Politics
DP Launches Three-Month National Policy Campaign
Published: 2026-08-24
DP (Democratic Party) announced its “Change and Create” national movement on August 24. Although several sources described the movement as officially beginning that day, one described a planned launch, so the announcement is clear. Party leader O. Tsogtgerel said it is expected to run for three months and involve one million citizens. The party says it will meet people, hold discussions across sectors and levels, identify day-to-day concerns, and turn proposals into a foundation for future policy and programs. Tsogtgerel said the DP intends to identify 100 proposals and turn them into 100 solutions across sectors for the 2027 presidential and 2028 parliamentary elections. He cited pensions, military-service deaths, high taxes and lending rates as issues it wants to change.
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Customs Inspector Accused of Taking MNT 58.9 Million in Bribes
Published: 2026-08-24
Prosecutors have sent a bribery case involving a senior customs inspector at the Zamiin-Uud Customs Office to the inter-soum first-instance criminal court in Zamiin-Uud, Dornogovi Province. The indictment alleges that B.B. accepted MNT 58.9 million in bribes between February 17 and May 25, 2026, while working as a senior inspector responsible for oversight and inspections. It alleges that four authorized customs-clearance representatives—N.B., D.Ch., D.T. and S.Ts.—paid to speed goods and materials through customs and obtain an advantage. Prosecutors filed the case under Criminal Code provisions on accepting and giving bribes. It was among 262 cases in which prosecutors issued indictments during August 17-21, when the prosecutor’s office supervised 44,026 criminal cases and opened 736 new inquiries. The report describes allegations in an indictment, not a court finding.
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Economy
Government Seeks Long-Term Fuel Supply Deal With China
Published: 2026-08-24
Industry and Mineral Resources Minister G. Damdinyam met China National Petroleum Corporation executives in China to discuss increasing and stabilizing fuel supplies to Mongolia and expanding energy cooperation. The sides agreed to pursue a long-term agreement to raise deliveries. Separately, Damdinyam asked representatives of about 30 Chinese-invested companies operating in Mongolia to help increase imports, particularly diesel for mining. The government aims to raise China-sourced fuel to 30 percent of domestic consumption. Mongolia imports all of its fuel, with about 95 percent supplied by Russia and the remainder by China. Chinese-invested mining companies consume 1.2 million tonnes of diesel annually. Companies agreed to provide specific responses by August 29, while a ministry working group was due to meet PetroChina officials in China.
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Fuel Deliveries Increase as Authorities Restore Rural Supply
Published: 2026-08-24
The government fuel-supply task force reported that about 50,800 tonnes of motor gasoline entered Mongolia through the Sukhbaatar, Ereentsav and Zamiin-Uud border crossings between August 1 and 24. In the previous 24 hours, 2,520 tonnes of AI-92 gasoline were received. Reported allocations reached 121 filling stations in Ulaanbaatar and 150 stations in provincial areas. Another 9,000 tonnes of AI-92 were in transit. Authorities said some remote soums had gone more than 20 days without fuel deliveries after Russian shipments declined. Importers have been assigned to replenish specific provinces, including Darkhan-Uul, Uvurkhangai, Selenge, Umnugovi and Govi-Altai. The task force said Russian and Chinese imports were continuing as it works to restore stocks across aimags and soums.
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Budget Revision Raises Inflation Questions as Spending Plans Expand
Published: 2026-08-24
The economy grew 7.7 percent in the first half of 2026, while July inflation reached 13 percent and the budget recorded a MNT 2.2 trillion deficit, according to the report. Mining contributed 3.9 percentage points of growth, with services, agriculture, manufacturing and construction also expanding. Meat prices were more than 52 percent higher year on year; AI-92 gasoline rose 17.4 percent after two increases, and diesel prices rose about 40 percent. The government plans to save MNT 1.4 trillion and redirect funds to pensioner income, public-service wages, food reserves and energy. The report notes that the revised budget projects a MNT 2 trillion deficit, or 2 percent of GDP, and cites the IMF’s 2026 Article IV assessment urging cautious fiscal policy.
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Rio Tinto Dividend Talks Continue, Finance Minister Says
Published: 2026-08-24
Finance Minister Z. Mendsaikhan said the government expects to receive a dividend from Rio Tinto in 2026 following negotiations over the Oyu Tolgoi investment. He said the sides had already agreed to review loan interest rates, the financial structure and shareholder-loan arrangements, and that the government’s calculations on the dividend had been prepared and presented in outline. A Rio Tinto working group is expected to visit later this week, although the date had not been fixed. Mendsaikhan declined to disclose a projected amount or designate its use before an agreement is reached. He said the budget’s half-year execution showed a MNT 2.4 trillion revenue shortfall, while the government plans MNT 1.4 trillion in spending cuts and related reallocations.
“It will never be used for current expenditure or to cover the budget deficit.” - Z. Mendsaikhan (itoim.mn)
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Lawmakers Submit Bill to Diversify Economic Special Zones
Published: 2026-08-24
Four members of parliament - Kh. Gankhuyag, R. Batbold, Ts. Munkhbat and Kh. Jangabyl - have submitted a revised Economic Special Zones Law to the parliamentary speaker. The bill would replace the Free Zone Law, first adopted in 2002 and revised in 2015, after earlier free-zone development made limited progress. It would create a legal framework for all types of economic special zones, classifying them as free-trade, export-processing, industrial, science-and-technology park, or integrated zones. The government would receive authority to establish zones. Permits would be issued electronically and expedited, while a unified database would track registered companies, investment and foreign workers, and share information with relevant state bodies.
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Green Agribusiness Fund Opens With US$117.6 Million in Financing
Published: 2026-08-24
The Green and Inclusive Regional Agribusiness Fund, known as GIRAF, officially opened on August 24. It is managed by Development Bank of Mongolia subsidiary DBM Asset Management LLC and will provide needed financing to individuals, small and medium-sized producers, and businesses operating in agriculture. The fund has mobilized US$92.6 million in long-term financing from international organizations and the state, as well as US$25 million from commercial banks. The Development Bank of Mongolia and the Asian Development Bank initialed a cooperation agreement in connection with the fund. GIRAF will implement part of the Aimags and Soums Green Regional Development Investment Program, financed jointly by the government, international organizations and the ADB. The program is intended to address overgrazing, unstable livestock management and climate-change pressures and support a shift toward value-added production, processing and supply chains.
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Published: 2026-08-24
A World Tourism Report covering the first half of 2026 placed the country fourth among the 20 strongest-performing tourism destinations, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth. It also ranked fourth in the Asia-Pacific category after recording 39% growth. The report placed the country second among markets with the strongest spending performance, citing a 29% increase, and third for revenue growth at 27%. The ministry did not specify the report’s underlying measurement, monetary units, or comparison period beyond the first half of 2026. The results place tourism indicators in several of the report’s leading global and regional categories.
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Diplomacy
US Court Strikes Down Immigrant-Visa Suspension Covering Mongolian Citizens
Published: 2026-08-24
A federal judge in Manhattan ruled on August 21 that the Trump administration’s suspension of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Mongolia, violated the US Immigration and Nationality Act. The suspension, introduced in January, also covered nationals of Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Haiti, Somalia and Russia; it did not apply to tourist or student visas. Judge Jeannette Vargas of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York found that the State Department policy conflicted with the 1965 law’s prohibition on discrimination in visa issuance based on national origin or nationality. The court voided visa denials based on the suspension and ordered the government to return to individual reviews of applications. The administration may appeal the ruling.
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Egypt and Mongolia Explore Irrigation Cooperation and Meat Exports
Published: 2026-08-24
Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Minister Ts. Iderbat met Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam to discuss expanding agricultural cooperation, including irrigated farming, renewable energy, water management, and livestock-product exports. Iderbat said Mongolia wants to study and adapt Egypt’s irrigation technology and long experience as it seeks to expand irrigated farmland, use water more efficiently, and increase renewable-energy use. He also proposed work on mutually agreed veterinary certificates and quarantine requirements to establish the legal and technical conditions for exporting Mongolian meat and meat products to Egypt. Sewilam said Egypt could cooperate on water-resource development and would refer the proposals to Egypt’s agriculture minister. The sides agreed to form teams and hold regular online meetings to begin work.
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Japan Ground Force Commander Visits to Expand Defense Cooperation
Published: 2026-08-24
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Commander General Arai Masayoshi is making a working visit to Mongolia, where he held an official meeting with Major General Ch. Tsogtjargal, commander of the Mongolian Armed Forces Land Forces Command. They reviewed current defense cooperation and discussed expanding joint training in military engineering and military medicine, as well as cooperation in training military personnel. Tsogtjargal said the bilateral ZAM joint training and exercise has become an important practical form of cooperation. First held in 2014, ZAM is being conducted for the 12th time this year. More than 850 Mongolian service members have taken part over that period, helping develop engineering skills, training, and capacity. The visit focuses on strengthening mutual trust and professional cooperation between the two armed forces.
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Parliament Speaker Plans First Overseas Visit to Three European Countries
Published: 2026-08-24
Parliament Speaker S. Byambatsogt is scheduled to make state visits to three European countries from late August through September 1, with Germany among the destinations, sources said. The itinerary would be his first foreign visit since he was elected speaker of the State Great Khural. In June, Byambatsogt received a delegation led by Christian Görke, a Bundestag member and chair of the Germany-Central Asia Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag. During that meeting, the delegation conveyed an invitation for him to make an official visit to Germany. The report gives no names for the other two countries or a detailed program for the trip. The stated dates place the planned visit across the end of August and the first day of September.
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Published: 2026-08-24
Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrived in Mongolia at President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh’s invitation to attend UNCCD COP17, which runs through August 28 in Ulaanbaatar. Presidential foreign-policy adviser E. Odbayar and South Korean Ambassador Choi Jin Won received him at Chinggis Khaan International Airport. Khurelsukh is scheduled to meet Moon during the conference. Moon addressed the COP17 high-level opening on August 24, discussing land degradation and South Korea’s reforestation experience. He is due to spend eight nights and nine days in Mongolia and visit Tujiin Nars forest near the Russian border to plant a commemorative tree. South Korea hosted COP10 in 2011 and has worked with Mongolia on anti-desertification and ecosystem restoration, including the Green Wall project since 2007. Moon said land degradation undermines food and livelihoods and threatens human dignity and peace.
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Infrastructure
Power Minister Warns of Winter Capacity Shortfall Risk
Published: 2026-08-24
Energy Minister B. Naidalaa said Mongolia faces a risk of electricity and heat capacity shortages this winter as demand is rising by about 10 percent annually while new generation has not kept pace. He said the power system is operating without reserve capacity: plants are using all available boilers, so a fault at one unit could require electricity restrictions. The ministry is working on maintenance at existing plants, arranging temporary electricity imports from China and commissioning a 70-megawatt plant in Selenge Province. Naidalaa said the measures are intended to manage the winter risk, but did not rule out supply restrictions. His warning follows years of operating the grid at near-full capacity without a spare generating unit.
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Development Bank Provides USD 100 Million for Capital Rail Bypass
Published: 2026-08-24
The Development Bank of Mongolia has provided USD 100 million to support construction of the 127.1-kilometer Bagakhangai–Khushig Valley–Emeelt railway being built by state-owned Mongolian Railway. The project began in April 2025. News.mn reports that main construction on the first 87.2 kilometers has been completed, while IntelliNews reports the completed Bagakhangai–Khushig Valley section as 87.8 kilometers. The route is intended to shift freight from Ulaanbaatar’s roads to rail and reduce traffic pressure. It will carry fuel and other petroleum products, explosives, toxic chemicals, and coal for power plants around the capital rather than through populated areas. The safety rationale follows the January 2024 liquefied-gas truck explosion in Ulaanbaatar that killed six people. The railway also supports planned logistics development in Khushig Valley.
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Ulaanbaatar opens 15-vehicle EV charging hub and expands city network
Published: 2026-08-24
Ulaanbaatar opened a Green Station electric-vehicle charging hub at the combined parking area at 32nd Circle in Sukhbaatar District on August 24. Built by the Ulaanbaatar Chamber of Commerce and private-sector partners, the site can charge 15 vehicles at once, including electric buses. Reports said charging can take five to 30 minutes and that night tariffs are discounted. The national EV charging-infrastructure program was presented during COP17 and aims for about 500 fast-charging stations nationwide, including along highways and in all 21 provincial centers. Separately, one report said 30 high-capacity fast chargers had been installed at 13 locations, with eight at 32nd Circle ready to serve users. Another reported that 30 Green Stations were operating in the capital. The city plans 80 charging stations or Green Stations in 2026 and 210 in 2027.
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Private Taxi Fares Rise as Ulaanbaatar Availability Tightens
Published: 2026-08-24
Private taxi fares in Ulaanbaatar have reportedly increased by MNT 500-1,000 per kilometre after AI-92 petrol rose by MNT 200 per litre, according to a News.mn report. The report says an odd-even vehicle-number traffic restriction, introduced amid COP17, road works and the approaching school year, reduced availability and led private taxi operators to raise fares. It cites evening rates of MNT 3,000-4,000 per kilometre for some private taxis, while a resident said taxi companies had raised per-kilometre charges to MNT 2,000. Ulaanbaatar has about 1.7 million residents making roughly 90,000 daily taxi trips. In 2025, 221 vehicles from five licensed entities were registered in the unified system. The city has announced an app-based, centrally supervised standard taxi service, with 74 percent of funding from private investment, but the report says it has not yet been implemented.
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Road Restrictions Continue Around Narantuul During COP17
Published: 2026-08-24
Traffic restrictions remain in force from 07:00 to 21:00 on roads around Narantuul Trade Center in Ulaanbaatar during the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, held from August 17 to 28. The affected sections run from the Narantuul junction to the Uguumur Trade Center junction, from Narantuul to the Dunjingarav Trade Center junction, and from Dunjingarav to the Zuun Janjin junction. Authorities had temporarily reopened selected roads and the Narantuul parking area before restoring the restrictions at 07:00 on August 24. Drivers are advised to plan routes in advance and use roads outside the restricted area.
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Society
Social Insurance Benefit Applicants Report Months-Long Delays
Published: 2026-08-24
People seeking social-insurance benefits have reported online that payments for unemployment and maternity benefits are delayed for months despite their regular contributions. Under the Law on Social Insurance Fund Benefits, the social-insurance authority must decide applications for temporary incapacity, maternity and childbirth, and unemployment benefits within 14 days after receiving the required documents. Death benefits for an insured person’s family must be decided within 24 hours. The General Authority for Social Insurance told reporters that unemployment benefits were paid on August 20 and 21. The report did not provide the number of affected applicants, the value of delayed payments or an official explanation for the reported funding shortfall. Applicants cited by the report said they had been told funding for unemployment and maternity benefits was unavailable.
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Police warn after 112 people lose money through fake survey links
Published: 2026-08-24
Police recorded 112 people who lost money in August after entering fraudulent links labelled “Survey,” according to a warning from the General Police Department. The department advised the public not to access websites that promise rewards and not to provide bank login names, passwords or OTP codes. It separately warned people not to enter a site when they encounter an advertisement promising a reward. The warning identifies the links as fake and calls on users to protect their bank access details, including one-time password codes. The reported figure applies to cases registered by police in August. The department advised people to follow that precaution before logging in to any website advertised as offering a reward.
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Consulate Warns Travelers That Gazelle Knucklebones Can Bring Prison Terms in China
Published: 2026-08-24
Mongolia’s consulate in Erenhot, China, has warned travelers that carrying Mongolian gazelle knucklebones or other wildlife products across the Chinese border can lead to criminal prosecution. Since 2025, more than 10 Mongolian citizens have been implicated in cases involving illegal cross-border transport of gazelle knucklebones, wild-animal meat, skins, horns, hooves, bones, organs, or carcasses, with reported prison sentences of four to 10 years. China classifies the Mongolian gazelle as a nationally protected Class I wild animal. Its knucklebones, bones, horns, skins, meat, and other parts are treated as protected-wildlife products rather than ordinary belongings. The consulate advised travelers not to carry such items, check vehicles and baggage, avoid unchecked parcels from others, and consult customs or border authorities about uncertain items.
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Police Record 24 Cases of Drivers Using Fake License Plates
Published: 2026-08-24
The Transport Police Department and the Traffic Management Center recorded 24 violations involving vehicles driven with fake state registration plates during document inspections that began on August 15. The inspections were launched in connection with license-plate traffic restrictions. Under Article 14.7.13 of the Law on Violations, a person who drives a vehicle displaying a false registration plate faces a three-month suspension of driving privileges and a fine of 50 units. Authorities did not state the monetary value represented by the fine or provide details of the individual cases. The reported penalties apply to driving in traffic with a fake state registration plate. The inspections were conducted jointly by the Transport Police Department and the Traffic Management Center.
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Environment
Green Finance Partnerships Open Up EUR 200 Million and USD 100 Million
Published: 2026-08-24
At COP17 in Ulaanbaatar on August 24, the government signed a letter of intent with the European Investment Bank for a sustainable forest management and bioeconomy financing programme of up to EUR 200 million. The planned package includes up to EUR 20 million in EU grants for technical and professional support and up to EUR 100 million in concessional EIB lending, with additional funds to be mobilized. It also signed a joint statement with the World Bank Group to jointly implement the SMILE programme, creating the possibility of USD 100 million in blended finance. The partnerships target forest management, restoration of degraded land, biodiversity, nature-based solutions, green value chains, local businesses and jobs. Financing terms, duration and interest rates remain subject to government and parliamentary decisions.
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COP17 High-Level Segment Opens in Ulaanbaatar With Ministers From Over 100 Countries
Published: 2026-08-24
The high-level segment of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification’s COP17 opened in Ulaanbaatar on August 24, with ministers from more than 100 countries and senior representatives from international organizations attending. The conference runs from August 17 to 28 and brings together delegates from the convention’s 197 parties to address desertification, land degradation and drought. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former South Korean President Moon Jae-in, former Finnish President Tarja Halonen, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmin Fouad were among the named guests. The main sessions on August 25 and 26 are expected to include financing and investment commitments. President U. Khurelsukh called for implementation-oriented outcomes and linked land degradation with food and water security, livelihoods, sustainable development, peace and security.
“COP17 must mark a real move from statements to action, from targets to implementation, and from commitments to results.” - President U. Khurelsukh (eagle.mn)
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Oyu Tolgoi Plans to Buy Domestic Renewable Power
Published: 2026-08-24
Rio Tinto, Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi and Oyu Tolgoi LLC announced environmental initiatives at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification’s COP17 conference. Oyu Tolgoi plans to supply part of its electricity demand from domestic renewable sources to contribute to Mongolia’s energy transition; the plan could help advance major renewable projects. Under its “Leave a Legacy of 100 Million Trees” program, the company plans saxaul planting on up to 5,000 hectares in the Gobi and will examine three forest-restoration projects of about 10,000 hectares each in northern and central Mongolia. The partners also plan to support managed-aquifer-recharge research, assess rainwater-collection and surface-water ecosystem pilots, and study groundwater reserves and quality in the Gobi.
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Cities adopt Ulaanbaatar Declaration on land restoration at COP17 forum
Published: 2026-08-24
The COP17 Mayors Forum, attended by representatives from 33 countries, 24 cities, 51 international organizations and 23 Mongolian organizations, adopted the Ulaanbaatar Declaration. The declaration calls for cities and local governments to be recognized as policy partners in addressing land degradation, desertification, drought, water scarcity and climate change. It also supports integrated urban-rural planning, direct long-term finance for local projects, local reporting on land degradation, and stronger participation in UNCCD processes. Ulaanbaatar Mayor B. Purevdavaa said the city had signed memorandums with cities, international organizations and investors, and opened a USD 250 million investment channel with the Global Green Growth Institute. He said the capital had attracted about USD 400 million in investment during COP17 and had held discussions with the World Bank Group on long-term investment in three sectors.
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Vole burrow density exceeds 100 per quarter-hectare in seven soums
Published: 2026-08-24
Meteorological monitoring found more than 100 vole burrows per 0.25 hectares in seven soums during the middle ten days of August 2026. The affected areas were Nomrog in Zavkhan, Tsetserleg and Tsagaan-Uul in Khuvsgul, Kharkhorin in Ovorkhangai, Buren in Tuv, Galshar in Khentii, and Ikhkhet in Dornogovi. The monitoring concerns pasture-damaging voles. Counts of 51 to 100 burrows per 0.25 hectares were recorded in 10 additional soums, including Burentogtokh in Khuvsgul, Chuluut, Tsetserleg and Battsengel in Arkhangai, and Erdenedalai in Dundgovi. Other monitored areas recorded zero to 50 burrows per quarter-hectare, according to the meteorological agency.
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Locust Numbers Reach Outbreak Levels in Chanmany and Adaatsag
Published: 2026-08-24
Harmful locust populations reached outbreak levels in Chanmany soum of Khovd Province and Adaatsag soum of Dundgovi Province, according to density data as of August 20. Surveys counted eight to 10 locusts per square meter in the two soums, a level classified as excessive. Counts elsewhere remained within the normal range of one to seven locusts per square meter. The dominant species observed were Siberian locusts, dark-winged locust nymphs, and Barabeg grasshoppers. The figures were reported by the meteorological organization and describe locust density across the areas surveyed. The reports did not describe control measures, pasture damage, or other effects of the reported densities.
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Climate Goals Require USD 14.8 Billion, Carbon-Market Forum Hears
Published: 2026-08-24
Implementing Mongolia’s climate targets for 2025-2035 will require USD 14.8 billion in financing, according to the country’s NDC 3.0 plan discussed at a forum on developing carbon markets. The event was organized by the Mongolia-Japan Joint Crediting Mechanism, Mongolian Nature Heritage Fund, Business Council of Mongolia, and National Green Lab platform. Participants examined ways to finance pasture restoration and climate-mitigation work through carbon markets. Pasture ecosystems cover about 70 percent of the country. Mongolia and Japan began carbon-market cooperation in 2013. In July, the countries shared credits from solar-power projects. The source reports 127,000 tonnes of greenhouse-gas emissions certified as credits from four projects and says 86,000 tonnes were transferred to Japan. Researchers called for stronger legal arrangements for the mechanism.
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Bayankhongor Cancels Saker Falcon Capture Permits in Three Soums
Published: 2026-08-24
Bayankhongor Province has cancelled permits to capture saker falcons within Bumbugur, Khureemaral and Bayanbulag soums under Governor’s Order A/478, issued on August 21, 2026. Authorities also removed Arab, Qatari, Syrian and Iranian citizens from the province after they had established camps under contracts to catch the birds. The action revokes authorization to capture saker falcons across the three named soums. The report identifies the provincial governor’s order as the basis for enforcing the cancellation and requiring the contracted groups to leave Bayankhongor territory. No information was provided on the number of permits cancelled, birds captured or people removed. The measure applies specifically to the territories of the three soums named in the order.
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COP17 Finance Day Links Land Restoration Projects with Investors
Published: 2026-08-24
COP17’s Finance Day focused on mobilizing funding and investment to address land degradation, desertification and drought. The program connected international funds, development banks, investors and private companies with projects and solutions, including opportunities in pasture restoration, sustainable livestock and cashmere supply chains. Events included Business4Land, Resilient Threads, Fashion4Land and a Mining Forum. A separate COP17 discussion on forest finance, organized by UNDP’s BIOFIN II project, the Forest Agency, the European Union-backed and German-government-funded STREAM+ project, GGGI and the Billion Trees Fund, examined ways to expand sustainable finance and public-private partnerships. Participants discussed private investment, bioeconomy opportunities, carbon markets, forest bonds and placing ecosystem-service valuation into economic activity. They stressed reducing long-term reliance on grants and developing forestry into a sector that creates value and attracts investment.
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Innovation
Data Bill Submitted to Set Rules for Sharing, Security and Data Centers
Published: 2026-08-24
Deputy Prime Minister T. Dorjkhand and Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications Ch. Nomin submitted a Data Law bill to Parliament Speaker S. Byambatsogt on August 24. The proposed law would create a unified governance framework for generating, collecting, classifying, processing, using, exchanging, transmitting, storing, backing up and deleting data. It would also establish principles for data quality, security, availability, interoperability, confidentiality and inviolability, while defining participants’ rights, duties and liabilities. The bill would classify government big data and databases under common classifications and codes, provide for data-use testing environments, and regulate domestic, foreign and multinational data centers, including those operating in free zones. Its sponsors say the measure would support data-based services and innovation and provide a legal basis for developing the country as a regional data-center hub.
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Ulaanbaatar Sends Kindergarten Placement Results to Families
Published: 2026-08-24
Ulaanbaatar has closed the first stage of online kindergarten placement applications for the 2026–27 school year. From August 24 to 26, applicants will receive text messages at their registered phone numbers stating which kindergarten their child can attend; they can confirm registration from August 27. The city is accepting applications through E-Mongolia for a fifth year, using a two-stage process. Parents who missed the E-Mongolia application window and residents registered as temporary at their address may participate in the second stage. Sources differ on when registration began: one says August 1, while others describe E-Mongolia applications from August 10 to 23. Before the deadline, 94,160 applications had been registered through E-Mongolia, while 126,827 children were expected to attend kindergartens citywide. Another 6,694 applications were reported from other localities.
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More than 75,000 children expected to start first grade nationwide
Published: 2026-08-24
An estimated 75,912 children will begin first grade in state-owned general-education schools in the 2026–2027 academic year. Online registration will be conducted through the E-Mongolia platform from August 17 through August 28, 2026. Children born between January 1 and December 31, 2020, who will be six years old, can register online. Preliminary figures put 37,926 of the new pupils in Ulaanbaatar and 37,912 in provincial areas. Those two regional figures total 75,838, which is 74 lower than the reported nationwide total of 75,912. The reported figures therefore do not reconcile. The registration announcement concerns first-grade enrollment at public general-education schools and specifies the dates of birth for children eligible to use the electronic registration system.
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Government and UNICEF Plan Green Upgrades for 200 Schools
Published: 2026-08-24
Prime Minister N. Uchral met UNICEF Mongolia representative Beate Dastel to discuss cooperation on the government’s plan to turn 200 schools into smart, green schools nationwide. They will seek to introduce Green School standards and mobilize international finance, with joint governance, funding mechanisms and technical advice identified as priorities. A full Green School model is planned for School No. 57 in Chingeltei District, including a 50-kilowatt solar generator, upgraded water, sanitation and hygiene services, water and air-quality monitoring, indoor hydroponics, an eco club, green space and traffic-safety measures. UNICEF projects already operate in the capital and provinces. Erdenet Kindergarten No. 28 combines geothermal heating and solar power, avoiding 168 tonnes of coal and 417.5 tonnes of carbon-dioxide emissions annually while saving MNT 120 million.
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Health
Kindergartens Urged to Strengthen Handwashing Before Autumn Infection Rise
Published: 2026-08-24
Hand, foot and mouth disease cases tend to increase in September and October as kindergarten and school activities resume, according to an Ikon.mn report. The disease accounted for 5.3% of all infectious diseases in August 2025, rising to 9.4% in September and 16.6% in October. October recorded 536 cases; the source described this as 5.2 times higher than in the same month a year earlier. Children in kindergartens face infection risks through close contact, shared toys and other common items. The report recommends teaching children to wash all parts of their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, particularly after returning indoors, before and after eating, using the toilet, playing outside, coughing or sneezing, and touching shared objects.
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