Explainer: How a Japan-invested firm sparks a major wildfire at Mongolia's protected reserve www.xinhuanet.com

 A large-scale steppe fire has erupted in a strictly protected nature reserve in eastern Mongolia, threatening to spread toward the China-Mongolia border and posing cross-border ecological risks.

Initial investigations suggest the fire was triggered by a convoy run by Mobicom, a Mongolian telecommunications company with Japanese investment.

UNEXPECTED WILDFIRE

The first alarm was raised at 11:55 a.m. local time (0355 GMT) on Oct. 8, after the fire broke out in the core zone of the country's Numrug Strictly Protected Area, where unauthorized entry is prohibited, particularly during the autumn fire-risk season.

Although the open flames were extinguished on Friday, dry weather and strong winds continue to raise risks of reignition.

Mongolia activated a cross-provincial emergency response, deploying 606 rescuers and 100 sets of equipment from 60 firefighting teams across three provinces.

As flames approached the China-Mongolia border, China mobilized more than 3,400 firefighters and ground personnel along the Inner Mongolia section of the border for 24-hour patrols to prevent the fire from spreading into the Chinese territory. Both sides continue to monitor the situation amid dry weather and strong winds.

Numrug hosts one of eastern Mongolia's best-preserved original ecosystems, home to reindeer, brown bears, wild boars and other rare wildlife. The fire inflicted irreversible harm on grasslands and animal habitats, while a detailed assessment is pending to determine the full extent of ecological and biodiversity losses.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

According to local media reports, a 13-member convoy of five vehicles from Mobicom, including senior Japanese executives, drove into the restricted core area. Dry grass became lodged beneath one vehicle and caught fire, while strong winds quickly spread the flames across the grassland, making the fire difficult to contain.

After the blaze, Mobicom claimed the trip was an official survey for telecom infrastructure construction, describing the fire as an operational accident.

Mongolian government officials and local media have questioned the explanation, pointing out that the proposed fibre-optic project lacked technical and economic justification.

Local media reports have alleged that the convoy may have entered the area for unauthorized hunting and fishing involving critically endangered species.

The case has been referred to police for investigation, and no official conclusions have yet been released.

PUBLIC OUTCRY

The incident has sparked widespread public anger in Mongolia, with questions raised over whether the convoy had obtained the necessary permits to enter the ecologically sensitive reserve during the fire-prone season.

Temuulen Ganzorig, Mongolia's minister of justice and internal affairs, said those involved, along with personnel from relevant border-port administrations, would be held accountable and ordered to compensate for the losses.

Mongolia's criminal law prohibits unauthorized hunting or capturing animals in specially protected areas, while causing a forest or steppe fire may also carry criminal penalties.

Mongolia is facing increasing risks of grassland fire amid climate change. Official data show average temperatures in the country have climbed 2.5 degrees Celsius since 1941, far exceeding the global average, while 81.9 percent of the country's land is affected by desertification and land degradation. Nearly 80 percent of Mongolian steppe fires are attributed to human activities.

Fan Lijun, a researcher at the Inner Mongolia Academy of Social Sciences, noted the fire went beyond a simple accident.

The incident reflects severe lapses in corporate social responsibility for foreign-invested enterprises operating overseas, Fan said, adding that some foreign-backed firms take advantage of business connections to circumvent local environmental laws and fire-prevention bans, displaying a sense of privilege and disregard for the host country's rules.

Mongolia has thanked China for its rapid emergency response and praised Chinese company employees in Mongolia who volunteered to assist with firefighting efforts.

Berlin Opens ‘Chinggis Khaan and the World of Mongols’ Exhibition www.montsame.mn

The State Visit of the President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa is ongoing.

As part of the visit, President Khurelsukh and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier inaugurated the exhibition “Chinggis Khaan and the World of the Mongols,” held under the auspices of the two Heads of State. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender welcomed President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa at the James Simon Galerie on Berlin’s Museum Island. Dr. Prof. Matthias Wemhoff, Director of the Museum of Prehistory and Early History under the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation of the State Museums in Berlin, introduced the distinguished guests to the exhibits.

In his opening remarks, President Khurelsukh emphasized that the exhibition brings together the findings of more than 30 years of archaeological research in Mongolia, newly discovered artifacts, and a comprehensive collection of historical objects related to nomadic peoples and the Mongol Empire.

He expressed confidence that the exhibits would vividly illustrate the political, economic, commercial, cultural, and religious life of the Mongol Empire, its worldview, the power and authority of its rulers and nobility, and its foreign relations and diplomatic traditions. He noted that the exhibition would shed light on the history of the great empire, which fundamentally transformed the world and is often associated with what has been called the “Mongol Century.”

The President highlighted the joint Mongolian-German archaeological research in the Orkhon Valley, including at Kharkhorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia, as a major symbol and tangible achievement of scientific and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

He noted that archaeological discoveries and scientific research had further confirmed that Kharkhorum was not merely the political and administrative center of the Mongol Empire but also a major international hub connecting East and West through trade, religion, culture, and knowledge.

President Khurelsukh emphasized that presenting the results of years of joint archaeological research to the international public through the exhibition was a clear expression of the Strategic Partnership between Mongolia and Germany and their close ties founded on shared values.

He expressed confidence that the exhibition would foster a deeper and more accurate understanding of Chinggis Khaan and his successors in Germany and across Europe, showcase the richness of Mongolian heritage, and open a new chapter in cultural and scientific cooperation between the two countries.

On behalf of the Mongolian people, the President extended his sincere gratitude to the Berlin city administration, the Museum of Prehistory and Early History, the Chinggis Khaan National Museum of Mongolia, research institutions, archaeologists, historians, restorers, curators, experts, and everyone involved in successfully carrying out the prestigious and important task of organizing the exhibition.

In his remarks, German Federal President Steinmeier described Chinggis Khaan as one of the most influential and powerful leaders in world history. He noted that Chinggis Khaan had united vast territories, established an empire, developed systems of state administration and governance, and built a powerful army, leaving a legacy that continues to fascinate people around the world.

Steinmeier also noted that the U.S. newspaper The Washington Post had named Chinggis Khaan the “Man of the Millennium” in 1995, adding that the world of the Mongols was inseparable from the historical figure of Chinggis Khaan.

He highlighted the close and productive archaeological cooperation between Mongolia and Germany, which began in 1999, and expressed his gratitude to Professor Matthias Wemhoff and Professor Chuluun Sampildondov, Director of the Chinggis Khaan National Museum, for their dedicated efforts to bring the exhibition to fruition.

President of Mongolia to Pay State Visit to Finland www.montsame.mn

At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, President of Mongolia, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa will pay a State Visit on October 22–24.

The upcoming visit marks the first State Visit by the Head of State of Mongolia to Finland in 16 years.

During the visit, the two presidents will hold a one-on-one meeting and official talks to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in energy, culture, education, and geology. The two sides are expected to sign approximately 10 intergovernmental and interagency cooperation agreements.

During the state visit, the Mongolian Grand Theater of National Arts will present its concert "Beautiful Country of Mongolia" in Helsinki, and a Mongolia-Finland Business Forum will be organized.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on July 15, 1963. Finland was the first Nordic country to establish diplomatic relations with Mongolia, according to the Office of the President of Mongolia.

KDDI subsidiary faces criticism and questions over Mongolian wildfire www.japantimes.co.jp

Mobicom, the largest mobile phone carrier in Mongolia and a subsidiary of Japan’s KDDI, is facing scrutiny and possible compensation claims in Mongolia after a vehicle carrying its executives caught fire and started a blaze that burned through a nature preserve on the Mongolia-China border.
About 80% of the preserve, which is in eastern Mongolia and 5,870 square kilometers in size, is estimated to have been burned, according to local media reports.

Mobicom CEO Yasuhiro Ochi and two other executives were visiting the area on Oct. 8, when one of their vehicles caught fire and started the blaze. KDDI owns 98.84% of Mobicom.

The fire rapidly spread toward China’s Inner Mongolia, carried by strong winds and made worse by drought conditions. Chinese authorities deployed 3,400 personnel, including firefighters and local emergency crews, to contain the cross-border fire, China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported.

The blaze was contained on Oct. 12 and extinguished on Friday, said TenGer Times, a Mongolian newspaper, quoting local government sources.

Numrug National Park, where the fire occurred, was designated a “strictly protected area” in 1992. It has a unique landscape with a diverse range of animal species, including moose, red deer, wild boar, brown bear and the Eurasian otter, and is home to 263 species of birds and 24 species of fish. It is a main grazing ground of the Mongolian gazelle, some of which have already crossed into China, according to the newspaper.

Mongolian Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs Temuulen Ganzorig said last week that an investigation is underway, and those responsible for the wildfire will be required to pay compensation for the damage.

“Measures will be taken to hold officers of the border administration and employees of Mobicom Corporation accountable and to recover the damages,” the minister said. “A two-day entry permit had been issued. It appears they accidentally started the fire while leaving.”

Masato Shinoda, professor emeritus of climatology at Nagoya University who has studied Mongolia’s climate, said the Mongolian Plateau, which includes Mongolia as well as parts of Inner Mongolia and Russia, is known for its wildfire-prone conditions. Grassland fires often occur in spring, when snow covering the grasslands melts, exposing dry vegetation, and in autumn, when strong winds and dry grass make fires more likely to spread.

Even so, the latest fire, which burned nearly 5,000 sq. km in just eight days, is “quite huge,” he said.

“Our research based on satellite data has shown that about 13,000 sq. km of land was burned by wildfires per year across the Mongolian Plateau between 2001 and 2021,” he said. “That means the burned area of the latest event may be among the largest over that period.”

Climate change and resulting extreme droughts have generally elevated wildfire risks, though it remains unclear at this point whether or how they played a role in the Numrug fire, he added.

Mobicom’s handling of the incident has caused some concern in the country of 3.5 million people, where the company serves more than 1.8 million mobile subscribers. Initially, the firm released a statement explaining that the managers were in the border region for work related to expanding the mobile carrier’s network coverage. Mobicom later released a prerecorded video on Facebook, in which CEO Ochi apologized to the Mongolian people.

“I understand that related agencies will assess the cause and the extent of the damage,” he said in Japanese. “We will fully cooperate with the investigation and fulfill our corporate social responsibility, and will take necessary measures. I understand everyone’s concerns. We deeply regret the environmental damage caused and apologize to the Mongolian people.”

Mongolian media have questioned whether the convoy had obtained proper permission from the authorities to enter the strictly restricted area.

KDDI told The Japan Times that three Mobicom executives, including Ochi, had visited the border area to perform tests of the 4G telecommunications network, and that the firm had “notified the border security authorities of their entry beforehand.”

In its Mongolian-language statement, the company said that it had received “official permission” to enter the area.

“We recognize the gravity of the fire and the enormous damage inflicted on the Mongolian natural environment in relation to the activities of Mobicom, our group company,” KDDI said in an email response to questions, apologizing to the Mongolian people, customers and stakeholders.

“We will fundamentally review our field testing protocols and safety management measures, and will make all-out efforts to prevent recurrence.”

Mongolian President U.Khurelsukh’s state visit to Germany has begun www.news.mn

Mongolian President U.Khurelsukh’s state visit to the Federal republic of Germany has officially begun. Mongolian President U.Khurelsukh was welcomed at the special military reception area of Berlin Brandenburg airport by Mongolia’s Ambassador to Germany J.Oyunbaatar, Germany’s Federal President’s office Chief of staff and State secretary Dörte Dinger, and other officials.

President U.Khurelsukh’s state visit to Germany, the first by a Mongolian president in 14 years, is significant as it is taking place within the framework of the 100th anniversary of educational cooperation between the two countries.

During the visit, the two presidents will hold official talks and discuss expanding and developing bilateral relations and cooperation in mutually beneficial areas, including trade, economy, education, science, and culture. The two sides will also sign the “Joint Declaration between Mongolia and the Federal жepublic of Germany” and define priority areas of cooperation to expand and strengthen their “Strategic зartnership.” The two heads of state will open the “Chinggis Khaan and the Mongol World” exhibition in Berlin.

As part of the visit, the “Mongolia-Germany business forum,” the “Mongolia-Germany science day,” the international academic conference titled “Cultural exchange and the environment in Eurasia during the Mongol and Post-Mongol periods,” and an international academic conference dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the birth of renowned Mongolian writer D.Natsagdorj will be held.

United States to Begin Construction of New U.S. Embassy in Mongolia www.mn.usembassy.gov

The United States is pleased to announce the commencement of a multiyear project to build a new U.S. embassy in Mongolia, with construction scheduled to begin in spring 2027.  The construction will utilize locally sourced materials and labor, reflecting the natural elements of Mongolia—earth, water, and sky.  This approach supports the local economy and honors the rich natural heritage of Mongolia.

Demonstrating our commitment to local partnership, the U.S. Government recently awarded a related site utilities contract for the new compound to a local Mongolian contractor.  Managed as a separate project coordinated with the main embassy construction, this contract covers the off-site infrastructure needed to connect the new compound to municipal utility networks.

“The construction of a new U.S. embassy is a significant development that underscores the importance of the strong relationship between the United States and Mongolia,” said U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia Richard Buangan.  “We are proud to be one of Mongolia’s strategic third neighbors and this new embassy demonstrates our commitment to deepening our partnership.”

The project, located in the Khan-Uul district, is estimated to take approximately five years to complete.  Once finished, the facility will provide expanded room for consular services and a comfortable working environment for embassy staff and visitors.  This new facility will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the embassy’s operations, benefiting both nations.

The establishment of this new embassy compound is a testament to the enduring and mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Mongolia.  It signifies a long-term commitment to the Mongolian people and aims to foster stronger diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties for generations to come.

Ecological Imbalance Is Driving Bear Encounters in Mongolia www.thediplomat.com

In recent months, Mongolia has experienced rare bear sightings in its northern provinces. Local authorities have so far been successful in capturing the bears alive and placing the animals back into their natural habitat. The sudden movement of such a large number of bears indicates a deeper ecological imbalance not only in Mongolia but also Russia and Japan. 

As of early October, the Mongolian authorities have received 754 calls reporting bear sightings in various provinces and towns. Solo bears, bears with cubs, and lost cubs have been sighted. More alarmingly, bears have encountered nomadic herders, killing one person and injuring several others. People from remote towns and herding communities have reported attacks on livestock. Most of these bears encounters have been reported in Khuvgsul, Bulgan, Darkhan-Uul, and Tuv provinces – all Mongolia’s northern provinces with robust habitat for bears, wolves, elk, deer, and wild boars.   

The sudden surge and the possible migration of bears clearly demonstrate the changing environment in their natural habitat. Khuvsgul, Bulgan, and Darkhan Uul provinces are 51 percent forest and considered a perfect habitat for bears. Mongolia’s boreal forests, known as taiga, offer cedar and pine nuts, types of berries, and water access for bears. In the fall, particularly in the months of August, September, and October, bears forage throughout the taiga with their cubs in preparation for hibernation. 

The increased movement of these bear populations points to several issues in Mongolia’s ecological system. One of the speculated causes is a shortage of food. Mongolia’s extreme weather fluctuations, including shorter summers with amplified heatwaves, can impact vegetation and dry out grasslands. Particularly in Khuvsgul and Bulgan, given the short summer, there is a risk of shortage of berries and nuts. 

In addition, Khuvsgul and Selenge provinces hold one of Mongolia’s critical river basins, which is crucial to the forestry and its natural habitat. One of the remaining questions concerning bear movements is whether these river basins and other water sources are experiencing a fish shortage, caused by climate change and mining activities. 

Given the pristine nature of Northern Mongolia, these provinces are subject to strict environmental scrutiny and protection. Still, mining does occur. Bulgan Province, in particular, is known for its extractive industries, including gold and polymetallic mining (although in comparison to other notable extractive sites, the scale of mining in Bulgan is relatively moderate). 

According to the World Resources Institute, Mongolia’s gold rush has become one of the leading sources of water contamination. Gold extraction sites particularly are a major issue for the local environment. “Lead, arsenic and other toxic chemicals released during gold extraction processes have leached into Mongolia’s groundwater and flowed untreated into rivers,” the WRI found. 

Thus Mongolia’s bear sightings may be related to the country’s mining activities, along with extreme weather aggravated by climate change-caused food shortages. In response, the government and conservation groups are taking a humane approach. Local authorities and the population continue to capture bears and place them back into the wild. 

In comparison, Russia and Japan, both experiencing a similar bear issue, are handling it very differently.   

In Russia’s Far East, in the Siberian forests, the bear population thrives. This October, local authorities in Siberia (Krasnoyarsk), Tuva, and Buryatia reported a surge of bears entering local towns and villages. In Buryatia, the local authority has deployed 24 specialized teams to kill bears. With Russian authorities allowing an “open season,” bear killings will likely increase. 

In 2025, the Environmental Ministry of Japan reported a historic surge in bear sightings and attacks, during which more than 14,600 bears were killed. The ministry believed that “climate change and poor tree-nut harvests have reduced natural food supplies in the mountains.” The ministry also highlighted that around 12,000 brown bears in Hokkaido and Asiatic black bears elsewhere have expanded their roaming range. 

While Northeast Asia faces a shared ecological challenge in conserving bear populations and managing their movements, Mongolia, Russia, and Japan have adopted vastly different approaches. Mongolia emphasizes strict legal protections and non-lethal management whereas Russia and Japan both have implemented aggressive population control methods. 

According to Rebecca Watters, founder and director of the Mongolian Wolverine Project and a biologist, bears are attracted to any kind of predictable food source. Once they associate people with food – in the form of garbage, livestock, gardens, birdfeeders, etc. – they will continue to seek out human settlements. 

In Mongolia’s case specifically, she added, “I wonder too whether some of the increase in sightings and conflict is due to population shifts, in both people and the bears. Paradoxically, some of these issues might also be related to conservation successes and more bears cubs surviving.” 

Guest Author
Bolor Lkhaajav
Bolor Lkhaajav is a researcher specializing in Mongolia, China, Russia, Japan, East Asia, and the Americas. She holds an M.A. in Asia-Pacific Studies from the University of San Francisco.

Budget Revenue, Grants Increase by MNT 3.8 Trillion www.montsame.mn

General government budget revenue and grants reached MNT 26.1 trillion in the first nine months of this year, according to preliminary data, marking a 17.2% increase, or MNT 3.8 trillion, from the same period last year. Meanwhile, the budget’s balanced revenue and grants totaled MNT 22.9 trillion, up 10.6%, or MNT 2.2 trillion, year-on-year.

Tax revenue reached MNT 21.2 trillion, an increase of 11.4%, or MNT 2.2 trillion, compared with the same period last year. This growth was driven by increases in social insurance contributions of 17.3%, or MNT 687.7 billion; value-added tax (VAT) revenue of 15.8%, or MNT 695 billion; and income tax revenue of 9.5%, or MNT 557.6 billion. However, excise tax revenue fell by 8.7%, or MNT 66.8 billion, the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported.

During the period, income tax accounted for 30.4% of total tax revenue, followed by VAT at 24%, social insurance contributions at 22%, taxes on foreign trade and activities at 6.8%, excise taxes at 3.3%, and other taxes, fees, and charges at 13.6%. Corporate income tax accounted for 64.3% of income tax revenue, while personal income tax made up the remaining 35.7%.

General government budget expenditure and net lending totaled MNT 24.6 trillion in the first nine months, up 11.3%, or MNT 2.5 trillion, year-on-year. The increase was driven by higher spending on goods and services, which rose by 12.4%, or MNT 892.2 billion; capital expenditure, which increased by 17.5%, or MNT 720.7 billion; and current transfers, which grew by 9.4%, or MNT 825.2 billion.

According to Ariunbold Shagdar, Director General of the NSO’s Social Statistics Department, current transfers accounted for 39.2% of total expenditure, followed by goods and services at 33.1%, capital expenditure at 19.8%, interest payments at 5%, and subsidies at 2.9%.

Capital expenditure reached MNT 4.8 trillion in the first nine months, an increase of 17.5%, or MNT 720.7 billion, compared with the same period last year. This was mainly attributable to a 13.3%, or MNT 390.9 billion, increase in spending on buildings and facilities; a 31.2%, or MNT 102 billion, rise in equipment expenditure; a 17.7%, or MNT 38.5 billion, increase in major repairs; and a 24.4%, or MNT 154.8 billion, rise in other capital expenditure.

Umnugobi Aimag to Partner with Japan to Protect the Gobi Ecosystem www.montsame.mn

 Enkhbat Nasanbuyan, Governor of Umnugobi aimag, met with Igawahara Masaru, Ambassador of Japan to Mongolia, on October 19.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on expanding bilateral cooperation and future opportunities in environmental protection, combating desertification, afforestation, agriculture, and tourism.

With support from the Japanese government, projects are underway in Sevrei and Bayandalai soums of Umnugobi aimag to protect the environment, mitigate desertification, and restore the Gobi ecosystem. As part of this initiative, Ambassador Igawahara and his family participated in planting saxual trees (Haloxylon ammodendron) across 100 hectares, digging wells, and setting up protective fencing for trees and shrubs.

The arid, harsh climate and water scarcity in the Gobi region require special attention toward afforestation and vegetation restoration. Implementing methods and technologies suitable to local soil and water conditions, ensuring the survival rate of planted saplings, and managing water resources efficiently are crucial to enhancing the effectiveness of restoration efforts.

The two sides also discussed introducing advanced Japanese technologies and expertise in Gobi afforestation and natural resource conservation, as well as organizing youth and student exchange programs.

Additionally, the meeting touched upon potential collaboration in developing winter greenhouses, boosting agricultural productivity, improving water supply in remote areas, and providing water access for wild animals.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to further expand cooperation by leveraging Japanese expertise and technology in environmental protection, desertification control, afforestation, agriculture, and tourism, while promoting bilateral youth exchange programs.

Petro Matad provides an update on its renewable energy activities in Mongolia www.energy-pedia.com

Petro Matad, the AIM quoted Mongolian oil company, has provided an update on its renewable energy activities in Mongolia.

Following the signature last week at the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of energy between the Governments of Mongolia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Petro Matad is delighted to announce the signing of a cooperation MoU between SunSteppe Power LLC ('SSP' a subsidiary of the Company's SunSteppe Renewable Energy 'SRE' Joint Venture) and Saudi-listed Acwa, the world's largest private water desalination company, a leader in the energy transition, and a first mover into green hydrogen at scale.

The MoU covers cooperation on a renewable energy export initiative from Mongolia into China targeting a capacity of 4.5GW as a first phase, supported by 500MWh of battery storage.

Mongolia's renewable energy resources and proximity to China offer significant potential for cross-border electricity trade. With momentum recently generated by the Government of Mongolia to realise the potential of energy export this has a real chance of moving forward and would be a gamechanger for the country. With a partner of the standing and financial capability of Acwa, SSP is positioning itself to be at the forefront of this push. The MoU brings together Acwa's international project development and financing expertise and SSP's knowledge of the Mongolian market to access the opportunity.

The Export MoU will be covered in the presentation that Petro Matad and SRE management will make on the Investor Meet Company platform on Tuesday 20 October at 0900 UK time. In addition, the presentation will give further details on the SRE portfolio which currently comprises three large Solar/Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects and one Hybrid Wind/Solar/BESS project totalling 570MW of capacity.

Once at ready to build status and applying Mongolian benchmarks, these projects have the potential to generate development premia for SRE in the range of c.$20 million to $30 million over the period 2027 to 2029. SRE is also seeking to retain the option to hold working interests in these projects through the construction phase and into operation and revenue generation should it be able to find its share of funding to do so. With target rates of return on these projects of 15%+ they are economically very attractive.

SRE has line of sight on a further 124MW of growth projects including its OT Green Hydrogen project for which it has access to Japanese Government grant funding. Off-grid mining projects in Mongolia also offer large, near to medium term potential (500MW+) for renewable energy solutions and this is a focus for the company going forward.

Mike Buck, CEO of Petro Matad, said:

'We are delighted to have signed the Export MoU with Acwa, a company of global renown and standing. Their entry into Mongolia is a major development for the renewables sector in the country. Acwa's unrivalled reputation and their knowledge of the Chinese power market coupled with SSP's knowledge of the Mongolian renewable energy space make, we believe, the ideal partnership through which to pursue the massive potential of power export. We look forward to sharing more details with investors during the presentation on 20 October.'

Saleh Al Khabti, President, China Acwa, said:

'Mongolia's abundant renewable energy resources and its proximity to China present a compelling opportunity to advance cross-border clean energy trade. This partnership brings together Acwa's global expertise in developing and financing large-scale energy infrastructure with SSP's local market knowledge. Building on the growing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Mongolia, we look forward to exploring how this initiative can unlock new investment opportunities, strengthen regional energy connectivity, and support China's growing demand for clean and reliable power.'

About Acwa

Acwa (TADAWUL: 2082) is a Saudi-listed company and the world's largest private water desalination company, the first mover into green hydrogen, and a leader in the global energy transition. Registered and established in 2004 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Acwa employs over 4,000 people and is currently present in 16 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. As of July 2026, Acwa's portfolio comprises 111 assets in operation, advanced development, or under construction, representing SAR 475 billion / USD 127 billion of assets under management and the capacity to generate 98.2 GW of power (of which 52.3 GW is renewables) and manage 9.7 million m³/day of desalinated water. The energy and water capacity generated by Acwa's assets is delivered on a bulk basis to address the needs of state utilities and industries on long-term, off-taker contracts under utility services outsourcing and public-private partnership models.