Mongolia and Africa: Time to Reignite a Forgotten Partnership www.thediplomat.com

During the Cold War, Mongolia forged an unlikely but surprisingly warm set of relationships with African countries. Driven by communist solidarity rather than geography or commerce, Ulaanbaatar hosted African liberation leaders, sent veterinary experts to Ethiopia and Mozambique, and interacted with both Somalia and Ethiopia during the Ogaden War. Ulaanbaatar opened its first African embassy in Guinea before Mongolia had even joined the United Nations. The continent, in turn, helped secure Mongolia’s seat at the U.N. It was, by any measure, a more substantial relationship than the physical distance suggested.
Then the Cold War ended, and so did most of that engagement. For three decades, Mongolia and Africa occupied separate lanes. That is now worth revisiting, because the strategic case for re-engagement is considerably stronger today than it was the first time around.
Africa’s growing weight in the world is difficult to overstate. The continent’s population is projected to approach 2.5 billion by 2050, accounting for over one-quarter of humanity. Africa is supplying most of the net growth in the global working-age population at a time when Europe, China, and parts of Asia face demographic stagnation. Sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to sustain GDP growth rates of 4-5 percent annually through mid-century, faster than any other region, with consumer and business spending projected to reach $16 trillion by 2050. 
Africa also holds approximately 30 percent of the world’s critical mineral reserves, including 55 percent of global cobalt, 47 percent of manganese, and 80 percent of platinum group metals. As demand for these materials surges alongside the global energy transition, the continent’s strategic value is rising rapidly. 
Countries around the world are adjusting their diplomatic strategies to account for Africa’s importance. Mongolia should be among them.
The most immediate case for re-engagement is minerals. Mongolia and many African countries occupy structurally similar positions: resource-intensive economies dependent on a narrow range of commodity exports, with limited processing capacity and constrained access to Western markets. Mongolia’s giant Oyu Tolgoi copper mine exports almost entirely to China. African cobalt, copper, and manganese flow mostly to China as well. Both sides face the same vulnerability: dependence on Chinese demand and Chinese-controlled processing leaves them exposed to price pressure and political leverage.
One solution worth examining seriously is third-party commodity swap arrangements. Under such a mechanism, a Mongolian copper producer could fulfil a delivery obligation to a Chinese buyer by arranging for an African producer, closer to Chinese port infrastructure, to make the physical delivery. Mongolia could then ship its output to a Western buyer, completing the swap without either party incurring the full cost of redirecting supply chains. 
This instrument is already commonly used in oil markets and is attracting interest in critical minerals precisely because long-haul logistics make pure bilateral trades inefficient. For landlocked Mongolia, any arrangement that reduces effective transport cost matters. For African producers seeking Western market access, a swap counterpart could be equally valuable. Mining giant Rio Tinto, which operates both Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia and the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, already provides an institutional thread connecting the two continents.
Mongolia’s second point of leverage is less obvious but increasingly significant: it is already present in Africa, in uniform. Since 2002, Mongolian peacekeepers have served in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Western Sahara. The deployment of a battalion to South Sudan in 2011 was a milestone. Fifteen years later, Mongolian forces are still protecting civilians and securing humanitarian corridors in one of the United Nations’ most demanding missions.
Mongolia’s peacekeeping record shows that Ulaanbaatar can function as a credible neutral party in conflicts where major powers are distrusted or perceived as self-interested. Mongolia has no colonial history in Africa, no rival intelligence operations, and no extractive agenda. In an era of growing skepticism in Africa (and around the world) toward major power influence and wariness of their motives, that neutrality is a genuine diplomatic asset. The next step is to leverage it more deliberately, not just through troop contributions but through a clearer articulation of Mongolia as a constructive, impartial participant in African peace processes.
Finally, Mongolia and most African countries are members of the Global South, a category with renewed political salience as the world fragments along great power lines. Both face the same dilemma: how to preserve economic and diplomatic autonomy as the United States, China, the European Union, and Russia compete for alignment.
Technology is reducing some of the friction that geography once imposed. Sixteen African countries share Mongolia’s landlocked status, giving them common cause in transit rights, logistics reform, and trade facilitation under frameworks like the Vienna Program of Action. Beyond infrastructure diplomacy, there are alignment opportunities across critical minerals governance, climate finance, and reform of international financial institutions. On all of these, Mongolia and many African partners have compatible interests that neither is currently leveraging through bilateral coordination.
Mongolia and African countries have demonstrated once already that it is possible to build meaningful relations across vast distances and cultural differences. The first time, ideology did the work, but those ties did not survive the end of the Cold War. A second phase, if there is to be one, will need to be built on national interests. The good news is that the interests are there, and they are growing stronger by the day.

By Sodbileg Chuluunbaatar

Protesters block copper exports to China from Rio Tinto mine in Mongolia www.abcnews.com

Protesters blocked copper exports from a huge Rio Tinto mine in Mongolia on Wednesday, partially cutting off the supply of a mineral vital to China’s renewable energy ambitions.

The protest group, called the Radical Reform Movement, is pushing for a greater share of mining revenue for Mongolians, a long-running demand in a nation where poverty persists despite the exploitation of its mineral riches. Copper is needed for electric vehicles and solar and wind power installations, all industries where China is a world leader.

It wasn't clear if the protest was a one-day affair aimed at drawing attention to the issue or the start of a prolonged standoff that could have a deeper economic impact in both countries.

Videos posted on Facebook by the Radical Reform Movement showed a small group of protesters milling around a barrier set up on a two-lane road running through a barren landscape on a bright sunny day. A white banner that said “Stop Rio Tinto” in red letters was draped on a large tree branch across the road in front of the tire wall.

The Oyu Tolgoi mine is a massive undertaking to tap a vast reserve of copper deep in the Gobi Desert. About 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the border with China, it also has large gold deposits and is expected to be the fourth largest copper mine in the world when fully operational, Rio Tinto has said. The British-Australian mining giant owns 66% of the mine, with the Mongolian government holding the other 34%.

The jointly owned mining company said shipments of copper concentrate were halted after the road was blocked on Wednesday morning. It said the Oyu Tolgoi mine contributes about 9% of Mongolia's tax revenues and warned that a weeklong blockage could cost the government 35 billion Mongolian Tugrik ($13.3 million).

At a Cabinet meeting, Mongolian Prime Minister Uchral Nyam-Osor told the justice and internal affairs minister to enforce the law and hold accountable those who unlawfully obstruct or interfere with business operations being conducted in accordance with the law and regulations, according to the a government Facebook page.

The Radical Reform Movement has called for the expulsion of foreign investors. While others wouldn't go that far, there are voices in the government calling for the renegotiation of the agreement with Rio Tinto to give the country a larger share of the benefits.

Government Restructures Erdenes Mongol, Dissolves 14 Companies www.montsame.mn

The Government has approved a resolution to restructure and dissolve legal entities under the Erdenes Mongol group to optimize its organizational structure, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.

Under the resolution, Chinggis Khaan National Wealth Fund and Erdenes Methane LLC have been merged into Erdenes Mongol LLC.

The Government also approved the merger of Khutul Energy Dulaan LLC into Cement Shokhoi LLC, and Shivee Service LLC into Shivee Ovoo JSC. In addition, Copper Processing Complex LLC, Darkhan Steel LLC, and Baganuur-Ilch LLC have been dissolved.

A decision was also made to liquidate several joint-investment companies operating under the Erdenes Mongol group, including Erdenet Oil LLC, Mongolian Mineral Exchange LLC, Erdenes Shivee Energy LLC, Shim Technology LLC, Central Asian Uranium LLC, Gashuunsukhait Railway LLC, and Zuukherd LLC.

Prime Minister Uchral Nyam-Osor stated that the reform of state-owned enterprises and the dissolution of 14 companies have eliminated 260 overlapping positions, reduced administrative costs by 10% and rental expenses by 30%, generating savings of MNT 67.3 billion. He emphasized that the restructuring creates the conditions necessary for Erdenes Mongol to fulfill the functions assigned under the National Wealth Fund Law.

The resolution also renames Erdenes Mongol LLC as Chinggis Khaan Wealth Fund Group LLC, while the state-owned enterprise Erdenes Critical Minerals is renamed Mongolrostsvetmet.

Officials said the restructuring will improve coordination within the group, eliminate overlapping functions, optimize the use of financial and human resources, strengthen governance, oversight, accountability, and transparency in state-owned enterprises, and increase revenues channeled into the National Wealth Fund.

Minister Confirms Fuel Stability, Warns of Geopolitical Risks www.montsame.mn

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Damdinnyam Gongor announced during a briefing on Cabinet decisions that Mongolia's fuel reserves are currently sufficient, with storage tanks full.

However, the Minister noted that the future outlook remains uncertain due to the global geopolitical situation and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. “Over the past year, we have met with the Russian side eight times. I will travel there again at the end of this month. We will do everything within our power, utilizing every effort. There is currently a fuel shortage in Moscow, and distribution is being rationed in outlying regions. As for Mongolia, we are receiving AI-92 gasoline as a result of agreements established with the Government of Russia,” he stated.

Additionally, Minister Damdinnyam announced the completion of the preliminary selection process for the Steel Complex construction project. An open international tender was announced for the project, with information distributed through all diplomatic missions and international websites. Over the course of more than a month, five enterprises expressed interest in the project, of which two have been shortlisted. He noted that a proposal request regarding the project has been sent to these enterprises with a one-month deadline. Following the evaluation, the issue of entering into an investment agreement with the single selected participant will be brought before the Cabinet and subsequently presented to Parliament.

He added, "The steel project is a government initiative that will make a valuable contribution to Mongolia's development and progress, transitioning us toward domestic processing rather than extracting and directly exporting our natural resources raw. Furthermore, the winner of the selection process for the copper smelting plant has been determined, and the Cabinet is currently conducting negotiations. For the aluminum industry project, decisions will be made regarding securing the required land for special state needs and granting authorizations. Negotiations for the construction of a gold refinery are also ongoing, and an open selection process will be introduced to the public soon."

Quality Testing Begins for Widely Used Medicines www.montsame.mn

Quality testing has commenced on June 17 for medicines that are widely used by citizens, funded by the state, or discounted through the Health Insurance Fund.

Within the framework of directives issued by Prime Minister Uchral Nyam-Osor, Minister of Health Batshugar Enkhbayar has instructed the Medicine and Medical Devices Regulatory Agency (MMRA) to improve control and strengthen the system of pharmaceutical quality and safety. The testing will be conducted at the National Reference Laboratory for Medicines and Medical Devices.

The laboratory, which officially opened on June 16, is equipped with 224 instruments and pieces of equipment. It will evaluate 27 chemical and microbiological indicators and conduct methodological analyses specified in 119 monographs and general chapters of eight international pharmacopoeias.

In the initial phase, 56 drug samples of 27 types of medicines will be tested, with results expected within one month.

Based on the primary testing results, the quality and safety of the medicines will be evaluated to determine whether they meet requirements.

This initiative aims to improve pharmaceutical quality control and ensure the provision of reliable medicines that meet international standards. Moving forward, samples of both domestically manufactured and imported medicines will be randomly collected from the market for testing at this laboratory.

Korea, Mongolia discuss ways to accelerate economic ties, trade talks www.koreatimes.co.kr

Korea and Mongolia discussed ways to accelerate economic cooperation, including progress on a trade agreement under negotiation, as the two countries seek to bolster cooperation in supply chains for key minerals, the trade ministry said Wednesday.

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with Jadambyn Enkhbayar, Mongolia's minister of economy and development, in Ulaanbaatar, where the two sides exchanged views on the progress of negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

A CEPA is a type of free trade agreement that emphasizes a broad scope of economic cooperation and exchanges in addition to market opening.

Korea and Mongolia launched the first round of negotiations in 2023.

The trade ministry said Mongolia is rich in minerals vital for cutting-edge industries, including copper, molybdenum and rare earth elements, and plays a key role in Korea's efforts to establish stable supply chains.

"The CEPA between Korea and Mongolia will serve as a key institutional framework not only for the expansion of trade and investment but also for establishing a stable joint supply chain," Yeo said in a release.

"We intend to accelerate negotiations to achieve mutually beneficial results," he added.

China section of China-Mongolia cross-border railway completes T-beam installation www.ceic.com

The installation of all 94 T-beams on the Chinese section of the Ganqimaodu–Gashuun Sukhait China-Mongolia cross-border railway project was successfully completed on June 13, laying a solid foundation for subsequent bridge deck works and track-laying operations.

T-beam installation underway on the China-Mongolia cross-border railway bridge

The bridge structures installed along the line mainly consist of prestressed concrete T-beams in two specifications: 24 meters and 32 meters. Project records show that the heaviest individual beam weighs up to 149.5 tons. Owing to the substantial weight and large dimensions of these key load-bearing components, the heavy-lift installation work on this section imposed exceptionally high engineering requirements on the deployment of large-scale equipment, the precision of structural alignment and comprehensive safety monitoring throughout the entire process.

During the installation phase, the project team relied on high-precision surveying and control technologies as well as a systematic dispatching system to ensure the millimeter-level positioning of beam structures weighing more than 100 tons on complex bridge piers. Moving forward, the project will efficiently advance bridge deck and ancillary works while ensuring safety and quality, making every effort to accelerate overall construction progress.

The successful completion of core structural installation on the Chinese section marks a significant step toward the full connectivity of this cross-border energy transportation corridor. Once completed, the railway will substantially improve the cross-border logistics network at regional ports of entry, enhance freight transit efficiency, and provide high-standard transport infrastructure to support large-scale international trade operations.

Budget Revenue Up by MNT 2.1 Trillion in First Five Months www.montsame.mn

 Mongolia’s consolidated state budget revenue and grants reached MNT 13.5 trillion in the first five months of 2026, increasing by 18.7%, or MNT 2.1 trillion, from the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Office.

Balanced revenue and grants totaled MNT 11.7 trillion, up 9% year-on-year. Total expenditure and net lending amounted to MNT 13 trillion, resulting in a budget deficit of MNT 1.4 trillion, which was 5.2 times higher than a year earlier.

Tax revenue reached MNT 10.7 trillion, rising by 6.4%. The increase was mainly driven by growth in social insurance contributions and value-added tax (VAT) revenue, while income tax and excise tax revenues declined.  

State budget expenditure and net lending increased by 18.7%, or MNT 2.1 trillion, compared to the same period in 2025. Capital expenditure recorded the strongest growth, rising 72.5% to MNT 1.9 trillion, led by higher spending on construction projects, major repairs, and other capital investments.  

National Medicine Testing Laboratory Inaugurated www.montsame.mn

The National Reference Laboratory for Medicines and Medical Devices, established to strengthen Mongolia's system for monitoring the quality and safety of medicines and medical products, was inaugurated on June 16.

Attending the inauguration and turnover ceremony were Prime Minister Uchral Nyam-Osor, Minister of Health Batshugar Enkhbayar, Regional Director for the Western Pacific of the World Health Organization Dr. Saia Ma'u Piukala, WHO Representative in Mongolia Socorro Escalante, Members of Parliament Chinburen Jigjidsuren, Munkhsaikhan Togtmol, Ganmaa Davaasambuu, and other officials.

Opening the laboratory, Prime Minister Uchral said, “This laboratory is a tangible outcome of the effective cooperation between the Government of Mongolia, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization. Mongolia now has a National Reference Laboratory for Medicines and Medical Devices. I have instructed that all medicines being sold on the market be tested within a month.”

Minister of Health Batshugar emphasized that, “The quality and safety of medicines are not solely issues for the health sector. They are fundamental to the lives and health of every citizen, public trust in government services, and national security. Therefore, the Government is consistently implementing reforms to bring the country's pharmaceutical regulation and quality control system in line with international standards.”

Dr. Saia Ma'u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, noted, “One in every ten medicines used in low- and middle-income countries is either substandard or falsified. This is not merely a technical issue — it is a matter that puts lives at risk. A strong laboratory is more than just a building; it is a protective system that safeguards individuals, families, and society from harm. Today, Mongolia is strengthening that protection.”

With the commissioning of the National Reference Laboratory, Mongolia now has the capacity to test between 4,000 and 5,000 samples annually. The facility is expected to strengthen quality and safety assurance for medicines and medical devices supplied to the public while bringing inspection and testing capabilities up to international standards.

The laboratory is equipped with modern instruments and advanced analytical systems that support the professional development of specialists, helping them build expertise in line with international best practices.

15,000+ Hectares of Land Rehabilitated Over Past Five Years www.montsame.mn

A total of 17,612 hectares of land were rehabilitated nationwide between 2020 and 2025, including 13,980 hectares through technical rehabilitation and 3,632 hectares through biological rehabilitation, according to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

In Selenge aimag, surveys recorded 3,635 hectares of degraded land in 2017 and an additional 1,609.56 hectares between 2018 and 2025, bringing the total degraded area to 5,244.56 hectares. Most rehabilitation work has been carried out in Yeroo, Khuder, and Bayangol soums. Over the past five years alone, 4,817.71 hectares have been restored.   

The Ministry is currently studying vegetation recovery in technically rehabilitated mining areas in Umnugobi and Bulgan aimag, Shariin Gol soum of Darkhan-Uul aimag, and Yeroo and Khuder soums of Selenge aimag. For instance, 21 enterprises operating in Selenge, Umnugobi and Bulgan aimags have been inspected. Of them, five companies were not operating, while 13 had environmental impact assessments in place. Inspectors identified 64 violations, partially suspended the operations of eight license holders, and referred six cases with indications of criminal activity to the relevant authorities.

The Ministry noted the need to address identified violations, reduce environmental impacts, intensify land rehabilitation efforts, and ensure the implementation of environmental management plans.

Inspections of exploration drill-hole rehabilitation and safety measures revealed that SouthGobi Sands LLC had sealed 16 drill holes drilled in 2025 in Gurvantes soum of Umnugobi aimag, but six of those sites had subsequently been converted into coal unloading areas.

In Selenge aimag, 939.77 hectares of land have been rehabilitated, and 149 exploration drill holes have been sealed.

Abandoned pits, shafts, and excavations left behind by illegal artisanal mining continue to pose serious risks to public safety. Some of the approximately 200 pits and drill holes created through illegal mining activities have expanded due to natural erosion and collapse, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Measures are being taken to curb illegal mining, rehabilitate degraded land, conduct environmental impact assessments, safely seal exploration holes and excavated pits, and improve conditions for citizens to live in a safe environment.