LUNAR NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM AMBASSADORS www.gogo.mn

Each year, we share Lunar New Year greetings from ambassadors who live and work in Mongolia — a cherished tradition. Here, we present their messages for the Year of the Fire Horse, along with what they plan to accomplish in the year ahead. (Note: The ambassadors’ greetings are published in alphabetical order according to their respective countries) By B.Nyamdari

"ON BEHALF OF AUSTRALIA, I WISH YOU GOOD HEALTH, HAPPINESS, AND PROSPERITY IN THE YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE"

Leo Zeng, Ambassador of Australia

Please extend your Lunar New Year greetings to the Mongolians.
Warm greetings to the people of Mongolia as you celebrate Tsagaan Sar. This special time is about getting together with family, honouring elders and celebrating the values and traditions that bind generations. As we welcome the New Year, Australia looks forward to continuing to work closely with Mongolia to strengthen our partnership and deepen our ties. On behalf of Australia, I wish you good health, happiness, and prosperity in the Year of the Fire Horse. May the New Year bring fresh opportunities and success for you and your loved ones. Та бүхэн сар шинэдээ сайхан шинэлээрэй.

What are you aiming for in the upcoming Year of the Horse?
I believe the Year of the Horse is about momentum and progress. In the year ahead, we aim to advance our partnership with Mongolia by further strengthening people-to-people links, and delivering tangible benefits for both our countries. We also look to deepen cooperation through education, skills development and cultural exchange.

On a personal note, I hope to see more of Mongolia, both officially and privately, in the New Year – its beautiful landscapes, rich culture and wonderful food.

"I WISH TO ALL MONGOLIAN FRIENDS FOR GOOD FORTUNE, STRONG HEALTH, AND ABUNDANT HAPPINESS IN THE YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE"

Shen Minjuan, Ambassador of China:

Please extend your Lunar New Year greetings to the Mongolians.
This year, Mongolia’s Tsagaan Sar and China’s Spring Festival fall just one day apart, and the two countries are about to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse together. The horse symbolizes courage, wisdom, and resilience. The Fire Horse year, which comes once every 60 years, carries the auspicious meaning in both Chinese and Mongolian cultures of forging bravely ahead and striving upward.

On the occasion of the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse, I sincerely wish that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Mongolia will gallop forward like swift steeds and achieve all its goals without obstacles. I also extend my heartfelt wishes to all Mongolian friends for good fortune, strong health, and abundant happiness in the Year of the Fire Horse.

What are you aiming for in the upcoming Year of the Horse?
Over the past year, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Mongolia has continued to deepen, and cooperation across all sectors has achieved fruitful results. In particular, amid a complex and rapidly changing international environment, bilateral trade has demonstrated remarkable stability and resilience, revealing enormous potential for development. In the Year of the Fire Horse, I would like to highlight three expectations for the future development of China–Mongolia relations.

First, strengthening strategic alignment.
This year marks the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Mongolia has also adopted its new five-year development plan. We hope that the two plans will be closely aligned, enabling both countries to achieve mutual success and develop together. Next month, the sessions of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference will deliberate and adopt the 15th Five-Year Plan, which will present Mongolia with a clearer “list of opportunities.” I invite our Mongolian friends to pay close attention to this.

Second, steadily advancing cooperative projects.
Last year saw notable progress in major bilateral projects. Construction began on the cross-border railway linking Gantsmod and Gashuunsukhait, meaning that the two countries will soon have their second cross-border railway in 70 years. The Erdeneburen Hydropower Plant project has commenced, which will effectively meet the electricity needs of thousands of households in the western region. The redevelopment housing project for 1,008 households in ger districts has been completed and handed over. Projects such as the sports complex named after the heads of state of the two countries are also planned to begin this year. The Chinese side stands ready to work with Mongolia to implement these projects in a practical manner and inject greater momentum into the modernization and development of both countries.

Third, increasing support for improving people’s livelihoods.
I was delighted to see Mongolian friends who had undergone cataract and congenital heart disease surgeries in China at the Spring Festival reception recently hosted by the Embassy, and to learn that their recovery has been very successful. China will continue to provide assistance to Mongolian citizens in need of medical treatment.

I also visited the home of Enkhsaikhan in a ger district area, who told me that thanks to the newly installed solar heating system, his family now enjoys a cleaner, warmer, and more comfortable life. With support from China, more than 500 additional households will similarly benefit.

Furthermore, in cooperation with United Nations agencies, China is working to enhance herders’ capacity to adapt to climate change, improve soil management capacity, and strengthen sanitary conditions for school-age girls, thereby supporting Mongolia in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all sectors in Mongolia that have actively supported my work. I will continue to fulfill my responsibilities in building a China–Mongolia community with a shared future and strive to achieve even more fruitful outcomes in bilateral relations.

"MAY THE BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN MONGOLIA AND CUBA, LIKE THE ETERNAL BLUE SKY"

Emilio Pevida Pupo, Ambassador of The Republic of Cuba:

Please extend your Lunar New Year greetings to the Mongolians.
On behalf of the Republic of Cuba and its people, I extend my warmest and most sincere greetings to the people of Mongolia on the joyous occasion of Tsagaan Sar, the Lunar New Year. 

May this White Moon festival, marking the renewal of nature and the beginning of spring, bring boundless happiness, robust health, and lasting prosperity to every family across the vast and beautiful steppes of Mongolia. 

This celebration, centered on family unity, respect for elders, and shared hopes for the future, deeply resonates with the values we hold dear in Cuba. As your friend and partner, we celebrate with you the strength of your rich traditions and the bright promise of the year ahead. 

May the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Mongolia and Cuba, like the eternal blue sky, continue to grow stronger in this new cycle. 

What are you aiming for in the upcoming Year of the Horse?
On the threshold of the Year of the Horse, my aims as Ambassador are guided by the shared vision of our leaders to elevate the 65-year friendship between Cuba and Mongolia to a qualitatively superior level. This year, symbolizing transformation and decisive leadership, is the perfect moment to charge ahead with concrete cooperation for the direct benefit of our people. 

Key Diplomatic Priorities for 2026 
Building on the strong foundation of our political solidarity, my mission will focus on activating cooperation in these specific areas of mutual interest: 

1. Political & Multilateral Solidarity: Strengthen coordination in international forums.
2. Economic & Commercial Ties: Identify and promote concrete business opportunities and work to diversify bilateral trade and investment.
3. Technical & Sectoral Cooperation: Share expertise in high-value sectors. Advance collaboration in public health, education, sports, and science & technology.
4. Cultural & People-to-People Exchange: Bring our distant nations closer. Foster cultural dialogue and mutual understanding. 

A Foundation of Mutual Support 
This work is inspired by the living example of our friendship. We will never forget Mongolia's generous humanitarian donation in food aid to help Cuba recover from natural disasters in 2024—a profound gesture of solidarity. This spirit of support, which we see repeated in Mongolia's steadfast stance against the U. S. economic blockade against Cuba at the United Nations General Assembly, is the bedrock upon which we will build this year's achievements. 

The Horse's energy of perseverance mirrors our own. As Cuba faces a complex international scenario, the friendship with Mongolia is a source of great strength. I am confident that in this Year of the Horse, by working with determination, we can achieve a lasting gallop forward in our bilateral relations. 
  

"A YEAR AHEAD WILL ALLOW US TO ACHIEVE EVEN MORE AND LAY A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR LAUNCHING THE NEXT SIXTY YEARS OF RELATIONS"

Corinne Pereira, Ambassador of France:

Please extend your Lunar New Year greetings to the Mongolians.
I am delighted to extend my warmest wishes for good health, happiness, and prosperity to you all. May the rising Year of the Fire Horse bring us energy, positive change, and peace.

What are you aiming for in the upcoming Year of the Horse?
As the Year of the Wood Snake comes to a close, France and Mongolia proudly mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, concluding a truly special year in our bilateral ties. Over the past year, we have made meaningful progress in addressing our shared challenges, including reducing dependency, diversifying partnerships, combating climate change, decarbonizing our economies, and promoting regional development.

I am confident that the year ahead will allow us to achieve even more and lay a strong foundation for launching the next sixty years of relations between our two countries. In the coming years, we will further strengthen cooperation in civil protection, transport, and energy, while deepening economic ties and people-to-people exchanges. Together, we will continue contributing to the building of an open and pluralistic world.

“THIS YEAR, WE ARE PLACING PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE ON THE FIELD OF EDUCATION” 

Helmut Kulitz, Ambassador of Germany:

Please extend your Lunar New Year greetings to the Mongolians.
In the incoming Year of the Horse, I wish you and your families, above all, good health, happiness, and every blessing. May the new year be filled with energy, achievements, and hope, and may the unity and shared values passed down through hundreds of years of Mongolian history continue to thrive even more strongly.

What are you aiming for in the upcoming Year of the Horse?
As the Year of the Horse begins, I am entering my third year serving as Ambassador to Mongolia. I am truly delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to deepening the friendly relations between our two peoples in your beautiful country, and I would like to emphasize that this is a great honor for me. The warm and open welcome I have received from the people of Mongolia has been especially meaningful.

This year, we are placing particular importance on the field of education. In line with the Government of Mongolia designating 2026 as the “Year of Supporting Education,” we aim to further expand our cooperation in this area. Education has long served as a strong pillar of German–Mongolian relations. A notable example is the famous Mongolian writer Natsagdorj Dashdorj, who went to study in Germany exactly 100 years ago. Continuing this tradition, we will work to strengthen cooperation between universities and vocational education institutions.

The Year of the Horse symbolizes energy, perseverance, and new beginnings. Just as these qualities reflect the spirit of Mongolia, they also guide our shared goals for the future. We will continue our close cooperation and strive to deepen the solid partnership between our two countries.

Obrusánszky Borbála, Ambassador of Hungary:

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR, DEAR MONGOLIANS!

I extend my warmest Lunar New Year greetings for the Year of the Fire Horse, known as the “Soaring Steed,” to all Mongolian brothers and sisters across every corner of Mongolia.

In the past Year of the Snake, Hungary and Mongolia celebrated the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations, marking a wonderful year of expanded cooperation in culture, education, and science.

In recent years, we have placed special focus on increasing bilateral trade. As a result, over the past three years, the volume of goods exported from Hungary to Mongolia has grown significantly. In the field of education, under the continuously implemented Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship program, 1,500 students are currently studying in Hungary. Additionally, 146 students are enrolled in Hungary under Mongolia’s Presidential “Mission 2100” program.

The Hungarian company Mozaik Kiadó, in partnership with Mongolia’s Mozaun, has successfully introduced the Mozaik digital platform into Mongolia’s education system. For the 2025–2026 academic year, teachers and students in public general education schools will have access to internationally recognized digital content and e-textbooks. Furthermore, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Hungarian Studies and Mongolia’s Academy of Sciences’ Archaeology Institute have successfully continued excavations of the Xiongnu royal tombs at Ar Gunt.

In 2026, we aim to further deepen cooperation between the two countries’ Academies of Sciences. At the same time, we plan to focus on agriculture, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, and expanding provincial and local-level relations.

I am confident that in the incoming Year of the Horse, relations and cooperation between our two countries will continue to grow and flourish.

Wishing you all a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year!

"I AM AIMING 3 MAJOR THINGS TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING INDIA MONGOLIA FRIENDSHIP"

 Atul Malhari Gotsurve, Ambassador of India

Please extend your Lunar New Year greetings to the Mongolians.
I convey my heartfelt greetings to all Mongolians a very Happy Tsagaan Sar 2026, the year of fire horse. I wish the Mongolian lunar New Year brings in more happiness, peace and prosperity to all the people living in Mongolia.

What are your aiming for in the upcoming Year of the Horse?
I am aiming 3 major things to further strengthen the existing India Mongolia Friendship:
1. Completion of construction of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Information Technology Centre at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology.
2. Completion of the Construction of India Mongolia Friendship Secondary School at Zaisan.
3. Boost existing bilateral trade between the two countries.

"WE WILL WORK WITH GREATER EFFORT TO EXPAND AND DEEPEN JAPAN–MONGOLIA RELATIONS ACROSS MULTIPLE SECTORS"

Igawahara Masaru, Ambassador of Japan

Please extend your Lunar New Year greetings to the Mongolians.
I extend my warmest Lunar New Year greetings to the people of Mongolia on the occasion of the Year of the Fire Horse, also known as the “Soaring Steed.”

As the first warm days of spring arrive, I hope you are celebrating the holiday with joy, happiness, and the company of family and friends.

In the past Year of the Wood Snake, at the invitation of H.E. President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan paid a successful state visit to Mongolia. During their eight-day visit, the warm and heartfelt welcome from the people of Mongolia created unforgettable and deeply moving memories for us. During the visit, Their Majesties engaged kindly with citizens, especially children and youth, and their simple, smiling demeanor reflected the genuine respect and warmth with which they regard Mongolia. Daily coverage of the visit in both countries’ media helped deepen mutual understanding and bring our peoples closer together. I sincerely thank everyone who supported and hosted the visit with such warmth and hospitality.

This visit, etched in golden letters in the history of our bilateral relations, not only reaffirmed the close cooperation across all sectors built by many over the years, but also inspires confidence that the youth of both countries will continue to lead and illuminate the future of our partnership.

What are you aiming for in the upcoming Year of the Horse?
This year, we will work with even greater effort to expand and deepen Japan–Mongolia relations across multiple sectors. In particular, we aim to support our youth and strengthen “people-centered” cooperation, thereby realizing the “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity” between our countries and contributing to peace and development in the region and the world.

The Year of the Fire Horse arrives in 2026. Historically, Mongolians have revered the horse as a companion in life and daily work, and as a symbol of strength, vitality, freedom, and prosperity. To all Mongolians, I extend my heartfelt wishes that in this Year of the Fire Horse, you may be as swift, spirited, and energetic as a horse galloping across the steppe—enjoying health, abundance, and happiness in every aspect of life.

"WE AIM TO DEVELOP KAZAKHSTAN–MONGOLIA COOPERATION IN THE SPIRIT OF THE FIRE HORSE"

Almas Seitakov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Please extend your Lunar New Year greetings to the Mongolians.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, and Colleagues, On behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Mongolia, and personally, I extend my heartfelt greetings to you on the occasion of Tsagaan Sar, one of the most cherished and sacred celebrations of the Mongolian people.

Tsagaan Sar symbolizes the respect and reverence for spiritual values and traditions. During this holiday, the principles of honoring elders, caring for loved ones, and valuing social harmony and unity are especially evident. It also represents renewal, purity of heart, and the continuity of generations.

I wish the entire people of Mongolia good health, peaceful and prosperous lives, happiness, and abundance. May Tsagaan Sar bring joy and wellbeing to every household, open the way for good deeds, and inspire wonderful beginnings.

The Republic of Kazakhstan highly values the longstanding friendship and good-neighborly relations with Mongolia. May our bilateral cooperation continue to grow vigorously in the years ahead for the mutual benefit of our peoples.

What are you aiming for in the upcoming Year of the Horse?

The Year of the Fire Horse is traditionally associated with strength, energy, and creativity. We aim to develop Kazakhstan–Mongolia cooperation in the spirit of the Fire Horse.

Our primary goal is to enrich bilateral relations with tangible achievements. This includes expanding trade and economic cooperation, advancing joint projects in transport, logistics, and agro-industrial sectors, and strengthening business linkages. It is also essential to deepen humanitarian cooperation, with a focus on education, cultural exchanges, youth initiatives, and tourism.

Furthermore, we are committed to enhancing political dialogue and coordination on international platforms. Our core principle remains unchanged: cooperation between Kazakhstan and Mongolia should bring tangible and meaningful benefits to the peoples of both countries.

"I HOPE THAT THE YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE WILL BE ESPECIALLY FAVORABLE FOR MONGOLIA"

Alexey Nikolaevich Evsikov, Ambassador of Russia

Please extend your Lunar New Year greetings to the Mongolians.
Dear friends,  I sincerely congratulate you on the traditional Mongolian holiday of Tsagaan Sar. 

This is a special occasion for the Mongolian people, symbolizing the arrival of spring, the renewal of nature, and people’s hopes for the future. It brings the warmth and joy of family celebrations, reflects the unity of the Mongolian nation, and highlights its unique identity and the enduring traditions passed down through generations. 

I know that people across Mongolia look forward to this nationwide holiday as an opportunity to spend time with relatives, loved ones, and friends, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional Mongolian dishes in a warm and welcoming family atmosphere. 

I hope that the Year of the Fire Horse will be especially favorable for Mongolia. May it bring happiness, harmony, good fortune, stability, and prosperity to every Mongolian family. 

What are your goals for the upcoming Year of the Horse? 
My goals as the Ambassador of Russia remain consistent and do not depend on the year ahead. First and foremost, this involves continuing systematic efforts to promote Russian interests in Mongolia, as well as doing everything possible to further develop the comprehensive Russian–Mongolian dialogue, identify areas of mutual interest, and find solutions to long-standing issues that hinder practical cooperation. 

Together with our Mongolian friends, I also plan to devote special attention to the joint celebration of significant milestones in the history of our two countries. These include the 105th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Russian House in Ulaanbaatar — formerly known as the House of Soviet Science and Culture (HSSC) and later as the Russian Center of Science and Culture (RCSC) — as well as the 45th anniversary of the Soviet–Mongolian spaceflight and other commemorative dates. 

As for my personal goals, I would like to visit those Mongolian aimags that I have not yet had the opportunity to travel to, learn more about the life, traditions, and culture of the friendly Mongolian people, and see with my own eyes the natural landmarks about which I have heard so much. 

"KEY GOALS THIS YEAR IS TO FURTHER ADVANCE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS PARTICULARLY IN INFRASTRUCTURE, HEALTHCARE, AND THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY"

Choi Jin-won, Ambassador Republic of Korea to Mongolia 

Please extend your Lunar New Year greetings to the Mongolians.
With heartfelt warmth, I extend my sincere greetings and best wishes for a joyful Tsagaan Sar to all Mongolian people. May the year 2026 bring hope, happiness, and love to everyone across Mongolia. 

What are you aiming for in the upcoming Year of the Horse?
Last year, Korea and Mongolia proudly commemorated the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Since 1990, our two countries have broadened cooperation across diverse fields— including politics, economy, society, and culture—culminating in the elevation of our relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2021. 

Robust people-to-people exchanges have long served as the backbone of our relationship, fostering friendship and mutual understanding between our two nations. Various initiatives under Korea’s official development assistance, led by KOICA, have also made significant contributions to Mongolia’s sustainable development and to the deepening of our bilateral cooperation. 

One of my key goals this year is to further advance business partnerships that will create new success stories between Korea and Mongolia, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, and the livestock industry. I am confident that these efforts will lay a solid foundation for elevating our economic collaboration to new heights. 

I will also make my utmost efforts to further strengthen exchanges among younger generations, who I believe represent the true potential and promise of our future relationship. 

"I WISH YOU A HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND SUCCESSFUL YEAR AHEAD"

Fiona Blyth, Ambassador of the United Kingdom:

Please extend your Lunar New Year greetings to the Mongolians.
I would like to wish all Mongolians a bold progress in the upcoming year of fire horse. May your Tsagaan sar celebrations will be filled with happiness, good food and optimism. And I wish you a happy, healthy, and successful year ahead.

What are you aiming for in the upcoming Year of the Horse?
I hope that the year of horse will bring UK-Mongolia relations even closer and make it stronger. The British embassy is aiming to achieve more in education, infrastructure, and critical minerals with Mongolia. In the upcoming year, we will concentrate more on bringing more positive impact and growth in our economies.  

 
"MAY THE YEAR OF THE RED FIRE HORSE BRING HEALTH, HAPPINESS, AND SUCCESS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!"

Richard Buangan, Ambassador of the United States:

Please extend you Lunar New Years Greetings to all Mongolians. 
On behalf of the U.S. Embassy, I extend my warmest wishes to the Mongolian people for a happy and prosperous Tsagaan Sar! A Mongolian friend told me that this year is the Year of the Red Fire Horse, something that only happens once every 60 years. It symbolizes change, transformation, new beginnings, growth, and opportunities, qualities that I think reflect the dynamic partnership between the United States and Mongolia. May the Year of the Red Fire Horse bring health, happiness, and success to you and your families! 

What are you aiming for in the upcoming Year of the Horse? 
This is an extraordinary year for both our nations. This year, the United States will celebrate “Freedom 250”, the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. We have many plans to mark this momentous occasion. Mongolia will also celebrate the 820th anniversary of the Mongol Empire, a remarkable milestone in world history. The U.S. Embassy looks forward to collaborating with our Mongolian friends to honor these two significant anniversaries and highlighting the enduring partnership between our two nations. 

I'm thrilled to announce that the $462 million Ulaanbaatar Water Compact, funded by the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation, will be completed by March 31st. This transformative project includes developing new downstream wells, wastewater recycling, and measures to ensure long-term water sector sustainability for the capital city and its residents. 

In economic cooperation, this year we saw United Airlines become the first U.S. airline to serve Mongolia. We look forward to working with Mongolian partners to expand trade and investment opportunities. Also, this past month, Mongolia participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial hosted by our Secretary of State. This year, we are eager to work with partners such as Mongolia to build secure and resilient critical mineral supply chains.  

Our security partnership remains strong. Khaan Quest will take place again this year, continuing our longstanding cooperation in support of UN peacekeeping operations. 

Looking ahead, we're already preparing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of U.S.-Mongolia bilateral relations in January 2027. 

Across all these endeavors, we remain committed to strengthening the ties between the people and governments of our two countries in this auspicious Year of the Horse. 

"I HAVE ALWAYS FELT THE SINCERITY, HOSPITALITY, AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY OF THE MONGOLIAN PEOPLE, QUALITIES THAT MAKE THIS COUNTRY SO UNIQUE"

Nguyen Tuan Thanh, Ambassador of Vietnam

Please extend your Lunar New Year greetings to the Mongolians
On the occasion of the traditional Tsagaan Sar New Year, I would like to extend my warmest and most sincere New Year wishes to the people of Mongolia. May every Mongolian family a Happy New Year filled with health, happiness, peace, and good fortune; and wishing Mongolia continued development, prosperity, and stability. Tsagaan Sar is not only the beginning of a new year, but also an occasion for people to gather, cherish traditional values, and strengthen family bonds. I have always felt the sincerity, hospitality, and sense of community of the Mongolian people, qualities that make this country so unique. On this occasion of the Lunar New Year, I hope that the friendship and understanding between the people of Vietnam and Mongolia will continue to be nurtured, becoming even stronger and closer in the future.

What are you aiming for in the upcoming Year of the Horse?
As we enter the Year of the Horse, I look forward to a year of dynamism, resilience, and stronger connections between Vietnam and Mongolia. In my capacity, I hope to work with Mongolian partners to promote practical cooperation in areas where both sides have strengths and complementary needs, such as trade, agriculture, education, people-to-people exchanges, and local cooperation. I place particular importance on bringing the relationship between the two countries closer to the daily lives of the people, so that each project and cooperation program brings concrete benefits. Like the image of a horse deeply connected to the Mongolian steppes, I believe that with trust, perseverance, and a shared forward-looking spirit, the Vietnam-Mongolia friendship will continue to make steady and lasting strides in the new year.

G.Zandanshatar and Rio Tinto agree to increase Mongolia’s share in Oyu Tolgoi www.gogo.mn

Representatives of Rio Tinto and Oyu Tolgoi met Prime Minister G.Zandanshatar today to review progress in negotiations aimed at increasing Mongolia’s benefits from the Oyu Tolgoi project and to agree a staged timetable for resolving outstanding issues. 

Attending the meeting from the Rio Tinto and Oyu Tolgoi side were Kh.Amarjargal, Country Director- Mongolia at Rio Tinto, S.Munkhsukh, Chief Executive of Oyu Tolgoi LLC, B.Dulamsuren, Deputy Chief Financial Officer of Oyu Tolgoi, and Andrew Laya, Chief Operating Officer. The company delegation presented a response letter from Rio Tinto Copper Group CEO Katie Jackson and reiterated the firm’s commitment to continued, constructive dialogue. 

Prime Minister G.Zandanshatar opened the meeting by reiterating the constitutional principle that the majority of benefits from the country’s natural resources should accrue to the Mongolian people. He said the government expects tangible progress on reducing financing costs and management fees associated with the project.

According to officials, Rio Tinto’s leadership, including a prior note from CEO Simon Trott, signalled willingness to continue open dialogue to support the long-term sustainability of Oyu Tolgoi operations. 

The Rio Tinto Copper Group’s response, delivered by its CEO Katie Jackson, confirmed that working groups set up under recent prime-ministerial decrees are cooperating actively with the company. Specific proposals aimed at cutting interest expenses and management costs have been submitted to the working group, and officials said these measures would directly increase Mongolia’s share of project returns if implemented.

S.Munkhsukh, Oyu Tolgoi LLC CEO, said the company agrees in principle with the government’s objectives and will actively cooperate to raise the project’s benefits for Mongolia.

Both sides agreed to intensify negotiations and resolve issues in clearly defined stages, with a target to reach final agreement in the first half of 2026. Government officials said the staged approach will allow technical, financial and legal items to be settled sequentially and enable earlier capture of benefits for Mongolia as adjustments are implemented.

Mongolia Announces Tender for Borteeg Coal Project Investor www.montsame.mn

An open tender has been announced to attract domestic and foreign companies interested in investing and cooperating in bringing the untapped Borteeg section of the Tavantolgoi deposit into commercial production.

The selected investor will be required to finance and develop, at its own expense, the necessary infrastructure covering mining, processing, sales, and transportation operations, without transferring the special license for the Borteeg section.

Under the project framework, proposals must follow a “hybrid” model in which sales revenue will be shared with the contracting party. The Mongolian side’s share of benefits during the project implementation period must not fall below 51 percent. Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC stated that provisions have also been included to give domestic companies an advantage in the selection process. The tender to select an investor for the Borteeg section will remain open for 30 days.

The Borteeg deposit holds total reserves of 424.2 million tons of coal and has an annual production capacity of 15 million tons. Of the total reserves, 95 percent consists of weakly coking coal and 5 percent of thermal coal. Bringing the deposit into economic circulation is expected to increase Mongolia’s foreign exchange reserves, boost state budget revenues and tax payments, and contribute to the accumulation of the National Wealth Fund.

In 2025, Mongolia exported over 85,000 tons of meat and meat products www.open.kg

On Saturday, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia reported that in 2025, the total volume of meat and meat product exports reached 85,400 tons, equivalent to $343.9 million.

The ministry states that the majority of the products were supplied to China, the UAE, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

Mongolia is striving to diversify its economy, which largely depends on the mining sector, and is actively working to expand meat supplies to international markets.

As of the end of December 2025, 67 meat processing enterprises in Mongolia received special licenses for export.

According to the National Statistical Office, by the end of 2025, the livestock population in Mongolia reached 58.1 million heads.

Mongolia is home to about 30 million sheep — exceeding the number of sheep in New Zealand. However, until recently, the country exported only a small portion of its meat production. Mongolia hopes to change this situation by meeting the growing demand for halal lamb from countries like Iran, which need imports due to a lack of local production.

TMK Energy edges closer to gas flow milestone in Mongolia www.thewest.com.au/

TMK Energy has successfully navigated another milestone at its wholly owned Gurvantes XXXV coal seam gas (CSG) pilot well project in Mongolia.

The company’s latest pressure build-up tests at its Lucky Fox one and four wells, which were shut in for 14 and 8 days, respectively, have confirmed the reservoir pressure has continued to improve since earlier readings in November.

The latest numbers show that the upper coal seam water pressure is steadily declining towards the all-important critical desorption level required for gas to flow freely. Once enough water is pumped out, methane separates from the coal matrix, flipping the wells from water-dominated to gas-dominated outflow.

The transition represents a make-or-break stage for meaningful CSG production.

Notably, the observed pressure trends have lined up neatly with TMK’s updated reservoir simulation model, confirming the upper coal seam reservoir pilot project remains firmly on target to hit the targeted desorption pressure.

This is yet another key data point which demonstrates that the coals within our project area are being depressurised and that measurable progress is being made, which will ultimately deliver much higher gas rates once the desorption pressure is reached. A large body of technical work is nearing completion that clearly demonstrates how we see the development plan unfolding.

TMK Energy Chief Executive Officer Mr Dougal Ferguson
Adding further support to its progress, the company says this trend is almost a mirror image of other nearby wells, suggesting not only a quicker arrival at desorption but also that potential gas volumes are already sufficient to support a 2-5 megawatt power generation project this year.

The new data indicate TMK has made steady progress in de-risking the play as the company continues to drive its pilot program forward.

With results marking a solid step for TMK on its critical desorption journey and pressure trends closely tracking expectations from the company’s model, TMK appears poised to keep its momentum alive in Mongolia’s emerging CSG scene.

Asian Battery Metals Extends Mongolia Copper-Gold Acquisition Timeline www.

Mongolia home to 166 centenarians www.xinhuanet.com

 A total of 166 centenarians are living in Mongolia, including the oldest woman at the age of 108, according to data released by the country's National Statistics Office on Sunday.

The number of people aged 100 years or older increased by 7 compared to the same period last year, the statistical agency said.

Of the centenarians, 128 are female in the Asian country's 3.5 million population, it added.

The census was conducted on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year or Year of the Horse, known locally as the White Moon, which symbolizes the start of spring and the end of winter.

According to the lunar calendar, the White Moon this year begins on Feb. 18, which is also regarded as a traditional holiday to pay respect to seniors. During the holiday, the government traditionally sends gifts to people aged 100 years or older.

The British Ambassador visited the British Business Centre www.mongolianbusinessdatabase.com

Ms.Fiona Blyth, British Ambassador to Mongolia visited the British Business Centre in UB yesterday.

British Business Centre (BBC) LLC serves as a bridge for Mongolian–British business collaboration, offering B2B consulting built on the Mongolian Business Database project (NGO). We promote the entry and launch of internationally‑standard, high‑quality British products and services into the Mongolian market. BBC Mongolia partners with the Mongolian British Chamber of Commerce (www.mongolianbritishcc.org.uk) to advance this shared mission.

"The British Embassy in Mongolia reported that Ambassador Fiona Blyth visited the British Business Centre. She expressed her delight in meeting Ser‑Od Ichinkhorloo, founder of this important organisation — a bridge between Mongolian and British business — and they exchanged views on enhancing future cooperation."

The British Business Centre team sincerely appreciates Ms. Fiona Blyth, British Ambassador to Mongolia, and Mr. Elbegsaikhan Ayush, Head of DFIT at the Embassy, for visiting the BBC Mongolia office and our permanent full‑time business showroom and promotional centre for British businesses.

BBC Mongolia’s first British product to enter the Mongolian market is  LifePlan’s high‑quality vitamins and supplements, from one of the UK’s leading manufacturers. Sales begin next month. (Mongolian MRRA authority approved & registered)

British Business Centre
Ulaanbaatar Mongolia (baruun 4 zam)
www.britishbusinesscentre.com
management@britishbusinesscentre.com
Tel: 976 77552002

Uranium Neo-colonialism in Mongolia: Crime but No Punishment www.fpif.org

On a warm April 1st day last year, Budee Khekhee, head of local non-profit The Power of Unity for the Sake of Our Homeland, led a team into the Gobi Desert to investigate reports of a mysterious illness causing the death of wild and domestic animals, which he obtained from the local herders. A former resident who’d assisted his father’s veterinary work, Budee knew the terrain and knew authorities had ignored previous alarms.

In Zamyn Ud, they spotted numerous white-tailed gazelles lying on the ground, unable to get up, and twitching their legs convulsively. The activists livestreamed their discovery. “My heart was overwhelmed with despair,” Budee later testified. “I realized I couldn’t just abandon them here to die.”

Suspecting that the epidemic was caused by French uranium company Orano’s in-situ leach operations, he loaded four gazelles aboard a truck and drove to the corporation’s clinic gate, broadcasting on Facebook. Orano had built and was operating a veterinary clinic in the mining area. Budee didn’t trust them a lot, but he hoped that the staff would assist in rescuing the animals. Those hopes were dashed when, after two hours of standing outside the locked clinic doors, no one appeared, and the animals died. Left with little choice, the activists dissected the gazelles’ bodies and took tissue samples for independent analysis. They livestreamed their actions to Facebook.

For many Mongolian herders, resource neocolonialism is not an abstract concept. They have resulted in tangible losses, illness, and deaths. Descendants of the Mongol Empire now face uranium mining invaders. After the Soviets departed—leaving behind a legacy of toxic mining—the “clean” French uranium industry arrived, reproducing similar patterns of corruption while poisoning the land. At the same time, these colonialists have participated in the persecution of environmental activists.

Should they be held accountable before domestic and international communities?

The Revenge
In official reports, human rights defenders often refer to the persecution of activists as “unjust” or “disproportional punishment.” However, what happened in the case of the Mongolian herders was closer to pure revenge. Unidentified individuals made police reports accusing Khekhee of illegal hunting. He was subjected to repeated questioning for several months after the criminal investigation began.

The local prosecutor’s office then reclassified the matter as an administrative offense. The state’s Environmental Protection Office determined that Khekhee illegally pursued and killed four gazelles. They penalized him $1,200, a substantial sum for an average Mongolian. His July appeal was denied in full in September, but the court of first instance postponed the sentence for three months, thereby conceding that the case lacked merit.

Neither the investigation nor the court determined why Budee Khekhee allegedly needed to kill the gazelles. However, a local journalist discovered the “motive,” writing in August 2025 that it was done “to mislead the public about the consequences of uranium mining by the joint Mongolian-French enterprise ‘Badrakh Energy’ LLC.”

Prosecution for Independent Dosimetry
The unexplained illnesses and deaths of animals, a desert veterinary clinic run by a uranium mining corporation, and its attempts to ignore the troubling facts are perplexing. Especially when combined with the absurd accusation of poaching directed at an environmental activist whose action was widely livestreamed. When connected to other similar events, a pattern emerges.

In mid-August 2025, the same non-profit invited Russian nuclear physicist Andrey Ozharovskiy to conduct dosimetry measurements. Their focus on radioactive pollution was encouraged by groundwater assessments, which had revealed high uranium and arsenic levels in the area. Ozharovskiy, who had extensive experience in identifying radioactive sources, agreed to come. He entered Mongolia legally with his dosimetry and spectrometry equipment for “business purposes.”

On August 15–17, activists drove him along dirt roads in the Gobi Desert to Orano’s pilot ISL uranium extraction wells, where locals reported trucks carrying pregnant solution or liquid waste. It didn’t take the Russian expert long to discover three dried-up puddles emitting gamma radiation 20-50 times above background levels. Spectrometry identified uranium decay products—radium-226, bismuth-214, and lead-214, which, according to Ozharovskiy, was consistent with mining spills rather than natural radiation. The activists published their finding on social media, and this is how the Mongolian authorities learned about the expedition.

The group later traveled across Mongolia along similar dirt roads to Maradai. On August 19, while measuring radiation near abandoned Soviet mining sites, the group was detained by a border officer and some people in plain clothes. According to the activists, the authorities used drones to spot them in the desert. After spending a day or two in several offices, Ozharovskiy was transferred to the Main Intelligence Directorate in Ulaanbaatar. There, after being questioned, he was told that he was suspected of espionage and immigration violations.

Although the authorities released Ozharovskiy, they took his passport so that he couldn’t leave the country. A few days later he was taken again, forced to admit administrative violations, including using unregistered dosimetry devices, and to pay a fine. Then they brought him to the border with Russia and expelled him without his belongings but with a 10-year entry ban. The local activists, meanwhile, have spoken of intimidation, police reporting requirements, smartphone searches, and non-disclosure agreements.

In the same days the Mongolian Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a formal statement, where accused Ozharovskiy of spreading false information about radiation background. Some media labeled the activists foreign agents undermining Franco-Mongolian projects in Russia’s interest.

A System That Favors Abuse and Distrust
Mongolian law prohibits radiation measurements using devices that haven’t been registered with the country’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission. After his first detention, Ozharovskiy donated some of his measuring devices to the non-profit. Activists brought them to the NRC but were denied certification with no clear explanation. The only reason provided, though invalid, was that the devices belonged to a Russian citizen.

The activists explained why they hadn’t registered the devices beforehand: they didn’t want authorities to know about their survey in advance. “If they knew about the devices, they wouldn’t let us measure anyway,” one activist said. “We don’t trust them,” Khekhee added.

This distrust is entirely justified given the broader context documented by prominent human rights organizations. Mongolia has earned a reputation for cracking down on critics and human rights defenders, particularly those challenging the mining industry. Amnesty International’s 2024 report documents that criticism of authorities and mining corporations has become effectively criminalized. According to the report Our Land, these corporations commit massive environmental violations, causing significant environmental pollution and deterioration of public health, and undermining traditional Mongolian livelihoods. To attract investors, Mongolian mining lobbyists even managed to pass corporate-friendly legislation. According to Our Land, in 2006 and again in 2013–2015 they weakened environmental safeguards, reducing water protection zones and allowing mining on private and even protected lands.

Another Face of the French Republic
According to Mongolian Mining Journal, in Dornogovi Aimag, where activists have been monitoring the environment and wildlife, the French corporations Areva and Orano have been exploring and extracting uranium since 1997. They use various local joint ventures and transfer licenses from one to another. The Orano Group claims that it started its so-called pilot uranium extraction via Badrakh Energy in Zuuvch Ovoo site only in 2021.

Orano has set a stark precedent, demonstrating that even lenient mining laws are no real constraint. According to activists, the company simply ignored the required environmental impact assessment for some of its ISL mining projects in Dornogobi Aimag. Coincidentally, Orano was also bribing officials to secure mining licenses during this same period. According to Energynews, the 2015 investigation uncovered €1.275 million in suspicious payments that Orano made to secure mining licenses in Mongolia through an intermediary, Eurotradia International. In December 2024, the president of the Paris Judicial Court ordered Areva to pay €4.8 million in a pre-trial settlement for bribing a foreign public official.

The Mongolian Anti-Nuclear Movement Golomt believes that between December 2010 and May 2011, another Orano subsidiary, Kojegobi, produced approximately 2.7 tons of yellow cake via what they call “experimental extraction” using a sulfuric ISL process. Since then, rural nomads have described dead and deformed livestock, contaminated water, and rising fear. “In every household, calves were being born with terrible deformities. This had never happened before on our land,” local herders complained in a 2012 petition signed by 767 people. In one area, the number of deceased domestic animals was 2,885 in 2010—the year of the yellow cake production—compared to 14 in 2008, 8 in 2009, and 207 in 2011. The government denied the connection with radioactive pollution and blamed “naturally occurring selenium and copper.” Orano echoed this line, stating that these elements were “neither used nor produced by our activities.”

According to Khekhee, Orano did not accomplish an EIA or feasibility study before starting pilot mining operations in 2012 in Dornogovi Aimag: “No groundwater study was conducted, no documents were discussed, no safety briefings or training were provided to the local population”.

No Punishment?
Mongolia is popular among those seeking cheap uranium because it is not a party to a number of international conventions. For example, Mongolia is only just preparing to join the UNECE Aarhus Convention, which upholds the right of citizens to receive information on environmental protection and participate in relevant decision-making. The convention also obligates countries not to persecute environmental activists.

France has been a full party to the convention since 2005, which means that the corporations under French jurisdiction are subject to the county’s obligations under the Aarhus Convention.

Using this fact, human rights defenders have reported to the Aarhus Convention’s Special Rapporteur about the persecution of activists in Mongolia investigating the activities of the French company Orano. The Special Rapporteur’s mechanism allows for expedited consideration of cases. It is reportedly now investigating the facts.

Will this investigation bring transparency and accountability to the activities of French foreign corporations operating in Mongolia? Or will such key elements of democracy perish like the poisoned gazelles in the Mongolian desert?

By Tatyana Ivanova
Tatyana Ivanova is an independent author and observer based in the United States who has covered political events and foreign policy in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus for nearly 25 years. 

Foreign Minister Battsetseg Meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio www.montsame.mn

During her visit to the United States of America, Minister of Foreign Affairs Battsetseg Batmunkh met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on February 5, 2026.

During the meeting, the two parties expressed their intention to reaffirm the Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership between Mongolia and the U.S. and deepen bilateral political trust.

Within this framework, the two sides stated their commitment to increasing the frequency of mutual high-level visits, strengthening the ties between the peoples of the two countries, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in the trade, economy, mining, energy, communications, and artificial intelligence sectors, and achieving tangible results.

In Mongolian-US relations, both sides noted that the second Compact agreement, being implemented in cooperation with the Millennium Challenge Corporation and aimed at increasing Ulaanbaatar’s water supply by 80 percent, holds a particularly important place. They also exchanged views on the successful implementation of the project, which is set to conclude in March of this year, and discussed the possibility of launching new projects and programs in other strategically important sectors of Mongolia in the future.