Politics
DP Demands Answers on Oyu Tolgoi’s 3 Trillion Tugrik Payment and Rio Tinto Deal
Published: 2026-11-05
The Democratic Party (DP) caucus used its weekly Thursday briefing on November 5 to press the government over the 3 trillion tugrik payment under discussion from Oyu Tolgoi.
“Actually, the Government must answer whether three trillion tugriks is a dividend.” - O. Tsogtgerel (isee.mn)
DP leader O. Tsogtgerel said Rio Tinto has not stated an official position and the sum may be a one-time payment. He said the government may then have agreed to something in return and did not rule out a trade involving Entrée’s licensed deposit, which he said holds reserves equal to 30 percent of Oyu Tolgoi. He urged the government to publish its Rio Tinto agreement and said the DP has a Wealth Fund law draft ready. He also said President U. Khurelsukh should submit his asset declaration to parliament. Caucus head B. Tuvshin urged against dividing the public over the issue.
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Parliament to Review Petition for Cash Payouts of Oyu Tolgoi Dividend
Published: 2026-11-05
Parliament will consider paying Oyu Tolgoi dividend money to citizens in cash after a public petition by Kh. Oyunbileg gathered 100,094 supporters. Speaker S. Byambatsogt referred it to the Economic and Petitions standing committees on November 5.
“Sharing resource wealth must rest on precise calculation and research, not emotional excitement.” - S. Byambatsogt (eagle.mn)
The petition seeks 857,000 tugriks per person from the 3 trillion tugriks reported for 2027. President U. Khurelsukh directed that dividends be transferred to citizens’ accounts, while Prime Minister N. Uchral and Finance Minister Z. Mendsaikh proposed placing 1 trillion in the Savings Fund and spending the rest on infrastructure and energy. Economist Ch. Sosorbaram warned cash payouts could fuel inflation, which Mongolbank put at 12.9 percent in September. MP A. Ariunzaya said it is unclear whether the money will arrive.
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Published: 2026-11-05
Parliament is set to discuss the “Law on Regulating Children’s Participation in Social Networks” soon. Digital Development, Innovation and Communications Minister Ch. Nomin and others initiated the bill. It would bar children up to age 13 from creating or using accounts on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and Instagram. Users aged 13 to 16 could use them only in a limited form with protective settings. The draft also seeks to protect children’s personal data and give parents oversight tools. A 2025 survey by the Ministry of Digital Development and the UN Development Programme on cyberbullying among children is cited as the reason for the bill. It found more than half of children affected, with a third of those aged 9 to 12 and over half of those aged 13 to 17 reporting bullying or humiliation. Most cases involved insults, reputational attacks and, most seriously, sexual harassment.
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Government Dismisses Three Agency Heads After Civil Service Council Findings
Published: 2026-11-05
At its November 4, 2026 session, the government dismissed General Department of Taxation head B. Tsogtnaran, General Authority for Veterinary Services head Kh. Altangerel and Investment and Trade Agency head B. Zandan. The government said the dismissals followed notices from law enforcement bodies and the Civil Service Council. According to isee.mn, citing a source, Tsogtnaran repeatedly failed to carry out the council’s deadlined assignments. The council deemed two acting appointments illegal: Altangerel’s, made April 22, 2026 by Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Minister Ts. Iderbat, and Zandan’s, made January 5, 2026 by Deputy Prime Minister T. Dorjkhand. The investment agency is responsible for attracting foreign investment and supporting exports. The audit body also sent demands to hold 113 officials accountable. The Prime Minister told ministers and governors to discipline officials who broke the law or created red tape, and to present consolidated information next week.
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Lawmakers Weigh Health Worker Bill That Would Shift Medical Licensing to a Professional Association
Published: 2026-11-05
Parliament considered on Nov. 5 whether to advance the Health Worker Law draft submitted by MP T. Munkhsaikhan on July 1, 2026. Under the draft, licences and special permits to practise would be issued by a unified association of health workers instead of the Ministry of Health and the Health Development Center. MP B. Beisen questioned oversight and funding, citing a 65 billion tugrik figure. Munkhsaikhan called that estimate flawed and said the association would finance itself.
“Let the state stop being responsible for everything.” - T. Munkhsaikhan (ikon.mn)
The agenda also included two Water Law drafts and a Tobacco Control-related resolution. The Democratic Party (DP) caucus moved a procedural motion to bring the revised Water Law draft up the agenda, which passed with 56.8% of members’ votes.
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Lawmakers Dispute Whether Water Law Changes Would Halt Erdeneburen Hydropower Project
Published: 2026-11-05
Parliament debated Water Law amendments on Nov. 5, with MPs disagreeing over whether a proposed ban on construction in special protection zones would halt the Erdeneburen hydropower plant project. MP P. Sainzorig said it would and accused Water Agency head Z. Batbayar of giving false answers.
“Everyone loves nature. But a country develops only by using water properly, preventing risks with flood structures, bridges and crossings, and generating energy from it.” - P. Sainzorig (gogo.mn)
Batbayar said nothing obstructs building dams, flood-protection embankments or bridges, which the Water Law classes as water structures under Article 32. MP J. Zolzhargal said bridges over rivers have long been built and remain permitted.
Separately, the Democratic Party (DP) caucus took a five-working-day recess on the revised Water Law draft, which has eight chapters and 61 articles.
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Parliament schedules Nov. 10 ceremonial session for 820th anniversary of Great Mongol State
Published: 2026-11-05
Parliament will hold a ceremonial session at 10:00 on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, marking 820 years since the founding of the Great Mongol State. Speaker S. Byambatsogt scheduled it by Order No. 431 on Nov. 3. The date also marks the 864th birth anniversary of Chinggis Khaan and Mongolian Pride Day.
Separately, the Standing Committee on State Structure backed a draft parliamentary resolution honoring Chinggis Khaan’s statehood legacy. The draft calls for scientific study, returning his writings and portraits held abroad, and directing a percentage of excise-taxed products named after him to a Chinggis Khaan fund. A majority of members also supported barring his image from alcohol and tobacco. The draft was on Thursday’s plenary agenda. MP L. Gantomor asked during committee debate:
“Do we truly honor Great Lord Chinggis Khaan, or not?” - L. Gantomor (urug.mn)
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Ulaanbaatar MPP Caucus Advances Plan to Halve City Tax on Six Service Types
Published: 2026-11-05
The Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) caucus of the Ulaanbaatar Citizens’ Representatives Khural met on November 5. By majority vote, it backed 17 items for the Khural’s ninth regular session on Monday of next week. The city plans to cut its tax rate on hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars, car washes and auto services from 2% to 1% from January 1, 2027. Governor B. Purevdagva briefed members on amendments to the 2026 city budget. Another proposal would discount next year’s road usage fee in proportion to the days vehicles were restricted by a competent authority’s decision, excluding the regular weekly plate-number restriction. That would include 14 days of odd-even plate restrictions tied to the COP17 conference and the start of the school year. Thermal Power Plant No. 5 is 46% complete overall, with construction at 37%.
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Economy
Oyu Tolgoi Concentrate Exports Recover as 13 Convoys Cross Border After Restriction Resolved
Published: 2026-11-05
Oyu Tolgoi concentrate exports are returning to higher volumes after a restriction was resolved, isee.mn reported on November 5, with 13 convoys of concentrate crossing the border. Since October 15, exports had been reduced and limited to four convoys. Officials said prompt action by the government and relevant agencies, along with the joint efforts of the parties involved, played an important role in improving export conditions. The report did not specify which measures were taken or which parties were involved. Officials said the next priority is to export the concentrate that accumulated during the restriction and to step up shipments until exports return to normal levels. The report did not give a date for reaching normal volumes.
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Diesel Price Jumps 89.1 Percent in a Year to 5,700 Tugriks per Liter
Published: 2026-11-05
Diesel prices have climbed 89.1 percent in a year, reaching 5,700 tugriks per liter, according to the National Statistics Office. As of November 2, 2026, diesel cost 2,686 tugriks more per liter than on November 3, 2025, when it sold for 3,014 tugriks. AI-92 gasoline rose 38.7 percent over the same period, up 1,002 tugriks from 2,590 to 3,592 tugriks per liter. The increases have also been steep in the short term. Over the past month, diesel gained 14.2 percent and AI-92 gained 4.2 percent. Prices for both fuel types were unchanged over the past week. Together, the figures show diesel rising far faster than AI-92 gasoline, both over the year and over the past month.
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Minister Expects AI-92 Gasoline Supply to Normalize in November as Diesel Reserves Cover a Month
Published: 2026-11-05
Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Damdinnyam said AI-92 gasoline supply is expected to return to normal levels in November, while diesel reserves stand at roughly a month. AI-92 supply has fallen short of demand: 47,000 tonnes were obtained in July against 90,000 tonnes of consumption, and 67,000 tonnes in August against 100,000. Average monthly use is 75,000 tonnes. Agreements for 70,000 tonnes of fuel from Russia are confirmed, and deals with Kazakhstan, China and South Korea are being arranged. November Russian supply is confirmed, with December expected to remain stable. Diesel storage is switching to winter fuel, and capacity is being expanded to ease rail waits.
“We plan to lower prices by some amount, even 100 tugriks, on goods ordered in November.” - Damdinnyam (urug.mn)
Authorities are inspecting complaints about AI-92 sold as “Euro-92” and an incident in Baganuur.
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Central Bank’s 6.9 Trillion Tugrik Deficit Sparks Debate Over Bond Plan
Published: 2026-11-05
The Bank of Mongolia’s accumulated loss has reached 6.9 trillion tugrik, leaving equity 4.8 trillion short, officials said. The draft 2027 monetary policy guidelines resolution proposes special government bonds to cut the deficit by 1.5 trillion tugrik a year through 2031. The central bank proposes 25-year bonds with a five-year grace period on interest and principal, with budget costs of about 0.5 trillion tugrik a year after 2032. It warns the deficit could hit 10 trillion tugrik by 2030 without action. The Finance Minister said bonds cannot close the deficit. A. Batpurev and Z. Narantuya said interest on central bank securities is the largest share of the loss; economist R. Shinegerel said most came from the price stabilization program and mortgage loans.
“Paying this with taxpayers’ money is wrong.” - A. Batpurev (news.mn)
“Reducing the central bank’s accumulated deficit is right, while budget revenue is strong.” - L. Amar (news.mn)
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Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi Signs Memorandum With China’s CHALCO to Expand Coal Exports
Published: 2026-11-05
Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC signed a memorandum of cooperation with China’s Aluminum Corporation (CHALCO) after its CEO, B. Chagnaadorj, met CHALCO General Manager Zhang Ruijun and Li Guangfei, General Manager of subsidiary Chinalco Digital Technology. The parties agreed to expand long-term cooperation in trade, exports and transport logistics, including border-port throughput and coal supply, with the aim of keeping coal export supply stable. They also agreed to study selling Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi coal to third-country markets, in addition to China, drawing on CHALCO’s international trading experience and partner network. Further areas include exploring training and scholarships for company staff and students at Chinese universities, and exchanging experience in renewable energy, aluminum production and underground mining. The sides also plan to improve the terms of contracts they have implemented for many years.
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Bone-in mutton prices fall for fourth straight week in Ulaanbaatar
Published: 2026-11-05
Bone-in mutton cost 24,368 tugrik per kilogram in Ulaanbaatar as of Nov. 2, the National Statistics Office reported, marking a fourth straight weekly decline. Prices fell from 25,923 tugrik on Oct. 12 to 25,480 on Oct. 19, 25,434 on Oct. 26 and 24,368 on Nov. 2, below the prior week’s level. Carrots also cheapened, to 3,429 tugrik. Mutton and carrots mainly pulled the price of some key goods in the capital down 0.3 percent week on week.
The relief is limited. Most goods did not fall, and key goods overall rose 1.6 percent from the previous month. Beef, which households stock up on for winter, rose 0.7 percent in a week; solid-cut beef costs 33,568 tugrik per kilogram. The report said consumer prices have kept rising since last spring and inflation has reached double digits.
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Bread Prices Rise 7.9% in a Year, Fastest Among Flour Products
Published: 2026-11-05
A 600-gram loaf of bread cost 2,922 tugriks (MNT) in the National Statistics Office’s November 2 data. That is up 7.9% in a year and the largest annual increase among flour and flour products. A year earlier, the loaf cost 2,707 tugriks. First-grade flour rose 2.8% over the year to 2,529 tugriks per kilogram, from 2,459 tugriks. White rice rose 0.2% year on year to 4,925 tugriks per kilogram, but it fell 1.5% from the previous month and from the past week. Bread and first-grade flour prices were unchanged over the past month and the past week. Bread and flour prices have therefore held steady in recent weeks, while rice moved lower.
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Financial Regulator Orders Non-Bank Lenders to Cap Online Loan Interest at 4.5% Monthly
Published: 2026-11-05
Financial Regulatory Commission Chair T. Jambaajamts said the regulator has instructed non-bank financial institutions to keep monthly interest on online loans from exceeding 4.5 percent, after inspections found some fintech lenders charging higher rates plus extra fees. It has also sent authorities a proposal to ban fees that duplicate interest and require clear disclosure of total loan costs. Consumer loan growth in the non-bank sector slowed from 50.8 percent to 10.5 percent by the third quarter, while business lending grew 56 percent annually. Financial sector assets reached 28.7 trillion tugriks, equal to 31.9 percent of GDP, in the third quarter. He said Bloomberg highlighted the capital market as the world’s fastest-growing in that period.
“Loan interest rates must never be set artificially by administrative means to directly influence market prices.” - T. Jambaajamts (ikon.mn)
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Diplomacy
Australia Begins Collecting Fingerprints and Photos From Visa Applicants in Mongolia
Published: 2026-11-05
Australia began collecting biometric data, meaning fingerprints and a facial photograph, from Mongolian citizens applying for visas on Oct. 26, 2026. The program aims to ensure the security, efficiency and reliability of Australia’s visa system and operates in about 60 countries worldwide. When biometrics are required, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs will formally notify the applicant and send instructions on how to enrol. Depending on circumstances, applicants either attend an Australian biometrics collection centre in person or submit data digitally through the Australian Immi App. Applicants previously enrolled in Australia’s biometric system with a valid passport can use the app free of charge. The requirement applies to citizens applying after Oct. 26 and does not affect applications lodged earlier. The embassy in Australia advises travellers to review the Department’s official notice and register their data on time if requested.
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Infrastructure
MIAT Moves Hohhot Flights to Shengle International Airport on November 26
Published: 2026-11-05
MIAT JSC announced that its Ulaanbaatar-Hohhot-Ulaanbaatar flights will land at and depart from Hohhot Shengle International Airport starting November 26. According to the notice, Hohhot’s Baita International Airport is ceasing operations entirely, and all air transport in the city is moving to the newly commissioned Shengle airport. The notice gives November 26, 2026 as the date Baita stops operating, the same date MIAT flights move to Shengle. Flight numbers and timetables will not change, the airline said. The change applies to every MIAT flight on the Ulaanbaatar-Hohhot route. MIAT asked passengers to check airport information in advance and plan their trips accordingly. The airline’s notice was reported by isee.mn on November 5.
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Government Plans Zone-Based Mortgage Rates in 100,000-Home Housing Program
Published: 2026-11-05
N. Uchral’s government’s 100,000-household housing program is to be presented soon, news.mn reports; itoim.mn says it was already presented and would run from 2027 to 2030. Urban Development and Housing Minister E. Bat-Amgalan said it addresses both demand and supply. The plan targets 40,000 state-backed homes and 60,000 private-sector homes. Officials are considering zone-based mortgage rates: 6% in Zone I, 8% in Zone II, 10% in Zone III and +12% in Zone IV (the sources also say 6-12%), with the lowest rates in outer and newly developing areas. Another option would charge 6% for three years, then 12% for 17 years, on privately built homes. Current mortgages carry 6% interest with a 30% down payment. The sector ministry aims to raise annual mortgage approvals from 9,000 to 25,000. Solongo 1 and 2 homes for 2,042 households are due in 2026.
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Nine Road Crossings With China Handled 94.5 Million Tonnes of Mining Goods
Published: 2026-11-05
Nine road border crossings between Mongolia and China carried 94.5 million tonnes of mining products as of November 3, 2026, the Ministry of Roads and Transport reported. Coal accounted for 91.7 million tonnes, or 97%. Separately, 197,218 passengers traveled between the two countries through five crossings. The figures emerged in Ulaanbaatar at a joint committee meeting on the intergovernmental international road transport agreement. Participants discussed the card Mongolian vehicles use to enter China’s customs control zone. It is valid at only one crossing, so drivers must cancel it and obtain a new one to use another. The Chinese side said its customs authority is responsible and asked for vehicle numbers, card numbers and crossing times to study the issue. Talks also covered increasing coal transport toward Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod, road fees in Chinese territory and exchanging 2027 permits.
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Ulaanbaatar Bus Task Force Frees First Lane and Lifts Average Speed to 16.7 km/h
Published: 2026-11-05
Ulaanbaatar’s Public Transport Policy Department has begun operating a rapid-response headquarters to manage bus availability and waiting times, following public criticism of longer waits as the weather turns colder. The department said average bus speed rose to 16.7 km/h last week. Network planning specialist L. Erdenesuvd said 1,186 buses run daily from Monday to Friday and 1,081 on Saturday and Sunday, serving about 670,000 passengers a day, counting repeat riders. Working with the Traffic Control Center and Traffic Police, the headquarters coordinated certain routes and freed the first road lane for public transport. Since October 28, bus numbers on high-demand routes have increased in stages, raising passenger flow by 6 percent and reducing complaints. Night buses run daily from 22:00 to 02:00 on four routes, including Sukhbaatar Square to Chinggis Khaan International Airport.
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President Khurelsukh Attends Opening of Sukhbaatar Thermal Power Plant in Selenge
Published: 2026-11-05
President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh attended the opening of the Sukhbaatar Thermal Power Plant during a visit to Selenge province. The plant is to produce 489 million kWh a year and supply 440 million kWh to the central energy grid, serving about 150,000 households and businesses with electricity and 30,000 households with heat. Electricity use reached 12.6 billion kWh in 2025, up 8.4 percent, and is forecast to reach 13.6 billion kWh this year; 79 percent of consumption is met domestically and 21 percent by imports. Khurelsukh also cited 6.8 percent economic growth and GDP per capita above $7,000, and said Selenge is expected to set a historic harvest of 18.9 centners per hectare. He presented state awards and handed a vehicle and equipment to the provincial general hospital.
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Ulaanbaatar Plans Redesigned Tuul Expressway After Suspension, Targeting 2027 Construction
Published: 2026-11-05
Ulaanbaatar Governor B. Purevdagva said the suspended Tuul expressway will be redesigned to avoid environmental damage, with a 14.3 km, six-lane road planned from Naadamchdyn Bridge to 22-yn Tovchoo in 2027.
The original 32 km project began in 2025, but its estimated cost rose from 1.9 trillion to 2.3 trillion tugriks, and 500 billion tugriks was advanced to contractor China Hyway Group. Prime Minister N. Uchral announced a halt on April 22, 2026, and law enforcement began reviewing the tender, contract and spending.
Purevdagva said the city will work within the contract:
“We will change the project route and create an efficient solution to congestion, working within the contract.” - B. Purevdagva (news.mn)
He said drivers heading west for summer Naadam were stuck in traffic for 4-8 hours.
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Working group to inspect Ulaanbaatar parking lots through Nov. 11
Published: 2026-11-05
A working group will inspect Ulaanbaatar’s paid and public open, centralized parking on public roads and squares from Nov. 5 to Nov. 11, checking permits, fees, standards, entrances and exits, and whether sites operate for their permitted purpose.
The group draws on the Capital City Inspection Agency, Road Development Department, Urban Planning and City Standards Department, Traffic Police Service, Ulaanbaatar Parking Management LLC and other bodies. It is to update planning and signage standards to international practice, set differentiated tariffs by location and zone, and refine fee-collection rules.
Currently, 54 companies run parking at 84 locations under city contracts. A 2011 city council resolution sets those lots at 1,500 tugrik per hour, though private companies set their own prices, an official said. Parking revenue to the city’s Road Fund is planned at 2.4 billion tugrik this year, after 950 million in 2024 and 1.6 billion in 2025.
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Cambodian Contractor Uses Insulated Concrete Pouring to Build Thermal Power Plant No. 5 Through Winter
Published: 2026-11-05
Cambodia’s Mitime Group, the contractor building Thermal Power Plant No. 5, is using insulated concrete pouring technology to keep construction going through winter. Site engineer Shiu Hunzo said earthworks and ash burial are about 80% complete and work is proceeding to plan. With the cold season arriving, crews have moved quickly into structural and concrete work, applying measures to protect the quality and strength of the concrete. About 420 Mitime employees are on site. Mitime previously worked on the Tosontsengel power plant and a plant under construction in Sukhbaatar city, Selenge Province, as well as larger international projects. Construction began in May this year, and commissioning is planned for the third quarter of 2028.
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Society
Fraud Caused 531.9 Billion Tugriks in Losses in First 10 Months of 2026
Published: 2026-11-05
Police reported 15,628 fraud cases among 54,944 crimes registered nationwide in the first 10 months of 2026. Losses reached 531.9 billion tugriks, of which 218.7 billion was recovered, and investigators uncovered 10.5 billion tugriks in hidden assets. Of the fraud cases, 11,939 (76.4 percent) occurred online, led by 3,798 involving goods and service orders. Police are investigating five people in two groups over online gold ads that took 10 billion tugriks from more than 200 people, and cheap-goods ads that took 18.9 billion tugriks from about 312. Under the Antiscam system, Mongolbank and prosecutors stopped 30.1 billion tugriks from leaving the country in 2025 and 2026. Victims should call 102 or the cybercrime unit at 5126-5666.
“The claim that seized narcotics were sold without being destroyed is completely baseless.” - E. Tovuudorj (isee.mn)
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Police Report 43 Citizens Serving Foreign Drug Sentences and Deny Seized-Drug Resale Claims
Published: 2026-11-05
Police reported that 43 Mongolian citizens are serving prison sentences abroad for drug-related crimes, 29 of them in China and eight in South Korea. Colonel E. Tovuudorj, head of the General Police Department’s anti-drug unit, said that, as of November according to most reports of the briefing, officers detected 455 drug-related crimes involving 518 suspects. One report instead cited 430 crimes and 463 suspects as of the first nine months. He said a market worth 6.6 billion tugrik was disrupted and 12 people from five groups supplying drugs from abroad were arrested. He said most drugs enter the country from Turkey. Responding to online claims that officers resold seized drugs, he said:
“Not a single officer of our department has been implicated or investigated. Seized substances cannot be used.” - E. Tovuudorj (ikon.mn)
Seized drugs are kept under camera monitoring and destroyed after final court rulings.
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Fuel Stations to Serve People With Disabilities and Their Guardians Without Queuing
Published: 2026-11-05
Fuel stations will serve people with disabilities, and parents or guardians of children with disabilities, without requiring them to queue, under Article 43.1.3 of the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a Fuel Operational Headquarters decision. Citizens with disabilities need an E-Mongolia act stating their percentage and duration of lost work capacity, plus an ID card. Parents or guardians of a child with disabilities need the act defining the child’s disability or the Commission decision establishing it, the child’s birth certificate and their own ID card. Station managers and pump attendants must serve these customers promptly on the basis of the documents, without causing them hardship or inconvenience.
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Customs stops large illegal shipment bound for China at Khangi-Mandal crossing
Published: 2026-11-05
Customs officers detected and stopped an attempt to take a large quantity of illegal goods from Mongolia into China on Nov. 4, 2026, at the Khangi-Mandal border crossing in Khatanbulag soum, Dorngovi aimag. Police are now investigating the case.
Unofficial source information cited by isee.mn suggests a Mongolian consular official based in Hohhot may have attempted the shipment. That claim is unconfirmed, and the report names no suspect. It also does not specify what the goods were, their quantity or value, or whether anyone has been detained or charged.
The case remains under police investigation, and isee.mn said it would report back with further information.
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Published: 2026-11-05
Lawmaker and former Justice and Home Affairs Minister S. Amarsaikhan gave a briefing on drug abuse at the State Palace on Nov. 5 and said he will soon organize a hearing on the issue. He said 65 percent of the population is under 34 and that people aged 18–34 account for 86 percent of drug use, with minors also involved. He warned that the country, once a transit route, now risks becoming a producer. He said anti-drug staffing and salaries have been cut and that police had no drug-testing kits when he took office. He alleged criminal groups shielded by law enforcement are drawing children into drugs and illegal gold mining.
“The country’s future will be safe from drugs only when the rotten colonels and generals at the head of law enforcement agencies are removed en masse.” - S. Amarsaikhan (ikon.mn)
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Environment
Ulaanbaatar Governor Blames Household Wood Fires for Rising Smog, Drawing Criticism
Published: 2026-11-05
Ulaanbaatar Governor B. Purevdagva attributed rising smog to residents lighting wood fires in the morning and evening, prompting sharp criticism from the outlet unuudur.mn. He said:
“Smog in the city is rising because citizens light their stoves with wood in the morning and evening. It is 0.4 degrees colder than the same period last year, but air quality has relatively improved.” - B. Purevdagva (unuudur.mn)
In a commentary, unuudur.mn argued that the remarks shift responsibility onto ger-district households, which it says city officials have long blamed. The outlet claimed authorities do not fully classify pollutants by source and are trying to protect the semi-coke and compressed fuel that it says the city supplies. It also asserted that air pollution in the capital remains a serious problem despite official claims of a marked decline. These assessments are the outlet’s own opinion.
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Snow Cover Reaches 25 cm in Uvs Province’s Tsagaankhairkhan
Published: 2026-11-05
Morning station observations on November 5 showed the deepest snow cover, 25 cm, in Tsagaankhairkhan, Uvs province, the meteorological agency reported. Songino in Zavkhan province recorded 18 cm and Undurkhangai in Uvs 14 cm. Malchin in Uvs and Bayankhairkhan, Bayantes, Tes and Tudevtei in Zavkhan each had 11-12 cm. Tsagaankhairkhan’s reading was the highest among the locations the agency listed. The agency said that in autumn and winter months, increased precipitation, thicker snow, and sudden warming or cooling can create ice cover and slippery roads and mountain passes. These conditions may briefly disrupt livestock grazing, road traffic and energy supply. It advised people to follow current weather warnings and disaster alerts as they are issued.
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Ministry Opens Project Tender for Land Use in Specially Protected Areas
Published: 2026-11-05
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change opened a project tender for land use in specially protected areas. Applications are accepted through the Land Exchange electronic system from 09:00 on October 22 to 18:00 on November 23. Under the Law on Permits, in force since January 1, 2023, new land for nature and tourism uses in these areas must be allocated by tender open to all, replacing grants made on individual request. A 2024 tender for 71 plots, including in the Khuvsgul and Khogno-Tarna natural complexes, was held in person only. No tender took place in 2025 after the Anti-Corruption Agency issued recommendations, and a ministerial order then approved an open tender procedure. Settlements that formed in the Bogd Khan Uul and Gorkhi-Terelj areas created land-use problems that the changes aim to address.
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Wildfire Burns 79.8% of Nömrög Strictly Protected Area, Preliminary Data Show
Published: 2026-11-05
Preliminary data show a wildfire in Dornod Province’s Khalkhgol soum covered 528,765.5 hectares, including 468,965.7 hectares, or 79.8 percent, of Nömrög Strictly Protected Area. Environment and Climate Change Minister Ts. Sandag-Ochir briefed Parliament’s Standing Committee on Environment, Food and Agriculture on Nov. 4. More than 50 officials and scientists joined field damage surveys on Oct. 23–30. The four-stage assessment relies on satellite imagery, ground measurements, sampling and lab tests, with preliminary results planned by Nov. 16 for submission to the forensic agency. Authorities plan to deliver 30,000 bales of hay for wintering wildlife, and the government decided to fund biotechnical measures with 629 million tugriks from its reserve fund. Officials also reported on brown bears entering settled areas, noting about 500 were counted nationwide in 1986, 74 bears have been made safe, and a census begins next year.
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Published: 2026-11-05
Acting head of the General Authority for Veterinary Services Kh. Altangerel said routine vaccination against 19 infectious diseases is over 90 percent complete. The first two of three stages are finished. For the third stage, officials have arranged to buy 3.6 million foot-and-mouth disease vaccine doses, with cattle in the Khangai and Gobi regions targeted from Nov. 8 to Dec. 1. Following 2026 foot-and-mouth and goat pox outbreaks, an extra 30.8 billion tugriks is required, and the matter was resolved by including it in the state budget revision. The agency ended 2025 with 17.3 billion tugriks in debt; 10.1 billion has been repaid. It plans to settle the remaining 2025 debts and the 2026 extra funding by Nov. 15. The government also approved 1.5 billion tugriks for domestic vaccine production, and 80 percent of production costs have gone to state-owned Biokombinat.
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Health
Zamyn-Uud customs warns of rising attempts to smuggle unregistered Mounjaro injections
Published: 2026-11-05
The Zamyn-Uud Customs Office has warned that attempts to bring Mounjaro-branded injections illegally across the border have been trending upward in recent customs inspections, isee.mn reported on Nov. 5, 2026. The warning came from the office’s Quarantine Service.
Mounjaro is not entered in Mongolia’s drug registry. Importing, selling and supplying it requires a special permit and compliance with the relevant legislation.
The customs office urged travelers carrying medicines or pharmaceutical products from abroad to check with customs beforehand whether the product is registered in Mongolia and whether a special permit or other documents are needed to bring it across the border. The Quarantine Service said illegal imports and sales should be prevented to protect people’s own health and that of others. The report gave no figures on the number of cases.
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