Politics
Published: 2026-01-24
Mongolian authorities are pursuing separate criminal investigations involving sitting lawmakers. Member of Parliament Kh. Bulganthuya, under probe by the intelligence agency for alleged attempts to unlawfully seize or obstruct state power, has not reviewed her indictment and therefore has not been subject to preventive measures; sources say she exited Mongolia and has not returned, which could slow proceedings if she remains overseas. In a parallel case, former Speaker and current MP D. Amarbaysgalan has been charged with bribery and illicit enrichment. Investigators placed him under a personal guarantee preventive measure, allowing travel with notification to officials; he reportedly traveled abroad and recently returned. The cases underscore differing legal postures: one suspect outside the country without imposed measures, the other cooperating under court-approved constraints.
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Infrastructure
Prime Minister Inspects Power System as TPP-4 Fixes Boiler, Buuruljuut Plant Restores Full Output
Published: 2026-01-24
Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar visited the Buuruljuut power plant and Thermal Power Plant No. 4 (TPP-4) after returning from Davos, as authorities worked to stabilize electricity supply and lift rolling outages in Ulaanbaatar. A severe cold snap to -48°C near Buuruljuut froze coal in the feed bunker, causing disruptions that operators say have been resolved, with the plant now supplying its installed 300 MW. TPP-4 repaired a boiler in roughly 18 hours and aimed to reconnect before the evening peak, though engineers warned the system needs a ninth boiler to ensure reserve capacity. The National Dispatching Center reported system load at 597 MW at 10:00 with about 30 MW import and 160 MW battery reserve, indicating stabilized conditions.
“If the Buuruljuut plant operates at full capacity, there will be no need to import electricity from Russia.” - Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar (montsame.mn)
“Restoring the unit quickly is a firefighting measure; without reserve capacity, curtailments could recur. We urgently need to build a ninth boiler.” - D. Boldbaatar, Chief Engineer, TPP-4 (montsame.mn)
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Power Cuts Rolled Out as TPP-4 Faults and Coal Freezing Strain Grid; Ex-Energy Officials Detained in Corruption Probe
Published: 2026-01-24
Ulaanbaatar imposed scheduled electricity restrictions after a major fault at Thermal Power Plant No. 4 coincided with Bөrөlzhuut plant underperforming due to frozen coal, pushing winter peak demand to 1,803 MW and tightening imports from Russia. Energy Minister B. Choijilsuren said four of 69 boilers were under repair and warned Russian supply could drop from 300 MW to 250 MW, raising blackout risks.
“On January 19, peak load reached 1,803 MW. Four boilers are under repair, and Russia may supply 250 MW instead of 300 MW today.” - Energy Minister B. Choijilsuren (gogo.mn)
Separately, the Anti-Corruption Agency detained former energy minister and current TPP-4 CEO N. Tavinbekh over allegations of extending and inflating a consulting contract tied to a Korea Eximbank-financed heat plant program, benefiting a firm linked to his adviser. Lawmakers demanded accountability following recent accidents at TPP-3 and TPP-4.
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Tender Launched to Rebuild Apartment Block Destroyed in Dunjingarav Explosion
Published: 2026-01-24
Ulaanbaatar has opened an open tender to reconstruct Apartment Building No. 207, destroyed in the January 2024 gas-truck explosion near Dunjingarav Trade Center in Bayanzürkh District. Bids are due by 09:00 on February 9, 2026, with the opening at 09:30 via Mongolia’s e-procurement system (tender.gov.mn). Participation is limited to domestic companies. The procurement is authorized under a 2025 resolution of the Citizens’ Representative Khural, with a total project budget of MNT 17.34 billion and MNT 8.67 billion allocated for 2026. The city’s Procurement Agency is administering the process, implementing designs approved by the Chief Architect. Experts previously ruled the structure unsafe, leading to demolition of the 13-story reinforced concrete building, completed in December 2025 by a municipal recycling enterprise.
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Society
Police Model Rising Drug-Crime Risk for 2026–2030, Plan Targeted Prevention and Enforcement in 2026
Published: 2026-01-24
Mongolia’s General Police Department, Anti-Narcotics Division reports 2,100 narcotics and psychotropic substance-related crimes involving 2,422 suspects over the past nine years, accounting for 0.64% of total registered crimes nationwide. While a small share by volume, authorities characterize these offenses as having outsized impacts on national security, public health, demographics, and economic independence. Using T-21 system dynamics modeling and VENSIM software, the division projects an upward risk trend for drug-related crimes in 2026–2030. In response, it plans 2026 measures focused on risk-based, target-group prevention; phased inspections to monitor and detect illicit circulation; enhanced officer training and retention; and strengthened interagency collaboration. Officials aim to move beyond reactive enforcement toward risk forecasting and research-driven policy to better protect public health and safety and mitigate social harms.
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Published: 2026-01-24
Mongolian police reported a persistent tactic in transnational narcotics trafficking: smugglers conceal drugs in parcels handed to travelers, who are then intercepted at borders. Over the past nine years, authorities conducted investigations into 2,100 cases involving 2,422 suspects. Forty-seven Mongolian citizens are currently serving prison sentences overseas after accepting third-party baggage; 63.6% were convicted for transport and 22.7% for border crossing. Sentences in many countries range from 10 to 25 years. Officials warned that contraband is often disguised as benign items such as children’s toys or documents and urged travelers not to accept parcels from others and to keep personal belongings under observation. The update underscores heightened legal exposure for outbound travelers and the need for stricter personal security practices during international trips. No named official statements were provided in the report.
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Published: 2026-01-24
Mongolia’s General Police Department reported the arrest of a well-known individual in Ulaanbaatar suspected of purchasing and selling narcotic and psychoactive substances. Authorities seized 300 ml of a substance identified as “pinaca,” listed under Schedule II of the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, as material evidence. Police said the amount corresponds to roughly 900 single-use doses. An investigation is underway, with the seized substance and related evidence to be examined for criminal proceedings. The case underscores ongoing enforcement against synthetic cannabinoids in Mongolia, aligning with international schedules under UN conventions. No further details on the suspect’s identity or potential charges were disclosed, and police indicated the probe remains active.
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Environment
Ulaanbaatar Stays Dry at -16°C to -18°C as Snow Hits Western Highlands; Cold Eases Later This Week
Published: 2026-01-24
Ulaanbaatar will remain dry today, with light easterly winds and daytime temperatures between -16°C and -18°C, while snow and light drifting are forecast across Uvs Basin and the Altai–Khangai–Khövsgöl highlands. Nationwide, winds generally run 4–9 m/s, with deeper cold persisting in valleys: -27°C to -32°C in Darhad, Tes, and Yeröö, and -22°C to -27°C across major river basins including Orkhon, Selenge, Kharaa, and Tuul. Subregions near the capital differ slightly: Baganuur -19°C to -21°C, Terelj -17°C to -19°C. A broader outlook signals some easing of daytime cold from Jan 25–29, though intermittent snow is expected in central, eastern, and mountainous areas, and gusts could reach 12–14 m/s in parts of the Gobi and Altai. Early mornings will remain severe in basins, dropping to -37°C to -42°C on the coldest nights.
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White-Out Conditions Confirmed in 52 Soums; 61 More at Risk Across 14 Provinces
Published: 2026-01-24
Government assessment under Resolution No. 286 indicates severe winter conditions, with white-out “tsagaan zud” confirmed in 52 soums across 11 aimags and near-white-out conditions in 61 soums across 14 aimags. The classification is based on snow depth, density, and air temperatures measured against long-term averages. Hardest-hit areas include soums in Uvs, Khovd, Zavkhan, Khuvsgul, Ovorkhangai, Bulgan, Orkhon, Selenge, Darkhan-Uul, Tuv, and Dornod, suggesting elevated risks for livestock losses, transport disruptions, and supply chain delays through the late-winter period. The spread of risk across both western and eastern aimags underscores potential nationwide pressures on herder livelihoods and local administrations, warranting contingency planning for fodder, veterinary support, and road maintenance. No official spoke on the record in the cited report.
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Innovation
AI Academy Asia to Train 500 School Teachers in AI Skills Nationwide This Spring
Published: 2026-01-24
AI Academy Asia will train 500 general education teachers across 21 provinces and nine districts of Ulaanbaatar in artificial intelligence skills from March 1 to May 24, as part of the National AI Campaign. The 12-week, free program aims to equip teachers to integrate AI tools into classrooms and disseminate knowledge to students. Last year, the initiative trained 450 teachers and 50 engineers, who subsequently taught AI-related lessons to about 10,000 students, indicating early impact beyond pilot cohorts. Over the next five years, the academy targets developing 2,500 AI specialists while strengthening teacher capacity countrywide, signaling a multi-year push to expand digital literacy and applied AI in Mongolia’s education system. Registration for this year’s cohort has opened, with the program marking its second consecutive year of implementation.
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