Mongolia has joined GBIF as an Associate Participant, marking a significant step in expanding representation of the GBIF network in Asia.

Demberel Sodnomsambuu of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences signed the GBIF Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Mongolian government. Operating within its role as an autonomous centre for the development of Mongolian science and technology under this agreement, Mongolian Academy of Sciences will host the national node that supports GBIF-related engagement of the country's institutions around biodiversity data mobilization, use and capacity development.

Mongolia joins Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the region, which joined in 2020 and 2021 respectively, and is the 65th member state worldwide. Recent engagements at the Asia regional nodes meeting in the Republic of China and the Biodiversity data in montane and arid Eurasia symposium in Kazakhstan proved pivotal in Mongolia's decision to join the network.

"Improving the quality and accessibility of biodiversity data has long been a critical need in our decision-making," said Gantulga Davaakhuu of Mongolian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Biology. "Joining the GBIF network will be instrumental in enhancing our skills and capacity to support evidence-driven policies, conservation efforts, and research, both nationwide and within our Central Asian network."

Bordering both the Russian Federation and the Republic of China, Mongolia encompasses more than 1.5 million square kilometres of predominantly mountainous and desert landscapes. Biodiversity data coverage for this vast country has been limited, with less than 730 thousand occurrence records about Mongolian biodiversity having been mobilized to GBIF to date. However these records are attributed to more than 660 datasets across 246 countries, indicating widespread potential for additional biodiversity data mobilization efforts.

"Mongolian biodiversity is magnetic and unique in representation of strictly continental biotopes, including mountains and forests, and famously, steppes and deserts," said Dmitry Schigel, Scientific officer at the GBIF Secretariat. "For many biologists, Mongolia is a paleontology hotspot; participation in GBIF opens a new chapter in digital discoverability of the country’s research and data."

The two largest datasets containing records from Mongolia are the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's eBird Observational Data and the Database of invertebrates collected in Mongolia from the Hungarian Natural History Museum, together representing more than 327,000 occurrence records.

Currently, the only dataset available from a Mongolian organization comes from the

Mongolia Natural History Museum, which contains a sample of its specimen records. Notably, datasets hosted by the Korean Biodiversity Information Facility, the South Korean national node of GBIF, also represent more than 109,000 records from Mongolia, making them the second-largest publisher of Mongolian data behind eBird.

Records from from the Mongolian Natural History Museum have supported findings across a diverse body of 142 peer-reviewed articles as well as The plants that feed the world, a recent United Nations report on the conservation and use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

WASHINGTON, DC and ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 24 January 2025 - The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has received approval from its Board of Directors on a $150 million landmark financing to the Mongolian Mortgage Corporation (MIK), advised by Delphos, the global financial advisory firm.

This transformative deal will see the DFC acquire $150 million of mortgage-backed securities, managed by MIK, enabling local commercial banks to create new and affordable mortgages. The ultimate goal is to increase homeownership opportunities for thousands of low-and middle-income families in Mongolia. The approval represents the largest Mongolian financing in the history of the DFC, and its predecessor agency OPIC.

Additionally, the transaction marks a significant leap forward in MIK's promotion of housing affordability and improving living standards for Mongolians, many of whom reside in informal housing settlements. The financing aligns with broader efforts to address Mongolia's urban challenges. Ulaanbaatar, the country's capital, is home to close to 50% of Mongolia's rapidly growing population, 60% of which still reside in informal settlements lacking basic infrastructure and access to social services.

Mongolia's urban transformation is the perfect time to invest in housing development. Delphos is committed to creating a meaningful impact at this crucial juncture, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Affordable mortgages will help transition many families into formal housing, accelerating urban development and fostering economic stability.

Delphos served as the exclusive advisor on this transaction. Delphos will continue to support MIK through to the transaction's financial close.

Delphos' Chairman and CEO, Bart Turtelboom, noted that

"MIK is a systemically important financial institution within Mongolia. We are proud to support our client and appreciate their trust. We are excited to support Mongolia's robust financial services industry and urban development, helping to create a meaningful impact through this deal.

Gantulga Badamkhatan, CEO of MIK added:

"We are excited to partner with US DFC on this transformative financing. This landmark transaction with its innovative structure will pave the way to catalyzing private sector capital into Mongolian mortgage market. We appreciate Delphos' market-leading advisory work in structuring and arranging the transaction on our behalf. This financing will be pivotal for our continued growth and impact, and we look forward to reaching financial close soon."

The partnership reaffirms DFC's commitment to fostering inclusive economic development and highlights Mongolia's potential as an emerging market for impactful investments. For Delphos, the transaction reinforces its position as a trusted advisor in mobilizing capital for frontier markets.

This deal underscores Delphos' expertise in private emerging markets, especially for financial institutions. This is also Delphos' latest successful transaction in Mongolia. Since 2022, Delphos has advised Bogd Bank on nearly USD 40M in multiple international financings.

Delphos has served as the exclusive financial advisor on the deal, leading all aspects, from initial market distribution to financial structuring and negotiations.

This is Delphos' second financial services deal in Mongolia. Since 2022,, Delphos has arranged nearly USD 40M in international financings for Bogd Bank. Delphos will continue to support the Mongolian Mortgage Corporation until its financial close this quarter.

Capital raising: USD 150 Million

Sectors: Mortgages, Affordable Housing

Impact:

More affordable mortgages for housing

Ulaanbaatar's population goes from informal housing to formal housing

Higher living standards

Hashtag: #Delphos

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Mongolian Mortgage Corporation (MIK)

MIK is dedicated to enhancing access to affordable housing in Mongolia through innovative financial solutions that promote homeownership and economic development.

About DFC

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is a modern, consolidated agency that combines the capabilities of OPIC and USAID's Development Credit Authority while introducing new and innovative financial products to better attract private capital to the developing world. The U.S. will have more flexibility to support investments in developing countries to drive economic growth, create stability, and improve livelihoods.

About Delphos

Delphos is the financial advisor in frontier markets for NBFI and development companies and projects. They specialize in raising long-term, competitively priced capital for corporates, fund managers, developers, SMEs, sovereigns, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Since 1987, Delphos has been responsible for more than $20 billion in development finance to support the efforts of over 1,200 companies. Delphos provides market-leading transaction advisory and investment/risk management consulting services to government and private sector clients across multiple industries. Today, they advise AfDB, DFC, IDB Invest, IFC, USAID, US Ex-Im Bank, USTDA, WBG, leading private equity firms, infrastructure developers and strategic investors, and foreign governments and utilities. Delphos is a global financial advisory firm specializing in frontier and emerging markets. It has a 38-year track record of delivering impactful capital-raising solutions for non-bank financial institutions.

The tender for the Tuul Highway project announced /2025.01.28/ , with construction set to begin in April and completion expected within 24 months. The highway continues for 32 km between Bayanzurkh bridge and traffic circle located in Songinokhairkhan district which parting ways to western provinces. And it will be the first highway which has six lanes with no traffic lights and crossroads in Ulaanbaatar.

City mayor Kh.Nyambaatar provided some information about this project:

-In 2024, we spent a total of about 900 million USD on traffic jams, including time and fuel. If it continues, total amount will exceed 1 billion USD by 2030. As of today, average speed of rush hour is 7-13 km per hour and it will reach 5-9 km per hour by 2030. So we will build second level of roads from now on. The first highway within the city is one of them.

The opening of the highway will increase the average traffic speed by 13.5 percent and improve the throughput of vehicles passing through Darkhan and Zamyn-Uud. Thus, congestion on Ulaanbaatar’s main and secondary road network will be reduced by 10-20 percent. The next second levels of roads will intersect with the Tuul Highway.

The Cuban ambassador to Mongolia, Jorge Ferrer, and Altai Khangai, Secretary of Foreign Relations of the ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP), discussed today on the interests between both nations.

The two parties discussed the historical and friendly ties between their governments and peoples, as well as the possibilities of continuing to develop them, diplomatic sources reported.

Ferrer conveyed the greetings of the Cuban leaders and congratulated the party and the Mongolian government for the successful economic results of 2024 and their positive effects on the government’s social policies, according to the Cuban embassy.

They also discussed current international affairs and those in their countries.

The MPP secretary was interested in the history and current situation of Cuba and referred to Mongolia’s current challenges such as the need to increase the capacity to generate electricity and the railway transport networks.

Meanwhile, the Cuban ambassador explained the economic difficulties of the Caribbean island, particularly the national electrical system, mainly due to the economic blockade of the United States.

He also addressed the arbitrary inclusion of Cuba in the unilateral list of States that supposedly sponsor terrorism by the United States.

The Cuban diplomat explained that these coercive measures also affect the relations of Mongolian companies and citizens with Cuba, due to their extraterritorial effects, in violation of the sovereignty of third States.

Both parties agreed on the usefulness of dialogue to face current national and international challenges.

In accordance with 35.6 of Article 35 of the General Law on Education of Mongolia, which stipulates that the quality of education shall be assessed every three years by an international authority, Mongolia is preparing to participate in the second Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

PISA, organized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) every three years since 2000, is considered one of the largest international assessments, as it involves over 90 countries worldwide.

PISA measures 15-year-olds’ ability to use their reading, mathematics, and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges. Results from PISA indicate the quality and equity of learning of the countries involved and allow educators and policymakers to learn from the policies and practices applied in other countries.

As part of the preparation for the second PISA, a pilot assessment was conducted in Mongolia in April and May 2024. A total of 2,513 students from 32 schools completed tasks and questionnaires. Additionally, parents of the students, 154 teachers, and 32 school principals and educational managers participated in this assessment.

Approximately 190 schools and 7,500 students will be randomly selected for the second PISA. The assessment will be conducted jointly by the Ministry of Education, the General Authority for Education of Mongolia, the Education Evaluation Center of Mongolia, and other affiliated organizations between March and May 2025.

With the beginning of the second term of this school year, the incidence of peer bullying and harassment in school environments has risen significantly, prompting the National Trauma and Orthopaedic Research Center (NTORC) to issue an urgent advisory for parents, guardians, and supporters. Bullying is defined as the repeated use of words or actions that threaten the mental and physical well-being of an individual. In 2024, 1,343 children sought emergency medical assistance from NTORC after being subjected to bullying by both strangers and peers.

Among the most common injuries sustained by children involved in peer bullying, according to NTORC, are head trauma, soft tissue injuries, fractures such as broken noses and fingers, and dislocated joints. In some instances, more severe injuries have occurred, highlighting the urgent need for action to prevent these incidents.

The center has outlined several key individuals and groups who can intervene to stop bullying in schools, including teachers, school bus drivers, parents, police officers, social workers, psychologists, medical professionals, store clerks near schools, and other government officials. Additionally, a helpline for children—108—is available for those in need of assistance.

“Preventing bullying is everyone’s responsibility. We cannot stand by in silence while children are subjected to violence,” the advisory emphasized.

In line with these concerns, the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Protection, along with the National Council for Children (NCC), held their first meeting of the year to discuss the urgent need for stronger child protection policies. The council members outlined plans to implement the Law on Children Protection more rigorously this year and focus on strengthening the primary care systems at the local level. According to the National Statistics Office, there are currently 983,000 households and 1.3 million children in Mongolia. A third of these households are living in poverty, with 13,200 children facing severe conditions that put them at significant risk.

The council acknowledged that the lack of a unified family policy has hindered progress in addressing the issues that families and children face. As a result, they are working to develop a comprehensive child protection policy that takes into account the unique needs of different population groups. Additionally, a draft law aimed at supporting families is under development to improve child care, financial assistance, safety, and overall well-being.

The council is also focused on improving family-oriented child protection policies. These policies will be incorporated into long-term strategies, which include the creation of laws to support families designed to enhance child care, safety, and financial aid. Moreover, there is a push to establish comprehensive family development centers in every province and district, alongside the introduction of digital services to streamline access to social services.

“The introduction of this new legislation will improve the quality of life for children and families, contributing to a more stable population growth and a more secure future for our children,” NCC stated. By integrating family-based protection policies with modern digital services, the aim is to create a safer and more supportive environment for children across Mongolia.

These interconnected efforts underscore the importance of a holistic approach to child protection—one that encompasses immediate interventions like addressing bullying, as well as long-term structural changes to support the well-being of families. The combined strategies of both the ministry and NCC signal a commitment to securing a safer future for the children of Mongolia.

The Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy of the State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia, in collaboration with the School of International Relations and Sociology of the University of Humanities, held a theoretical-practical conference on “Mongolia’s Foreign Policy in a Rapidly Changing World” on January 29, 2025, at the State Palace.

Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy Temuulen Ganzorig noted, “The Foreign Policy Concept of Mongolia states that Mongolia implements a peaceful, multi-pillar, independent, and open foreign policy. The events and changes taking place in the world in recent years indicate that Mongolia needs to consistently implement and further strengthen this policy. To discuss Mongolia’s foreign policy from different viewpoints and to hear the positions of researchers, we are hosting today’s conference.”

Dr. Prof. of the School of International Relations and Sociology of the University of Humanities D. Ulambayar underlined, "Mongolia is adhering to a balanced and effective foreign policy that prioritizes fundamental interests of the country. For example, Mongolia established diplomatic relations with all 192 UN Member States. At the same time, it is a major achievement to have diplomatic relations with the Holy See and the State of Palestine, which are UN permanent observer states, and the European Union." He also highlighted that Mongolia's foreign relations are changing and shifting towards feminist and green policies.

Senior expert at the Institute for Strategic Studies of the National Security Council, Dr. Yo. Jargalsaikhan noted, "In recent years, Mongolia's foreign relations are expanding and the frequency of State Visits and high-level visits have increased. Thus, enriching foreign relations with economic content is necessary. We need to focus on eliminating the dependence on mining product exports and focus on diversifying the economy."

Lecturer at the School of Political Science, International Relations and Public Administration at the National University of Mongolia Dr. A. Battsetseg emphasized, “The development trends of the world have been changing rapidly. In this context, it is commendable that Mongolia is deepening its relations and cooperation with numerous countries and strengthening its position. Mongolia’s foreign relations have been highly active since the pandemic. This momentum is still being maintained. The more our country actively engages in foreign relations with countries in the future, the more stable Mongolia’s position in the international arena will be.”

The Institute for Strategic Studies of the National Security Council, the School of Political Science, International Relations and Public Administration at the National University of Mongolia, and the Mongolian Alumni Association of the Moscow State University of International Relations contributed in the organization of the conference.

UNDP Mongolia hosted a roundtable discussion under the theme “Just Energy Transition in Mongolia: Progress and Way Forward” to share key lessons from its renewable energy pilot projects and explore strategies to scale up clean energy solutions. The event, held in observance of the International Day of Clean Energy (26 January), also highlighted the importance of expanding decentralized renewable energy systems by improving accessibility and cost efficiency, as well as addressing the critical need for policy support to foster investment in scaling up the solutions.

In 2024, 69 households in Ulaanbaatar and Erdenet adopted solar PV-powered heating systems, providing a sustainable alternative to coal. This initiative improved air quality, supported vulnerable families, and served as a model for creating cleaner, healthier communities. The project was implemented in collaboration with the Government of France, Ulaanbaatar City, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, URECA LLC, and Ger Hub NGO.

Globally, renewable energy is gaining unprecedented momentum. In 2023, renewable sources accounted for 30% of global electricity generation. Global energy investment is expected to exceed USD 3 trillion in 2024, with USD 2 trillion going to clean energy technologies and infrastructure. During COP28, world leaders committed to tripling installed renewable energy capacity by 2030, signalling the urgency of an accelerated energy transition.

Mongolia is also working to align with this global momentum. It aims to increase renewable energy capacity to 30% of its total installed capacity by 2030. As of 2023, renewable energy accounts for 18.3% of Mongolia’s installed capacity and 9.1% of its electricity production.

UNDP is providing strategic support to Mongolia in advancing just energy transition. Through its 2024 National Human Development Paper, 'A Just Energy Transition for Human Development in Mongolia,' UNDP highlights the challenges posed by Mongolia's coal-dependent economy and advocates for a people-centered transition that meets the needs of current and future generations. UNDP is also leading a UN Joint Programme, funded by the Joint SDG Fund and implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, to accelerate a green and inclusive energy shift.

“Addressing air pollution requires innovative and scalable solutions. Renewable energy systems pave the way for cleaner air, energy security, and improved quality of life,” said Mr. Byambajav Z., Deputy Governor of Chingeltei District. “Together with UNDP, we aim to expand renewable energy solutions to more households in our district.”

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Mongolia Ms. Lin Cao stated, “A just energy transition presents Mongolia with a transformative opportunity to reduce pollution, drive green economic growth, strengthen communities, and promote social equity. By fostering a supportive environment for renewable energy, it can also attract significant investment and accelerate sustainable development.”

Note:

All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will likely visit Mongolia in July, the first trip to the country by a reigning imperial couple, people familiar with the matter said Thursday.

This will be the couple's third overseas goodwill trip since the emperor's accession to the throne in 2019 following their visits to Indonesia in 2023 and Britain in 2024.

The emperor and empress are expected to attend a ceremony during Mongolia's annual Naadam festival at the invitation of the Mongolian side, the people said.

The couple are also expected to visit a monument erected to remember Japanese nationals who died in Mongolia after being detained by the former Soviet Union during World War II. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in the war.

Emperor Naruhito visited the monument during his trip in 2007 when he was the crown prince.

After the end of the war, some 14,000 Japanese people were taken to Mongolia by the former Soviet Union for forced labor. The Japanese government built the monument near Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, to remember the about 1,700 Japanese detainees who died there.

The Ministry of Education of Mongolia completed all 21 construction projects planned under the first component of the “Improving the Quality and Accessibility of Education During an Economic Downturn” Project, which has been implemented since 2019 with concessional loans from the Asian Development Bank.

With funding from this project, two new schools and two new kindergartens were built, while five schools and 12 kindergartens were expanded. This resulted in an additional 3,400 school seats and 2,325 kindergarten beds. Consequently, around 10,000 children in Ulaanbaatar City, Darkhan-Uul, Govisumber, and Govi-Altai aimag centers now have accessible, healthy, and safe learning environments that meet standards. In addition, 478 new jobs were created.

Two schools and seven kindergartens were constructed in the Bayanzurkh and Songinokhairkhan districts in Ulaanbaatar, which have high population densities and a high number of migrants from rural areas. Furthermore, the project furnished all newly built and expanded schools and kindergartens with necessary furniture, computers, equipment, kitchen appliances, soft furnishings, and other teaching materials, thereby creating a supportive environment for children’s learning and development.

On March 3, 2024, the Government of Mongolia and the Asian Development Bank finalized an agreement for additional financing of this project. As a result, the Ministry of Education is planning to build three more schools and six kindergartens in the capital and rural areas, increasing capacity by an additional 960 school seats and 940 kindergarten beds.