Politics
Government Moves to Reorganize 65 State-Owned Enterprises
Published: 2026-09-09
The government approved a resolution to restructure state-owned enterprises ahead of the Law on Governance of State and Local Government-Owned Companies taking effect on January 1, 2027. Functional reviews of 65 enterprises found overlapping responsibilities, with 25 entities slated for merger or dissolution. The plan converts 21 enterprises into 16 state-owned companies and reorganizes 37 into 31 public-service institutions; some functions may move to government agencies. In 2025, the 65 entities employed 7,030 people, while 39 budget-financed enterprises received MNT 153.1 billion in subsidies. Prime Minister Uchral said the measures are expected to reduce payroll and other operating costs by about MNT 30 billion annually.
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Parliament Advances Second Reading of 2026 Budget Revision
Published: 2026-09-09
Parliamentary committees are advancing the second reading of government-proposed amendments to the 2026 state budget, National Wealth Fund budget, Social Insurance Fund budget and Health Insurance Fund budget. The Security and Foreign Policy Standing Committee completed its second reading and will submit its conclusions to the Budget Standing Committee. Finance Minister Z. Mendsaikhan said the revision includes a proposed USD 200 million Asian Development Bank budget-support loan and access to a contingency credit line of up to USD 250 million for disasters or economic instability; using the credit line would require further parliamentary consideration. During separate committee discussions, the Health Ministry reported MNT 61.9 billion in social-insurance contribution arrears and MNT 130 billion in debts for medicines and medical supplies. The revision reallocates MNT 79.3 billion in health-insurance spending and adds MNT 10.9 billion for hospitals under the minister’s portfolio.
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Parliament Debates Funding Gap Behind Public-Sector Pay Increases
Published: 2026-09-09
Parliament’s Human Development and Social Policy Standing Committee reviewed the second reading of a 2026 budget amendment on September 9, focusing on funds needed after public-service pay rises took effect. Education Ministry State Secretary T. Nyam-Ochir said 674.9 billion tugriks in the amendment would cover the shortfall created by a decision to raise salaries for state and locally owned school teachers by 50 percent. Finance Ministry State Secretary M. Sanjaadorj said the funding would not create a new education-sector increase, but would meet an existing gap. The amendment also includes 91.7 billion tugriks for health-sector pay, alongside 185 billion already in the state budget. MP A. Ariunzaya questioned why higher salaries were paid before corresponding budget funding was approved.
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Minister Says Legal Authorities Are Handling MP’s Remarks About Kazakh Ethnicity
Published: 2026-09-09
Family, Labour and Social Protection Minister T. Aubakir said legal authorities are reviewing remarks by MP M. Narantuya-Nara after she called for his removal during Parliament’s extraordinary session on the 2026 budget amendment. Narantuya-Nara asked Prime Minister Uchral to replace Aubakir, saying her request was based on people she named whom she accused of betraying the country, not on ethnicity. Aubakir said four MPs elected from his province had referred the matter to the relevant authorities. He said the comments harmed Kazakh young people and children living and working in the country, and that authorities would determine any response. The dispute followed the opening of the extraordinary session on September 7. It concerns statements made in Parliament about the minister’s Kazakh ethnicity and his continued leadership of the ministry.
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Published: 2026-09-09
Family, Labour and Social Protection Minister T. Aubakir said retirees currently receiving MNT 769,000 would receive up to MNT 1.2 million from January 1 under planned pension reforms. Pensioners have requested that the minimum pension be raised to MNT 1.5 million. Aubakir said setting pensions at the same amount would be unfair to people whose work histories and social-insurance contributions differ. Instead, the government plans to link increases to years worked and contributions paid. From January 1, 2027, the reform is intended to narrow pension disparities for 141,000 older people. Retirees who continue working are also planned to be exempted from pension-insurance contributions from 2027.
“Retirees now receiving MNT 769,000 will receive up to MNT 1.2 million from January 1.” - T. Aubakir (urug.mn)
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Economy
CNPC Agrees September Fuel Deliveries and Broader Oil Cooperation
Published: 2026-09-09
Industry and Mineral Resources Minister G. Damdinyam met CNPC President Zhou Xinhui to expand fuel, oil exploration and refinery cooperation. CNPC agreed to supply Mongolia in September with 10,000 tonnes of gasoline, 4,000 tonnes of jet fuel and 3,000 tonnes of diesel. Mongolia also requested additional September deliveries of 5,000 tonnes of AI-92 gasoline and 20,000-30,000 tonnes of diesel, plus 10,000 tonnes of AI-92 and 30,000-40,000 tonnes of diesel in October; CNPC said it would review the request. The sides plan to pursue long-term supply arrangements, guaranteed volumes, transparent pricing and rail-linked logistics with CNPC and PetroChina International. They also agreed to update 2026-2030 programs for the Toson-Uul XIX and Tamsag XXI fields and form a technical team for crude supply to the refinery planned for 2028.
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Annual Inflation Reaches 12.5% in August
Published: 2026-09-09
Consumer prices in Mongolia were 12.5% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier and rose 1.1% from July. Sources reported that food, beverages and water added 5.8 percentage points to annual inflation; they also reported this group at 46.9% of the inflation rate. Transport added 1.7 points, education services 1.2 points and clothing, textiles and footwear 0.9 points. Food prices rose 21.5% year on year, while transport rose 11.2%, education services 17.4%, hotel, restaurant and accommodation services 16.4%, and insurance and financial services 17.1%. Goods prices increased 13.0% and services 10.9%. Imported goods excluding gasoline and fuel added 2.0 points; domestic goods excluding meat and solid fuel added 4.4 points. Annual inflation was 8.8% in August 2025.
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Trade Surplus Reaches USD 6 Billion in First Eight Months
Published: 2026-09-09
Mongolia recorded a USD 6.03 billion trade surplus in the first eight months of 2026, according to the General Customs Administration. The administration reported total trade of USD 22.77 billion, exports of USD 14.40 billion, and imports of USD 8.37 billion. Compared with the same period in 2025, exports increased 57.2 percent, imports rose 12 percent, and total trade grew 36.8 percent. Customs officials attributed the export increase chiefly to higher volumes of key mining commodities. Coal exports reached 74.4 million tonnes, up 50.8 percent year on year, while copper concentrate exports totaled 1.77 million tonnes, an increase of 21.6 percent. The reported figures were also rounded to USD 22.8 billion, USD 14.4 billion, and USD 8.4 billion in the accompanying summary.
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Government Plans MNT 226.2 Billion Domestic Bond Offering
Published: 2026-09-09
The government plans to raise MNT 226.2 billion through an open bond offering on the domestic capital market before the end of 2026, as parliament begins considering amendments to the 2026 state budget. Since the start of the year, the government has traded 34 bond issues through the Mongolian Stock Exchange, with maturities ranging from six to 84 months, raising a combined MNT 170 billion. It has also issued MNT 300 billion in securities through closed offerings. The reported plan adds to a previously announced intention to issue a further MNT 865 billion in securities. The planned open offering is part of the government’s domestic financing activity while lawmakers examine the budget revision.
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Trade Terms Index Rises 21 Percent in July as Copper Prices Climb
Published: 2026-09-09
The National Statistics Office reported that the foreign trade terms index, based on 2024 equal to 100, reached 98.1 in July 2026. The index was up 2.2 percent from June and 21 percent from July 2025. Export prices were the main driver: the export price index reached 108.2, increasing 26.7 percent year on year and 1.3 percent month on month. Gold prices rose 20.9 percent over the year, while copper prices increased 46.3 percent, according to the office. Import prices showed a smaller annual increase. The import price index stood at 110.3, 4.7 percent higher than a year earlier but 0.9 percent lower than in June. The data measure changes in export and import prices rather than the value or volume of trade.
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Rice Imports Fall While Sugar Purchases Rise in First Eight Months
Published: 2026-09-09
Goods imports totaled USD 8.4 billion in the first eight months of 2026, with petroleum products accounting for 22.1 percent of the total, according to the General Customs Administration. Petroleum imports reached USD 1.9 billion, followed by passenger cars at USD 711.9 million and trucks at USD 309.1 million. Imports of gasoline and diesel increased from the same period a year earlier, while passenger-car and truck imports declined. Food imports rose for wheat, vegetables, fruit and nuts, and livestock-derived products. Wheat imports reached 133,000 tonnes, 13.8 times the previous year’s level. Vegetable imports rose 10.1 percent to 104,600 tonnes, sugar imports rose 17.8 percent to 46,900 tonnes, and fruit and nut imports rose 38.2 percent to 57,400 tonnes. Rice imports fell 34.6 percent.
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Trial Shipment Sends Mongolian Coking Coal to India Through Russian Far East
Published: 2026-09-09
Eurasia Energies has begun a trial shipment of 11,000 to 12,000 tonnes of Mongolian coking coal to India through Russia’s Far Eastern ports. The company plans to transport the coal by rail to Vladivostok and Nakhodka, then ship it by sea to India. Russian analysts say the pilot is unlikely to affect Russia’s current coal exports to India at its present scale, but a larger and regular route could create competition for coal from the Kuzbass basin. Oleg Emelchenkov, an analyst at Expert RA, cited infrastructure constraints in Russia’s Far East and said large volumes were unlikely to move via the Trans-Siberian Railway in the near term.
“If the trial succeeds and becomes regular, Mongolian coal will become a competitor to our coal industry supplying India, creating a risk of lower prices.” - Oleg Emelchenkov (tug.mn)
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Diplomacy
Government Proposes Cyber-Fraud Cooperation With China
Published: 2026-09-09
Justice Minister S. Amarsaikhan has formally proposed expanded cooperation with China to combat online and telecommunications fraud, including stronger information-sharing and coordination between law-enforcement agencies. The proposal was made during the Global Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, being held from September 8 to 10. The forum includes discussions on cybersecurity, counterterrorism, drug trafficking, migration management, tourism safety, policing technology and training. A conference during the event is scheduled to establish an International Alliance to Combat Online Fraud. China proposed the alliance in September 2025, and more than 40 countries have indicated their intention to participate. Amarsaikhan is also scheduled to meet Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong to discuss bilateral cooperation against cybercrime and illicit drugs.
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Vietnamese National Assembly Chair Begins Official Visit
Published: 2026-09-09
Vietnamese National Assembly Chair Tran Thanh Man arrived in Mongolia on September 9 for a three-day official visit at the invitation of State Great Khural Chair S. Byambatsogt. Member of Parliament J. Bayarmaa, who heads the Mongolia-Vietnam parliamentary group, and Ambassador G. Khulan received the delegation at Chinggis Khaan International Airport. The visit, running through September 11, is the first to Mongolia by a Vietnamese National Assembly chair in 23 years. The two parliamentary leaders are scheduled to hold official talks and sign cooperation documents between their legislatures. Mongolia and Vietnam elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2024. The visit is intended to deepen parliamentary, parliamentary-group and administrative cooperation, while creating a platform for broader trade and economic links between the two countries.
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Presidents Sign Joint Declaration and Seven Cooperation Documents
Published: 2026-09-09
President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic signed a joint declaration during Milatovic’s state visit, marking 20 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The two sides also exchanged seven government and institutional documents covering visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and official passports, diplomatic training, academic cooperation, media cooperation and relations between the chambers of commerce. A Mongolia-Montenegro business roundtable at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs brought together more than 70 representatives, including Milatovic and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development J. Enkhbayar. Participants discussed investment, trade and business conditions. The countries agreed on tourism cooperation and discussed trade and market access for Mongolian wool, cashmere and leather products. Montenegro is seeking European Union membership by 2028.
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Government Seeks Family Residence Option for Contract Workers in South Korea
Published: 2026-09-09
The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Protection has formally asked South Korea’s employment and labour minister to allow Mongolian contract workers to live and work with their families under specified conditions. The request was made during a working visit to South Korea, following the July renewal of a memorandum on sending and receiving workers under the two countries’ Employment Permit System agreement, first signed in 2004. More than 60,000 Mongolian citizens live, work or study in South Korea, with many in the working-age population. Officials said the growing number of workers with children and families has left household members separated for long periods. The sides also discussed rising needs for employment, social welfare, protection and insurance services.
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Infrastructure
Government Plans Subsidy to Hold Power Prices This Year
Published: 2026-09-09
The government has included a 200 billion tugrik subsidy for the energy sector in its 2026 budget revision, with the aim of avoiding an electricity tariff increase this year. Energy Minister B. Naidalai said winter preparations were 75% complete and expected to reach full completion by late September. He said Mongolia will cover its winter capacity shortfall through imports and that power plants will operate at full capacity, leaving no reserve. The sector requires 350 billion tugrik in repairs this year, including 93 billion tugrik in planned budget support for maintenance. At Thermal Power Plant No. 3, one turbine generator damaged in an accident last year is not expected to return until 2028; repairs to the other are planned for completion on December 15.
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Energy Ministry Defends Open Auction for Gobi Power Project
Published: 2026-09-09
The Energy Ministry is seeking developers through an auction for a Gobi renewable-energy project intended to supply Oyu Tolgoi and other strategic mines with electricity at 99.5 percent reliability. Member of Parliament M. Enkhtsetseg criticized the process, saying the public notice omitted the project’s 600 MW capacity and lacked an approved feasibility study. Energy Minister B. Naidalaa said the selection process is open and forms part of five renewable-energy project packages, including a 100 MW wind project in Dundgovi. Ministry official G. Enkhtuvshin said the auction was announced on August 13 after an expression-of-interest stage. Officials said Oyu Tolgoi currently imports all of its power from China, costing about USD 120-140 million annually.
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Ulaanbaatar Ends Odd-Even License Plate Limits on September 12
Published: 2026-09-09
Ulaanbaatar Mayor B. Purevdavaa said the temporary odd-even vehicle license plate restriction will end on September 12 and will not be extended. A government decision put the measure in place from August 15, limiting vehicles according to the final digit of their plates. Residents were unable to use their vehicles for 14 days during the restriction period, and the city is calculating a road-use tax credit for those days to be deducted from next year’s tax. Traffic is expected to increase as universities begin classes on September 15. The mayor said the city will focus on making public transport more accessible, increasing its capacity and improving scheduling. He also said 111 kilometers of bicycle paths have been built over the past two months to increase opportunities to travel by scooter and moped.
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UBCARD Limits Advance Bus-Seat Booking to Airport and Outlying-District Routes
Published: 2026-09-09
Ulaanbaatar authorities clarified that advance public-bus seat bookings through the UBCARD application apply only to services for Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Baganuur and Bagakhangai, not to regular buses operating within the city. Eligible lines are X:17 Tenger Plaza-Baganuur-Kherlen Trade Center, X:18 Tenger Plaza-Bagakhangai, X:19 Sukhbaatar Square-Chinggis Khaan International Airport, and X:20 Tavan Shar-Chinggis Khaan International Airport. The city said earlier information had created the mistaken impression that the feature applied across public transport and apologized. The service is being tested to make public transport more accessible for residents of outlying districts, and about 1,100 people have used it so far.
“Only passengers travelling on those routes can reserve seats through UBCARD.” - City statement (gogo.mn)
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Ulaanbaatar Plans Winter Construction on Rail Underpasses and Power Plant No. 5
Published: 2026-09-09
Ulaanbaatar plans to continue major construction through winter, including three railway underpasses and Thermal Power Plant No. 5. The municipality reported the underpasses were 75% complete, while the cable-car transport project was at 85%, the Selbe City housing district at 38.6%, and the power-plant project at 16%. Z. Batyrbek, director of the city’s Unified Project Management Office, said winter could bring risks from traffic congestion, air pollution and higher electricity demand. Officials plan detailed assessments, project calendars and regular oversight for each development. Relevant departments will also use research to incorporate public needs, environmental protection, transparency and accessibility throughout construction.
“Winter brings risks from traffic congestion, air pollution and power demand.” - Z. Batyrbek (ikon.mn)
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Gas-Heating Conversion Target Cut to 5,000 Households for 2027
Published: 2026-09-09
Ulaanbaatar has reduced its planned expansion of gas heating from 50,000 households to 5,000 households next year. The initiative, launched under former city governor Kh. Nyambaatar, began this year in areas with severe air pollution near the city center, including Gandan, Zuragt and the area around the National Center for Maternal and Child Health in Bayangol and Chingeltei districts. The city has already converted 5,000 households this year. Officials had initially planned to convert another 50,000 households in 2027 and 2028, depending on the pilot’s results. The lower target reflects funding constraints and a need to build storage facilities for liquefied gas because of international conditions.
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Selbe Smart City Homes Set to Sell for MNT 3.7-3.9 Million per Square Meter
Published: 2026-09-09
Apartments in Ulaanbaatar’s Selbe subcenter are expected to sell for MNT 3.7 million to MNT 3.9 million per square meter, according to city governor B. Purevdagva. The city issued USD 500 million in bonds, equivalent to MNT 2.3 trillion, to develop the Selbe Smart City project, with proceeds restricted to the project. Construction is about 40 percent complete. More than 8,000 apartments are scheduled for commissioning in 2027, within a total of 8,575 homes, while commercial-service centers and offices are planned for 2028. Sales revenue is intended to repay the bonds. The project began after land clearance in selected parts of Sukhbaatar and Chingeltei districts in 2023 to address air and soil pollution. Prime Minister Uchral said a price near MNT 5 million per square meter would be too high.
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Environment
Published: 2026-09-09
Authorities are responding to a SAT-1 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Dornod and Sukhbaatar provinces with vaccination, quarantine, movement controls and surveillance. The first cases were detected in Dashbalbar and Chuluunkhoroot soums of Dornod on August 20-21; a suspected case in Sukhbaatar soum, Sukhbaatar province, was confirmed on August 24 after livestock had been moved from Dashbalbar. A total of 2,092 animals have been infected, including 1,879 in Dornod and 213 in Sukhbaatar, and none have been culled. Officials have vaccinated 44,882 animals across the two provinces. Dornod has declared heightened readiness and restricted animal-origin certificates and movement of livestock products. No new cases have been reported in Sukhbaatar since August 27, while transmission continues within Dornod’s outbreak area.
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Brown Bears Enter Residential Areas More Than 10 Times This Year
Published: 2026-09-09
More than 10 cases of brown bears entering residential areas have been recorded in 2026, according to B. Khandarmaa, a biodiversity specialist at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Cases have been reported in Khentii, Dornod, Selenge and Khuvsgul provinces, while Ulaanbaatar has recorded three incidents, most recently in Uliastai Valley in Bayanzurkh District’s 20th khoroo. Provincial environmental departments, emergency services and local emergency commissions are working together to drive bears away without frightening or harming them. Authorities are investigating whether food plants and berries, poaching, or intensive nut and berry gathering may be pushing bears from their habitats. Residents near the city, summer-camp areas and visitors outdoors have been urged to stay alert, remain calm if they encounter a bear, avoid approaching dens, and report sightings.
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Early Frost and Snow Possible as Autumn Fire Season Approaches
Published: 2026-09-09
September may bring sharp nighttime temperature drops, wet snow in mountainous areas and ground frost earlier than usual, according to Mongolia’s autumn weather outlook. Days are expected to remain relatively warm, but nighttime cooling will intensify as rain increasingly changes to snow. Average September temperatures are forecast to be near the long-term average across most areas, warmer in the southwest and cooler in parts of central and eastern provinces. Strong winds are typically in their second annual active period from September through November. The autumn fire-danger season runs from September 20 to November 10, when declining rainfall, drier soil and vegetation, and wind raise the risk that fires will start and spread quickly. The report urges travelers in forest and steppe areas to observe fire safety and fully extinguish fires, matches, cigarettes and embers.
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COP17 Reports $1.4 Billion in Potential Green Investment Commitments
Published: 2026-09-09
Environment and Climate Change Minister Ts. Sandag-Ochir said COP17 generated $1.4 billion, or about MNT 5 trillion, in announced agreements, memorandums and financing commitments for green projects in Mongolia. The figures include up to EUR 200 million for sustainable forestry and land restoration, a $100 million World Bank land-management program, $50 million from the Mongolian Green Finance Corporation and Khan Bank, and up to $400 million in cooperation opportunities for Ulaanbaatar air pollution, renewable energy and green space. The minister said these are medium- and long-term opportunities, not immediate funding. The August 17-28 conference drew more than 20,000 participants, including over 11,000 foreign delegates from 196 countries. Minister Ts. Sandag-Ochir reported MNT 156.3 billion spent from a MNT 217.1 billion state budget, leaving MNT 60.8 billion in savings.
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Innovation
PISA Results Highlight Falling Scores and Textbook Shortages
Published: 2026-09-09
Mongolia placed 49th among 91 countries in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), based on testing of 7,146 15-year-olds from 191 schools. Students scored 419 in mathematics, down from 425 in 2022; 424 in science, ranking 56th; and 374 in reading, down from 378 and ranking 69th. Mathematics and reading results remain below OECD averages. Students also took technology-supported problem-solving and independent-learning tests for the first time, and Mongolia ranked 51st in problem solving. The findings coincide with reported textbook shortages early in the school year. The General Education Department said it aims to complete first-grade textbook supply by October 1, while reserves can cover 71 percent of rental textbooks for grades 6-12.
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Health
Health Minister Apologizes After Death at Amgalan Maternity Hospital
Published: 2026-09-09
Health Minister E. Batshugar apologized to the family of a woman who died after going to Amgalan Maternity Hospital to give birth. He said the health sector extends its condolences and that forensic authorities are investigating the cause of death. Batshugar said he had received preliminary information that the woman’s heart stopped during delivery, but did not present this as a final finding. He described maternal mortality as an important measure of a country’s health system and said eight maternal deaths have been recorded this year, compared with 16 by the same point last year. The ministry is working to reduce the number of maternal deaths, he said.
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2027 Health Plan Targets Continuous Treatment for Chronic Diseases
Published: 2026-09-09
The government has approved an 18-measure plan under four objectives for the 2027 Year of Health Promotion and instructed Health Minister E. Batshugar to coordinate its nationwide implementation. Cabinet members and provincial and city governors were directed to support cross-sector measures in the plan. It prioritizes uninterrupted treatment for people with chronic illnesses and reducing medicine costs, alongside faster digital transformation in healthcare. Of 873,000 people currently receiving subsidized medicines, 584,000, or about 67 percent, use drugs for blood pressure, blood clot prevention, or diabetes. The plan also calls for stronger links between prevention and early screening, treatment, and physician supervision. Other measures aim to improve service quality and access, and support health workers’ professional skills and continuing development. The program is intended to improve health outcomes, limit complications, and reduce household and government health spending.
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Health Ministry Plans Pharmacies in 40 Soums and Expanded Medicine Support
Published: 2026-09-09
Health Minister E. Batshugar said the government plans to establish pharmacies within health facilities in 40 soums that currently have no pharmacy, allowing residents to obtain discounted medicines locally. The proposed 2027 budget earmarks MNT 53 billion for free medicines for targeted groups, including widely used blood-pressure, blood-thinning, heart-rhythm and diabetes medicines. In 2025, 850,000 people received discounted medicines, including 540,000 who used cardiovascular treatments. Batshugar also said Mongolia’s new internationally compliant medicine laboratory is testing market samples. Authorities have withdrawn two products, an anti-vomiting medicine and an osteoporosis vitamin from China and Indonesia; one has been destroyed and the other is being disposed of. Commercially sold medicines and supplements must be registered and laboratory-tested.
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