1 MONGOLIA’S TOURISM SURGE: 1 MILLION VISITORS TARGETED & $1.6 BILLION REVENUE IN 2026 – WHAT AIRLINES LIKE AIR CHINA & MARRIOTT ARE DOING TO CASH IN! WWW.TRAVELANDTOURWORLD.COM PUBLISHED:2026/01/07      2 NEW FLIGHTS FROM MONGOLIA TO SINGAPORE, VIETNAM, CHINA, AND EUROPE IN 2026: HOW THESE ROUTES ARE REVOLUTIONIZING TRAVEL! WWW.TRAVELANDTOURWORLD.COM PUBLISHED:2026/01/07      3 ‘ULAANBAATAR TRAM’ TO CONNECT ZUNJIN AND SUKHBAATAR SQUARE IN 29 MINUTES WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2026/01/07      4 ULAANBAATAR TO BUILD, UPGRADE 85.8 KM OF ROADS IN 2026 WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2026/01/07      5 HOUSING PROJECTS TO ADVANCE, CONSTRUCTION SECTOR TO BE SUPPORTED IN 2026 WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2026/01/07      6 OVER 20,000 LAND PLOTS TO BE CLEARED THIS YEAR WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2026/01/07      7 MONGOLIA’S INFLUENZA SEASON NOW LONGER AND CASES HIGHER OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS WWW.ASIANEWS.NETWORK PUBLISHED:2026/01/07      8 COPPER PRICE HITS NEW RECORD OF $13,000 IN LONDON WWW.MINING.COM PUBLISHED:2026/01/06      9 MOST MINERAL AND METAL PRICES TO EDGE HIGHER IN 2026, FITCH FORECASTS WWW.MINING.COM PUBLISHED:2026/01/06      10 G.ZANDANSHATAR: MONGOLIA AIMS FOR 1 MILLION TOURISTS AND USD 1 BILLION IN TOURISM REVENUE WWW.GOGO.MN PUBLISHED:2026/01/06      ЗЭС, ЭРХ МЭДЭЛ, ЭРСДЭЛ: ДЭЛХИЙН ГЕОПОЛИТИКИЙН ШАТРЫН ӨРӨГ ДЭЭРХ МОНГОЛ УЛС WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/07     КАНАДЫН AIR TRANSAT КОМПАНИ ТОРОНТО-УЛААНБААТАР ЧИГЛЭЛД ШУУД НИСЛЭГ ҮЙЛДЭНЭ WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/07     М БАНК СИНГАПУРЫН ХӨРӨНГИЙН БИРЖИД АНХНЫ БОНДОО ГАРГАЛАА WWW.GOGO.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/07     2026 ОНД НИЙСЛЭЛИЙН ХЭМЖЭЭНД 85.8 КМ АВТО ЗАМЫГ ЗАСАЖ, ШИНЭЧИЛНЭ WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/07     ТУСГАЙ ЗАМЫН АВТОБУСНЫ АЖЛЫН ЗУРАГ БОЛОВСРУУЛАХ ГҮЙЦЭТГЭГЧИЙГ СОНГОН ШАЛГАРУУЛНА WWW.NEWS.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/07     E-MONGOLIA СИСТЕМ 12 ТӨРЛИЙН ЛАВЛАГААГ ТАВАН УЛСЫН ХЭЛЭЭР ОЛГОЖ ЭХЭЛЛЭЭ WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/07     БЭТ Ж.БАТЗАНДАНГ ҮҮРЭГТ АЖЛААС НЬ ЧӨЛӨӨЛЖЭЭ WWW.NEWS.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/07     ГАДААД ВАЛЮТЫН АЛБАН НӨӨЦ 7 ТЭРБУМ ДОЛЛАРТ ХҮРЧЭЭ WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/06     ӨНГӨРӨГЧ ОНД 124 945 ГАДААД ИРГЭНД ВИЗ ОЛГОЖЭЭ WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/06     ЭНЭ ОНД 20 МЯНГА ГАРУЙ НЭГЖ ТАЛБАРТ ГАЗАР ЧӨЛӨӨЛНӨ WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/06    

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Events

Events

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MBCC “Doing Business with Mongolia seminar and Christmas Receptiom” Dec 10. 2025 London UK MBCCI London UK Goodman LLC

NEWS

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Mongolia Leads World Rankings in Memory, Mind Sports www.montsame.mn

Mongolian mind sports athletes have taken the lead globally. Specifically, Mongolia ranked first among the top five countries based on team scores earned during the 2025 World Championships.
The Mongolian team has competed in the world championships for 15 years and has been crowned world champion seven times, cementing its position as a leader on the international stage.
At the World Championship, the final event of 2025, the national team, comprising 37 athletes, claimed a total of 66 medals - 27 gold, 21 silver, and 22 bronze - out of a possible 90 medals. Additionally, the team secured 10 cups, demonstrating absolute dominance in the overall team standings. With this success, Mongolia leads the world's top five countries, followed by Australia, China, Vietnam, and Algeria.

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Mongolia extends visa exemption policy for 34 countries by one year www.visasnews.com

Good news for international travelers: Mongolia has officially announced the extension of its visa-free entry policy for citizens of 34 countries through January 1, 2027. Originally introduced as a temporary measure in 2023 and set to expire on December 31, 2025, the program has now been renewed, reaffirming the Mongolian government’s commitment to maintaining an open and tourism-friendly policy.
After several weeks of uncertainty and speculation, Mongolia has officially made its decision… at the last minute.
Mongolian authorities confirmed today the extension of the visa exemption for nationals of 34 countries until January 1, 2027, a measure initially introduced in 2023 on a temporary basis.
In a statement released on Wednesday, December 31, the Embassy of Mongolia in France announced that “the Mongolian government will temporarily exempt (until January 1, 2027) citizens of 34 countries, including French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Monegasque nationals holding ordinary passports, from the visa requirement for tourist stays of up to 30 days.”
Highly anticipated by travelers and tourism professionals alike, this decision puts an end to concerns about a possible reinstatement of visa requirements in 2026 and reaffirms the country’s intention to continue promoting international tourism.
Mongolia: Who can enter without a visa in 2026?
The extension confirms that the original list of eligible countries remains unchanged.
In 2026, citizens of the following 34 countries and territories will continue to be able to travel to Mongolia visa-free for tourism stays of up to 30 days:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
As part of the “Visit Mongolia Year” program, Mongolian authorities also confirmed the extension of visa-free entry for South Korean nationals, allowing tourist stays of up to 90 days. This exemption is now valid through December 31, 2026.

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Mongolia and China have erected more than 4.700 kilometers of border fences to contain livestock, curb pasture degradation, and transform the grassland into a permanent ecological border of territorial sovereignty www.en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br

Mongolia–China Border Livestock FenceMongolia and China have surrounded almost the entire border to contain livestock, protect pastures, and transform land use into a strategic issue of sovereignty.
For centuries, the border between Mongolia and China was marked by open fields, free-roaming herds, and a pastoral economy that ignored lines on the map. This scenario began to change radically when advancing environmental degradation, pressure on pastures, and recurring rural conflicts led the two countries to adopt a direct and physical solution: one of the largest continuous fences on the planet, extending over 4.700 kilometers along the border.
What was once just an ecological transition zone has transformed into a rigid artificial borderwhere pasture began to be treated as a strategic asset.
The problem that didn't respect borders.
The basis of the rural economy in Mongolia has always been extensive pastoralism. Herds of goats, sheep, horses, and yaks travel great distances in search of food, following the natural cycle of the seasons. On the Chinese side, however, the agricultural model is more intensive, with strict control of land use and environmental policies aimed at curbing desertification.
With the increase in the number of animals and the reduction in the regenerative capacity of pastures, the free movement of herds came to be seen as an environmental and economic threat. Overburdened areas began to lose vegetation cover, accelerating erosion and the advance of the Gobi Desert.
Fences as a territorial solution
The answer found was simple, but of monumental scale: surround the borderThe call Mongolia–China Border Livestock Fence It was not designed as a symbolic barrier, but as a continuous physical line capable of preventing the movement of animals between the two countries.
Along almost the entire land border, the fence has come to function as an ecological divider, separating completely distinct land-use systems. On one side, nomadic pastoralism; on the other, areas subject to strict conservation and environmental control policies.
Over 4.700 km of animal containment
The fence extends along virtually the entire border between Mongolia and China, which totals approximately 4.710 kilometers. In many sections, it is a permanent barrier, maintained and monitored, with a clear function: to contain herds and limit the shared use of pastures..
This scale transforms the project into something much larger than a simple rural fence. It is a territorial infrastructure that reshapes ecological and economic flows on a continental level.
Pastures as a strategic asset
With the fence, the pasture ceased to be merely a natural resource and began to be treated as... question of sovereigntyControlling where animals can and cannot roam means controlling the pressure on the soil, food production, and the stability of rural communities.
For China, the barrier is also connected to broader policies to combat desertification, which include reforestation, restrictions on grazing, and the creation of environmental exclusion zones. For Mongolia, it represents a profound break with the tradition of free movement of livestock.
Social and cultural impacts
The construction of the fence did not occur without consequences. Nomadic communities, accustomed to traversing long distances, began to face unprecedented physical limitations. Traditional routes were interrupted, and adapting to a compartmentalized territory required changes in their pastoral way of life.
At the same time, the barrier reduced local disputes over pastures and decreased cross-border conflicts related to land use.
Unlike fences built solely for political or military reasons, this structure functions as a artificial ecological boundaryIt separates biomes, regulates animal pressure, and creates two distinct environmental systems from the same natural landscape.
This type of solution reveals how, in certain regions, the simplest engineering—a continuous fence—can have profound and lasting effects on the environment.
From a technical standpoint, the fence doesn't involve sophisticated materials or complex construction. Its strength lies in its length, continuity, and strategic function. Once installed, it shapes human behavior, animal movements, and public policies for decades.
It's the same principle seen in projects like the Dingo Fence in Australia: Linear infrastructure used to contain diffuse problems..
When territory becomes an instrument of control.
The case of the border between Mongolia and China shows how environmental challenges can lead countries to transform entire landscapes into containment systems. The pasture, once a shared and fluid resource, has become a rigid line on the map.
By erecting more than 4.700 kilometers of fences, the two countries made it clear that, in a world pressured by limited resources, even grass can become a matter of national sovereignty.

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China Tightens Export Controls on Silver, Steel, Antimony www.chosun.com

China implemented stringent export control policies on silver, iron, antimony, and other critical materials essential to advanced technology industries on New Year’s Day. Silver, tungsten, and antimony will be managed by designating state-approved export companies every two years, while steel export standards have been significantly tightened by product category. This expansion of resource control—from rare earths to essential materials—reflects Beijing’s strategy amid the prolonged U.S.-China strategic competition over raw materials.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on the 30th of last month the list of companies permitted to export controlled minerals for 2026–2027. Fifteen companies for tungsten, 11 for antimony, and 44 for silver were approved, interpreted as a move to introduce a "two-year qualification review" targeting state-owned trading firms with large export volumes. To pass the review, companies must meet export performance, production capacity, and compliance requirements over the past two years. Silver, like gold, is both a safe-haven asset and a critical material for solar, electronics, and electric vehicles, making its supply-sensitive to price fluctuations. A source from the Securities Times, affiliated with the People’s Daily, stated, “The new silver export controls signify its official inclusion in the national strategic resource list,” adding, “Silver management is now at the same level as rare earths.”
On the same day, China reintroduced export permits for steel products after 16 years. The 300 managed steel items—covering raw materials and finished products—require a "quality inspection pass certificate" for export. A Beijing-based trade industry source analyzed, “While claiming to expand high-value steel exports, the Chinese government is tightening controls over global essential raw materials.” Industry insiders also noted that Beijing is stockpiling chromium and manganese, critical for special steel smelting, alongside export permit systems.
If rare earths were a preview of China’s "resource weaponization," the expanded controls on steel and other materials signal the main phase of its strategy, extending across the entire supply chain from raw minerals to intermediate and finished goods. This could allow Beijing to dominate the backbone of global supply chains.
By combining export permit systems and stockpiling instead of tariffs, China can minimize diplomatic friction while maximizing pressure on other nations. Analysts suggest Beijing swiftly tightened silver supply controls after the U.S. government officially added silver to its "critical minerals" list in November last year. Elon Musk, Tesla’s founder, criticized on X on the 27th of last month, “Silver is needed for many industrial processes. It’s not good.”
The South Korean government plans to analyze the impact of China’s permit system on domestic industries and supply chains. While silver imports (830 tons) are smaller than exports (3,116 tons), Hong Kong and China rank third and fourth in import sources, potentially affecting procurement. Short-term challenges may arise for industries like shipbuilding and automobiles in securing low-cost Chinese raw materials. A government official stated, “Some mid-sized and small companies processing imported Chinese steel may face supply disruptions or higher costs.”
Antimony, a byproduct of gold and silver refining, is vital for armor-piercing bullets, semiconductors, military electronics, and solar panels. China accounts for 41% of South Korea’s antimony imports, while the U.S. relies on China for over 60%. During President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to China on the 4th, strengthening supply chain cooperation was expected to be a key agenda.
Some posit that China’s controls could have partial positive effects. For instance, requiring quality certifications for steel exports might block low-quality Chinese steel, aligning with South Korea’s existing anti-dumping measures on Chinese steel plates, hot-rolled coils, and coated steel. For antimony, domestic firm Korea Zinc’s expanded exports to the U.S. last year may gain further momentum.

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Mayor Reports on Construction Projects to be Implemented in 2026 www.montsame.mn

The Mayor of Ulaanbaatar and Governor of the Capital City, Nyambaatar Khishgee, provided information related to some mega projects in Ulaanbaatar city.  
The mayor said, “As the start of the mega projects to be implemented in 2026, construction of the Tuul highway will begin on March 15. We are working on a tight schedule to open the roadway to traffic on July 1, 2027.  As of today, preparations for the construction of the Tuul highway are 80 percent complete. Bids for the Ring Road construction will be opened on March 1. The second-stage tender of the Ulaanbaatar Metro Project was officially announced on December 24, 2025. The tender is scheduled to be opened on May 1, 2026.”
He also said, “This year, switching from briquetted fuel to semi-coke fuel generated savings of MNT 80 billion. Previously, fuel was produced from middlings with a subsidy of MNT 300 billion from Erdenes Tavantolgoi, whereas this year the expenditure on semi-coke fuel totaled MNT 220 billion. We are seeking solutions to build a semi-coke fuel plant that will rely on the Baganuur coal mine to avoid importing semi-coke fuel from abroad. With the Tuul highway and ring roads to be operational, traffic congestion is estimated to decrease by 50 percent. In efforts to reduce air pollution, the municipal office is working to switch to new fuel in the short term, gas and electric fuel in the mid-term, and housing in the long term. Within the framework of UNICEF’s CHIP Initiative, insulating and transitioning roughly 5,000 ger dwellings to gas fuel is planned to be completed by February 1, 2026.”
The municipal office also plans to implement seven energy projects in 2026, including the construction of the Thermal Power Plant-V, a 24 MW TPP in Emeelt Industrial Park, a TPP in Dambadarjaa, gas-fired power plants in Denjiin 1000 and Khan Hills, and a waste-to-energy plant.
In 2025, 1,436 unauthorized retail kiosks that occupied public areas and obstructed traffic were relocated, and the areas were cleared. In response, kiosk operators organized a protest. Nyambaatar said, “A meeting to negotiate with the kiosk operators will be held next week. Newly opened service centers at two locations in Ulaanbaatar will provide free space and workplaces for kiosk operators. The city hopes to relocate the more than 20 remaining kiosks through negotiation rather than enforcement, and five kiosk owners have already moved voluntarily.” He explained that the relocation is connected with the tram project scheduled to begin next year. The capital plans to announce the tender for the Tram Project on February 15 and open it in April 2026. Because the land clearing is required for this development, kiosks are being moved, and in some areas, the city will designate new locations for them.

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AI Cameras Begin Detecting Traffic Violations, Issuing Fines www.montsame.mn

 From January 1, 2026, traffic violations detected by artificial intelligence-based smart cameras are being enforced with fines.
Ulaanbaatar city has installed more than 2,600 cameras at 176 intersections and road crossings, enabling full AI-assisted traffic monitoring, a project launched last year. Starting January 1, information on violations detected by AI cameras is being sent to drivers with links and visual evidence, followed by the imposition of fines.
According to the Ulaanbaaar Traffic Control Center, all recordings of traffic violations are time-stamped to the minute and second, ensuring accuracy and minimizing errors. In the event of a dispute, drivers may submit complaints, which can be reviewed and resolved based on documented evidence.
The smart camera system detects and penalizes 10 types of violations, including:
·         speeding
·         running red lights
·         improper use of the first lane
·         incorrect lane positioning
·         stopping at bus stops
·         momentary speeding
·         average speed violations
·         crossing the “STOP” line
·         temporary or prolonged illegal parking
·         parking on sidewalks or green areas.

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Mongolia Ranks Among World’s Top 20 for Tourism Recovery www.montsame.mn

Mongolia has officially ranked among the world’s top 20 countries for tourism recovery, according to the November 2025 edition of the “World Tourism Barometer” published by UN Tourism, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The report indicates that in the first nine months of 2025, the number of foreign visitors to Mongolia increased by 16 percent compared to 2024, which is twice the regional average.
Compared to the pre-pandemic level in 2019, inbound tourism has grown by 44 percent, positioning Mongolia among the fastest-recovering tourism destinations globally. This performance exceeds the regional average and reflects the impact of Government measures to develop and promote tourism.

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State Inspection and Inventory to be Conducted www.montsame.mn

At its regular session on December 31, 2025,  the Cabinet approved its draft resolution on conducting a state inspection and inventory of state and local properties.
In the current inventory, approximately 7,000 state and local government organizations will have their assets reviewed, of which 5,500 are owned by provincial and capital city institutions.
The costs required for the state inspection and inventory will be covered by the Agency for Policy Coordination on State Property, as well as by the governors of aimags and the capital city, within their approved 2026 budgets.
According to the Law on State and Local Property, a state inspection and inventory of state and local government assets is conducted once every four years.

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What Will Drive Mongolian Politics and Economy in 2026? www.thediplomat.com

2025 was a tumultuous year for Mongolia’s politics and economic endeavors. With increasing numbers of intermittent protests in the nation’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia saw political instability, corruption, and social distress. In the upcoming  year, it will be pivotal for the Mongolian government to tackle these issues to avoid further hindrance of the country’s economic potential. 
Increasing Political Instability and Social Distress 
Mongolia experienced several moments of political and social distress in 2025. In May, the collective action of Mongolia’s youth succeeded in ousting the coalition government led by Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, citing corruption, lavish lifestyles, and failure of transparency. The fall of the coalition government then created a deeper political spat within the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) and incited a constitutional crisis. 
Following the ousting of Oyun-Erdene’s coalition government, the incumbent Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav, too, was removed from office by a parliamentary vote. Mongolia’s newly assembled 126 members of the State Great Khural were propelled to cope with the outcome of an unstable executive branch. 
Finally, after weeks of political shenanigans within the MPP, the Zandanshatar government was reinstated in late October. The State Great Khural then reviewed new state budget proposals and new ministers. In mid-December, the Office of the Prime Minister announced 16 new deputy ministers. The Democratic Party (DP), opposing such a large government, has demanded that the appointments be revoked, threatening to push for a dismissal of the government.
The combined effect of all this political movement obfuscates the very fabric of Mongolia’s good governance, political stability, and social and economic progress. 
Since early fall, Mongolia has experienced several workers strikes and protests. Educators and medical workers have protested intermittently throughout the political fiasco. Between September and November, approximately 59,000 people protested regarding a diverse array of social issues.
In the last decade, Mongolia has experienced regular strikes and protests. While this showcases the country’s democratic assembly, it also demonstrates that corruption, air pollution, and the other social issues which drive people into the streets have become a solid part of modern Mongolia’s society. 
In an effort to win the hearts and minds of the Mongolian populace, in November, the newly (re)established Zandanshatar government announced its 2026-2030 Five-Year Development Plan for Mongolia. The five-year plan to aims boost the country’s economy, tackle corruption, increase and improve Mongolia’s investment portfolio. Domestically, the Zandanshatar government aims to focus on investing in human capital, education, and science and technology. On the economic front and foreign engagements, the government aligned its development plans with Vision 2050, Mongolia’s long-term development document, authored by the previous Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai administration. 
On December 22, 2025, Mongolian citizens gathered outside the Mongolian Parliament building demanding action on the worsening fuel shortage and rising living costs. There have been reports that Orkhon and Bulgan province residents are traveling to Khuvsgul to get fuel. The protest came at a time when the Zandanshatar government has appointment deputy ministers despite its promise to reduce government spending. Local media reported that the protest leaders demanded the government to make progress within a week. 
Strengthening Mongolia’s Foreign Relations Regionally and Globally
Despite domestic political squabbling, the Zandanshatar government’s economic strategy looks to expand economic links with its two neighbors — Russia and China — while attracting diverse, but sectoral investments from third neighbor partners. 
In November, after being newly reinstated by the Parliament, Zandanshatar attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government Council meeting in Moscow, Russia. 
Zandanshatar’s attendance was an important step in prioritizing regional partnership, starting with its two neighbors. Ulaanbaatar’s comprehensive strategic partnership with both Beijing and Moscow strives for a strengthened economic engagement, unlocking potential cooperation mechanisms vis-à-vis SCO member states as well as at a bilateral and trilateral level. Zandanshatar held separate bilateral meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese State Council Premier Li Qiang.
During the Zandanshatar-Putin meeting, the two leaders focused on an economic integration, including Mongolia’s temporary three-year Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). On December 19, the Federal Council ratified Mongolia’s FTA with EAEU. 
In the fall of 2025, Ulaanbaatar experienced intermittent fuel shortages despite the government’s claim to have a guaranteed supply from Russia. One of Zandanshatar government’s priorities with his Russian counterpart was ensuring a continued supply of diesel fuel. During the recent 27th Mongolia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission meeting that took place in Ulaanbaatar, Russia committed to doubling fuel supplies to Mongolia starting January 2026, after acknowledging implementation challenges. 
While Mongolia-Russia’s energy relations have a long history, the fact that Mongolia continues to experience fuel shortage as well as having only a 30-day guarantee is a major vulnerability. These experiences once again demonstrate the dire need for energy diversification, so Mongolia can secure its own supply in the event Russia decides to prioritize domestic usage.
During the SCO meeting, Zandanshatar also held bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. During those talks, Mongolia proposed increasing coal exports from Mongolia to China to 100 million tonnes. In 2024, Mongolia’s coal export to China reached all-time high, 83.7 million tonnes of coal. 
Since the Oyun-Erdene government, Mongolia has been implementing what is called a parallel approach to Beijing’s development vis-à-vis Belt and Road Initiative and other projects. The parallel approach — in essence — aims to better connect Mongolia-China investment and trade in a particular sector that can be beneficial for both countries. 
During the meeting Li stated, “China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies and enhance cooperation in traditional fields such as mineral and energy resources, infrastructure, and connectivity to forge more drivers for interest convergence and cooperation.” 
Mongolia and China both emphasized the importance of “mutually aligning the development and construction plans, such as the cross-border railway at Shiveekhuren-Sekhee, Khangi-Madal, and Bichigt-Zuunkhatavch.” In the upcoming years, the two governments plan to boost cooperation in green energy and digital economy. 
Moreover, within the scope of the SCO and Mongolia-Russia-China trilateral relations, Power of Siberia 2 is a major cooperation mechanism currently pending. During the November SCO meeting, the parties endorsed the 2026-2030 Action Plan, which included the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline. 
Alongside Mongolia’s strong commitment and desire to accelerate comprehensive strategic partnerships with its only two neighbors, Ulaanbaatar’s third neighbor partnerships and cooperation mechanisms continue to expand. It will be pivotal for the Zandanshatar government to strengthen these links politically, economically, and culturally. 
From a regional standpoint, Mongolia’s third neighbor relations with South Korea and Japan are likely to expand in the next few years. Both Japan and South Korea have shown immense interest in cooperating in Mongolia’s rare earth minerals. Mongolia’s vast natural resources will become an economic incentive for its partners, but it also serves as a strategic significance for Ulaanbaatar’s foreign policy. 
The Zandanshatar government will need to prioritize democratic and technologically advanced “third neighbors” such as Japan, South Korea, the United States, India, Germany, France, and Australia. These partnerships are crucial and will play an increasingly important role in diversifying Mongolia’s energy sector and improving green economy. 
For example, in 2025, Mongolia and South Korea held  a strategic forum to expand cooperation in critical minerals and research. In a significant move to secure supply chains for its high-tech industries and manufacturing, South Korea launched the Korea-Mongolia Rare Metals Cooperation Center in Ulaanbaatar on December 12, 2025. 
Navigating Emerging Challenges: Mining, Corruption, and Foreign Influence
In December, the Mongolian Parliament launched its first-ever investigative public hearing on Oyu Tolgoi (Mongolia’s largest copper mining site) headed by MP Batnairamdal Otgonshar. The three-day public-hearing examined Mongolia’s interests regarding the ongoing lawsuits with the mining conglomerate Rio Tinto. 
The investigation involved state ownership and licenses, loan interest rates, management fees, and benefit distribution. Mongolia’s Oyu Tolgoi mining will be the world’s fourth largest copper mine when completed in 2030. The government has been under domestic pressure to ensure that all agreements and deals reflect and protect Mongolia’s national interest. That does not mean a populist cash handout with the financial gains that come from Oyu Tolgoi; the benefits must be translated into a tangible asset that the Mongolian populace can utilize. 
2024 research indicated that “in 2024, 26.0 percent of Mongolia’s population experienced multidimensional poverty, with deprived individuals lacking, on average, 36.8 percent of the 15 selected indicators. The most common challenges facing the multidimensionally poor relate to sanitation, internet access, health insurance and housing conditions, whereas school attendance and years of schooling are less prevalent.” 
The benefits from Mongolia’s natural resources need to help solve these challenges. 
In order for the Zandanshatar government to attract foreign direct investment, the government will need to tackle corruption. Despite’s Mongolia’s efforts, the country’s position in the Corruption Perception Index has not improved since 2019. Unless the Zandanshatar government takes a bold step and solves major cases such as the 2022 coal thief case, the green bus embezzlement, and other publicly known civil cases, the capabilities and independence of Mongolia’s judiciary will be increasingly questioned. 
2026 will be a pivotal year for Mongolia’s international relations. It has been 15 years since Mongolia’s National Security Concept (2010) was adopted, followed by the Foreign Policy Concept (2011). Since then, the regional and global geopolitical landscape have shifted and as a result, Mongolia must update its concepts and the ways in which it tackles emerging issues. Given Mongolia’s digital society, disinformation and cybersecurity have become a challenge as the country strives to become a digital nation. 
On December 18, research was released on Russia’s disinformation campaign in Mongolia and how that impacts the social media space. What the research showed at large was that Mongolia’s open society has become a victim of disinformation. The research also showed that because of Mongolia’s digital presence, it has become a hub for foreign influence and information gathering. The Mongolian government will need to address these issues while delicately balancing foreign influence on Mongolian soil. This goes without saying, but the Mongolian government will need to establish a working mechanism that protects the Mongolian people’s right to expression and perspective on all foreign and domestic matters. 
By Bolor Lkhaajav

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Mongolia 2025: Mapping foreign policy and political change www.insidemongolia.mn

2025 was marked more by the President's outbound foreign visits than by the reception of high-level foreign state guests in Mongolia. During the year, the heads of state of Austria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Japan, and Australia paid official visits to Mongolia, while President U.Khurelsukh conducted official visits to 10 countries.
As a result, Mongolia established comprehensive partnerships with the Czech Republic, Poland, and Kyrgyzstan, and elevated relations to strategic partnerships with Turkey, India, and Italy. This brought the total number of Mongolia’s strategic partners to 10 countries.
 Most Recent Milestone: On December 1, President Khurelsukh paid an official visit to Italy, elevating bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. Italy thus became the second European country to establish a strategic partnership with Mongolia, marking progress toward higher-level relations with all G7 countries.
Special Summit
Furthermore, on September 2, the 7th trilateral summit of the heads of state of Russia, China, and Mongolia was held in Beijing, where the 3 sides finally agreed to move forward with the Power of Siberia II gas pipeline project. The previous trilateral meeting had taken place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2022.
 Mass Replacement of Ambassadors
In the final stretch of 2025, the President recalled 21 ambassadors and submitted proposals for new appointments to Parliament, all of which were reviewed and approved during parliamentary sessions. Most of the recalled envoys had been appointed in 2021, meaning their 4-year terms concluded this year, prompting a broad diplomatic rotation.
Among those recalled was A. Tumur, who had been implicated in a murder case. He was replaced by V. Oyu, a career diplomat with 30 years of service.
Political Bureau Developments
Domestic politics in 2025 were largely defined by internal power struggles within the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP). In the first half of the year, youth-led protests lasted 21 days, demanding the resignation of then Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene following public outrage over the extravagant lifestyle of his son and daughter-in-law. On June 3, L.Oyun-Erdene resigned, bringing down the coalition government with him.
On June 13, G.Zandanshatar was appointed Prime Minister, only to resign 127 days later. His resignation coincided with that of D.Amarbayasgalan, his rival in the race for the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) leadership. In an unexpected turn, both contenders withdrew from the party leadership race on the same day, creating a rare and unprecedented situation in which 2 of the country’s 3 top political leaders stepped down simultaneously.
In the second half of 2025, divisions within the ruling party became increasingly visible. The outgoing Prime Minister challenged the move legally and politically, and ultimately survived after a presidential veto, narrowly retaining his cabinet. However, resignation calls resurfaced once again due to controversy surrounding the appointment of 16 Deputy Ministers.
Presidential veto: Due to persistent internal turmoil within the MPP, his own party, 2025 saw the President become active in exercising veto power, arguably the most effective tool at his disposal throughout the year. Notably, on September 24, he partially vetoed a parliamentary resolution related to the launch of the “Gold-3” campaign, ahead of the veto that ultimately kept G.Zandanshatar in office.
Protests and Civic Movements
Against the backdrop of intense political infighting, civic activism remained vibrant. Major demonstrations included the “Resignation Is Easy” protest calling for the Prime Minister’s dismissal, the counter “Let’s Take Back Ukhaa Khudag” protest, as well as doctors’ and teachers’ strikes and wage-increase demonstrations in the second half of the year.
Finally… Kudos to Mongolians who once again demonstrated remarkable political endurance in a year defined by turmoil and serial disappointments from those in power. In the span of 12 months, the country came close to cycling through 3 Prime Ministers and 2 ruling party leaders, a feat few democracies could match.  
2025 will be remembered less for policy outcomes and more as a year of highly engaging political theatre. One can only hope that in 2026, policymakers retire their internal battles and power struggles, and finally turn their attention to the work they were elected to do.

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