Mongolia Daily: Parliament boycott stalls session, subsidy ends, and water fees bite

Politics

Parliament Stalemate Deepens as MPP Weighs Leadership Shuffle and Cabinet Reset

Published: 2026-03-26

Mongolia’s parliament remained paralyzed for a second week as the Democratic Party kept boycotting plenary sessions until Parliament Speaker and MPP leader N. Uchral steps down, while the ruling MPP struggled to secure quorum despite its majority and coalition partners. MPP group leader J. Batjargal said the party would refer the dispute to its executive council, adding that its decision would be binding.

“The MPP group will fully implement the executive council’s decision” - J. Batjargal (ikON.mn)

The deadlock has spilled into broader coalition politics, with speculation mounting over a cabinet reset and even the possibility that Uchral could be moved from speaker to prime minister. Opposition leaders are also pressing for investigations into alleged corruption linked to the justice minister and his deputies, intensifying pressure on the government at a time when legislative business, including ministerial appointments, cannot proceed.

Coverage:

• O. Tsogtgerel: The DP faction’s demand is legitimate, and MPP chairman N. Uchral must fulfill it (isee.mn)

• O. Tsogtgerel: If N. Uchral does not step down from his post as Parliament Speaker of his own will, we will remove him (urug.mn)

• O. Tsogtgerel: If N. Uchral does not accept the demand to be relieved from his post as Parliament Speaker, we will remove him (eagle.mn)

• The DP announced that if Parliament Speaker N. Uchral does not accept the principled demand, they will move to removal measures (ikon.mn)

• The DP faction in Parliament is continuing its action (news.mn)

• J. Batjargal: The MPP faction will make a political decision (eagle.mn)

• J. Batjargal: The DP’s political demand has no legal basis (isee.mn)

• The MPP faction in Parliament will hold an extraordinary meeting at 14:00 (isee.mn)

• The MPP faction will hold an extraordinary meeting today and make a political decision (ikon.mn)

• The Democratic Party faction in Parliament will hold an extraordinary meeting tomorrow (isee.mn)

• The Prime Minister is participating in the MPP parliamentary group meeting (news.mn)

• Urgent: The government issue will be discussed at the MPP parliamentary group meeting (urug.mn)

• O. Tsogtgerel: B. Enkhbayar, who has turned into part of a mafia, and the deputy ministers must urgently resign and be investigated (unuudur.mn)

• 52 members are participating in the extraordinary meeting of the MPP parliamentary group in the State Great Khural (isee.mn)

• Will N. Uchral be appointed as the 35th Prime Minister of Mongolia? (news.mn)

• J. Batjargal: The MPP parliamentary group meeting was convened and given the task of making a political decision (urug.mn)

• “The demands put forward by the Democratic Party will be discussed at the Executive Council, and a clear decision will be made” (ikon.mn)

• J. Batjargal: The issue of dismissing N. Uchral, the Speaker of Parliament, will be discussed by the party Executive Council, and a political decision will be made (isee.mn)

• The MPP parliamentary group did not reach a definite solution (eagle.mn)

• N. Uchral and Y. Sodbaatar are holding a meeting in Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar’s office (isee.mn)

• B. Bayarbaatar: The Secretary General of the MPP will announce a meeting and convene the Executive Board (isee.mn)

• S. Byambatsogt: It was not discussed that Speaker of Parliament N. Uchral would step down and become Prime Minister (isee.mn)

• The MPP group decided to wait for the decision to be made by the Executive Board (news.mn)

• The MPP group decided to follow the political decision made by the Executive Board (urug.mn)

Parliament Stalls as Attendance Boycott Blocks Spring Session Progress

Published: 2026-03-26

Mongolia’s spring parliamentary session has ground to a halt after repeated absences left the legislature unable to reach quorum. On March 26, only 57 of 126 lawmakers registered attendance, forcing another postponement and leaving no bills passed in the first 10 days of the session. Speaker N. Uchral said the deadlock is increasingly affecting governance and economic planning, especially as fuel prices rise ahead of spring planting.

“Politics must not become a joke at the country’s expense” - N. Uchral (isee.mn)

He also urged the MPP caucus to make a political decision to restore normal operations, saying the issue is no longer just a parliamentary problem but a disruption to state functioning. The opposition Democratic Party is boycotting sessions until Uchral resigns, while internal divisions within the ruling MPP are also undermining attendance.

Coverage:

• The session of the State Great Khural, which is supposed to begin only after 64 members register their attendance, has still not been held (isee.mn)

• N. Uchral: Since the start of the spring session of Parliament, no laws have been passed and no decisions have been made in 10 days (isee.mn)

• Speaker of Parliament N. Uchral: Political games should not become the country’s mockery (news.mn)

• N. Uchral: There is no MPP state and no DP state (unuudur.mn)

• N. Uchral: Since the activities of Parliament are being disrupted, the MPP group needs to make a political decision (montsame.mn)

Constitutional Court Opens Review of Presidential Term-Length Clause

Published: 2026-03-26

Mongolia’s Constitutional Court has opened proceedings after receiving a complaint questioning whether a provision in the President of Mongolia law conflicts with the Constitution. The disputed clause says the president’s term is four years, referencing Article 30.2 of the Constitution. The complaint argues that this may contradict the constitutional wording, which states that the president is elected for a six-year term, only once, by a Mongolian citizen who is at least 50 years old and has lived continuously in the country for at least the past five years. The case could clarify which legal text prevails and may draw wider attention to inconsistencies between ordinary law and constitutional provisions governing the head of state.

Coverage:

• A dispute has arisen over the provision that the President’s term of office be 4 years (eagle.mn)

• A dispute has been raised over whether the provision that the President’s term of office be four years violates the Constitution (ikon.mn)

• The Constitutional Court created a dispute over the provision that the President’s term of office shall be four years (isee.mn)

• A dispute has arisen over the provision that the President’s term of office be 4 years (news.mn)

Deputy Minister Rejects Defamation Claims as Coal Deal Debate Intensifies

Published: 2026-03-26

Deputy Justice and Home Affairs Minister D. Munkh-Erdene used a government podium to push back against allegations made by MP L. Oyun-Erdene, saying seven coal off-take contracts were signed between October 29, 2019 and December 25, 2022, when Oyun-Erdene was Cabinet Secretariat chief and later prime minister. He denied claims that he had worked as a legal adviser for three companies or received payments, and said the defamation provisions of Criminal Code article 13.14 were being exploited while the Constitutional Court has suspended them.

“Oyun-Erdene is defaming us while using the period when the false-information defamation clause has been suspended” - D. Munkh-Erdene (unuudur.mn). The dispute also drew in Deputy Agriculture Minister B. Nyamjav, who rejected claims about salary transfers linked to a long-running property case involving the Lenin Museum.

Coverage:

• D. Munkh-Erdene: The period when the defamation provision of the Criminal Law has been suspended is being used (unuudur.mn)

Former Erchist Mongolia Board Chief Set to Lead Erdenes Tavantolgoi Board After State Firm Shutdown

Published: 2026-03-26

Sh. Munkhtseren is set to become chair of the board at Erdenes Tavantolgoi, replacing the recently removed board head as the company prepares for a new round of governance decisions. His first meeting is expected in early April 2026, when the board will decide how and when to distribute the long-awaited MNT 60,000 dividend, a politically sensitive issue for the public. The appointment has renewed criticism of instability in the leadership of state-owned strategic firms. Munkhtseren previously chaired Erdenes Mongolia and later led Erchist Mongolia, which was dissolved after the government said the company had fallen into financial distress with MNT 3.5 billion in debt. The move underscores continued reliance on the same senior officials across Mongolia’s state enterprise sector.

Coverage:

• Former chairman of the board of “Erchist Mongol” State-Owned Company, Sh. Munkhtseren, after the company fell into 3.5 billion tugriks of debt and was dissolved, is moving on and will become chairman of the board of “Erdenes Tavantolgoi” JSC (isee.mn)

Lawmakers Begin Petitioning for Task Force to Review Harbin Railway Agreement

Published: 2026-03-26

Lawmakers J. Bayarmaa and D. Ganbat have started collecting signatures for a parliamentary resolution to form a temporary oversight committee that would review the border-connection railway agreement signed in Harbin on February 17, 2025. According to Ganbat, 32 MPs are needed to advance the proposal, and 10 had signed as of the briefing. Democratic Party members have said they will all support the move, which comes as the deal has drawn scrutiny over possible coal pricing, contract terms and potential conflicts of interest. Proponents argue that the scale of the sums involved justifies public hearings and formal parliamentary oversight. The committee would examine whether Mongolia accepted unfavorable terms, including a reported 16-year coal supply arrangement at $50 per ton.

Coverage:

• Signatures have begun to be collected on the draft resolution to establish a temporary committee to review the Harbin contract (isee.mn)

Audit Finds Misuse of Traffic Fine Revenue Across Ulaanbaatar and Provinces

Published: 2026-03-26

A state audit has found widespread misallocation of traffic fine and penalty revenue that should have been used for road safety, accident prevention, and transport infrastructure. Instead, funds were spent on foreign trips, bonuses, sporting events, equipment purchases, and even car repairs for a prosecutor’s office vehicle. The report says the system is also failing on collection: only about half of the 70.9 billion tugriks in fines issued by police between 2017 and 2024 were actually recovered, while the Tax Authority reported 283.6 billion tugriks in overdue unpaid fines at the end of 2024. Auditors identified 32.3 billion tugriks in violations and said local councils had inflated fine-income targets without solid data, turning fines into a budget “plug” rather than a deterrent mechanism.

Coverage:

• EVIDENCE: An audit found that the Citizens’ Representative Khural did not spend the interest and fine money paid by citizens in accordance with the law, including by using it for foreign trips and distributing it as bonuses (isee.mn)

Democratic Party Calls for Corruption Hearings as Leaders Link Visa Restrictions to Governance Failings

Published: 2026-03-26

Democratic Party leaders announced plans to form a temporary parliamentary committee to investigate corruption cases, framing the move as a response to worsening political and governance conditions. Lawmaker D. Ganbat said Mongolia’s corruption indicators have deteriorated sharply and argued that foreign travel restrictions on Mongolian citizens reflect that decline.

“The United States visa process has become a bond program, with people needing to place 15,000 dollars to apply for a visa” - D. Ganbat (ikon.mn)

Party chair O. Tsogtgerel said democratic countries are beginning to impose what he described as a “soft blockade” on Mongolia because of concerns over backsliding on democracy, judicial independence, and press freedom. The party said it has started collecting signatures to authorize hearings in parliament, initially targeting alleged corruption linked to rail, coal, and the Harbin agreement. The statements underline how anti-corruption claims are increasingly being used as a political line of attack in Mongolia’s parliament.

Coverage:

• “Only after depositing 15,000 USD can you get a US visa. Democratic countries are beginning to gently impose a ban on Mongolia” (ikon.mn)

Court Hands Down Fines in Bribery and Abuse-of-Power Cases Involving Civil ID Fraud

Published: 2026-03-26

Mongolia’s prosecutor’s office said courts had resolved 50 corruption-related indictments under Chapter 22 of the Criminal Code as of March 25, 2026, including 37 abuse-of-office cases and 13 bribery cases. Last week alone, the Ulaanbaatar prosecutor’s office secured rulings in four cases involving 16 people. The decisions highlight routine corruption risks inside licensing, registration, and tax administration systems. In one case, a transport operator was fined and barred from public service after paying bribes to avoid checkpoint controls for timber shipments. In another, registration staff and intermediaries were convicted for illegally obtaining identity cards for three citizens in exchange for a 300,000 tugrik bribe. A third case involved tax officials who falsified assessments to reduce liabilities and create private advantage, underscoring continued enforcement pressure on low- and mid-level public servants.

Coverage:

• Officials who illegally issued other people’s national ID cards and took a bribe of 300,000 tugriks were given fines (isee.mn)

Economy

Night-Time Electricity Tariff Subsidy Ends April 1 for Ger District Households

Published: 2026-03-26

The government will end its long-running night-time electricity tariff subsidy for ger district households on April 1, removing a seasonal discount introduced in 2017 to help reduce air pollution. The concession currently applies each year from November 1 through April 1, covering electricity used between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. in Ulaanbaatar, provincial capitals, and soums with populations above 10,000. To remain eligible, households must have no outstanding electricity arrears, use power only for household needs and home heating, and have a time-of-use meter. The payment is calculated using a three-tier tariff structure based on consumption bands of up to 150 kWh, 151-300 kWh, and above 300 kWh. Authorities are urging residents to plan their electricity use more carefully from next month.

Coverage:

• The night electricity tariff discount will end on April 1 (isee.mn)

• The nighttime discount on electricity tariffs will be suspended starting next month (news.mn)

Nationwide Consultations Set to Shape Wealth Fund Rules and Resource Revenue Sharing

Published: 2026-03-26

The government has launched a broader consultation process on how to manage Mongolia’s National Wealth Fund, focusing on revenue sources, governance, transparency and the fair distribution of mineral wealth. Cabinet Office head C. Bymbaatsogt told a forum with mining firms, NGOs and strategic deposit holders that the aim is to improve implementation of the Wealth Fund law and develop practical solutions on fund management and the allocation of state ownership stakes. A nationwide deliberative poll will run in two stages: March 27-April 3 across the country, then April 11-12 in Ulaanbaatar, with 1,570 participants selected by the National Statistics Office. Officials say the exercise is intended to align policy with constitutional promises that all citizens share equally in mineral wealth, while also strengthening oversight and long-term savings.

Coverage:

• Consultations were held with representatives of the mining sector on the pressing issues of the National Wealth Fund (montsame.mn)

• The purpose of the nationwide consultative referendum “Mongolian People - Owners of Their Wealth” (montsame.mn)

Former Minister Warns Import Dependence and VAT Rules Are Raising Household Costs

Published: 2026-03-26

Former transport and communications minister and economist I. Norovjav argued that Mongolia’s heavy reliance on imported goods and dollar-based payments is pushing up prices and weakening household purchasing power. He said the economy depends on a narrow set of foreign-exchange earners such as mining exports and cashmere, while everyday consumption, fuel, transport, and many manufactured goods remain tied to the U.S. dollar.

“Our people are being hit by the rising exchange rate, foreign-currency dependence and tax pressure” - I. Norovjav (unuudur.mn) He urged stronger domestic manufacturing, especially in food processing, packaging, paper recycling, soap and small-scale milk processing, as well as targeted support for regional industry. He also criticized the VAT calculation method, saying it inflates final consumer prices and should be corrected to reduce what he described as an excessive tax burden.

Coverage:

• I. Norovjav: Citizens’ livelihoods are deteriorating due to taxes and the rise of the US dollar (unuudur.mn)

Listed Companies to Pay About MNT 1 Trillion in Dividends

Published: 2026-03-26

Listed companies on the Mongolian Stock Exchange have reviewed their 2025 performance and decided to distribute a total of about MNT 1 trillion in dividends, a decline of roughly 19% from 2024. Analysts say the smaller payout reflects slower economic growth, high lending rates, a weak exchange rate and persistent inflation. Rising base costs and wages, combined with lower sales, have also squeezed profitability. Companies in the exchange’s top-tier category will account for 96.2% of the total, or MNT 963 billion. Commercial banks alone will distribute 58.3% of all dividends, highlighting the continued concentration of shareholder returns in the financial sector. Although more than 160 companies are listed on the exchange, only about 15% belong to the first-tier category, underscoring the limited spread of large dividend payers across the market.

Coverage:

• Joint-stock companies will distribute one trillion tugriks in dividends (unuudur.mn)

Government Launches 6% Tourism Loans to Expand Infrastructure in 17 Designated Sites

Published: 2026-03-26

Mongolia has begun issuing concessional tourism loans at 6 percent interest for terms of up to six years, part of a broader regional policy that has designated 17 locations across 12 provinces as national tourism zones. The program, announced by the ministry, will be distributed through 10 commercial banks and is intended to finance hotels, tourism complexes, tourist camps, roadside service points, transport infrastructure, air transport assets, and vehicles for tourist transport. Depending on the project type, borrowers may receive a grace period on principal payments of 12 to 76 months, with the maximum loan size set at 7 billion tugriks for all sectors except aviation. The government plans to disburse 250 billion tugriks this year and has allocated 13 billion tugriks in budget support for interest subsidies as it works toward a target of 1 million visitors in 2025.

Coverage:

• Six percent interest loans to support tourism have begun to be issued (unuudur.mn)

Government Launches Consultative Poll on How to Distribute Resource Wealth

Published: 2026-03-26

Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar’s administration will launch a nationwide consultative poll on how to distribute the benefits of Mongolia’s natural resources more fairly. The first round of the “Mongolian People Are the Owners of Resources” survey begins on March 27 and runs through April 3, followed by a second-stage consultation on April 11-12. The National Statistics Office has designed the sampling method to international standards, with 1,570 participants planned: 740 from Ulaanbaatar and 830 from the provinces. The initiative is meant to operationalize the 2019 constitutional amendment requiring resource wealth to be shared more equitably and could inform how the Future Heritage Fund and citizens’ individual accounts are expanded. The government is positioning the process as a test of consultative democracy in a sector long viewed as dominated by a small number of powerful interests.

Coverage:

• It will be decided through consultation to enrich the sovereign wealth fund (eagle.mn)

Tripartite Labor Talks for 2026-2028 Set to Begin in April

Published: 2026-03-26

Mongolia will open negotiations in April on the 2026-2028 tripartite national labor and social partnership agreement, setting the stage for a new policy framework on wages, employment, social protection and workplace equality. A joint working group, chaired by Deputy Minister of Family, Labour and Social Protection B. Solongo, met five times between February 5 and March 25 to draft the proposal. The government says the draft has already been reviewed and consolidated after receiving 109 submissions: 52 from the Mongolian Trade Union Confederation, 30 from the Mongolian National Employers’ Association and 27 from government representatives. The upcoming talks are expected to shape how labor commitments are shared across national, sectoral and cross-sector agreements, with an emphasis on clearer responsibility, implementation discipline and alignment with the previous accord.

Coverage:

• They are ready to begin trilateral talks (montsame.mn)

Government Training Promotes Standardized Investor Relations Across Agencies

Published: 2026-03-26

The Investment Protection Center under the Ministry of Economy and Development concluded a week-long campaign on the standard for how civil servants should engage with investors, ending with a training and discussion session on March 26. The event highlighted the government’s push to make investor-facing communication more transparent, accountable, and standardized across agencies. Opening the session, B. Otgontsetseg, head of the ministry’s Public Administration Management Department, stressed the importance of consistent public-sector conduct in dealings with investors. Speakers also linked investment policy to broader social goals, including gender equality and disability rights, while agency representatives outlined priorities in mining exploration, transport infrastructure, digital technology investment, and green finance. About 60 participants from ministries, agencies, research institutes, and public bodies exchanged views and recommendations, signaling an effort to improve coordination around Mongolia’s investment climate.

Coverage:

• The training and discussion session “Public Service and the Multifaceted Relations of Investors” was held (isee.mn)

Diplomacy

Cabinet Resubmits Russia Jet Fuel Supply Deal After Revising Terms

Published: 2026-03-26

The government has resubmitted to parliament a revised draft intergovernmental agreement with Russia that would secure jet fuel supplies for up to 15 years through a new joint venture between state-owned Erchis Oil and Russia’s state-owned RN Aero. The earlier version, introduced last year under the L. Oyun-Erdene cabinet, was sent back by lawmakers over concerns it could conflict with national interests, including provisions seen as too broad for the Chinggis Khaan International Airport and dispute-resolution terms. The updated plan narrows the scope to fueling operations, adds a Mongolian arbitration option, and aims to stabilize supply at lower prices. Officials say the deal could support uninterrupted fuel deliveries, help keep ticket prices in check, and cover rising demand as passenger traffic is projected to grow through 2028.

Coverage:

• The agreement to supply aircraft fuel from the Russian Federation was pushed again (news.mn)

Erdenes Mongol and POSCO International Expand Steel and Energy Cooperation

Published: 2026-03-26

Erdenes Mongol has broadened its strategic cooperation with South Korea’s POSCO International into iron ore, steel, and energy, signaling a push to move several major projects into a new phase. At the meeting, the sides reviewed proposals for industrial and technology parks and discussed practical options for joint work on critical mineral exploration. The talks also centered on accelerating downstream manufacturing, introducing advanced technologies, and strengthening human capital to international standards. For Mongolia, the partnership points to a broader effort to connect mining output with industrial processing and energy integration rather than relying on raw-material exports alone. The next steps agreed by both sides suggest the cooperation is shifting from general dialogue toward project-level implementation.

Coverage:

• In cooperation with POSCO International, the Erdenes Mongol conglomerate will accelerate its steel and energy projects (isee.mn)

Infrastructure

Ulaanbaatar Tightens Rules on E-Scooters and Surrons as Injury Toll Rises

Published: 2026-03-26

Authorities in Ulaanbaatar are moving to sharply restrict two-wheel electric vehicles, with new rules taking effect on April 10. The Traffic Police say e-scooters and mopeds may use bicycle lanes, but must stay off pedestrian paths; where no bike lane exists, riders must use the right edge of the road. The campaign follows a rise in crashes: police recorded 420 incidents in 2025 involving bicycles, scooters, mopeds and surrons, leaving about 730 people injured. Officials say children account for many of the severe head, spine and brain injuries.

“We will not allow electric scooters and mopeds on pedestrian sidewalks” - G. Otgontamir, Senior Officer, Traffic Police Preventive Division (eagle.mn)

City leaders are also considering a full ban on minors riding surrons. NITKH Chairman A. Bayar said:

“We will completely stop and prohibit underage citizens from riding surrons” - A. Bayar, Chairman of the Ulaanbaatar City Council (montsame.mn)

Coverage:

• It will be possible to travel by scooter, Sur-Ron, and moped in traffic starting on the 10th of next month (unuudur.mn)

• Traffic Police Department: Electric scooters and mopeds will not be allowed on sidewalks starting next month (eagle.mn)

• G. Otgonbayar: Last year, 420 calls related to two-wheeled vehicles were registered, and around 730 people were injured (isee.mn)

• “Parents will be prohibited from using two-wheeled vehicles when taking their young children to school and kindergarten” (ikon.mn)

• Traveling on sidewalks with scooters and mopeds has been prohibited (news.mn)

• A. Bayar: Minors will be completely prohibited from riding Surron (isee.mn)

• Minors will be completely prohibited from riding Surron (montsame.mn)

• A minor child will be completely prohibited from riding “Surron” (zarig.mn)

Ulaanbaatar Plans 94.1 km of New Pedestrian and Cycling Routes in 2026

Published: 2026-03-26

Ulaanbaatar’s congestion task force has reviewed the city’s 2026 road and active-mobility program, prioritizing safer walking, cycling, scooter management, and parking control. Based on district proposals, officials plan to build 94.1 km of pedestrian and cycling paths this year, with the largest allocations in Sukhbaatar (29.8 km) and Bayanzurkh (18.2 km), followed by Bayangol, Khan-Uul, Chingeltei, and Songinohairkhan. The city also aims to designate 31 streets inside the Ikh Toiruu ring for scooter use in the first traffic lane. Task force head A. Bayar said,

“We are pursuing a policy to fully remove scooters from sidewalks.” - A. Bayar (montsame.mn) Officials said the changes are intended to reduce conflicts between pedestrians and scooters while improving traffic safety and street management.

Coverage:

• This year, 94.1 km of pedestrian and bicycle paths will be built (montsame.mn)

• This year, 94.1 km of pedestrian and bicycle paths are planned to be built (urug.mn)

• This year, 94.1 km of pedestrian and bicycle paths are planned to be built (zarig.mn)

• A. Bayar: This year, 94.1 km of pedestrian and bicycle paths were planned to be built (isee.mn)

Planned Power Cuts Set for Several Ulaanbaatar Districts and Tuv Province Areas

Published: 2026-03-26

Planned maintenance on the power grid will trigger temporary electricity outages across several parts of Ulaanbaatar and some areas of Tuv Province on March 25-26. On March 26, outages are scheduled in Chingeltei District’s 4th khoroo from 10:30 to 17:00 and 9th khoroo from 11:00 to 17:00, while parts of Bayanzurkh District’s 14th khoroo will lose power from 10:30 to 14:00. In Nalaikh District, interruptions are planned in some areas from 09:00 to 12:00 and again from 13:00 to 17:00. Selected consumers and organizations in Argalant soum of Tuv Province will also face restrictions from 10:00 to 18:00. Authorities advised residents and businesses to adjust usage and prepare in advance to reduce disruption.

Coverage:

• Electricity will be restricted today in five districts of the capital (isee.mn)

• Electricity restriction schedule for Thursday (montsame.mn)

• Electricity restriction schedule for today (zarig.mn)

Selbe River Upgrade to Open to the Public in June After Flood-Control Work Ends

Published: 2026-03-26

The head of the Geodesy and Water Construction Authority, B. Byambasaihan, said the Selbe River rehabilitation project is now focused on finishing public landscaping and opening the riverside for walking by June. He said the flood-control redesign followed a 2023 flood near S’Outlet, where blocked flow and constricted riverbanks exposed weak points along the Selbe and Dund rivers. According to him, engineering studies identified illegal access points, narrowed embankments near the Shunkhlai fuel station, and heavy development pressure near S’Outlet as key causes of flood risk.

“The flood embankment has already been completed. We are working to finish the landscaping by next June and open it to the public for walking” - B. Byambasaihan (ikon.mn) The embankment works began in June 2024, with the overall project budget set at MNT 20.5 billion.

Coverage:

• B. Byambasaihan: The improvement of the Selbe River will be completed by June and opened to the public (ikon.mn)

Ulaanbaatar Modernizes Public Transport as Fare Digitalization Lifts Revenue

Published: 2026-03-26

Ulaanbaatar’s public transport system, which dates back to 1925, is undergoing another major modernization phase as the city prepares to introduce cable cars, trams and a metro in coming years. The latest reforms have focused on fleet renewal and a digital fare system launched in 2025, allowing payment by Ulaanbaatar Smart Card, bank card, mobile app, QR code and cash. The changes have already improved commercial performance: public transport revenue rose to MNT 56.7 billion in 2025 from MNT 33 billion in 2024, a 69 percent increase. Passenger numbers also climbed 8.5 percent in the first two months of this year versus the same period last year. The update reflects a shift from legacy bus and trolleybus services toward a more integrated, technology-driven urban mobility network.

Coverage:

• Development of the capital city’s public transportation (zarig.mn)

Airport Route H:20 Adds Earlier Morning Service to Chinggis Khaan International Airport

Published: 2026-03-26

Mongolia’s public transport policy agency has adjusted the timetable for bus route H:20, which runs between Tavan Shar and Chinggis Khaan International Airport. The first departure from Tavan Shar will now leave at 05:50, earlier than before, with buses operating at one-hour intervals. Return service from the airport will run from 06:50 to 22:30. The route connects key stops including Buyant-Ukhaa Sports Complex and the General Archives Authority, and charges MNT 10,000 for adults and MNT 5,000 for children. Other airport routes, including H:19 and SHU:4 from Sukhbaatar Square, continue unchanged with fares of MNT 15,000 for adults and MNT 7,000 for children. Passengers are advised to check schedules through the UBCARD app and can reserve seats up to three days in advance.

Coverage:

• The schedule of bus route X:20 going to “Chinggis Khaan” Airport has been changed (unuudur.mn)

AI Camera Network Flags 268 Vehicles Operating Without License Plates

Published: 2026-03-26

Ulaanbaatar’s AI-based traffic monitoring system is increasingly reshaping road enforcement, identifying vehicles that break insurance, inspection, and registration rules while reducing congestion. The integrated camera network, tested from August and used for enforcement since January, has helped lower traffic violations and shortened peak-hour congestion by about one hour, according to the Traffic Management Center. On March 23 alone, the system detected 25,320 uninsured vehicles and 14,307 vehicles without technical inspection clearance. Officials said 260-300 vehicles without license plates are now caught daily and fined MNT 25,000 under the Violations Law. The city has installed more than 2,600 smart cameras at 176 intersections and crossings, allowing police to stop directing traffic in 19 junctions and cutting officers’ active duty time by 38 percent.

Coverage:

• AI cameras detected 268 vehicles participating in traffic without license plates (unuudur.mn)

Recycled Water Supplies Thermal Power Plants as Ulaanbaatar Pushes to Ease Groundwater Pressure

Published: 2026-03-26

Ulaanbaatar is expanding the use of recycled wastewater to cut pressure on its groundwater-dependent drinking supply. Dorjbat, head of the Water Regulatory Committee’s Tariff and Research Department, said the city still relies mainly on groundwater drawn from depths of 100-150 meters, but that overreliance creates long-term risk.

“Depending only on groundwater is risky. If surface water becomes scarce, the burden on groundwater will increase” - B. Dorjbat (news.mn)

Treated wastewater from the new plant, built with support from the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation, is now being delivered to Thermal Power Plant No. 3 and Thermal Power Plant No. 4 for industrial use. The city says this can save millions of cubic meters of groundwater annually, while also improving water security as Ulaanbaatar prepares to bring the new treatment facility fully online.

Coverage:

• “Recycled water is being supplied to Thermal Power Plant No. 3 and 4” (news.mn)

Society

Nationwide Disaster Siren Drill Tests Evacuation Readiness Across Mongolia

Published: 2026-03-26

At 16:00 on Thursday, Mongolia conducted its annual nationwide disaster siren drill, with authorities urging people to remain calm and follow evacuation instructions. The exercise, held every fourth Thursday of March under government regulations, was designed to test warning systems, evacuation procedures, and public readiness for earthquakes and other emergencies. Participation was reported across Ulaanbaatar and multiple provinces, including Dornogovi, Umnugovi, Uvurkhangai, Khovd, Orkhon, and Sukhbaatar. Local emergency teams, schools, government offices, and residents took part in the drill. In several provinces, officials also used the event to inspect preparedness equipment and reinforce response capacity. Khovd said it will allocate 140 million tugriks this year for disaster risk reduction, underlining the growing focus on prevention, public training, and inter-agency coordination.

Coverage:

• Disaster warning sirens will sound nationwide (eagle.mn)

• At 16:00 today, the disaster prevention siren will sound (ikon.mn)

• The disaster siren will sound nationwide at 16:00 (isee.mn)

• At 16:00, the disaster warning siren will sound nationwide (urug.mn)

• How should you act when the disaster warning siren sounds? (montsame.mn)

• Today, the disaster siren will sound nationwide (zarig.mn)

• Dornogovi: Worked according to the “Gather” signal (montsame.mn)

• Umnugovi: The alert siren sounded nationwide, and a drill was conducted (montsame.mn)

• Uvurkhangai: An earthquake has occurred once since the start of the year (montsame.mn)

• Khovd: 140 million tugriks will be spent on disaster risk reduction work (montsame.mn)

• Orkhon: Worked according to the disaster preparedness siren (montsame.mn)

• A disaster prevention drill was conducted using the emergency alert siren (zarig.mn)

• A drill was held to operate under the disaster protection emergency alert siren (urug.mn)

• Sukhbaatar: Actively participated in the drill (montsame.mn)

Researchers Warn Mongolia Could Face Population Decline Without Family Support Policies

Published: 2026-03-26

At a public discussion on the draft Law on Supporting Family Development, researchers warned that Mongolia’s fertility rate has slipped to around replacement level and could fall further without sustained policy intervention. Professor H. Bolormaa said the country’s birth rate has been declining since 2020 and could drop to 1.4-1.5 children per woman by 2050 if no action is taken, pushing population growth below zero and worsening future labor shortages.

“If we do not support childbirth through policy, Mongolia’s population will decline” - Professor H. Bolormaa (ikon.mn)

Officials said the draft law would coordinate family support through a database-based system and require employers to negotiate flexible working arrangements for parents of young children. Dr. H. Baavgai argued that child benefits should be partly saved rather than paid entirely in cash to build assets for children and strengthen long-term economic circulation.

Coverage:

• Research: Births have declined since 2020. If supportive policies are not implemented, the population growth rate will fall below one percent in 2050 (ikon.mn)

Remote Schooling Gaps Expose Deep Rural-Urban Education Divide

Published: 2026-03-26

Mongolia’s education system is facing a structural equity problem that the pandemic only magnified: remote and rural children continue to study in unsafe, under-resourced conditions, while digital learning tools often fail where they are most needed. In Hovsgol, one school is still heating classrooms with open stoves, and hundreds of schools and kindergartens nationwide rely on pit latrines. Civil society and former education officials say the result is a persistent learning gap, with rural students trailing urban peers by years in math, reading and science.

“Technology is not the goal; learning outcomes are” - UNESCO monitoring report (Global Education Monitoring Report 2023). Former Education Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan said the gap is mainly between urban and rural schools, estimating sum-center students are 2.5 years behind city students. The article warns that expanding devices without reliable internet and power will not close the divide.

Coverage:

• An indication of a wrong ranking (eagle.mn)

Environment

Government Pressures Entrée Resources Over Water Pollution Fees and Possible Water Access Limits

Published: 2026-03-26

Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar has escalated pressure on Oyu Tolgoi operator Entrée Resources, ordering regulators to recover water pollution charges retroactively from 2020 and to examine whether the company should lose access to water if it does not pay. Water Agency chief Z. Batbayar said the company has now requested a wastewater assessment and a water audit, which he described as a modest step forward, but added that the government will hold firm on back-charging the fees.

“If Entrée Resources does not pay the water pollution fee and does not recognize its social responsibility, we will study the issue of denying it water use” - Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar (eagle.mn)

The move signals a tougher enforcement approach on industrial water users and could set an important precedent for Mongolia’s “polluter pays” principle, particularly in resource-intensive mining.

Coverage:

• If the water pollution fee is not paid, the issue of not allowing water use to Oyu Tolgoi LLC will be raised (eagle.mn)

• The Prime Minister stated that if the water pollution fee is not paid, the issue of not allowing water use to Oyu Tolgoi LLC will be raised (ikon.mn)

• Oyu Tolgoi LLC will recover the payment for water polluted since 2020 (isee.mn)

• If the water pollution fee is not paid, the issue of not allowing water use to Oyu Tolgoi LLC was raised (montsame.mn)

• If Oyu Tolgoi LLC does not pay its water pollution fee, the possibility of not allowing water use will be studied (urug.mn)

IQAir Report Shows Mongolia’s PM2.5 Levels Fell 31% as Global Pollution Remains Severe

Published: 2026-03-26

IQAir’s World Air Quality Report 2025 shows air pollution remains dangerously high across much of the world, even as some countries recorded improvement. Of 143 countries and territories surveyed, only 13 met the World Health Organization’s PM2.5 guideline, and just 14% of monitored cities were within the safe limit, down from 17% a year earlier. Pakistan ranked as the most polluted country, while India’s Loni was named the world’s most polluted city. The report said Mongolia’s average PM2.5 concentration fell 31% to 17.8 micrograms per cubic meter, suggesting a notable improvement, though still above the WHO recommended level of 5 micrograms. Researchers linked worsening air quality globally to climate-driven wildfires, dust storms and biomass burning, underscoring the growing difficulty of maintaining reliable pollution controls.

Coverage:

• Mongolia’s average PM2.5 concentration has decreased by 31 percent (news.mn)

• Study: Air quality is at a normal safe level in 13 countries (montsame.mn)

Earthquake Activity Surges as Authorities Step Up Preparedness Drives

Published: 2026-03-26

Authorities marked Earthquake Disaster Prevention and Awareness Day with drills, school sessions and public training as seismic activity rises across Mongolia. The National Emergency Management Agency urged citizens, businesses and institutions to take part in basic preparedness exercises and risk-reduction training. In Bulgan aimag, 706 tremors were recorded in the first three months of the year, with the strongest reaching magnitude 3.5 near Mogoid soum on February 1. Nationwide, 5,178 earthquakes were registered in the first two months of 2026, including 10 quakes above magnitude 3.5, up 43 percent from the same period last year. Officials say 52.6 percent of the country lies in a very high earthquake-risk zone, while 95.3 percent of Ulaanbaatar sits in an active seismic area, underscoring the need for preparedness in both urban and rural settings.

Coverage:

• As of the first three months of this year, 706 earthquakes were recorded in Bulgan Province (zarig.mn)

• An earthquake with a magnitude above 3.5 occurred 10 times (unuudur.mn)

Oyu Tolgoi Details Water Recycling System and Higher Usage Fees in the Gobi

Published: 2026-03-26

Oyu Tolgoi has presented its water management model as a closed-loop system built for one of the world’s harshest mining environments. The mine draws limited new water from the Gunii Khooloi aquifer, which is tracked by meters, monitored by local authorities, and supplemented by repeated recycling through its concentrator, tailings pond, and treatment plants. Company officials said the operation now reuses 87.2% of its water and aims to reach 90% by expanding thickener capacity and improving tailings management through 2030. The article also notes that the government raised the water use fee for the concentrator by 75% in 2022. Oyu Tolgoi has paid 218 billion tugriks in water charges to Umnugovi since 2013 and says it follows a “zero discharge” principle, while still seeking further guidance on wastewater levies.

Coverage:

• The wisdom to endure the Gobi, or the water cycle of Oyu Tolgoi (urug.mn)

Innovation

Lawmakers Press Government to Enforce Tech Incentive Law as Startups Wait for Support

Published: 2026-03-26

Lawmaker J. Zoljargal says Mongolia’s 2024 law to support the information technology manufacturing sector has remained largely unenforced, despite provisions for social insurance reimbursements, tax relief and one-time grants for developers building new products and advanced technologies. He said the funding channels were already identified, including government special funds, but ministries and agencies have failed to coordinate implementation. The issue matters beyond the tech sector: supporters warn that without credible follow-through, skilled young programmers and founders may leave the country for better opportunities elsewhere. Zoljargal said a group of five MPs, including Ch. Anar and J. Galbadrah, will push for implementation and has already held a discussion on the matter.

“If the government does not resolve this, the young people building advanced technologies will leave Mongolia one by one.” - J. Zoljargal (eagle.mn)

Coverage:

• J. Zoljargal: The law on supporting the information technology industry is not being implemented (eagle.mn)

• Member of Parliament J. Zoljargal: The law on supporting the information technology industry is not being implemented (urug.mn)

Immigration Agency Launches AI Chatbot for 24/7 Multilingual Guidance

Published: 2026-03-26

Mongolia’s Immigration Agency has rolled out an AI-based chatbot to improve the speed and accessibility of public services for foreign citizens, companies, and organizations. From this month, the chatbot began providing advice and information in all national languages, allowing users to obtain detailed guidance on immigration-related services at any time and from any location. The move reduces reliance on office hours and should ease access for applicants who need support in their native language. For after-hours inquiries, the agency also directs users to its email service, website, and the chatbot itself, while calls to the 1800-1882 hotline are charged at normal mobile rates. The initiative signals a broader push toward digital public services and more user-friendly administration for international residents and businesses.

Coverage:

• An AI-based chatbot is giving advice in the languages of all countries (montsame.mn)

State Bank and NUM Launch 21-Day Startup Training for Household Businesses

Published: 2026-03-26

State Bank’s Business Incubator Center and the University of Mongolia’s Science and Technology Ulaanbaatar Park have launched a training program called “From Household Business to Startup” to help household and early-stage entrepreneurs move toward more competitive, technology-based business models. The program focuses on market demand, customer value, strategy, business architecture, and digital transformation. About 100 entrepreneurs attended the opening session, where they exchanged experience on innovation, financing options, and digital business development. Forty selected businesses will receive 21 days of combined theoretical and practical training, with the aim of improving their access to startup funding and future expansion opportunities. State Bank said it has supported more than 2,700 small and medium-sized enterprises in recent years while also developing an online learning platform to build business skills.

Coverage:

• The “From household business to startup” program has begun (isee.mn)

Health

Spring Warm Spell Raises Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Risk as Stove and Chimney Draft Weakens

Published: 2026-03-26

Health authorities are warning that carbon monoxide poisoning risk rises in spring and autumn as outdoor temperatures warm and chimney draft weakens. The advisory urges households to maintain stoves and heaters, clean chimneys regularly, avoid using chimney dampers or closures, and not to overfill fireboxes with briquettes. Authorities also advise against using overly powdered or crumbled fuel, removing the chimney pipe, covering the ger opening, or switching off carbon monoxide detectors. Public health officials say the danger is especially pronounced during seasonal transitions, with May identified as the peak month for incidents. The warning reflects a recurring indoor safety issue in Mongolia, where solid-fuel heating remains common and small changes in airflow can quickly turn routine heating into a life-threatening hazard.

Coverage:

• ADVICE: As it gets warmer outside, chimney draft worsens and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases (ikon.mn)