Politics
Government Proposes 2026 Budget Revision Citing Deficit Exceeding Two Trillion and 13% Inflation
Published: 2026-08-28
The government has submitted a revision to the 2026 state budget to parliament, citing a deficit exceeding two trillion, July inflation of 13%, the risk that inflation could rise further, and possible fuel supply disruptions linked to external factors. The proposal provides for public-sector salary and pension increases from November. The prime minister said more than MNT 300 billion had been cut from ministers’ budgets to finance the measures. The government includes the prime minister, 18 ministers and five deputy ministers. The opposition DP (Democratic Party) has called for a smaller cabinet and criticized what it describes as an oversized budget. The proposed revision also sets out spending allocations for individual ministers.
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Parliamentary Groups Fail to Resolve Dispute Over Government Stability
Published: 2026-08-28
Sources conflict over whether the MPP (Mongolian People’s Party) parliamentary group was united on keeping the government stable after its August 25 gathering at Ikh Tenger. One report said the group remained split and cited lawmaker E. Bolormaa as saying it had not unanimously agreed on removing the government. Another reported that information circulated saying all 64 group members agreed on stability. Both accounts agree that only about 30 members attended the extraordinary meeting and that it did not produce a formal resolution. The opposition DP (Democratic Party) has said 41 lawmakers signed a proposal to dismiss Prime Minister Uchral, citing fuel shortages, price increases and the budget deficit. Parliament’s regular autumn session is scheduled to open on September 15.
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Ecological Police Chief Removed as Illegal Gold Mining Crackdown Begins
Published: 2026-08-28
Justice and Home Affairs Minister S. Amarsaikhan ordered the General Police Department to intensify its nationwide response to illegal gold mining and environmental crimes. He directed police to inspect and halt unlawful extraction, particularly in Tuv, Selenge and Bulgan provinces, seize equipment where warranted, and investigate officials suspected of enabling operations. The minister gave police 14 days to complete a thorough review and refer substantiated cases to prosecutors and courts. Within the crackdown, Colonel B. Oyutbold was removed as head of the Ecological Police Department, a post he had held since April 2026.
“Investigate it thoroughly and establish the facts.” - S. Amarsaikhan (ikon.mn)
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DP Calls on Government to Explain Budget, Fuel and Price Pressures
Published: 2026-08-28
DP leaders criticized the government’s budget, fuel-supply and price policies at the party’s “4-11” briefing. They said the Bank of Mongolia had announced a fiscal deficit of MNT 2.4 trillion, and DP deputy chair N. Ganibal said July inflation had exceeded 13 percent. The party said the budget amendment did not address downsizing the government’s large structure or adequately cutting wasteful spending. Officials linked fuel shortages and price increases to policy failures and highlighted pressure on households ahead of the school year. Ganibal said Mongolia normally has 45 days of fuel reserves and argued that planned management of holiday-period consumption could have avoided the shortage. The DP said its parliamentary group would submit a proposal to dismiss the government.
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Anti-Corruption Agency Recovers MNT 2 Billion From Senior Official
Published: 2026-08-28
Anti-Corruption Agency investigators recovered MNT 2 billion for the state treasury during an investigation into a senior public official suspected of receiving large bribes and unlawfully enriching themselves. The official was not named in the report. The agency said it reviewed 50 complaints and reports last week, opening case-registration proceedings for seven and sending six to prosecutors with proposals not to open proceedings; 37 remain under review. Investigators conducted work on 1,059 criminal cases, recommending 11 for court referral and four for closure, with 1,042 cases currently under investigation. The agency also sent several alleged bribery and abuse-of-office cases involving customs officers and public officials to prosecutors for court referral. In the first half of 2026, a joint agency task force recovered MNT 6.4 billion in damages through investigations.
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Published: 2026-08-28
Prosecutors have again indicted T. Urjin, the former head of Tolgoit station on the Ulaanbaatar Railway, over allegations that he accepted large bribes connected to access to a railway siding. The Capital City Prosecutor’s Office sent the case to the Bayangol, Khan-Uul and Songinokhairkhan District Criminal Court last week. T. Urjin is accused of receiving MNT 16-17 million in May and June 2021 after allegedly helping Silkroad Logistics use a siding through an arrangement involving Sonsgolon Barmat LLC director S. Sukhbaatar. Investigators said Silkroad Logistics manager Ch. Ganchuluun paid a total of MNT 33 million through S. Sukhbaatar’s bank account to obtain the access right. T. Urjin and S. Sukhbaatar face charges of group bribery and money laundering; Ch. Ganchuluun is charged with giving a bribe through an intermediary. The court returned the case for further investigation in 2023.
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Justice Minister Orders Inquiry Into Philosopher’s Online Claims
Published: 2026-08-28
Justice and Home Affairs Minister S. Amarsaikhan has ordered an inquiry into philosopher S. Molor-Erdene and others over statements posted on social media about Mongolia’s national identity and history. The report says the inquiry is based on allegations that the group openly distorted and disparaged Mongolia’s national security, independence, cultural heritage, history and traditions. It links the action to online remarks attributed to Molor-Erdene, including claims that there is no Mongolian people and that Genghis Khan did not exist or was not Mongolian. The supplied report describes an inquiry and does not state any charges, findings or timetable. The case concerns public statements that officials consider potentially harmful to protected national interests and historical heritage.
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Economy
Fuel Imports Continue as Provincial Deliveries Proceed
Published: 2026-08-28
Fuel imports from Russia and China continue, according to the emergency fuel-supply task force. It reported that 54,890 tonnes of AI-92 gasoline arrived from Russia through the Sukhbaatar border crossing between August 1 and 27, while 6,000 tonnes came from China. The task force separately reported a daily average of 2,285 tonnes over the period. On August 27, it said 1,130 tonnes were dispatched to 128 Ulaanbaatar filling stations and more than 550 tonnes to over 50 provincial stations. A further 43 rail wagons of AI-92 were being unloaded for provincial distribution. Western provinces are being supplied from the central region because no products entered through the Tsagaannuur and Borshoo crossings during the previous month; delivery to Bayan-Ulgii can take at least three to four days and, in some cases, six to seven days.
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Central Bank Removes Utility and Mobile Bills From Credit Scores
Published: 2026-08-28
The Bank of Mongolia says overdue mobile-phone and utility bills will no longer affect individual credit scores, which will instead be calculated from loan information, repayments and credit history. Utility debts will remain visible in the debt section of a credit-information report, which is separate from a credit score. Credit scores now update as soon as new credit information is received, replacing the previous monthly update cycle. The central bank has begun inspections of non-bank financial institutions that submit credit data and plans to inspect banks next. It is developing an E-Mongolia system, expected by late September, to tell people whether a complaint should be handled by a financial institution or the central bank. A digital process for requesting corrections to credit information is planned for September 20.
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Provincial Filling Stations to Sell Fuel in Approved Containers
Published: 2026-08-28
The emergency fuel-supply task force has decided that fuel may be sold in designated portable containers in provincial areas. Under the decision, businesses say rural filling stations will provide fuel in approved containers holding no more than 20 litres. The task force cited Clause 9.2.8 of the filling-station fire-safety rules to define an approved container. It must be a complete, purpose-made portable container constructed to prevent spills, fitted with a tightly closing lid and holding no more than 20 litres. The arrangement is limited to containers described in the fire-safety rules. Businesses made the statement after the task force’s decision on supplying fuel in such containers to provincial areas.
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First-Half Balance of Payments Reports Surplus
Published: 2026-08-28
Bank of Mongolia reporting cited by two outlets put the first-half 2026 balance-of-payments surplus at either $566.6 million or $566 million. Both reports said the current account posted a $179 million surplus, improving by $1.9 billion from a year earlier, led by a $4.5 billion goods-trade surplus. Copper concentrate and coal export revenue rose by a combined $3.7 billion. Larger services and primary-income deficits, up $428 million and $1.4 billion respectively, offset part of the improvement. The financial account recorded $613 million in net inflows, $644 million lower year on year, largely because Oyu Tolgoi repaid $2 billion in external debt. Foreign-exchange reserves reached $7.7 billion in June, covering 4.8 months of imports.
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Budget Revision Could Raise Spending Despite Planned Savings, Analysts Say
Published: 2026-08-28
Researchers at the Economic Council under the Open Society Forum said Mongolia’s proposed 2026 budget revision would increase spending despite planned savings in several areas. The proposal identifies MNT 433.4 billion in savings from ministers’ operating budgets, MNT 758 billion from municipal bond financing and MNT 249.5 billion from investment spending. However, the researchers said reallocating those funds to other items would raise state-budget expenditure by MNT 1.093 trillion and consolidated-budget expenditure by MNT 998 billion. They characterized the proposal as an expansionary redistribution of spending rather than a contractionary revision. The government submitted the package to parliament on August 20. The council also warned that higher wages, pensions and subsidies could intensify inflation if goods and services supply does not rise accordingly.
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Diplomacy
Japan’s Foreign Minister Plans September 2 Visit to Mongolia
Published: 2026-08-28
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi plans to make an official visit to Mongolia on September 2. The two sides are expected to discuss strengthening their Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity, along with regional security, infrastructure and economic cooperation. The visit follows Mongolian Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg’s June visit to Japan, when the ministers met at the Nikkei Forum in Tokyo and discussed expanding the partnership. Japan said it was ready to cooperate on an expansion project at Chinggis Khaan International Airport. Separately, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Commander General Masayoshi Arai made a working visit to Mongolia, including the Mongolian-Japanese Zam-2026 engineering exercise in Ulaanbaatar. More than 850 Mongolian service members have participated in the exercise since 2014.
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Parliament Speaker Begins Luxembourg Visit With Health and Finance Talks
Published: 2026-08-28
Parliament Speaker S. Byambatsogt began his first overseas visit since taking office in Luxembourg, where he met parliamentary, development-agency and European Investment Bank representatives. The trip comes during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and is the first speaker-level visit between the two countries in 24 years. Luxembourg Parliament President Claude Wiseler said the two sides are working toward easier visa arrangements for certain passport holders. Luxembourg has provided more than US$45 million in grants and technical support for Mongolia’s cardiovascular care since 2001, and has decided to provide a EUR22.5 million grant for a 120-bed National Cardiovascular Center; its groundbreaking is scheduled for September 17. Discussions also covered cooperation agreements, double-taxation arrangements, sustainable finance, renewable energy and possible future investment.
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Infrastructure
Fuel Shortages Continue to Disrupt Tourist Transport in Gobi Provinces
Published: 2026-08-28
Fuel shortages continue to disrupt tourist transport in some areas, particularly the Gobi provinces, although the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the emergency fuel-supply task force say distribution has resumed normally in Ulaanbaatar and local areas. Tourism industry representatives, the Ulaanbaatar Tourism Department and the Mongolian Tourist Transport Association have asked relevant ministries and state bodies to increase supplies. They are collecting operators’ actual fuel needs, travel routes and vehicle details before a planned meeting with petroleum-product importers. The department and association have also begun issuing identification markers and arranging for tourist vehicles to move freely in traffic. These measures address fuel-shortage difficulties affecting tourist transport.
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Overnight Road Closures Set for Unur and Kharkhorin Areas
Published: 2026-08-28
Road users in Songinokhairkhan District face two overnight closures for construction work. The road north of Building 34 in the district’s 17th khoroo, near Unur residential area, will close from 22:00 on August 28 until 07:00 on August 31 while a pedestrian overpass is assembled and installed. The Municipal Road Development Agency said traffic is being restricted at night during the work. Separately, the road near the Kharkhorin intersection in the district’s 15th khoroo, from Building 23 toward Building 24, will close from 23:00 on August 29 until 08:00 on August 30. Workers will excavate across the road to install a stormwater drainage line. The agency also reported completing a 200-metre road section near Biocombinat and opening a 3.4-kilometre road in the district’s 35th khoroo.
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Bridge Piers Completed on Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Cross-Border Rail Link
Published: 2026-08-28
Construction crews have completed all 291 bridge piers for the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod cross-border railway in Khanbogd soum, Umnugovi province. Overall progress on the project stands at 49.27%. Workers have produced 2,382 pile foundations and installation work is underway. They have also produced 291 lower crossbeams and assembled 296 of 594 prepared girders. The project employs 889 engineers and technical staff and 327 vehicles and machines. Officials plan to commission the railway and begin trial freight operations in April 2027. Once operational, the line is projected to carry up to 30 million tonnes of freight annually, increase the capacity of a major export gateway to China, and reduce transport time and costs. Project estimates also cite 200 permanent and 800 temporary jobs.
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Planned Maintenance Brings Daytime Power Restrictions to Ulaanbaatar and Tuv
Published: 2026-08-28
Ulaanbaatar Electricity Distribution Network announced planned power restrictions on August 28 for maintenance on electricity lines and equipment. In Khan-Uul District’s 11th khoroo, areas including Zaisan Gunt Sadlai, Chinggis Khaan Bank, Gerege Villa, Ekh Gazar Erdenes, and Luxury Residence were scheduled to be affected from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The same hours applied to locations in Songinokhairkhan District’s 20th khoroo, including Zag Engineering LLC, Khukh Taana Cooperative, Dayan Orgil LLC, Military Unit 013, Mon Tsahilgaan Utas, Kharaatsai Jiguur LLC, and Remicon LLC. Bayankhangai, Argalant, and Lun soums in Tuv Province were scheduled for restrictions from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. A separate notice also listed August 31 maintenance-related restrictions.
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License-Plate Traffic Restrictions Lifted on September 1
Published: 2026-08-28
Ulaanbaatar’s temporary odd-even license-plate traffic rule remains scheduled from August 15 through September 12, operating from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. All four supplied reports agree that the restriction will not apply on September 1 as the school year begins, allowing all vehicles to travel. They differ, however, on September 2. Three reports say the exemption covers both September 1 and 2, while the Traffic Management Center says it applies only on September 1 and that the odd-even rule resumes on September 2 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., regardless of zone. The temporary measure is intended to reduce road congestion. Drivers planning to travel on September 2 should note the conflicting reports and check the latest official notice.
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Ulaanbaatar Seeks UK Credit Guarantee for Metro Project
Published: 2026-08-28
Ulaanbaatar Mayor B. Purevdavaa met UK Export Finance representatives during UNCCD COP17 to discuss a credit guarantee for the Ulaanbaatar Metro project. In 2025, Mongolia and UK Export Finance signed a memorandum on cooperation for possible infrastructure projects, including public transport and the metro, through British goods and services. The meeting covered flexibility in illustrative guarantee-fee calculations, the fee’s cost and payment structure, and whether the required share of British goods, products and services could be reduced. The city says it is updating feasibility work, designs and budget estimates while carrying out environmental and social assessments, workforce preparation and public engagement. Separately, Purevdavaa said a wastewater-recycling plant has been commissioned; rainwater management and reservoir projects need implementation.
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Society
Apartment Fire in Baganuur Prompts Warning Against Storing Petrol Indoors
Published: 2026-08-28
Emergency services evacuated 21 residents, including nine adults and 12 children, after a fire broke out in an apartment building in Baganuur district of Ulaanbaatar early on August 28. The National Emergency Management Agency received the call at 5:53 a.m. in the district’s first khoroo. Firefighters found that the blaze had started in the corridor of a three-room apartment where approximately two to three litres of petrol had been stored. The fire damaged stored silk and fabric goods and two televisions. Responders extinguished the fire and moved residents out of the smoke-affected area to safety. Emergency authorities urged residents not to store flammable liquids, particularly petrol, in apartments, ger homes or houses under unsuitable conditions.
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Seven Pedestrian Injury Crashes Reported in One Day
Published: 2026-08-28
The Traffic Police Department reported seven road crashes involving pedestrians injured by vehicles during a single 24-hour period. The agency issued a safety reminder stressing that pedestrian crossings are intended to protect people’s right to travel safely and that drivers must exercise particular care near crossings and intersections. Drivers were urged to reduce speed in advance, yield to people who are crossing or may enter the roadway, and follow traffic order, signs and road markings. Police also advised motorists not to use mobile phones or other distractions while driving. The notice did not provide locations, times, injury severity or details of the individual crashes. It focused instead on compliance with road rules as a responsibility for preventing injuries and protecting the safety of all road users.
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Published: 2026-08-28
Police said 236 incidents involving mopeds, scooters and Surrons were recorded by July 2026, covering the year’s first seven months. Police also reported that accidents and injuries involving these vehicles have increased in recent years. The number of people registered with health institutions after accidents involving mopeds, scooters and Surrons was 446 in 2024 and 2,792 in 2025, according to the report. It said most people involved in such accidents are minors. The update did not provide a breakdown of the 236 recorded incidents, including their locations, fatalities or circumstances. Nor did it identify whether the health-institution registrations were riders, passengers or other road users, or announce any new regulations or enforcement measures.
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Environment
Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain Forecast for Central and Eastern Provinces
Published: 2026-08-28
On August 28, rain and thunderstorms are forecast across most central and eastern provinces, with warnings for strong gusts, hail, lightning and possible flooding. Skies will be cloudy in most areas, while northwesterly winds of 5-10 metres per second may briefly strengthen before rain. Daytime temperatures are expected to fall to 13-18C in mountain areas and the valleys of the Zavkhan, Zag, Baydrakh, Ider, Tuul, Terelj, Kherlen and Onon rivers. Most other areas are forecast at 19-24C. Ulaanbaatar is expected to be cloudy with light rain, northwesterly winds of 5-10 metres per second and a high of 16-18C. Rain is also forecast for the eastern part of the eastern provinces on August 29, along with slightly cooler conditions in the eastern half of the country.
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Pasture Capacity Exceeded Across About Half of Land Ahead of Winter
Published: 2026-08-28
Pasture carrying capacity for the 2026-2027 winter and spring is exceeded across about half of the country, according to an assessment by the Information and Research Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment. As of August 20, summer conditions were normal across about 60% of land, while about 40% was dry or drought-affected. The assessment found pasture reserves in 32.3% of the country and sufficient pasture in 20.5%. Capacity was exceeded one to three times in 29.8%, three to five times in 8.3%, and many times over in 9.1%. Areas in several western, central, southern and eastern provinces face the greatest pressure. Authorities recommend securing hay and supplementary feed, organizing seasonal livestock movements and reducing herd numbers where needed.
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COP17 Announces $1.3 Billion Package for Land Restoration and Drought Resilience
Published: 2026-08-28
The 12-day UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP17 conference closed in Ulaanbaatar on August 28, announcing a $1.3 billion project package for land restoration and drought resilience in 23 countries. Separately, organizers said $644.5 million was new financing and $216.4 million was already in the implementation stage. The conference also announced the $1.2 billion Rangelands Flagship Initiative, covering 45 projects and described as the largest financing package for rangelands in the convention’s history. Delegates adopted the Ulaanbaatar Declaration, with leaders from more than 30 cities and local governments committing to make land, water, drought and climate issues part of practical urban work. Mongolia will test the Ulaanbaatar Initiative until COP18 and report results to the UNCCD. COP18 is planned for Egypt in 2028.
“Mongolia followed the principle of moving from commitments to implementation, and from discussion to practical action.” - B. Batsetseg (peak.mn)
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Energy Ministry Sets 2050 Path to Cut Coal Use
Published: 2026-08-28
Energy Minister B. Naidalaa said the draft Energy Transition Strategy 2026-2050 sets a roadmap for the share of energy Mongolia would obtain from coal and renewable sources through 2050. The ministry presented the draft to investors during COP17. Its stated objectives are to reduce coal use gradually, maintain energy security and reliability, develop replacement sources, and reduce energy dependence. Naidalaa said the transition will require work now to build human resources, investment capacity, and project readiness. He invited investors to cooperate not only on financing but also on skills development and preparing projects.
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Ulaanbaatar Faces Unassessed Earthquake and Landslide Risks
Published: 2026-08-28
A News.mn report highlights earthquake and landslide risks in Ulaanbaatar, where researchers have identified six active fault zones: Emeelt, Khustai, Avdrant, Mungunmorit, Gunjin Am and Sharkhai. It says a Japanese researcher also identified a 50-kilometer active fault southeast of the city. The Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics recorded 19,000 earthquakes near Ulaanbaatar from 2000 through 2025. It recorded a further 165 earthquakes in the first five months of 2026; the strongest measured magnitude 3.5. A public 2023 assessment evaluated 898 of 1,844 buildings constructed before 2000 and found 188 needed reinforcement. The report says many buildings in high-risk areas have not received seismic-resilience assessments, while about 3,000 households are located in flood-prone valleys and gullies.
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Harvest Forecast Points to Major Gains in Wheat and Potato Output
Published: 2026-08-28
Officials forecast a total autumn harvest of 1.2 million tons from 580,400 hectares planted nationwide in 2026. The preliminary balance projects 555,300 tons of grain, including 497,100 tons of wheat, alongside 168,200 tons of potatoes, 218,400 tons of vegetables, 50,400 tons of oilseeds and 201,800 tons of fodder crops. Wheat output is expected to rise 85.8 percent year on year and potato output 47.4 percent, while vegetable production is projected to fall 8.9 percent. Domestic harvests could supply 100 percent of required food wheat and potato demand and 67.7 percent of vegetable demand. The government is preparing 2,800 service members, cadets and students for harvest work, while more than 200 troops are already assisting potato and vegetable harvesting.
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Transport Emissions Increase in First Half of 2026
Published: 2026-08-28
Mongolia ranked 48th among countries for greenhouse-gas emissions in Climate TRACE’s first-half 2026 data, according to the report. The largest emitting subsectors were fuel, other emissions from agricultural soils and coal mining. Road-transport emissions rose by 117,853 tonnes of CO2e from the same period a year earlier. Ulaanbaatar emitted 17.52 million tonnes of CO2e, followed by Umnugovi at 10.38 million, Tuv at 4.06 million and Selenge at 2.96 million. Industry and road transport were the main contributors in Ulaanbaatar. National Statistics Office data cited in the report show Mongolia imported 718,190 passenger cars, 215,065 trucks and 14,779 public-transport motor vehicles from 2015 through 2025.
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Oyu Tolgoi Expands Water Research and Replenishment Plans
Published: 2026-08-28
At COP17, Rio Tinto, Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi and Oyu Tolgoi LLC announced they would intensify initiatives on renewable energy, water protection and replenishment, land-degradation reduction, and restoration practices. Oyu Tolgoi environmental manager T. Samdanjigmed said the company will conduct research and pilot projects over the next four to five years on groundwater in the Gobi, artificial recharge and water-storage technologies. The company uses water from the Gunii Hooloi aquifer, 150-400 meters underground; it says the saline water cannot be used directly for drinking and is recycled at an 87 percent rate. Oyu Tolgoi LLC is also updating the feasibility study for the Kherlen Toono surface-water transfer project with Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi. Past local work included drilling, repairing or restoring more than 200 wells for herders in Khanbogd soum.
“We will intensify research and pilot work to protect and replenish water resources.” - T. Samdanjigmed (ikon.mn)
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Court Rules on Deadly Dornod Grassland Fire
Published: 2026-08-28
A district inter-soum criminal court in Dornod Province has found L. Natsagdorj guilty in connection with a grassland fire in Bayandun soum that killed one person and burned 81.1 hectares on October 11, 2024. Experts concluded that tall grass accumulated around a vehicle exhaust pipe heated up and ignited the fire. Prosecutors brought the case under Article 24.7.1 of the Criminal Code. On August 21, the court imposed a one-year, five-month suspended sentence with compulsory supervision measures. It also ordered Natsagdorj to pay MNT 40.9 million to the Environment and Climate Fund, MNT 99 million for psychological harm to the victim’s legal representative, and MNT 3.3 million in procedural costs.
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Innovation
Published: 2026-08-28
The first version of the Benzin.mn mobile application is now available on the App Store, allowing users to view fuel-station locations and fuel-distribution information. The application is being developed jointly by the Mineral Resources and Petroleum Authority and Paid Piper LLC. The initial release makes this information available digitally. Developers plan to expand the platform into an integrated system that can display live camera feeds from fuel stations to show queue levels, provide sales information and support rapid coordination when required. The planned additions would provide users with digital information about station conditions and could make buying fuel easier. The first version is now available through the App Store.
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39 School and Kindergarten Buildings Set to Open Before September 1
Published: 2026-08-28
Authorities plan to commission 39 school and kindergarten buildings before September 1, ahead of the 2026-27 academic year, as enrollment across 2,457 education institutions is projected to reach 1,305,552. The early openings form part of 77 education projects scheduled for completion this year, within 302 projects with a combined budget value of MNT 1.9245 trillion. The 77 projects include 33 school buildings for 13,790 students, 26 kindergartens for 3,930 children, a combined kindergarten-school complex, nine dormitories and six sports halls. In Ulaanbaatar, two schools for 1,280 students and three kindergartens for 720 children could open. As of August, the 302 projects averaged 68 percent completion, with MNT 261 billion disbursed. First-grade enrollment is projected at 75,838 children.
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Top-100 University Loan Recipients Receive Funding, Reserve List Waits
Published: 2026-08-28
Students admitted to universities ranked in the global top 100 and included in the Education Loan Fund’s approved allocation are receiving funding normally, according to fund director P. Zokhisuren. He said contracts were signed in early August and payments began from August 20. The clarification follows a press conference and statement by students and parents who said uncertain financing could prevent enrolment for the 2026-2027 academic year. Zokhisuren said most people represented in the statement met selection criteria but were placed on the reserve allocation rather than the approved quota. He said the 2026 state budget-approved source for the fund is MNT 172 billion, and separately said MNT 138.8 billion was approved from the state budget. Reserve candidates may receive loans if approved students decline contracts or funding becomes available.
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Online Registration for First Grade Closes Tonight
Published: 2026-08-28
Online registration for children entering first grade at public general education schools closes at 23:59 on August 28. Parents and guardians must confirm the registered residential addresses of both themselves and their children before submitting an application. Families with temporary addresses should register in the district and khoroo where they live, complete a change-of-address procedure, and then contact the admissions commission at the public school serving their catchment area. Information is available through E-Mongolia, parent.edu.mn, and the General Education Department’s 70140069 telephone line. A total of 75,838 children are expected to begin first grade nationwide in the coming school year: 37,926 in Ulaanbaatar and 37,912 in other provinces and localities.
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Health
Lawmaker Seeks Health Assessment of K2-Grade Gasoline
Published: 2026-08-28
MP J. Bayarmaa has submitted an inquiry to Prime Minister Uchral about the health effects of K2-grade gasoline, the classification for imported AI-92 fuel in Mongolia. Mongolia’s standard permits no more than 500 mg/kg of sulfur and five percent benzene in this gasoline. Bayarmaa asked whether imported fuel meets those limits and how higher-sulfur fuel affects public health. The inquiry notes that many Ulaanbaatar vehicles are older imports from Japan, which lowered permitted gasoline sulfur to 10 ppm in 2008. It also asks how the fuel affects catalytic converters and emissions-control systems, and requests calculations and research on fuel prices, air pollution and health if Mongolia shifts to K5 or a higher environmental grade.
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