Politics
Justice Minister Faces UK Lawsuit After Disclosing Prior Government’s Confidential Settlement
Published: 2026-01-31
Mongolia’s Justice and Internal Affairs Minister B. Enkhbayar says he has been named in a UK legal action for allegedly breaching a confidential settlement arranged under former Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene’s cabinet. The agreement, reportedly worth £468,000 (about MNT 2.2 billion), was made with unnamed UK individuals to remove and prevent future dissemination of negative information about certain state officials. Enkhbayar has referred the matter to law enforcement for investigation. He disclosed receiving notice from the UK stating he would be brought before a British court for comments made at a press briefing, which he says revealed the settlement’s existence. The case highlights potential legal exposure abroad stemming from Mongolia’s use of non-disclosure arrangements to manage reputational issues involving officials.
“A letter came from the UK saying the Minister of Justice of Mongolia would be brought before a British court… I found that the previous government had concluded a ‘confidential settlement’ worth £468,000 to remove negative information about certain officials and prevent similar content from being disseminated.” - B. Enkhbayar, Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs (isee.mn)
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Infrastructure
Allegations Surface That Officials Stalled State Heat-Power Projects While Backing Mine‑Mouth Plants
Published: 2026-01-31
A critical shortage of electricity in Ulaanbaatar has followed failures at the aging Thermal Power Plant No. 6 and reduced output at the privately developed Bührüljuut plant due to “frozen coal,” the report says. The article alleges senior Mongolian officials obstructed state-backed combined heat and power (CHP) projects—specifically the long-delayed 300 MW/340 Gcal Thermal Power Plant V and the canceled Build-Operate-Transfer Baganur plant—while enabling private mine‑mouth plants at Bührüljuut (600 MW) and Bayangiin (660 MW), which generate electricity but cannot supply district heating to the capital due to their distance. It further suggests Energy Minister B. Choijilsuren favored the Bayangiin project and that banker D. Bayasgalan is behind Bührüljuut. James Liotta, chair of AmCham Mongolia’s board, is cited criticizing domestic obstruction of major projects.
“Those who stall major projects and hold back the country’s development are Mongolians themselves.” - James Liotta, AmCham Mongolia Board Chair (isee.mn)
“Minister B. Choijilsuren pushed only two projects… Others were shelved and never advanced.” - MP A. Tsenguun (isee.mn)
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Ulaanbaatar Expands E-Payments for Buses, Boosting Fare Revenue 69.3%
Published: 2026-01-31
Ulaanbaatar’s public transport revenue rose 69.3% year-on-year, adding MNT 23.1 billion, after the city broadened fare payment options beyond the Ulaanbaatar Smart Card in 2025. Riders can now pay via bank cards, mobile apps, QR codes, cash, and the existing smart card. City Hall also increased its stake in Ulaanbaatar Smart Card LLC from 24% to 79%, enabling tighter oversight of fare collection and reducing leakage risk. The shift signals a push to modernize payments and improve revenue transparency, potentially supporting fleet upgrades and service reliability. As of 09:00 yesterday, 1,161 buses were in operation. Authorities attribute revenue gains to both diversified digital channels and strengthened governance of the fare system, positioning the network for further integration with banking and mobile ecosystems.
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Prime Minister Orders Economic Assessment for Small Modular Nuclear Plant
Published: 2026-01-31
Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar has instructed the Ministry of Energy to produce an economic feasibility analysis for a small-capacity nuclear power plant, signaling renewed consideration of nuclear energy in Mongolia’s power mix. The directive, revealed during the latest episode of the “Tsegtsrekh Movement” podcast, suggests the government is exploring small modular reactor (SMR) options as it faces rising electricity demand, chronic winter shortages, and reliance on Russian power imports. A credible cost-benefit study could shape future policy on baseload generation, grid stability, and energy security, while also raising regulatory, financing, and public acceptance questions that would require careful planning.
“I have tasked the Ministry of Energy to conduct and present an economic efficiency calculation for a small-capacity nuclear power plant.” - Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar (ikon.mn)
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Society
Emergency Agency Warns Against Travel on Frozen Rivers and Lakes After Multiple Ice Break Incidents
Published: 2026-01-31
Mongolia’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) urged the public to avoid walking or driving on frozen rivers and lakes and to keep children off ice surfaces, citing safety risks. Authorities recorded six ice break incidents nationwide as of January 30: four in Khuvsgul Province, one in Darkhan-Uul, and one in Ulaanbaatar’s Baganuur District. The advisory stresses that time-saving shortcuts across ice and informal vehicle crossings pose serious hazards during variable winter conditions. International readers should note that ice thickness can vary widely across Mongolia’s large lakes and river systems—particularly Khuvsgul Lake—due to temperature fluctuations and underlying currents, making surface conditions unpredictable even in midwinter. No injuries or fatalities were detailed in the reports, but officials are emphasizing prevention as travel and recreational activity increase during the cold season.
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Ulaanbaatar Winter Festival 2026 Launches with International Competitions at Sky Resort
Published: 2026-01-31
Ulaanbaatar’s Winter Festival 2026 opened for its 14th edition at Sky Resort, aiming to extend the tourism season and showcase Mongolia’s winter culture and sports. Over 1,000 athletes from the capital and all 21 provinces are competing, alongside more than 50 participants from China’s Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, Russia’s Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva, Kazakhstan, and the United States. Events include an international ice archery championship, Ulaanbaatar city championships in snowboarding, curling, ski mountaineering, paraglider (mountain parachute), snow rugby, and ice knuckle-bone, plus an amateur ice-climbing contest and family relays. Cultural programs feature national performances, a Mongol Bankhar dog showcase, falconry and parachute displays, and on-site food, ski and sled services. Organizers are the Capital City Governor’s Office, the city’s Tourism Department, and Sky Resort, with activities scheduled over the weekend. Public transit links operate from Sukhbaatar Square to Sky Resort.
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Innovation
Published: 2026-01-31
Mongolia’s consolidated “E-Business” government services platform is now available as a mobile app, according to the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications. The rollout supports the cabinet’s “Digital by Default” policy to boost public-sector productivity and accelerate e-governance. Through the app, users can access 953 services on smartphones, including managing and monitoring registered legal entities, obtaining 29 types of certificates and electronic documents, and using an AI-driven check to validate and reserve a legal entity name. For companies operating in Mongolia, the app streamlines compliance and administrative workflows that previously required in-person visits or web portals, potentially reducing turnaround times and documentation friction. The expansion underscores the government’s push to digitize business-facing services and centralize interactions through a single, mobile-first channel. No direct statements from named officials were provided in the source.
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Health
Published: 2026-01-31
Mongolia’s Ministry of Health has advised consumers not to purchase or use three batch numbers of Babybio Optima 1 infant formula after a precautionary recall initiated by France’s Vitagermine and noted by the U.S. FDA. The affected products are Optima 1 (800g) batches 894408 (use by 2027-07-09) and 900035 (use by 2027-08-12), and Optima 1 (400g) batch 900932 (use by 2027-08-18). While no food poisoning cases have been reported globally, Mongolian distributors are voluntarily withdrawing two batches (894408 and 900035) from the local market. Authorities urge anyone who has purchased these items to stop feeding them to infants immediately and seek guidance from the National Center for Communicable Diseases via hotline 100. The advisory underscores proactive food safety oversight and alignment with international recall protocols.
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State First Central Hospital Appoints N. Lkhaji as Director After Interim Head Removed
Published: 2026-01-31
The Board of the State First Central Hospital removed acting director L. Byambasuren from duties and appointed N. Lkhaji as general director on January 30, according to isee.mn. The leadership change at one of Mongolia’s main tertiary hospitals suggests a governance reset at a key public healthcare institution that handles high-complexity cases and shapes standards nationwide. While the board’s reasons were not disclosed, such appointments can affect procurement, clinical priorities, and continuity of care, especially during winter peak demand. International partners and donors engaged in health projects may need to reassess points of contact and project oversight. No transition timeline or policy agenda for the new director was provided in the report, and the hospital or health authorities have not issued public statements detailing the rationale or next steps.
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Parental Consent Required for Measles Supplemental Vaccination of 10–15-Year-Olds
Published: 2026-01-31
The Ministry of Health has launched a school-based supplemental immunization campaign against measles and rubella for children aged 10–15, citing a surge in cases since March 2025 and concentration of infections in this age group. Officials emphasized vaccinations will proceed only with parental or guardian consent, as mandated by Mongolia’s Immunization Law, following complaints that schools were vaccinating without notice. A ministry specialist clarified that the supplemental dose is administered regardless of prior routine schedule completion to boost population immunity during the current outbreak, which has exceeded 14,000 reported cases. Children who received both routine MMR doses and the 2023 supplemental shot, or were vaccinated under epidemiological indications in 2025–2026, are excluded from this round.
“Health facilities will not vaccinate without notifying parents; immunization is conducted with parental or guardian consent as required by law.” - B. Munkhzul, Ministry of Health specialist (ikon.mn)
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