Politics
Immigration Agency Expels 87 Foreign Nationals After February Compliance Checks
Published: 2026-03-23
Mongolia’s General Authority for Immigration and Citizenship said February inspections led to the expulsion of 87 foreign nationals from 12 countries, reflecting tighter enforcement of visa, residence and work rules. The agency carried out five scheduled and 14 unannounced inspections covering 124 foreign citizens at 36 companies and organizations. It also fined 110 foreign nationals, 237 inviting organizations representing 624 people, and four individual inviters, while issuing formal notices to five businesses. Authorities additionally refused entry to 65 foreign nationals and stopped three others from leaving the country, citing unclear travel purposes, inappropriate visa categories, lack of proof of funds, or expired visas. The actions suggest a continued focus on compliance among employers and sponsors, not just individual visa holders.
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Published: 2026-03-23
The ruling MPP caucus has endorsed the draft Private Supplementary Pension Law, clearing an important political hurdle for a reform intended to create a multi-pillar retirement system in Mongolia. Social Protection Minister T. Aubakir said the bill would let workers build voluntary savings for future pensions, inherit those assets, and access early pension rights if they lose working capacity before retirement age.
“This law will move pension insurance toward a multi-layered system and create conditions for seniors to have retirement income from multiple sources” - T. Aubakir (isee.mn)
Lawmakers said the proposal would also give legal protection to about 135,000 existing voluntary savers and support long-term investment funds. MPP caucus leader J. Batjargal stressed that parliamentary work must continue normally, saying political disputes should be handled through procedural rules rather than boycotts. The caucus also received a briefing on the E.parliament.mn platform, which is meant to digitize legislative workflow and improve transparency.
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Oyun-Erdene Files Anti-Corruption Complaint Against Justice Minister Enkhbayar Over Alleged Bodь Payments
Published: 2026-03-23
Former prime minister and MP L.Oyun-Erdene formally submitted a complaint to the Anti-Corruption Agency against Justice and Home Affairs Minister B.Enkhbayar, alleging he may have received money from Bodь Group-linked business interests. Oyun-Erdene said he delivered 894 pages of material in four sections covering off-take contracts, the coal hearings, alleged bribery evidence and other related claims, and told reporters that witnesses had informed him Enkhbayar received a total of $1.3 million in cash. He also linked the allegations to the coal export and off-take contract system, arguing that the issues helped distort foreign-exchange flows. Enkhbayar rejected the accusations as false and said law-enforcement bodies are already investigating Oyun-Erdene’s wider political network. The dispute escalates a high-profile corruption confrontation inside the governing elite, with possible implications for ongoing anti-graft probes and political stability.
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HUN Party Task Force Questions Cost and Permits for Tuul Expressway Project
Published: 2026-03-23
The HUN Party’s parliamentary council has formed a task force to review the Tuul River expressway plan, focusing on its economic return, environmental impact and legal compliance. The project is budgeted at 2.3 trillion tugriks for a 32-kilometer route, including about 10 kilometers of elevated structures, prompting concern over the cost burden on taxpayers and the credibility of claims that it will cut congestion by 30-40%. Officials also said the project has not yet received all legally required water-sector assessments, raising questions about flood risk, groundwater impact and effects on the Tuul River basin. Task force head P. Gansorig said the council will study the issue for two weeks before issuing a unified position.
“Using 2.3 trillion tugriks on a project with unclear benefits is a very high cost” - P. Gansorig (isee.mn)
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Published: 2026-03-23
The spring session of Parliament remains stalled after the Democratic Party linked its attendance boycott to demands that Speaker N. Uchral step down, while the MPP insists it will restore quorum and keep the chamber working. Democratic MP B. Jargalan said the party sees the standoff as a broader fight over parliamentary respect, policy direction, and institutional balance, not simply a seat dispute. She argued that the ruling party is relying on short-term fixes instead of substantive economic and governance reforms, including tax cuts and limits on state intervention.
“We are carrying out political struggle, and we are ready to continue it for a long time” - MP B. Jargalan (news.mn)
MPP group leader J. Batjargal countered that the majority will ensure this week’s plenary sessions proceed normally, saying there is no legal ban on a party leader also serving as Speaker.
“The MPP group will work to respect the people’s choice and ensure Parliament functions normally” - J. Batjargal, MPP Parliamentary Group Leader (isee.mn)
The dispute now intersects with a separate constitutional argument over a presidentially backed bill to recall MPs, which Democrats say risks weakening parliamentary independence.
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Task Force Accelerates Asset Recovery Plan as Government Seeks Faster Debt Collection
Published: 2026-03-23
Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar has ordered an ускорated push to recover state losses from assets obtained through corruption and debt settlements, after a task force reported collecting about 120 billion tugrik over the past six months. That is significant in absolute terms, but still far short of the roughly 2 trillion tugrik in outstanding claims the government says it is pursuing. Officials are now focusing on repurposing seized real estate for education and health care, completing unfinished projects through public funding or public-private partnerships, and auctioning 52 properties. The cabinet also wants a revised bill on asset management and confiscation sent to parliament under an urgent procedure, signaling a more aggressive legal and administrative approach to monetizing recovered assets and reducing the fiscal burden on the state.
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Anti-Corruption and Prosecutors Report 933 Cases Under Investigation, Send 350 Million Tugrik Embezzlement Case to Court
Published: 2026-03-23
Mongolia’s anti-corruption and prosecutorial authorities have issued a weekly snapshot showing heavy caseloads and several high-profile referrals to court. The Anti-Corruption Agency said its investigative division reviewed 117 crime-related complaints and information reports during March 16-22, with 16 forwarded to prosecutors for opening pre-investigation cases and 21 rejected; 80 remain under review. It also said 967 criminal cases were under investigation, including 9 recommended for trial and 11 for closure, leaving 933 cases still active. Separately, the Prosecutor General’s Office said it supervised 48,116 criminal cases in the March 16-20 period and sent 304 indictments to court. Among them is a case involving an official accused of abusing office to divert 428.4 million tugrik from the state budget, including 350 million tugrik to a personal account, alongside cases involving illegal medicines and narcotics.
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Parliament to Review Tax Law Amendments This Week
Published: 2026-03-23
Parliament is scheduled to debate a package of tax law amendments this week, including changes to the General Taxation Law and the Value Added Tax (VAT) Law. The draft legislation, first reviewed by the Budget Standing Committee before reaching the full parliamentary session, includes a revised VAT refund structure that would take effect from 2027. Under the proposal, purchases up to 500,000 tugriks would qualify for a 10% refund, spending between 500,000 and 1 million tugriks would receive 5%, and purchases above 1 million tugriks would receive 2%. The changes could affect consumer behavior and household spending patterns while also reshaping the fiscal incentives built into Mongolia’s tax system.
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Parliament Reconsiders Russia Jet Fuel Supply Deal After Spring Rejection
Published: 2026-03-23
Parliament’s Economic Standing Committee is set to review again a draft intergovernmental agreement between Mongolia and Russia on supplying aircraft fuel, along with a protocol amending the deal, after the government submitted the revised text on March 17. The proposal will first be discussed by the Economic Committee on Wednesday and then by the Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy on Friday, with the committees expected to provide opinions and conclusions to the latter. The agreement would enable Rosneft and Mongolia’s Erchis Oil to establish a joint company based at Chinggis Khaan International Airport. The same draft was previously put to parliament in the spring session but failed to win approval, making this latest review a key test of whether the project can advance after earlier resistance.
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L.Oyun-Erdene to Ask Anti-Corruption Agency to Investigate Justice Minister B. Enkhbayar
Published: 2026-03-23
Parliamentary and public events will dominate Ulaanbaatar’s agenda today, but the main political development is that MP L. Oyun-Erdene will file a request with the Anti-Corruption Agency at 11:30 a.m. asking it to investigate Justice and Home Affairs Minister B. Enkhbayar. The move signals continued tension inside the political establishment and could further sharpen scrutiny of the justice ministry. Separately, the ruling Mongolian People’s Party, the Democratic Party and the HUN Party are scheduled to hold caucus meetings in Parliament at 10:00 a.m. Public gatherings are also planned in Sükhbaatar Square to oppose the Tuul Expressway project. Other events include a tuberculosis screening launch in Bayanzürkh and Khan-Uul districts and the return of national athlete B. Tseveendash after completing a 1,600-kilometre winter run to Beijing and Tianjin.
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Published: 2026-03-23
Former Erdenes Tavantolgoi CEO B. Ganhuyag, who is serving a 3.9-year sentence in the coal corruption case, is expected to be released soon, Justice and Home Affairs Minister B. Enkhbayar said. Ganhuyag has been held since Dec. 8, 2022, and his sentence is due to end in September 2026. The announcement comes after T. Ayursaihan, who received a 2.6-year sentence in the same case, was released on Feb. 28. The case has been one of Mongolia’s most politically sensitive anti-corruption proceedings, involving senior figures linked to the state-owned coal sector. Any early release will be closely watched as a signal of how the judiciary and corrections system are handling high-profile convictions tied to the country’s mining governance.
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Parliament to Present New Ministerial Appointments on Thursday as Lawmakers Tackle Tax and Constitutional Cases
Published: 2026-03-23
Parliament will formally introduce the appointments of B. Naidalaa and L. Enkh-Amgalan at Thursday’s plenary session after last week’s briefing was postponed because quorum was not met. The two were selected to replace B. Choijilsuren and P. Naranbayar, who left the government at their own request, and will now take charge of their respective sectors as ministers. The week’s agenda is broad and politically significant, covering constitutional court opinions, a social security agreement with Austria, government performance reports, and two major tax bills aimed at amending the General Tax Law and the Value Added Tax Law. Lawmakers will also review a school-environment health and safety bill, signaling a crowded session with implications for both cabinet continuity and fiscal policy.
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Economy
Fuel Importers Signal Higher Prices as Mongolia Boosts Reserve Capacity
Published: 2026-03-23
Mongolia’s fuel market is moving toward another price adjustment after importers proposed raising diesel and AI-95 by an average of 1,000 tugrugs per liter, according to the Industry and Mineral Resources Ministry. Petroleum policy official Ch. Khishigdalai said the Price Council is expected to meet on March 26 after monthly supplier quotations arrive, with April pricing already seen as likely to rise. The ministry said AI-92 remains partly stabilized through contracts, while other products are bought at international market rates that have climbed 60–70% globally. To reduce supply risk, the government has earmarked 20 billion tugrugs to accelerate storage construction, targeting an additional 150,000 cubic meters of capacity this year. Current reserves are sufficient for roughly 41 days of AI-92 and 21–27 days of diesel, leaving no immediate shortage risk.
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Fuel Price Council Meets as Iran Conflict Pushes Up Global Oil Costs
Published: 2026-03-23
Mongolia’s Fuel Price Council is set to meet after the Iran conflict triggered a sharp rise in global oil and fuel prices, raising the prospect of higher domestic pump prices. Industry and Mineral Resources Minister G. Damdinnyam said the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20% of global crude shipments, is driving the increase. He added that Mongolia, which relies on Russia for 97% of its fuel imports, has been in continuous contact with its northern supplier to avoid shortages.
“We have been in constant contact with our northern neighbor, and we have agreed that there will be no interruption” - G. Damdinnyam, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources (eagle.mn)
He said price adjustments are likely for all Euro-5 fuel products, signaling possible cost pressure for transport, logistics and consumer prices in the near term.
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Tugrik Weakens Against Major Foreign Currencies in February
Published: 2026-03-23
The tugrik depreciated further against all major currencies in February, underscoring continued pressure on Mongolia’s foreign exchange market. According to the National Statistics Office, the monthly average rate reached 3,565.87 per US dollar, down 106.7 tugriks from the same period a year earlier and 4.8 tugriks weaker than in January. The euro average rose to 4,221.12 tugriks, a year-on-year decline of 619.7 and a monthly decline of 41.6. The tugrik also weakened against the ruble and yuan, averaging 46.31 and 516.38 tugriks respectively. The broad-based depreciation points to persistent external currency demand and highlights inflation and import-cost risks for businesses with foreign-currency exposure.
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Khan Bank Warns Customers About Phishing Scams Targeting Card Data
Published: 2026-03-23
Khan Bank is warning customers about a surge in phishing scams that use fake posts and messages promising prizes or rewards to steal account and card details. The bank says exposed card information can lead to unauthorized transactions and financial losses, and urges users not to share sensitive data such as card numbers, CVV codes, expiry dates, PINs or E-PINs. Customers are advised to activate transaction alerts in the bank’s app, avoid linking cards to unverified websites or apps, regularly cancel unused subscription payments, and protect phones with biometric security. If card data is compromised or suspicious activity appears, users should immediately deactivate the card through the Khan Bank app and order a replacement, which can be delivered free of charge.
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Central Bank Keeps Policy Rate at 12% as Inflation Continues to Ease
Published: 2026-03-23
The Bank of Mongolia’s Monetary Policy Committee left the policy rate unchanged at 12%, citing improving domestic conditions but persistent uncertainty from geopolitics and the external environment. Inflation has continued to cool under the tightening cycle implemented last year, reaching 6.5% in February and moving closer to the central bank’s target median. The slowdown has been driven mainly by softer price growth in non-food goods and services, although recent food-price increases could still lift inflation within the target band. The central bank warned that conflict in the Middle East could worsen the global growth outlook, push up commodity prices and add fresh inflationary pressure. Future rate decisions will depend on consumer prices, supply-side conditions and domestic and external economic developments.
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Entrée-Like Contractor Defends Tavan Tolgoi–Gashuunsukhait Railway Project and Rejects Corruption Claims
Published: 2026-03-23
Bodi International says the strategically important Tavan Tolgoi–Gashuunsukhait railway project, long delayed since 2008, was successfully completed during 2019-2022 despite the pandemic and within the original 2013 budget estimate. In a March 23 statement, the company said advance payments and project financing received under the contracts were spent for their intended purpose and that the project has already undergone multiple independent audits and inspections. The statement appears to be a direct rebuttal to allegations tied to Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene, with Bodi International saying he has involved the private sector in political disputes and spread unsubstantiated claims. The company said it has already provided materials to law-enforcement and oversight agencies and remains ready to cooperate further as it expects the facts to be verified.
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Global Oil Shock Raises Fuel Supply Risks for Mongolia
Published: 2026-03-23
Geopolitical shocks in the Gulf and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war are feeding into Mongolia’s fuel market, pushing up oil prices and increasing the risk of domestic shortages. The article says crude rose 6% after Iran attacked Qatar, while disruptions to Russian refineries and fuel depots have tightened supply in Russia itself, Mongolia’s main supplier. Because Mongolia imports nearly all of its fuel and depends heavily on Russia, any external disruption quickly translates into higher prices at home. The shift toward Euro-5 fuel imports from China may ease single-source dependence, but it also points to structurally higher costs. Although current stocks are described as normal, demand is expected to rise sharply with the start of mining, road-building and agricultural work, leaving the market vulnerable once cheaper reserves are exhausted.
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Entrée Resources’ Coal Exports Reach 8.5 Million Tons, Driven by Stronger Logistics
Published: 2026-03-23
Entrée Resources reported that its coal exports reached 8.5 million tons as of March 23, 2026, underscoring continued growth in Mongolia’s key mining export sector. Of the total, 7.07 million tons, or 83%, moved through the Gashuunsukhait border crossing, while 1.46 million tons, or 17%, were exported via the Khangi crossing. The company said export growth was supported by phased efforts to raise shipment volumes and improve transport coordination. Compared with the same period last year, exports increased by 3.0 million tons, or 55%. The stronger export performance is significant for Mongolia’s foreign currency inflows and broader economic momentum, especially as coal remains one of the country’s largest sources of external earnings.
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Diplomacy
Britain and Mongolia Deepen Cooperation on Metro, Critical Minerals and Education
Published: 2026-03-23
Britain and Mongolia used the 16th Political Roundtable in Ulaanbaatar to widen cooperation across strategic sectors, with both sides agreeing to intensify work on civil society, the Ulaanbaatar metro project, English-language education, trade and investment, and critical minerals. The talks were led by Deputy Foreign Minister G. Amartuvshin and UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra, who also planned visits to Oyu Tolgoi and meetings with Chevening alumni, women leaders and education partners. The two sides said they want to maintain regular political dialogue, expand cultural and people-to-people ties, and explore deeper engagement as they move toward a comprehensive partnership. They also discussed climate change, the energy transition and cooperation ahead of Mongolia’s COP17 hosting in August.
“Mongolia is an important democratic partner for the United Kingdom.” - Seema Malhotra (ikon.mn)
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Учрал Opens First Foreign Visit to China with Party Talks and Robot Park Tour
Published: 2026-03-23
Speaker of Parliament and MPP chair N. Uchral began his first foreign trip as party leader in China at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party, signaling the continued priority both sides place on political ties. In Beijing, he toured a robot manufacturing park that showcases China’s push to scale embodied AI and industrial automation, with more than 100 firms clustered in the sector. Uchral then met Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, to discuss deeper legislative cooperation, cross-border rail links and expanded petroleum product trade.
“I am pleased that my first foreign visit as MPP chair is to China” - N. Uchral (montsame.mn)
“China respects Mongolia’s independence, sovereignty and the development path chosen by its people” - Zhao Leji (montsame.mn)
The visit underscores efforts to align strategic priorities while broadening economic connectivity.
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Infrastructure
Planned Power Outages Scheduled Across Several Ulaanbaatar Districts on March 23-24
Published: 2026-03-23
Planned maintenance on the power grid will trigger temporary electricity restrictions across several parts of Ulaanbaatar and nearby Töv province on March 23-24. In the capital, outages are scheduled in Khan-Uul District’s 12th khoroo, Songinokhairkhan District’s 5th, 6th, 7th and 23rd khoroos, Sukhbaatar District’s 7th and 8th khoroos, and Chingeltei District’s 19th khoroo, with interruption windows ranging from late morning to early evening. Additional maintenance will also affect selected areas in Bayantsogt and Erdene soums of Töv aimag starting in the morning. The planned shutdowns reflect routine infrastructure work to maintain reliable supply, but they may disrupt households and businesses that rely on steady daytime power access.
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Officials Defend Tuul Riverside Willow Clearing for Planned Highway Project
Published: 2026-03-23
Mongolian officials and water specialists are defending the planned clearing of willow stands along the Tuul River corridor for the Tuul highway project, arguing the vegetation is already old and partly degraded. Deputy Mayor T. Davaadalai said the project would not affect water resources and that the 1.9 hectares of willow on the route would regrow quickly. He added that accumulated sediment and unmanaged vegetation have altered the riverbank environment. Water engineer Sh. Baruunchuluun said the Tuul willow forest has not undergone proper renewal for more than 30 years and that younger, planned pruning is necessary to prevent disease and pests.
“More than 40% of the Tuul willow stands are damaged or have already started to die” - Sh. Baruunchuluun (isee.mn) The comments signal an effort to frame the tree removal as ecological management rather than deforestation, but the project remains under public scrutiny.
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Construction Continues on Selbe River Flood Retention Reservoir to Cut Urban Flood Risk
Published: 2026-03-23
Construction is continuing on a 1.3 million cubic meter flood-retention reservoir on the Selbe River in Bayanzürkh District’s 29th khoroo and Suukhbaatar District’s 13th and 14th khoroos, under the city’s “Selbe Revival” project. Funded by the Ulaanbaatar city budget, the broader plan covers about 50 hectares and includes a five-stage reservoir system and smaller artificial lakes. Work on the “C” reservoir is currently underway. City officials say 11 of 39 privately titled land parcels have been cleared, while encroachment issues have been resolved for 36 of 51 individuals and entities using land without permission. Once completed, the project is expected to reduce flood risk in densely populated areas, add a large new clean-water reserve, and create a more humid and recreational urban environment.
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Water Agency Seeks Design Review for Tuul Expressway Bridge Sections in Floodplain
Published: 2026-03-23
The head of the Water Agency, Z. Batbayar, said the office has not yet issued a final assessment on the Tuul Expressway project and is waiting for the latest design documents before deciding whether revisions are needed. He said the agency supports transport development in principle, but warned that 11 kilometers of the 34-kilometer road would cut into the Tuul River floodplain, raising questions about bridge pillar depth, drilling methods, concrete foundations, groundwater levels, and possible impacts on wells along the riverbank. Batbayar emphasized that the issue is not opposition to the project, but whether the structures can be redesigned to reduce ecological and hydrological risks.
“We have not issued a conclusion yet. Bring us the latest drawings, and we will provide one. I did not oppose this project. If the Tuul Expressway were built along the northern flood embankment, it could protect the river from floods and be very good. Unfortunately, 11 kilometers of the 34-kilometer road would enter the river floodplain.” - Z. Batbayar (urug.mn)
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Debate Intensifies Over Tuul River Highway Plans and Ulaanbaatar’s Road Expansion Options
Published: 2026-03-23
An Eagle.mn radio segment examines the competing views surrounding Ulaanbaatar’s long-discussed expressway concept along the Tuul River, where sections of the river have already gone dry in places this spring. The discussion asks whether the capital still has realistic alternative land reserves for expanding transport corridors beyond the Tuul corridor and whether the term “expressway” is even appropriate for the proposed project. The segment frames the road debate as part of a broader urban planning challenge: how to ease congestion without deepening pressure on the city’s limited waterways and development land. It also highlights the growing public attention to infrastructure choices that will shape Ulaanbaatar’s long-term mobility, land use, and environmental management.
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Published: 2026-03-23
The Ministry of Economy and Development reviewed progress on a Japanese JICA project designed to strengthen public-private partnership (PPP) management in Mongolia. Deputy Minister S. Davasüren met with project team leader Ichiro Okumura to discuss implementation results and next steps for the 2025-2029 program. The project aims to institutionalize PPP procedures, improve the legal and policy framework, and build capacity across relevant institutions. Over the past year, it has organized six training sessions and 13 consultations for about 200 officials, helping expand technical understanding of PPPs in government. Officials also highlighted the need to strengthen central and local government capacity in line with recent amendments to the PPP law, as more provincial projects become viable. The initiative is positioned as a key support for larger development projects and more efficient public investment.
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Society
Parliament, Cabinet and Cultural Events Fill Mongolia’s Week of March 23-29
Published: 2026-03-23
Mongolia’s public agenda for March 23-29 is dominated by parliamentary and government activity, alongside a dense schedule of cultural, sports and international events. In Ulaanbaatar, parliamentary party groups, standing committees and a regular plenary session will meet, while the Cabinet is also set to convene at the State Palace. The week includes commemorative performances marking the 110th anniversary of writer and poet Dashiin Natsagdorj’s birth, a concert by composer N. Jantsannorov, and a series of theatre and book-related events. COP17-related consultations on forestry, water and pasture-sector participation signal early coordination for Mongolia’s hosting role in the UN desertification talks. Outside the capital, youth arts and wrestling competitions are scheduled in Selenge and Ovorkhangai. Internationally, Mongolian films and an exhibition on Zanabazar continue in Switzerland and Italy.
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Court Upholds Sentences in Family Violence Killing and Cross-Border Human Trafficking Cases
Published: 2026-03-23
Mongolian prosecutors highlighted two serious criminal cases resolved by the courts last week, underscoring the justice system’s focus on violent crime and trafficking. In Khan-Uul District, S.B. was found guilty of killing his cohabiting partner in August 2025 after a jealous assault while drunk. The court imposed 20 years in a closed prison and ordered 118.8 million tugriks in compensation for the victim’s legal representative. In a separate case, the capital’s prosecutor said H.N. deceived seven women in 2020 with promises of well-paid work abroad, then pushed them into debt and forced them into prostitution overseas. The court sentenced H.N. to five years and six months in an open prison and ordered repayment of 11 million tugriks spent on extraditing him from Kazakhstan. The case also clarifies how Mongolian law defines human trafficking as recruitment, transport, harboring or transfer for exploitation through coercion, fraud or abuse of vulnerability.
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Court Sentences Human Trafficker to 5.5 Years in Prison for Exploiting Seven Women Abroad
Published: 2026-03-23
A district criminal court in Ulaanbaatar has found H. Nandin-Erdene guilty of trafficking seven women to Southeast Asia in 2020 under the false promise of high-paying jobs, then forcing them into prostitution. Prosecutors said she took away the money the victims earned and used it for airfare, housing and clothing expenses. The case was pursued internationally through Interpol, which located her in Kazakhstan before she was extradited to Mongolia. The court convicted her of trafficking two or more people and of committing the offense by crossing Mongolia’s border, reflecting the country’s growing focus on transnational organized crime and human trafficking. Along with a 5.5-year prison term, she was ordered to reimburse MNT 11 million for the costs of her transfer from Kazakhstan to Mongolian police.
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Police Warn of Fake KFC and Pizza Hut Sites Used in Online Fraud Scheme
Published: 2026-03-23
Police have warned of a sharp rise in online fraud in Mongolia, where scams now account for 85.7% of cyber-related crimes. In the first two months of 2026, authorities recorded 10,267 crimes nationwide, including 3,844 fraud cases, up 25.7% from the same period last year. The latest scheme uses the logos and names of KFC and Pizza Hut to create fake ordering websites, tricking users into entering bank details and making electronic payments. Since the start of the year, 249 people have fallen victim to this scam, losing more than 623 million MNT. Police urged the public to avoid logging in through unofficial links or entering banking information on unverified sites, underscoring the growing risk of brand impersonation in digital commerce.
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Environment
Tuul River Expressway Triggers Environmental Backlash and Political Tensions in Ulaanbaatar
Published: 2026-03-23
Construction has begun on Ulaanbaatar’s 32-kilometer, six-lane Tuul River expressway, but the project is already becoming a flashpoint over environmental risk, transparency and urban politics. Officials say the route will ease congestion by linking key corridors across the city, while protesters argue it is a costly and poorly disclosed scheme that will damage riverbank ecosystems and the capital’s water resources. One resident said the city is sending contradictory signals on green policy:
“One leader plants trees and another cuts them down. How exactly is our money being spent?” - Local resident (ikon.mn). Deputy Mayor T. Davaadalai defended the project, saying the removal of 1.9 hectares of willow trees will not cause lasting harm. The dispute now centers on whether the expressway will solve Ulaanbaatar’s transport bottlenecks or become another stalled mega-project.
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Innovation
National ‘Digital First’ Campaign to Roll Out Nationwide with Dornogovi Launch Event
Published: 2026-03-23
Mongolia has launched the “Digital First” national movement under Government Resolution No. 108 of 2025 to improve citizens’ digital skills and expand access to e-government services. The campaign will open with a two-day “Digital Dornogovi” event in Sainshand on March 25-26, 2026, bringing together IT, software, digital product, AI solution, and business digitization providers. Major telecom and technology firms, including Mobicom, Unitel, G-Mobile, Skytel and Teso Investment, are supporting the initiative. The event is designed to showcase new technologies to local businesses, promote public-private cooperation, and gather citizen feedback on how digital tools can solve regional problems. Officials say the broader rollout aims to make government services faster, more accessible and more cost-efficient while advancing citizen-centered digital governance across provinces.
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MUBIS Launches Nationwide Review of Teacher Training Programs
Published: 2026-03-23
Mongolia’s National University of Education has made teacher training reform a central priority this academic year, aligning with the government’s decision to declare 2026 the Year to Support Education. The university has begun implementing 30 initiatives focused on improving quality, with the core reform centered on a full overhaul of teacher preparation curricula. Last Friday, its School of Teacher Education and School of Preschool Education convened a national discussion on reforming programs for preschool and primary school teacher training. The forum brought together university leadership, Education Ministry officials, NGO representatives, and academics from other teacher-training institutions. The move comes as Mongolia’s school system serves more than 819,000 students across 900 general education schools, while 61.7% of the 69,422 professionals working in basic and secondary education are full-time teachers.
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Health
Measles Cases Top 14,000 as Death Toll Reaches 15
Published: 2026-03-23
Mongolia’s measles outbreak has surpassed 14,415 confirmed cases, with health authorities reporting 15 deaths as of March 22, 2026. The disease remains concentrated in children, underscoring continued transmission among school-age groups and younger children. Of the total cases, 11,684 have been recorded in the capital and 2,726 in the provinces, indicating a broad geographic spread beyond Ulaanbaatar. Forty-three patients are currently hospitalized, including 20 in the capital and 23 in rural areas. The largest age cohort affected is children aged 10-14, with 5,244 cases, followed by 0-4 years old at 3,522 cases, 5-9 years old at 1,844, and 15-19 years old at 1,784. The figures point to persistent gaps in containment and vaccination coverage.
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Active TB Screening Campaign to Begin in Bayanzürkh and Khan-Uul Districts
Published: 2026-03-23
Active tuberculosis screening will begin today in Ulaanbaatar’s Bayanzürkh and Khan-Uul districts, targeting local residents, high-risk groups, patients visiting health facilities, and students at universities and colleges. The National Center for Communicable Diseases said the campaign is designed to detect cases early and reduce further transmission. Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease that spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits, and it most often affects the lungs, though it can also damage other organs. Health authorities emphasized that the disease is curable, and that prompt diagnosis and treatment improve recovery chances while helping to break chains of infection in densely populated urban areas.
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