Kazakhstan ratifies agreement with Mongolia on pension cooperation www.qazinform.com

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Monday signed a law ratifying the Agreement between the Kazakh and Mongolian Governments to cooperate in the pension sector, Qazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
The text of the law is set to be published in the press soon.

By ratifying the agreement, the governments of Kazakhstan and Mongolia are set to cooperation in the pension sector, as well as safeguard the rights of both states’ citizens in pension provision.

Earlier, Qazinform reported Kazakhstan signs an agreement with the AIIB to facilitate sustainable economic growth, regional cooperation. 

S.Davaasuren: Air pollution decreased by 26% compared to the same period last year www.gogo.mn

On February 6, S.Davaasuren, Head of the National Committee's Office, said:

- Comparing December last year with the same period last year, air pollution in the capital decreased by 26%. It also decreased by 26% in January. It is not clear whether the measures against vehicle emissions have been implemented, but rather due to fuel reform and stove reform.

According to laboratory tests, sulfur in semi-coked fuel has decreased by 46% compared to the previous improved fuel.

L.Battur, director of the National Center for Public Health, said his agency monitors health harms linked to air pollution and pays particular attention to carbon-monoxide (CO) poisoning.

He gave figures for 2023–2025: 3,184, 2,830 and 2,267 people poisoned respectively. Death reported; 61 (2023), 53 (2024) and 30 (2025).

Health officials stressed the need to clarify the reasons behind those numbers and to develop prevention measures. They cautioned that the warm season (February–May) brings an increase in CO-poisoning cases and urged the public to follow safety guidance.

Parliament Speaker Uchral Nyam-Osor to Visit Russia www.montsame.mn

 At the invitation of the Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin, Chairman of the State Great Khural (Parliament), Uchral Nyam-Osor, will pay an official visit to the Russian Federation from February 9 to 12, 2026.

The purpose of this visit is to further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between Mongolia and Russia, maintain the regularity of high- and top-level mutual visits, continue political dialogue, and expand cooperation between the legislative bodies. The visit also aims to create a favorable legal environment for advancing cooperation in the political, economic, business, and trade sectors.

During the visit, Speaker Uchral will hold official meetings with Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and Chairwoman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko, during which the parties will exchange views on traditional relations between the two neighboring countries and parliamentary cooperation.

Within the framework of the visit, the second meeting of the Joint Commission on Cooperation between the State Great Khural of Mongolia and the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation will be held in Moscow. The speaker will also meet with the Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Bakytzhan Sagintayev, to exchange views on issues related to the implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement concluded between Mongolia and the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union. In addition, he will take part in the Mongolia–Eurasian Economic Union Business Forum.

The Mongolian faction in the 119th Congress of the USA has been reestablished www.open.kg

The Mongolian Caucus (The Mongolia Caucus) has resumed its activities in the 119th Congress of the USA. The co-chairs of the caucus are Democrat Dina Titus, representing the state of Nevada, and Republican John Moolenaar from the state of Michigan.

The main goal of the Mongolian Caucus is to strengthen relations between the U.S. Congress and the Parliament of Mongolia, as well as to garner support for the development of bilateral cooperation in all areas.

This renewal has facilitated the development of interaction between the 119th U.S. Congress and the Mongolian Caucus, creating new opportunities for expanding bilateral relations and coordination.

The U.S. Congress consistently supports democratic processes and the development of Mongolia, which is reflected in the adoption of numerous resolutions. In December 2020 and on April 15, 2021, the House of Representatives and the Senate approved a resolution affirming the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Mongolia.

Aliki (Alice) Konstantina "Dina" Titus is an American Democratic politician who has been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada's 1st congressional district since 2013, previously representing the 3rd district (2009–2011) and serving as a state senator in Nevada (1988–2008). From 1993 to 2008, she held the position of minority leader. Before her congressional career, she worked as a political science instructor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas from 1977 to 2011.

On her mother's side, Dina has Greek roots from Thessaly (Greece). In 1911, her grandfather Arthur Konstantinos Katonis, after whom she was named Konstantina, emigrated to Ellis Island in the USA. He owned the "Plaza" restaurant in Tifton and personally taught his granddaughter the Greek language and cooking. In 1980, Titus visited Greece for the first time and met relatives in Athens and Trikala.

Titus is also known as the author of a bill that requires health insurers to cover the costs of the Gardasil vaccine against the human papillomavirus. This bill was passed by both the Senate and the Assembly and then signed by Governor Jim Gibbons.

John Robert Moolenaar is a Republican representing the state of Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2015, initially from the 4th district and since 2023 from the 2nd district. Previously, he was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives (2003–2008) and the state Senate (2011–2014).

Moolenaar, born on May 8, 1961, in Midland, Michigan, has Dutch ancestry. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Hope College in 1983 and later, in 1989, a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University.

The U.S. Agency for Trade and Development Collaborates with Mongolia to Develop Safe Direct Air Transport www.open.kg

As reported by MiddleAsianNews, the signing of a new agreement between USTDA and the Mongolian Civil Aviation Authority marks an important step towards organizing direct flights between the United States and Mongolia.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is actively working to strengthen America's position in the Indo-Pacific region by creating safe and reliable air routes between the two countries.

On February 5, 2026, USTDA signed an agreement to provide technical assistance to support the Mongolian Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA) in improving aviation safety regulation and oversight, which will allow Mongolia to strive for Category 1 (CAT 1) status from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. This will be an important step towards establishing direct flights between the two countries.

Achieving CAT 1 status will also simplify the export of rare earth elements and other critical minerals, enabling Mongolia to access international markets and create more resilient supply chains.

Thomas R. Hardy, Deputy Director of USTDA, noted: "Deepening cooperation in regulation and information sharing between the U.S. and Mongolia will allow for faster identification and mitigation of transnational threats. These efforts strengthen America's position in the Indo-Pacific region and provide long-term benefits to Mongolia, which seeks to modernize its aviation sector and develop international trade."

For the study, MCAA selected The Wicks Group Consulting, LLC (TWG), based in Washington. The working group will analyze current deficiencies, develop an action plan, and provide targeted training for MCAA staff to address violations of International Civil Aviation Organization standards. This will help attract funding for future investments in the aviation fleet and implement proven American solutions instead of subsidized alternatives from other countries.

Gankbold Gochoo, Deputy Minister of Road and Transport of Mongolia, stated: "Establishing direct air communication will create enormous opportunities for deepening socio-economic ties between Mongolia and the U.S. It will promote trade development and strengthen friendly relations between our countries. We greatly appreciate USTDA's support and its contribution to funding the technical assistance needed to address gaps in safety oversight and personnel training. This agreement is an important step towards establishing direct flights, which will allow us to leverage American expertise to enhance the effectiveness of civil aviation regulation in Mongolia."

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is an independent federal agency established in 1961. It is responsible for assisting other countries in creating favorable conditions for trade and developing infrastructure that supports market economies. The Director and Deputy Director of the agency are appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate and work in coordination with the U.S. Secretary of State. USTDA's mission is to promote economic growth in developing countries and ensure access for American companies to their markets, ultimately creating new jobs in the U.S. The agency currently operates in 66 countries.

USTDA operates in a coordinated manner with other federal agencies, but unlike the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), it prioritizes projects that ensure the export of American goods and services. As a result, most USTDA projects are implemented in Latin America, Europe, and East Asia.

The agency is a key government entity for developing critical infrastructure in emerging markets, advancing the strategic interests of the U.S. and its partners, and creating opportunities for the implementation of proven American solutions. USTDA funds preliminary technical work that accelerates the implementation of infrastructure projects, helping to attract the necessary funding for their execution and the procurement of American products.

In 2025, the private sector of Mongolia attracted a total of $2.6 billion from international markets www.open.kg

In 2025, the private sector of Mongolia demonstrated outstanding results, completing 40 deals that attracted $2.6 billion from international investors. This financing covered 19 companies across various sectors, and the DealBook report answers important questions for global investors: who raised capital, who invested, what the capital was raised for, and how the deals were structured.

A Breakthrough Year for the Economy

In 2025, 19 companies in Mongolia successfully completed 40 deals, of which 32 were related to sustainable financing, with a total volume of $1.8 billion. In turn, $1.4 billion was obtained through loan operations, while $1.1 billion came from bond issuances. The remaining $21 million (1%) was raised through equity.

Key Facts:

40 completed deals

Total capital raised: $2.6 billion

19 Mongolian companies attracted foreign financing

Financing through 40 Deals

In 2025, 19 local companies executed 40 deals, of which 32 deals amounting to $1.8 billion were related to sustainable financing, while $1.4 billion was linked to loans and $1.1 billion to bonds. Only $21 million (1%) was raised through equity.
Major financing organizations: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) accounted for 34.6% of the total financing volume. EBRD allocated $346 million across 7 deals, while FMO invested $537 million in 5 deals.

Sector Analysis

Banking Sector: Seven banks in Mongolia attracted about $2.05 billion, confirming their role as the primary channel for international capital, aided by an improved sovereign credit rating and access to markets.

Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFIs): 8 NBFIs managed to attract $108 million, indicating growing investor interest in specialized and effective financial platforms.

Mining Sector: Mongolia issued bonds worth $350 million on the international market on behalf of a mining corporation.

Other Sectors: Financial technology, agriculture, and conglomerates collectively attracted $39 million, indicating an initial but growing diversification beyond traditional areas.

The Banking System Leads

In 2025, seven commercial banks, including M Bank and Bogd Bank, attracted $2 billion from international sources. KHAN Bank became the leader in lending volume with $515 million, followed by Trade Development Bank (TDB) with $460 million.

In Conclusion... In 2025, Mongolia reached a credit rating level of BB- (S&P) and B1 (Moody's), significantly contributing to attracting foreign investors. It is hoped that local companies will soon be able to conduct international IPOs and delight investors.

The IJF and Mongolia Sign for Four New Grand Slams www.ijf.org

As the Paris Grand Slam was drawing to a close, the future of the World Judo Tour was already being shaped. Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation, and His Excellency Battulga Khaltmaa, President of the Mongolian Judo Association, signed the contract confirming the organisation of four additional grand slams in Ulaanbaatar in the coming years.

The renewal confirms Mongolia’s key role within international judo. The country has repeatedly proven itself not only as a land of champions but also as a host capable of delivering major events at the very highest standard. Each edition in the Mongolian capital has combined sporting excellence, enthusiastic crowds and outstanding organisation.

The announcement carries particular meaning this season. Ulaanbaatar will host the event that launches the Olympic qualification period for the Los Angeles Olympic Games. This milestone has been awaited for months by athletes and federations across the globe, marking the true beginning of the race towards the next Olympic Games. By extending the partnership, the IJF reinforces the confidence placed in Mongolia.

Mongolian judoka are recognised worldwide for their fighting spirit, their respect and consistency on the international stage. From grand slams to world championships and Olympic arenas, regularly they stand among the medal winners. Hosting the event at home offers young athletes there the chance to witness elite performance at close range. At the same time, visiting delegations experience a nation deeply attached to judo and its values of respect, courage and friendship.

The handshake between Presidents Vizer and Battulga symbolised shared trust and a common vision for the future. Mongolia will continue to welcome the world and the world will continue to discover Mongolia.

Russia’s Tuva Republic Weighs Up Logistics Connectivity With China and Mongolia www.russiaspivottoasia.com

Russia’s Tuva Republic has been examining the viability of the proposed Kyzyl-Kuragino railway line project, which would link Tuva with Krasnoyarsk Krai and the Russian railway network, with calculations as to how much freight such a route would attract via access to China and Mongolia. 

The railway is estimated at 412 kilometres in length and would provide easier export capability for Tuva’s coal mining sector, which currently produces about 10% of all Russian coal. However, balanced against this is the cost, estimated at exceeding ₽1 trillion (US$13 billion). For that to be viable, the proposed line needs to be sure it can provide consistent freight traffic involving Chinese and Mongolian transit.

The Tuvan government has stated that the line could provide access to 75 million tonnes of transit by 2050, in addition to East Range railway relief rather than purely coal. Russia’s eastern railway network is currently under stress and operating at close to 100% capacity. 

The project was originally conceived as a route for transporting Tuvan coal but is now being considered as part of the Central Eurasian Transport Corridor (CETC), a memorandum on the creation of which was signed in June 2025 at the SPIEF. The highway will provide direct access to the Northern Sea Route (Sevmorput) along the Yenisei and will become the “northern branch” of the Belt and Road initiative. However, without state participation and international contracts, it risks becoming an unfinished construction site. The project has had several starts and stops since it was first planned to begin in 2009.  

The viability model now rests on three powerful pillars following the geopolitical pivot to the east and critical capacity shortages on the BAM and Trans-Siberian railways. These include the resources of Tuva itself, the potential for redirecting freight flows from overloaded mainlines, and the transit potential within the CETC linking Asia and Europe.

Despite Tuva’s Elegest coal mine holding a dominant share in forecasts (up to 20 million tonnes by 2050), its current role in Russian exports is minimal. In 2024, Russia supplied 95 million tonnes of coal to China, with the bulk coming from other Russian regions—but not Tuva. The share of coal supplies from Tuva to China is estimated at about 650,000 tonnes per year and is unlikely to increase due to agreed China quotas.

The true value of Tuva lies in non-commodity exports. Forecasts include 1.5 million tonnes of iron ore and about 3.8 million tonnes of non-ferrous and rare earth metals (REM) from the Ag-Sug, Karasug, and other deposits. There are additional projects in the pipeline, including the creation of metallurgical clusters in Shagonar and Kara-Khaak. These would allow ore processing into high-margin ferrous metals and high-purity oxides, providing additional freight flow and increasing the project’s economic stability.

However, the true value of the Kyzyl-Kuragino railway probably lies in becoming a “relief valve” for the Trans-Siberian and BAM railways. Against the backdrop of record trade growth with China and Southeast Asia, existing corridors are at capacity, and export goods from Central Russia and the Urals are having to queue for delivery schedules, delaying timeframes and diminishing export potential.

Redirectable trade flows to get usage into the Kyzyl-Kuragino railway include 15 to –33 million tonnes, comprising timber (up to 8 million tonnes) from the Krasnoyarsk region and the Irkutsk region, grain and food (up to 1.9 million tonnes) from Altai, ferrous metals, petroleum products, and industrial goods sent on from the Moscow region. Additionally, the corridor opens the possibility for exporting so-called “unexported” volumes—amounts that cannot be sent today due to Russian Railways’ capacity deficit: 5 million tonnes of peat from the Tomsk region and 1.4 million tonnes of pellets. In total, these volumes amount to 45.7 million tonnes by 2050.

Tuva map
The geopolitical positioning of the line as a “Siberian Suez” can also be justified by the potential for container transit. The corridor from Kyzyl-Kuragino and Mongolia to China would provide a saving of five days in delivery times. For the highly competitive container transport market between China, Russia, and Central Asia, a reduction in distance and time becomes a key competitive advantage capable of attracting up to 4.4 million tonnes of transit containers.

However, the Kyzyl-Kuragino railway project has remained unconvincing in its return on investment and its ability to attract Russian private equity. To date, the parties could not agree on the terms of participation and the volume of extracted resources, and they assessed the project risks as high.

Today, the construction period is estimated at about 10 years, and the cost of borrowing money is high (interest rates in Russia are currently 16%); private investors require state guarantees. That means that financing the railway may now be aimed at attracting foreign companies to the project, primarily from China and Mongolia. The high cost for building the route is because it requires the construction of a single-track non-electrified line with seven stations, 830 artificial structures, 180 bridges with a total length of 21.3 kilometers, seven tunnels with a total length of nearly 5 km, and the need to cross the Uyuk ridge—requiring a 2 km long tunnel at a depth of 200 meters.

Secondly, there is a logistics gap, as cargo from it will fall onto the overloaded leg of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which reduces efficiency. Investors fear their goods will get stuck in the “bottleneck” of the East Range, as happens with coal from other regions that also have a shorter leg to the ports.

Thirdly, there is a green risk element, in that coal consumption may decrease. This is why the project has proven so complicated, as it means that the railway project cannot be tied exclusively to commodity exports and requires diversification to handle REMs, metals, transit, industrial, and agricultural goods.

This in turn means that Moscow must act either as a co-investor or guarantee the freight flow by creating a transparent PPP model that minimises risks and ensures international coordination with China and Mongolia.

However, the potential remains tantalising. The economic significance of the railway for Tuva, which remains one of the few entities in Russia without a rail service, cannot be overstated. Tuvan integration into Russia’s unified transport field promises explosive economic growth, with some estimates suggesting that the overall socio-economic situation of Tuva would improve by at least 30% in the first year of the railway’s appearance.

Kyzyl-Kuragino could still be a critically important, albeit expensive, element of the Central Eurasian Transport Corridor, capable of generating up to 75 million tonnes of diversified cargo. However, the project’s economics are justified only if it is implemented as a strategic artery capable of relieving the East Range and providing a new transit route to Asia.

To ensure the trillion-ruble expense becomes an investment rather than a budget expenditure on an unfinished project, the ball has passed to the Russian state. To justify the project, the following needs to happen:

Guarantee the freight flow through a take-or-pay mechanism or other forms of PPP.
Actively attract foreign capital, primarily from China and Mongolia, to synchronise and finance international sections of the CETC.
Ensure the priority development of non-commodity freight flows—REMs, metals, containers—to hedge against “green” risk and the low competitiveness of the long coal leg.
Without clear contracts and international coordination, the 75 million tonnes transit potential will remain elusive, while the eastern section of Russia’s railways will remain a bottleneck. Finding a US$13 billion solution to connecting Siberia’s Tuva to China and Asia remains a challenge.

Major Strategic Sector Projects to Be Implemented in Cooperation with World Bank www.montsame.mn

The World Bank, in cooperation with the Government of Mongolia, is successfully implementing transmission line projects aimed at ensuring energy security.
Looking ahead, it is essential to implement energy sector projects and infrastructure initiatives to ease congestion in the capital city through public-private partnerships, as these will serve as key drivers of economic growth. This was emphasized by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development Enkhbayar Jadamba during his meeting with Tae Hyun Lee, the World Bank’s Resident Representative in Mongolia.
According to the Ministry of Economy and Development, the two sides exchanged views on priority areas within Mongolia’s medium- and long-term development policies and agreed to ensure intersectoral coordination and to cooperate promptly at the technical level on specific projects.
During the meeting, the parties discussed reforms in strategic sectors that support economic growth, including energy, road transport, and infrastructure, as well as the policies and programs to be implemented in these areas. 
First Deputy Prime Minister Enkhbayar Jadamba underscored the importance of attracting private sector investment to successfully advance sector liberalization and proposed cooperating through innovative instruments, such as World Bank financial guarantees, to strengthen investor confidence and share risks.
World Bank Resident Representative Tae Hyun Lee reaffirmed the institution’s active cooperation with Mongolia in improving the energy sector, agriculture, information technology, and the investment environment, noting that the cooperation directions proposed by the First Deputy Prime Minister align with the strategic partnership between the two sides.
He also commended the establishment of the Investor Protection Center by the Ministry of Economy and Development and expressed support for policies aimed at improving the business environment and assisting investors.
As Mongolia’s construction and industrial activities continue to expand, leading to growing energy demand, the World Bank expressed its readiness to cooperate in supporting initiatives included in Mongolia’s Five-Year Basic Development Plan for 2026–2030.

Government Approves New Administrative Building at Ulaanbaatar International Airport www.montsame.mn

At its meeting on February 4, 2026, the Government approved amendments to the concession agreement for the management project of Ulaanbaatar’s new international airport, allowing for the construction of an additional administrative building and the expansion of the airport’s parking facilities.
The build–operate–transfer concession agreement for the management of Ulaanbaatar’s new international airport was signed on July 5, 2019, between the National Development Agency, representing the Government of Mongolia, and New Ulaanbaatar International Airport LLC. The concessionaire has submitted a proposal to construct an administrative building within the airport concession area and to expand the parking lot by an additional 250 spaces.
At present, all office space in the passenger terminal building has been fully leased.