Vietnamese Catholics who flew thousands of miles to see Pope Francis in Mongolia had one message for the pontiff: They want him to visit their communist-run country too.

"Visit Vietnam, Papa," some in the group shouted as the pope was driven in a golf cart past a crowd of about 2,000 people of various nationalities on the grounds of the Catholic cathedral in Ulaanbaatar on Saturday.

Vietnam broke off relations with the Vatican after the communists took over the reunited country at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. The authorities then viewed the Catholic Church in Vietnam as having been too close to the former colonial power, France.

"I see that he's very near, very near distance. So I really want to cry when I see him," said Cindy Pham from Ho Chi Minh City. "Even when I saw him, the first time at the gate, I ran, ran a lot to see him again."

The prospect of a papal visit to Vietnam, once seemingly impossible, became more realistic last month when the Vatican and Hanoi agreed to have a Resident Papal Representative in Hanoi.

It was a step years in the making which could lead to full diplomatic ties. It was announced on July 27 when the pope received Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong at the Vatican.

"I really hope that he will visit Vietnam in the short term," Pham said, mentioning the hope spawned by president's visit to the Vatican.

Maria Vo, a Vietnamese-born tour guide who now lives in the Philippines, could not contain her excitement as Francis waved from the moving golf cart.

"I cannot tell (you) my feelings right now, because I'm so happy," said Vo, seeing the pope for the first time. "Vietnamese people, we love him and are waiting for him to visit us in Vietnam."

Writing by Joseph Campbell and Philip Pullella Editing by Ros Russell

The China-Mongolia Desertification Prevention and Control Cooperation Center was inaugurated here on Friday.

The center will serve as an important platform for carrying out joint efforts to prevent and control desertification, as part of China's support for Mongolia's afforestation campaign "Billion Trees."

The cooperation plan will also include China's assistance in constructing ecological protection and restoration demonstration areas in Mongolia, promoting China's advanced technologies in afforestation and desertification prevention and control, establishing monitor stations in the Gobi Desert areas, and strengthening cooperation in sandstorm monitoring and early warning.

The first-ever largest solar power plant in a remote area of Mongolia is under construction to be completed in December 2023. It is a 10MW Solar power plant in Murun soum of Khuvsgul aimag, the northern province of Mongolia.

The Murun 10MW Solar Power Plant is a subproject of the Upscaling Renewable Energy Sector Project being implemented with a grant of USD 14.6 million from the Strategic Climate Fund, USD 6 million from Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism, and a loan of USD 40 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Project will develop 41.0 megawatts (MW) of solar, wind, and shallow-ground renewable energy in remote areas of the Western and Altai Uliastai Energy Systems. The Sector Project selected western aimags as the remote western region, where 30 percent of the total population resides, has not been connected to the central grid yet even though the energy need of the region increases by 10 percent every year and livelihood is considered lower than of central provinces, one of the causes of lacking investment.

Therefore, within the Upscaling Renewable Energy Sector Project, the following core subprojects are planned to be implemented.

Wind subproject: A wind power plant in the western region of Mongolia. 2) Uliastai subproject: A 5 MW solar power plant in Aldarkhaan and Uliastai soums of Zavkhan aimag, and a 3.6 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Uliastai substation. 3) Gobi Altai subproject: A 10 MW solar power plant in Yesonbulag soum. 4) Altai Soum subproject: An off-grid 0.5 MW hybrid solar and BESS facility in Altai soum. 5) Khovd subproject: A 135 kW shallow-ground heat pump (SGHP) at Kindergarten 1 in Khovd City.

In addition to these, shallow ground heat pump projects are under progress in 5 soums, namely Uliastai, Altai, Ulaangom, Ulziit and Jargalant soums of Zavkhan, Gobi-Altai, Uvs, Bayankhongor and Khovd aimags. The Project is being implemented over two phases, with the first phase from 2019-2022 and the second from 2022-2024.

Newly appointed ADB Country Director for Mongolia Shannon Cowlin, accompanied by relevant officials of the projects, under implementation in Khuvsgul aimag and a press group, visited the sites in late August to oversee the projects’ implementation.

The construction of the 10 MW solar PV farm is in full swing at the site of the Murun 10MW Solar Power Plant Project, installing all the 23192 pieces of solar PVs, competing against time as cold days are coming to stop outside work. The solar panels which have 21.8 percent efficiency are produced by LONGi, the world's leading supplier of solar PV solutions.

The subproject contract has been awarded to Xian Electric Engineering Co.,LTD and the contractor had worked on developing design drawings and installation of PVs is progressing with around 90 percent performance, working together with subcontractor Smart Plus company of Mongolia. Smart Plus, an experienced company that also has installed PVs for a 10MW solar power plant in Myangad soum of Khovd aimag is using installing machines and a special screw machine for drilling rocky earth, shortening the time to install the required strings (52 PVs on 1 string).

The Murun solar power plant will be connected to the central power grid through the existing Murun substation, which is also planned to be extended within the subproject. Advisor of the project Professor Enebish Namjil said “The PV installation and other works are progressing successfully ensuring the completion in time. Murun soum has not had a reliable energy source so far. This project will enable the soum to have an independent energy source that fully provides not only the whole energy needs of the soum but also supplies energy to the central grid system of Mongolia, decreasing the load by 68 to 75 percent. The project will be an example for others as a solar power plant is built in the area with extreme weather, one of the coldest provinces of Mongolia.” Professor Enebish worked as an administrator for the Darkhan Solar Plant Project (10MW) which commissioned its full operations on January 19, 2017.

Mongolia’s total electricity consumption is roughly 1GW and it is increasing year by year. Nearly 90 percent of this demand is met by the centralized energy system which means 800-900 MW, though the renewable energy source has been increasing in recent years.

While Mongolia can be ranked 5th in the world with its underground mineral resources, it can top the globe with its capacity to utilize renewable energy. The Mongolian Gobi is advantageous as it is studied more closely compared to other deserts such as the Sahara and Arizona. Starting in 1999, Mongolian scholars teamed up with international experts and studied the feasibilities of the Gobi for utilization of renewable energy and even came up with technological solutions to exploit the great resources.

The studies have proven that mega plants with 10-100 times larger capacities than the total energy consumption of Mongolia can be built in the Gobi, excluding other areas. “ Mongolia has nothing to lose because such plants only require a minuscule part of the vast Gobi region. The land will not be dug or depraved in any way; it will only be used for its sunlight and wind. Mongolia will benefit from the high-tech and possibility of exporting the excess energy that's produced. Only the tax revenue of such amount of renewable energy exports will be enough to increase Mongolia’s GDP several times,” noted Professor Enebish in his interview.

The Murun Solar Power Plant is unique in Mongolia not only with its capacity of 10MW, the first largest solar plant in the remote areas, but also with its coverage of small areas (30 ha) compared with its capacity, saving water usage of 148 thousand tons, and using new simpler technique in the installation of PVs.

The Solar Power Plant, which is expected to last 25 years will produce electricity of 15500 thousand KW/h annually, providing 21600 households with permanent electricity. The Upscaling Renewable Energy Sector Project is anticipated to support the distributed renewable energy systems in remote and less developed regions in Mongolia; and enhance the capacity of local public utilities in investment planning, project management, and grid control for sustainable renewable energy upscaling in the targeted region. Upon successful completion, the Project delivers, most importantly, clean electricity to 70,000 households while annually avoiding 82,789 tons of carbon dioxide emission. Performance indicators were evaluated on the construction readiness and the effectiveness of environmental management for the proposed construction of the 10 MW solar PV farm in Moron soum, Khuvsgul Aimag. Environmental Monitoring is conducted on every subproject constantly. The impact will be imported electricity reduced and energy security improved. The outcome also will be renewable energy supply in Mongolia increased.

“The newly approved Education Package Law should be correctly comprehended and particular attention must be paid to its implementation at every level. Major platforms will be introduced in secondary schools, and more attention will be paid to the rights of children and students to learn and develop, and their protection. Improvements of dormitory and library services are reflected in the documents.

Registration for the expansion of "Medle" On-line School, which opened last year with 10,000 children, has begun to organize selective courses for the 11th graders. The number of children of "Medle" On-line School is expected to reach 30,000 this year. The school promotes independent learning of children in remote areas where they do not have a possibility to select subjects,” assumes the Head of the Secondary Education Department of the Ministry of Education and Science T. Nyam-Ochir at a press conference co-organized by the Ministry of Education and Science, General Authority for Education and The Capital City Education Department in connection with the start of the new school year.

Apart from legitimizing the start and the end of classes in pre-school facilities and secondary schools, the number of class days during the school year was set to be 170-185 days in conformity with international standards. Since the four-term structure was approved, the official letter on the training plan has been delivered to all aimags. The time schedule of the curriculum has not been changed, and the regulations were made to enable the schools to decide on their own examination weeks, issues pertaining to public holidays, and spend more time for children’s development and protection.

This school year, 302 thousand children are preliminarily registered in the pre-school facilities, i.e. kindergartens. The second round of registration for the capital's kindergartens will be organized soon, but estimates suggest over 71,000 new children to be enrolled.

This year 781,000 children will study in secondary schools nationwide, making increase of 35,000 children from the last year. About 40,000 teenagers will study in vocational education and 22,000 new teenagers will be enrolled. In higher educational institutions, 147,000 youth will study and 25,000 youth will enter institutes and universities. These preliminary figures will be finalized by October 15.

At its regular session on August 31, 2023, the Cabinet made the following decisions:

The quality of the improved briquette fuel will be upgraded and gradually introduced into use

The Minister of Energy B. Choijilsuren informed the members of the Government about the research, analysis and estimates of upgrading the quality of the improved briquette fuel and its technological innovation. The Minister was instructed to carry out the technological innovation of the improved briquette fuel plant, bring the quality of briquette fuel up to international standards, and organize the gradual introduction into use.

To enhance the quality of the improved briquette fuel, Tavantolgoi Tulsh LLC, and public and private laboratories carried out industrial tests for the production of briquette fuel from semi-coking coal, laboratory and practical firepot and igniting tests, laboratory analysis of produced fuel and igniters, and made related assessment and conclusions.

The comparison of technical parameters and the grade of toxic gas contained in the smoke of semi-coking fuel against middling fuel revealed 51.9% less volatility, 57.7% less sulfur, and 37.2% less ash respectively, and 72.6% decrease of the amount of dust particles, 85.5% decrease of sulfur gas, 10.8% decrease of carbonyl gas, and 23.5% decrease of nitrogen oxide in the smoke emission respectively.

Since 2010, air pollution indicators have been measured by automatic devices in 18 points around ger districts, highways, residential areas, and factories in six districts of Ulaanbaatar.

The use of semi-coke or processed products will reduce dust particles from 124mkg/m3 to 67.5mkg/m3 or 45.5%. According to the MNS 4585:2007 Standard “Air quality. General technical requirements", the amount of dust particles and sulfurous gas will reach the level of "51-100 normal".

Estimations for the supply of semi-coke briquettes with igniters to 26,825 households of Nisekh and Yarmag nearabouts in Khan-Uul district, and Nalaihk district of Ulaanbaatar, and ger district of Darkhan-Uul aimag from December 15, 2023 have been done. To provide households in these three locations with semi-coke briquettes, a total MNT 32.0 billion funding will be required for the procurement of 24,500 tons of semi-coke and igniters.

Pregnant women, children under 18, and citizens to undergo repeated control examinations will not be requested the Form 13A

The Minister of Health S. Chinzorig informed the members of the Government about the system of transfer of clients (patients) between hospitals (Form 13A), the current state of digital transfer and the measures to undertake in the future. In connection with this introduction, the Minister of Health was instructed to further improve the system of transferring clients between hospitals.

Due to the digitalization of the client transfer system in hospitals, there were constraints such as requiring the Form 13A when a pregnant woman goes to a referral hospital, when she returns to her supervising doctor, and when she is examined at a referral hospital for a condition that does not require a 13A form, she is requested the Form 13A again when she needs to go to another department or hospital.

Therefore, regulations have been introduced, so that pregnant women, children under 18, and citizens who need to undergo repeated examinations at the medical institution, and other departments within the hospital, would not be required to provide Form 13A.

"Teeth Brushing Time" in secondary schools and kindergartens

The Minister of Health S. Chinzorig and the Minister of Education and Science L. Enkh-Amgalan were tasked to approve the "Healthy Teeth" Action Plan (2024-2027) within the third quarter of 2023 and ensure its implementation.

The Minister of Education and Science L. Enkh-Amgalan and governors of aimags and Ulaanbaatar were instructed to reflect in state and joint programs and projects, and local budgets works to gradually organize and practice the daily “Teeth Brushing Time'' in pre-school institutions and secondary schools, and provide kindergarten children and secondary school pupils with a hygienic environment with teeth brushing points.

Within the scope of the "Healthy Teeth" initiative, the Minister of Health S. Chinzorig was instructed to take measures to include funds required for prevention, treatment and care of oral cavity in the budget of the Health Insurance Fund.

In his meeting with representatives of public and private organizations extending oral health service held on March 6, 2023, the Mongolian Premier L. Oyun-Erdene tasked to take significant measures to improve dental and oral health, and implement the "Teeth" Project in 2024.

Although the Government implemented the Oral Health Programs in 1999-2005, 2006-2015, and the National Program "Healthy Teeth-Healthy Children" in 2019-2021, dental caries remains one of the most pressing public health problems among people of all ages.

Brief news

· The Minister of Health and the Minister of Education and Science were instructed to approve the Action Plan for Improving Civil Health Education (2024-2027) within the third quarter of 2023 and ensure its implementation.

· The Public Center for Combating Cyber Attacks and Violations was set up under the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications.

· The "Mongolia-China Expo" event will be held in Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China, on September 6-10, 2023.

Erenhot, the largest land port on the China-Mongolia border, welcomed the first batch of 74 inbound visitors on Wednesday morning, as the port resumed railway passenger traffic.

The arrival of the visitors in China marks the resumption of customs clearance services for passenger traffic between the Erenhot and Dzamin Uud railway ports after a suspension of about three years due to the pandemic, according to the Erenhot port customs authorities.

The Erenhot railway port is the only entry and exit point for China-Europe freight trains in the middle corridor.

The resumption of passenger traffic is expected to greatly facilitate the travel for attendees of the upcoming international and China-Mongolia expos scheduled in China, while also fueling the growth of China-Mongolia trade.

For foreign visitors, the warm hospitality of Mongolia’s centuries-long nomadic tradition is alive and well in 2023. Beneath the surface, however, there is tension; the country is at a crossroads.

As a guest entering a ger, the traditional circular tent, in the countryside a few hours’ drive from Ulaanbaatar, I am directed to sit next to the head of the family, justice minister Nyambaatar Khishgee, who wears a dark navy-blue robe, a black fedora and knee-high riding boots.

We share bumps of tobacco powder, poured from his glass bottle on to a tiny silver spoon. From porcelain bowls we drink airag — fermented horse milk — and whisky chasers from glass tumblers. Food is carried in — a small mountain of roast lamb and a stack of khuushuur, crispy meat-filled dumplings — with cigarettes and more airag.

Appetite satisfied, Nyambaatar, the top lieutenant of Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, talks. He takes me on a journey though the country’s transition from central planning to the market economy in the 1990s, to today’s crackdown on corruption and plans to entice more western mining companies to exploit Mongolia’s vast deposits of copper, uranium and rare earths.

The government says the reforms could, by the end of the decade, more than triple gross domestic product while halving poverty — in 2020 nearly a third of the population lacked the basic necessities of life. But for large swaths of Mongolia’s 3.4mn people, such promises ring hollow. Some, especially women, have found the transition out of the Soviet shadow to a market-orientated democracy not entirely a positive experience.

For Mongolians, including those who live among the smog and clogged roads of the capital, local culture is deeply embedded in nature. Unbridled industrial development risks clashing with the nomadic tradition. Trust in the government remains weak after years of endemic corruption at the highest levels.

Sukhgerel Dugersuren, director of an environmental group monitoring Rio Tinto’s copper mine in the Gobi region, believes there is an alternative. With so much land and so few people, she says, Mongolia can thrive sustainably with an economy underpinned by industries such as eco-tourism and the ethical production of cashmere, wool and meat. “The World Bank and IMF are brainwashing [Mongolians], to make you think that you need economies of scale, that you have to compete in global markets, you have to be part of the global production and consumption chains. No, we don’t, we are located right next to world’s largest markets,” she says.

Yet there is also a strong argument that, since the pandemic has left deep social and economic scars, the need for reforms is even more pressing. Economic activity ground to a halt for long periods during the height of Covid-19 because of tight border controls with the country’s key economic lifeline, China. More prosperity and tax revenues could improve the social plight of many Mongolians.

The landlocked country needs to cut dependence on its neighbours, China and Russia. Oyun-Erdene, the Harvard-educated prime minister, has been busy recently working towards his vision of a resource boom enabling a step-change in public services. In June, he met Xi Jinping in Beijing to make the case for improved trade routes. This month in Washington, he met secretary of state Antony Blinken and vice-president Kamala Harris. French president Emmanuel Macron visited him in May. On Thursday, Pope Francis will visit Mongolia’s 1,500 Catholics.

This has all raised Mongolia’s profile after years in the wilderness; whether it will bring more resource deals with the west and new trade routes through China is not clear. A pending decision from French group Orano on developing a major new uranium mine will be a bellwether on the prime minister’s efforts.

The business community is cautiously optimistic. Bayanjargal Byambasaikhan, a dealmaker developing clean energy projects in the Gobi, says as a frontier market, Mongolia must build more trust in its “fundamentals”, including the rule of law and the certainty of its tax regime.

“I’m hoping that these reforms will translate into sending the right signals to the market,” he says, while also offering a word of caution to foreign investors: “Don’t bring a Ferrari to an off-road adventure.”

edward.white@ft.com

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a grant worth nearly MNT 7 billion ($2 million) to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO). USAID funds will support UNFAO to increase and improve Mongolia’s domestic greenhouses and related industries – including food storage and distribution – so that Mongolia can become more self-sufficient in vegetable production.

Mongolia currently consumes primarily imported vegetables. Recent international events have highlighted the vulnerability that this reliance on imports creates: Russia’s war in Ukraine significantly impacted food prices and availability, and closures of the border with the People’s Republic of China led to widespread shortages of food products during the COVID-19 pandemic. UNFAO reports that although Mongolia’s greenhouse development has increased in recent years, domestic production remains inadequate to meet demand for fresh, healthy produce and most Mongolian greenhouses are not capable of operating year-round.

This MNT 7 billion ($2 million) USAID grant will identify policy changes for local and national governments to create an enabling environment for private sector investment in the greenhouse sector. The grant will also provide training on developing and managing greenhouses using modern techniques and business practices.

“With the right practices and technologies, coupled with policies to encourage more investment in the sector, year-round production and distribution can become more of a reality,” said U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia Richard Buangan. “This support from USAID will bring more locally grown produce into Mongolian homes, regardless of harsh winters or supply chain disruptions caused by neighboring countries.”

“USAID is very pleased to award this grant to UNFAO and to work with them to improve Mongolia’s food security,” said USAID Mongolia Senior Development Advisor Tom Crehan. “As a proud Third Neighbor of Mongolia, we are glad to partner with the government and other stakeholders to meet the Mongolian people’s demand for a sustainable supply of nutritious produce.”

For more than 30 years, USAID has worked with Mongolia to advance democracy, strengthen community resilience against natural disasters, and increase sustainable, inclusive economic growth. To date, the U.S. government, through USAID, has invested more than $130 million (MNT 400 billion) to help Mongolia achieve its development goals.

ABOUT USAID: USAID leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help nations progress beyond assistance. In Mongolia, USAID supports transparent and accountable governance and a more market-led, diversified economy. For more information about USAID and its programs, please visit https://www.usaid.gov/Mongolia, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

By U. S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar | 31 August, 2023 | Topics: Events, News, Press Releases

The first meeting of the National Committee for Urban and Rural Revival, Urban Planning, and Land Management was held on August 29, 2023 at the State Palace of Mongolia.

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister of Mongolia and the Chairman of the Committee Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai said, “We established the National Committee for Urban and Rural Revival, Urban Planning, and Land Management to enhance cross-sectoral collaboration based on the suggestions of scientists and architects. The Committee members should work diligently and responsibly to ensure the long-term sustainable development in urban and rural areas through implementing appropriate policies and strategies.” Mr. Prime Minister also noted the intention to make legal reform regarding cities and territorial units during the 2023 Autumn Session of the State Great Khural.

The implementation of the Policy on the Revival of Urban and Local Areas, future plans and the current situation of specially protected areas were presented at the Meeting. The members of the Committee discussed and exchanged views on the challenges and obstacles in land management, geodesy and cartography.

The Government of Mongolia has increased the budget of the capital city for the first time, with the aims of alleviating traffic congestion, reducing air pollution, and improving the durability and standards of roads.

“After presenting and discussing the problems, it is important to reach a common understanding at the level of government and parliament. As of today, the requirements, rules, and procedures for land use have been regulated in conformity with 12 laws. We must improve the legal environment, have an integrated plan, cooperate with international experts, and involve scholars of the sector and effectively use conclusions and recommendations of international organizations,” highlighted the Prime Minister of Mongolia.

Mr. Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai mandated line ministers and relevant officials to:

-Introduce the concept of the Draft Law on Reducing Traffic Congestion and Its Negative Impacts and the final version of the Draft of the Revised Land Package Law at the next meeting of the National Committee;

-Study and resolve the land allocation of the plots included in the General Plan of Land Management.

Moreover, the Premier tasked D. Amarbayasgalan, the Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of Mongolia and Deputy Chairman of the Committee, to present the conclusions and recommendations of international organizations, as well as the suggestions of scholars and architects on urban planning of Ulaanbaatar.

The National Committee made a decision to establish a permanent Executive Office under the Committee.