President of Mongolia and Commander-in-Chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces Khurelsukh Ukhnaa today awarded state decorations to military personnel of the 12th Mongolian contingent to the UN peacekeeping mission in the Republic of South Sudan.

Order of Military Merit

-Lieutenant Colonel Tumenjargal Munkhbayar.

-Senior Ganzam Davaasuren.

Medal of Military Honor

-37 servicemen under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Purevdorj Nergui and Senior Ariunbolor Tsend.

Medal for Peace

-409 servicemen under the command of Captain Batbayar Enkhbaatar, Senior Officers Dondogmaa Jamiyanjav, Munkhbat Ganbold, and Otgon-Erdene Sukhbaatar.

President of Mongolia and Commander-in-Chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces congratulated Mongolian peacekeepers on behalf of the State, Government, and people of Mongolia for successfully completing their mission with honor and professionalism. President Khurelsukh also extended best wishes for their future endeavors. Additionally, on behalf of the State, the Mongolian President extended heartfelt gratitude to the family members of the peacekeepers, recognizing their pivotal role as the backbone throughout the mission.

Mongolia ranks 23rd on the list of countries contributing troops to the United Nations and is the leader in the region for the number of female peacekeepers. Mongolia is successfully implementing a policy of ensuring national security through political and diplomatic methods by upholding a peace-loving, open, and multi-pillar foreign policy while actively engaging in efforts to promote global peace and security.

In relevance of the State budget 2024 approval, the Ministry of Finance and the Standing Committee on the Budget of the Parliament have given the following information.

D.Togtokhsuren, Head of the MPP Group in the Parliament, said, “The budget income has been increased by a total of MNT 590 billion which improved the budget balance. Also, budget expenditures were reduced by about MNT 300 billion and the amount of investment increased slightly.

As for social welfare, the issue of pension increase has been resolved. It was estimated to increase by 10% starting from April 1, 2024. Citizens who receive low pensions are the most affected by inflation. Therefore, it is considered correct to increase the pension MNT 100 thousand. And a total of MNT 140 billion required for pension increase of MNT 100 thousand has been resolved”.

The State Budget 2024 was finally approved by the Parliament on November 10. With the approval of next year's budget law, the amount of balanced budget income is MNT 25 trillion, and the amount of expenditure is MNT 27 trillion. Next year, it was estimated that Mongolia's economy will grow by 7%, coal exports will reach 60 million tons, inflation will decrease by 8.5%, and GDP will reach MNT 74 trillion.

So if you're feeling a bit ... disconnected from your fellow humans, you might consider taking a few tips from Mongolians.

In a new Gallup report for The Global State of Social Connections, people in 142 countries were asked to rate their "social connectedness" – defined as "how close you feel to people emotionally."

The word "people" was given a broad definition: family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, people from groups you're part of ... and strangers. So pretty much ... everybody.

Most countries did well. Overall, seven out of 10 people around the globe said they were "very" or "fairly" connected.

But Mongolians were the most connected of all.

Mongolia beat out Kosovo, Taiwan and Bosnia and Herzegovina among other top contenders to be named the most socially connected, with 95% of Mongolians reporting feeling very and fairly connected to other people. The highest rates of social connection for men – 95% – and women – 94% – were also in Mongolia.

Having reported from Mongolia in 2017, I was curious and reached out to some Mongolians. They were not surprised to be at the top of the list.

I had wondered if this high rate of social connection had something to do with their housing arrangements. Traditionally Mongolians have lived in gers, round felt tents covered in weatherproof canvas that suit a nomadic lifestyle. (Outsiders often use the word "yurt" instead.) There are a number of rules regarding gers, from how to enter (women step to the east and men to the west) to where to sit and which side the door should be on (the southern so it faces the sun and lets in light).

What there aren't ... are interior walls. A family of two or 10 (or even larger) may live in a single ger, explains Enkhtuvshin Shiilegdamba, a wildlife disease specialist.

"Mostly everyone sleeps on the floor making a big Japanese type beddings using mattresses made out of sheep wool, a felt mattress, and they all cook together on one stove, coal, wood or cow dung burning," Shiilegdamba wrote in an online message.

Even in the crowded Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar with its high rises and coffee shops, whole ger neighborhoods still exist. Finding your way in one of these neighborhoods is another thing entirely, at least it was when I was trying to locate a particular ger for a story in 2017. There are no street names or grid layouts, making maps and GPS basically useless. Instead, you have to rely on people to direct you. Social connections instead of Siri.

In more rural areas, ger life means depending on each other, with each member of the family, including grandparents, assigned a different chore, explains Shiilegdamba. Siblings often live in another ger just steps away.

"So the coziness of gers also create coziness in family connections and close relationships," writes Shiilegdamba.

This connectedness extends to neighbors and even entire towns and provinces. Those living in Ulaanbaatar like Shiilegdamba often maintain this sense of community, returning to their hometown most summers to take a break from their busy city lives and visit extended family, she explains.

A 2023 report on behaviors among Mongolian yurt dwellers in China in the journal Buildings takes it a step further. According to the study, Mongolian spiritual beliefs originate from the form and atmosphere of the yurt or ger and influence behavior and values. The circular and dome shape of the ger serves as a symbol of the combination of religion and life while also concentrating people's spirits, according to the report. The Mongolians studied living in gers showed higher rates of satisfaction than those living in urban housing, a finding the authors relate to the Mongolian emphasis on nature and freedom.

Grandfather and granddaughter outside the family ger � or yurt. A study of Mongolians studied living in gers showed higher rates of satisfaction than those living in urban housing, a finding the authors relate to the Mongolian emphasis on nature and freedom.

Guillaume Payen/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Gers enable Mongolians to maintain their close connection to nature, which itself leads to social connectedness, explains band manager Tuga Namgur.

"In order to survive in the wilderness as nomads we have to rely on each other," Namgur wrote in an online message. "Family is everything to my culture."

Namgur is a good example of Mongolians' close family ties, having for years managed the band his brother belongs to – The Hu. The arrangement was based on family and social connections and not physical proximity as Namgur has lived in Chicago for more than a decade while The Hu are based in Mongolia.

How A Mongolian Heavy Metal Band Got Millions Of YouTube Views

None of the Mongolians I reached out to were surprised by the Gallup findings. They know Mongolians are close; all you have to do is look at what happens when Mongolians leave their home for a few days or even weeks. Ger dwellers don't set a security alarm like many Westerners do. Instead, writes Shiilegdamba, "Mongolians leave the ger unlocked so the guests can open the door and serve themselves food and shelter to sleep as in remote areas if you can't go inside, you may freeze and die."

Thus, it seems surviving extreme weather may also have something to do with Mongolians social connectedness, which judging by the world's changing climate means the rest of us may soon be getting a lot closer.

And in the meantime, you can perhaps increase your own connectedness by purchasing a yurt tent from Amazon for $579.

BY

Katya Cengel writes about interesting people around the world for Smithsonian Magazine, New York Times Magazine and others. Her latest book is Straitjackets and Lunch Money.

The China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor is one of the six major corridors envisioned by the Belt and Road Initiative. The project seeks to improve infrastructure links between the three countries, reduce freight times, create new sea and land-based export routes and boost confidence in regional cooperation.

This week, a regional economic and trade fair was held in the port city of Jinzhou, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Transport authorities and business entities from the three countries held talks on further enhancing connectivity and building a smooth trade and logistics route.

As part of the "One Billion Trees" National Campaign initiated by Mongolian President U. Khurelsukh, 41.5 million trees had been planted by October 2023, stated Oyunsanaa Byambasuren, Director-General of the Forestry Agency of the Government of Mongolia, MONTSAME reports.

In the fall of 2023, 2,230 hectares of Haloxylon forest were registered.

According to Director-General B. Oyunsanaa, out of 452 tree nurseries in Mongolia, 76 are managed by citizens, 25 by associations, and 351 by enterprises. In 2023, there are a total of 62.9 million seedlings and saplings from 21 families and 52 kinds of 124 tree species in stock, which is five times more than in 2022. This indicates that Mongolia has enough seedlings and saplings to implement the “One Billion Trees” National Campaign.

To ensure the implementation of the Forest Law, the Forestry Agency initiated silvicultural operations and forest maintenance, including cleaning, maintenance, use, and registration, in 10 aimags with forests, including Gobi-Altai and Khentii. Of the 516 forestry professional organizations, 450 participated in this work. As part of this work, 2,230 hectares of Haloxylon forest were registered in Gobi-Altai aimag in the fall of 2023.

Governor of the Capital city and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar Kh.Nyambaatar met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of People’s Republic of China to Mongolia Shen Minjuan and exchanged views on cooperation.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Kh.Nyambaatar said, "Numerous joint projects of the two countries are being implemented in Ulaanbaatar, such as the construction of the rail underpasses, and the improvement of Tuul and Selbe rivers. The cooperation with Beijing, Chongqing and Tianjin, implemented by the previous management team of the capital, will be continued and expanded. The city of Ulaanbaatar is ready to cooperate with China and other cities in projects aimed at reducing traffic congestion, such as housing the ger areas, and building subways and ring road.”

Ambassador of China to Mongolia Shen Minjuan said, "China has accumulated experience in air pollution reduction, subway, ring road, and urban planning. Therefore, it would be pleasant to share good practices and cooperate in those areas at the country and city level. I am confident that the future cooperation will be effective and significant.”

At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed that they will focus on implementing the discussed issues and increasing the benefits of relations and cooperation.

The World Amateur Chess Championship 2023 was held in Muscat, Oman. Six athletes from Mongolia competed. There is no previous history of winning four gold, one silver and one bronze medal.

Women U 1700 category:

Anujin Bat-Amgalan /Mongeni/

Anudari Tsogdelger /Sukhbaatar province/

Khuslenzaya Baldanjantsan /Lasker Club/

Men U 1700 category:

Danzanjunai Ganbat /Mongeni/

Men U 2000 category:

Amarsaikhan Dashtogtokh /Mongeni/

Women U 2000 category:

Badamkhand Norovsambuu

By taking the first three places in the category up to 1700, four players from our country became the world champions of the Amateur Chess Championship for the first time.

Prime Minister of Mongolia Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai attended the opening of the International Forum "Transport Week 2023" under the theme "Strengthening Regional Transport and Logistics” on November 6, 2023.

The Transport and Logistics Forum aims to present the policies and initiatives undertaken by the Mongolian Government in railways, civil aviation, highways, road transportation, maritime transport, and dry ports to foreign and domestic institutions and investors. The Prime Minister expressed his firm belief that this forum will foster joint deliberation and practical solutions to the challenges faced by the transport and logistics sector in its endeavor to contribute to regional integration. The Prime Minister underscored the critical need to enhance the effectiveness of regional economic cooperation in the transport and logistics sectors, including facilitating seamless cross-border transportation, strengthening adherence to customs regulations, tariffs, border procedures, documentation, and data exchange, developing transport corridors, and collaboratively addressing other sector-specific challenges.

Under the “Vision 2050” long-term development policy and the "New Revival Policy", the Mongolian government has actively engaged in the regional transport network, aspiring to become a transit country connecting Asia and Europe. To achieve this objective, three railway corridors linking Russia and China have been initiated. Notably, over the past three years, Mongolia has constructed a total of 950 kilometers of railways. Port infrastructure has previously posed a significant constraint on Mongolia's development potential. However, the government's concerted efforts have yielded tangible results. Four new export railway crossings have been agreed upon with China, and construction is proceeding at full speed. Enhancing the accessibility of border crossings will receive particular attention, thereby facilitating an increase in the volume of exported goods and products. In addition to the Tianjin port, the government intends to utilize the Jinzhou and Lianyungang ports in China, as well as seaports in Pakistan and Iran, to further expand trade routes.

"The 2024 budget year is being devoted entirely to supporting the Government's "Urban and Rural Revival." The Millennium Road project, which runs more than 7,000 km in Mongolia, was successfully completed last year. Construction of "Five Circles for Rural Revival" is about to start in the five regions of the west, east, central, west central, and south. We are planning to connect the centers of aimags and border ports by auto road," emphasized Prime Minister of Mongolia.

"The Mongolian Government's "Welcome to Mongolia" tourism policy has yielded positive outcomes in several areas. The liberalization of air transport regulations and the establishment of aviation agreements with 42 countries have facilitated direct flights to 115 destinations, significantly enhancing Mongolia's accessibility to international travelers. Addressing traffic congestion in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city, has emerged as a pressing issue. To tackle this challenge, a comprehensive feasibility study has been conducted, outlining various programs and projects aimed at reducing traffic congestion and constructing a ring road around the city. This study is now ready to attract foreign and domestic investors. According to the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2022, Mongolia has made significant progress, climbing 33 places to rank 97th globally. This positive development is attributed to the implementation of comprehensive reforms aimed at establishing transparent and corruption-free governance. The country has also witnessed an improvement of 18 places on the Digital Development Index, further demonstrating its commitment to enhancing its digital infrastructure and capabilities," Mongolian Premier Oyun-Erdene said.

Mongolia's inflation stood at 9 percent in October, as measured by the consumer price index, rising 9 percentage points year on year in October, data from the country's National Statistics Office showed Tuesday.

The increase was mainly driven by rising prices of imported goods, especially food products, the agency said.

More than half of over 400 items of the landlocked Asian country's consumer goods and services basket are imported, it said.

The inflation rate peaked at 16.4 percent in July 2022 due to higher prices for imports. The figure has been on the decline ever since.

The country aims to reduce its inflation rate to a single digit by the end of this year.

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to the newly elected Khamba Lama of Gaden Thekchogling, the principal Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia, Geshé Jetsun Dorji (Javzandorj-Жавзандорж), to congratulate him on his new position.

Newly elected Khamba Lama of Gaden Thekchogling, the principal Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia, Geshé Jetsun Dorji (far right), outgoing Khamba Lama, Gabju Demberel Choijamts (far left), and His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting with members of the media in Ulannbaatar, Mongolia on November 23, 2016. Photo by Tenzin Taklha

Newly elected Khamba Lama of Gaden Thekchogling, the principal Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia, Geshé Jetsun Dorji (far right), outgoing Khamba Lama, Gabju Demberel Choijamts (far left), and His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting with members of the media in Ulannbaatar, Mongolia on November 23, 2016. Photo by Tenzin Taklha

In his letter His Holiness stated that the Dharma has great potential to contribute to the well-being of humanity because it is rooted in non-violence and compassion. However, this will only occur if those of us who have the opportunity to study and practise it. His Holiness added that when it comes to giving Buddhist teachings, it is important to keep in mind the aptitude and inclination of those being taught.

In a separate letter to the outgoing Khamba Lama, Gabju Demberel Choijamts, who is retiring due to his advanced age, His Holiness expressed admiration for the way he has promoted an approach to the Buddha’s teachings founded on study, reflection on what has been learned, and meditation on what has been understood. His Holiness wrote that the Khamba Lama had lived a meaningful life and that he had been happy to count him his friend for many years.

His Holiness assured both Khamba Lamas of his prayers and good wishes.