Politics
Parliamentary quorum dispute delays session before budget debate
Published: 2026-09-25
Parliament’s September 25 plenary sitting did not begin at its scheduled 10:00 start after attendance initially remained below quorum. News outlets reported about 60 or 61 of 126 members had registered, while 20 absentees were reported to be on domestic or foreign assignments or medical leave. The MPP parliamentary group had split into factions of 30 and 38 members, and reports said 30 MPP members were absent. The DP parliamentary group also said it would not join plenary meetings until a confidence matter concerning Prime Minister N. Uchral was brought before Parliament. The sitting later convened to consider the 2027 budget, but attendance remained an issue: Deputy Speaker B. Purevdorj said several members had wanted to question Minister N. Nomtoibayar, who was not in the chamber.
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Published: 2026-09-25
One report says the Anti-Corruption Agency asked prosecutors to charge former Ulaanbaatar mayor Kh. Nyambaatar in connection with the Tuul Expressway project under Article 22.1 of the Criminal Code, concerning alleged abuse of official authority. According to that report, prosecutors were to decide within 72 hours whether to name him as an accused person. Other supplied reports describe a different procedural status, saying Nyambaatar had already been named as an accused person under Article 22.1 and was being investigated. The current city mayor announced last month that the MNT 2.3 trillion Tuul Expressway project had been halted. Nyambaatar was removed from the mayoral post on May 16. The reports describe allegations and investigation, not a finding of guilt.
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MP Calls for Education Minister’s Dismissal Over Disputed School-Funding File
Published: 2026-09-25
MP D. Amarbayasgalan said he would seek Education Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan’s dismissal over a disputed budget document connected to private-school funding, including a school said to be linked to Prime Minister N. Uchral. The government and minister have described the document as erroneous or false. Amarbayasgalan said procurement laws could have been violated if private schools were listed and MNT 50 billion budgeted without a selection process; separately, he said sending a false file to Parliament would mean providing false information. He said the Petition Standing Committee should examine the funding criteria and supporting documents next week. The dispute delayed parliamentary work after some MPs withheld attendance while seeking an apology from Enkh-Amgalan. Uchral said he would hold officials accountable regardless of party affiliation if they could not perform their duties.
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Audit Questions Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi Funding for Non-Core Projects
Published: 2026-09-25
An audit report found that Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi financed projects outside its core operations. From 2019 through 2025, the company budgeted MNT 13.5 trillion for major projects and investments, financed MNT 8.9 trillion, and spent MNT 7.2 trillion on major projects, according to news.mn. The audit cited a September 2024 parliamentary resolution directing the company to stop financing budget-like investments and projects unrelated to its operations. Despite that direction, Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi provided MNT 240.5 billion in 2025 for the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod cross-border railway. The funding followed an August agreement involving Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi, Tavantolgoi Railway and a Chinese company. Auditors recommended ending such financing and offsetting the 2025 amount against dividend liabilities on the state-held shares.
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Lawmakers Say Conditions for Dissolving Parliament Have Not Arisen
Published: 2026-09-25
Lawmakers proposed or discussed dissolving parliament in connection with the D-Parliament public-petition platform. MP Kh. Gankhuyag said he planned to post a petition seeking dissolution. One report said the Constitution does not provide for a public petition to dissolve parliament. MP D. Amarbayasgalan said dissolution could be considered if the required parliamentary support were secured, or if parliament could not appoint a new prime minister within 30 days after the government resigned, allowing the president to issue a decree. He said neither condition had arisen. Supplied reports conflict over the number of members required for the first route, so no figure is stated here. Amarbayasgalan also said lawmakers would attend the plenary session and seek discussion of Education Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan’s dismissal, alleging MNT 50 billion in school-equipment spending; those allegations remain his claims.
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Economy
Fuel queues return as Chinese shipment is transferred and Russian volume remains due
Published: 2026-09-25
Queues formed at several Ulaanbaatar fuel stations on September 25, with some motorists reporting waits of two to three hours for AI-92 gasoline. The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources said 987 tonnes of AI-92 were distributed to 105 stations in the capital during the preceding 24 hours and reported 9,720 tonnes in Ulaanbaatar rail storage. It said 8,000 tonnes ordered from China had reached Zamyn-Uud and were being transferred, while 18,000 tonnes due from Russia remained to be received. Secretary of State B. Dashpurev said reduced Russian rail shipments had constrained reserves and the ministry had requested higher loading volumes. He said Euro-5 and AI-95 gasoline faced no queues in Ulaanbaatar.
“Railcars carrying twice the usual volume of gasoline are arriving from abroad, so supplies will begin to normalize in the coming days.” - B. Dashpurev (news.mn)
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Parliament begins review of proposed 2027 budget and tax relief
Published: 2026-09-25
Parliament began reviewing the government’s 2027 budget proposal on September 25. Ikon.mn reported planned consolidated balanced revenue of MNT 40.7 trillion, expenditure of MNT 43 trillion and a MNT 2.3 trillion deficit, to be financed through concessional external borrowing and domestic securities. In a separate presentation reported by gogo.mn, Prime Minister N. Uchral gave different figures: MNT 41.3 trillion in revenue and MNT 43.6 trillion in expenditure, with the deficit held at 2% of GDP. Uchral also proposed exempting the first MNT 792,000 of monthly salary from tax and projected MNT 3 trillion in Oyu Tolgoi dividends in 2027. Economists separately warned that a proposed 2026 budget amendment could fuel inflation and weaken private-sector purchasing power.
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Inflation remains above target as price pressures spread beyond food
Published: 2026-09-25
Annual inflation was 12.5% in August, according to the analysis, remaining well above the 6% plus or minus 2 percentage-point target despite a 0.5 percentage-point monthly decline attributed mainly to slower meat-price growth. It said price pressures had broadened beyond food: transport inflation reached 11.2% year on year in August, education services 17.4%, and alcohol and tobacco 14.2%. The analysis linked earlier pressure to meat supply and exports, higher diesel prices, and public-sector wage increases. It noted that the Bank of Mongolia raised its policy rate from 12% to 12.5% in August. It also warned that proposed increases in public spending, wages and pensions could add to price pressure, while citing international energy costs and tighter monetary policy in other countries.
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Published: 2026-09-25
Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral told parliament that a tripartite agreement on raising the minimum wage to MNT 1 million has not yet been formalized. He said employers’ representatives must be heard before it is formalized. The National Tripartite Committee on Labor and Social Partnership met on August 17 and stated that it had set a 26.3% increase from the MNT 792,000 minimum wage. Separately, the committee said the nationwide minimum wage would be MNT 5,952.3 per hour and MNT 1 million per month from January 1, 2027. Responding to MP D. Enkhtuvshin, Uchral said describing higher pensions, benefits and wages as an undue burden on the private sector was one-sided, citing low incomes and pensions.
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Ulaanbaatar Plans Debate on Cutting 2% City Tax
Published: 2026-09-25
Ulaanbaatar plans to submit a resolution to the Citizens’ Representatives Khural to reduce the capital city’s 2% tax on legally designated goods and services. The announcement was made at a meeting with representatives of hospitality, tourism and food-production businesses by Citizens’ Representatives Khural chair Ikhbayar and city governor and Mayor Purevdavaa. Under the current system, buyers pay the tax and sellers withhold and transfer it to the budget. City officials said a lower rate would reduce the tax paid by consumers and support spending during difficult economic conditions. The proposal is part of Ulaanbaatar’s 2026 Business Support Year program, which has removed 103 registrations and permits for businesses under the “Liberate” initiative.
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Government Signals It Will Continue Meat Exports
Published: 2026-09-25
The National Food Safety Council met online on September 25 to consider proposed export and import volumes for strategic foods, including livestock meat. Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Minister T. Iderbat, who chairs the council, said meat is both a strategic food with high traditional consumption in Mongolia and a major agricultural export. He said meat supply and availability are seasonal and depend on weather and pasture conditions. Iderbat also mentioned domestic and external factors affecting meat and meat-product exports, as well as opportunities from trade and economic agreements with foreign countries and regional partners. He said meat exports would not be halted and outlined government measures intended to maintain stable domestic meat supply. Department head D. Dovchinsuren presented calculations, research and a draft decision.
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Mortgage Loans Transferred to MIC Rise 18.8%
Published: 2026-09-25
Outstanding bank loans reached MNT 48.4 trillion at the end of August, up 14.3% from a year earlier, according to reported banking-sector data. Growth in consumer and deposit-backed lending slowed to 4.7%, contributing to a deceleration in overall annual credit growth over the past 18 months. Business lending increased 17.9% year on year, while mortgage loans transferred to the Mongolian Mortgage Corporation, or MIC, rose 18.8%. Non-performing loans accounted for 5.3% of total lending and loans requiring special attention made up 2.5%. The special-attention share declined by 2 percentage points from a year earlier, while the non-performing share remained stable. The average interest rate on newly issued tugrik loans was 17.6%, compared with 11.7% for newly mobilized tugrik deposits.
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Oyu Tolgoi Agreement Lowers Financing and Management Costs
Published: 2026-09-25
The Mongolian government and Rio Tinto have agreed to amend the Oyu Tolgoi shareholders’ agreement following negotiations confirmed in a September 11 joint statement by Prime Minister N. Uchral and Rio Tinto chief executive Simon Trott, according to board member E. Mendtuvshin. Mendtuvshin said the shareholder-loan rate, which had reached 12%, is expected to fall to about 8% including the variable SOFR rate, while Rio Tinto’s management fee will decline from 6% to 3.95%. He said combined savings from lower shareholder-loan interest and service payments are projected at MNT 30 trillion over the mine’s construction and operating life. The agreement also permits review of the shareholder-loan rate every three years, with the next opportunity in 2029. Separate negotiations on potential dividends in 2027 remain under way.
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Diplomacy
Prime Minister Uchral to Make First Official Overseas Visit to Japan
Published: 2026-09-25
Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral will make an official visit to Japan from September 27 to 30 at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. It will be Uchral’s first official overseas visit as prime minister. He is scheduled to hold formal talks with Takaichi on expanding bilateral ties and cooperation under the countries’ Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity, as well as regional and international issues of shared interest. The itinerary includes meetings with the speakers of Japan’s House of Councillors and House of Representatives, leaders of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and Japan External Trade Organization, and representatives of the Japan-Mongolia Economic Committee and business community. The visit comes before the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2027.
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Foreign Ministry Assists Mongolian Reported Captured in Ukraine
Published: 2026-09-25
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has received information from Ukraine concerning a Mongolian citizen reported to have been captured while serving with Russian forces. The ministry and Mongolia’s embassy in Poland, which is also responsible for Ukraine, are providing necessary assistance, it said. The record appeared in the StopRussianRecruiters.org database, which cites Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. It identifies the person as 55-year-old Puntsag Purev-Ochir, reportedly captured in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region while assigned to Russia’s 38th Motor Rifle Brigade, Unit 21720. The database says he has been held in a prisoner-of-war camp since January 2026.
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Asian Development Bank President to Join CAREC Meetings in Ulaanbaatar
Published: 2026-09-25
Asian Development Bank President Masato Kanda will visit Ulaanbaatar for the 25th CAREC Ministerial Conference, scheduled for September 28 to October 2, and the CAREC Business Forum 2026 on September 30 and October 1. The visit will be the first by an Asian Development Bank president in 11 years. CAREC, launched in 2001, brings together 11 countries and development partners to advance regional cooperation in transport, trade, energy and investment. Since joining in 2003, Mongolia has received USD 1.49 billion for 19 CAREC projects: 13 in transport, five in trade and one in agriculture. Discussions are planned on economic corridors, digital connectivity, trade, investment, energy and capital-market cooperation, with an Ulaanbaatar Declaration expected. The business forum will address green energy, smart transport, logistics and critical minerals.
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Infrastructure
Parliament debates winter power deficit and stalled provincial plants
Published: 2026-09-25
During the September 25 parliamentary session, MP S. Tsenguun challenged Prime Minister N. Uchral over Mongolia’s energy shortfall, saying the country had managed last winter with a 50 MW deficit and could face a 150 MW deficit this winter. Tsenguun also raised stalled thermal-power projects in 10 provinces, which he said had received USD 150 million without any plant entering service, and cited a corruption investigation involving an Energy Ministry official. Uchral said 1,950 MW of generation would be needed this winter and that three of five renewable-energy stations under construction were 70% complete. He said the government plans concessional loans for ger insulation and is assessing whether to continue incomplete thermal-power projects financed by Korea Eximbank, while the alleged misconduct case is before the courts.
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Scheduled Power Restrictions Announced for September 26
Published: 2026-09-25
A published notice lists electricity restrictions scheduled for September 26 alongside maintenance work on power lines and equipment. The available report does not give the locations, timing, expected duration or number of customers affected by the restrictions. It also provides no technical description of the planned maintenance or identifies the utility issuing the notice. The notice says that, if weather conditions cause changes to the schedule, information will be sent to the mobile number registered under the contract. The report does not state whether any schedule changes are expected. Its available information is limited to the planned electricity restrictions, related maintenance of power lines and equipment, and the contract-registered mobile notification for weather-related changes.
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Oyu Tolgoi’s Power Supply Remains Tied to China Through 2030
Published: 2026-09-25
J. Zoljargal said Oyu Tolgoi LLC could face serious operational and economic consequences if electricity imports from China end after the current supply contract expires in 2030. The mine has an agreement to receive power from China until then, while a proposed renewable-energy solution would require either costly battery storage or a connection to the large Chinese grid to maintain reliable supply. Zoljargal said a partner linked to Inner Mongolia’s grid would be essential to meet a reported 99.5% reliability requirement in the auction. She said some of the roughly US$140 million paid annually for imported electricity could remain in Mongolia under such an arrangement, although backup power would still be purchased from China when renewable generation falters.
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Society
Central Ulaanbaatar streets to close for Car-Free Day and night marathon
Published: 2026-09-25
Ulaanbaatar will restrict vehicle traffic from 07:00 to 18:00 on September 26 for Car-Free Day 2026, closing a central zone from West Four Roads to East Four Roads and additional streets around the State Palace, the Chinggis Khaan Museum, and several universities. Residents inside the restricted zone were advised to move their vehicles out on September 25 because they will not be able to drive them out during the closure. Electric scooters, mopeds and Surron electric vehicles will also be barred from the zone. Forty-three public-transport routes using 448 vehicles will be temporarily adjusted, and route Ch:71A will be suspended. Night Marathon Ulaanbaatar 2026 will run from 17:00 to 23:00 over 5 km, 10 km and 21 km courses, with night transport on three routes until 02:00.
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Defense Seeks Further Investigation in Dunjingarav Gas-Explosion Case
Published: 2026-09-25
A preliminary hearing is under way in the case against Ch. Renchindorj, the driver charged in connection with the January 2024 liquefied-gas explosion near Dunjingarav Market in Bayanzurkh District. Prosecutors allege that Renchindorj, driving a Beiben North Benz truck carrying 15.7 tonnes of liquefied gas, failed to take required safety measures after a collision with a Nissan Patrol. His lawyers asked the court to return the case to prosecutors for further investigation and new expert examinations. They cited conflicting expert findings on whether the Nissan Patrol driver violated traffic rules, as well as unanswered questions about the intersection’s design, road signs, the hazardous-zone assessment and the fire’s cause. The former Dashvaanjil executive N. Baatarjav’s case was dismissed following his death; Renchindorj’s case was sent to court separately.
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Court Imposes Restrictions on Hero Entertainment Director During Investigation
Published: 2026-09-25
A court imposed restrictive preventive measures on B. Baatar, director of Hero Entertainment Group LLC, from September 25 while an investigation into alleged fraud and money laundering continues. The Capital City Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal case and brought him as an accused, alleging that property or property rights were obtained by deception through creating a false situation and concealing facts. The District Court for Simplified Criminal and Civil Cases accepted prosecutors’ request, saying the measures were intended to prevent interference with criminal proceedings and further alleged offending. Under the Criminal Procedure Law, such restrictions can include limits on leaving a designated area or Mongolia, visiting specified places, meeting specified people, or using routes set by the court. One report said the order is not yet final.
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Environment
Harvest Runs 7-10 Days Behind Schedule as Snow Risk Nears
Published: 2026-09-25
Mongolia’s 2026 harvest is running seven to 10 days late, according to D. Yesun-Erdene, head of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry’s crop-policy implementation department. As of September 23, farmers had harvested 138,300 tonnes of grain from 85,300 hectares, 81,800 tonnes of potatoes from 6,700 hectares and 79,400 tonnes of vegetables from 5,500 hectares. The National Harvest Headquarters said progress ranged from 23% to 52% by crop. Wheat, potato, vegetable and fodder harvest areas exceeded the same point last year, while oilseed harvesting was lower. Authorities deployed 951 combines, 609 headers and about 26,000 workers; available equipment could complete the work in 26 to 30 days. Forecasters warned of wet snow in key farming provinces from September 26 to 29, increasing pressure to harvest, dry, store and transport crops promptly.
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Bear Search Prompts Evacuation Along Tuul River Near Ulaanbaatar
Published: 2026-09-25
Authorities evacuated about 100 students from a tourism competition campsite near the Khar Usan Bend of the Tuul River after a large adult bear was reported there on September 25. The Capital City Environment Department searched riverside willow areas but had not found tracks by midday; the bear was reported to have fled toward Gachuurt. A student who first saw the animal at about 10 a.m. alerted officials after it came about 10 to 20 meters closer. Officials advised people to avoid green areas around Ulaanbaatar temporarily and not walk alone after dark. More than 10 bear sightings near the capital have been reported this year, compared with four reports from 2018 through 2025.
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Diesel Reserves Built Up to Support Harvest Operations
Published: 2026-09-25
Authorities have contracted to build a 2,300-tonne diesel reserve for the harvest and had received and stored 350 tonnes as of September 25. Separately, a lending agreement through one fuel-importing company will supply 1,000 tonnes of diesel at MNT 4,960 per litre. Under that arrangement, 83 growers of grain, potatoes and vegetables had received 130 tonnes of fuel. The measures are intended to stabilize fuel supply for the harvest. Authorities are also preparing reserves of 100,000 tonnes of wheat and 12,000 tonnes of potatoes and vegetables to stabilize domestic production and supply. The reports did not identify the fuel importer or provide a delivery timetable for the remaining contracted diesel.
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Bear Sightings Near Settlements Raise Rural Safety Concerns
Published: 2026-09-25
Brown bears entered inhabited areas more than 240 times nationwide during the past month, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change reported. Incidents have been recorded in 12 forested provinces, including Khuvsgul, Selenge, Khentii and Dornod, as well as Ulaanbaatar’s Baganuur and Sukhbaatar districts. Herders in Khuder soum, Selenge Province, described concern over bears near homes, livestock enclosures and haymaking camps. The government has decided to use reserve funds to buy equipment including tranquilizer guns and animal-deterrent spray for local environmental agencies; reported funding totals MNT 1.8 billion. The report notes that Mongolia has not conducted a nationwide bear count since 1980, leaving bear population, movements and causes of increased settlement incursions unresolved. Researchers have called for systematic research, prevention measures and clearer rules for compensation after wildlife attacks.
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Study Models Ice-Breakup Risks From Proposed Egiin Gol Hydropower Plant
Published: 2026-09-25
A team of Mongolian water engineers led by B. Ayurzana of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology has modeled how the planned Egiin Gol hydropower plant could affect ice breakup on the Selenge River. Using the DynaRICE dynamic ice model, the researchers found that operating the plant for peak electricity demand could make daily flow vary sharply, from 60 to 490 cubic meters per second. They said fluctuations in water level downstream from the Egiin Gol-Selenge confluence could weaken winter ice and increase breakup. Because the area has multiple channels, sandy islands and ridges, broken ice could accumulate and form jams. Modeling indicated risks of raised water levels, overflow, snowmelt flooding, ice collapse and black ice near Selenge soum in Bulgan Province.
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Innovation
Education Spending Fell Despite Higher State Budget in 2025
Published: 2026-09-25
Mongolia’s consolidated state-budget expenditure was MNT 30.59 trillion in 2024 and MNT 31.29 trillion in 2025, while education spending fell from MNT 3.68 trillion to MNT 3.63 trillion, according to the National Statistics Office’s General Education Indicators. Education’s share of total consolidated spending also declined from 13.5% in 2023 to 12% in 2024 and 11.6% in 2025, a 1.9-percentage-point decrease over two years. Per-capita education spending fell by MNT 19,600, from MNT 1.0749 million in 2024 to MNT 1.0553 million in 2025. Despite the year-on-year decline, education spending in 2025 remained MNT 593.2 billion above its 2023 level.
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Lawmakers Debate School Capacity During 2027 Budget Review
Published: 2026-09-25
Parliament debated school capacity while reviewing the government’s proposed 2027 state budget, with Member of Parliament J. Galbadrakh saying 350,000 children nationwide study in settings with insufficient access to schools. He said Mongolia needs at least 108 new schools and 95 kindergartens, and argued that children’s right to learn in quality conditions is being seriously affected. Galbadrakh opposed treating residential-complex schools developed under residential-complex rules as the solution, describing them as kindergarten-like schools. Education Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan responded that residential-complex primary schools should not be dismissed, saying children attend them in conditions comparable to Galbadrakh’s school. The minister said he would show the lawmaker 21 residential-complex schools and cited satisfaction among 20,000 parents whose children attend them. The exchange occurred during consideration of the proposed 2027 state budget.
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Health
African Swine Fever Virus Found in Imported Frozen Pork
Published: 2026-09-25
The General Authority for Veterinary Services detected African swine fever virus in a sample of imported frozen pork from Gansu Kingood Food in China. The finding came during an unplanned inspection of 38 businesses importing pork and meat products. Authorities sealed the importer’s warehouse and placed 22.3 tonnes of frozen meat there in isolation under state-inspector supervision. Based on the inspection results, imports of pork and pork products from the Chinese producer were temporarily suspended. Professional agencies also disinfected 990 square meters at 18 locations that had received, stored or sold meat products. Officials said African swine fever affects domestic and wild pigs but does not infect people.
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Drug Cases Sent to Court as Lawmakers Seek Hearing
Published: 2026-09-25
By September, prosecutors had sent 184 drug and psychotropic-substance cases involving 270 people to court. Authorities designated 398 people as accused under Criminal Code provisions covering illegal drug use and providing premises for drug use. The sources said most of the accused were aged 18 to 44 and included women. Separately, MP Bayarbaatar said 68 lawmakers have signed a proposal for a parliamentary oversight hearing on drug supply, demand, prevention, treatment and enforcement. Police recorded 365 illegal drug-use offences in the first eight months of 2026, he said. The relevant standing committee is to set the hearing date.
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Health Minister Flags Staffing Imbalance and Tender Irregularities at State Hospitals
Published: 2026-09-25
Health Minister E. Batshugar said government hospitals have an imbalanced workforce, with doctors and nurses accounting for 40% of employees and administrative staff 60%. He said international practice calls for 60% clinical staff, 20% administrative staff and 20% technical staff. Batshugar said a government oversight inspection at one state hospital found staffing exceeded its approved level by more than 100 positions. A sample review of 80 of more than 2,000 tenders conducted over the past three years also identified MNT 20 billion in discrepancies, he said. The matter has been referred to the Independent Authority Against Corruption for investigation. Batshugar said hospitals are funded according to performance, while doctors and nurses carry the operational workload alongside the administrative burden.
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