. No additional operational disruptions were announced, but the test serves as a reminder that Mongolia’s warning system is periodically activated to keep preparedness measures current.
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Ulaanbaatar PM2.5 Levels Fall 30% in IQAir’s 2025 Air Quality Report
Published: 2026-03-25
Ulaanbaatar recorded a 30% year-on-year decline in PM2.5 pollution, according to IQAir’s 2025 global air quality report. The capital’s annual average PM2.5 concentration fell to 17.9 from 25.7, placing it 1,211th among more than 9,400 cities surveyed across 143 countries. While the improvement suggests measurable progress in the city’s air quality, the report also underscores a global deterioration, with only 14% of surveyed cities meeting air quality standards, down from 2024. IQAir said wildfires, fossil fuels and agricultural emissions were the main drivers of worsening air quality worldwide.
“Air pollution negatively affects human cognitive ability, labor productivity and increases health care costs” - Frank Hammes, CEO of IQAir (isee.mn)
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Innovation
Government Plans 4G Coverage for All 1,650 Rural Subdistricts by 2028
Published: 2026-03-25
The government has approved a plan to extend mobile coverage to every one of Mongolia’s 1,650 rural subdistricts, aiming to eliminate remaining “dead zones” and upgrade areas limited to basic 2G voice service. Digital Development, Innovation and Communications Minister Batshugar Enkhbayar told Cabinet that 104 subdistricts currently have no mobile signal at all, while 147 more cannot access the internet. The rollout is scheduled for 2026-2028 and is intended to support e-government, remote education, telemedicine and faster emergency communications in sparsely populated regions.
“By 2028, all subdistricts in Mongolia will have 4G service.” - Batshugar Enkhbayar, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications (ikon.mn)
Officials say the plan should also improve local commerce and strengthen public safety by enabling faster information sharing during disasters and other emergencies.
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Digital First Campaign Launches in Dornogovi With Training, E-Services Push
Published: 2026-03-25
Mongolia has launched its new “Digital First” national campaign in Dornogovi Province, using Sainshand’s “Digital Dornogovi” event to promote faster public services, AI adoption and broader digital literacy. The two-day program brings together government officials, residents, students, seniors, people with disabilities and service providers for training on E-Mongolia, E-Business, cyber safety and practical AI use. Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications G. Bayarkhuu said digital transformation is now central to service quality and transparency.
“It is essential for every civil servant to acquire new knowledge and skills and use technological advances correctly and effectively” - G. Bayarkhuu (isee.mn). Governor O. Batjargal said AI-based systems could reduce staff workload and raise productivity. The campaign also links to a broader connectivity plan, with the government targeting 4G coverage for all rural settlements by 2028.
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Education Ministry Approves New Grade 1-2 Textbook List for 2026-2027
Published: 2026-03-25
The Ministry of Education has approved the textbook list for first- and second-grade students under the revised primary education curriculum, with the new books set for use in the 2026-2027 school year. Officials plan to launch tenders to develop manuscripts for each subject, complete the selection process, and move the books to print before next autumn. The curriculum update is designed to give children both academic knowledge and practical habits for independent living. Key changes include making health an independent subject, restoring the reading book that had previously been removed, and adding a Mongolian grammar textbook for Kazakh children. The revised lineup covers Mongolian language, mathematics, science, social studies, music, visual arts, design, health, and physical education, with reading added for second grade. Special-needs schools will receive sign language materials, while minority-language students will be supplied with Mongolian, Kazakh, and Tuvan textbooks.
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Health
Measles Cases Rise to 14,435 as Hospitals Continue Treating Severe Patients
Published: 2026-03-25
Measles remains a prolonged public health concern in Mongolia, with the national total rising by eight new cases on March 25 to 14,435. Health authorities said seven of the latest infections were reported in Ulaanbaatar and one in the provinces. Across the country, 43 patients are currently receiving hospital care and six are isolating at home, while six patients are in severe condition and 34 are moderately ill. The outbreak has now continued for 379 days and has caused 15 deaths, underscoring the persistent strain on the health system. In Khovsgol Province alone, 53 cases have been confirmed since the start of the year, including six new infections in the past week. Officials are expanding catch-up immunization for children aged 6 to 8 months and 10 to 15 years.
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New Alcohol Label Warning Standards Set for 2025
Published: 2026-03-25
Mongolia has updated the mandatory label and warning requirements for alcoholic beverages through a joint 2025 order issued by the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry and the Minister of Health. The revised standard defines what warning content must appear on alcohol labels, as well as the required placement, format, size, and visual design. The policy is intended to reduce health and social risks linked to harmful alcohol consumption, while giving consumers clearer information about negative effects and supporting more responsible use. For manufacturers and importers, the change will likely require label redesigns and compliance checks before products can remain on the market.
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Arts
Suitfabric to Launch Tailor-Made Trunk Show with Hanbogd Cashmere and Nolur Cashmere
Published: 2026-03-25
South Korea’s Suitfabric, a leading tailor-made suit atelier, will enter the Mongolian market through a trunk show organized with Hanbogd Cashmere and Nolur Cashmere. The event, scheduled for April 9-11, will take measurements from the first 40 customers and produce one-of-a-kind suits, jackets, and cashmere coats made to order. The collaboration links a Korean bespoke tailoring brand known for serving high-profile clients with two Mongolian cashmere labels positioned in the premium and sustainable luxury segment. Hanbogd Cashmere says it already supplies processed cashmere to top international brands including Loro Piana, Ermenegildo Zegna, Colombo, and Johnsons of Elgin, underscoring Mongolia’s growing role in the high-end cashmere supply chain. The move signals expanding cross-border demand for luxury, made-to-measure products in Mongolia.
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