President of Mongolia Welcomes Federal President of the Republic of Austria 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. 
On May 26, 2025, President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and First Lady Bolortsetseg Luvsandorj welcomed Federal President of the Republic of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen and First Lady Doris Schmidauer at Sukhbaatar Square. Upon a report of the Commander of the State Honor Guard, the National Anthems of Mongolia and the Republic of Austria were performed. The two Presidents paid tribute to the State Ceremonial White Military Banner, and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen greeted the State Honor Guard of Mongolia. 
At the Welcoming Ceremony, the two Heads of State greeted the Mongolian and Austrian delegations, heads of diplomatic missions, and representatives of international organizations in Mongolia.
Then, the two Presidents paid tribute to the Statue of Great Emperor Chinggis Khaan. Following the Welcoming Ceremony, Federal President of the Republic of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen signed the Book of Honored Guests at the State Palace of Mongolia.

Mongolia and China Exchange Views on Mining Product Exports www.montsame.mn

 State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy and Development of Mongolia Batkhuu Idesh received Trade and Economic Advisor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Mongolia Liu Jinji.
At the meeting, State Secretary Batkhuu briefly informed about the export of mining products from Mongolia and the measures being implemented, and expressed interest in actively discussing these issues at the Mongolia-China Intergovernmental Commission. The two sides agreed to organize the Working Group meeting for the 17th Session of the Mongolia-China Intergovernmental Commission in late June 2025 in Ulaanbaatar, and exchanged views on preparation work for the Session. 
The Chinese side informed that the “Mongolia-China Expo” is planned to be organized in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, on August 18-25, 2025, and requested the Mongolian side’s participation and support for the Expo.

GIZ and the Mongolian Billion Tree Fund to Cooperate in Mongolia’s Forestry Sector www.billiontree.mn

Within the framework of technical cooperation between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), which has been operating in Mongolia since 1992. Since 2002, GIZ has made significant contributions to Mongolia’s forestry sector, particularly in legal and management reforms and the implementation of the multi-purpose National Forest Inventory.
As part of the forestry component of the GIZ-implemented project “SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEM ANDAGRICULTURE MANAGEMENT FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN MONGOLIA” (STREAM+), the parties have signed Understanding of Memorandum and agreed to cooperate with the Mongolian Billion Tree Fund. 
The Mongolian Billion Tree Fund is committed to establishing a sustainable finance mechanism for Mongolia’s forestry sector by creating diverse source of funding, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and the implementation of sustainable forest management. The fund independently, transparently, and in accordance with the principles of good governance in line with international standards.
The main objective of the cooperation between GIZ and Mongolian Billion Tree Fund is to support effective forest restoration and sustainable forest management in Mongolia, promote the development of responsible and economically viable forest enterprises, and raise public awareness of the importance of forest conservation.
Key areas of collaboration:
•     Strengthening reforestation cooperation to promote sustainable forest management and   green development in Mongolia
•     Joint implementation of the STREAM+ and SPACES II project activities
•     Enhancing technical capacities in the forestry sector
•     Supporting responsible and sustainable forest enterprises
•     Introducing green technologies
This cooperation aims to support both policy and practical efforts toward forest protection and restoration in Mongolia, contributing to the long-term goals of environmental sustainability and ecological resilience.

MPP decides to govern independently www.gogo.mn

The Mongolian People's Party (MPP) has formally decided to withdraw from the coalition government and proceed to govern independently. This decision was made during the party’s sixth conference, which began yesterday at approximately 17:00 and concluded at 04:00 the following morning.
During the session, the MPP leadership conducted a political evaluation of the coalition government's performance, citing repeated breaches of the cooperation agreement by members of the Democratic Party (DP) parliamentary group serving within the administration. In response to feedback and criticism from the party’s primary and secondary branches, the conference adopted a resolution recommending the formation of a government that excludes political parties which violated the coalition agreement. The resolution also calls for the full implementation of the MPP’s platform for the 2024 parliamentary elections, according to MPP Secretary General Ya.Sodbaatar.
The resolution, endorsed by the MPP's highest representative body, was formally presented to coalition partners today. The Policy Council, established to oversee the coalition framework, is expected to deliberate on the matter.
Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene's position and resignation plans
In light of the MPP’s decision, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai convened a meeting with coalition party leaders this afternoon to review their ten-month-long cooperation agreement. 
The Prime Minister had previously expressed his intention to resign if a coalition government could not be sustained, citing concerns that a government formed without a strong parliamentary majority would encounter significant challenges in implementing major projects and key policy initiatives.
Reiterating this stance during the conference, Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene provided a detailed account of the current political landscape to party members and engaged in open discussions with conference participants. He has since announced his intention to submit his resignation following consultations with coalition party leaders. Parliament is scheduled to address the matter during its session on Friday, May 23, 2025.
With 68 out of 126 seats in the State Great Khural (Parliament), the MPP is now expected to form a single-party government.
D.Amarbayasgalan, Speaker of the Parliament, noted that the balance of power between the MPP and opposition parties is relatively even, warning that without a coalition, the legislative process could be severely hindered.
As the dissolution of the coalition government appears imminent, speculation is mounting regarding the appointment of a new prime minister. Meanwhile, internal competition for cabinet positions has already begun within the MPP ranks.

Rio Tinto CEO Stausholm to step down in surprise move www.reuters.com

MELBOURNE/LONDON, May 22 (Reuters) - Rio Tinto (RIO.AX), opens new tab CEO Jakob Stausholm, who in his 4-1/2 year tenure oversaw a big bet on lithium and a cultural overhaul at a firm strongly criticised for workplace toxicity, is to step down, the miner said on Thursday in a surprise to investors.
In a statement to the market, the company said only that Stausholm will step down later this year once a succession process, already underway, concludes. It gave no further details.
The world's largest iron ore miner named Stausholm as its top boss in late 2020 while grappling with legal, public and investor angst over the destruction of Australia's ancient Juukan Gorge rock shelters, which led to the ousting of its former CEO.
One of Stausholm's early moves was commissioning a report on workplace culture at the firm, which in 2022 outlined widespread incidents of bullying, harassment and racism.
During his tenure the group also pledged a strong pivot towards addressing climate change, committing to achieving an "impeccable ESG" performance.
"This news comes as a big surprise, and in our view was not expected," Berenberg analyst Richard Hatch said. "No clear reason for his departure has been given by the company other than to state that now is 'a natural moment' to appoint a successor – but it does not feel that natural to us."
Under Stausholm Rio has taken a big bet on battery metal lithium, with its Rincon project in Argentina, $6.7 billion acquisition of U.S.-based Arcadium Lithium and $900 million investment in Codelco's Maricunga lithium project.
"We had expected Mr Stausholm to remain with the company and drive the integration of the lithium business, so his exit comes as a surprise," Hatch said.
Stausholm - one of a number of candidates considered for the role in 2020, including BAE Systems CEO Charles Woodburn and Newmont boss and former Rio executive Tom Palmer - will continue at the helm until a new CEO is appointed.
Internal contenders are expected to include Chief Commercial Officer Bold Baatar, head of iron ore Simon Trott and aluminium boss Jerome Pecresse.
Investors said they expected Rio to mount an external search, but it may have to compete for candidates with BHP (BHP.AX), opens new tab, whose CEO Mike Henry is widely expected to step down in the next year.
The global steel and construction sectors are racing to decarbonize and use a greener type of furnace.
"He's done a good job on the soft issues," said analyst Glyn Lawcock at Barrenjoey in Sydney, including repairing relationships after Juukan Gorge and advancing the company's Oyu Tolgoi copper project in Mongolia.
Under Stausholm's tenure, Rio Tinto's London share price fell around 15%, despite reaching an all-time high in 2024, while total shareholder returns stood at 30% on earnings. The Australian share price rose 6.5% over the period.
"Jakob has stabilised the company and has built up a very good internal team, he's reset the culture and he's got the company on a growth path with the lithium acquisitions. So he's going at a pretty good time, and Rio can now have an orderly succession," George Cheveley, portfolio manager at Rio shareholder Ninety One, said.
But there has also been controversy. Sources and documents seen by Reuters showed earlier this year that accidents at the company's giant Simandou iron ore project in West Africa had killed more than a dozen workers between June 2023 and November 2024.
Stausholm had also faced a push by activist investor Palliser Capital and more than 100 other shareholders to review its model of listing in both London and Sydney, a campaign rejected by shareholders in May.
Reporting by Melanie Burton, Clara Denina, Rishav Chatterjee; Writing by Jan Harvey; Editing by Savio D'Souza, Jan Harvey, Veronica Brown and Jason Neely

Protests against prime minister in Mongolia could lead to government shake-up www.apnews.com

L.Gantumur: I have submitted my resignation as Party Chairman www.gogo.mn

L.Gantumur, Member of Parliament and Chairman of Democratic Party, responded to journalists’ questions on current political developments.
-Some members of the Democratic Party (DP) signed a statement opposing the joint government, considering it a breach of the coalition agreement, and now face dismissal. What is your position on this?
-Three members signed the statement. I believe the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) has made a highly irresponsible decision, without considering the national interest. Also, they need to stop spreading falsehoods and start telling at least part of the truth. Is it really justifiable to bring down a government because MPs like Lodoisambuu and Bayarmaa voiced their opinions? Should a Member of Parliament not be allowed to speak their mind?
If the MPP intends to remove the government every time one of its MPs offers honest criticism, is that the future we want? That’s not what governance should look like. The coalition agreement never included a clause saying MPs must stay silent. The agreement was about how to govern and which policies to pursue. It was a commitment to take bold steps for the sake of development.
That’s why we are asking the MPP to stop accusing the Democratic Party of violating the agreement. At least tell part of the truth about why this government is being dismantled. What we’re seeing now is the MPP backing away from the principles it advocated just a few months ago. It is reverting to its old ways and losing the public’s trust. Still, I urge party members not to act against Mongolia’s national interests.
Politics in our country has consistently harmed the public. Politicized decisions are almost always flawed. We’ve been engaged in political battles for 35 years. After all this time, we finally formed a coalition government based on a shared vision for the country. I was one of its architects. Now that the situation has shifted, I have submitted my resignation as party chairman to the Political Council.
-How do you see the political process unfolding from here?
I will hold a meeting with L.Oyun-Erdene, Chairman of MPP and T.Dorjkhand, Chairman of HUN Party, to discuss the way forward. The agreement contains a clause about joint responsibility in case of its dissolution. Beneath it all is also the idea that canceling the agreement might help avoid scrutiny and investigations.

Severe Coronary Artery Narrowing Now Treatable in Mongolia www.montsame.mn

The Second State Central Hospital of Mongolia has installed and put into operation the IVUS+NIRS imaging diagnostic device, a technology globally recognized in cardiovascular medicine.
With the introduction of this advanced technology, it has become possible to treat severe coronary artery stenosis, which was previously untreatable in Mongolia. The system also allows for the treatment of coronary artery dysplasia in accordance with international standards, helping reduce complications and mortality rates. It improves the precision of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures through evidence-based diagnostics.
Studies have shown that the use of stents placed with this device reduces the risk of vascular failure by 38–45 percent over a three-year period compared to other treatment methods. According to the Ministry of Health, the adoption of this equipment paves the way for Mongolian patients to access internationally recognized, effective treatments for complex coronary conditions.
In line with the Government's Health Policy, a team of five physicians from the Second State Central Hospital recently completed specialized training in Shanghai, China, aimed at localizing the treatment of severe coronary artery stenosis and vascular dysplasia in Mongolia.

ACCA and MonICPA renew partnership www.theaccountant-online.com

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Mongolian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MonICPA) have renewed their partnership to strengthen Mongolia’s accountancy profession.  
The agreement, renewed in mid-May 2025, focuses on providing pathways for mutual membership and emphasises public sector development in Mongolia. 
The five-year agreement highlights the collaboration between ACCA and MonICPA to promote ACCA’s Public Financial Management and International Public Sector Standards qualifications.  
Both bodies aim to engage with donor agencies to support public sector development and focus on the role and certification of accounting technicians in Mongolia. 
ACCA has committed to sharing its research and professional insights, while both organisations plan to explore collaborative research opportunities.  
ACCA Central Asia, Mongolia and Armenia head Zhanna Iskenova said: “It is so encouraging to witness the renewal of this partnership. ACCA and MonICPA share a common strong interest in the advancement of the accountancy profession in Mongolia especially in strengthening professional capacity and building accountancy infrastructure in the country. I look forward to working with colleagues in ACCA and MonICPA in achieving our mutual aims.” 
MonICPA CEO Baasandorj Oyunbaatar said: “MonICPA is committed to carry on the excellent work we have already achieved with ACCA. At its heart this relationship promotes the highest profession, ethical and governance standards and by doing that clearly advances the public interest.  
“We are keenly interested in co-operating with ACCA on professional training education and examinations.” 
In addition to the partnership with MonICPA, ACCA recently collaborated with the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Green Finance Centre.  
In April 2025, the association hosted a seminar in Astana, Kazakhstan, to enhance the understanding of sustainability disclosures among Central Asian regulators and business leaders. 
The Capacity Building Seminar provided insights into International Sustainability Standards Board standards, featuring case studies and practical training on preparing sustainability reports focused on IFRS S1 and S2.

T. Dorjkhand: Be responsible, People’s Party www.gogo.mn

T.Dorjkhand, Chairman of HUN Party, responded to journalists’ questions on current political issues today, May 21, 2025.
Addressing criticism over the formation of a joint government with the People’s Party and the Democratic Party, Dorjkhand acknowledged that the People’s Party might have fared better politically had it stayed in opposition. “If they had not joined the government, they could have positioned themselves as a strong opposition force and possibly won more seats in local elections. But that would have served the interests of the HUN Party, not the interests of Mongolia,” he said.
He emphasized that the HUN Party’s decision to join the coalition was guided by national interest, citing the vision of S.Zorig, who advocated for putting Mongolia first over personal or party ambition. “We made this decision based on principle, and we stand by it,” he added.
T.Dorjkhand described the current global situation as unprecedented in the last hundred years, marked by instability and rising geopolitical tension. “Trump's tariffs are shaking the world. Not only Mongolia, which has a population of 3.5 million, but also the Arabic countries with 300 million people, are uniting. Asia is coming together. European leaders, too, are calling for unity. We must do the same.”
He expressed confidence that the coalition formed by the three parties with the most seats was the right step forward. However, he addressed the People’s Party directly: “Be responsible. You take pride in your 100-year history. But do you put the interests of your party above those of Mongolia?”
He questioned whether the People’s Party, on its own, could navigate Mongolia through the current economic challenges, warning of a looming 60–80% risk of economic collapse. “Can all 68 of your members solve this crisis with one voice? I don’t think so.”
And T.Dorjkhand cautioned “This will create a situation where the government changes after six months, similar to the situation when the Democratic Party was majority in 1996-2000. Who needs such a situation? In the end, there is nothing to hide, and we will enter the game of going to the presidential government”.