1 MONGOLIA PM FACES LIKELY CONFIDENCE VOTE AMID CORRUPTION CLAIMS WWW.AFP.COM PUBLISHED:2025/06/02      2 RIO TINTO FINDS ITS MEGA-MINE STUCK BETWEEN TWO MONGOLIAN STRONGMEN WWW.AFR.COM PUBLISHED:2025/06/02      3 SECRETARY RUBIO’S CALL WITH MONGOLIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BATTSETSEG, MAY 30, 2025 WWW.MN.USEMBASSY.GOV  PUBLISHED:2025/06/02      4 REGULAR TRAIN RIDES ON THE ULAANBAATAR-BEIJING RAILWAY ROUTE TO BE RESUMED WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/06/02      5 MONGOLIAN DANCE TEAMS WIN THREE GOLD MEDALS AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CHOREOGRAPHY LATIN 2025 WWW.MONTSAME.MN  PUBLISHED:2025/06/02      6 RUSSIA STARTS BUYING POTATOES FROM MONGOLIA WWW.CHARTER97.ORG PUBLISHED:2025/06/02      7 MONGOLIA BANS ONLINE GAMBLING, BETTING AND PAID LOTTERIES WWW.QAZINFORM.COM PUBLISHED:2025/06/02      8 HOW DISMANTLING THE US MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION WILL UNDERMINE MONGOLIA WWW.THEDIPLOMAT.COM PUBLISHED:2025/05/30      9 ORBMINCO ADVANCES BRONZE FOX PROJECT IN KINCORA COPPER PROJECT IN MONGOLIA WWW.DISCOVERYALERT.COM.AU PUBLISHED:2025/05/30      10 MONGOLIA SOLAR ENERGY SECTOR GROWTH: 1,000 MW BY 2025 SUCCESS WWW.PVKNOWHOW.COM PUBLISHED:2025/05/30      ЕРӨНХИЙЛӨГЧ У.ХҮРЭЛСҮХ, С.БЕРДЫМУХАМЕДОВ НАР АЛБАН ЁСНЫ ХЭЛЭЛЦЭЭ ХИЙЛЭЭ WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/02     Н.НОМТОЙБАЯР: ДАРААГИЙН ЕРӨНХИЙ САЙД ТОДРОХ НЬ ЦАГ ХУГАЦААНЫ АСУУДАЛ БОЛСОН WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/02     Л.ТӨР-ОД МҮХАҮТ-ЫН ГҮЙЦЭТГЭХ ЗАХИРЛААР Х.БАТТУЛГЫН ХҮНИЙГ ЗҮТГҮҮЛЭХ ҮҮ WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/02     ЦЕГ: ЗУНЫ ЗУГАА ТОГЛОЛТЫН ҮЕЭР 10 ХУТГА ХУРААЖ, СОГТУУРСАН 22 ИРГЭНИЙГ АР ГЭРТ НЬ ХҮЛЭЭЛГЭН ӨГСӨН WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/02     УУЛ УУРХАЙН ТЭЭВЭРЛЭЛТИЙГ БҮРЭН ЗОГСООЖ, ШАЛГАНА WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/02     ГАДНЫ КИБЕР ХАЛДЛАГЫН 11 ХУВЬ НЬ УИХ, 70 ХУВЬ НЬ ЗАСГИЙН ГАЗАР РУУ ЧИГЛЭДЭГ WWW.ZINDAA.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/02     НИЙТИЙН ОРОН СУУЦНЫ 1 М.КВ-ЫН ДУНДАЖ ҮНЭ 3.6 САЯ ТӨГРӨГ БАЙНА WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/06/02     ГОВИЙН БҮСИЙН ЧИГЛЭЛД УУЛ УУРХАЙН ТЭЭВЭРЛЭЛТИЙГ БҮРЭН ЗОГСООНО WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/05/30     СОР17 УЛААНБААТАР ХОТНОО 2026 ОНЫ НАЙМДУГААР САРЫН 17-28-НД БОЛНО WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/05/30     НИЙСЛЭЛИЙН ТӨР, ЗАХИРГААНЫ БАЙГУУЛЛАГЫН АЖИЛ 07:00 ЦАГТ ЭХЭЛЖ 16:00 ЦАГТ ТАРНА WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/05/30    

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MBCC “Doing Business with Mongolia seminar and Christmas Receptiom” Dec 10. 2024 London UK MBCCI London UK Goodman LLC

NEWS

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Mongolia’s Youth Protests Lead to Political Shenanigans www.diplomat.com

After two straight weeks of youth protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, Mongolia’s political atmosphere has taken a sharp turn as instability mounts and prime minister contenders battle for power. While Mongolia’s young protestors have successfully mobilized a peaceful protest that seems set to result in a change of government, internal political dynamics and oligarchic interests are also at play here.
Two weeks into May, public outrage erupted after a social media post showcased Oyun-Erdene’s son’s lavish birthday and a fancy engagement proposal. Outraged young Mongolians used social media platforms to mobilize and execute protests.
As of May 27, the protests were entering their 14th consecutive day. The Instagram page @ogtsrokh_amarkhan has gathered nearly 60,000 supporters for a petition to not only oust Oyun-Erdene as prime minister but also overthrow the coalition government that he leads.
On May 26, organizers read the following extended demands to the public:
1. The resignation of Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai under the premise of political and moral accountability;
2. Oust the coalition government and not to reconstitute a new coalition government;
3. For the purposes of government stability, not to amend the Constitution.
Although these demands are organic concerns raised by the people, without a coherent agenda, the door was opened for political shenanigans by the Mongolian leader.
Oyun-Erdene responded to the public’s demands last week, after days of silence. Speaking to members of the media, he stressed that the social media posts were personal matters and said that his son had not asked for any financial support from him. He emphasized that Mongolia’s Anti-Corruption Agency is currently investigating the situation and offered to resign – without protest – if the agency discovered any irregularities in his financial statement.
But Oyun-Erdene also broached a topic that he had not discussed publicly before, by mentioning certain families affected by his government’s decision making. Oyun-Erdene insinuated that some of the country’s mining oligarchs are seeking to remove him from office, as the coalition government has aimed to dismantle the oligarchic system. Oyun-Erdene’s government has been seeking to create a system in which mining conglomerates are obliged to share profits, either via taxation or by state ownership over a certain percentage of strategic sites. The prime minister implied that the mining oligarchs’ opposition to these policies was behind the movement to force his resignation.
The protests – and the demand for a just society and an end to corruption – emerged organically. But there’s no denying that the redistribution of wealth in Mongolia is of great concern to certain actors.
Observing the youth protest and the ongoing political environment, parliamentary members began to speak up but most remain hesitant to show full support for overthrowing the coalition government, fearing political instability. Mongolia’s ruling coalition consisted of Oyun-Erdene’s Mongolian People’s Party (MPP), the Democratic Party (DP), and the HUN Party.
The MPP held a party congress last week to hear Oyun-Erdene’s political statement. It ultimately decided to disband the coalition government by excluding the DP, after several members of the Democratic Party offered support for the protests. In response, the DP has formally demanded that the MPP provide a written explanation and public apology for its abrupt decision to remove DP from the coalition government without official notice.
Parliamentary member Uyangakhishig Gonchigdorj of the HUN Party told the media that “we need to assess the current situations separately – Oyun-Erdene’s social media matters [must be separated] from the coalition government’s work.”
She added, “The overthrowing of the coalition government will not protect nor defend Mongolia’s national interest. The ousting of the prime minister will need to go through the Parliament.”
A Democratic Party MP, Lodoisambuu Chuluunbileg, stated, “In the last two days, I have heard – in hearsay – that there are talks of $2 trillion to preserve the coalition government.” Neither he nor the press offered confirmation of the claim.
Lodoisambuu added that whether the coalition is to be disbanded, or Oyun-Erdene to resign, the parliament will need to discuss it.
As the youth protest continue to grow, a “battle of the five armies” – the coalition government, the MPP, the Democratic Party, the Parliament, and the Office of the President – will determine the government change. While political dealings can happen behind doors, especially within political parties, the mechanism and the power to maintain a stable government – and to constitute a new government – resides in the State Great Hural, Mongolia’s parliament. The fight for executive power is likely to center on political wrangling within the MPP, which holds over half the seats in the legislature.
Opposition parties, analysts, and constitutional experts have warned against a possible attempt to amend to the constitution, with a presidential election coming up in 2027. Under a 2019 amendment to the constitution, Mongolia’s president is limited to a single six-year term. But President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa’s power play within the MPP, and the power to steer the next government have increased suspicion of an amendment that might reshape the presidency.
On May 18, the Press Office of the President stated that Khurelsukh will not be seeking a second term in the 2027 election. Opposition party, observers, and some analysts say differently.
Democratic Party parliamentary member Temuujin Khishigdemberel stated that one of the roles of the DP as an opposition party is to defend the constitution, which bars Khurelsukh from seeking another term. Temuujin also highlighted the “three-headed government” of Mongolia, while claiming that the Office of the President was wielding its political powers within the MPP in choosing the next prime minister.
“The discussion on Mongolia considering becoming a presidential government is not a new topic,” political economy analyst and columnist Bolorerdene Bazarsuren told The Diplomat. “The current political situation is more a constitutional rather than a legal debate. In the case of Mongolia changing its governance model, there might a legitimate grounds for considering presidential governance.”
Other political analysts and observers have raised concern over the fact that neither the president, the prime minister, nor the coalition government has made a public statement amid 14 days of continued protest. As a result, the suspicion of backroom political dealings and the mingling of politics and business has only risen.
Protests are a healthy democratic function, where the youth assemble and voice their concerns. However, there are still reasonable grounds for concern over the stability of the Mongolian government amid opportunistic political shenanigans.
When it took office, the coalition government was a fresh face for Mongolia. It aimed to diversify the country’s mining-dependent economy, increase foreign investments, and proactively expand Ulaanbaatar’s foreign policy. The disbanding of the coalition government and reshuffling of the Cabinet certainly creates opportunities for other political factions to manipulate the situation to their advantage.
From a foreign policy standpoint, Mongolia once again will need to convince global partners that it is a stable, legitimate government that can deliver on its promises.
Despite the internal political chess game taking place as the country braces for another government change, this round of youth protests once again highlighted the vibrant but fragile nature of Mongolia’s democracy. With the protestors putting forward three concrete demands, it is likely that the parliament will yield to the will of the people. Thus far, the quest for strong, stable, continued government in Mongolia has been a difficult one.
By Bolor Lkhaajav

 

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Mongolia steps up fight against tobacco and e-cigarettes www.who.int

Tobacco use claims around 4 300 lives every year in Mongolia. The government is stepping up its efforts to fight the tobacco epidemic by introducing amendments into the Tobacco Control Law. In addition to tobacco, e-cigarettes are catching up as a serious threat, especially among the youth. 
E-cigarettes are harmful and are not smoking cessation alternatives. They contain nicotine and other substances such as heavy metals, cancer-causing chemicals, and toxic flavourings. Even products claiming to be nicotine-free have been found to contain it.
These products are aggressively marketed to the youth, with sweet flavours, flashy designs and through gamification, and influencers promoting them on social media. The result: a false image of fun and safety that masks serious health threats.
E-cigarettes are harmful to health:
E-cigarettes impair brain development in adolescents, increase the risk of anxiety and learning disorders, and lead to lifelong nicotine dependence.
The toxic chemicals in e-cigarettes can damage the lungs and contribute to heart diseases.
They are a pathway to nicotine addiction. Alarmingly, using e-cigarette triples the likelihood that youth will begin smoking traditional cigarettes.
A new study commissioned by WHO Mongolia reveals a worrying picture:
Nearly 60% of surveyed youth have tried e-cigarettes or vaping products.
1 in 3 adolescents are current users.
Among current users, nearly 1 in 5 vape 10 or more times per day, signs of growing addiction.
E-cigarette imports surged in 2024, making up nearly a quarter of all tobacco imports 
These findings were presented at High-Level Meetings held on 14–15 May 2025 in Ulaanbaatar. The event brings together parliamentarians, health leaders, partners and technical experts to:
Share the evidence.
Recommend urgent policy actions.
Build consensus on strong, protective regulations to protect youth.
Mongolia does not currently have comprehensive regulation on e-cigarettes. Similarly to conventional tobacco products, stringent regulations and a comprehensive ban should be introduced to protect the health of children, youth and the entire population. Without immediate policy intervention, e-cigarette use risks becoming deeply entrenched in the lives of Mongolia’s next generation, putting thousands at risk of lifelong addiction and long-term health harms.

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Mongolia and the Republic of Austria Sign a Joint Declaration www.montsame.mn

At the invitation of President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, Federal President of the Republic of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen is paying a State Visit to Mongolia on May 25-28, 2025.
During the State Visit, the two parties signed the following documents to strengthen the legal basis for bilateral cooperation. 
1. The Joint Declaration of Mongolia and the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.
The two sides reaffirmed shared commitment to respecting the fundamental principles of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and international law, including human rights, strengthening multilateral cooperation within international organizations, promoting human rights and freedoms, ensuring global peace and security, addressing global challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, ensuring the effective implementation of international humanitarian law, and advancing sustainable development.
The two sides agreed to expand friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries, aligning the principles of Mongolia's peace-loving, independent, open, and multi-pillar foreign policy and the "Third Neighbor" policy with Austria's consistent policies and activities aimed at strengthening global peace, security, and sustainable development.
2. An Agreement on Social Protection between Mongolia and the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Family, Labor and Social Protection of Mongolia Enkh-Amgalan Luvsantseren and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.
The Agreement establishes legal conditions to ensure social security for citizens of the two countries, create favorable working and living conditions and opportunities, and receive pensions for the period of payment of social insurance contributions in Mongolia and Austria.
3. An Agreement on Visa Exemption for Diplomatic Passport Holders between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.
Citizens of the two countries holding diplomatic passports can now travel visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The Agreement aims at easing visa requirements for citizens traveling abroad and increasing the number of countries that Mongolian citizens can travel to visa-free under the “Strong Mongolian Passport” goal.
4. An Agreement on the Repatriation of Illegally Residing Citizens between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Republic of Austria was signed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Austria Tsengeg Mijiddorj and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.
The Agreement will establish the legal framework for the formal requests for repatriation of citizens illegally residing in the two countries, and expand bilateral cooperation in facilitating legal migration.
5. A Letter of Intent on Financial Cooperation between the Ministry of Finance of Mongolia and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Finance of Mongolia Javkhlan Bold and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.
Following the completion of the EUR 40 million Financial Cooperation Agreement, the two sides affirm mutual aspiration to establish the next agreement. The two sides will work together to spend the funds from the General Loan Agreement on health, medical equipment, infrastructure, agriculture, and education sectors.
6. A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Exchanging New Technology and Best Practices in Mining between the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of Mongolia and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of Mongolia Tuvaan Tsevegdorj and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the two sides will collaborate in sharing and introducing new technology and best practices, conducting joint research, and training professionals in the mining sector.
The two sides agreed to cooperate in facilitating cooperation between research and analysis institutions of the two countries, implement joint projects and programs, implement projects that support the planning, construction, and operation of waste processing plants, develop sustainable energy technologies, ensure cybersecurity, digitize small and medium-sized enterprises and develop engineering operations in the mining and mineral resources sectors. To implement these measures, a joint Working Group will be established.
7.  An Agreement on Cooperation in Science between the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and the Austrian Academy of Sciences was signed by President of the  Mongolian Academy of Sciences Demberel Sodnomsambuu and President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Heinz Fassmann.
Under the revised Agreement, the scope of cooperation will expand, the number of traditional and new joint research projects and programs will increase, and the human resources of the sector will be strengthened.
8. A Protocol on the Implementation of an Agreement on Cooperation in Science between the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and the Austrian Academy of Sciences for 2025-2030 was signed by President of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences Demberel Sodnomsambuu and President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Heinz Fassmann.
The two sides will implement the "Mobility" Project to exchange scientists and researchers, exchange information and good practices through joint research, strengthen human resources of the sector, and expand the network of scientists and researchers.
9. A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Mongolian State Conservatory and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna was signed by Director of the Mongolian State Conservatory Sharavtseren Tserenjigmed and Rector of the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna of the Republic of Austria Ulrike Sych.
The two universities will collaborate by exchanging classical music teachers, students, and musical pieces by Mongolian and Austrian composers, jointly creating works, implementing joint projects for teachers, organizing scientific and academic conferences, and implementing projects on morin khuur, tsuur, and ethnic musicology in collaboration with Austrian music scholars. It will enable the introduction of new teaching methods and new approaches in Mongolia for the first time.
10. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Chinggis Khaan National Museum of Mongolia and the Institute of Iranian Studies of the Austrian Academy of Sciences was signed by Director of the Chinggis Khaan National Museum of Mongolia Chuluun Sampildondov and President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Heinz Fassmann.
The two sides will collaborate on scientific studies and research, mutually study historical documents and collections, and implement joint scientific projects.

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Construction of the Selbe Sub-Center to Begin on May 29 www.montsame.mn

 Construction of the Selbe Sub-Center will start on May 29, 2025.
Contractors have been selected for the first two packages of the model “20-Minute City” Selbe Sub-Center Project, which spans 158 hectares and 2,206 land plots in Chingeltei and Sukhbaatar districts. Geographically, these initial packages cover a 25.6-hectare zone around “Zurgaan Buudal” and the Orgil Shopping Center, where apartments for roughly 4,400 households will be built.
Work on social facilities and engineering infrastructure across the 158-hectare site is underway. Current projects include 6.7 km of roads, 5.3 km of power and telecommunication lines, 9.7 km of district-heating pipes, 19.7 km of water-supply and sewer lines, a 2.4 km flood-protection dikes, a 1,000 cubic meter water reservoir, three bridges, a heating plant, an information-communications hub, a business incubator training center, and a substation. Two kindergartens with capacities of 150 and 240 children each have already been commissioned.

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Centennial anniversary of air force celebrated www.ubpost.mn

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Mongolian Air Force, a special “Open Day” event was held at Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport on May 25, beginning with the opening of an exhibition showcasing the evolution and milestones of the nation’s aviation history.
The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of high-ranking officials, including Major General S.Ganbyamba, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces; Brigadier General D.Gankhuyag, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense; Colonel B.Munkh-Ireedui, Commander of the Air Force; along with representatives from the Ministry of Road and Transportation, veteran aviators, and other dignitaries. Organized in collaboration with the Mongolian Military Museum, the Air Force Command, Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport, the Border Protection and Emergency Management agencies, local airports, and domestic aviation companies, the exhibition offered visitors a rich visual journey through the nation's military and civil aviation heritage, featuring rare photographs, equipment displays, and historic artifacts.
The program also included a ceremonial parade involving over 1,000 service personnel, aerial demonstrations, parachute jumps, and a spectacular aerobatic performance by Russia’s renowned “Strizhi” (Swifts) team. A festive atmosphere prevailed throughout the day, further animated by hot air balloon flights, cultural performances, and a closing fireworks display in the evening.
The event concluded with a strong sense of national pride, paying tribute to a century of aviation excellence and the continued service of Mongolia’s Air Force.

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Mongolian Government Accuses Rio Tinto Group of Bribery, Corruption www.marketscreener.com

Rio Tinto Group (ASX:RIO) has been accused of political bribery in a secret lawsuit involving its Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia, the Australian Financial Review reported Sunday, citing details obtained on the allegations filed on May 20.
The dispute has persisted for nearly two decades, with company and Mongolian officials squabbling over the mine's wealth, AFR reported.
The Mongolian government's decision to file the lawsuit in a British court suggests the tension has not been resolved despite outgoing Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm spending nearly AU$8.5 billion on buying out minority shareholders and waiving government debts.
The lawsuit aims to force the company to produce evidence, helping Mongolia argue its case in the arbitration, the report said.
While Mongolian authorities directly accuse the company and its subsidiaries of corruption and bribery, there is no suggestion that Stausholm was involved in the incidents, which took place between 2008 and 2012, or that the lawsuit led to his resignation, according to the report.
Rio Tinto did not immediately respond to a request for comment by MT Newswires.
(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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After Protests Force a Shake-up, Who Would Become Mongolia’s Next Prime Minister? www.diplomat.com

For the past week, Mongolia’s government has found itself embroiled in a sudden political scandal over the prime minister’s lavish lifestyle, as reflected through his son. Social media posts of Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai’s son’s extravagant engagement went viral and sparked outrage in Mongolia’s social media. As a result, young Mongolians have gathered in front of the government palace for over a week to express their discontent with the prime minister.
Despite surviving previous calls for resignation, the sustained nature of the current unrest, coupled with internal party pressures, suggests that Oyun-Erdene’s position has become untenable. His anticipated resignation appears to be a strategic move to preserve party unity and public confidence, as reported by the Associated Press.
Public pressure has pushed the ruling Mongolian People’s Party – led by Oyun-Erdene – to deliberate on the future of the government and its coalition with the Democratic Party and the HUN Party. Ultimately, the MPP decided to cut ties with the Democratic Party to save face and blame the Democrats for breaking their agreement with the MPP, essentially attempting to reorient the narrative on why the government faltered. 
According to local news reports, Oyun-Erdene will officially announce his resignation early next week. Now, the question becomes, who will be his successor?
If Oyun-Erdene stepped down during a time of relative calm, many members of the MPP leadership would be eager to take his position. But in this time of public pressure and corporate disapproval of the government, none of the so-called contenders want to be the one to fix this. Oyun-Erdene rose to power in a similar manner in 2021, as the Mongolian government was being heavily criticized for its handling of the COVID-19 lockdowns and economic downturns from that period. Oyun-Erdene was handpicked to take the reins of government by the last prime minister and current president, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. 
Who has the same standing as Oyun-Erdene, maintains positive relations with Oyun-Erdene and the president and his party, and is recognized as a deal broker? The current chairman of the State Great Hural (parliament), Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve.  
Mind you, Amarbayasgalan has expressed that he doesn’t want to be the next premier and does not wish to stifle his friendship with Oyun-Erdene. However, it appears that he has no other option. The MPP needs a leader who enjoys popularity both inside and outside the party and who can effectively navigate through challenges. Furthermore, he would be expected to push the previous Cabinet’s agenda, such as Vision 2050.
Amarbayasgalan has earned a reputation as a political “Mozart” – a skilled strategist with a deep understanding of Mongolian politics. His rise through the ranks of the MPP, from secretary-general to chief cabinet secretary and now chairman of parliament, reflects both his political acumen and influence within the party. Along the way, he played a pivotal role in securing major victories, including the MPP’s landslide win in the 2016 and 2020 parliamentary elections. He also led significant legislative efforts, such as expanding the number of parliamentary seats and increasing the quota for women in parliament.
Known for his ability to navigate complex party dynamics and for his strong commitment to social democratic values, Amarbayasgalan brings a leadership style built on communication and consensus. With a strong, commanding voice, he is a better orator than Oyun-Erdene. In 2023, as the coal-theft protest was unfolding, Ambarbayasgalan served as the arbiter in discussions with the protest organizers. Currently he is the first chairman to oversee a parliament that has 126 seats. 
One of the key reasons Amarbayasgalan might choose not to pursue the premiership is his deep commitment to parliamentary reform – particularly his focus on implementing the “Three Perfections” policy. This initiative outlines a vision for transforming the State Great Hural into a more effective and principled institution. The first pillar emphasizes strict adherence to modern legal frameworks; the second calls for eliminating delays in the legislative process; and the third aims to dismantle the systemic roots of bureaucracy, corruption, and inequality within the legal environment. If fully realized, the policy positions parliament as the central mechanism for addressing institutional inefficiencies and promoting a more transparent, accountable, and forward-looking governance model. 
Despite his strong political instincts and reputation as a skilled technocrat, Amarbayasgalan remains relatively unknown to the broader public. This is largely due to his reserved media presence – a characteristic not uncommon within the ruling party. In fact, the current president has yet to give a formal media interview since taking office. While Amarbayasgalan is unlikely to follow that path entirely, he may adopt a cautious media strategy, especially in light of how Oyun-Erdene’s missteps in friendly media interviews have damaged his standing, particularly among younger voters.
Amarbayasgalan’s reserved nature and instinct to operate behind the scenes could become even more pronounced if he seeks to avoid similar pitfalls. This may make him appear increasingly insular at a time when the public is demanding greater transparency and accessibility from its leaders. At the same time, his well-known ability to broker consensus could act as a double-edged sword – preventing bold reform in favor of preserving stability. Yet this may be precisely what the ruling party wants: a steady hand who can manage internal pressures and maintain continuity without provoking public unrest.
By Anand Tumurtogoo

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Rio Tinto hunts broadly for new CEO, in contrast with strong BHP bench www.reuters.com

MELBOURNE/LONDON, May 22 (Reuters) - As Rio Tinto (RIO.L), opens new tab, (RIO.AX), opens new tab searches for a new CEO, the miner will cast a wide net due to a very short list of possible internal candidates, sources said, in contrast with laser-focused succession planning at its main rival BHP.
Rio, the world's largest iron ore miner, took investors by surprise on Thursday when the company announced CEO Jakob Stausholm will step down later this year once a successor is appointed. It gave no reason for the move.
One source familiar with the matter said the board had held meetings on the succession in recent months with the help of executive recruitment firm MWM Consulting, vetting internal candidates including Bold Baatar, Simon Trott and Jerome Pecresse, while looking for external leaders too.
"The next generation of big mining leaders will have to be more aggressive than the last. There's less copper around and they will have to take bigger risks to get it," said one person who consults for top executive appointments in the industry.
Both mining giants are in the midst of changing CEO at a critical juncture as the hunt for copper is crucial due to demand for use in multiple technologies including artificial intelligence and the clean energy transition.
A febrile atmosphere characterised 2024 as diversified miners failed in pulling off big ticket M&A - something both companies might hope to succeed in with new leadership. Among Rio's internal suite of candidates, Singapore-based Baatar, Rio's chief commercial officer, has found some strong support.
"We believe Baatar's communication, portfolio knowledge and problem-solving skills (as showcased during his role at Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia and Simandou mine in Guinea) would prove key in leading Rio," RBC analysts said in a note.
The Mongolian has worked in leadership positions in Rio's marine, iron ore sales and marketing divisions. He joined the Executive Committee in 2016, running the Energy & Minerals product group, before heading its copper division.
Head of iron ore Trott, a more than 20-year veteran at Rio, has brought to market its biggest new iron ore mine in more than a decade, in Australia, and is building out a huge programme of replacement tonnes.
Her family firm in Takasaki, north of Tokyo, makes auto parts.
But he has faced pushback from investors because the quality of ore in Rio's exports has dropped during his tenure and has also fallen short of production targets.
OUTSIDE CONTENDERS
Pecresse was appointed head of the aluminium division in October 2023, joining the company from General Electric (GE) Renewable Energy. He worked at Alstom and Imerys prior to that, and is seen internally as a very sharp, but understated leader. His wife is French politician Valerie Pecresse.
Outside contenders include Newmont CEO Tom Palmer, who had also been considered in 2020, and previous OZ Minerals CEO Andrew Cole, both former Rio veterans.
That compares with a very strong internal cadre at BHP, the world's biggest listed miner, where CEO Mike Henry is expected to leave in the next year and a new CEO announced at the same time.
BHP (BHP.AX), opens new tab regularly rotates top talent through key roles so it has a depth and breadth of experience to choose from. Internal CEO candidates are mentored for years by the chair and some members of the board, as a sort of pre-screening exercise, a source familiar with the company said.
The company pledged in 2016 to have 40% female staff by 2025, which it is on track to achieve, and its top two contenders are women.
BHP's Australia president Geraldine Slattery is well liked by investors for her operational nous, having previously led the company's petroleum business out of Texas. She has been at BHP for three decades. One investor described her as "steely".
CFO Vandita Pant is seen as a cool head in uncertain geopolitical times, having helped to steer ABN Amro and RBS though the thick of the global financial crisis, the latter where she worked with BHP's new chairman and former RBS CEO Ross McEwan. Pant joined BHP in 2016. A weakness could be her financial, not operational, background, some investors have said.
(This story has been refiled to expand the company name of Rio Tinto in the headline)
Reporting by Melanie Burton and Clara Denina; Editing by Veronica Brown and Susan Fenton

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Mongolia’s coalition government edging towards collapse amid interparty strife, street protests www.intellinews.com

Spring is typically a time of political upheaval in Mongolia, a season when protesters take to the streets and politicians find ways to disrupt the status quo. This year is no different. 
The country’s coalition government, formed less than a year ago on the premise that it could increase political stability and push forward large-scale infrastructure projects, is edging towards collapse amid protests and internal strife.
The situation in Ulaanbaatar is fluid, with daily developments unfolding in rapid succession.
On May 21, the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) voted behind closed doors in a party congress to oust the Democratic Party (DP) from the coalition government. The vote doesn’t automatically end the coalition, but the fractures could be beyond repair.
MPP alleges violation
The MPP alleges that the DP violated a cooperation agreement with coalition members when some of its members supported calls from protesters for the prime minister to resign. DP members responded by saying that they have a right to be critical of the MPP.
As the largest party in the 126-member Great Hural, the MPP is meeting to determine if it will move forward with the government alone or forge a new coalition. The MPP holds 68 seats in Parliament while the DP holds 42. A third coalition member, the HUN party, has eight.
At the very least, an end to the coalition will result in a cabinet reshuffle. The Democrats hold eight cabinet positions – these would need to be refilled if the party exits the coalition. One of these seats is held by DP leader L. Gantumur, who has threatened to step down as head of the party. 
The shake-up could also force Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai to resign – he has previously said he would step down if the coalition were to break up. He is already up against mounting pressure to leave the job from the protesters assembled on Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar.
Called back from Harvard
The protests were triggered earlier this month amid questions over transparency, centred on Oyun-Erdene’s son Temuulen, 23. Temuulen, who attends Harvard, has been called back to Mongolia as authorities probe his spending habits and lavish gifts given to his fiancée.
An online petition calling for the prime minister to resign has gathered over 58,000 signatures.
Amar Adiya, editor-in-chief of Mongolia Weekly, a business intelligence newsletter, says the political turbulence could stall important projects and economic initiatives for weeks or months.
He suggests the internal party strife could partly be coming from those who have lost confidence in the prime minister’s economic plans.
A slowdown in GDP during the first quarter of 2025 has some analysts worried – the economy grew by 2.4% year-on-year compared to 7.9% in the same period a year ago.
“The Oyun-Erdene administration’s emphasis on state-centric economic management has led those favouring a more private role in the economy to seek a pause on the government’s aggressive agenda,” Amar said. “This could impact and delay the government’s signature 14 megaprojects.”
Julian Dierkes, a Mongolia expert at the University of Mannheim, said on May 22 that nothing definite has been settled and it’s too soon to declare the coalition over. But he says that if the trend of events continues, a breakup of the ruling coalition could benefit the DP.
“If the DP has any chance of reviving and gaining credibility as an opposition party, leaving the coalition is essential,” said Dierkes.
As for potential challengers to the prime minister, Dierkes points to Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve, the current parliament chairman, saying: “Perhaps [he’s] unusual for Mongolian politicians in that he has appeared to be a genuine social democrat at times, that is, to have an actual ideological orientation and the desire to make the world a better place.”
“Any kind of political programme has been largely missing from other elected officials. [Amarbayasgalan] might be a bit different, perhaps,” adds Dierkes. “However, no substantive policy changes seem all that likely.”
By Michael Kohn

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Macro advisory: Mongolia rising, but critically linked to China www.intellinews.com

Three years ago, Mongolia was broke and facing a possible debt default. It suffered a big drop in the volume and value of copper and coal exports to China during 2020-2021 and the dispute with the controlling shareholders of the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine also delayed development of that project. The budget was severely strained and the government had little money to spend on infrastructure expansion and upgrades or in helping such industries as agriculture and addressing the severe environment problems affecting Ulaanbaatar.
The situation today is still far from perfect, but it has significantly improved from 2021. The reopening of the Chinese borders from late 2022 and the dispute between Beijing and Canberra allowed for a significant rise in Chinese purchases of Mongolian coal. This happened at the same time as demand for copper rose strongly as the production of electric vehicles also grew steeply. Rio Tinto resolved issues concerning its mining operations which allowed it to commit to a major expansion of the Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine.
The budget has reported a surplus since 2H22 and both the trade and current accounts have seen strong surpluses in 2023 and in 2024. This allowed the government to meet its debt obligations and to start building financial reserves. Total external debt is still very high, at over $37bn or 150% of GDP. But sovereign debt, which was at almost 70% of GDP in 2021, is now down to 40%. The government is planning the components for a multi-layered sovereign wealth fund and foreign exchange reserves are growing. Reflecting these improvements, all three international rating agencies upgraded their assessment of sovereign risk and with positive or stable outlooks.
But does the coalition government provide political stability? 
The ruling Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) took advantage of the improved financial resources and persuaded the DPM and HUN parties to form a grand coalition, which brought political stability to the country and allows for greater coordination to advance industrial and social reforms, although there are many critics about the “heavy-handed” control of dissenting media and other critics.
The economic and industrial development plan adopted by the MPP-led coalition is the Mega Projects strategy. This aims to build 14 large-scale infrastructure projects which can help modernise the economy and create a platform for future growth. The projects include new, cleaner, energy generation, greater transport networks, better water management, a new city to alleviate the pressures in the capital, etc. There are many who are critical of the major development plans, especially given the long history of delays, corruption and environmental damage from projects in the past. But with a coalition government, several of the projects are advancing more quickly than predicted.
But, this relatively positive picture remains very dependent on the expansion in the mining sector, on export receipts and, critically, China. At present, 90% of exports currently go to China so demand for coal and copper in that market is key to Mongolia’s future development and government options; especially as the government has committed to a balanced budget and conservative debt management. The money for the Mega Projects will have to come from mining sector taxes and export receipts.
Mongolia is not directly impacted by the proposed new US import tariffs. But because China is its major trading partner, it is very much exposed - albeit indirectly. If Washington and Beijing fail to agree on an acceptable (to both) deal, then industrial output in China will decline and that will reduce demand for coal and copper and/or negatively impact the price China is willing to pay, especially as Russia will be willing to sell such materials at a discount in order to regain export markets post-conflict.
The government is also targeting a bigger tax-take from the mining sector. It will have to be careful with its proposed plan to change the taxation structure in the mining sector. Officials are pushing for a greater state tax take in the industry so as to cover the cost of the projects and to fund the three-part Sovereign Wealth Fund. Changing the tax and royalty rules for profitable industries and projects after the foreign investors have completed major investment spending, is not uncommon in the Eurasia region (e.g. in Kazakhstan with the oil projects). However, it is a delicate and dangerous balance, especially as Mongolia needs to attract a lot more foreign investment into the planned new projects and for mining sector expansion.
Public suspicion is far from eased too. The other issue for investors and the government is whether the public protests seen last winter will be repeated and grow in the summer or come next winter. The last large-scale protests were in 2022, when the so-called “coal mafia” details were revealed. 
This involved very senior elected and government officials getting kickbacks for selling coal to Chinese buyers at discounted prices. People remain angry about state corruption and are far from convinced that the issues are being dealt with. Surveys show that the majority think the Mega Projects provide another excuse for wide scale corruption. People are also fierce defenders of the country’s natural beauty, wildlife and nomadic culture, all of which, they fear, could be overwhelmed by rapid infrastructure development.
Environmental problems are also still to be addressed. People are also angry at the failure to address the often-extreme environmental issues in Ulaanbaatar, including clogged traffic, poor services and dangerously unhealthy air quality; the latter having been made worse with the rapid and uncontrolled growth of “ger” suburbs - created as rural inhabitants were forced to the city after the extreme “dzud” (a severe winter phenomenon) conditions of the past two winters. 
One of the remedial responses of the government has been to increase pension and public sector wages by close to 20% in nominal terms. But the ability to do this or to keep it growing, is also critically dependent on China’s economy and the tax-versus-investment balance in the mining sector. 
Inflation is another major concern in terms of socio-political stability. The headline rate is expected to exceed the Bank of Mongolia’s target rate (set at 8%) throughout this year and then stabilise within the target range beginning in 2Q26. Increasing government spending and higher energy prices are amongst the principal drivers, pushing headline inflation to 9.6% year-on-year in February, albeit lower at 8.5% in April. It is expected that rising domestic prices for flour, meat, and meat products will drive up food inflation in the coming quarters. As domestic demand grows and the Mongolian tugrik is expected to decline a little further, prices for both imported and locally produced goods will rise.
For investors and foreign companies, the major opportunities in Mongolia continue to be related to the mining sector as all operators have significant plans for output and export growth. That will also depend on China demand and pricing. 
The government, via its “Third Neighbor” strategy is trying to diversify its customer and investor partner base with a growing engagement with India. Exports of coking coal are increasing via Vladivostok port too. India is also funding the construction of the country’s first oil refinery near Ulaanbaatar.
The next major opportunity will be for construction equipment, engineering and related services linked to the Mega Projects. The timing and scale of such opportunities is directly linked to China’s economy and appetite for imported materials.  
By Chris Weafer CEO of Macro-Advisory

 

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