Electronic visa application system evisa.mn has been put into service from June 1, 2021 within the amendments made to the Law on the Legal Status of Foreign Nationals, reports Immigration Agency of Mongolia (IAM).

According to the amendments, this service is designed for foreigners, who want to travel to Mongolia for tourism purposes and for those who need an e-visa from abroad.

In connection with this activity, IAM's website for electronic visa issuance services has been upgraded; thus, individuals and businesses that invite foreigners can use eimmigration.mn to receive 11 types of visa services online.

Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have chosen a top U.S. coal-producing state as the location for a new kind of nuclear reactor, using Natrium as its power source.

The natrium power plant, with an anticipated cost of $1 billion, will repurpose a coal plant for its operations in Wyoming, with the exact location to be announced by the end of 2021. The partners hope this will help the U.S. on its way to a carbon-zero future.

The development consists of a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor with molten salt-based energy storage that could boost the system’s power output to 500MW during peak power demand. This would provide enough energy to power as many as 400,000 homes.

The project will be overseen by TerraPower and Pacificorp, founded by Gates and Buffett respectively. TerraPower has been key in exploring the potential of Natrium power as the US energy department awarded the company $80 million in funding last year to demonstrate the potential power of this chemical.

“We think Natrium will be a game-changer for the energy industry,” Gates stated of the project.

President and CEO of TerraPower, Chris Levesque, adds “We need this kind of clean energy on the grid in the 2030s.”

Some experts are critiquing the plans, warning that advanced reactors may present a higher risk than their conventional counterparts. Reactor fuel needs to be enriched at a higher rate than conventional fuel, making the supply chain a potential target for groups trying to build a crude nuclear weapon.

However, advanced nuclear reactors have simpler designs than typical reactors, making them easier to build, more fuel-efficient, cheaper, and safer.

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Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon believes “This is our fastest and clearest course to becoming carbon negative,” stating, "Nuclear power is clearly a part of my all-of-the-above strategy for energy.”

The project is expected to provide on-demand, no-carbon energy, as well as providing hundreds of short and long-term jobs in construction and plant operations. This will give a much-needed boost to Wyoming’s job sector following two decades of coal plant closures.

While two out of every three nuclear power reactors globally are scheduled for retirement in the near future, the U.S. is still investing heavily in nuclear power. For example, the Vogtle nuclear power plant in Georgia is expected to commence commercial operation in November 2021, at an estimated cost of $28 billion. It seems that despite a movement away from nuclear power in recent years we cannot overlook its potential as a global energy leader.

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Following a decade of decline after major disasters such as Fukushima in 2011, which obliterated Japan’s nuclear power program, two countries, Belarus and the United Arab Emirates have recently commissioned new nuclear power plants. In addition, Japan is aiming to reintroduce nuclear capacities, with at least 5 safety-upgraded reactors expected to be recommissioned by 2025.

The Middle East and South Asia are expected to boost their nuclear power production by the end of the decade, with Turkey, Egypt, Bangladesh, China, and India all investing in nuclear reactors. This has sent uranium stocks up since late 2020, with two leading US-listed uranium miners, Uranium Energy Corp. and Cameco Corporation, both experiencing a steady climb.

Despite the recent decline in nuclear power, plans to invest in the recommissioning of existing reactors and develop new ones suggest that nuclear energy is not yet dead. Further, if Gates and Buffett are successful in developing their Natrium advanced reactor is could lead the way for future projects.

The volume of trade between Russia and China is expected to amount to $200 billion in three years, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who says relations between Moscow and Beijing are now at an unprecedented level.

“I think we could reach the level of $200 billion, as we agreed, as soon as by 2024,” Putin said, speaking at an annual economic forum in St. Petersburg.

He pointed out that Russia-China trade turnover had totaled $104 billion by the end of 2020, exceeding the targeted $100 billion.

Although the economic disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic didn’t prevent the mutual trade volume from reaching this milestone, the turnover in 2020 was down almost 3% against the previous pre-pandemic year.

Nonetheless, trade between the two nations saw a nearly 20% year-on-year surge in the first four months of 2021, reaching $40.207 billion.

June 3 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia reported 1,024 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the national tally to 61,396, the country's health ministry said Thursday.

One of the latest cases was imported, and 9,045 samples were tested in the past day across the country, according to the ministry.

Meanwhile, the death toll reached 302 with two new fatalities, and the total number of recoveries rose by 535 to 51,983.

The Asian country launched a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign in late February, aiming to cover at least 60 percent of its 3.3 million people.

Over 1,860,900 Mongolians have so far received their first dose, and over 1,373,000 Mongolians have been fully vaccinated.

On June 2, Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene, Deputy Prime Minister S.Amarsaikhan, Minister of Health S.Enkhbold, Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar D.Sumiyabazar became acquainted with vaccination points as well as the work of the Operative Team of the State Emergency Commission.

“509 citizens got vaccinated with Pfizer vaccines at the vaccination point today. 89.6 percent of target group citizens in the district have been involved in the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines, with about 70 percent having received their second shots,” reported officials.

Afterwards, the Prime Minister worked at the Operative Team of the State Emergency Commission. During this, Minister of Health S.Enkhbold briefly introduced the progress of vaccinations nationwide as well as issues being faced.

In the capital city, 99.8 percent of the target group have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines. Of the 11,913 vaccinated citizens that got infected, 3,876 were fully vaccinated. Statistics show that fully vaccinated citizens who received their second shots over 14 days ago are less likely to become infected. “According to scholars and researchers, the number of daily cases are estimated to decrease from June 15,” introduced the Health Minister.

Children aged 0-17 take 25-36 percent of the daily confirmed cases. In the total of 13,197 children that tested positive, infections are particularly high in the age groups of 5-9 and 10-14. As for adults, the age group of 25-34 have more number of COVID-19 cases. So far, 81-85 percent of the age group of 18-34 have been involved in vaccinations, whereas 95 percent of persons aged 55 and up have been vaccinated.

While having received a shipment of 100,000 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines recently, the Government of Mongolia has establishment an agreement to purchase an additional 2.5 million doses of the vaccine.

The Prime Minister obliged corresponding officials to accelerate vaccination works at vaccination points as well as in rural regions that have slow progress.

A working meeting between Alexey Miller Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, and Battsetseg Batmunkh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, took place today at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2021.

The parties discussed the construction project for the Soyuz Vostok gas pipeline, which is meant to provide supplies of Russian gas across Mongolia to China. Particular attention was paid to, among other things, the results of the approved feasibility analysis for the project and the ongoing preparation of the corresponding feasibility study, which is planned to be completed before the end of this year.

Background

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2021 is being held at the EXPOFORUM Convention and Exhibition Centre from June 2 to 5. This year's main theme is “A Collective Reckoning of the New Global Economic Reality.”

On December 5, 2019, Gazprom and the Government of Mongolia signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The document provides for a joint assessment of the feasibility of the project for pipeline gas supplies from Russia to China across Mongolia.

In April 2021, the feasibility analysis regarding the construction project for the Soyuz Vostok gas trunkline was approved. The Soyuz Vostok gas pipeline will become an extension of Russia's Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline in Mongolian territory.

In the course of the feasibility analysis, the basic technical and technological parameters of the project were established. These include the optimal route for the gas pipeline in Mongolian territory, the pipeline's length and diameter, the working pressure, and the number of compressor stations.

The feasibility study regarding the construction project for the Soyuz Vostok gas trunkline includes a detailed breakdown of the associated investment and operating costs. The feasibility study is being prepared by the Gazoprovod Soyuz Vostok special-purpose vehicle.

Anglo American said on Thursday that it has restarted underground mining at its Moranbah North coal mine in northern Queensland state after it withdrew its workforce from the mine following a reading of elevated gases on Feb. 20.

Mining development activities at its Grosvenor mine, in central Queensland’s Bowen Basin, have also resumed this week, as part of the mine’s staged restart of underground mining operations following an explosion in May 2020 that critically injured five workers, it said in a statement.

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“I would like to thank our workforces at Moranbah North and Grosvenor mines for their patience and dedication in actioning a range of measures to ensure a safe return to mining activities,” Chief Executive of Anglo American’s Metallurgical Coal business, Tyler Mitchelson, said.

He said that Anglo would continue with its plans to improve safety via automation and instituting remote working operations.

The two mines accounted for almost half of Anglo American’s met coal, or steel-making coal, production in 2019. Grosvenor produced 4.7 million tonnes in 2019. Moranbah North produced 4.43 million tonnes of met coal in 2020, down from 6.15 million tonnes in 2019.

(By Melanie Burton; Editing by Tom Hogue and Muralikumar Anantharaman)

60-70 percent of Mongolia’s total cashmere is exported after primary processing. Increased focus is being given to reducing and eventually stopping export of washed cashmere and increasing production and export of value-added products.

Today, 20 tons of cashmere that meets international quality requirements and standards was shipped to Italy. 10 of the 20 tons of cashmere holds the Mongolian Noble Fibre certification mark, which certifies that the product is made with 100 percent high quality wool and cashmere sourced from Mongolia, meets Mongolian and international standards for textiles and woven products, and fully complies with quality standards in environmentally-friendly manufacturing.

Khanbogd Cashmere company has previously been exporting its cashmere to Italy in 90 days through China and this time, by land, the cashmere will reach its destination in around 20 days.

The International Bank for Economic Co-operation (IBEC) has supported the Green Loan Program (GLP) of the Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia (TDBM) for small and medium-sized enterprises in Mongolia. IBEC has provided loan in the amount of USD 10 million for a period of up to 3 years.

The total green financing volume under the GLP program is USD 50 million and is formed both from TDBM funds and with the support of a number of other banks, including international development institutions. The full implementation period of the Program is 5 years.

Participation in the program is fully consistent with the new IBEC strategy and confirms the Bank's pathway towards financing sustainable development, stimulating green investments, promoting social stability and supporting the SME sector.

The GLP program, developed by one of the country's leading banks, reflects Mongolia's active interest in addressing environmental issues and commitment to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). GLP implementation is in line with the following SDGs: clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industrialization, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and towns, responsible consumption and production, and combating climate change.

The country has approved the National Green Development Policy, in accordance with the Paris Agreement, Mongolia has committed itself to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by 22.7% by 2030. The systematic approach of the Mongolian authorities is proved by the creation of the Committee on Green Taxonomy in 2019, whose task is to develop methodological principles and approaches to the implementation of the green agenda and its financial support. Under the auspices of the Mongolian Sustainable Finance Association (MSFA), the Central Bank of Mongolia, and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Green Taxonomy Committee focused on the following key industry areas: energy, green buildings, environmental pollution, water and waste, sustainable agriculture.

These priorities are the key to the GLP program, the implementation of which is supposed to inform small and medium-sized businesses about green business models, the development of environmentally friendly products and services, and stimulate green consumer behavior, including through the introduction of green credit products, and, of course, – expanding the access of small and medium-sized businesses to long-term loans. The focus on the SME sector is not accidental.

In Mongolia, these are key economic agents in all sectors of industry and service, with the exception of mining. This is 77% of all registered companies, 72% of the working population, and 17.8% of GDP. It is the SME sector that can become the green locomotive in Mongolia, provided that financial and information support is provided. The availability of medium and long term financing is one of the key challenges for the development of Mongolian SMEs.

The Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia expects that the launch of GLP will result in a reduction in air pollution, a decrease in heat loss in buildings, an increase in the share of hybrid and electric vehicles, support for traditional Mongolian animal husbandry from an environmental perspective, and the creation of new jobs in the national economy. Among the projects and contracts already being worked out by the bank are purchases of equipment for solar energy, deep processing of waste, projects of organic animal husbandry. At the same time, the program also provides support for the foreign economic activity of SMEs in the implementation of green financing transactions.

IBEC participation in such an important and strategically-focused program places the Bank alongside with international financial organizations and development banks aimed at implementing the tasks of climate action, targeted support for the sector of small and medium-sized enterprises, including their foreign economic activity.

“We expect not only the successful implementation of the project in Mongolia and the achievement of the stated ambitious goals, but also that the Green Loan Program will become a success story for other countries and financial institutions. IBEC is interested in the development of such socially and environmentally significant projects and will continue supporting them”. - Denis Ivanov, Chairman of the IBEC Board

“We are truly delighted to have launched our Green Loan Program together with our well-established partner and leading international financial institution – IBEC, which is a milestone event for both IBEC and TDBM since this first-of-a-kind Program aims to support sustainable and green growth in Mongolia. Especially in the context of COVID-19 recovery, supporting green and resilient growth of the economy by building capacities and financing innovative green projects, products, and technologies of SMEs, together with IBEC, we are opening a window of new possibilities for our customers to shift their mindset and business models into a “green” new normal”. - Erdenebileg Doljin, Chairman of the TDBM Board.

Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto is "100%" certain the Olympics will go ahead, but warned the Games "must be prepared" to proceed without spectators in the event of a coronavirus outbreak.

There are 50 days until the delayed Tokyo Games begin on 23 July.

Japan is dealing with a fourth wave of coronavirus cases, with 10 areas of the country under a state of emergency.

Hashimoto told BBC Sport: "I believe that the possibility of these Games going on is 100% that we will do this."

Speaking to BBC Sport's Laura Scott, she added: "The question right now is how are we going to have an even more safe and secure Games.

"The Japanese people are feeling very insecure and at the same time probably feel some frustration at us talking about the Olympics and I think that is giving rise to more voices opposing having the Games in Tokyo.

"The biggest challenge will be how we can control and manage the flow of people. If an outbreak should happen during the Games times that amounts to a crisis or an emergency situation then I believe we must be prepared to have these Games without any spectators.

"We are trying to create as complete a bubble situation as possible so we can create a safe and secure space for people who come in from overseas as well as people who are in Japan, the residents and citizens of Japan."

Will the Tokyo 2020 Olympics go ahead?

Olympics will go ahead even under state of emergency, says IOC

Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto

The 2020 Olympic Games were postponed by one year because of the Covid-19 pandemic

No international fans will be permitted this summer at the Olympics or Paralympics, which begin on 24 August.

A new wave of infections began in April in Japan, where some areas face restrictions until 20 June.

The country began vaccinating its population in February - later than most other developed nations - and so far only about 3% of people have been fully vaccinated.

Hashimoto said it was a "very painful decision" to have no overseas spectators present, but one necessary to ensure "a safe and secure Games".

"[For many] athletes it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that they can compete in the Games. To not be able to have family members and friends who have supported them all along must be a very painful thing and that has caused me pain too," she said.

On the possibility of some countries being prevented from travelling, Hashimoto added: "Who can come to Japan is something the Japanese government will decide.

"If it should happen that a country cannot come to Japan because they do not meet the minimum requirements that the government set, I think that is something we have to listen to what the IOC and IPC feel about that."

Hashimoto was appointed Games president in February after her predecessor Yoshiro Mori quit over sexist comments he made.

The former Olympics minister is a seven-time Olympian herself, having competed as a cyclist and a speed skater.

"Athletes must be thinking 'even if it we put so much effort into preparing for the Games, what if those Games don't happen, what happens to all that effort and all the lifetime experience and all that we've put into it?' said Hashimoto.

"What is important for me is to have my voice directly reach those athletes. One thing the organising committee commits and promises to all the athletes out there is that we will defend and protect their health."

Former Games president Mori said that if the number of female board members increased, they would have to "make sure their speaking time is restricted somewhat, they have difficulty finishing, which is annoying".

He later apologised for his "inappropriate" comments.

Following her appointment, Hashimoto said she wanted the legacy of the Tokyo Games to be a society that accepted people regardless of gender, disability, race, or sexual orientation.

"Japanese society still has an unconscious bias. Unconsciously, domestic roles especially are clearly divided by the sexes. It's deep rooted and it is very tough to change this," said Hashimoto.

"The former president's gaffe, the sexist remarks, actually became a trigger, an opportunity, a turning point within the organising committee that made us all aware we have to change this.

"That was a big push to go forward with this. For a woman to assume the top position of such a huge organisation I believe had some impact on society itself."

'We are doing everything we can'

With 50 days to go until the opening ceremony in Tokyo, the first international athletes arrived in Japan this week.

Recent polls in Japan have shown nearly 70% of the population do not want the Olympics to go ahead, while on Wednesday, Japan's most senior medical adviser said that hosting the Olympics during a pandemic was "not normal".

But no major countries have spoken out against the Games taking place and Team GB remain "fully committed" to sending a full team.

"At this point, I am very confident we will have these Games," said Hashimoto. "We are doing everything we can, we are being very thorough about that.

"I know we have very limited time to deal with anything that might come up but we will do everything we can to improve the situation and we will see these things through.

"If the pandemic once again accelerates across the world, and so it should happen that no country can come to Japan, then of course we cannot have those Games.

"But I think we have to be very careful in reviewing the current situation and deciding what to do depending on what we consider to be right."