Politics
Government Submits Budget Revision to Reallocate MNT 1.4 Trillion
Published: 2026-08-21
The government submitted a revision to the 2026 budget to Parliament, proposing MNT 1.4 trillion in savings and reallocations as revenue falls short of plan and inflation rises. The plan would cut MNT 433 billion from ministries’ operating costs, MNT 758 billion from municipal securities and MNT 249.5 billion from capital spending. It separately budgets MNT 196.3 billion for basic pensions during the final two months of the year; the proposal says 435,000 pensioners would receive a basic pension averaging MNT 220,000 a month. It also allocates MNT 844.6 billion for pay increases in public-service sectors, alongside strategic food reserves, fuel-storage construction and MNT 92.7 billion for power-station repairs and equipment upgrades. The Fiscal Stability Council’s risk scenario projects a year-end revenue shortfall of about MNT 3.51 trillion, while the DP said the proposed adjustment was insufficient.
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Parliament Receives Bill to Replace Free-Zone Law
Published: 2026-08-21
Members of parliament Kh. Gankhuyag, R. Batbold and Ts. Munkhbat submitted a revised Economic Special Zones bill to Parliament Speaker S. Byambatsogt on August 21. Backed by 16 lawmakers, the proposal would replace the current Free Zones Law, first adopted in 2002 and revised in 2015, with a framework intended to cover all types of economic special zones. The bill would define zone types, forms and special operating regimes more clearly, including free-trade zones, export-processing zones, industrial parks, science and technology parks, and integrated special zones. It would authorize the government to establish zones and allow relevant ministers to process required permits electronically within short timeframes. It also proposes a unified database covering businesses, investment and foreign workers operating in the zones.
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Dornogovi Governor Investigated Over Alleged Donation Demands
Published: 2026-08-21
The Anti-Corruption Agency has opened an investigation into O. Batjargal, governor of Dornogovi Province, following complaints from residents. Investigators are examining allegations that he abused his authority by requesting and receiving money described as donations from executives and authorized representatives of mining exploration and extraction companies operating in the province. Some online outlets reported on August 20 that Batjargal had been arrested in connection with corruption allegations. However, sources cited by Unuudur said he had not been arrested or detained as of August 21. The report describes an active investigation and does not state that charges have been filed or that the allegations have been established.
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Economy
Fuel Imports Increase, but Some Stations Still Run Dry
Published: 2026-08-21
Customs reported that 2,175.8 tonnes of AI-92 gasoline had entered Mongolia through the southern border by 8:00 p.m. on August 20. Imports were increasing, although conditions at fuel stations in Ulaanbaatar and the provinces remained uneven by location. The Fuel Rapid Response Headquarters said 35 tanker wagons carrying 2,100 tonnes of gasoline were delivered over the previous 24 hours, including 1,343 tonnes to 103 stations in Ulaanbaatar. Another 47 wagons of AI-92, 282 wagons of diesel and 10 wagons of aviation fuel were in transit; 42 AI-92 wagons carrying 2,414.6 tonnes arrived through Sukhbaatar station on August 20-21. Two stations near Tasganii Ovoo temporarily closed after exhausting stocks, while queues continued at some operating stations. The ministry is promoting Euro 5 fuel to diversify import sources.
“Using Euro 5 products would allow imports from other countries and increase the number of supply sources.” - B. Dashpurev (ikon.mn)
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Apartment Price Index Slips 0.4% in July
Published: 2026-08-21
The housing price index reached 1.41 in July 2026, up 6.2% from a year earlier but down 0.4% from June. Prices for newly built apartments rose 5.1% year on year, while prices for existing homes increased 6.8%. On a monthly basis, new-home prices increased 0.3% and existing-home prices fell 0.8%. The average price of new apartments was MNT 4.73 million per square meter, with Sukhbaatar District the most expensive at MNT 5.66 million. Existing apartments averaged MNT 4.78 million per square meter, reaching MNT 5.88 million in Sukhbaatar District. New-home prices rose 7.8% in Sukhbaatar District but fell 11% in Chingeltei District from July 2025.
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Cashmere Output Reaches 4,023.4 Tonnes as Sector Maps Sustainable Growth
Published: 2026-08-21
A COP17 meeting on August 21 examined investment, partnerships and supply-chain improvements for the cashmere sector, from herding to international markets. Participants discussed market-led livestock quality improvements, access to breeding services, and reliable supplies of high-quality raw material as herders respond to pasture degradation and climate change. The Mongolian Wool and Cashmere Association and the National Association of Mongolian Livestock Breeders signed a cooperation memorandum. Mongolia supplies about 40 percent of raw cashmere traded globally. Domestic factories procured about 6,000 tonnes under the White Gold national movement, with domestic producers purchasing and processing about 70 percent of the raw material. Cashmere output reached 4,023.4 tonnes in 2025, while combed-cashmere export revenue reached $332.5 million by year-end.
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Diplomacy
Peacekeepers Bound for Haiti Delayed in Almaty
Published: 2026-08-21
A Mongolian peacekeeping contingent traveling to Haiti to support the UN-authorized Gang Suppression Force was delayed in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Social-media images showed personnel waiting in a hotel reception hall after their aircraft made an unscheduled landing at Almaty airport, according to the report. Local sources said Kazakh authorities and Mongolia’s military attache were arranging for the group to continue its journey on August 21. The contingent is intended to provide security for Mongolian staff officers who arrived in Haiti in May. Major General B. Erdenebat of the Mongolian Armed Forces commands the force, which includes more than 5,000 peacekeepers from Mongolia and several other countries. The report also said Mongolian personnel deployed in May had not yet received salary and incentive payments, pending arrangements by the Ministry of Defence to receive and distribute US-funded payments.
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Moon Jae-in Set to Attend COP17 and Forest-Restoration Meeting
Published: 2026-08-21
Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in is due to arrive on August 23 for an eight-night, nine-day visit. Korean media reports say he will speak as an honorary guest at the opening of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification on August 24 and attend a dinner hosted by President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. On August 26, Moon is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at a high-level meeting of the Peace Forest Initiative. His itinerary also includes a visit to the Tojin pine forest in northern Mongolia, where he is expected to plant a commemorative tree in support of forest restoration. The reports describe the trip as his second official overseas visit since leaving office in 2022.
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Infrastructure
Ulaanbaatar Signs World Bank Deal for Tuul Flood-Risk Fund
Published: 2026-08-21
Ulaanbaatar Governor and Mayor B. Purevdavaa said the city signed an agreement with the World Bank to establish a Tuul Fund for reducing flood and water risks during the COP17 Mayors Forum. He said the city also plans to seek low-interest, long-term investment and World Bank financing for required roads and a tram project from the General Archives Authority to the Camel Monument. Separately, Purevdavaa said the planned Tuul expressway will not be built on its previous route because the city will not undertake work affecting the Tuul River ecosystem. The city is negotiating route changes with China Highway, which signed as contractor, and plans to redirect the budget toward roads intended to reduce congestion. He said Ulaanbaatar expects winter electricity demand of 2,073 megawatts and faces a 150-megawatt shortfall.
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Audit Finds Taul Expressway Planning and Contracting Deficiencies
Published: 2026-08-21
The National Audit Office found significant planning, procurement and legal shortcomings in the Taul Expressway project, a proposed Ulaanbaatar road scheme. It said the project was not included in the 2021-2025 national development plan and that its feasibility study and design had not been prepared in accordance with applicable requirements. The city signed a three-year MNT 2.3 billion design, procurement and construction contract on August 5, 2025 with China Haoyuan Group and Tianjin Oubaiwei. Auditors said the contract and tender process did not fully comply with the law, while records did not show that the parties had negotiated key FIDIC contract terms. The contractor returned to China and activities stopped, preventing verification of spending from a MNT 500 billion advance payment.
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Haoyuan Group Appeals Court Order Suspending Taul Expressway
Published: 2026-08-21
Haoyuan Group, selected as contractor for the Taul Expressway project, has appealed a court order that temporarily suspended the project while a legal challenge proceeds. Lawyer Ts. Batbold filed a claim with the Administrative Court of First Instance seeking to annul the Ulaanbaatar Citizens’ Representatives Khural decision authorizing the project, arguing that it was approved unlawfully. The court opened the administrative case on April 27, 2026. After eight postponements, a preliminary hearing took place on July 22, when the court ordered the project suspended until the case receives a final decision. B. Manduul, Haoyuan Group’s authorized representative, lodged the appeal with the Administrative Court of Appeal, arguing that the first-instance order seriously infringes the company’s rights and legitimate interests.
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Electric Heavy Truck Completes 1,400 km Freight Trial
Published: 2026-08-21
Mongol Logistics Group and Newcom LLC tested long-distance freight transport with a fully electric heavy-duty vehicle on the Ulaanbaatar-Zamyn-Uud-Ulaanbaatar route from August 7 to 9. The truck covered about 1,400 km, in what the companies described as Mongolia’s first successful trial of this type of electric freight operation. The test was conducted under the Green Transition policy of the government’s national “Let’s Liberate” initiative. The report estimates that, if supporting infrastructure is developed, the first two implementation stages could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 166,000 tonnes and help support the use of up to 50,000 electric vehicles by 2030. It also projects potential annual fuel-import savings of about USD 200 million.
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Green Apartments for 110 Households Open in Sharkhad Subcenter
Published: 2026-08-21
The first 110 apartments under the Ulaanbaatar Green Affordable Housing Project have opened in the Sharkhad subcenter, with residents able to move in. The development is part of a planned 338-unit project in Sharkhad, financed by the Asian Development Bank and the Green Climate Fund alongside work in the Bayankhoshuu subcenter. The buildings have received EDGE green-building certification and are assessed to reduce household energy use by 25 percent, water use by 20-25 percent, and embodied energy in construction materials by 20-25 percent compared with standard buildings. The wider 4,200-unit plan includes 120,000 square meters of green space, 16.4 kilometers of cycle paths, 39.2 kilometers of sidewalks and 3,800 parking spaces.
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Society
Police Detain Two Foreign Nationals in Fatal Bayankhongor Collision Inquiry
Published: 2026-08-21
Police in Bayankhongor province have detained two foreign nationals while investigating the death of a 32-year-old herder in Buutsagaan soum. Authorities received a report at about 6:00 a.m. on August 19 that people travelling in a jeep had struck a person tending livestock in the Bogd Mountain forest valley of Bayanburd bagh and fled the scene. Investigators identified the victim as E.O., a local resident, and are examining the circumstances of the collision. The initial report described a black vehicle whose make and registration number were not established. Separately, police sent the vehicle used by the detained individuals for forensic examination. The National Police Agency’s Media and Information Center said it had not confirmed that a foreign national struck the victim. Investigators have not yet publicly determined who was driving or whether the detained individuals were responsible.
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Scooter, Moped and Surron Injuries Increase 6.3-Fold
Published: 2026-08-21
Police recorded 1,723 incidents involving scooters, mopeds and Surron-model vehicles nationwide in the first seven months of 2026. Health facilities recorded 446 injuries linked to these vehicles in 2024 and 2,792 in 2025, a 6.3-fold increase, according to police figures. More than 80 percent of victims and related incidents involved teenagers. Police said cases over the past year in which people sustained minor or severe injuries and subsequently had musculoskeletal injuries resulting in disability accounted for 35 percent. Authorities identified underage driving, riding against traffic on sidewalks or roadways, weaving between vehicles, and use of vehicles that do not meet technical standards as leading causes. Police urged riders to follow traffic rules, wear helmets, and prevent minors from operating scooters, mopeds and Surron-model vehicles.
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Police Investigate Robbery at Auto Repair Shop Employing Vietnamese Workers
Published: 2026-08-21
Police are searching for three suspects after a robbery at an auto repair shop on Dund Dari Ekh Road in Bayanzurkh District’s 21st khoroo on the evening of August 17. The shop employed three Vietnamese nationals aged 24 to 38. According to the report, the men assaulted the mechanics, took two million tugriks from the business’s revenue, and damaged the windows and windshields of two vehicles being repaired before fleeing. They also took the victims’ mobile phones and the hard drive from the shop’s security-camera server. Bayanzurkh District Police Department II is investigating the case and seeking the suspects. The report did not identify the victims or the repair shop by name.
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Housing-Fraud Task Force Secures Four Ownership Certificates
Published: 2026-08-21
A government task force investigating housing-order fraud has secured ownership certificates for four people and completed four enforcement documents worth 452.4 million tugriks, officials said after its August 20 meeting. Police are investigating 173 cases in which 3,111 people allegedly suffered losses totaling 107.7 billion tugriks. Investigators identified 823 properties, 226 land-use rights and 102 vehicles registered to 363 people linked to 21 executives of 14 companies accused of defrauding buyers through housing construction-order contracts. Enforcement authorities have frozen disposal rights over 226 properties and 14 movable assets in 259 enforcement documents involving 12 legal entities. Officials are drafting temporary rules to register ordered apartments and spaces, make preliminary registry entries, and let buyers check their information openly, aiming to prevent duplicate housing-order contracts.
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Kindergarten Registration Closes August 23 as Applications Reach 94,160
Published: 2026-08-21
Online registration for Ulaanbaatar kindergartens for the 2026-2027 school year closes at 23:59 on August 23. Registration opened on August 1, and the capital expects 126,827 children to attend kindergarten this academic year. The Capital City Education Department reported 94,160 applications through the E-Mongolia system as of August 20. Bayanzurkh District received the most requests for public kindergartens, with 22,931 applications, followed by Khan-Uul with 19,206 and Bayangol with 12,023. Applications cover 19,569 two-year-olds, 23,647 three-year-olds, 24,480 four-year-olds and 26,464 five-year-olds. Parents and guardians can check application status at parent.edu.mn; online registration removes the need to apply in person.
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Visually Impaired Citizens Demand Minister T. Aubakir’s Resignation
Published: 2026-08-21
Visually impaired citizens held a peaceful protest outside the Independence Palace, demanding the resignation of Minister of Labour, Social Welfare and Social Protection T. Aubakir and senior officials in the sector. Protesters said that, 10 years after the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted, access to employment and inclusive education remains inadequate and people with disabilities continue to face discrimination. Mongolia has 106,200 citizens with disabilities, including 11,100 people with visual impairments, according to the report. The group will submit its demands to the prime minister. It also criticized alleged efforts to close the Blind People’s Labour, Training and Development Center, which has operated for more than 60 years. Three visually impaired protesters said they had begun a hunger strike and warned of further action if no response follows.
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Free Buses Link Sukhbaatar Square to Nomads Festival
Published: 2026-08-21
The three-day Nomads World Culture Festival opened on August 21 at the foot of Taij Khairkhan Mountain in Nalaikh District and runs through August 23. The event marks 21 years since Mongolia joined UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and promotes traditional heritage, ethnic-group traditions, national production and crafts. Visitors can take free buses from Sukhbaatar Square. Services operate every 25 minutes from 07:00 to 21:30 on August 21, then every 18 minutes during the same hours on August 22 and 23. The program includes Buryat archery, junior ankle-bone shooting, wrestling, mounted archery, horse herding displays, lassoing, Mongoljin horseback competition and horseball, alongside regional food and cultural presentations.
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Environment
Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Raise Flood Risk in Sukhbaatar and Dornod
Published: 2026-08-21
Forecasters warned of heavy rain and thunderstorms across Sukhbaatar province on August 21, with similar conditions expected in southern Dornod province on August 22. The weather service said rising river levels, flash flooding, hail, lightning and strong gusts may accompany the storms. Rain and thunderstorms were also forecast for parts of western and central provinces, eastern areas of the Gobi provinces and southern parts of eastern provinces. Daytime temperatures were expected to range from 13-18 C in the Mongol Altai mountains, 18-23 C in the Khangai, Khuvsgul and Khentii highlands and the Terelj, Kherlen and Onon river valleys, and 26-31 C in the Great Lakes Depression, the southern Khangai foothills and southern Gobi. Ulaanbaatar was forecast to remain dry, cloudy and 23-25 C, with southeasterly winds of 4-9 meters per second.
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River Levels Rise Across Several Regions, Prompting Flood Warnings
Published: 2026-08-21
Rainfall across much of the country this week raised water levels in several rivers by 10 to 20 centimeters as of August 20, according to the National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring. The Balj, Tuul, Kharaa, Bogd, Buyant and Ider rivers were among those recording daily increases; one report also named the Eg. The reports agreed that the Tuul, Baydrag and Kharkhiraa were 5 to 15 centimeters above flood level, while one named Dadal and the other Balj as the remaining river in that list. Emergency authorities urged people near river basins to follow official warnings, avoid flood-prone areas, riverbanks and dry channels, use certified bridges and crossings, supervise children near water, avoid camping in flood-risk areas and monitor weather updates.
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COP17 Agreements Target USD 1.29 Billion for Land Restoration Projects
Published: 2026-08-21
Representatives of more than 170 countries, private-sector representatives and international organizations at COP17 in Ulaanbaatar agreed to mobilize USD 1.29 billion for more than 60 projects addressing land, pasture and drought challenges in 23 countries across five continents, UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad told Prime Minister Uchral. The conference began on August 17 during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Uchral and Fouad also agreed to work with the UNCCD Secretariat and other international partners to implement the Sunny Mongolian Herder program as a national model inspired by COP17’s “Restore Nature. Inspire Hope” theme. Separately, the Mongolian Green Finance Corporation launched with USD 50 million in initial green investment.
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Four Countries Launch Cooperation to Curb Dust Storm Impacts
Published: 2026-08-21
Mongolia, China, Japan and South Korea have begun a four-party cooperation program to reduce the frequency and effects of sand and dust storms. Supported by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the initiative will develop sustainable grazing models, introduce AI-based early-warning systems, improve cross-border data sharing, expand green investment, and strengthen reforestation and land restoration projects. Researchers will also study the health effects of PM2.5, PM10 and heavy metals and prepare health guidance. Japan and South Korea plan to provide technology and grant funding for projects in the Mongolian Gobi, where action could help reduce yellow-dust impacts on affected cities.
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ADB Plans USD 1.9 Million Project to Strengthen Agricultural Weather Services
Published: 2026-08-21
The Asian Development Bank has formally announced plans for a USD 1.9 million project to improve weather forecasting, information, and warning capacity for Mongolia’s agricultural sector. Presented during an intersectoral discussion on climate change and digital monitoring organized by the weather and environmental monitoring agency, the project aims to reduce agricultural risks. The agency is also preparing a proposal to the Adaptation Fund for a separate USD 5 million project to strengthen agricultural meteorological capacity with the World Meteorological Organization and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Director E. Battulga said 81.9% of Mongolia’s territory is affected by desertification and degradation, while the frequency of natural disasters has tripled over the past decade. He said improving weather and agricultural monitoring systems using science and advanced technology is especially important.
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Mayors Forum Opens in Ulaanbaatar to Tackle Desertification
Published: 2026-08-21
Ulaanbaatar opened the Mayors Forum on August 21 as part of UNCCD COP17, bringing representatives from 33 countries, 24 cities, 51 international organizations and 23 Mongolian organizations together. The forum combines policy discussions, science and technology exchange, and city-to-city sharing on land degradation, drought, water scarcity, sustainable land management, green infrastructure and climate resilience. Organizers plan to present the Ulaanbaatar Declaration, setting out shared city positions and goals, to COP17’s high-level segment, alongside an Ulaanbaatar Initiative intended to link those goals to projects and investment. Ulaanbaatar Mayor B. Purevdavaa said the city would seek memorandums on air pollution, traffic congestion and infrastructure projects.
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Heavy Rain Floods COP17 Blue Zone in Ulaanbaatar
Published: 2026-08-21
Heavy rain at about 14:00 on August 21 flooded COP17’s Blue Zone venue near the National Garden Park, opposite the New Zuuna Ail shopping center. The downpour lasted three hours, and officials were pumping out floodwater after it stopped. The UN Convention to Combat Desertification conference was in its fifth day in Ulaanbaatar. Its Blue Zone hosts official UN delegations, staged discussions and meetings, while the public-facing Green Zone includes conference halls, exhibition tents, science and community spaces, cultural programs and displays on environmental and social issues. A separate photo report from the Green Zone highlighted local initiatives, including a Darkhan-Uul community project in which residents improve ger-district streets through leveling, tree planting and fencing.
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Innovation
Published: 2026-08-21
General education schools will prohibit social media use from the 2026-2027 academic year, Education Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan announced. The restriction takes effect on September 1 and is intended to improve children’s online safety and reduce excessive smartphone and screen use. Under the new rule, schools and classes will no longer operate social-media chats or pages connected with lessons or educational activities that involve teachers, students and parents. The measure will change the current practice of sharing school and class information through platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The report does not specify which alternative communication channels schools will use or how the restriction will be enforced.
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UNICEF and Government Plan Smart, Green Upgrades for 200 Schools
Published: 2026-08-21
Prime Minister N. Uchral and UNICEF Mongolia Representative Beate Dastel discussed cooperation on the government’s plan to turn 200 schools into smart, green schools nationwide. The initiative would establish green-school standards, seek international financing, and provide technical advice through a joint management system. A comprehensive model is planned for School No. 57 in Chingeltei District, including a 50 kW solar generator, improved water, sanitation and hygiene services, water and air-quality monitoring, indoor hydroponics, an eco club, green space, and road-safety measures. About half of Mongolia’s school and kindergarten buildings were built before 1990 and have high heat loss and inefficient energy use. The government intends to redirect savings toward indoor air quality, environmental improvements, and safer school grounds.
“We are ready to cooperate fully in this area.” - Beate Dastel (unuudur.mn)
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Education Loan Fund Disburses MNT 91.5 Billion in First Half of 2026
Published: 2026-08-21
The Education Loan Fund disbursed MNT 91.5 billion between February and June 2026 to cover financing for students studying in Mongolia and abroad, including payments left outstanding from 2025. Domestic students received MNT 42.9 billion for 24,533 students, while 938 overseas students with unpaid 2025 financing and 1,413 students scheduled for 2026 received a combined MNT 48.6 billion. Acting head P. Zokhisuren said the fund has little financing remaining for the year because allocations were paid according to approved quotas. Authorities have decided to fund MNT 1.45 billion for 506 students who are children of teachers and staff with more than 15 years of service, while they are working on support for 1,692 students at provincial universities and 502 recent graduates. About 4,100 eligible students outside the quota may have to pay their own costs.
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One in Three Kindergarten-Age Children Cannot Speak, Education Minister Says
Published: 2026-08-21
Education Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan said a recent study found that one in three kindergarten-age children cannot speak, has speech difficulties or uses very few words. He said the findings show an urgent need to reform preschool education as part of changes spanning general, vocational and higher education. The minister also cited research indicating that each additional year of preschool participation is associated with a 40-point improvement in mathematics performance and 10-point gains in reading and science. Children who attend kindergarten for more than three years score 30-40 points higher in mathematics, reading and science than others, he said. The remarks were made during a briefing on preparations and organization for the 2026-2027 school year.
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Health
Births and Deaths Top 10,000 This Year
Published: 2026-08-21
Health Development Center statistics show that 30,194 women gave birth and 30,471 children were born nationwide so far this year. The data recorded six maternal deaths, 827 infant deaths and 463 deaths among children under five, for a total of 1,290 child deaths before age five. Disease accounted for 84.7 percent of those deaths and accidents or injuries for 15.3 percent. Perinatal conditions were the largest reported cause at 43 percent, followed by congenital abnormalities at 14.7 percent and respiratory diseases at 11 percent. Total deaths reached 10,358, with men accounting for 62.6 percent. The report noted that more than 30,000 children were born during the period while more than 10,000 people died nationwide.
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Government Considers 90 ppm Lead Limit for Paints
Published: 2026-08-21
Officials are exploring a technical regulation that would limit total lead in paints and similar coatings to 90 ppm, with product testing, conformity assessment, labeling, border controls, and market surveillance. The discussion follows a 2017 survey by the Zorig Foundation and the International Pollutants Elimination Network, which found lead in 70 percent of 56 household paint cans bought at the 100 Ail construction-materials market; 48 products exceeded 10,000 ppm. Mongolia still lacks a legal ban on importing, selling, or using high-lead paint. The Education Ministry is also testing air quality and heavy metals in 120 renovated education facilities, with samples due by August 25 and results expected in mid-September.
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School Sanitation Upgrade Targets 819 Institutions Still Using Pit Latrines
Published: 2026-08-21
A nationwide program is replacing pit latrines at 819 schools, kindergartens and boarding schools with sanitation facilities that meet standards, with implementation set to reach a stage where the education sector can fully move away from them in the current school year. State-owned Erdenet Mining Corporation is providing MNT 100 billion in phased social-responsibility funding, while the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, and local authorities coordinate delivery. The report notes that outdoor latrines expose children to cold-weather and hygiene risks, while unlined or unsealed pits can contaminate soil, surface water and groundwater. It also identifies maintenance, clean water, handwashing facilities and safe waste management as necessary for the new facilities to operate safely.
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