Mongolia Introduces Its First 3D Virtual School www.montsame.mn

Steppe fire kills over 7,500 head of livestock in Mongolia www.xinhuanet.com

More than 7,500 head of livestock have been killed in a steppe fire in Mongolia, the country's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on Monday.
Meanwhile, a total of 39 families lost their homes in the steppe fire in eight provinces, the agency said in a statement.
The NEMA warned residents of Ulan Bator and other provinces not to make bonfires or throw cigarette butts on the ground in dry weather.
Mongolia remains one of the world's leading countries in terms of the number of livestock per capita. However, the country's livestock sector is highly dependent on various natural factors, including extreme weather conditions in the winter and dry and windy weather conditions in the spring.
The total number of forest and steppe fires across Mongolia at the end of 2024 reached 137. Most were recorded in the eastern Mongolian provinces of Sukhbaatar, Khentii, and Dornod, according to new data released by the agency.

Mongolia: RSF condemns arbitrary police operation against independent media outlet Noorog www.rsf.org

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the police’s raid on the newsroom of the independent digital outlet Noorog, overnight questioning of Noorog’s staff and confiscation of their professional equipment. This arbitrary operation was based on the bogus accusation that Noorog had "undermined national unity" and followed the outlet's announcement for their upcoming documentary on the country’s recent elections.
On 17 March 2025, Mongolian police raided the independent media Noorog’s newsroom in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. The police seized computers, hard drives as well as employee’s personal phones. Eight staff members — almost the entire team — were interrogated from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m., when they were released. 
The journalists were initially questioned under the pretext that they had "undermined national unity," an offence punishable by up to twelve years in prison under the Mongolian Criminal Code, yet officials changed the accusations multiple times, wavering from “illegal online gambling activities” to “spreading false information” to “causing the suicide of others.” The charges of national unity and false information were eventually dropped. 
Noorog’s journalists say they were only questioned about their professional activities, including content produced by the outlet. They suspect the case is linked to their recent announcement that they will be releasing a documentary on Mongolia’s elections in June. In the documentary, journalists follow six citizens during the country’s 2024 parliamentary election campaign, exposing the strategies used by political parties to influence voters.
“This search, carried out under an obviously false pretext, is intolerable and a serious attack on source confidentiality and press freedom. We call on the Mongolian authorities to abandon the abusive proceedings brought against Noorog's team, and on the country’s lawmakers to strengthen the right to protect the confidentiality of journalists’ sources within the framework of the press freedom law currently being debated in Parliament.
Cédric Alviani
Director, RSF Asia-Pacific
Founded in 2022, Noorog has built a strong presence on social media, producing video reports and investigative content often critical of the government. In a recent report, the outlet challenged the government’s claims of progress in fighting corruption, providing data to support its findings.
The ongoing deterioration of press freedom
The raid on Noorog is part of a worrying decline in press freedom in Mongolia, which has dropped 36 places in the RSF World Press Freedom Index since 2020. This repressive climate is further illustrated by the prosecution of Bayarmaa Ayurzana, editor-in-chief of the online media outlet Tac.mn, who faces up to eight years in prison for investigating a case of embezzlement of public funds linked to the Deputy Prime Minister. In a hearing held on 21 March, the judges postponed the trial to an unknown date.
The proceedings against journalist Unurtsetseg Naran also raised serious concerns about judicial fairness. Although she was pardoned on 8 March by Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, her case — from her sentencing in a closed-door trial to the conditions of her release — has been shrouded in complete secrecy.
In response to this worrying trend and the government’s planned reform of the press freedom law, RSF has submitted recommendations to Mongolian lawmakers on strengthening legal protections for journalists.
Mongolia ranks 109th out of 180 countries and territories in the RSF 2024 World Press Freedom Index. The press freedom situation is considered “difficult,” due to frequent abusive criminal proceedings against journalists under the pretext of defamation, as well as a high concentration of media ownership in the hands of the economic and political elites.

Mongolia to Perform Its 400th Kidney Transplant Surgery www.montsame.mn

Mongolia is set to perform its 400th kidney transplant surgery since its first successful transplant. 
Since its first attempted kidney transplant operation in 1996, Mongolia spent nearly a decade preparing by improving medical equipment, staffing, and laboratory facilities. Since 2006, kidney transplants have been successfully performed. Between 2008 and 2018, two patients underwent kidney transplants each year. In 2019, the number increased to 11, followed by 6 in 2020, 8 in 2021, 4 in 2022, 4 in 2023, and 10 in 2024. The transplants were performed using organs from donors who had been medically determined to have experienced irreversible cessation of brain function. Currently, 318 patients who have undergone kidney transplants in Mongolia and 184 who received transplants abroad regularly visit for medical check-ups and receive free medication.
The First Central Hospital of Mongolia has planned to perform kidney transplants for 60 patients this year. Of approximately 400 kidney transplant recipients, 57 received organs from donors who had been medically determined to have experienced irreversible cessation of brain function. Currently, around 700 patients are awaiting organ donors to undergo surgery.
As of 2024, 262 patients in Mongolia were undergoing dialysis as part of kidney replacement therapy, while 2,988 patients received hemodialysis treatment. Among them, 49 were children aged 0-19, 832 were aged 20-44, 1,481 were aged 45-64, 457 were aged 65-74, and 169 were aged 75 and older.
Regrettably, in 2024, the number of patients reaching the final stage of chronic kidney failure and requiring hemodialysis increased by 607 within a year. Over the same period, 167 patients diagnosed with kidney failure passed away, while 50 patients successfully underwent kidney transplants, eliminating the need for dialysis treatment.
The National Kidney Transplant Team at the First Central Hospital of Mongolia currently accommodates patients within its three beds, allowing for six surgeries per month.

‘Blue Gold’ program focuses on glacier and ice formation protection www.ubpost.mn

The second National "Blue Gold" Forum, held on March 21 brought together 1,200 representatives from government agencies, international organizations, and civil society working in the water sector. The forum, organized under the auspices of President of Mongolia U.Khurelsukh centered around the theme “Let’s Protect Our Glaciers and Ice Formations.”
During the event, President U.Khurelsukh highlighted the importance of safeguarding Mongolia’s water resources, underscoring that the country is currently pursuing several national initiatives, including the “Billions of Trees,” “Healthy Mongol,” “Food Revolution,” and “White Gold” programs. These programs aim to ensure a healthy and safe environment for Mongolian citizens. The president stated, “It is now time to implement the ‘Blue Gold’ Program in the water sector. Every project or initiative we undertake to protect Mongolia’s environment and water resources contributes meaningfully to global efforts to protect water resources.”
The president also emphasized that the success of Mongolia's projects and programs in the water sector would depend on active cooperation and mutual understanding among government bodies, the private sector, and international organizations. He called on both the government and the public to unite in the protection of the environment, preservation of ecological balance, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. By doing so, Mongolia can strengthen national security, avoid water shortages, and effectively adapt to climate change.
Minister of Environment and Climate S.Odontuya remarked that the year 2025 has been designated as the "International Year for Glacier Preservation" by the United Nations. She highlighted key government projects in the water sector, such as the Eg River Hydropower Plant and the Orkhon–Ongi and Kherlen-Toonot Projects, as major historical undertakings. These projects are set to improve water supply reliability for the Gobi region and support the “Billions of Trees” initiative by supplying water to arid areas where tree planting is a challenge. To ensure effective implementation, a dedicated Water Project Unit will be created to enhance legal and regulatory frameworks, improve coordination across sectors, and foster partnerships with the private sector.
Z.Batbayar, Director of the Water Department of Mongolia, discussed the critical importance of water not just for health, but for the social and economic development of the country. He pointed out that Mongolia’s glaciers are shrinking annually due to climate change, with the amount of ice already melted exceeding the country's underground water reserves by four times. He emphasized the necessity of water storage to mitigate this issue, urging households to collect snowmelt and rainwater to help preserve water resources.
As a result of the forum, an integrated recommendation was established. The recommendation focuses on improving water-related legislation and governance, preventing the depletion and pollution of water resources, collecting surface water and precipitation, and creating favorable ecosystem conditions. The forum also called for nationwide implementation of initiatives such as "One-Lake," "One Soum-333 Lakes," and "Every Drop." The proposal includes defining financing mechanisms, expanding human resources, and promoting public collaboration and partnerships in the private sector.
March 22 is recognized as World Water Day in accordance with a 1992 UN General Assembly resolution. This year’s celebration focused on “Glacier Preservation” as part of global efforts to raise awareness of the importance of protecting water resources.

U.Khurelsukh: Proud of 20,000 Mongolians leading Oyu Tolgoi's growth www.gogo.mn

Oyu Tolgoi to become the World’s fourth largest copper mine www.montsame.mn

On March 20, 2025, President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa visited the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine in Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia.
Oyu Tolgoi LLC opened a deep mine in 2022 and conducted its 124th blasthole stoping in 2024. This year, ore extraction is expected to increase by 50 percent compared to 2024, leading to a rise in copper concentrate production. In 2028-2030, the mine is projected to produce an average of 500 thousand tons of copper annually from underground and open-pit operations. At its peak, the mine will become the world’s fourth-largest copper producer, supplying enough copper daily to manufacture approximately 17,000 electric vehicles. 
President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa expressed gratitude to the Mongolian workforce and international experts who successfully built and developed the world-class mining infrastructure at a depth of 1,300 meters. The President expressed confidence that this work will set a positive example for Mongolia’s mining industry. 
Oyu Tolgoi’s production and extraction have been increasing year by year, integrating cutting-edge technology while ensuring the highest safety standards. President Khurelsukh acknowledged the dedication and hard work of the entire mining team and affirmed commitment to collaborating with more businesses, individuals, and producers to support their enterprises. 
Chief Executive Officer of Rio Tinto Group Mr. Jakob Stausholm highlighted that the copper extracted from Oyu Tolgoi contributes to global green development. The CEO noted that the copper concentrate produced at Oyu Tolgoi is a crucial component for wind turbines, electric vehicles, and renewable energy infrastructure worldwide. 
As of 2023, Rio Tinto has invested approximately USD 17 billion in Oyu Tolgoi. Since 2010, the company has paid MNT 12 trillion in taxes. Moreover, in the fourth quarter of 2024, Oyu Tolgoi partnered with over 1,000 enterprises, making purchases worth MNT 1 trillion. 
In Umnugobi aimag, Oyu Tolgoi has purchased MNT 4.9 trillion worth of goods and services since 2010 and has provided MNT 187 billion in funding for 354 projects. Additionally, the company has established the Khanbogd Development Accelerator Fund, investing MNT 170 billion to support local development. Currently, more than 20,000 people are employed at Oyu Tolgoi, with 97 percent being Mongolian citizens. Of these, 25 percent are residents of Umnugobi aimag. Women make up 23 percent of the workforce, with plans to increase this figure to 50 percent over the next decade. 
Between 2024 and 2024, the Oyu Tolgoi Project accounted for approximately 17 percent of Mongolia’s total export revenue, 20 percent of its mineral exports, and 44 percent of the country’s foreign exchange reserves. By 2051, Mongolia’s total revenue from the Project is expected to reach USD 11.9 billion. 
To further support the development of a skilled workforce in Mongolia, Oyu Tolgoi has established the Umnugobi Underground Mining Institute, which will train professionals to compete in the global mining industry.

President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa Visits Oyu Tolgoi Underground Mine www.ot.mn

President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, accompanied by government officials and members of Parliament were welcomed by Rio Tinto Group’s Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm and Oyu Tolgoi senior leaders to the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine.
As Oyu Tolgoi advances on its unwavering path to becoming a global leader in the copper industry, the visit of Mongolia’s President, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, to the mine stands as a milestone of great importance. With production increase by 50% compared to 2024, the ramp-up will continue over the next four years to produce 500,000 tonnes of copper (100% pure metal) per year, on average, from both the open-pit and underground mines, positioning Oyu Tolgoi as it as the world’s fourth-largest copper mine by the end of this decade.
During his visit, President U.Khurelsukh emphasized, “I take great pride in the 20,000 Mongolian people who are tirelessly working to transform the natural resources of Oyu Tolgoi into national wealth and prosperity. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the foreign specialists who are sharing their expertise and working shoulder to shoulder with Mongolians.”
Rio Tinto Group CEO Jakob Stausholm highlighted that, “It is Mongolia’s valuable contribution to the global green transition, and the green projects we implement here are tangible examples of support for many environmental initiatives launched under your leadership, Mr. President.”
Oyu Tolgoi supports national movements and programmes initiated by President U.Khurelsukh through its  “100 million trees for the Future”, “Care Deeply” water awareness campaign, and “Made in Mongolia”  programme.
For instance, in alignment with the goals of the “Blue Gold” water sector national forum, Oyu Tolgoi has been collaborating with the Government’s Implementing Agency, the Water Authoruty of Mongolia and other sectoral organizations on its “Care Deeply” water awareness campaign, promoting responsible water consumption, reuse, and the importance of groundwater conservation to safeguard water resources.
Furthermore, Oyu Tolgoi’s “Made in Mongolia” programme aimed at replacing imported goods with locally produced alternatives along with our commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, aligns with the President’s “White Gold” national programme. These initiatives focus on improving the safety, quality, and environmental standards of national suppliers while playing a major role in job creation, fostering value-added production, and introducing new technologies to Mongolia.
As part of the “One Billion Trees” national movement, Oyu Tolgoi launched the “100 million trees for the Future” program in 2022. This initiative goes beyond tree planting—it builds a foundation for long-term reforestation through workforce training, tree nursery development, and infrastructure enhancement.
Under its “Creating Prosperity. Together” strategy aligned with global megatrends, the changing world order, climate change and economic uncertainty, Oyu Tolgoi is building a world-class, safe, and sustainable copper business, generating value for its shareholders and stakeholders while making a long-term contribution to the social and economic development of our nation.
Notes for editors:
Production and Future Prospect:
With ongoing investment in essential infrastructure and mining development, production continues to accelerate: in 2024 our underground mine achieved all ramp-up milestones with construction of Panel 0 completed, including Shaft 3 and 4 ventilation, 124 drawbells blasted ahead of schedule, and first test ore on the new Conveyor to Surface achieved in October.
As the world transitions to green energy, Mongolia plays a vital role in supplying copper—an essential raw material for electric vehicles and renewable energy—supporting the global fight against climate change. At peak production, Oyu Tolgoi will produce enough copper each day to manufacture approximately 17,000 electric vehicles.
Oyu Tolgoi’s Environmental Programmes and Initiatives:
Oyu Tolgoi impacts beyond the mine, creating positive benefits across Mongolia.
To date, Oyu Tolgoi’s “100 Billion Trees for the Future” programme has already achieved over 20% of its target. Since 2022, Oyu Tolgoi has successfully planted and nurtured over 20.5 million trees or their equivalent. This includes 1.3 million trees planted for reforestation and investments equivalent to 19 million trees dedicated to developing forestry infrastructure.
Oyu Tolgoi is now in its fourth year of implementing the “Care Deeply” campaign in collaboration with The Water Authority, a government implementing agency of Mongolia, the Mongolian Hydrogeology and Geoecology Association, the Galba-Uush-Dolood Gobi River Basin Administration, and the School of Geology and Mining at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. This initiative promotes responsible water consumption, recycling, and groundwater conservation while also raising awareness of hydrogeology as a profession and supporting the training of skilled professionals in this field.
At the “Blue Gold” 2025 National Forum, scheduled for March 21, the “Care Deeply 2025” Water Excellence Award will recognize the most impactful solutions for water conservation, sustainable use, and pollution prevention.
Oyu Tolgoi recycles an average of 87% of its industrial water usage and reuses 97% of domestic water for dust suppression and equipment washing at the mine site.
Oyu Tolgoi uses approximately three times less water per tonne of processed ore than the global average. In Q4 2024, the company used an average of 0.34 cubic meters of water per tonne of ore processed.
Since 2013, Oyu Tolgoi has paid a total of MNT193 billion in water usage fees as of the fourth quarter of 2024.
The groundwater used in the Oyu Tolgoi concentrator does not meet drinking water standards and has no negative impact on the local community’s drinking water sources.
Oyu Tolgoi remains committed to protecting and enhancing biodiversity.
As of 2024, 63% of total waste generated was recyclable or re-usable, and Oyu Tolgoi is collaborating with 17 national companies in this effort. A prime example of waste reuse is the compost production from food waste, which is used for land rehabilitation, landscaping, and tree planting at the mine site.
In line with global efforts to combat climate change, Oyu Tolgoi is actively reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
Oyu Tolgoi and Rio Tinto are developing a 180 MW renewable energy project, which will meet 30% of Oyu Tolgoi’s long-term energy demand (600,000 MWh). In the long run, the goal is to source 70% of the mine’s energy from renewable sources.
Economic and Social Impact (As of the End of 2024)
As of 2023, Rio Tinto has invested a total of USD16.8 billion in Oyu Tolgoi.
Since 2010, Oyu Tolgoi has contributed USD4.8 billion in taxes, fees and other payments to the state budget.
Since 2010, Oyu Tolgoi has spent US$18.9 billion in-country in the form of salaries, payments to Mongolian suppliers, taxes and other payments to the Government of Mongolia. In Q4 2024, over 1,044 suppliers provided products and services to Oyu Tolgoi.
30 of Mongolia’s Top 100 companies are Oyu Tolgoi’s suppliers, and the company has consistently ranked among the leading enterprises contributing to the country’s development.
Every USD1 invested in Oyu Tolgoi generate USD1.43 in Mongolia’s economy. (The National University of Mongolia, 2018)
One-third of Mongolia’s GDP growth driven by investment is attributed to Oyu Tolgoi. (The University of Finance and Economics, 2024)
Through Oyu Tolgoi, Rio Tinto’s block-caving technology and 150 years of management expertise have been introduced to Mongolia. This has not only advanced the mining sector but also enhanced the planning and management capabilities of many partnering companies.
97.5% of Oyu Tolgoi’s workforce consists of Mongolian nationals, with over 20,000 employees currently working at the company. Oyu Tolgoi is playing a key role in developing world-class professionals for Mongolia’s mining sector.

Mongolia’s Central Asia Connection: Kazakhstan www.thediplomat.com

Mongolia looks to use its upgraded relationship with Kazakhstan to forge closer ties with Central Asia writ large.
In 2024, Mongolia and Kazakhstan elevated their traditional friendly relations to a new level: a strategic partnership. The upgraded relationship between Ulaanbaatar and Astana is one example of how landlocked Mongolia navigates geopolitical challenges to expand its political and economic ties with “third neighbors” – including partners in Central Asia. 
Mongolia and Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations in 1992, one year after Kazakhstan became independent, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. At the time, Mongolia was going through its democratization process while Kazakhstan was setting itself up as an independent state. Mongolia’s recognition of Kazakhstan’s independence was important in establishing modern diplomacy between the new governments of both countries. 
Kazakhstan’s long-ruling President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Mongolia in 2008. During this trip, Nazarbayev was awarded the highest honor of Mongolia, the Order of Erdene Ochir, for his contribution to the development of Mongolia-Kazakhstan bilateral relations. 
Sixteen years later, in 2024, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid a historic state visit to Mongolia. During the high-level meeting between Tokayev and his counterpart, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, the two leaders emphasized the past cooperation as a success, but also looked to opportunities to advance and diversify cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, new technologies, and space research. 
Tokayev’s state visit to Ulaanbaatar resonated on a diplomatic level but also a cultural one. In his message to the Mongolian government and the people, Tokayev stated, “This State Visit holds special importance to me. Mongolia is an important neighboring country in our region. Our two countries share mutual goodwill, a common history, and shared intellectual and cultural values.”
Indeed, beyond the government-to-government relations, the cultural ties between Mongolia and Kazakhstan touch on issues of historical and contemporary identity.  
Historically, Mongolia has been involved the migrations of the Kazakh people and the protection of their culture. After Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991, many members of the Kazakh Mongolian population relocated to Kazakhstan. In Kazakhstan, however, the transition to independence, coupled with economic turbulence brought hardship for resettled Kazakh Mongolians. Thousands eventually returned to Mongolia. Today, Kazakh Mongolians make up 4 percent of the country’s population, mostly living in Bayan-Ulgii and neighboring provinces. 
The Kazakh Mongolian population represents a rich cultural vein in Mongolia’s ethnic diversity, which helps the country to connect with rest of the world. For example, the documentary “The Eagle Huntress” featured Aisholpan Nurgaiv, a young Kazakh Mongolian who breaks barriers by taking part in The Golden Eagle Festival, a traditionally male competition. The film – with dialogue in Kazakh – brought international acclaim and boosted interest in tourism to Mongolia. With this strong cultural representation, the Kazakh Mongolian population serves as a bridge for Ulaanbaatar to engage with countries such as Turkiye and Kazakhstan, and beyond. 
In the most recent example of cultural connections, Mongolia again took part in the World Nomad Games, the fifth iteration of which was hosted by Kazakhstan in September 2024.
The strategic partnership between Mongolia and Kazakhstan aims to build on these already-established historical and cultural ties to expand economic activities between the two countries. The forging of an economic partnership is underway as both governments aim to navigate the quickly changing geopolitical landscape. 
Currently, Kazakhstan-Mongolia trade is just over $150 million, representing a paltry 0.5 percent of Mongolia’s total trade and just 0.1 percent of Kazakhstan’s. The strategic partnership envisions boosting bilateral trade, with a goal of reaching $500 million. To that end, Mongolia and Kazakhstan signed a “Roadmap for Intensifying Trade and Economic cooperation between Mongolia and the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2025-2027” during Tokayev’s visit to Mongolia.
Beyond trade, the two governments look to foster stronger tourism ties and investment cooperation in “agriculture, mining and metallurgy, energy, transport, logistics, and finance.” Kazakhstan’s foreign policy concept 2020-2030 will play an important role in the sectors Astana prioritizes.
Given Mongolia’s ambition to expand economic relations with both traditional and nontraditional partners, Ulaanbaatar’s approach to Kazakhstan also eyes the rest of Central Asia. A strategic partnership with Kazakhstan creates opportunities for stronger bilateral mechanisms with other Central Asian countries as well as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The EAEU, established in 2015, is a Russia-centered grouping aimed at increasing economic cooperation. The current members are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia; Cuba, Moldova, and Uzbekistan hold observer status within the EAEU.
The question of whether Mongolia should sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EAEU has sparked a heated debate among policymakers and domestic producers. Negotiations began in 2019 but entered a more serious phase in 2024. In a statement to journalists, Tokayev said that Kazakhstan “support[s] Mongolia’s aspiration to pursue a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.” Major businesses, however, have opposed Mongolia forging closer ties with the grouping, arguing that it will harm domestic businesses.
Forging economic partnerships with members countries on a bilateral mechanism serve Mongolia’s small economy better than establishing an EAEU-wide FTA. An inflow of tariff-free goods, vegetables, eggs, wheat, and flour from EAEU member states would impact Mongolia’s domestic production, and the little manufacturing Mongolia does. 
However, policymakers have emphasized the importance of food security, a hard lesson learned during the pandemic. Proponents of the FTA says that it will ensure consistent supplies of certain categories of food. The question of the Mongolia-EAEU FTA remains open and will be discussed during the spring parliamentary session. 
One of the geographical challenges that Mongolia and Kazakhstan face is that any trade will need to go through either China or Russia. For logistics and transportation access, Kazakhstan and Mongolia plan to build a new highway between the two countries, but will require approval and cooperation from Russia, through which the road will transit. If approved by Moscow, “The route will connect the Kazakh cities of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Ridder, as well as the Russian locality of Tuekta in the Altai Republic, leading to the Mongolian border,” Interfax reported. 
These economic initiatives – whether exploring an FTA with the EAEU or building a road between Mongolia and Kazakhstan via Russia – demonstrate Ulaanbaatar’s efforts to expand global ties and foster stronger economic relations with diverse partners. The newly established strategic partnership with Kazakhstan will be an important part of Ulaanbaatar’s approach to Central Asia more broadly. 
The materialization of these ideas, however, is another question that depends on many moving variables, including geopolitical shifts and government decisions. Connecting Mongolia and Kazakhstan may offer economic benefits to both countries but also touches on transnational issues that involve Russia and China as well.

Concern in Mongolia After Police Raid on Independent News Outlet www.thediplomat.com

Eight employees for Noorog Creative Studio were detained, allegedly without due process, on murky and shifting charges.
What started as an ordinary game night for young employees of a rising media company turned into a shocking police raid – sparking a nationwide outcry for press freedom in Mongolia.
On the night of March 17, eight employees of Noorog Creative Studio, a digital media outlet known for its bold investigative work, were abruptly detained by the Cyber Crime Department. The journalists, aged 20–27, were taken into custody under Article 19.9.1 of the Criminal Law Act for allegedly “undermining national unity” – a charge that has never before led to a criminal indictment since the law’s enactment in 2015. The penalty is five to 12 years imprisonment.
The employees were interrogated for nearly nine hours overnight, from 9:50 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., with some reportedly questioned without legal representation. Their devices were confiscated upon arrest, and it remains unclear whether they were given the right to communicate with legal counsel. The police also raided Noorog’s office, seizing computers and hard drives.
According to local media reports, the charges stem from accusations of “spreading false information” on the outlet’s Facebook page. As the UB Post summarized, “This investigation was reportedly initiated based on a complaint submitted via a fake address in a chat message, which claimed that Noorog’s content had caused individuals to consider suicide.”
Concerningly, the State Prosecutor’s Office said that it had rejected a proposal to arrest the Noorog journalists immediately, because “the legal grounds for detention had not been established.”
The timing of the operation has raised serious concerns, as it comes just weeks after the outlet announced its upcoming documentary, “18 Days.” The film, set for release in June, follows six citizens through Mongolia’s 2024 parliamentary election campaign, aiming to expose the strategies and tactics used to sway voters.
By  Uranbileg Tumurkhuyag