1 PRESIDENT ISSUES DECREE ON DEVELOPING TRADITIONAL MONGOLIAN MEDICINE WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2026/01/17      2 IN 2025, MONGOLIA EXPORTED 83.9 MILLION TONS OF COAL WWW.OPEN.KG PUBLISHED:2026/01/17      3 AYAN HOTELS AND RESORTS ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF AYAN ZALAAT HOTEL & SPA IN ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA WWW. PUBLISHED:2026/01/17      4 PM: ONLY AN ORDERLY STATE CAN DELIVER ECONOMIC GROWTH TO CITIZENS WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2026/01/16      5 JAPAN GRANT TO SUPPORT POWER GRID RELIABILITY WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2026/01/16      6 MONGOLIA TO DEEPEN COOPERATION WITH CHINA IN THE FIELD OF RESPONSIBLE MINERAL EXTRACTION WWW.OPEN.KG PUBLISHED:2026/01/16      7 SPRING AIRLINES PLANS DIRECT SHANGHAI–ULAANBAATAR FLIGHTS WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2026/01/16      8 DRIVING FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN MONGOLIA: INVESTMENT IN INVESCORE WWW.TRIODOS-IM.COM PUBLISHED:2026/01/15      9 ‘ERDENES TAVANTOLGOI’ JSC SETS ALL-TIME DAILY RECORD FOR COAL EXPORTS WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2026/01/15      10 SOUTH KOREA JOINS CHINA, JAPAN, GERMANY, RUSSIA AND KAZAKHSTAN IN ACCELERATING MONGOLIA TOURISM BOOM WITH RECORD-BREAKING VISITOR SPEND, STRONG WINTER DEMAND AND RISING FOUR-SEASON TRAVEL APPEAL WWW.TRAVELANDTOURWORLD.COM PUBLISHED:2026/01/15      “ЧИНГИС ХААН” НИСЭХ БУУДЛЫГ ТҮШИГЛЭН ОЛОН УЛСЫН ТРАНЗИТ ЗОЧИД БУУДАЛ БАЙГУУЛНА WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/17     АТГ: Н.ТАВИНБЭХ ЗӨВЛӨХИЙНХӨӨ КОМПАНИД 7 ТЭРБУМ ТӨГРӨГИЙН САНХҮҮЖИЛТ ОЛГОСОН WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/17     С.НАРАНЦОГТЫН ЭХНИЙ НҮҮДЭЛ: ИРГЭДИЙН ЗЭЭЛИЙН ХЭМЖЭЭГ 5 ХУВИАР БУУРУУЛАХ WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/17     АЛБАН БОЛОН ХУВИЙН ХЭРГЭЭР АМЬДРАХ ГАДААД ИРГЭДИЙН ТОО ӨСЧЭЭ WWW.NEWS.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/17     ХЯТАДЫН ҮНДЭСНИЙ ГАЗРЫН ТОСНЫ КОРПОРАЦИТАЙ ШАТАХУУНЫ НИЙЛҮҮЛЭЛТИЙГ НЭМЭГДҮҮЛЭХ УРТ ХУГАЦААНЫ ГЭРЭЭ БАЙГУУЛНА WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/16     "СЭЛБЭ 20 МИНУТЫН ХОТ" БҮСЭД СОНГОН ШАЛГАРУУЛАЛТ ЗАРЛАЛАА WWW.NEWS.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/16     2025 ОНД МОНГОЛ УЛС НИЙТ 90.2 САЯ ТОНН НҮҮРС ЭКСПОРТОЛЖ РЕКОРД ЭВДСЭН Ч ҮНЭ УНАСААР БАЙНА WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/16     МОНГОЛ УЛС ХЯТАД УЛСТАЙ ХАРИУЦЛАГАТАЙ НОГООН УУЛ УУРХАЙГ ХӨГЖҮҮЛЭХ ХАМТЫН АЖИЛЛАГААГАА ГҮНЗГИЙРҮҮЛНЭ WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/15     “ВИЗ МЭДҮҮЛЭГЧИД ВИЗИЙН МЭДҮҮЛГЭЭ БӨГЛӨН, ТОВЛОСОН ЦАГТАА ЯРИЛЦЛАГАДАА ОРНО” WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/15     БНХАУ-ТАЙ ХАМТРАН ХИЛ ОРЧМЫН БҮСЭД ГЕОЛОГИЙН СУДАЛГАА ХИЙХЭЭР БОЛЛОО WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2026/01/15    

Category

Events

Events

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

NEWS

64x64

Mongolia’s AI Readiness Explored in UNDP’s “The Next Great Divergence” Report www.news.fundsforngos.org

Today, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Mongolia, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications, launched the “The Next Great Divergence” report and convened a high-level dialogue on Mongolia’s readiness for artificial intelligence (AI). The report, published by UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, highlights AI’s potential to drive economic growth, improve public services, and advance human development, while cautioning that uneven digital infrastructure, skill gaps, and governance challenges risk deepening inequalities between countries. It identifies this emerging risk as the “Next Great Divergence,” stressing that current policy choices around AI adoption will shape long-term development outcomes.
At the opening of the event, Ms. Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia, emphasized that many countries lack the necessary infrastructure, skills, and governance systems to fully benefit from AI, and that these imbalances could exacerbate global inequalities. Mr. Batshugar Enkhbayar, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications, outlined Mongolia’s policy priorities, emphasizing that AI should enhance human capabilities and contribute to societal well-being. He highlighted the importance of strong collaboration between government, the private sector, and international organizations, particularly in areas such as healthcare, education, and public safety.
New Year Discount
Mr. Firuz Saidkhadzhaev, Climate Finance and Development Economist at UNDP Mongolia, presented the report’s findings, examining how rapid AI development is affecting countries differently. He underscored the importance of leveraging AI as a driver of economic growth in Mongolia while ensuring that policies are designed to reduce social and regional inequalities.
The event also featured a panel discussion titled “AI for Inclusive Development: From Global Risks to Local Solutions,” bringing together government officials, innovators, and private sector representatives. The panel explored Mongolia’s emerging AI policy framework, practical applications such as pastureland management and transparency, and the broader challenges and opportunities of scaling AI responsibly.
Overall, the event served as a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue, contributing to the development of Mongolia’s National AI Strategy and reinforcing partnerships to ensure that AI adoption is inclusive, ethical, and aligned with human development priorities. UNDP continues to support Mongolia and other nations in building frameworks that harness AI for equitable and sustainable growth.

...


64x64

Erdene Achieves Gold Production in Mongolia, Advances Multi-Mine District Strategy www.cruxinvestor.com

Erdene Resource Development Corporation achieved a significant milestone in September 2025 with first gold production at its Bayan Khundii mine in southwestern Mongolia. This transition from explorer to producer marks the beginning of what CEO Peter Akerley describes as a systematic strategy to build "a new minerals district in southwestern Mongolia that ultimately will be a multi-mine producer of multiple commodities."
The achievement positions Erdene among a select group of junior mining companies that successfully navigated the challenging period of high-cost capital and prolonged exploration to reach commercial production. With gold prices hovering near $4,600 per ounce and copper maintaining strength, the company now faces the challenge of converting initial production success into a sustainable multi-asset operation while maintaining the capital discipline that characterised its development phase.
Construction Execution in Evolving Infrastructure
The Bayan Khundii mine was constructed for $115 million over 22 months, meeting both budget and timeline targets in an environment often characterised as infrastructurally challenging. Akerley notes that perceptions of Mongolia's remote southwestern region evolved during the construction period itself: 
"We brought in power from the Chinese border. Roads are being built past our project now. So, much of what was considered a challenge was mitigated through the good contractors we had on site, but also that changing infrastructure."
The successful execution stemmed partly from Erdene's partnership with Mongolian Mining Corporation (MMC), which contributed both capital and operational expertise from developing a billion-dollar coal mine in Mongolia. This partnership brought complementary skill sets - Erdene's 25 years of Mongolian exploration experience combined with MMC's demonstrated ability to deliver large-scale mining projects on budget in challenging conditions.
The transition from explorer to producer fundamentally altered Erdene's market positioning. Trading volumes increased fourfold upon achieving production, supported by a share consolidation that improved liquidity. "There's a different audience out there that's paying attention," Akerley observes, noting that the company now attracts different investor types focused on production metrics rather than exploration potential alone.
Operational Ramp-Up Through Technical Optimisation
The Bayan Khundii plant has reached nameplate capacity of 1,950 tons per day, operating at approximately 90% utilisation. However, the transition from bulk mining startup to selective high-grade operations continues to present technical challenges that directly impact reconciliation between reserve models and actual production.
Initial operations deliberately fed sub-grade material through the plant during commissioning, producing 340 ounces in September. The company has gradually increased feed grade to approximately 2 g/t - matching the resource average with a target of reaching the 3.8 g/t reserve grade by April 2026 when commercial production is expected to be declared.
Several technical refinements are underway. Blasting patterns required adjustment to achieve proper fragmentation, initially resulting in 15% of material being diverted due to excessive coarseness. "The hardest material is the stuff that has the most juice in it because that's the siliceous ore that is around the quartz veins," Akerley explains, noting that this higher-grade material's exclusion complicated early reconciliation efforts. A mobile crusher has been deployed to process this coarse fraction while longer-term blast optimisation continues.
The ramp-up process involves systematic improvements across the mining value chain. Akerley describes the progression: 
"It's everything from updated resources to digging lines to blasting to the mining. Mining is a big part of this. You have operators that are new to this who if they are experienced have come out of coal mining, so it's getting it down to very fine-tuned mining and then it's the blending of those stockpiles into the plant."
Financial Structure Supporting Strategic Capital Allocation
The operating subsidiary carries $123 million in debt comprising a $50 million commercial loan, approximately $60 million in shareholder loans from MMC, plus accrued interest. The company has begun debt repayment with priority given to retiring the commercial facility before shareholder loans.
Despite debt service obligations, partners have approved continued exploration spending - several million dollars in late 2025 and $10 million budgeted for 2026. This decision reflects confidence that Bayan Khundii operations have achieved self-sustaining status without requiring additional capital injections. The exploration budget enables simultaneous advancement of multiple projects while debt reduction proceeds.
Capital allocation priorities balance three objectives: debt reduction, sustained exploration across the project portfolio, and evaluation of plant expansion opportunities. The partners maintain flexibility to redirect cash flows toward development projects or additional acquisitions should opportunities arise, though debt retirement and exploration remain the near-term focus.

...


64x64

Mongolia's combed cashmere exports up 28.7 pct in 2025 www.xinhuanet.com

Mongolia has exported 4,000 tons of combed cashmere worth 330.6 million U.S. dollars in 2025, official data released by the country's Customs General Administration showed on Tuesday.
The figure increased by 28.7 percent in terms of value compared with 2024, according to the data.
Under a national campaign to promote the sector, a total of 198 billion tugriks (57.5 million U.S. dollars) is planned to be invested to increase the capacity of cashmere processing plants in the country.
By 2028, it is planned to increase the primary processing of cashmere in the domestic market to 100 percent, and the deep processing of cashmere to 40 percent.
According to Mongolia's Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, the country's cashmere export revenues are forecasted to reach approximately 700 million U.S. dollars.
Currently, approximately 50 related enterprises operate in Mongolia, with an installed capacity to process 119,000 tons of combed cashmere.

...


64x64

Mongolia and Kazakhstan to cooperate on livestock vaccine factory www.gogo.mn

M.Badamsuren, Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry, held a meeting with Almas Seitakynov, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Mongolia, to discuss deepening bilateral economic ties.
During the meeting, Minister M.Badamsuren called for the full implementation of existing agreements regarding the steady supply of Mongolian exports, including wool, cashmere, leather, and meat products, to the Kazakh market.
Furthermore, the Minister expressed optimism for increased imports from Kazakhstan. This includes essential food products such as fruits, berries, vegetables, and rice, as well as the procurement of high-quality elite wheat seeds and other crop varieties to bolster Mongolia's agricultural sector.
Ambassador Seitakynov reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s interest in the Mongolian cashmere sector and proposed a significant joint venture: the establishment of a livestock vaccine factory in Mongolia. This project aims to improve animal health and curb the spread of livestock diseases across the region.
The two parties concluded the meeting by pledging to intensify cooperation across multiple sectors, including transport, logistics, tourism, and education, while striving to create a more favorable environment for cross-border business.

...


64x64

Mongolia’s robust politics backslides into electoral autocracy in 2025 www.eastasiaforum.org

In 2025, Mongolia’s defining event surprisingly came from popular culture, with the Netflix show Physical: Asia captivating the nation. Domestic politics was unstable — marked by two no-confidence votes, leadership turmoil within the ruling Mongolian People’s Party and weak governance — but this instability did not yield major policy shifts. Despite appearing democratic, Mongolia slipped into the ‘electoral autocracy’ category amid growing concerns over free speech and arbitrary arrests of journalists. Falling coal exports early in the year were offset by strong copper production and high global copper prices, offering cautious optimism for the economy despite ongoing political fragility.
Overshadowing relations with Russia, China and North Korea, global commodity prices and two domestic political crises, the big event of 2025 for Mongolia may have been the broadcast of the Physical: Asia game series on Netflix. The Mongolian team reached the final of the show, with the excitement in Ulaanbaatar comparable to Mongolia winning its first gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
But in contrast to the team dynamics broadcast in Physical: Asia, domestic politics in Mongolia in 2025 was marked by the absence of teamwork and two no-confidence votes against prime ministers.
First, Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene was removed from his role as prime minister through a no-confidence vote in June 2025. His successor, current Prime Minister Gombojavyn Zandanshatar, almost lost a no-confidence vote himself on 17 October 2025. But the Constitutional Court of Mongolia overturned this vote on procedural grounds several days later, leaving Zandanshatar in office. Throughout this turmoil, which was largely the result of infighting within the governing Mongolian People’s Party (MPP), there have been no major changes in policy.
MPP infighting has expressed itself in the turnover of the party chairman. In the past, when the MPP has formed government, the prime minister has also been party chairman. For example, Oyun-Erdene served in both roles. But when Zandanshatar was appointed prime minister, he was not elected as party chairman. Nyam-Osoryn Uchral was ultimately elected as party chairman on 15 November 2025, with the presumed mandate to unite the MPP parliamentary group and the party at large. He was also elected to replace Dashzegviin Amarbayasgalan as speaker of parliament.
The fact that policy continuity has endured despite these leadership changes indicates the absence of substantive policy differences between competing parties and intraparty factions. Instead, personal allegiance networks have dominated these intraparty battles.
Zandanshatar emerged as Oyun-Erdene’s successor despite a relatively weak position. He served as speaker of parliament from 2019 until the 2024 parliamentary election, but was one of few prominent politicians not to win direct election in that vote despite an electoral system that favoured incumbents. Unless Uchral succeeds in re-uniting the party and improving support for Zandanshatar, he will remain a weak prime minister and will likely be replaced in the medium term. His government’s tenure will be focused on addressing the fiscal imbalance facing the public budget.
These events may have dominated the news and appear to be democracy in action. But in the Varieties of Democracy index, Mongolia slid into the ‘electoral autocracy’ category, largely because of perceived restrictions on free speech and the right to assemble. Following similar incidents in previous years, another case of journalists being arrested in March 2025 has fuelled the fear of somewhat arbitrary arrests of government critics. Perhaps as a result, self-censorship is taking root.
While the electoral system remains intact, there are increasing concerns within Mongolia that democracy needs support to better face authoritarian pressures from around the region.
Perhaps happily, given Mongolia’s neighbours, nothing of substance happened in Mongolian foreign policy. The pace of visits from Organization for Security Co-operation in Europe countries slowed down somewhat. The Imperial Japanese visit to Mongolia and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh’s state visit to India were also largely ceremonial highlights, in addition to Khurelsukh’s visit to the United Nations General Assembly.
Russian aggression against Ukraine appears to have become the new global normal without an immediate impact on its other neighbours. The Chinese regime has also been relatively quiet regarding Mongolia — seen by some as a sign of the continued success of Mongolia’s multi-vector foreign policy. In summer 2026, Mongolia will host the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
The Mongolian economy was marked by a decline of coal exports during the first half of 2025 that hurt public and private balance sheets. Two large copper mines, the government-owned Erdenet, and Oyu Tolgoi, a joint venture with Rio Tinto, were both producing at a great volume to high global copper prices.
Coal exports increased again in the second half of the year, though the long-term outlook for these exports looks unclear. There are — once again — rumours about the government’s various agreements with Rio Tinto. But Rio Tinto has so far countered these rumours at least symbolically, such as by appointing a Mongolian CEO of the mining operation at Oyu Tolgoi.
There are also rumblings around the appointment of numerous deputy ministers by Zandanshatar at the end of 2025, reinforcing his government’s relative weakness. This weakness is likely to continue in 2026. High global copper prices seem likely to continue in the coming year, providing a basis for continued economic expansion and an opportunity for the government to address its fiscal challenges, assuming that renewed calls for the renegotiation of agreements with Rio Tinto do not turn into a prolonged stand-off with investors.
BY
Julian Dierkes is Dean of the School of Social Sciences at the University of Mannheim, Germany.

...


64x64

Mongolia Trade Surplus Hits 10-Year High www.tradingeconomics.com

Mongolia’s trade surplus widened significantly to USD 857.9 million in December 2025 from USD 159.3 million in the same month last year, marking the largest trade surplus since January 2016.
Exports soared 65.9% year-on-year to USD 1,964.7 million, the highest on record, while imports rose 8% to USD 1,106.8 million.
For the full year 2025, the trade surplus increased to USD 4,389.4 million from 4,168.7 million a year earlier.
Exports decreased by 0.5% year-on-year to USD 15,701.5 million, largely due to reduced shipments of mineral products (-3.5%) and textiles and textile articles (-2.7%).
China accounted for 89.4% of total exports, followed by Switzerland (6.9%) and the US (0.8%).
Meanwhile, imports declined by 2.6% to USD 11,312.1 million, weighed down by lower purchases of transport vehicles and spare parts (-16.7%) and machinery, equipment, and electric appliances (-2.1%).
China remained the largest share of total imports (40.9%), followed by Russia (24.5%) and Japan (9.6%).

...


64x64

Mongolia exports 83.9 mln tons of coal in 2025 www.xinhuanet.com

Mongolia exported a total of 83.9 million tons of coal in 2025, data released by the Mongolian Customs General Administration (MCGA) showed Monday.
The figure was an increase of 5.6 percent from the same period last year, the MCGA said in a statement.
Currently, Mongolia's economy depends heavily on the mining sector and on the export of mineral resources. Mining commodities, such as coal, copper and iron ore, constituted 99.2 percent of Mongolia's total exports during the January-December period of 2025.
A significant share of Mongolia's coal production is accounted for by the Tavan-Tolgoi coal deposit, which is one of the world's largest untapped coking and thermal coal deposits, located in the southern Mongolian province of Umnugovi. It has a total estimated resource of 6.5 billion tons, one-quarter of which is high-quality coking coal.

...


64x64

China accounts for over 80% of Mongolia's foreign trade www.open.kg

At a meeting held on January 10 at the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Mongolia, representatives of government structures and enterprises with Chinese capital discussed important issues.
The main goal of the meeting was to improve interaction between government agencies and Chinese companies operating in Mongolia.
According to the president of the Chamber, B. Lkhagvajav, the trade turnover between Mongolia and China reached 16.5 billion US dollars, which accounts for about 80% of the country's total foreign trade. Over the past ten years, this figure has increased from 1 billion to 16 billion dollars, confirming the successful development of bilateral relations.
He also noted that this event became an important platform for discussing key areas of the economy, such as the mining sector, construction, agriculture, and the food industry. In particular, attention was paid to issues related to taxes on mineral resources, which have been a source of controversy for several years. These problems hinder the attraction of foreign investments and negatively affect the financial condition of local companies.
B. Lkhagvajav also pointed out shortcomings in labor legislation that hinder the attraction of highly qualified foreign specialists. He added that during the spring session of the Great State Khural, legislative initiatives aimed at improving the investment climate and business conditions will be discussed.
Currently, more than a thousand Chinese companies operate in Mongolia. The modern international situation underscores the importance of establishing strong and trusting relationships with neighboring countries.
The economic and trade counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia, Liu Jinqi, noted that the mining sector is a key element of economic cooperation between the two countries. The growth of trade and investment in this area confirms the dynamic development of bilateral relations.
Economic cooperation between Mongolia and China demonstrates successes not only in the mining sector but also in agriculture. Liu Jinqi emphasized that it is important for the governments of both countries to strengthen political coordination and develop intergovernmental relations.
Mongolia should strive to enhance the transparency and stability of its tax system, improve the legal framework in labor relations and labor protection, as well as to generally improve the investment climate.
If necessary measures are taken, bilateral trade will continue to grow, and economic cooperation will expand.
The director of the company "Mergen Tur," T. Enkhtur, highlighted the importance of signing a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of China and Mongolia during the meeting. He expressed hope that this document will support enterprises in both countries.
The Mongolian economy still heavily depends on the export of mining products. At the same time, there is significant potential for exporting agricultural raw materials and processed products outside of this sector. T. Enkhtur expressed hope for joint efforts with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of China to support these areas.
Diversification of exports and stable supplies of agricultural products to the Chinese market remain priority tasks, which are important for both business and increasing the incomes of herders.
The company is also engaged in the production and export of light industry goods, including small leather products. However, when entering international markets, it faces challenges related to high import duties in China, which reach 17%, while in Mongolia they average 5%. T. Enkhtur emphasized the need to explore the possibility of reducing these rates and considering relevant initiatives.
The event was attended by representatives of 230 Mongolian and 60 Chinese companies, who actively discussed issues of cooperation and business partnerships.

...


64x64

Faye Steele: Living in Mongolia has taught me to be patient www.gogo.mn

For this edition of our “Mongolia Through Foreign Eyes” column, we sat down with Faye Steele, a citizen of the United States. She currently works as an ESG Strategy Specialist at Mobicom Corporation and has been living and working in Mongolia for over a year.
Name: Faye Steele
Nationality: United States
Age: 28
Length of stay in Mongolia: 1 year and 2 months
Current position: ESG Strategy Specialist
Q: First of all, please introduce yourself. 
My name is Faye Steele. I grew up in New York. Here in Mongolia, when people hear that I’m from NYC, they often get very excited and ask questions like, “Do you live near Times Square?” I usually have to explain that I actually live in the suburbs, about 30 minutes by train, on Long Island. 
Long Island is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound, so there are many beaches and national parks nearby. It also has a rich history, including many Gatsby-era houses. Some of these historic homes are still preserved and open for tours, which I really enjoy visiting with my family during the summer. 
Professionally, I am a sustainability specialist. I have worked for over five years in the non-profit sector, researching sustainability issues and collaborating with policy professionals to better understand environmental challenges and opportunities. 
I am currently working at Mobicom Corporation. This is my first corporate job, so I am learning a great deal. The technology sector is also very new to me. Previously, my work focused mostly on the finance sector and on U.S. and global sustainability issues rather than Mongolia specifically. As a result, I am learning a lot—both about Mongolia and about the tech industry. 
Q: Could you share your first impressions upon arriving in Mongolia for the first time? 
It was a year and two months ago. When I first arrived in Mongolia, I came through the new Chinggis Khaan International Airport. The first thing I noticed, as I got into a taxi, was the mountains. I was completely mesmerized by them. Where I come from in New York—Long Island, where my family lives—there are no mountains at all. I remember thinking, Wow, how fun it would be to hike up those mountains or even roll down them with carefree thoughts. 
I was also surprised by how modern the city looked, especially the buildings. Even since I moved here, many new buildings have appeared. New York is a very old city, so there isn’t as much new infrastructure being built. Seeing how quickly things are changing in Ulaanbaatar really impressed me. 
Q: What motivated you to come to Mongolia to work and live? 
I came to Mongolia through the Princeton in Asia Fellowship Program. Each year, the program selects up to ten fellows to work in Mongolia at companies, NGOs, and universities. This year, there are six fellows in total, and I am one of them. 
The program also offers placements in other Asian countries, such as Japan and Thailand. However, Mongolia was my top choice because many of the opportunities here are related to sustainability, which aligns perfectly with my career goals. 
My first job in Mongolia was at the Mongolian Sustainable Finance Association. That role marked the beginning of my work in sustainable finance and sustainability within the Mongolian context. 
Q: So, this is your first time working abroad, right?
Yes, this is my first experience as an expat. 
Q: How do you adapt to new things in Mongolia?
Many aspects of life here are very different from home. One of the first things I noticed was the high altitude of Ulaanbaatar. The city is much higher than where I lived in New York, and at first this caused fatigue and some difficulty breathing due to the thinner air. It took time to adjust, but now it feels normal. 
Air pollution was another major adjustment. Even in New York City, I had never experienced pollution at this level. During winter, I rely on a special filter mask to protect my health. I’m always surprised to see some foreigners walking around without masks, but I’m quite cautious when it comes to my health. 
The cold weather was also challenging. While it does snow in New York, it never gets as cold as it does here. In Mongolia, temperatures can drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius or even lower. Thankfully, Mongolia offers excellent winter clothing. I found warm and high-quality yak, camel, and cashmere items at places like Narantuul Market and Sunday Plaza. 
Q: Where do you live, and what kind of transportation do you usually use?
I live very close to my office, near the Amusement Park area. It’s less than a 10-minute walk to work. Even at my previous job, I lived close to the office. I used to live near the Circus and moved across the park this year for my new position. 
I usually only use public transportation on weekends. During weekdays, traffic is very heavy, so walking is much more convenient. 
Q: How do you usually spend your free time in Mongolia?
My colleagues say I’m very active, though I sometimes feel like I’m still not doing enough because there’s so much to experience in Mongolia. 
I’ve joined a badminton club, and last year I was part of the Hatun Badminton Club near the Wrestling Palace. This year, I joined another club near Tengis Cinema, where I play two to three times a week. On weekends, I sometimes attend local basketball or volleyball games with friends. 
I also enjoy going to the opera, ballet, and movie theaters. I’m always looking for new activities. I’ve met many interesting people here, and sometimes they host events that I enjoy attending. I try to stay open to new opportunities outside of work. 
Q: Which Mongolian dish do you enjoy the most?
My favorite dish is actually bantan, which is often considered a hangover food. People usually react with surprise when I say that and joke that it’s baby food. But I really love its simple and comforting flavors. I often find it when traveling to the countryside, but it’s surprisingly hard to find in Ulaanbaatar. 
Q: Have you had the opportunity to travel to the countryside? What impressed you most?
Yes, I’ve traveled to several provinces. Most recently, I visited Uvs aimag for the Naadam Festival and Huvsgul aimag for the Ice Festival. I also joined a countryside retreat with young professionals and went camel riding during a trip with the Brilliant Tree Fund project team. 
I visited the birthplace of Chinggis Khaan, which was incredibly meaningful and beautiful. I also traveled to Bulgan aimag. Each trip has shown me a different and fascinating side of Mongolia. 
Q: Are you learning the Mongolian language?
Yes. Learning the local language is an important part of the Princeton in Asia Fellowship. I started studying Mongolian one or two months before moving here and continue to take weekly lessons at the American Center for Mongolian Studies. My teacher is wonderful, especially at helping me with pronunciation, which makes learning enjoyable. 
Q: How difficult is Mongolian compared to other languages?
I actually find Mongolian easier than Japanese or Mandarin, both of which I’ve tried learning. I speak English and some Spanish, and Mongolian is now my third-strongest language. 
I can express myself a little in Mongolian, though I’m still shy about speaking. I’m more comfortable texting, but my coworkers are encouraging me, and I hope to become more confident soon. 
Q: What impressed you most about traditional celebrations like Naadam and Tsagaan Sar?
Naadam really stood out to me, especially the three traditional sports—wrestling, archery, and horse racing. At first, I didn’t fully understand how the competitions worked or how winners were determined. But once I understood, I found myself cheering along with everyone else. 
I attended the Ulaanbaatar Naadam ceremony last year and later went to the Naadam celebration for Uvs aimag’s 100th anniversary. The celebration in Uvs was my favorite—the food, energy, and performances were incredible. 
Q: How would you describe work culture in Mongolian companies?
I find the work culture in Mongolia to be more flexible. There is still a sense of hierarchy, especially at Mobicom due to the Japanese influence from its parent company, KDDI. However, there is generally more flexibility—for example, lunch breaks are often longer than in the U.S. 
In the United States, lunch is usually only 30 minutes to an hour before returning straight to work. Here, team members seem more supportive, and I find it easy to communicate with my manager, ask for help, and share ideas. My ideas have been well received, which I really appreciate. 
Work social events are also different. In Mongolia, senior leaders tend to stay and actively participate in company events, rather than briefly appearing and leaving. This creates a warmer and more inclusive atmosphere. 
Q: What services or technologies would you like to see developed in Mongolia?
One area I’d really like to see improved is the delivery system for mail and packages. Even now, it’s quite difficult to receive packages reliably. I usually have items sent to my office to make sure they arrive. 
When I returned to the U.S. for a few months last fall while waiting for my new visa, friends asked me to bring items back with me because it was easier than ordering them online. Given how much delivery services expanded after COVID, I think this is a missed opportunity that could be significantly improved. 
Q: What is the most important thing you’ve learned since coming to Mongolia? 
Patience. Living here has taught me to be patient, both at work and in social situations. Mongolians can sometimes be slower to open up to unfamiliar people, especially foreigners. I’ve learned to be consistent, friendly, and open. Over time, people become more comfortable, and meaningful connections develop. 
Q: How many Mongolian friends have you made, apart from your colleagues?
I’ve met quite a lot of people because I stay very active. I’m part of the Global Shapers community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, which brings together young professionals in Ulaanbaatar. There are around 20–30 members, and we often organize social activities. 
I’ve also met friends through events like Creative Mornings and through a running club. Even though I don’t run in winter because of the pollution, I still keep in touch with people I met there. 
Q: Do you have a boyfriend?
No, I don’t. That’s actually one of the first questions my coworkers usually ask—whether I’m married or have a boyfriend. 
Q: Have you ever been asked on a date here? 
Yes, I’ve been on a few dates since moving here. They’ve all been interesting and enjoyable. The men have been respectful and kind. 
Q: What do you think about Mongolian youth, especially Gen Z? 
I’m technically one of the oldest Gen Z members, so sometimes I relate more to millennials. Still, I’m very impressed by Mongolian Gen Z. Many of them are homeowners, pursuing professional certifications, reading extensively, and showing strong ambition. 
I admire how passionate they are about their country and its future. Even those who study or work abroad often return because they want to contribute to Mongolia’s development. That sense of responsibility and optimism is truly inspiring. 
Q: Is there anything you’d like to say through this interview? 
Many foreigners—even those who have lived here for decades—see immense potential in Mongolia and are genuinely excited about its future. I think sometimes Mongolians themselves could benefit from seeing their country through fresh eyes and appreciating its opportunities more deeply. 
Thank you for your time.

...


64x64

”Chinggis Кhaan" international airport sets a new historic milestone www.gogo.mn

Chinggis Khaan International Airport welcomed its 2 millionth international passenger, surpassing the previous year’s total passenger volume and once again setting a new historic milestone.
Since commencing operations, passenger traffic at the airport has continued to grow steadily. In 2024, the airport achieved a historic milestone by handling a total of 2 million passengers for the first time in the history of Mongolia’s aviation sector.
In 2025, the number of international passengers alone has reached 2 million, already exceeding the total passenger volume recorded in the previous year.
Going forward, Chinggis Khaan International Airport will continue its commitment to providing safe, reliable, and high-quality services to all passengers, while consistently working to increase passenger traffic and further enhance its operations.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the domestic and international airlines, government authorities with special responsibilities, tourism organizations, the departments and units under the National Civil Aviation Center, as well as all partner organizations and teams who jointly contributed to this achievement."

...


  • Terms of Reference
  • About
  • Contact Us

Managed by: B2BMongolia www.b2bmongolia.com

Events

News

Facebook