President Sadyr Japarov has ordered establishment of the Embassy of Kyrgyzstan in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The given decision was made with the purpose of facilitation of development of political, commercial, economic, scientific, technical and cultural ties between Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia.

The Cabinet of Ministers will resolve organizational and financial issues linked to operation of the embassy of Kyrgyzstan in Mongolia.

Harvest Moon, the film that was last year selected as Mongolia’s Oscars contender, has secured distribution deals in Europe and Asia through sales agent Asian Shadows.

Directed by Amarsaikhan Baljinnyam, as an adaptation of a novel by T. Bum-Erdene, the narrative tells of the encounter between a man, who unexpectedly returns from the big city to the countryside and then stays on to take up an agricultural role, and boy being brought up by his grandparents. Both are forced to re-evaluate what they had taken for granted.

The film had its world premiere last year at the Vancouver festival, where it won the audience award and followed that with further audience award at FESCAAL Milan and two more prizes at the Miworld Young Film Festival Milan. Additionally, Tenuum-Erdene Garamkhand who played the role of the young boy collected the best actor award at the Fribourg IFF.

The film was picked up for Italy and Italian speaking territories by Officine UBU, a company which previously handled the release of “The Quiet Girl” and “Lunana A Yak in the Classroom.” In Taiwan, it was licensed by Joint Entertainment, which has previously released “The Super 8 Years,” “The Sitting Duck” and “Utama.”

Baljinnyam is a major force in Mongolian cinema. He played the role of Ariq Boke in Netflix sries “MarcoPolo”. Before that, he played in and produced 2011 film “Thief of Mind” and the 2014 title Trapped abroad, both directed by Janchivdorj Sengedorjis. “Thief of Mind” won the Grand Prix for best film during the Mongolian 2012 Academy Awards, with Baljinnyam also winning the prize for best lead performance.

The film also won best supporting role, best cinematography, best screenplay and best sound editing.

More recently, he worked as screenwriter and actor on “Under the Turquise Sky,” a 2021 mix of realism, fantasy and comedy in a visually stirring feature debut by Kentaro, about a Japanese man who goes on a journey of self-discovery in Mongolia.

The film was produced by independent production company IFI Production (Mongolia), founded by producer Uran Sainbileg, The film was previously pitched by IFI at the 2016 edition of Locarno’s Open Doors project market.

With credits including Mongolian-Japanese film “Under the Turquoise Sky” and “The Mongolian Connection,” a Kazakhstan-U.S.-Mongolia picture directed by Drew Thomas, the company is active in using co-production to pioneer the new wave of Mongolian cinema.

French President Emmanuel Macron made a historic visit to Mongolia on May 21 at the invitation of Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. Macron’s state visit, bringing with him a 54-people delegation, marks the high-level political will for Mongolia and France to advance their bilateral ties to a strategic-level partnership – one of the stated goals after the visit.

France and Mongolia established diplomatic relations in 1965. In Mongolia, France is recognized as one of the European countries to have devotedly supported Mongolia’s independence, democracy, and modernization from an early stage. Especially since Mongolia’s democratization in the early 1990s, the two countries have shared a mutual understanding of the significance of democracy, human rights, and democratic governance.

Since the two established ties in 1965, France has received three presidential state visits from Mongolia. In 1996, the first delegation was headed by Ochirbat Punsalmaa, followed by Enkhbayar Nambar in 2007, and Elbegdorj Tsakhia in 2015. Each high-level meeting between the heads of state strengthened France-Mongolia diplomatic relations and paved the way for agencies, businesses, and institutions to cooperate on diverse issues and projects.

On the prime ministerial level, Mongolia sent Byambasuren Dash to Paris in 1992, Bayar Sanj in 2009, and Batbold Sukhbaatar in 2011. These diplomatic visits – albeit intermittent – demonstrated Ulaanbaatar’s interest in augmenting France-Mongolia relations. But Mongolia had never hosted France’s head of state – until now.

Macron’s historic visit to Mongolia ultimately cemented previous attempts to bolster the two countries’ relations. His visit shed light on three major areas for advancing France-Mongolia relations to a strategic partnership.

First and foremost, the timing of Macron’s state visit highlights Mongolia’s geostrategic location.

Despite its landlocked position, Ulaanbaatar’s foreign policy remains multi-pillared and democratic. Therefore, as countries around the world, particularly, democratic countries seek stable partners, Mongolia provides a rare opportunity. For France, as Macron is determined to strengthen its presence in East Asia under its Indo-Pacific Strategy, Mongolia is a partner that cannot be neglected.

The second important outcome was that Macron and Khurelsukh showed a political will to advance bilateral ties to a strategic partnership level. Indeed, establishing a strategic partnership requires a certain level of trust in governance, institutions, and mutually accepted and respected cultural ties. In 58 years of diplomatic ties, Mongolia and France have strengthened these fundamental linkages. Macron’s visit demonstrates these shared values.

Finally, Macron’s high-level meetings with Khurelsukh and Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai clarified the significance of France’s interest in Mongolia, ranging from investment and strengthening business relations to cultural ties.

A diplomat, and leading Mongolian international relations scholar, Bayarkhuu Dashdorj, explained, “Macron’s state visit to Mongolia is a significant step in advancing the two countries’ relations. If Mongolia and France were to establish a strategic partnership, this signifies the two countries’ relations have entered the next level. This itself a significant indication of France’s respect and continued support for Mongolia’s democracy, human rights, and fundamental ties as an important third neighbor partner.”

Khurelsukh’s foreign policy adviser stated that Macron’s state visit to Mongolia illustrated – among many things – Mongolia’s multi-pillared, balanced, and peaceful foreign policy. Moreover, he stated, “Macron’s visit carries both political and geopolitical relevance. Also, it is a major indication of Mongolia’s successful utilization of the third neighbor foreign policy.”

In a joint press conference with Macron, Khurelsukh reaffirmed France as an important third neighbor partner and a country that has continuously devoted itself to supporting Mongolia’s democracy. For his part, Macron stated that France considers Mongolia to be a “privileged partner.”

In the Mongolia-France Joint Declaration, the two countries declared mutual respect for the robust partnership between the two countries, which is embedded in democracy, human rights, freedom, and the rule of law. Moreover, as members of the United Nations, Mongolia and France declared the responsibility of implementing a multilateral approach promoting peace, security, stability, and sustainable development.

The Joint Declaration also indicated areas of cooperation, such as in the fields of “politics, defense, civil defense, economy, trade, investment, energy, agriculture, communications, technology, industrialization, education, science, culture, and sports.”

One major area of cooperation between Mongolia and France is the strengthening of Mongolia’s civil protection sector. France has offered support in strengthening Mongolia’s emergency response and disaster relief management system. The two sides have agreed to extend this collaboration by providing professional training in disaster relief operations and bringing the emergency team to international standards and requirements.

Moreover, France has shown increasing interest in Mongolia’s climate change, and air pollution issues. Macron praised Khurelsukh’s “One Billion Tree” initiative as part of Mongolia’s commitment to the Paris Agreement. One of the major infrastructure projects currently under discussion is creating an environmentally friendly aerial transportation system in Ulaanbaatar.

The two sides will also expand cooperation in space science and communication satellites for peaceful purposes.

In an interview, Mongolia’s ambassador to France, Nyamkhuu Ulambayar, touched on the importance of bilateral relations, particularly the two countries’ cooperation and success in defense, trade, education, investment, mining, and the health sector. She added that the civil protection sector, husbandry, and education sectors have been the most active and successful areas of cooperation. Since 2015, France and Mongolia have jointly provided funds for 10 students to study in France each year.

From a political and governance perspective, Macron’s historic state visit reaffirmed Paris’ respect for the fundamental democratic values shared by both countries. Each meeting between the heads of state strengthened France-Mongolia diplomatic ties, but more importantly, it has paved the way for government agencies, private businesses, and other civil institutions to cooperate on diverse issues and projects.

With bilateral relations approaching their 60th anniversary in two years, Mongolia and France are on their way to advance ties to a strategic partnership level.

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.

Mongolia is on course to increase its coal exports to 50 million tonnes in 2024, said Bold Javkhlan, the country's Minister for Finance, during a plenary session of the State Great Khural on May 18.

"While the economy is showing signs of stability, there are still external risks beyond our control," he stated. "The decline in coal prices in foreign markets is not determined by Mongolia."

Mongolia will be able to export 50 million tonnes of coal in 2024. This represents the actual volume of physical exports. However, it is difficult to directly forecast or estimate the prices, he added.

Mongolia exported a total of 19.05 million tonnes of coal in the first four months of this year, surging 402.41% from the same period last year, data from the Mongolian Customs General Administration showed. The export revenue reached $3.06 billion, up 187.66% compared to the same period last year.

Mongolia's coal exports came in at 31.69 million tonnes in 2022, surging 101.72% or 15.98 million tonnes year on year. Exports to China totaled 29.77 million tonnes, accounting for 94% of the total.

At the end of April of this year, the bank savings in national currency amounted MNT 13.5 trillion, making an increase of MNT 424.8 billion (3.2 percent) from the previous month, and a decrease of MNT 206.1 billion (1.5 percent) compared to the same period of the previous year.

MNT 12 trillion (88.9 percent) of savings belongs to citizens, and MNT 1.5 trillion (11.1 percent) belongs to enterprises and organizations.

The National Statistics Committee reported that foreign exchange deposits reached MNT 5.3 trillion, decreasing by MNT 616.5 (10.4 percent) billion from the previous month, and increasing by MNT 976.5 billion (22.4 percent) compared to the same period of the last year.

Economist R.Shinegerel shared his opinion about the current economic situation in the following interview.

The government always talks about developing rural areas. How favorable is the local business environment for new businesses? Have the indicators generally improved, such as markets, investment, and regional competitiveness in rural areas?

Our country is not very friendly to new businesses. A favorable policy environment for start-up business in cities and rural areas has not yet been created. Pressure from the government, taxes, social security, fees, and contributions do not give businesses a chance to grow. Compared to other countries, we have to see if there is an environment where small businesses can stand on their feet and expand. Today, our country has a very tough and difficult situation. That’s why the business does not grow, or cannot develop stably and steadily. Most of them are unable to pass the first stage. Support and ancillary services should be provided to villages that are based on intensive animal husbandry or near newly operating mines. There may also be some opportunities in tourism.

Recently, people have been going abroad a lot to work and live. For example, some of them sell their business and leave to live in a foreign country for a long time. What do you think is the main reason for this?

In a country like Mongolia where development is slow, where corruption and bureaucracy is rampant, where the state has attacked the values and dignity of individuals, two types of human resources flee from their countries. This is confirmed by economic theory and research. First, young people go abroad a lot. It is said that the largest core part of the labor market is leaving. We are losing young people. Today, many young people are ready to go to Australia, the USA, and South Korea to work. Second, the most highly skilled and specialized workers are recruited by such countries. This phenomenon is quite common, and to that extent it is very harmful to the development of the country. It takes a lot of time to build such a highly skilled workforce. Young people who are engaged in business are going abroad as well. This is very sad news. People who create wealth are leaving like this, and a “tough” situation is emerging in our labor market. The lack of human resources has already started. Labor productivity is declining in both the public and private sectors. People themselves are capital. The beginning of the country’s change is people. However, the fact that people were not appreciated and neglected is manifested in this way today. A country will develop if people develop. A rich citizen means a rich country. So, losing our most creative part is a big risk. It is necessary to quickly investigate and find out why this is happening with such intensity, and take immediate measures. Most of them should not be left like that. The state and government policies should also be aimed at this issue. The state’s involvement in business and economy has increased too much, and the state itself has turned into a business competitor. With a “big” government, the door to corruption will not be closed. These are the factors that have the biggest negative impact.

The state bureaucracy is invincible. The index of economic freedom also decreased. The biggest influence is corruption in the government. Property rights, free investment, and the financing environment also scored low. If the state does not reduce its excessive involvement in business, it will turn into a state economy, not based on the private sector. Politicization also affects the above situation. We will reduce this flow by staunchly supporting the free market and by making the big government smaller and more productive.

Inequity is a major social frustration, and the income gap is widening. This is probably one of the reasons why people go abroad, right?

Yes. This is another big factor. When the support of the party and the region comes first, the value of spirituality and knowledge is lost. It has been many years since this unfair space started. No one wants to live with injustice. Unfortunately, this situation has become too widespread.

You said that the high level of government involvement has a negative impact even on the labor market. Can you elaborate on this?

A huge sector of state-owned business has emerged. There is no governance. There are no qualified and professional human resources. There is no transparency, plans and targets are not realistic. Party appointments are served there. Because of this, people have to leave their country. The government itself has put its people in such a difficult situation. It leads to such a choice. For many years, we have been talking about losses in the public service, not economic efficiency. Most of them are not driven by business principles, but by political goals, and only some mining companies are operating profitably. More than 90 percent of the rest have lost production for almost the last 30 years. Today there are more than 100 state-owned companies. Their debts and loans have increased year by year, and there is no accountability system. An unhealthy system has been created.

Ulaanbaatar will operate a coal mine. The mayor says that the city’s problems will be solved with the profits. Is that correct? Is this a sign that the government is trying to do business by itself, not the private sector?

This is the biggest example of the state trying to do business today, which is tragic and deviated from the path chosen in 1990. This is a sign of going back to the old days. Is Ulaanbaatar running out of money? No. The city has enough money, sources of money, and resources. Many enterprises operate in the capital and collect taxes. A legal framework has also been created. Power has expanded. But what is missing in the city is proper management. Running a coal business is an impossible “stupidity”. Today, our country is not moving forward, it is going backwards.

The livelihoods of the people are deteriorating day by day. How well is the budget and monetary policy implemented? How would you rate macroeconomic policy today? Can you express your opinion on how to raise the declining livelihood of the family?

The weakening of tugrug has the biggest impact on today’s price increase. Last year, the exchange rate of the USD was 2,800 MNT, but today it is about 3,500 MNT. It is impossible to see what caused the devaluation of tugrug. The government does not want to see it. This situation is likely to continue. Too flattened welfare destroys the interest to work. The lack of care for the target group and the massive distribution of worthless money in the market ultimately leads to an endless crisis. The independence of monetary policy has been lost. Budget deficit, external and internal debt burden have brought today’s economy to such a difficult situation. If we don’t review our macroeconomic policy, listen to the opinions of academics, and make realistic conclusions, we are going to get even deeper into a dead end. Today’s government is questioning whether macroeconomic policies are in place.

The Ministry of Economy and Development was newly established. It’s the old structure that was set up before. How do you see the ministry working in today’s difficult economic environment?

A large ministry was formed in terms of rights and duties. This shows that not only the Ministry of Finance, but also the prime minister has reached the same level of power and influence, and in some cases, their activities are overlapping and contradictory. The first “work” from this ministry has not yet been produced. It is not clear what “product” to release, and it seems that the process is going on only to understand its duties. Big programs and development policies such as “Vision-2050” and New Revival Policy are being discussed. Investments are required to implement these. So far, no major reforms are in sight. If we don’t eliminate government intervention in business, our development path is still blocked. Also, if the state intervenes in the economy of every company and household, it will not change the interest in working and productivity, it will only worsen. The work of the Ministry of Economy and Development should begin with the reduction of government involvement. It starts with sorting out and cutting out the flattened care and welfare. It should only go to those who need it. Big behavioral and psychological decisions need to be made. Household income goes through the government in the form of welfare, not as a job or salary, and the benefits are not visible. This situation has continuously led the society for more than 10 years. If this is the case, even if there are 10,000 Tavan Tolgoi mines, the current situation will not change.

National Statistics Office (NSO) gave following statistical information regarding the first four months.

The total state budget income and aid, as of April, reached 7.1 trillion MNT in preliminary records.

According to the Head of the NSO, D.Baasan, this is an increase of 1.8 trillion MNT or 34.9 percent from the same period last year. However, the balanced income reached 6.7 trillion MNT, an increase of 39.4 percent compared to the same period last year. The total expenditure of the unified state budget and the total amount of repayable net loans amounted to 5.6 trillion MNT, and the balanced balance showed a profit of 1.1 trillion MNT.

In the first four months of this year, Mongolia traded with 134 countries, and the foreign trade turnover was 7.7 billion USD, of which 5.1 billion was exported and 2.7 billion USD was imported.

Total turnover increased by 50 percent, exports by 81.8 percent, and imports by 310.5 million USD compared to the same period of the previous year. However, in April of this year, exports decreased by 199 million USD, and imports by 20.2 million USD compared to the previous month.

The foreign trade balance in the first four months showed a surplus of 2.4 billion USD, an increase of 5.4 times compared to the same period of the previous year.

According to the National Statistics Office, trade with China in these months amounted to 5.7 billion USD, which is 74.2 percent of the total turnover of foreign trade. Coal accounted for 64 percent of goods exported to China, copper concentrate accounted for 18 percent, while gold accounted for 99.9 percent of goods exported to Switzerland. in the mentioned period, exports increased by 2.3 billion USD compared to the same period last year, mainly due to the increase of 2 billion USD in coal, 67 million USD in canned meat products, 48.5 million USD in iron ore and concentrates, 44.2 million USD in horse meat, and 41.5 million USD in fluorspar ore and concentrates.

In April, the average border price of gold increased by 3,000 USD per kilogram, the average border price of iron ore and concentrate increased by four USD per ton, while the average border price of copper concentrate decreased by 73.5 USD per ton, and the average border price of coal decreased by 10 USD per ton. In April, the physical volume of coal exports reached 5.5 million tons, which is 0.7 million tons less than the previous month.

Mongolia conducted trade mostly with China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, the USA, and Germany. Petroleum products accounted for 71.7 percent of goods imported from Russia, passenger cars accounted for 67 percent of goods imported from Japan, and trucks accounted for 10.5 percent of goods imported from China.

Imports increased by 310.5 million USD compared to the same period of the previous year. The reason for the increase was, diesel fuel increased by 127.7 million USD, trucks by 79 million USD, bulldozers, levelers, and excavators by 28.1 million USD, public transport vehicles by 21.7 million USD, new tires by 21.2 million USD, and passenger cars by 20.2 million USD.

Exports of mineral products, precious stones, metals, jewelry and textile products account for 93.6 percent of total exports, while 76.7 percent of imports are mineral products, machinery and equipment, electrical appliances, vehicles, their parts, basic metals and products made from them, and ready-to-eat foods.

Monthly household income decreased by 47,500 MNT

According to the results of the first quarter of 2023, the average monthly income of the household was 1.9 million MNT, which increased by 101,100 MNT from the same period of the previous year, and by 39,900 MNT from the previous quarter.

The average real monthly income of one household, or the price-adjusted amount, reached 1.2 million MNT in the first quarter of this year, which is a drop of 47,500 MNT compared to the same period last year. However, this figure is an increase of 13,500 from the preceding quarter.

According to the report, the reason for the drop in real total income was caused by the decrease of 52,600 MNT in real income from pensions and allowances.

In addition, the average monthly cash income of the household reached 1.8 million MNT in the first quarter of 2023, which increased by 134,300 MNT from the same period last year.

As of the first quarter, 59.2 percent of the average income of a household with a cash income of 500,000 to 900,000 MNT per month is generated by pensions and allowances.

Apartment prices in UB grew by 10%

Apartment prices in Ulaanbaatar increased by 9.9 percent in April this year and by 0.2 percent compared to the previous month.

According to the data of the National Statistics Office, in April, the average price per square meter of a new apartment was 3.53 million MNT, and the highest value was 3.84 million MNT in Khan-Uul district. However, the average price per square meter of an old apartment was 3.34 million MNT, and the highest price was 4.17 million MNT in Chingeltei district.

Workforce dropped by 4%

As of the first quarter of the year, 1.2 million of the total population aged 15 and over are in the labor force and 916,500 are out of the labor force.

From the work force, 93.4 percent or 1.1 million are employees. This number decreased by 47,000 or 4.1 percent from the previous quarter. The NSO reported that the number of unemployed people decreased by 25,600, while the population outside the labor force increased by 23,600.

Chief statistician of the NSO’s Policy and Foreign Relations Department S.Norov clarified that labor statistics are obtained from the Labor Force Survey results of the NSO.

The US Forest Service has told a federal court it is not sure when it could approve a land swap allowing Rio Tinto Plc to develop the Resolution Copper mine in Arizona, a surprising reversal that boosts several Native American groups opposed to the project.

The complex case involves a long-running conflict between a mining company hoping to supply more than a quarter of US copper demand for the green energy transition and Indigenous groups seeking to preserve Arizona’s Oak Flat campground, a site of religious importance that would be destroyed by the mine’s construction.

In 2014, the US Congress approved a land swap that required an environmental report to be published, which former President Donald Trump’s administration did shortly before leaving office. President Joe Biden unpublished that report in March 2021 to give his administration time to review concerns from Native Americans, though he was not able to permanently block the mine.

The case has wound its way through several courts. Joan Pepin, an attorney for the Forest Service, told judges during a March hearing the report would be republished “this spring.”

Rumors have swirled in recent weeks that the Biden administration was on the verge of re-publishing that report, and several Rio executives made plans to travel to Arizona next week.

Late Thursday night, though, Pepin sent a letter to the court saying government officials were still meeting with Native American tribes.

“The department has not yet identified a timeframe for completing its review,” Pepin said.

Neither Pepin nor other US Forest Service officials could be reached for additional comment.

Previously, officials had said they would alert the court at least 60 days before re-publishing the report. Once re-published, officials would have an additional 60 days to transfer the land to Rio Tinto.

Rio Tinto said it would continue to try to talk with tribes and believes there is significant local support for the mine. “Our team is ready to advance the project in collaboration with Native American tribes, local communities, and labor,” said Vicky Peacey, general manager of the Resolution project.

BHP Group Ltd, which is helping Rio develop the mine, declined to comment.

“It’s quite unusual for the government to have to take back something their attorney told the court under questioning,” said Luke Goodrich of Becket Law, a religious liberty legal group involved in the case.

Representatives for the San Carlos Apache tribe have vowed that if they lose, they will appeal the ruling to the US Supreme Court.

“There is overwhelming opposition in Indian Country to the Resolution mine and that will not change,” said Terry Rambler, San Carlos Apache tribal chairman.

Local officials who support the project said they were angered by Pepin’s letter.

“Every time there’s another delay to this process means that investors in our community may decide this isn’t the place to invest because the federal government can’t make up its mind,” said Mila Besich, the Democratic mayor of Superior, a town of 2,500 that abuts the mine site.

(By Ernest Scheyder; Editing by David Gregorio)

Under the auspices of the President of Mongolia, the 23rd Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO) commenced today in Ulaanbaatar as a significant event held under the framework of the "Years to Visit Mongolia" initiative.

The inception of the APhO dates back to 2000 when it was initially organized in Indonesia. Following a successful organization in 2008, Mongolia is proud to undertake this responsibility for the second time after 15 years.

During the opening of the Olympiad, President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh of Mongolia expressed the nation's profound respect for science and scholars. He emphasized the Asian Physics Olympiad as a platform for brilliant students to compete, connect, and exchange knowledge and experiences.

President Khurelsukh highlighted the significance of an Olympiad as fostering friendships among outstanding students, inspiring individuals, generating interest in science among young people, and nurturing future leaders. He wished every participant resounding success in the Asian Physics Olympiad.

During the inaugural ceremony, Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan from the Ministry of Education and Sciences expressed the host country's objectives for the Olympiad. These include assessing the quality of physics education, nurturing young talents in physics, facilitating professional advancement opportunities, fostering cultural understanding, and promoting Mongolian heritage.

The Minister emphasized that the Olympiad serves as a platform to enhance Mongolia's international presence and reputation. Additionally, he announced that physics equipment created by Mongolian scientists specifically for the Asian Physics Olympiad will later be utilized in over 300 secondary schools. Furthermore, he underscored that physics equipment will be provided to more than 600 secondary schools.

President of the Asian Physics Olympiad, Leong Chuan Kwek, said, “I am grateful and glad that Mongolia has decided, this time round, to organize this year's Olympiad face-to-face. APhO is less about getting top honors and more about friendship. Friends who you will establish now and meet years later. I am therefore hoping that you will take this rare opportunity to establish new connections and introduce your own culture. At the end of the day, we are all mere Earthlings.”

The Asian Physics Olympiad is more prestigious and competitive than the International Physics Olympiad because of the high ranking of the competitors. A total of 29 teams from 27 countries, including two teams from Mongolia, are participating in this Olympiad. The Republic of Bulgaria and Malaysia are participating as observers. For more information regarding the Olympiad visit: