130 families lose homes in western Mongolia due to strong winds, dust storms www.xinhuanet.com

At least 130 families lost their homes in the western Mongolian province of Govi-Altai due to strong winds and dust storms, the country's National Emergency Management Agency said Sunday.
Meanwhile, roofs of around 17 apartments were taken down in the dust storms that hit the province on Saturday, the agency said.
In addition, the dust storms disrupted power supply to some households, mainly in the western parts of the country, it added.
Mongolia has a harsh continental climate as strong winds, snow and dust storms are common in spring.
Climate change-related desertification is the main factor behind the increasing frequency of dust storms in Mongolia in recent years, according to the country's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Around 77 percent of Mongolia's total territory has been affected by desertification and land degradation, according to official data.

Grace Berg: When I was in Mongolia, it felt even more amazing than I had imagined www.gogo.mn

For this edition of our interview series "Mongolia Through Foreign Eyes," we invited American professional basketball player Grace Berg for our column. She previously played for the Ulaanbaatar Amazons women's basketball team.
Interestingly, the Ulaanbaatar Amazons were crowned champions in the finals of the 2024–2025 season of the Women's National Premier League.
How long have you been in Mongolia?  
I was there for six months. I arrived in the middle of September and left in the middle of March.
So, you haven't been here during the summertime, right?  
Unfortunately, I haven't. And everyone says that's the best part.
But I hope you had at least a chance to travel while you were here.
Yeah, a little bit. One time we played in Darkhan city. Then, me and my teammates went to the big Chinggis Khan statue outside of the city. So, I saw a little bit of the countryside there. That was pretty neat. But I know a lot of other regions or cities are pretty far from the capital, Ulaanbaatar, so I didn’t get to explore much beyond that. But there’s so much to see in the city, and I got to experience a lot of that.
I'm so curious about your first impression right after you came to Mongolia.  
Yes, it was definitely different. I had never been out of the country before this, and this was my second time traveling abroad, but my first time living in another country long-term. I knew there would be a language barrier for sure, which I had prepared for. But I think everything was much more beautiful than I imagined. There was a lot more diversity in the city – from the food to the people walking around. I guess it was just a culture shock, too. But I thought it was really interesting to see so much diversity there. Also, it was warm when I first arrived, so I thought it would be cold the entire time, but I was wearing shorts a few days in. It was just beautiful. I think my expectations were pretty high, but what I saw and experienced exceeded them.
You mentioned Mongolian food. So, what is your favorite traditional Mongolian food?
I think buuz was my favorite. But I really didn’t go to any bad restaurants – everything I tried was really good. I liked everything!
Did you celebrate Lunar New Year while you were here?  
Actually, my teammates gave my mom and me traditional Mongolian outfits as a gift for the Lunar New Year because she was visiting at that time. That was really cool and kind of them. I didn’t dress up, but I went to one gathering. It was great to learn about the culture because, as someone who plays basketball and travels, I always want to learn about the places I visit and the people. I think that’s awesome and respectful. I also wanted to learn about these traditions and experience them with my teammates and coaches, so it was a special moment.
Please tell us one of your unforgettable memories that happened in Mongolia.  
I think the most unforgettable moment was when we won the championship. That was pretty obvious. It was so fun. Also, the day the team went to the Chinggis Khan statue – the whole team made it a full-day activity. Outside the museum, there’s a place where you can dress up as a Mongolian princess. We took pictures there, and that was pretty cool.
What did you learn the most after you came to Mongolia?  
I learned that, even though I couldn’t speak Mongolian fluently (I know a few words), there are still ways to communicate – whether that’s with hand signals or just being nice to people. It was so neat to see that in action. Some of my teammates knew basic English, and I knew some basic Mongolian, but we were still able to play basketball and communicate and be friends. That’s something I’d never experienced before, and I won’t forget it.
What did you enjoy the most while studying in Mongolia?  
My most enjoyable experience was just getting to know my teammates and playing basketball. We were really successful that season, which made it even better. My teammates were so kind and welcoming, and maybe that wasn’t what I was expecting. As a foreigner, you never know what to expect from teammates and coaches, but they were some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. They were so welcoming and supportive. It was my first experience playing and living in another country, and that made everything easier because I didn’t feel homesick or sad being so far from home. Having such welcoming teammates really made it easy to play and live far away.
Compared to athletes from other countries, what are some unique features of Mongolian players? 
I think a lot of players in Mongolia work really hard. One thing you notice is that people can sometimes be lazy in other places, but in Mongolia, I saw a lot of people who were really appreciative of what they had. That made me want to work harder. The game was very physical, and sometimes there were scratches and bruises, not from fouls, but just from the physicality of the game. Mongolian players use that to their advantage defensively, and they’re really fast.
What is your goal in your career?
I’ve always wanted to play professionally basketball after college, because I wanted to travel the world. Along with this, I think I want to learn as much as I can in each country I visit or live. Winning championships are pretty fun too, but getting to know my teammates, coaches, and those within the organization might matter more. When the team becomes like a family, that makes winning together all the more amazing!
Our interview might be read by kids and young people who love basketball. What advice would you give to those who dream of becoming professional players and achieving success?
I would say keep dreaming big. If people make fun of your dreams, that’s not a bad thing – it means your dreams are really big, and you have plenty of time to achieve them. If you really want something, you have to practice every day. You just have to go after it and be 100% committed. For me, basketball is something I’ve always loved, and that makes it much easier to continue playing, especially at this level. Even though I’m getting older and my body’s not the same, I still love to play. The experiences I’ve had have been amazing, and I’m super grateful. But I would say, just have fun, work really hard, and keep dreaming big.
What kind of services or culture would you like to implement here?  
I know they’re working on improving the trains and subways for traffic. Also, back home, there are sports bars and grills that are really popular. They have TVs everywhere, and you can go eat, usually wings or French fries, or whatever food you like. You can have lemonade or any beverage while watching your favorite games – NBA, football, or anything. I think a place like that would do well here, especially for sports fans. Maybe someone could invest in that kind of restaurant idea.
Thank you for the interview.

Jade Gas advances Red Lake development in Mongolia with second successful well www.smallcaps.com.au

Jade Gas (ASX: JGH) remains on target to fast-track development of its Red Lake gas field in the South Gobi region of Mongolia after further drilling success.
Jade has identified a high-value gas opportunity in Mongolia and is on track to quickly supply local buyers from what it considers a world-class asset.
The Red Lake field sits in the Tavan Tolgoi Basin, a region with high demand for electricity, fuel and the base load energy supply necessary to underpin the region’s intermittent renewables.
Future gas producer
Announcing the successful drilling of a second production well at Red Lake, executive chair Dennis Morton said the results confirmed Jade’s confidence in the field being a future world-class gas producer.
“This is a wonderful situation for the company as all gas sales options target high energy replacement costs,” Mr Morton said.
“This second well outshines the first well with higher gas readings supporting the company’s desire to quickly commercialise the gas [and] we will now look to put the two into production within the next few weeks and move on to drilling the next wells.”
Commercial pathway
Jade now expects to complete an agreement with a midstream manufacturer of specialist compressed natural gas (CNG) equipment, which will enable the company to commercialise the gas from these initial wells.
“The CNG facilities are easily transportable and are able to take lightly processed gas and convert it into a saleable and marketable form, enabling the company to potentially deliver to various markets in the immediate vicinity,” Mr Morton said.
“Our gas commercialisation plan is built around a modular and scalable LNG project but we are also canvassing other nearer-term and lower-capex opportunities in the form of CNG, a product that is also utilised in displacing diesel in coal haulage trucks and which we expect will be in great demand,” Mr Morton said.
“These markets are in need of a cleaner and more secure fuel source, including the displacement of diesel which currently powers the large coal haulage truck fleet in the South Gobi.”

Mongolia ratifies agreement with China for constructing new railway from Tavan Tolgoi www.interfax.com

The Mongolian parliament has ratified an agreement with China for the joint construction of a new cross-border railway, Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod, designed for directly exporting coal from the Tavan Tolgoi deposit to China, according to the Mongolian government's website.
The ratification of the agreement will allow for the immediate start of construction of the required infrastructure for the project in the current month. The work is expected to take two years. The Mongolian state-owned company Erdenes Tavantolgoi is taking part in the project, while China Energy and its subsidiaries are involved on the Chinese side.
As reported, with the launch of the new railway, the throughput capacity of Mongolia's dry ports will double, and the average coal export volume will increase from 83 million tonnes to 165 million tonnes per year. Annual revenue from coal sales will increase by $1.5 billion.
The railway will gradually connect the border crossings with China at Shiveekhuren - Sekhe, Khangi - Mandal and Bichigt - Zuun-Khatavch, which will also create conditions for implementing new projects along the railway between the two countries.
COAL DEPENDENCY
The project for constructing the new cross-border railway Gashuunsukhait - Gantsmod began in 2014, but was later frozen, with work only being revitalized in 2024 after the signing of the relevant agreement between the Mongolian and Chinese authorities.
It was expected that the commissioning of the new railway would create an opportunity for increased coal exports from Mongolia to China and would boost the GDP per capita.
As reported, according to analysts from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Mongolia's coal export revenues declined in 2024 due to falling export prices, despite a record-high volume of production.
The country's authorities noted that the average price of coal continued to fall at the beginning of this year. Thus, by the end of January-February, it had reached $78.5 per tonne, which is 36% lower than the price at which the country sold coal a year ago. This, in turn, is affecting the decrease in Mongolia's budget revenues.

Rosatom, S. Korea's KHNP, France's EDF, China's CNNC shortlisted as potential vendors for future NPP in Kazakhstan www.interfax.com

Kazakhstan has formed a shortlist of potential suppliers of reactor technologies for a project to build the first Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in the country, the Kazakh Nuclear Energy Agency said in a statement on Thursday.
"The shortlist of potential suppliers of reactor technologies has been formed. The list includes the Russian state corporation Rosatom alongside South Korea's KHNP, France's EDF and China's CNNC," the statement said.
A competitive dialogue with potential suppliers of NPP construction technology is now complete, it said. The supplier or consortium to implement the project will be decided by an interagency commission in line with national interests.
Kazakh authorities set up an intergovernmental commission to examine offers from all vendors. The NPP is expected to be built by an international consortium of companies.
Intergovernmental agreements and contracts needed for the project are expected to be signed in November this year.
The construction was approved in a 2024 nationwide referendum. The NPP was initially expected to be built by 2035 but the Kazakh Energy Ministry said later vendors would be asked to launch the first NPP power unit sooner, within eight years. The project is estimated to cost $10-12 billion.
Last December the Kazakh government approved the Almaty region's Zhambyl district as the construction site.
At present Kazakhstan is considering four suppliers of the more powerful reactor technologies: France, China, Russia and South Korea. One reactor will cost on average $5 billion, according to the ministry's data.
Three NPPs are expected to be built under the national nuclear cluster project. A comprehensive construction plan will be prepared in the second quarter of 2025, the ministry said.

Export Revenues Increased by Nine Percent Compared to the Previous Week www.montsame.mn

The Working Group, in charge of intensifying exports and increasing foreign currency reserves, organized its fourth meeting and presented an update on Mongolia's export revenue, which increased by USD 237 million, or 9 percent, compared to the previous week.
Director of the Financial and Fiscal Research Department of the Ministry of Finance of Mongolia Zolboo Ganbold remarked, “The increase in export revenues was driven by a 26 percent rise in copper concentrate exports and a 4 percent increase in iron-ore exports. Meanwhile, the foreign currency reserves remain unchanged at USD 5.0 billion, the same level as last week.”
In addition, Chief Executive Officer of “Erdenes Mongol” LLC Narantsogt Sanjaa presented how state-owned mining companies are implementing the directives issued by the Government of Mongolia. CEO Narantsogt said, “We are focusing on increasing exports by USD 442.5 million and delaying certain major investment projects worth USD 137.2 million, aiming at generating a total of USD 580 million. Moreover, we are working towards attracting USD 220 million in project investments and securing USD 200 million in pre-financing under the ‘Green Loan’ initiative. In total, we are working towards increasing the foreign currency reserves by USD 1 billion.”
At the meeting, participants discussed several key issues, including the feasibility of trading low-grade coal and iron ore via the national commodity exchange, and establishing conditions for transportation through regional roads. It was decided that these matters would be submitted to the Cabinet of Mongolia for further consideration.

Discrimination based on social status named ‘Scholarship’ www.ubpost.mn

Whether one is a herder, a worker, or an intellectual, all are entitled to equal rights. Article 14.2 of the Constitution of Mongolia clearly states: “No person may be discriminated against on the basis of ethnic origin, language, race, age, sex, social origin or status, property, occupation or post, religion, opinion, or education. Everyone is a person before the law.”
However, the government seems to be further fueling discrimination based on social origin. Recently, during a session of the State Great Khural, the Minister of Education, P.Naranbayar announced a proposal to provide free university education for one child from herder families. According to the proposed Law on Herders, this would apply only if the student chooses to major in fields such as livestock production, feed and pasture management at state-owned universities. The funding for this initiative has already been included in the budget of the Education Loan Fund, and the program is expected to launch in the 2025–2026 academic year.
Critics argue that instead of improving the quality of life and working conditions of the approximately 190,000 citizens who fall under the “herder” category, the state is fostering a dependency mindset by offering excessive welfare. The list of such welfare-style measures is long: the government already covers 50 percent of herders’ social insurance contributions, includes them in housing loan programs, provides livestock, and gives incentives for meat and dairy production.
Now, adding free higher education to the list is seen by many as an excessive welfare measure and even a violation to the Constitution. Moreover, limiting the scholarship to specific majors like livestock and pasture management infringes on the children’s right to freely choose their field of study.
Herders have long educated their children without needing handouts. Many are financially capable of paying for their children’s tuition thanks to the income they generate from their livestock. And if they struggle, they can access special herder loans to finance education. So why should this benefit be limited exclusively to herder families?
Parents working in the public and private sectors also scrape together savings or take out bank loans to send their children to university. Ordinary citizens who have paid into the social insurance system consistently for over a decade now wonder why their children don’t receive the same educational support. There is growing sentiment that the government should not favor one social group over another but instead create equal opportunities for all.
Only 2 majors qualified
It’s unlikely that a herder living in a remote mountain valley is demanding, “Send my child to university for free.” More realistically, they care about access to water and pasture, and would rather see investments in processing facilities that add value to raw livestock products. That would actually benefit herders in the long run. But the government’s move seems less about genuine care and more about playing the role of benevolent leaders for political gain.
During a recent session of Parliament, lawmakers agreed that since the Law on Herders includes a provision to offer free university education to their children, it simply must be implemented. Yet Mongolia has no shortage of laws that are passed and never enforced. Whether this law will be put into actual practice remains to be seen.
When asked about it, O.Siilegmaa, Director of the Education Loan Fund’s Working Office, explained: “According to Article 4.2.5 of the Law on Herders, the government will cover tuition fees only for students pursuing degrees in livestock, feed, or pasture management. However, the livestock science program isn’t even accredited. For instance, this year, the Mongolian University of Life Sciences didn’t enroll any students in that field at all. Currently, only nine students in total are studying feed and pasture management.”
She further noted that herder children will be awarded scholarships under the same criteria as other domestic university students. Additionally, proof must be provided that their parent has been a registered herder for at least 10 years. This system mirrors existing scholarships granted to children of teachers and educational workers—on the condition that, after graduation, the student agrees to work in a public educational institution for at least three years in rural areas or five years in Ulaanbaatar City. A formal agreement must be signed to secure the scholarship. The same conditions will apply to herder children.
Starting from September 1, this provision of the Law on Herders is expected to be implemented. However, details such as how much funding has been allocated or how many students will benefit remain unclear.
From what’s been explained, only two majors qualify for the scholarship, one of which lacks accreditation. It seems the Minister of Education rushed the announcement without thoroughly evaluating the current academic programs. The proverb “Sharpen your tools before you start milking the cow” fits well here. Logically, a degree program should first be accredited before student enrollment is considered.
There’s also concern that well-connected, wealthy herders with large herds will take advantage of this opportunity, while poorer families with fewer livestock might miss out. In Mongolia, it’s no secret that many opportunities come down to people whom you know rather than who really need it.
With no clear figure on how many herder children will be supported or how much budget has been allocated, this initiative remains murky at best.
No legal basis for offering free education to civil servants’ children
Recently, salary comparisons between certain professions have sparked heated debate online. A breakdown comparing five occupations revealed that teachers earn the least, with monthly salaries ranging from 1.5 to 1.8 million MNT. Doctors followed, earning between 1.4 and 2 million MNT. In contrast, employees of public sanitation and maintenance companies (commonly referred to as TUK), as well as bus drivers, reportedly earn around 3.5 million MNT, while managers of state-owned enterprises receive as much as 6 million MNT.
The Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, Kh.Nyambaatar, has been particularly vocal in his support for TUK workers, prioritizing their wages and benefits—a move that, in itself, is not entirely unjustified. However, his attempts to gain popularity have gone too far. At a leadership meeting of city officials this past April, he declared that TUK workers’ salaries would be raised to 1,000 USD and promised that their children would be sent abroad for free education.
In fact, he pledged that an initial group of 100 children would be sent to study in Germany. This begs the question: are children of others who work in the capital city not equally deserving of such opportunities? By singling out a specific occupational group, the mayor once again opens the door to discrimination based on social status.
While comparing different professions may not always be fair, one thing is clear: working with people—educating children as a teacher, or saving lives as a doctor—continues to be grossly undervalued in our society. Everyone is aware of this reality. Yet instead of addressing the root causes, our politicians often resort to handouts, promises of free education, or cash payments to pacify the public—an all-too-familiar political tactic.
In truth, there is no legal provision in Mongolia that allows the state to fund free education for the children of TUK employees. O.Siilegmaa confirmed this, stating that this issue falls outside the scope of the fund, which only finances higher education for students who meet specific legal and program-based criteria.
Meanwhile, according to the Mayor Kh.Nyambaatar himself, the salaries of public works employees are now approaching 1,000 USD. After deductions for social insurance and other contributions, they reportedly take home around 3.1 million monthly MNT.
Over 500 students received scholarships (pod garchig)
Since January 1 of last year, the General Law on Education has included a provision stating that one child of a teacher or staff member who has worked for at least 15 consecutive years in a public or state-run educational institution is eligible to study free of charge at a university, as long as they pursue a high-demand and priority profession. Based on this provision, the Education Loan Fund has granted scholarships to over 500 students.
These scholarships are awarded only to students who are enrolled in accredited programs that rank among the top 50 and are aligned with the country’s current workforce needs. Students studying to become teachers are also eligible for this scholarship, as part of efforts to encourage more young people into the education sector.
When asked about the budget allocated for educating the children of long-serving teachers and staff, the authorities from the Education Loan Fund stated that the funding varies depending on how many applicants meet the specific eligibility criteria each year.
Students who receive these scholarships are expected to work in their field of study after graduation, while separate non-repayable financial aid is available throughout the duration of their studies, requiring only that the student maintains satisfactory academic performance.
Such aid is typically extended to students from vulnerable backgrounds—for instance, those with disabilities, orphans, children whose parents are disabled, students from Tsaatan, Uriankhai, or Tuvan minority households, those who have received national recognition for calligraphy, or those from large families with three or more children simultaneously enrolled in bachelor’s programs.
In short, there is a clear distinction between merit- or criteria-based scholarships and grant-style assistance. Yet the public is being misled by vague promises of free education, particularly in the case of herder families, where the issue has been framed more as a political move than a well-researched policy.
It raises the broader question: will our society continue to treat its citizens differently based on profession or social status? Teachers don’t dedicate their lives to education simply because it might one day secure a free university seat for their child. Nor would responsible herder parents force their children to pursue a profession that goes against their interests and aspirations, simply for the sake of tuition relief. As for sanitation workers and TUK employees, are they meant to hold on to hollow promises of their children studying in Germany?
Policies designed for applause rather than substance—those not rooted in data or genuine public need—rarely hold up in the real world. And yet, our leaders continue to use such tactics to pacify, rather than empower, the people.

800 physicians voiced concerns www.ubpost.mn

Minister of Health T.Munkhsaikhan has concluded a six-day series of nationwide meetings titled “Listening to Doctors” which was aimed at directly engaging with physicians to hear their concerns and provide policy-level responses to their pressing issues. The sessions were held in both in-person and online formats, reaching approximately 800 medical professionals across the country.
The initiative provided a platform for healthcare workers to voice their concerns regarding financing through the Health Insurance Fund, salary disparities, and rising cases of workplace harassment by patients and their families. Doctors highlighted a troubling increase in threats to their professional reputation, including unauthorized photos and video recordings taken during clinical work.
In response, Minister T.Munkhsaikhan emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the welfare and working conditions of healthcare workers. “Doctors’ salaries have steadily increased over the past four years, and further increases are being planned,” he stated. He also noted that efforts are underway to fully settle the outstanding debts of the Health Insurance Fund and address related financial challenges.
Key legislative changes are also on the horizon. The Ministry of Health is preparing to submit the law which is focused on the legal environment of the health sector and the Health Insurance Fund Law for discussion during the upcoming autumn parliamentary session. Additionally, the minister affirmed the government’s commitment to introducing legal measures that would protect healthcare workers from defamation and physical threats.
“We will implement policies that not only safeguard the legal status and social well-being of medical professionals but also place greater emphasis on the intersection of health and education,” T.Munkhsaikhan said.
The “Listening to Doctors” series marks a significant step toward bridging the gap between frontline healthcare providers and policymakers, ensuring that those who care for the nation’s health are also heard and protected.

Company owning “Tugrug Nuur” coal deposit faces serious criminal allegations www.gogo.mn

ADB Report: Mongolia’s Economy to Grow by 6.6 Percent in 2025 www.montsame.mn

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts that Mongolia’s economy will grow by 6.6 percent in 2025 and by 5.9 percent in 2026.
In its flagship economic report, Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2025, Mongolia’s economic growth slightly slowed in 2024, it is expected to accelerate in the coming years. Key drivers include the mining sector—particularly the increased production of copper concentrate at the Oyu Tolgoi mine—and the anticipated recovery of the livestock sector, which suffered significant losses in 2023 and 2024.
ADB Mongolia Resident Mission, Senior Economist Eduard Faber stated, “Mongolia managed to maintain economic resilience in 2024. The sharp contraction in the agriculture sector was offset by strong growth in mining and services. The mining sector will remain the main engine of the economy in 2025 and 2026. Domestic demand, infrastructure investment, and the gradual recovery of agriculture will also contribute to growth. However, risks remain due to dependence on commodity exports, especially coal.”
Government spending and increased energy prices have pushed inflation to 9.1 percent. While inflation pressure will remain high this year, it is expected to ease slightly to 7 percent in 2026. Exports are also projected to rise as mining output increases. However, imports will likely grow due to purchases of essential equipment and materials for investment projects, which may in turn put some pressure on the exchange rate.
The report highlights that these projections remain subject to change due to a range of potential risks, including volatility in commodity prices, particularly copper and coal—a downturn in the real estate market of the People's Republic of China, weather-related delays in the recovery of the agricultural sector, and inflation exceeding the projected rate of 9.1 percent, which could necessitate further tightening of monetary policy. While tariffs imposed by the United States and potential spillover effects are expected to have limited direct impact on Mongolia, the Asian Development Bank cautioned that a deceleration in demand from China may lead to indirect repercussions for the Mongolian economy.