Secretary Rubio’s Call with Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg www.state.gov

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh yesterday. Both sides underscored the importance of the U.S.-Mongolia Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership and committed to working together to expand areas of future cooperation, including on energy security. The Secretary thanked Foreign Minister Battsetseg for Mongolia’s leadership in the Haiti Gang Suppression Force. The Secretary also called on Mongolia to continue to uphold religious freedom.

Mongolia, FIFA sign agreement on construction of 25,000-seat football stadium www.asianews.network

The Government of Mongolia, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), and the Mongolian Football Federation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 2, 2026, on cooperation in the development of football infrastructure.

Under the agreement, the parties will cooperate to construct a modern football stadium meeting FIFA international standards, with a seating capacity of up to 25,000, at the site of the Mongolian Football Federation’s Technical Center in the Yarmag area of Ulaanbaatar.

During his visit to Mongolia, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Prime Minister N.Uchral to exchange views on the development of Mongolian football, sports infrastructure, and future cooperation.

The construction of an international-standard stadium is expected to improve training conditions for the national team and athletes, expand opportunities for children and young people to participate in football, and create the necessary facilities to host international tournaments and events in Mongolia.

The memorandum was signed by J.Aldarjavkhlan, Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth of Mongolia, Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA Director of Member Associations, and Ts.Anandbazar, President of the Mongolian Football Federation.

Prime Minister N.Uchral and FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the signing ceremony.

Source: Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth

The Government of Mongolia, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), and the Mongolian Football Federation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 2, 2026, on cooperation in the development of football infrastructure.

Under the agreement, the parties will cooperate to construct a modern football stadium meeting FIFA international standards, with a seating capacity of up to 25,000, at the site of the Mongolian Football Federation’s Technical Center in the Yarmag area of Ulaanbaatar.

During his visit to Mongolia, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Prime Minister N.Uchral to exchange views on the development of Mongolian football, sports infrastructure, and future cooperation.

The construction of an international-standard stadium is expected to improve training conditions for the national team and athletes, expand opportunities for children and young people to participate in football, and create the necessary facilities to host international tournaments and events in Mongolia.

The memorandum was signed by J.Aldarjavkhlan, Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth of Mongolia, Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA Director of Member Associations, and Ts.Anandbazar, President of the Mongolian Football Federation.

Prime Minister N.Uchral and FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the signing ceremony.

Source: Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth

Mongolia, EU to Expand Cooperation in Forests, Bioeconomy and Agriculture www.montsame.mn

Mongolia will expand its cooperation with European Union to support sustainable development in the forestry, bioeconomy and agriculture sectors, and channel European Investment Bank (EIB) financing into concrete projects and programs.   

The matter was discussed during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change Munkhtamir Batbayar and representatives of the EU Delegation to Mongolia, the ministry said.

The sides highlighted the signing of a letter of intent between the Government of Mongolia and EIB during the 17th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) in Ulaanbaatar as an important toward advancing bilateral cooperation on a potential financing for Mongolia’s forestry and agriculture sectors.

Mongolia also formally received the final version of a bioeconomy study developed under the bilateral cooperation framework. The study is significant for harmonizing investments across Mongolia’s forestry, agriculture, and wood-processing sectors, and for transforming potential financing from the EIB into tangible projects and programs. The study outlines opportunities for investment in sustainable forest management, wood-processing industries, and the agricultural sector, as well as how to integrate the bioeconomy with Mongolia’s national development policy and investment planning. 

Foreign Minister Battsetseg Holds Phone Talks with U.S. Secretary of State www.montsame.mn

Minister of Foreign Affairs Battsetseg Batmunkh spoke with Marco Rubio, Secretary of State of the United States of America, on October 5, 2026.

The two sides expressed their satisfaction with the vitality of Mongolia-U.S. relations and cooperation in the spirit of the Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership and underscored that next year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the United States of America.

Minister Battsetseg noted that relations between Mongolia and the United States have further strengthened through bilateral cooperation mechanisms and expressed satisfaction with the successful completion of the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Mongolia Water Compact, a symbol of tangible and effective partnership between the two countries.

Secretary Rubio expressed his gratitude for Mongolia's steadfast support for the U.S. policy and initiatives and reaffirmed his close cooperation to further strengthen the Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership.

Foreign Minister and the Secretary discussed further expanding bilateral cooperation in mutually beneficial areas and increasing high-level exchanges, reported the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia. 

Broadway Standard in Mongolia: The Directors of the Musical "Michael Jackson" Arrived in Ulaanbaatar www.open.kg

The preparation for the creation of the first rock musical in history that will meet the high standards of West End and Broadway theaters has begun in Mongolia. The project involves professionals from Britain, including the movement director and choreographer of the famous musical "Michael Jackson (MJ) The Musical," Xena Gusthart, and Lisa Breisheit, who have arrived from London.
They will lead a joint team from Mongolia and the UK working on the musical "Норсон зүрх" ("Wet Heart"), which is dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the rock band "Хурд," awarded the State Prize. These experts will ensure high-quality choreography and stage movement, which is an important aspect of modern theater.

Main Project Details

The premiere of the musical is scheduled for November 11, 2026, and it will take place at the "UG Palace" complex. This international project will not only enrich the cultural life of Mongolia but also plans subsequent tours in the UK, Western Europe, and Southeast Asian countries, expanding the horizons of Mongolian art.

As part of the musical's preparation, workshops for young artists are also planned, which will help prepare a new generation of professionals in the theater and music industry of Mongolia.

Biocombinat to Release First FMD Vaccine Doses in November www.montsame.mn

The Biocombinat state-owned enterprise (SOE) aims to release its first doses of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine by November, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry reported.

Iderbat Tsagaankhuu, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, met with Byambasaikhan B., CEO of Biocombinat SOE, and Dulamsuren B., Head of its Production and Technology Department. The Minister instructed the executives to intensify operations, optimize management, and boost domestic vaccine production.

From 2021 to 2025, Mongolia spent over MNT 70 billion on importing vaccines to prevent contagious animal diseases, such as FMD, peste des petits ruminants (sheep and goat plague), and lumpy skin disease. To reduce this reliance on imports, Biocombinat is localizing technologies to manufacture new peste des petits ruminants vaccines and to mix and package FMD vaccines. In collaboration with major laboratories in Russia and China, a working group under the Ministry aims to roll out the first FMD vaccine doses in November, following field trials scheduled for this month.

"We must urgently organize and push forward the timely production and rollout of the new vaccine doses," Minister Iderbat ordered. "Furthermore, attention must be paid to manufacturing high-quality contagious caprine pleuropneumonia vaccines in strict accordance with technological standards, steering the company's management on the right track, and aligning domestic vaccine supply with market demand."

Biocombinat was founded in 1923 and upgraded into a comprehensive manufacturing complex in 1973 with technical and economic assistance from Hungary. Following a 2020 government resolution, it was reorganized into a state-owned enterprise. Today, the facility operates with four departments, 15 workshops, and 198 employees. It manufactures 46 types of products, including veterinary vaccines and diagnostics, with an annual production capacity of 135,000 liters of liquid vaccines and 31 million doses of freeze-dried vaccines.

Enkhiin-Od Signs with G League’s Osceola Magic www.montsame.mn

Enkhiin-Od Sharavjamts (Mike Sharavjamts), son of Honored Athlete of Mongolia Sharavjamts Tserenjankhar, is set to play for the Osceola Magic, the NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic.

Specifically, Jeff Weltman, President of Basketball Operations for the Orlando Magic, officially announced that the team has signed free agent Enkhiin-Od, also known as Mike Sharavjamts.

His father, Sharavjamts, posted on his social media page: "We have waited many years for this day. He has become the first Mongolian athlete to sign an official contract with the NBA. It is wonderful to see my son's name. He signed a 10-day contract. Now show what you can do on your G League team. Mom and Dad are proud of you."

According to Jason Beede, a reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, Mike Sharavjamts signed an "Exhibit 10" contract with the Orlando Magic on Monday and is expected to suit up for the Osceola Magic this season.

This makes Enkhiin-Od the first Mongolian basketball player to sign an official contract with an NBA franchise.

Bank of Mongolia hosts SEACEN course on “Foundational Data Analytics for Central Bankers” www.mongolbank.mn

The Bank of Mongolia, in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Central Banks (SEACEN) Research and Training Centre, is hosting an international training program titled “Foundational Data Analytics for Central Bankers” in Ulaanbaatar from 5 to 8 October 2026. 

The training is designed to enhance central bank professionals’ knowledge and practical capabilities in applying data-driven analytical approaches and advanced technologies to support evidence-based policymaking. The program focuses on emerging and increasingly important areas of central banking, including data visualization, big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). 

The program is being delivered by experts from SEACEN, representatives from academia, and advisers from central banks, bringing together international expertise and practical experience in the application of modern analytical tools to central banking. 

A total of 41 central bank professionals from 12 Southeast Asian countries are participating in the training. The program provides a valuable platform for participants to exchange knowledge and experiences in data-driven analysis, learn from best practices and real-world applications across central banks, and explore opportunities to further strengthen regional cooperation. 

Over the course of the training, participants will receive a combination of theoretical and practical instruction covering: 

effective visualization and communication of data and analytical findings; 

the use of new and non-traditional data sources; 

the differences and complementary applications of traditional econometric methods and machine learning (ML); 

text data analytics and natural language processing (NLP); and 

practical applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). 

Through this international training, the Bank of Mongolia and SEACEN aim to support the continued development of analytical capacity within central banks and promote the effective adoption of modern data-driven approaches and emerging technologies in policymaking. 

The program also serves as an important platform for strengthening professional networks, sharing international best practices, and fostering continued cooperation among central banks across the region.

Testing Begins for Ulaanbaatar Cable Car System www.montsame.mn

Testing has begun to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the new cable car system connecting Yarmag to the Kharkhorin Market.

During the testing phase, the normal operation of steel cables, movement speed, brakes, and control system safety sensors will be evaluated. To assess the system's performance under abnormal conditions, we will intentionally simulate power outages, overspeeding, simultaneous operation of multiple cabins, and sudden stops to test the protection and control mechanisms.

In the initial stage, five cabins will be installed to monitor basic system functionality. Subsequently, they will conduct mechanical tests on 96 cabins, each loaded with 750 kg of water or sandbags.

Tuvshinsanaa G., the project's chief engineer, stated, "We plan to open the cable car for passenger transport following an assessment by the French group Bureau Veritas and final approval from the State Commission. The system’s main driving motor has a capacity of 567 kW and operates on power from two different sources to ensure safety. During power rationing, if one supply fails, the system will continue to operate normally using the other. For emergencies or total blackouts, a 275 kVA backup generator is in place. This backup is not designed to run the system at full capacity but solely to bring passengers safely to the stations."

Before the State Commission officially accepts the project, Bureau Veritas will conduct an independent engineering audit. The firm will verify compliance with approved designs and standards, assess material and execution quality, evaluate engineering system safety, and calculate operational risks. With a 198-year history, Bureau Veritas specializes in design, construction supervision, and risk management. The company has participated in over 5,000 international construction projects and inspected more than 10,000 buildings.

The Ulaanbaatar cable car project is financed by a highly concessional loan of USD 51 million from the Government of France. The loan has a 40-year term with an interest rate of 0.0076%. It includes a 12-year principal grace period, after which the remaining balance will be paid in equal biannual installments.

India-Mongolia joint military exercise concludes in Pithoragarh www.pioneeredge.in

The joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Mongolian Army- Nomadic Elephant at Pithoragarh concluded on Saturday. Conducted from September 20, it was aimed at enhancing interoperability, strengthening mutual understanding and further promoting the longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two armies.

Officials said that the exercise provided an opportunity to both contingents to train together, exchange operational experiences and share best practices, thereby enhancing their ability to operate cohesively in a joint environment. The exercise was conducted in three phases. The first phase- Integration focused on familiarisation with each other’s operational procedures and training methodologies. The second phase- Conduct of Joint Exercise comprised joint training activities and combat drills. The final phase-, Validation Exercise enabled both contingents to validate the training undertaken during the preceding phases through integrated joint training.

During the exercise, the contingents participated in a wide range of training activities aimed at enhancing operational synergy and mutual understanding. These included tactical drills, intelligence and surveillance activities, technology demonstrations, heliborne operations, casualty management and evacuation, marksmanship, specialised skills, drone handling and cyber security.  The successful conduct of the 18th edition of Exercise Nomadic Elephant marks another significant milestone in strengthening defence cooperation between India and Mongolia, officials said.