Today, April 11, President U.Khurelsukh met with Speaker of the Parliament G.Zandanshatar, Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene and members of the government and Parliament.

At a time when the world countries have been battling the pandemic for two years, international geopolitical issues have arisen. Consequently, oil prices have doubled and grain and vegetable prices have risen by 30-40 percent at world markets. Therefore, the Parliament and Government need to coordinate their works and amend state budget if necessary, emphasized the President.

He stressed that It is vital to pay special attention to the reduction of prices of energy, oil, consumer goods and food products, and the performance of spring cultivation to meet domestic food needs.

“Today, you have to discuss whether to amend the budget. People must be informed of the truth about the situation. All unnecessary expenses and investments need to be cut out. The whole world is in a very difficult situation. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the demand made by the people and make an urgent decision. The recent two years have shown us that Mongolia needs to meet its domestic food needs, be a fuel producer and have an energy source. Mongolia needs to become an economically independent country.”

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) developed a technology to improve the electrochemical performance of zinc-air batteries by utilizing solar energy.

Zinc-air batteries, which produce electricity through a chemical reaction between oxygen in the atmosphere and zinc, are considered to be next-generation candidates to meet the explosive demand for electric vehicles instead of lithium-ion batteries.

The devices theoretically meet all required characteristics for next-generation secondary batteries, such as high energy density, low risk of explosion, eco-friendliness, and low cost of materials.

The battery developed at KITS utilizes a photoactive bifunctional air-electrocatalyst with a semiconductor structure with alternating energy levels, which significantly improves the rates of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) that generate electricity. The photoactive bifunctional catalyst is a compound that accelerates chemical reactions by absorbing light energy and has an improved light absorption ability than conventional zinc-air battery catalysts.

Zinc-air batteries get solar energy makeover

Schematic preparation and TEM images with elemental distributions in the red rectangle marked area for CZ.(Image courtesy of KITS).

In a zinc-air battery that uses metal and air as the anode and cathode of the battery, OER and ORR must be alternately performed for electrical energy conversion of oxygen as the cathode active material. Therefore, the catalytic activity of the positive electrode current collector, made of carbon material, is an important factor in determining the energy density and overall cell efficiency of zinc-air batteries.

Accordingly, the research team focused on the p-n heterojunction, the basic structural unit of solar cells and semiconductors, as a measure to improve the slow catalytic activity of zinc-air batteries. The goal was to accelerate the oxygen production-reduction process by using the interface characteristics of semiconductors in which electron movement occurs. To this end, a cathode material with a heterojunction bandgap structure was synthesized, with an n-type semiconductor.

In addition, an experiment was conducted under real-world conditions without light in order to confirm the commercial potential of the photoactive bifunctional catalyst with a p-n heterojunction structure with alternating energy levels. The prototype battery showed an energy density of 731.9 mAh gZn-1, similar to the best performance of the existing zinc-air battery.

In the presence of sunlight, the energy density increased by about 7% up to 781.7 mAh gZn-1 and it showed an excellent cycle performance of 334 hours, 1,000 cycles, the best among known catalysts.

“Utilization of solar energy is an important part not only in improving the electrochemical performance of secondary batteries but also in realizing a sustainable society,” lead researcher Joong Kee Lee said in a media statement. “We hope that this technology will become a catalyst that stimulates the development of new convergence technologies in semiconductor physics and electrochemistry, in addition to solving the difficulties of metal-air batteries that are emerging as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.”

Russia has hiked up the tax on wheat exports to $101.4 per from April 13 to 19, the country’s Ministry of Agriculture announced on Friday.

This is the first time Russia has raised its wheat export duty to over $100, media reports. The levy has been on the rise for four weeks in a row after dropping for nine weeks prior to that.

The ministry also raised the export tax on barley and corn to $75.4 and $70.6 per ton, respectively.

According to Alexander Korbut, the vice president of the Russian Grain Union, Russian grain export duties are likely to grow further.

“They rose both on geopolitical risks and on the awry situation with the state of winter crops in the United States. Although the situation seems to be improving now and prices are gradually falling, any radical decline is unlikely [and] we are approaching export prices of $400 per ton. Therefore, it is quite natural that the duty will be significantly higher than the current one,” he told the Interfax news agency.

Wheat prices soared to multiple-year highs last month amid fears of a possible disruption in grain supplies due to Russia’s ongoing military operation in Ukraine. Both countries are the globe’s major wheat suppliers, accounting for about 30% of global exports.

On April 08, 2022, the Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for signing a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Financial Regulatory Commission, Mongolia (FRC).

Major impact:

FRC, like SEBI, is a co-signatory to International Organization of Securities Commissions’ Multilateral MoU (IOSCO MMoU). However, the IOSCO MMoU does not have under its scope the provision for technical assistance. The proposed bilateral MoU would, in addition to contributing towards strengthening the information sharing framework leading to effective enforcement of securities laws, also help in establishing a technical assistance programme. The technical assistance programme would benefit the Authorities by way of consultations on matters relating to capital markets, capacity building activities and training programmes for the staff.

The Bank of Russia is lifting temporary capital control measures that banned individuals from buying foreign currency, the central bank said in a statement on its website on Friday.

Starting April 18, Russian citizens will once again be allowed to buy foreign currency at banks, as well as withdraw funds from their foreign currency accounts in both US dollars and euros up to $10,000 or its equivalent in euros, while amounts above this limit can be withdrawn in rubles. This limit is in place until September 9. The central bank noted that banks are only allowed to sell foreign currency banknotes that they received after April 9, 2022.

The regulator also scrapped the previously introduced 12% commission for buying hard currency through brokerages.

Last month, Russia placed restrictions on buying and withdrawing foreign currency to stem the drop in the ruble, which slid to historic lows after a number of Western nations slapped Russia with sanctions in retaliation for Moscow’s military operation in neighboring Ukraine.

However, the national currency strengthened significantly over the past week after Russia unveiled a new ruble payment mechanism for natural gas exports. Also helping the ruble regain ground were the central bank’s restrictions on buying forex and a requirement that exporters convert to rubles 80% of their foreign currency revenues. On April 8, the Russian currency reached its strongest level against the US dollar since November 2021, at 72 rubles to the dollar, and broke below 78 rubles to the euro for the first time since the summer of 2020.

Apart from easing capital control measures, the Bank of Russia also cut its key rate on Friday to 17%, following a recent unprecedented hike to 20%. The central bank explained that the emergency steps taken to support the country’s economy throughout the past month had been successful. According to VTB Capital analysts, this week’s moves by the regulator are likely to further reduce volatility in the ruble.

Science Magazine reports that a genetic study conducted by an international team of researchers has revealed that a group of warriors known as the Avars traveled quickly from Mongolia to Europe some 1,500 years ago.

The scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, analyzed the genomes of Avar elites whose remains were found in 27 sites in what is now Hungary.

The study found that DNA from the oldest of these burials was nearly identical to that of an individual who had been buried in eastern Mongolia several decades earlier.

“The DNA is so close it’s got to be within one generation, or less,” said Choongwon Jeong of Seoul National University.

DNA samples from the graves of Avar elites dated 200 years later retain a strong East Asian signature, although without signs of inbreeding, indicating that the population was large, or that additional migrants from Mongolia continued to arrive in Europe, added Walter Pohl of the University of Vienna.

The study also suggests that the non-elite living away from the Avar capital probably mixed with the local population. The Avars were eventually defeated by Charlemagne in the late eighth century.

The ‘Mongolia Economic Forum-2022’ is continuing for the second day today, with one of the discussions taking place on the revival of the tourism sector.

It is fully possible to develop winter tourism in Mongolia, highlighted the Minister of Environment and Tourism. “Aside from receiving foreign tourists during the summer, by renovating and upgrading domestic airports, the number of tourists attending the main tourism events in winter will increase,” said Minister B. Bat-Erdene.

Noting that there are many opportunities to support the development of tourism in the country through measures such as promoting the sales of wool and cashmere products during the season, and introducing deals and discounts for accommodation rates and admissions to museums, he then informed that the Ministry will be working together with the Mongolian Tourism Association on this matter.

“It is also important to develop transit transportation for the aviation sector. For instance, flights between Europe to Australia usually have a layover - there is an opportunity for this layover stop to be in Mongolia. The forum will discuss the potential to develop tourism through transit transport today.

If these opportunities are properly utilized, Mongolia is estimated to annually earn USD 20 million (MNT 60 billion) from international flights. As this will require lifting the visa requirements for travelers from over 10 countries such as Japan and South Korea, the Ministry will submit this issue for discussion by the Cabinet,” said the Minister.

At the plenary session of the Parliament on April 7, a draft resolution on ‘Establishment of Khushig Valley Free Economic Zone’ was approved.

The resolution states the establishment of a ‘Khushig Valley Free Economic Zone’ based on the new Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Sergelen soum, Tuv aimag, and sets the zone’s area to be 1,000 hectares, reflecting its geographical location and the boundary coordinates.

Between April 7 and 8, young Mongolians with no political affiliation gathered at Sukhbaatar Square in the capital of Ulaanbaatar for a peaceful protest, demanding the current government change a number of policies. Their messages varied from concerns about the economy to general social dissatisfaction with taxation, job opportunities, allocation of resources, inflation, and an independent judiciary that can provide checks-and-balance for parliamentarian’s financial report.

According to some of the protesters, after the peaceful protest disbursed on April 7, about 20 individuals were caught by the police and beaten. This happened around 4 a.m. Pictures of multiple police officers stomping on an individual went viral, sparking social media outrage. Participants in Mongolia’s youth movement do not believe that the police should use violence to maintain order, especially in a democratic society.

On April 8, more protesters turned out to oppose police brutality, marking one of the biggest peaceful protests among Mongolia’s youth since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the crowd, including thousands of students, represents a variety of messages, it’s likely that the older generation will begin to join this developing movement, since many of the economic concerns touch all generations. One protest message stated, “Want to become a producer country not an importer.”

While the youth movement was taking place, the government was organizing an economic forum, which has been canceled two years in a row due to COVID-19. The timing of the two events is serendipitous; however, the government is not taking the youth dissatisfaction lightly. As the protest crowd on April 8 surpassed the previous day, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai spoke to the youth and agreed to convene an extraordinary session to meet their demands.

Thirty years into democratization, Mongolia has experienced a number of pop-up protests, decrying issues ranging from air pollution, election, mining, economy, and inhumane treatment of civilians. In one of the most notable recent incidents, protests against mistreatment of COVID-19 patients resulted in the shock resignation of the prime minister.

This current protest marks a potent force, because the youth taking to the street are nonpartisan, without any specific political agenda. Many of the protesters simply feel the government is not fulfilling its duties, such as providing economic prosperity, equal job opportunities, health, and wellness for its youth. An overriding demand is to alter government policies in order to promote and support the youth as opposed to the conglomerates that have benefitted from the government for decades.

The voice of the youth and their peaceful protests have historical resonance for Mongolia’s democracy. On April 8, as the sun set on Sukhbaatar Square – where once upon a time, thousands gathered to overthrow socialism in Mongolia – the younger generation of Mongolians sang the national anthem, waving their arms in a peaceful protest.

GUEST AUTHOR

Bolor Lkhaajav is a researcher specializing in Mongolia, China, Russia, Japan, East Asia, and the Americas. She holds an M.A. in Asia-Pacific Studies from the University of San Francisco.

On April 7, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg at the latter's request.

Wang Yi said, not long ago, Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene made a special trip to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. During the meeting with Oyun-Erdene respectively, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang reached important consensus with him, injecting new impetus into the development of bilateral relations. The more turbulent the international situation is, the more China and Mongolia, as close neighbors, should strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation.

Battsetseg completely agreed and said the Mongolian side is ready to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, keep close exchanges at all levels and strengthen communication and cooperation in various fields. The Mongolian side looks forward to giving full play to the Mongolia-China "green lanes" to further improve port operation capacity and shipment, and effectively cope with the negative impact caused by the spillover of the Ukraine crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wang Yi said that as good neighbors and friends, China and Mongolia have always stuck together through thick and thin and overcome difficulties together, and that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Mongolia on recovery and boost Mongolia's economic and social development. Recently, the "green lanes" between China and Mongolia have been reopened, and positive progress has been made in railway transportation, road freight, customs clearance and energy and mineral trade. China is willing to work with Mongolia to speed up the construction of the China-Russia-Mongolia Economic Corridor and promote the connectivity of railway lines between China and Mongolia. China will continue to provide Mongolia with anti-pandemic materials and equipment, support Mongolia's efforts in pandemic prevention and control and ensure the smooth operation of the border ports.

The two sides agreed to continue to firmly support each other in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests, avoid external interference and promote the sound and stable development of bilateral relations. Battsetseg said, Mongolia respects China's core concerns, and will as always handle its religious affairs independently.

The two sides also exchanged views on multilateral affairs. Battsetseg appreciated China's sense of responsibility as a major country in the joint fight against COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis, and spoke highly of China's commitment to promoting peace talks, resolving differences and providing humanitarian assistance. Wang stressed that the spillover effects of the Ukraine crisis have an impact on the normal economic and social operation of all countries, and Asian countries should strengthen communication and coordination to jointly safeguard regional peace, stability and development.