Politics
Government Proposes Oyu Tolgoi Dividend Split as DP Calls for Direct Payments
Published: 2026-09-05
The government has submitted its 2027 budget framework to parliament, projecting MNT 41.3 trillion in balanced revenue, MNT 43.6 trillion in expenditure and a MNT 2.306 trillion deficit. The proposal includes at least MNT 3 trillion in expected dividends from Oyu Tolgoi following June negotiations with Rio Tinto that reduced the shareholder-loan interest rate from SOFR plus 6.5% to SOFR plus 4%. Finance Minister Z. Mendsaikhan said MNT 2 trillion is proposed for socioeconomic and infrastructure needs, while MNT 1 trillion would go through the National Wealth Fund for health, education and housing-mortgage purposes. The DP opposes the split, arguing that the full dividend should be credited to citizens through the fund. The government also plans to seek public views through the E-Mongolia platform on dividend-funded projects.
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Economy
Withholding Tax on Property Sales Set to End on January 1, 2027
Published: 2026-09-05
A legal provision requiring a 2% withholding tax when real estate is sold will be repealed from January 1, 2027. The change was announced by O. Batkhuu, adviser to Prime Minister Uchral on fair competition and the business environment. He said the decision followed a public petition that had called for the provision to be abolished. The report identifies the measure as the repeal of the withholding requirement applied to property sales; it does not describe changes to other taxes or fees that may apply to real-estate transactions. The effective date places the change at the beginning of the 2027 calendar year. The announcement concerns a statutory provision rather than a completed transaction.
“A resolution supporting the public petition to repeal this has been issued. I am very pleased.” - O. Batkhuu (gogo.mn)
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Government Seeks Stable Russian Fuel Supply as Demand Rises
Published: 2026-09-05
Prime Minister Uchral said the government will continue expanding stable fuel and energy cooperation with Russia, which supplies 97 percent of Mongolia’s annual consumption of about 3 million tonnes of gasoline and other fuels under preferential intergovernmental agreements. Speaking after the plenary session of the 11th Eastern Economic Forum, he said attacks on Russian oil refineries were hitting Mongolia hard. Mongolia is accelerating work to bring its oil refinery into operation before 2029, but Uchral said it would meet only 30 percent of total demand. Annual fuel use is projected to exceed 4 million tonnes in 2028 as coal exports grow and new mining, industrial and agricultural processing facilities increase consumption.
“Despite the difficult domestic situation, Russia and the Russian people are helping by supplying gasoline and fuel on stable terms.” - Uchral (gogo.mn)
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Diplomacy
Montenegro President to Make State Visit on September 8-10
Published: 2026-09-05
President Jakov Milatovic of Montenegro will make a state visit from September 8 to 10 at the invitation of President Khurelsukh. The visit marks 20 years of diplomatic relations, established on November 30, 2006, and will be the first visit by a Montenegrin head of state. The presidents are scheduled to hold official talks on cooperation in trade, the economy, investment, culture, education, science, climate change and environmental protection. They will brief the media after the talks. The two sides plan to sign a joint declaration and documents covering social and economic relations, education, culture and science. Khurelsukh and Milatovic previously discussed expanding cooperation in politics, the economy, tourism, education and culture during the 80th United Nations General Assembly session.
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Infrastructure
Road Border Crossings With China to Close Temporarily for Mid-Autumn Festival
Published: 2026-09-05
Several road border crossings between Mongolia and China will temporarily close for the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, under an intergovernmental agreement governing border crossings and their operating rules. Baitag road crossing will close from September 25 to 27. Khavirga, Bulgan, Khangi, Burgastai, Shiveekhuren, Gashuunsukhait, Bichigt, Bayankhoshuu and Sumber road crossings will close on September 25. The dates were agreed through diplomatic channels by the two sides, according to the report. The temporary closures apply to the listed road crossings on the Chinese border. Border crossings between Mongolia and Russia will continue to operate according to their regular schedules during September. The report does not indicate changes to the normal operating arrangements for those northern crossings.
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Only Odd-Numbered Vehicles May Drive in Ulaanbaatar on September 5
Published: 2026-09-05
Ulaanbaatar is applying its alternating license-plate traffic restriction on Saturday, September 5, allowing only vehicles with odd-numbered plates to travel. The restriction operates from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and is part of a temporary arrangement in force from August 15 through September 12. Authorities introduced the measure in connection with preparations for the COP17 conference and the start of the new school year. Under the arrangement, access follows an even-odd plate-number restriction. The September 5 notice specifically identifies odd-numbered vehicles as eligible to participate in road traffic during the stated hours. The restriction is scheduled to remain in effect through September 12.
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Ulaanbaatar Schedules Temporary Power Outages for September 7-13
Published: 2026-09-05
Ulaanbaatar Electricity Distribution Network JSC has announced planned temporary power outages for September 7-13 as it carries out scheduled maintenance on the distribution network. The utility said the work is performed under operational safety rules for electrical installations and technical operating rules for energy equipment and facilities. Customers are asked to adjust their electricity use during the announced outage periods. The utility said weather conditions may require changes to the schedule. If the timetable changes, it will notify the mobile telephone number registered under the relevant service contract. The report refers to a schedule covering affected locations during the week, but the supplied notice does not list the individual areas, dates or outage times.
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Ulaanbaatar Railway Carries Nearly 20 Million Tonnes in Seven Months
Published: 2026-09-05
Transport Minister Delgersaikhan met Russian Transport Minister Nikitin during the Eastern Economic Forum to discuss transport cooperation, sector challenges and future cooperation. The ministers reviewed freight performance at Ulaanbaatar Railway, a key link in the Russia-Mongolia-China transport corridor. The joint venture carried more than 33 million tonnes of freight in 2025 and around 20 million tonnes in the first seven months of 2026. Based on that pace, freight volumes were expected to reach a record high by the end of the year. Russian Railways manages the Russian shareholding in the venture. The rail-based Saint Panteleimon mobile medical consultation and diagnostic center provided medical services in Mongolia from May 18 to June 4, 2026, serving more than 2,800 people, including railway employees and their family members.
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Environment
Rain, Wet Snow and Strong Gobi Winds Forecast for September 5
Published: 2026-09-05
For the September 5, 08:00–20:00 forecast period, conditions were expected to be partly cloudy across most of Mongolia. Rainfall of 0.0–12.0 mm was forecast for much of Khuvsgul, Arkhangai, Uvurkhangai and Tuv provinces and parts of Bulgan, Orkhon, Selenge, Dornod, Umnugovi, Dundgovi, Khentii and Sukhbaatar, with rain and wet snow in the Khuvsgul Mountains. Gobi winds were forecast to temporarily reach 16–18 meters per second. Ulaanbaatar was forecast to receive light rain in the evening, with northwesterly winds of 5–10 meters per second and temperatures of 16–18 C. The previous day, thunderstorms brought up to 14.0 mm of rain, including 14.0 mm at Uulbayan in Sukhbaatar. A separate five-day forecast warned of heavier rain, thunderstorms and strong winds in southern and eastern areas on September 6.
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Health
Ulaanbaatar Begins Influenza Vaccination Drive for 293,619 High-Risk Residents
Published: 2026-09-05
Ulaanbaatar has launched its “Together Against Influenza” vaccination campaign, running from September 3 through October 3. The city plans to vaccinate 293,619 people at high risk of influenza: children aged 0-6, pregnant women, older residents and people with chronic underlying conditions. The campaign uses South Korean-made GCFLU Quadrivalent vaccine, which is intended to protect against four influenza virus types. Residents can receive vaccinations at their nearest family health clinic or health center. Last year, the city vaccinated 146,000 people and reported a 13% reduction in influenza risk. Health officials recorded 106,912 influenza cases last year, with children aged 0-6 accounting for up to half.
“Influenza activity increases from mid-October, so we aim to vaccinate residents before infections intensify.” - N. Naranbaatar (gogo.mn)
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