This year, Mongolia is set to hold the eighth presidential election on June 9, Wednesday.

According to the Law on Presidential Election, the Director of the General Authority for State Registration of Mongolia has issued a decision to suspend citizens’ internal migration nationwide starting April 10 until the end of the day to publicly announce the election results. During this period, there will be no registration of citizens’ movements between different administrative units.

Article 25.1 of the Law on Presidential Elections reads, “Individuals’ internal migration from one to another administrative unit shall be stopped 60 days before the election and shall be resumed the following day of the election results are announced to the public.” During this period, there will be no registration of citizens’ movements to different administrative units countrywide.

Earlier in March, the General Election Commission approved a regulation for the forthcoming election and approved a new rule to manually count all of the machine-counted ballots after the polling is closed at all polling stations in order to verify the accuracy of the results.

On April 6, five systems developed with a view to improve the registration, information, control and tracing system of the livestock and farming industry in the scope of the technical assistances projects undertaken by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MoFALI) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) were handed over to the MoFALI.

The systems, which are deemed to lay the foundation for the future development of the digital agriculture, include the following, and have become ready for introduction into practice.

Value chain for plants and plant-derived products:

1. Plant origin tracing system,

2. Chemical substances tracing system,

3. General system of laboratories,

Value chain for meat:

4. Operational system for meat factory,

5. Block chain module for meat certificates,

At the hand over event, Minister of Agriculture Z.Mendsaikhan expressed his gratitude for the FAO for implementing major projects to introduce digital technologies into Mongolia’s agricultural industry and cooperation with the government at policy level.

On this day, the MoFALI and FAO signed a new project aimed at creating new employment opportunities for youth in the agribusiness sector.

A memorial complex consisting of the stele of Tonyukuk the Wise, who served as an advisor to three successive khans of the Turkic Khaganate, and a place of sacrifice is located northwest of Bayantsogt Mountain in Erdene soum, Tuv aimag, and 66 km southeast of Ulaanbaatar city. The complex is put under special protection.

Alongside two inscriptions, there is an engraved stone platform, a kurgan stelae with its top part broken, small standing stones, pottery, bricks, and an irrigation system located at the site.

Due to being worn down by years of exposure to the wind and sun as well as damages, some parts are noticeably darker. There are 62-rowed inscriptions on 8 sides of the two monuments. For instance, while the 217-cm-tall first inscription monument has 37 rows of inscription, the second one that stands 243 cm tall has rows 38 to 62.

With the inscription saying, “But should a people, ruled by a kagan in any land whatever, have only worthless men [at its head] what misfortune would it not be for it. For the Turkish Bilge kagan’s people, I have had this written. I the wise Tonyukuk,” it proves that the inscriptions were made when he was still alive. Researchers have also found that the inscription tells about the social situation of that time from Tonyukuk’s viewpoint.

Born of the Ashina noble family from which most powerful aristocrats and noblemen of the Turkic Khaganate were originated, Tonyukuk the Wise lived between the years of 646 to 732. After serving as an adviser for Qapaghan Khan and Kutulug Khan, he continued to work under Bilge Khan until his death at the age of 86. The Turkic Khaganate (or the Gokturk Khaganate) was a ruling Empire in Central Asia in 552-745.

Researchers have been conducting studies on the stele of Tonyukuk since 1897. It is believed that the monument was erected between 720 and 734.

In the framework of a TIKA project on the protection and restoration of Turkic monuments in Mongolia, fences have been constructed for the 1300-year-old stele’s complex, providing protection.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 5, 2021 – Today, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. Government agency, and the Government of Mongolia celebrated the launch of the $350 million Mongolia Water Compact. The partnership between MCC and the Government of Mongolia directly tackles the impending water crisis in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, with the aim of expanding the sustainable supply of water and enhancing the long-term financial, institutional, and environmental sustainability of the water sector. The Government of Mongolia is also investing up to $111.8 million to support the investment. This significant contribution ranks among the largest ever made by a partner country in the history of MCC. It symbolizes the strong commitment and ownership of the Government of Mongolia to this priority compact.“Access to water is a critical human need. In less than three decades, the population of Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, has nearly tripled in size and the data indicates the city’s demand for water will soon exceed supply,” noted Acting Chief Executive Officer of MCC Mahmoud Bah. “Enhancing water access in an environmentally sustainable way is critical to achieving poverty reduction and economic growth. MCC is proud to mark the compact’s entry into force with our Mongolian partners for this five-year project that aims to improve the quality of life of millions of Mongolians.”The MCC Mongolia Water Compact will increase the available supply of water through the construction of new groundwater wells, a state-of-the-art plant for purifying drinking water, and a new plant for treating and recycling wastewater. The compact will also institute policy, legal, regulatory, and institutional reforms to enhance the long-term sustainability of Ulaanbaatar’s water supply.

“The $350 million grant to the water supply program is one of the largest single commitments the U.S. has made in the region,” said U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia Michael S. Klecheski. “It will bring new jobs over its five-year lifespan and increase Ulaanbaatar’s water supply by 80 percent.”

“We are delighted to celebrate the official start of the implementation of the MCC Mongolia Water Compact with our American partners,” added the Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Challenge Account-Mongolia, E. Sodontogos. “We are confident our partnership will surmount any challenges to successfully implement programs that will pave the way for a sustainable, more economically prosperous future for the Mongolian people.”

MCC provides large grants to developing countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, from fighting corruption to respecting democratic rights, as evaluated by MCC’s scorecard. MCC takes a business-like approach, with bedrock commitments to data, accountability, and evidence-based decision making.

Mongolia needs a significant amount of financial resources to meet its nationalized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the financing gap has further widened due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Mongolia has lost some of the progress it made towards the SDGs because of the pandemic, therefore heightened efforts are needed to regain the lost momentum and return focus back towards achieving the SDGs.

To increase the available financial resources for Mongolia’s development from good health of citizens to decent job opportunities, the state budget cannot be the sole source of financing and thus a number of measures are being identified that would not only increase the financing sources but also help allocate them more efficiently and effectively.

The state budget, the major source for financing national development, is most efficiently allocated when they are closely linked to the development priorities and results, which is termed as ‘results-based budgeting’. The adoption of results-based budgeting is a process ongoing in Mongolia and UNDP has successfully piloted at three line Ministries in the past two years and starting two more pilots this year. It is expected that based on the success of the pilots, the results-based budgeting will be scaled up across all Ministries and sectors, hence contributing to more efficient use of the state budget.

The private sector has a pivotal role in driving the sustainable development. However, private sector engagement has been relatively limited in terms of financing for development not only in Mongolia but also globally. It is now time to address that and create the necessary policy measures and incentives for the private sector to increase its role and contribution in national development.

The Development Bank of Mongolia (DBM) assumes a special role in financing for Mongolia’s sustainable development, both as a financier and as a potential role model for the country’s banking sector. Improved alignment of DBM operations with sustainable development priorities will shift the weight of financing from regular to sustainable, due to its size and impact in the financing landscape.

All of these processes from mobilizing more resources from the private sector to aligning the development policies with the budget and financial resources are encapsulated in the concept ‘Integrated National Financing Framework’ (INFF). It is a new concept globally and Mongolia is one of the pioneer countries that is working on the development and implementation of the INFF worldwide.

The INFF is being developed in Mongolia under the leadership of the Ministry of Finance within the Joint Programme ‘Rolling Out an Integrated Approach to SDG Financing in Mongolia’ implemented by the United Nations. UNDP is providing technical leadership and working with UNICEF, and UNFPA to support the rollout of the INFF in Mongolia.

We encourage the private sector to support efforts not only to develop the Integrated National Financing Framework for Mongolia, but also to become active contributors to the financing of sustainable development. Private sector can thus play a key role in accelerating Mongolia on its path to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Originally published on Mongolian Economy

On April 2, President of Mongolia Battulga Khaltmaa held a telephone conversation with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to discuss timely issues of bilateral relations.

For the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the leaders exchanged congratulations and discussed issues concerning the Mongolian-Russian cooperation.

After stressing that in the past years, the traditionally friendly bilateral ties have been developing very successfully and reached the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, the two presidents agreed to issue a joint statement of heads of the states on the occasion of the diplomatic anniversary in the near future.

During the conversation, the President of Russia has informed that Mongolian cosmonaut J.Gurragchaa has been awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky, order of merit of the Russian Federation, in recognition of his deeds in the development of Comprehensive Partnership between Mongolia and Russia and on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Mongolian-Soviet joint space flight.

President Battulga congratulated Russia for successfully developing vaccines against COVID-19 and putting into use. In turn, the Russian President confirmed that he has received a letter dated February 11, 2021, from the Mongolian President on supply of COVID-19 vaccines to Mongolia and Russia is working with Mongolia’s Ministry of Health and the private sector for the COVID-19 vaccine supply within the framework of the requests of the Mongolian President and the Mongolian side.

President of Mongolia Battulga further expressed gratitude to the Russian President for providing support to the Mongolian government and put forward a request to accelerate the Sputnik-V vaccine delivery to Mongolia.

In response, President Vladimir Putin pledged to pay attention on the coronavirus vaccine supply to Mongolia in view of the significant historical relationship between the two nations.

The meeting also touched on Mongolian President’s proposal to manufacture Russia’s Sputnik-V vaccine in Mongolia. Supporting the proposal, President Vladimir Putin noted that a working group will be formed to study the possibilities in this area. In conclusion, the President of Russia expressed his confidence that forthcoming circumstances will enable the two presidents to meet in person.

Mongolia reported the highest daily count of 831 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, raising its national tally to 11,651, the country's National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) said on Tuesday.

Among the new cases, which were locally transmitted, 731 were detected in capital Ulan Bator, Mongolia's hardest hit region, the NCCD said in a statement.

Meanwhile, one more death and 79 new recoveries were reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 17 and the total number of recoveries to 6,010, respectively, according to the center.

Mongolia launched a national vaccination campaign in late February, with the aim of vaccinating at least 60 percent of its total population. More than 414,000 people have been vaccinated in the country so far

Interview with Dr Sergey Diorditsa, WHO Representative to Mongolia

-At beginning of the pandemic, Mongolia sustained it under control. But in last few months COVID-19 situation in Mongolia is getting worse and number of deaths is increasing. How does WHO recap current situation of COVID-19 in Mongolia?

-Government of Mongolia has implemented actions to suppress and reduce transmission in response strategy. Increased testing, early detection, active surveillance, contact tracing, isolation, quarantine measures have been implemented effectively as comprehensive response package. Together with government we’re continuing to monitor situation. Big progress has been made in the stage assessment and application of restriction and NPI measures approved by government resolution on 21 February. Mongolia economic life has contributed to pandemic fatigue. As of last week, 99 clusters (57 of them active clusters) have been reported. Household setting had medium clusters of high frequency; cumulative proportions of reported cases is high. This is related with high density of people living in proximity, sharing living and sleeping spaces, frequent physical/direct contact. Most frequent setting is household accounted for 43.7% household, 4.7% have been reported in health facilities and 22.6% are workplace contacts.

-How does WHO cooperate with Government of Mongolia, State emergency commission, Health Ministry and what recommendations do you give them? How are they reflecting and implementing the recommendations in response measures against COVID-19?

-Mongolia has taken the whole-of-government approach. Government has been working round the clock, side by side with WHO. The system elements we’ve building over the past years has been strengthened and gained momentum. Risk assessment results revealed the high risk of insufficient control capacities with available resources. Forecasting of essential supplies has been estimated for national level and for each province. Based on risk assessment results, activation of Health Cluster and logistical forecasting, the government were able to increase domestic funding and strengthen health system. There is a management tools called incident management system where teams for planning and information, response, IPC, clinical management, logistics and supply, admin and finance. WHO has been part of the government IMS team to develop preparedness and response strategies, plans and procedures, ensure health facility preparedness and procurement of critical emergency supplies, laboratory consumables and vaccine.

-Daily number of COVID-19 cases in Mongolia is higher than other countries based on total population? In this context what measures should be taken?

-The number of cases per million population Mongolia was lower than in the rest of the world countries, but since 7 March, it higher than Asian average, and since 25 March, it higher than the world average. As of 2 April, it is 1.7 times higher than the Asian average and 3.9 times higher than the world average. In the Western Pacific Region, Mongolia now is the 5th highest incidence country after Philippines, Malaysia, Japan and Republic of Korea. Since 28 February 2021, the number of cases has increased from 2,900 to over 10,000 by 4 April. Contact tracing along with testing, isolation and care of cases is a key strategy for interrupting chains of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and reducing COVID-19 associated mortality. Contact tracing remains an important activity in high incidence scenarios. Contact tracing activities should be targeted rather than abandoned.

-The government of Mongolia has implemented lockdown measures several times. Did the government of Mongolia consult with WHO every time for those lockdowns? Do you think the lockdown measures had impacted on the covid-19 outbreak slow down? Is it necessary to implement another lockdown?

-The first case reported in Mongolia on 10 March. However, government took strict social distancing and travel measures before the first case report. Following rapid risk assessment conducted on 6 January 2020 to assess the risk of event importation, point of entry measures have been strengthened. Mongolia applied additional IHR measures imposing travel restrictions from 2 February on Chinese nationals and travelers from China, from 26 Feb 4 countries added and flights from Korea and Japan cancelled. Flights through Russia suspended from 2 March and all incoming travelers are subjected to 2-3-week quarantine to prevent pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic transmission. Mongolia has taken early decisive actions to suppress the virus transmission. 17 ministry and agency representatives and WHO participated in the risk assessment. Since 6 January 2020, National Center for Communicable Diseases and NEMA coordinated 22 risk assessment. The risk assessment considered epidemiology and socio-economic situation. With Government resolution #45, NPI measures now based on each province stage assessment and staged, localized NPI measures using standardized process are taken by government.

-Mongolia has received the first batch of 14.400 doses of Astrazeneca vaccine through COVAX facility jointly implemented by WHO and other partners. Totally how many doses of covid-19 vaccines will be delivered through COVAX facility to Mongolia?

-COVAX plan to provide 2 billion doses in 2021 globally: almost 500 million doses have been secured for Q1 and Q2, with approximately an extra 160 million doses under negotiation. The rest will be delivered in the second half of the year.

COVAX remains fully committed to delivering vaccines as quickly as feasible. There are expected first doses to Facility Participants to be delivered in quarter 1 of 2021, with volumes increasing to more significant levels in quarter 2 and continuing to increase over the course of the year.

Mongolia is a one-member participant of COVAX Facility Advance Market Commitment (AMC) and allocated 112,800 doses of the Astrazeneca vaccine through May 2021.

Mongolia Government received 14,400 doses of Astrazeneca vaccines via COVAX facility, a partnership between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, GAVI, WHO and UNICEF. This delivery as a part of first wave of arrivals. WHO and UNICEF have been technically and financially supporting the Government of Mongolia to prepare for the COVID – 19 immunization campaign.

Mongolia has been selected for participation in the first wave Pfizer vaccine distribution round and is allocated 25,740 doses and received on batch shipment on 25 March 2021.

-Mongolia launched COVID-19 vaccination campaign in February. By today, around 300,000 people had been vaccinated. When will COVID-19 situation in Mongolia get better and will number of daily cases decrease based on the status of vaccination?

-Despite the vaccination is ongoing we still need to continue and maintain wearing masks, to avoid visiting crowded places and wash hands. It should be new normal till the situation will start to improve not only in Mongolia but in all other countries till pandemic is over.

-Information related to blood clotting and severe reactions for young women caused by Astrazeneca/Oxford vaccine did spread and many countries have suspended to use it. Do you provide recommendation on how to monitor people vaccinated with Astrazeneca vaccine in Mongolia?

There are possible side effects and AEFI:

The interim guidance has been developed on the basis of the advice issued by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on use of COVID-19 vaccines including Pfizer BionTech and Astrazeneca

Fever, headache, dizziness, chills, tiredness, poor appetite, vomiting; redness, pain, swelling at injection site, lymphadenopathy, muscle pain, joint pain, rash can occur. These reactions will disappear within 1-3 days.

In rare case, anaphylaxis, severe allergic reactions, encephalomyelitis, convulsion, neuritis, loss of function maybe occur.

Health facilities must prepare to be used ready emergency kit for treatment of anaphylaxis cases.

Co-administration of Astrazeneca vaccine with other vaccines is not recommended and other vaccines should be given 1 month apart from the vaccine. Person who has current infection of Covid-19 confirmed by PCR test can get the vaccine 6 months later.

Immunization

-The government of Mongolia is preparing to open the border in May 2021. Do you think that number of cases which already reached three-digit number will be decreased before May?

-I cannot predict what will be the number in May. But together with MOH and NCCD we are looking and modelling different scenarios. At the same time, WHO together with UNICEF will continue to work and provide technical support to ensure that vaccination is reaching all eligible groups based on priority of risks. I was visiting yesterday together with Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of health and observed the vaccination of elderly people who are together with health workers are at the most risks of COVID infection. And as I said earlier it is very important to continue contact tracing to identify places where people are infected and timely inform people of possible risks of infection, and to start treatment as soon as possible.

Olympic champion N.Tuvshinbayar, who is also President of the Mongolian National Olympic Committee (MNOC), has been imprisoned for 20 days for an assault.

N.Tuvshinbayar, 36, was questioned by the Khan-Uul District Police Department on Saturday (April 3) on the grounds of causing “serious damage to the health of others”. He was detained as part of an urgent operation by permission of the prosecutor.

The victim is E.Enkhbat, a fellow judoka and a close colleague of Tuvshinbayar. E.Enkhbat was hospitalised unconsciousness at the intensive care unit of the National Centre for Treatment and Research after the assault that appears to have caused serious brain damage.

Enkhbat’s career medals include a silver in the men’s under-100kg category at the International Judo Federation (IJF) Grand Slam in Baku in Azerbaijan in 2013 and a gold in the same category at the IJF World Cup in Jeju, South Korea in 2012.

After winning the Olympic gold medal at Beijing 2008, N.Tuvshinbayar competed in the same under-100kg category at London 2012, claiming a silver medal on this occasion.

He was elected unopposed as President of the MNOC, which this year is celebrating its 65th anniversary, which occurred August last year.

The global tourism sector has greatly suffered – and continues to do so – due to the COVID-19 pandemic following the closure of borders. According to the Mongolian Tourism Organisation, the pandemic has affected 95.4 percent of all local businesses, 78.8 percent of them faced challenges to keep jobs and 30 percent of them have had to cut 70 percent of all workers.

Mongolia is preparing to open its borders from 1 May, but not with all countries simultaneously.

The organisation conducted a survey among 100 tour companies about foreign tourist who planned to travel in Mongolia as soon as the country opens its borders. According to the survey, some 40,000 foreign tourists are waiting for Mongolia to re-open its borders.

More than 500 tour companies are registered in Mongolia; over 200 of them have active operations.