Mongolia Receives 417.6 Thousand Tourists in First Half of the Year www.montsame.mn

Mongolia welcomed 417.6 thousand tourists in the first half of 2026, representing a 27.2 percent increase over the same period in the previous year.

In the first half of this year, the highest number of tourists, or 154.8 thousand, visited the country from the Russian Federation.

According to the National Statistics Office, the top 10 countries by tourist arrivals to Mongolia in the first half of 2026 were as follows:

Russia – 54.8 thousand tourists
China – 115.8 thousand tourists
South Korea – 55.2 thousand tourists
Japan – 14.0 thousand tourists
Kazakhstan – 9.1 thousand tourists
USA – 9.0 thousand tourists
Germany – 8.9 thousand tourists
Turkey – 6.9 thousand tourists
Taiwan – 4.3 thousand tourists
Belarus – 3.7 thousand tourists

Mongolia, Japan to Expand Cooperation in E-Governance, Renewable Energy, and Startups www.montsame.mn

Prime Minister of Mongolia Uchral Nyam-Osor received Ambassador of Japan to Mongolia Igawahara Masaru on July 27, 2026.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Uchral noted that deepening friendly relations and cooperation with Mongolia’s "third neighbor," Japan, remains a top foreign policy priority for Mongolia. He highlighted that bilateral relations are successfully advancing under the "Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity."

Emphasizing the importance of further strengthening political ties and maintaining the frequency of high-level visits, the Prime Minister expressed Mongolia's commitment to expanding cooperation in e-governance, information technology, renewable energy, and startups. This aligns with the Japanese Government’s policy on products and technology across 17 strategic priority sectors.

For his part, Ambassador Igawahara Masaru discussed promptly executing preparatory work for the expansion project of Chinggis Khaan International Airport, a symbol of Mongolia-Japan cooperation under the Official Development Assistance (ODA) of Japanese soft yen loan. He also reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to actively collaborating on joint initiatives, including the project to enhance the training environment for engineers through Japanese-style engineering and technology education.

Prime Minister Uchral stated that he would pay special attention to the proposals and issues raised by Ambassador Igawahara Masaru and direct relevant authorities to resolve them without delay, reported the Media and Public Relations Department of the State Great Khural.

Shen Minjuan: China Stands Ready to Join Hands With Mongolia in Pursuing Modernization Paths www.montsame.mn

After two years and ten months in Mongolia, outgoing Chinese Ambassador Shen Minjuan looks back on the bonds and cooperation built between the two countries — and on major infrastructure projects now taking shape, from the Gantsmod-Gashuunsuhait cross-border railway to the long-awaited Erdeneburen hydropower plant. Her regrets are modest: four aimags she never reached, and a language she never quite mastered. In this installment of "Posted In," she reflects on Mongol proverbs that guided her posting, the projects breaking ground after decades of planning, and a bilateral trade relationship racing toward two historic milestones. Above all, she returns again and again to a single image — the bowl of airag offered in every ger — as the truest measure of the friendship between China and Mongolia.

-What initiative or work are you most proud of during your tenure?

-In a country as open and dynamic as Mongolia, two years and ten months can hold a lot.

I saw the frequent high-level exchanges between our two countries. Less than one month after my arrival, I had the privilege of accompanying President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa to Beijing for the Third Belt and Road Forum. And one month before my departure, I accompanied Prime Minister Uchral Nyam-Osor to Dalian for the Summer Davos, let alone last year's SCO Summit, the Victory Day celebrations, or earlier visits for the Asian Winter Games and the China International Import Expo. And these were only the visits by the President and the Prime Minister. Exchanges at all levels of government and among party leaders were even more frequent and wide-ranging.

I saw major projects launch one after another. After 70 years, the second railway, the Gantsmod-Gashuunsuhait cross-border railway, has begun to take shape. The Erdeneburen hydro power plant, which has been planned for more than half a century, is now under construction in the mountains of the western region.

Ulaanbaatar has always been the top priority of our cooperation. Back in the 1950s to 60s, Chinese aid workers here built the Peace Bridge, the State Department Store, the National Sports Stadium and so on. In the recent two years, projects such as the Green Lake 1008 Households and the New Central Wastewater Treatment Plant have been completed. And there are more China-aid projects coming, including the Presidential Sports Complex, the Desertification Prevention and Control Center and the National Art Theatre. These landmarks travel through history, telling stories of our friendship.

What particularly gratifies me is that our two countries have agreed to build a memorial cemetery for the Chinese aid workers, so that we can present this cherished memory and remember their historic contributions.

I am also delighted that together with the Mongolia-China Friendship Association, we built the China-Mongolia Friendship Park in the National Park, where a lovely panda and mazaalai bear sculpture welcome everyone.

I saw the rapid growth of our bilateral trade after the pandemic. We almost reached 20% when I arrived, and hit 50% in the first half of this year. It's undoubtable that we will achieve two milestones this year: USD 20 billion bilateral trade and 100-million-ton coal exports to China.

This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC and the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan. In the first half of this year, China's economy grew by 4.7%. New growth drivers, represented by high-end manufacturing, the digital and intelligent economy, and modern services, contributed more than 40% of economic growth. Innovation-driven development is creating "China Opportunity 2.0" for the world.

Just a week ago, China hosted the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, where the world's first intergovernmental international organization on AI—WAICO (World AI Cooperation Organization)—was established. Together with all sides, China is committed to a people-centered approach and developing AI for the positive and for good.

Mongolia is also pushing its AI development. I'm very confident that we will create new growth engines in AI, the digital economy, and other emerging industries, creating "China-Mongolia Cooperation Opportunity 2.0." China stands ready to join hands with Mongolia in pursuing modernization paths suited to our respective national conditions.

During your time in Mongolia, which Mongol tradition resonated with you the most?

I like the Mongol airag very much—not just for its refreshingly tangy taste, but also because it embodies the wisdom of the nomadic way of life. My Mongol friends told me that airag, fermented from mare's milk, is easier to preserve, supports digestion, and promotes health. It's basically the "liquid gold" that has become an essential part of life on the steppe. Airag represents the highest form of respect in Mongolia and is woven into every important moment of people's lives.

Airag grows richer with time, just like friendship. Every time I stepped into a ger, the host would warmly offer me a big bowl of airag. So, to me, airag also represents the goodwill that Mongol friends carry for China and symbolizes Mongolia's aspirations for stronger bilateral ties. I truly believe that as our cooperation deepens and exchanges grow closer, more and more people will experience this hospitality and blessing from the steppe.

-Seeing how much fond memories you have, any Mongol saying, teaching, or figure of speech that you took to heart?

-There is a Mongol proverb that I often quote: "Neighbors are connected at heart and share a common destiny." We have a similar saying in China: "A close neighbor is better than a distant relative." The two sayings echo each other in spirit, and they perfectly capture the essence of the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership.

I'm honored to add another chapter to our friendship following the story of "gifts of sheep and tea" during the pandemic. I still remember that during my first winter here, Mongolia was struck by the worst dzud in half a century. Governments at all levels in China and our Red Cross Society provided donations and relief supplies ASAP, and Chinese companies in Mongolia devoted themselves to local rescue.

Recently, when a foot-and-mouth disease broke out in Mongolia, China immediately provided 1.6 million doses of vaccine, which only took less than a week from order to on-site vaccination. I'm pleased to see that all the doses have now been administered, and the outbreak has been effectively brought under control.

Together with the Mongolian Red Cross Society, we've been helping children with congenital heart disease and elderly cataract patients and carrying out projects to strengthen climate resilience of herders, funded by CIDCA. 

And those are just a few of the many stories. China is a partner that Mongolia can truly trust and rely on—we will always lend a helping hand when Mongolia needs it most. We are committed to join hands with Mongolia and connect our hearts, working together to enhance the well-being of both our peoples.

-Thank you for your time. As you end your tenure, what advice would you give your successor, or what advice would you give yourself if you could go back to when you first arrived in Mongolia?

-The two years and ten months I spent in Mongolia were both fulfilling and wonderful, but I also have many regrets. I haven’t visited every aimag—there are still four I haven’t been to. I haven’t had enough Naadam khuushuur and airag, and I never managed to learn Mongolian. If I could go back to when I first arrived in Mongolia, I would tell myself to make the most of every holiday—every Naadam, and every Tsagaan Sar—to travel farther and see more.  I would also urge myself to work harder at learning Mongolian, so that I could have more face-to-face conversations with Mongol friends and better serve as a bridge of friendship and mutual understanding between China and Mongolia.

China-Mongolia joint archaeological team discovers runic inscriptions in Mongolia dating back up to 1,300 years ago www.globaltimes.cn

A China-Mongolia joint archaeological team has discovered a new runic inscription during a field survey in Bayankhongor Province, Mongolia, which marks an important addition to the limited corpus of ancient Turkic inscriptions date back up to 1,300 years ago and is expected to facilitate studies of ancient Silk Road.

The inscription was discovered on an exposed natural rock surface on a mountainside and consists of several clearly preserved lines of runic characters. The carvings remain in good condition, with distinct strokes and legible inscriptions, offering valuable new material for future research, the paper.cn reported Monday.

The joint team, formed by Inner Mongolia University and the Institute of Archaeology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, has completed high-resolution photographic documentation, mapping, and detailed recording of the inscription in accordance with standard archaeological field procedures. A systematic survey of the surrounding area was also conducted.

The script, commonly known as Old Turkic inscriptions or Old Turkic runiform inscriptions, was the script widely used by the nomadic polities including the Turkic Khaganate, the Uygur Khaganate, and other nomadic polities across the Mongolian Plateau between the 7th and 10th centuries. The best-known examples include the inscriptions in the Orkhon Valley.

As surviving runic inscriptions are relatively rare, they serve as invaluable primary sources for the study of ancient Turkic and Uygur history. Each newly discovered inscription has the potential to provide fresh linguistic evidence and historical information.

An epigraph inscribed with both Chinese and the runic scripts from Tang Dynasty (618-907) was discovered in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The epigraph wrote the life of a Uygur prince who came to Xi'an, or Chang'an in Tang Dynasty and showcased exchanges across the Silk Road, Xinhua News Agency reported earlier.

The latest discovery further enriches the known collection of runic inscriptions on the Mongolian Plateau and provides new physical evidence for studying the historical geography, languages and scripts, tribal composition and transportation routes of ancient nomadic states. It also carries significant academic value for advancing research into Eurasian steppe civilizations and the ancient Silk Road across the grasslands.

The discovery represents another achievement of practical archaeological cooperation between China and Mongolia, highlighting the two countries' joint efforts to promote cultural heritage research and deepen exchanges between civilizations.

The joint archaeological team will work with experts in linguistics, history, and archaeology to decipher and conduct comprehensive studies of the inscription. The research findings will be released to the academic community and the public in due course.

Global Times

Mongolia secures 7th UNESCO World Heritage Site www.xinhuanet.com

The cemetery complexes of the Xiongnu nobility in Mongolia have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, local media reported on Monday, citing the ministry of culture, sports, tourism and youth.

The inscription was approved during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Busan, South Korea, from July 19 to 29, raising the total number of World Heritage sites in Mongolia to seven, the ministry said.

The newly inscribed site comprises eight funerary complexes of the Xiongnu nobility. The Xiongnu, ancient predecessors of a confederation of Eurasian nomadic peoples, established a powerful empire between the 3rd century BCE and the 2nd century CE that eventually occupied a vast territory centered on what is now Mongolia, according to UNESCO.

A wide range of artefacts found in the tombs, including horse tack and chariots as well as weapons, tools and food for the afterlife, provides a window into the Xiongnu way of life and social structure.

N.Uchral: Finish the Naadam festival, prepare for winter www.gogo.mn

Prime Minister N.Uchral has instructed all levels of government to complete winter preparedness measures and submit weekly progress reports.

"Finish the Naadam festival. Prepare for winter," the Prime Minister said, emphasizing the need to ensure a stable supply of electricity, heating, coal, fuel, and other essential resources ahead of the cold season.

He stressed that the government's top priority is to avoid disrupting the lives and livelihoods of citizens, urging officials not to wait until winter arrives but to complete all necessary preparations in advance.

The Prime Minister also directed government agencies at all levels to intensify their work on winter readiness and report on their progress every week.

Over 2,800 delegates expected for COP17 in Mongolia www.gogo.mn

Over 2,800 guests and delegates are expected to travel to Mongolia for the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17), according to M. Bayarmagnai, State Secretary of the Ministry of Roads and Transport.

To support the event, more than 60 buses will operate on five routes between Chinggis Khaan International Airport and designated hotels. In addition, over 100 buses will run on 16 routes connecting hotels with the conference venue.

Overall, authorities plan to deploy more than 160 buses and keep 150 to 200 vehicles on standby to provide transportation and logistics services throughout the conference.

Bus services are scheduled to run every 5–10 minutes during the morning peak period and every 10–20 minutes during the daytime and evening to ensure the smooth movement of participants.

Victoria Delmon Announced as World Bank Group New Country Manager for Mongolia www.montsame.mn

The World Bank Group announced the appointment of Victoria Delmon as Country Manager for Mongolia, a position that unifies country-level leadership across the World Bank, IFC, and MIGA to better support public and private sector clients.

Based in Ulaanbaatar, Ms. Delmon will oversee the World Bank Group’s engagement in Mongolia, supporting the country’s efforts to strengthen economic diversification, attract private investment, and create more and better jobs.

“With its natural endowment, Mongolia has strong potential to unlock new private investment and build a more diversified and resilient economy,” said Victoria Delmon, World Bank Group Country Manager for Mongolia. “The World Bank Group is committed to working with the government and private sector to mobilize capital, strengthen the investment climate, and support reforms that drive growth, jobs, and long-term development.”

Ms. Delmon, a British national, brings over 30 years of experience in infrastructure finance, mergers and acquisitions, project structuring, and policy reform, spanning Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific.

She joined the World Bank in 2006 as Senior Counsel in the Legal Vice Presidency in Washington, D.C., and later joined the Water Global Practice. In 2020, she joined IFC as Manager, Upstream and Advisory, Infrastructure, Asia Pacific, based in Singapore. In this role, she led a team focused on origination, market creation, and developing bankable infrastructure projects across the region, including in Mongolia.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Delmon worked at the international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London and served as international counsel at the utility company Veolia Environnement. She is co-editor of the book “International Project Finance and PPPs” and has co-authored publications on private participation in infrastructure, incentive-based regulation, and commercial finance.

Ms. Delmon holds an MA in Law from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

AI in government www.gogo.mn

THE Prime Minister’s Office has announced the introduction of an AI-powered digital system and directed ministries to replace paper-based processes with digital workflows.

Finally, it has been acknowledged that Pakistan’s bureaucracy cannot continue to rely on endless files, handwritten notes and slow-moving paperwork while governments elsewhere are embracing digital tools. Yet the real significance of the move lies not in the adoption of AI itself, but in whether it helps transform the way government functions. Pakistan has too often treated technology as a solution in its own right. New portals, mobile applications and digital platforms have frequently been launched with much fanfare, only to disappoint because the underlying administrative culture remained unchanged. If departments continue to operate in isolation, if officials remain reluctant to share information, if decisions remain tied up in overlapping approvals and if public records are poorly maintained, AI will merely automate existing weaknesses rather than eliminate them. Successful digital transformation begins with reliable data, clearly defined responsibilities and institutions willing to rethink how they work.

Used wisely, AI could nevertheless improve governance in meaningful ways. It can organise vast quantities of official information, reduce repetitive administrative tasks, identify delays in service delivery and provide policymakers with insights that might otherwise be overlooked. Its greatest value may lie in supporting, rather than replacing, public servants. Citizens could benefit through quicker responses, better access to services and greater transparency. Those gains, however, will depend as much on governance as on technology. Sensitive public data must be protected and automated systems should remain subject to human oversight. AI should support administrative decisions rather than replace human judgement and accountability.

Above all, this initiative should be judged by measurable improvements rather than ambitious announcements. If it shortens processing time, reduces opportunities for corruption, strengthens record management and makes services more responsive, it will represent genuine reform. If it simply replaces paper files with electronic ones while preserving the same delays, procedures and habits, the technology will have changed far less than the headlines suggest. Modern government is defined not by the tools it adopts but by the quality of service it delivers.

SA gas company signs billion-dollar agreement www.indailysa.com.au/

South Australia-based gas exploration company Jade Gas Holdings has penned a non-binding agreement with a coalition of Chinese companies worth $1 billion that has the potential to turbocharge its ambitions to become a major extractor of gas in Mongolia.

Announced last week, the deal – if signed off by the consortium of Chinese companies – would give Jade Gas the capital to get its planned project in the Gobi Desert off the ground.

The company has the rights to abundant coal bed methane in Mongolia and if production starts it would be the first company to extract natural gas in the nation.

The proposed deal would be for just Phase 1 of Jade’s plans, and is worth an estimated $1.1 billion.

A binding agreement was expected within the next two months, executive director Joseph Burke told InDaily.

Not only would the deal rapidly transform the Adelaide-based ASX-listed company into a powerhouse gas player, it could also transform the Mongolian economy.

The nation’s trucks run almost entirely off diesel, Burke said, meaning LNG was scarce.

The project had become “so important to me”, Burke said.
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“There is a way here to really bring something new to Mongolia,” he said.

“Mongolia needs the gas, but Mongolia needs to be ready for the gas.

“Although they’re very excited that we can deploy a lot quicker, the infrastructure for the downstream is not in place.”

Jade Gas would work with PT Beijing Energy Linking (PTBEL) as lead contractor and Pretro China and Hunan Geology & Mining Technology as sub-contractors.

The companies would assist Jade in drilling 175 gas wells covering only approximately 20 per cent of the total drilling area across the larger 60sqkm Red Lake Development Area.

In total, the company has 665sqkm of permit area – making Phase 1 a sudden scale-up for the business but just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what was possible for Jade Gas.

In total, some 1400 wells could possibly take over the Gobi Desert under Jade’s plans.

An initial 10 drilling rigs would be made available by the consortium, under the agreement, with mobilisation targeted for between February and March 2027.

The entire cost of Phase 1 would be borne by PTBEL, with the company to be repaid through a future gas sales revenue sharing arrangement.

A $215 million scalable LNG liquefaction facility was contemplated by the agreement in order to monetise the first 40 wells drilled.

Burke is no stranger to running projects in the region and said projects like his were “quite rare”.

“Mongolia has a lot of coal, but what is less known is there is a lot of gassy coals.”

Burke has spent more than 30 years working and living in Asia and has been involved in Mongolian mining projects since 2009.

In previous roles he was a director and founding partner of the mining venture capital group Starboard Global and the CEO of ASX listed Voyager Resources Limited (ASX: VOR) which had projects based in Mongolia.

Burke said the structure of the agreement was how business was normally done in China, “and all I wanted to do was replicate that”.

“It was basically to bring in someone of significance that could do it,” he said.

“When you’re an ASX junior, when you’re pre-revenue, it’s always difficult.”