Average household income grows by 6.6 percent www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar/MONTSAME/. According to the result of Household Socio-Economic Survey of the first quarter of 2020, the monthly average household income was MNT 1.5 million, increased by MNT 248.5 (19.7%) thousand compared to the same period of the previous year and increased by MNT 133.6 (9.7%) thousand from the previous quarter. The monthly average household expenditure was MNT 1.6 million, increased by MNT 228.2 (17.1%) thousand compared to the same period of the previous year, and increased by MNT 120.5 (8.3%) thousand from the previous quarter.

Accountable Mining and gender inclusivity www.news.mn

“The peoples of the United Nations have (…) reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.”[1] Adopted by world leaders in 1945, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its fundamental principles, such as “equal rights of men and women”, prevail as a foundation to prevent all forms of discrimination and to protect and promote human rights as the responsibility of all states. In terms of human rights and social justice, gender equality remains a serious and meaningful goal in itself. However, efforts to promote and advance equality between men and women can benefit various social and economic objectives. The United Nations point out that “there has been a steady accumulation of evidence that gender differences and inequalities directly and indirectly affect the impact of development strategies and hence the achievement of overall development goals.”[2] The UN identify that investing in women and reducing gender inequalities can lead to the significant improvement of education and health sectors and is essential to reduce poverty, speed up economic development and achieve sustainable growth.

Gender inclusion should also be considered as a powerful leverage to address and tackle corruption in private and public spheres. As recognized by the Beijing Declaration Platform for Action, “the empowerment and autonomy of women and the improvement of women’s social, economic and political status is essential for the achievement of both transparent and accountable government and administration and sustainable development in all areas of life…. Achieving the goal of equal partnership of women and men in decision-making will provide a balance that more accurately reflects the composition of society and is needed in order to strengthen democracy and promote its proper functioning.”[3] One way of promoting gender inclusion and empowering women to fully exercise their human rights is through gender mainstreaming, defined by UNESCO as “the deliberate consideration of gender in all stages of program and policy planning, implementation and evaluation, with a view to incorporate the impacts of gender at all levels of decision making.”[4]

This synthesis seeks to produce a comprehensive overview about the existing literature on gender inclusivity within the mining sector in Mongolia, and to provide interested readers with reliable, up-to-date sources. Mongolia is a resource-rich country and the extractive industries are particularly powerful, sometimes even closely related to political elites. The mining sector is particularly at-risk regarding corruption, conflict of interest, bribery and land or resource mismanagement. Transparency International states that “corruption operates in a context where women are underrepresented at different levels of decision making and are most often denied the benefits from social and economic development. Women’s limited participation in mining-related consultations means that the potential impact of the mining project on women will not be captured or taken into serious consideration and mitigated in mining operations.”[5] At the same time, poor community engagement can lead to the interests of the different groups of women and men in the community to be ignored by companies and leaders for their own gain, especially during the licence approval process.

The Asian Foundation observes in its Gender Assessment of Mongolia that “gender dynamics in Mongolia have been shaped by social-cultural norms, six decades of socialism (1924-1989), and the transition to a market economy in the past 23 years. Mongolia has issued extensive legislation to advance gender equality and women are, on average, better educated and healthier than men. However, diminishing female participation in national politics, increasing wage gaps and male dominance in key economic sectors are emerging phenomena.”[6] The UN and REDD+ note in their report concerning Mongolia that “unequal distribution of wealth, entrenched poverty, and marginalization and exclusion of certain groups remain major challenges today.”[7]

Mongolia, through its integration of international commitments and relatively strong legal framework, has taken steps towards advancing and mainstreaming gender equality (mentioned in the Mongolian Constitution, Labor Law, Family Law, Civil Code and Criminal Code). The Great State Khural of Mongolia (Parliament) passed in 2011 the Law on Promotion of Gender Equality. The law ensures gender equality in the political sphere (Article 8), economic sphere (Article 9), civil service (Article 10), employment and labor relations (Article 11), education (Article 12), health care (Article 13) and family relations (Article 14). In 2016, the government approved of the 2017-2021 National Program on Gender Equality. Its purpose is to “provide support to the gender-responsive policy and planning processes required to reach the sustainable development goals and to implement the Law on the Promotion of Gender Equality”. Despite pro-active efforts, “women are underrepresented in higher leadership positions and high political positions. Women are less represented in decision making in the political and economic spheres due to largely influenced by gendered stereotyped cultural norms and behavior. Mongolia ranks 117 out of 142 countries in the gender gap sub-index on political empowerment, falling 14 spots from 2014. The share of female parliamentarians in Mongolia has been as low as 3%. However, for the first time in Mongolia’s history the share of women in the new parliament (2016-2020) increased to 17.1% compared with 14.5% of the previous parliament (2012-2016).”[8]

The same gender inequalities between men and women in leading positions are visible when assessing the gender-based labor division in the extractive industries: “the expected traditional roles for women such as family carers or providing support remain an issue that impedes the advancement of women at various levels. For instance, at the operational level, women’s jobs tend to be concentrated in administrative positions and provision of clerical or domestic services with a similar division in mine sites (…) The fairness of the recruitment, promotion, and empowerment of women in the industry has long been questioned.”[9]

Studies have shown that the extractive industries have different impacts upon men and women, and that the latter suffer more from the negative effects[10]. The extractive industry sector has an important part to play in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which “represent the world’s plan of action for social inclusion, environmental sustainability and economic development”, adopted in September 2015 by 193 UN member states. “Historically, however, mining has contributed to many of the challenges that the SDGs are trying to address – environmental degradation, displacement of populations, worsening economic and social inequality, armed conflicts, gender-based violence, tax evasion and corruption, increased risk for many health problems, and the violation of human rights” [11]. The mining sector can positively contribute to the advancement of the SDGs and foster economic development by improving their accountability. In recent decades, some extractive industry companies around the world have started to recognize that gender equality has a significant impact in economic development and social progress, and have committed to improve their gender inclusion policies and actions to benefit women’s empowerment in various aspects of their activities. Despite the apparent openness of the sector in discussing gender-related issues, “certain analyses demonstrate that the business case for diversity in the workplace is fundamentally harnessed by the industry to perpetuate the status quo—which is of a highly masculinized sector—while presenting a modern and acceptable face to society.”[12]

It has become increasingly acknowledged by organizations and corporations that, “safe, accountable, accessible and, most importantly, gender sensitive mechanisms that take into account cultural and gender issues that might hinder reporting, should be created.”[13]

Recognizing the importance of promoting gender equality in anti-corruption programming, the Transparency International (TI) movement adopted a resolution on gendered corruption in 2018 in which it stated that gendered corruption such as sextortion is a clear violation of women’s human rights and committed to mainstreaming gender perspectives in all its programs, activities and policies both at TI-Secretariat (TI-S) and national Chapter level. As part of their continual advocacy work with governments, Transparency International “calls on all G20 members to take concrete measures towards implementation in these areas during the remaining of the current G20 Anti-corruption working plan, and report publicly on the progress they have made no later than the end of 2021”[14].

In compliance with Transparency International gender strategy, TI Mongolia identified the need of including a gender lens to its work to combat corruption through transparency, accountability and participation. We want to involve women in the decision-making process by including them in our multi-stakeholder discussions, where investors, companies, governments and civil society will increase their effort to systematically represent them. Educating women and communities on the differentiated impacts of corruption on men and women in Mongolia is a first and necessary step towards comprehensive understanding of mining and gender-related issues. In order to do so, it is essential that NGOs work together with the government and the National Gender Committee, and assert their bargaining power. We are advocating with government agencies and mining companies to be aware of the need to make their processes and guidelines more gender inclusive to enable different groups of women to know and exercise their rights, and to engage in relevant mining processes. “Only through the equal participation of women can we benefit from the intelligence, experience and insights of all of humanity. Women’s equal participation is vital to stability, helps prevent conflict, and promotes sustainable, inclusive development. Gender equality is the prerequisite for a better world.” – Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary General[15]

Mongolia to provide apartments for COVID-19 front-line fighters www.news.mn

Earlier yesterday (20 May), the Mongolian Cabinet approved a housing project for state employees who are leading the fight against COVID-19. Therefore, such people as doctors, NEMA officers and police will be able to buy apartments at special monthly rates. Under the housing project, 1300-1500 families will be able to get apartments.

Nalaikh International Logistics Park to be established www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ At its regular meeting on May 19, Ulaanbaatar city council approved a draft resolution to set up an international logistics park as part of the building material wholesale and retail center to be built in Nalaikh district.

Mongolia exports 5.2 million tons of coal in 2020 www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. As of May 18, 2020, Mongolia has exported coal worth USD 412 million or 5.2 million tons which decreased by 2.6 times from the same period of the previous year.

Mongolia reports 2 more recoveries from COVID-19 www.akipress.com

Mongolia reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, with the number of confirmed ones standing at 140, Xinhua reports citing the National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD).

Projects worth USD 66 million implemented within UN Development Assistance Framework www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The Joint UN and Government of Mongolia Steering Committee meeting to review the implementation of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2017-2021 for Mongolia in 2019 was held on May 18 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister of Foreign Affairs D.Tsogtbaatar, UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia Tapan Mishra and officials from relevant ministries and agencies and the UN main and specialized bodies attended the meeting, exchanging views on results, achievements, challenges in projects and programs being realized by the UN in Mongolia and issues to be concerned in the future.

The UN specialized organizations that operate in Mongolia have developed and are implementing the UNDAF 2017-2021 document with a view to cooperate with integrated strategic direction.

Within the UN Development Assistance Framework 2017-2021 for Mongolia, the UN specialized bodies have fulfilled 109 activities in total with financing of USD 66.49 million in the past, providing tangible assistance in upgrading legal environment with three principle directions and developing strategies of the main sectors such as environment, health and education.

In particular, thanks to the collaboration within the objective “Promoting inclusive growth and sustainable management of natural resources”, western aimags have developed local development plan with concrete assessment-based ecosystem services, and as a result of the model projects to take a total of 5.7 million hectares of land under state and local special protection and to increase energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emission declined by 5220 tons in 2019.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister D.Tsogtbaatar expressed gratitude to the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Mongolia and the UN main and specialized bodies, which have been rendering support and collaborating in ongoing measures by the Mongolian Government on the prevention and fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

Highlighting that actions reflected within the Development Assistance Framework have made significant contributions in fulfilling development goals of Mongolia, the Minister noted innovative participation by domestic partner organizations and stakeholders is vital for effective implementation of the framework for its two remaining years.

UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia Tapan Mishra emphasized the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has brought a necessity to reorganize the UN development system and the UN is intending to enhance the benefits of cooperation with its member states with the help of forming responsible and productive team of countries. Mr. Tapan Mishra also noted that the currently-running UN survey on social and economic impacts of COVID-19 would serve as a basic assessment to define further scope of the sustainable development cooperation.

Within the framework of development system reform initiated by UN Secretary General A.Gutierrez, preparation works to elevate the UN Assistance Framework to Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework are underway with the aims of providing support to countries to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, a transition road map was presented at the meeting, with the participants exchanging their views on it.

Ulaanbaatar Mayor pledges 80 percent drop in air pollution by spring 2021 www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ On May 18, Governor of the capital city S.Amarsaikhan gave a briefing on timely matters concerning Ulaanbaatar city. He stressed “Air pollution in Ulaanbaatar city has already been cut in half, and noted that the pollution will be reduced by another 30 percent in the upcoming winter season, which will result in the city’s air pollution to drop by more than 80 percent by the spring of 2021.”

Outstanding debt reaches MNT 1.3 trillion in April www.zgm.mn

A total of remaining outstanding debt to entities and citizens reached MNT 17.2 trillion as of late April, plummeting by MNT 514.5 billion compared to the same period of the previous year. Depreciation equals 2.9 percent in accordance with the National Statistics Office (NSO)’s statement. During its meeting on April 13, 2020, Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) had decided banks and borrowers to be able to extend the term of consumer loans that encounter difficulties with repayment up to 12 months at once; changing the outstanding loan condition is impossible due to income ratio of 60 percent as well as 30 months cap. The commission also said, “There is no shift in the amount of income and this exemption does not apply to borrowers who are able to repay the loan on schedule.”As of April following the decision, the remaining outstanding loan turned MNT 1.3 trillion, increasing MNT 328 billion or 33.5 percent from a year ago and overdue loan accounts for 7.6 percent and non-performing loan comprises 10.9 percent of the total loan debt. Loan growth is expected to continue to decline in the first half of 2020 and to increase gradually in the second half, according to the Bank of Mongolia.

NSO: Equilibrated balance deficit totals MNT 643.5 billion www.zgm.mn

According to the National Statistics Office (NSO), the equilibrated balance showed a deficit of MNT 643.5 billion in the first four months of 2020. It was deteriorated by MNT 930 billion compared to a surplus of MNT 286.5 billion in the same period last year. Total equilibrated revenue accounted for 93.4 percent of the general government budget revenue. Specifically, the deficit was higher in February, March, and April, the state of the emergency period amid the pandemic. During the period, general government budget expenditure and net lending increased by MNT 474.8 billion or 16.7 percent year over year, totaling up to MNT 3.3 trillion by preliminary results. This was mainly due to the increase of MNT 464.2 billion or 18.7 percent in current expenditure and MNT 68.7 billion or 21.9 percent in capital expenditure.In April 2020, total revenue and grants of General Government Budget reached MNT 642.4 billion, dropped by MNT 117.8 billion or 15.5 percent, and total expenditure and net lending amounted to MNT 970.5 billion, rose by MNT 109.9 billion or 12.8 percent compared to the previous month. Mongolia’s foreign debt due in 2020-2024 stood at USD 14.3 billion, increasing the need to raise official foreign exchange (FX) reserves. FX reserves briefly fell to USD 4.09 billion in March from USD 4.4 billion at the beginning of the year.Moreover, the Trade and Development Bank (TDB) on Mon-day announced that it has repaid 100 percent of its government-backed bonds worth USD 500 million issued in 2015. TDB is successfully repaying its fifth bond. Since 2007, it has traded USD 1.14 billion worth of bonds in international markets.