Details on “Tavantolgoi Thermal Power Plant” Project Presented to the Cabinet www.montsame.mn

 During the regular session of the Cabinet of Mongolia on April 9, 2025, Minister of Energy Choijilsuren Battogtokh presented the progress of the “Tavantolgoi Thermal Power Plant” Project. 
The Mongolian Government’s 2024–2028 Action Plan and the New Recovery Policy include the construction of a 450 MW thermal power plant at Tavantolgoi, aiming at ensuring domestic electricity supply for the Oyu Tolgoi and Tavantolgoi deposits, as well as other strategically important mining projects in the southern region of Mongolia.
The tender for selecting the contractor for the construction and installation of the plant was announced in June 2023. However, participants in the tender filed lawsuits, and the dispute resolution process continued until December 2024. The Supervisory Power of the Supreme Court of Mongolia issued a ruling dismissing the plaintiff’s claims entirely. 
Relevant officials have been instructed to take measures to apply the legal and regulatory framework in connection with the challenges related to selecting the project’s contractor and financier.

‘Everyone is breathing this’: how just trying to stay warm is killing thousands a year in the world’s coldest capital www.theguardian.com

Sludge Incineration Plant to Be Built in Ulaanbaatar www.montsame.mn

As part of the 24 Mega Projects for Ulaanbaatar City Development, a Sludge Incineration Plant with a daily capacity of 250 cubic meters will be built in 2025-2027.
The Plant will dewater and dry sludge from both the New Central Wastewater Treatment Plant of Ulaanbaatar City and domestic sources prior to incineration. This process will contribute to the reduction of soil and water pollution. The facility is designed to process 250 cubic meters of sludge per day, converting it into approximately 5–6 cubic meters of ash. In other words, the Sludge Incineration Plant is expected to handle 238 tons of sludge daily, with a total sludge reserve projected at 843,200 cubic meters. The project site will encompass approximately 40,000 square meters and is planned to be situated in front of the New Central Wastewater Treatment Plant of Ulaanbaatar City.
Following deep processing and dewatering, both domestic and industrial sludge from Ulaanbaatar's water treatment facility will undergo incineration. Legacy sludge will be pre-filtered and dried prior to combustion. The gas generated during incineration may be utilized for power generation, while low-pressure steam can serve as a thermal source for the drying process. The ash produced during gas purification will be buried and repurposed as construction material. The Sludge Incineration Plant is specifically designed to simultaneously treat both sewage sludge and associated odors.

A Total of 655.5 Thousand Hectares of Land to Be Cultivated This Spring www.montsame.mn

At the meeting of the Standing Committee on Environment, Food, and Agriculture of the State Great Khural on April 8, 2025, Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry Enkhbayar Jadamba delivered a report "Preparations for Spring Sowing".
A total of 655.5 thousand hectares of land will be cultivated for sowing this spring. In particular, cereals will be planted on 360.7 thousand hectares of land, potatoes on 20.1 thousand hectares, vegetables on 18.8 thousand hectares, fodder on 141.1 thousand hectares, oilseeds on 103.7 thousand hectares, and fruit and berries on 7.9 thousand hectares of land. The Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry stated that the work of bringing the arable land into farmland is being organized to ensure a stable supply of animal feed, increase the variety of crop rotations, and promote export-oriented production.
In addition, out of the total 45.4 thousand tons of wheat seed reserves in the country, 35.0 thousand tons are stored in agricultural enterprises, 3.5 thousand tons in the “Agricultural Corporation” state-owned enterprise, and 7.0 thousand tons of seeds are stored in seed breeding enterprises for commercial purposes. Seven agricultural enterprises have received permission to import 4.3 thousand tons of wheat seed. The Minister also noted that MNT 1.4 billion will be spent from the state budget to supply 360 tons of seeds in six types of fodder crops.
Minister Enkhbayar noted, "To increase crop rotation and high-protein fodder reserves for livestock, the 'Agricultural Corporation' state-owned enterprise has stockpiled 1,600 tons of seeds in nine types of fodder crops and delivered them on credit. Moreover, to protect agricultural land from erosion and improve soil fertility, MNT 9.7 billion is earmarked to install a total of 370.8 thousand reinforced concrete poles in aimags with agricultural land and MNT 1 billion to build forest strips on 102.3 km of agricultural land in four locations."

Bus Rapid Transit project research is 60% complete www.gogo.mn

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, one of the capital city’s 24 mega development initiatives, is progressing steadily with approximately 60% of the research work now complete. A consultation meeting was held to discuss the project’s operational plan, financing, regulatory infrastructure, and ways to improve coordination among stakeholders.
T. Chinbat, Director of the BRT project, said, “This project to reduce traffic congestion in Ulaanbaatar is being implemented with support from the Asian Development Bank. Research is around 60% complete and the design phase is ongoing. Today’s meeting brought together representatives from government ministries, city departments, and key stakeholders to share updates and discuss project progress.”
Karl Fjellstrom, CEO of Far East Mobility, also spoke at the meeting. “We are working on designing the special road bus for Ulaanbaatar,” he said. “Our company has extensive experience in this field and has worked in countries like China, the United States, Indonesia, and the Philippines. We’ve conducted site visits to Ulaanbaatar in 2011, 2019, and 2023. With more than 1.5 million people using public transport daily, there is clearly strong demand for a BRT system. Considering the road infrastructure and passenger needs, we believe BRT is a highly suitable solution.”
The BRT system will span a 12.7-kilometer corridor from Ard Ayush Avenue to Ikh Khuree Street, with the capacity to transport 25,000 to 35,000 passengers per day. It will feature 17 stops, with average travel times ranging 15-20 minutes and an average speed of 20–25 km/h. The project is expected to increase overall traffic speed by 12.6%. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with operations anticipated to start by early 2028.

Experts warn of economic setbacks from Eurasian Trade Agreement www.gogo.mn

The School of Business at the National University of Mongolia has released the results of a comprehensive study analyzing the potential impact of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Interim Free Trade Agreement on Mongolia’s economy. The findings were presented by Director of the School of Business N.Batnasan and Professor of the Department of Marketing and Trade N.Otgonsaikhan.
The study comes at a time when public concern is growing around the possible implications of the agreement. While many domestic manufacturers have voiced criticism of the EAEU and the interim agreement, the government has stated that the agreement will move forward, citing that amendments have been made to the draft. However, the researchers noted that no official information has been provided about the nature of those changes, particularly regarding which goods would benefit from reduced customs tariffs. As a result, the analysis was based on the original version of the agreement and should be viewed as a preliminary but well-grounded assessment.
The study focused on how the agreement would affect Mongolia’s businesses, its competitive environment, and the structure of domestic production. It utilized extensive data dating back to 2019, incorporated 110 macroeconomic variables, and examined nine major economic sectors.
According to the research, the country’s gross domestic product would decline by 6.1 percent, falling from 8.4 million to 7.8 million USD. At the same time, the agricultural sector is expected to expand modestly by 4.2 percent, and exports are projected to grow by 3.7 percent, opening up an estimated 4 million USD in new markets. However, imports, especially industrial goods, would increase significantly, by 117 percent, contributing to a sharp rise in the trade deficit. Researchers warned that production would decline across the board, with agricultural output decreasing by 4.3 percent and industrial output plummeting by 18 percent.
The study also indicated that the net income of Mongolian enterprises would fall by 5.6 percent, and that state budget revenues would decline by 3.2 percent. The country’s foreign trade deficit would widen by an estimated 120 million USD. According to the researchers, the industrial sector would suffer the most under this agreement. While consumers may initially benefit from falling prices, the decline would not be uniform across sectors, and the long-term consequences would likely include a reduction in domestic jobs and industrial capacity.
The study also delved into the current trade relationship with Russia, which, despite the broader framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, remains Mongolia’s primary trading partner among the five member states. Mongolia exports approximately 100 million USD in goods to Russia each year, while importing over 2 billion USD’s worth of goods and services, resulting in a significant trade imbalance.
Although the authorities claim that the agreement would allow for the exemption of customs tariffs on 375 types of goods, the researchers found that in practice, Mongolia would only be capable of exporting 38 of those. Meanwhile, the EAEU, with its vast financial, production and human resources, could export up to 277 goods to Mongolia. For example, the customs tariff on alcohol, currently at forty percent, would be reduced to 25 percent under the agreement. This would likely lead to a 95 percent increase in the import of white alcohol into Mongolia. Similarly, imports of food products like yogurt are expected to rise substantially.
Despite the potential for export growth, the study emphasized that Mongolia lacks the production capacity to compete effectively in key markets. Russia, for instance, imports over 1 billion USD’s worth of meat annually from Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, focusing mainly on beef, cereals and fish. Since Russian consumers have limited demand for goat and sheep meat, which are more common in Mongolia, and since the country is not even able to meet its own domestic beef demand, the opportunities for expanding meat exports are minimal. Even if the country developed the capacity to do so, it would face stiff competition from well-established Latin American suppliers, the experts noted. 
Furthermore, the agreement does not address non-tariff barriers, which continue to be a significant obstacle to exports. While the reduction of customs tariffs may seem beneficial on the surface, it does not eliminate other barriers such as complex import regulations, certification requirements, or high domestic taxes in importing countries. For instance, Russia maintains a value-added tax rate of 20 percent, which remains unaffected by the agreement.
N.Batnasan underscored that customs tariffs are not the only challenge Mongolian exporters face. Non-tariff barriers, which include bureaucratic processes and technical standards, often prove more difficult to overcome and are not mentioned in the current draft of the interim agreement. Therefore, even products that meet international standards may still struggle to gain access to Eurasian markets under the proposed framework. The study concluded that the agreement does not offer a balanced opportunity for mutual trade and warned that it could potentially reverse some of the progress Mongolia has made in strengthening its domestic industries. Researchers urged policymakers to consider the broader implications of the agreement and to ensure that future trade negotiations prioritize the long-term interests of Mongolian businesses and workers. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy and Development is continuing to draft the final version of the agreement. President U.Khurelsukh is expected to attend Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, during which the agreement may be officially ratified.

10 million raw hides and skins annually produced www.ubpost.mn

In accordance with Parliamentary Resolution No. 63, titled “On Some Measures to Support the Processing of Animal Raw Materials”, the President of Mongolia has launched the White Gold national movement in 2024. This initiative aims to enhance the domestic production and export of wool, cashmere and leather by supporting industrial processing and improving competitiveness in global markets. Within the framework of this movement, Mongol Bank has developed general financing and operational guidelines to help stimulate production and value-added processing in the animal raw materials sector. The program is particularly focused on mobilizing investment, strengthening infrastructure and enhancing industry standards and human capital.
Mongolia holds a dominant position in the global raw cashmere supply, accounting for 40 percent of the world’s production - second only to China, which supplies 50 percent. While Mongolia provides 0.51 percent of global wool consumption and 0.03 percent of raw leather, China imports a substantial share of these resources, accounting for 65.7 percent of global wool imports and 15 percent of leather imports. This presents a strategic opportunity for Mongolia to expand its exports, given its proximity to key markets. However, despite its rich resource base, Mongolia continues to underutilize its processing capacity. In the wool sector, only 41 percent of washing plant capacity, 51 percent of combing, 46 percent of spinning, 48 percent of braiding and weaving, and 45 percent of carpet manufacturing capacity are being utilized. In the cashmere industry, 70 to 75 percent of washed cashmere is exported directly, bypassing domestic value-added processes. While washing and combing plants operate at full capacity, spinning mills are only using about 30 percent of their potential based on raw material availability.
In the leather sector, the country produces around 10 million pieces of raw hides and skins annually. Out of this, more than two million are deeply processed, over five million are semi-processed, and the remaining portion remains unused. Processing rates vary significantly by animal: 42 percent of cowhide, 2.7 percent of horsehide, 95.5 percent of camel hide, 45.5 percent of sheepskin, and 49 percent of goatskin are currently processed.
To support the White Gold program, a total budget of 2.19 trillion MNT has been allocated. Of this, 682.4 billion MNT will be financed from the state budget, directed primarily toward subsidizing loan interest rates, building infrastructure, developing industry standards and strengthening professional training. The remaining 1.51 trillion MNT will be mobilized through commercial bank financing, with the government providing interest rate support under preferential terms to enterprises involved in the sector.
Through the implementation of this program, the country aims to transform its animal raw material sector from an exporter of unprocessed materials into a competitive producer of high-value goods, expanding its presence in regional and global markets. The initiative is expected to generate sustainable economic growth, create jobs and revitalize rural and manufacturing economies across the country.

Expert on right to privacy to visit Mongolia www.ohchr.org

The Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy, Ana Brian Nougrères, will conduct an official visit to Mongolia from 8 to 14 April 2025.
The expert will examine privacy issues in relation to personal data protection, including health data, cybersecurity, surveillance, oversight mechanisms and remedies, new and emerging technologies and privacy concerns of specific groups.
The visit takes place at the invitation of the Government. The Special Rapporteur plans to meet with officials, civil society, the UN country team and other relevant stakeholders in Ulaanbaatar and a nearby province.
At the end of the visit on Monday 14 April, the expert will share her preliminary observations at a press conference at 14:30 (local time) at the Conference Room of the UN House building, in United Nations Street 14, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Access will be strictly limited to journalists.
The Special Rapporteur will present her report on the visit to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in March 2026.
Dr. Ana Brian Nougrères is the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy.
Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.
Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/

Mongolia and Central Asian Countries Discuss Climate Change and Exchange Views on Cooperation www.montsame.mn

Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia Odontuya Saldan participated in the Samarkand Climate Forum, a high-level Ministerial Dialogue "Central Asia Facing the Challenges of a Triple Planetary Crisis," held on April 4–5, 2025.
The Dialogue, held in Samarkand, the Republic of Uzbekistan, convened environment ministers from Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The officials addressed urgent global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution.
Throughout the discussions, participating countries shared the measures and best practices implemented under their respective national climate and environmental policies. Several Central Asian countries presented successful initiatives such as the development of fruit farming, the cultivation of drought-resistant trees and shrubs in arid zones, the expansion of urban green spaces, and the training of environmental professionals.
Mongolia contributed its experience in involving the private sector in the implementation of the "Billions of Trees" National Movement. Additional efforts highlighted by Mongolia included the establishment of the Nature Conservation Trust Fund aimed at ensuring sustainable environmental financing, the construction of ponds, and concrete actions taken to protect endangered wildlife.
The impacts of climate change are increasingly apparent across the Central Asian region. Accelerated melting of snow and glaciers, along with the reduction of water resources, threatens food security, intensifies river shrinkage and land degradation, and contributes to the further decline of ecosystems. The drying of the Aral Sea, now transformed into a desert, serves as a striking example of the environmental crises faced in the region.
In light of these challenges, participating countries exchanged views on strengthening collaboration through regional research, joint projects, and coordinated programs. The officials also exchanged views on cooperating in training specialists through the Green University of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Mongolia and Czechia Become Comprehensive Strategic Partners www.thediplomat.com

This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Czechia. In celebration of the anniversary, in March Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa paid a state visit to Czechia, where the two countries elevated their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership level. The upgrade honors a decades-old historical bonds while strengthening economic mechanisms that will help Mongolia and Czechia to navigate the geopolitical shifts in Eastern Europe.  
On April 25, 1950, Mongolia and Czechoslovakia (which later split into the independent states of Czechia and Slovakia) established diplomatic relations. At the time, Czechoslovakia was among five Eastern European nations that established diplomatic ties with Mongolia, along with Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and East Germany. 
Mongolia and Czechia shared a similar transition from socialist states to robust democracies. Czechia’s political history as part of the Soviet-led Eastern Bloc made its democratic transition as challenging and time consuming as Mongolia’s democratization, although neither was part of the USSR. Today, both countries rank high in Freedom House’s Freedom in the World report, with Czechia scoring 95 out of 100 and Mongolia receiving 84 out of 100. 
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Mongolia’s democratization, Mongolia recognized the Czech Republic in 1993 as an independent state. Despite these historical turning points, Mongolia and Czechia’s official diplomatic relations are officially dated back to 1950. Hence, marking the 75th anniversary shows the historical depth of the relationship but also carries strong symbolism for independence and sovereignty.
In commemoration of the Czechia-Mongolia diplomatic anniversary, President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel invited his Mongolian counterpart for a state visit. During Khurelsukh’s four-day state visit to Prague in March, the two countries advanced bilateral ties at the highest level of the government. During Khurlsukh’s state visit, the Mongolian delegation also held high-level meetings with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Senate President Miloš Vystrčil.
“This historic visit – the first in a decade – underscores the Czech Republic’s growing importance as Mongolia’s ‘third neighbor,’” Czech Ambassador to Mongolia Jan Vytopil told The Diplomat. “We are experiencing the best period in Czech-Mongolian relations in decades [and] the highest trade exchange in 25 years.” 
Since establishing diplomatic ties, Czech investments have contributed to the development of Mongolia’s mining sector, constructing key industrial facilities such as the Bayan-Ölgii transmission tower, cement plants, and hospitals in Mongolia. Czech geologists and experts helped discover the Erdenet copper deposit – one of Mongolia’s most significant mineral resources. 
Vytoptil noted that Czechs have played a key role in Mongolia’s development, contributing to important investments and major projects such as the discovery of copper deposits in Erdenet, the construction of Mongolia’s Hospital No. 1 (the country’s largest), as well as the development of the leather and shoe industry. The newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the signing of multiple agreements covering security, education, agriculture, environment, and sports cooperation will further boost bilateral cooperation. 
In support of expanding business relations between the two countries, the Mongolia-Czechia business forum was held during Khurelsukh’s visit. The forum, which gathered around 150 companies, explored new opportunities for trade and investment, particularly in the fields of technology, renewable energy, and logistics and, resulted in business contracts worth over $6.3 million. Memorandums and agreements to advance agricultural collaboration and technology exchange will help grow Mongolia’s presence in the European market, particularly with regards to livestock products. 
Mongolia’s upgrade in bilateral relations with Czechia is an illustration of Ulaanbaatar’s expanding “third neighbor” ties. Mongolia’s third neighbor policy supports strengthening economic cooperation with partner countries beyond the two states it directly borders, China and Russia. An important element of the policy is the quest for economic diversification through access to other markets – in this case, Eastern Europe and the European Union. 
Czechia has been a member of the EU since 2004, and its strong economic relations with the bloc make the country a gateway Ulaanbaatar can utilize. As of 2023, 81.4 percent of Czech exports went to fellow EU member states, and the EU provided 72.8 percent of Czechia’s imports. Czechia’s strong trade networks with the EU can be beneficial to Mongolia’s third neighbor export goals. 
Ambassador of Mongolia to Czechia Gansukh Damdin noted that Mongolia and Czechia will intensify their cooperation within the framework of the EU-Mongolia partnership, including the Global Gateway. Their agreement on education will further support the scholarship program “Mission 2100” for Mongolian students to obtain higher education in Czechia. 
To Czechia, Mongolia’s mining and agricultural sector is of great importance. In March, Ulaanbaatar and Prague signed a three-year agreement on geological cooperation that involves a “geological mapping and general prospecting… in selected areas in Munkhkhairkhan, Zereg, and Mankhan soums of Khovd aimag and the Mongolian Altai sites.” Czechia is also among the first countries to invest in Mongolia’s uranium sector. 
Beyond the economic aspect, high-level state visits and the establishment of strategic partnerships are designed to uphold Mongolia’s geopolitical equilibrium, balancing between Russia and China while reinforcing Mongolia’s unique diplomatic and economic position. Mongolia’s pro-engagement foreign policy has managed to cultivate a diplomatic niche by developing robust and longstanding ties with global partners. 
Khurelsukh’s state visit may be over, but Mongolia and Czechia continue to celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Prague is currently hosting the International Chinggis Khaan International Exhibit at the National Museum. 
BY 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.
Erdene-Ochir Enkhbayar
Erdene-Ochir Enkhbayar is a research analyst at Arctus Analytics, based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.