N.Uchral: Some Ministers may be retained based on performance www.gogo.mn

On April 1, Prime Minister N.Uchral briefed journalists at the State Palace on the composition of the new government.

He said the government’s work is continuing normally with civil servants and state secretaries in place, and stressed the need to begin work without delay.

“Regarding the composition of the government, we will of course take into account the progress made in each sector. We are reviewing the situation, performance, and results of each minister in their respective field,” he said.

N.Uchral also noted that international issues must be considered, saying there are many tasks related to fuel supplies, including trips to Russia and the signing of agreements. “Some Ministers need to remain in place. This is not just our domestic work,” he said.

He added that the government will consider the performance of sector Ministers and their relations with other countries. “The composition of the government will be decided today or tomorrow. So far, only the HUN Party has been invited,” he said.

When asked about the Tuul river highway issue, N.Uchral said a working group would be established and the Ethics Committee would discuss the matter. “I have officially warned the Mayor,” he said.

Revised Forest Law to Expand Public Benefits www.montsame.mn

A series of discussions on the draft revised Law on Forests, organized by the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Environment, Food and Agriculture, was held on April 1 at the State Palace.

The discussions are being conducted in stages by the Standing Committee in cooperation with a working group established under Resolution No. 523 of the Speaker of Parliament. This working group is tasked with developing proposals and drafting relevant legislation on environmental protection and green development.

The first discussion took place on March 30 and brought together researchers, scientists, and professional organizations engaged in long-term forestry studies, as well as stakeholders involved in tree nurseries and agroforestry. The discussion held on April 1 focused on involving businesses and private sector representatives operating in the field, gathering their views and feedback.

Member of Parliament and head of the working group, Bat-Erdene Bat-Ulzii, highlighted that the draft revised law consists of 12 chapters and 59 articles. He emphasized that its key innovation lies in defining forests as ecosystems and incorporating provisions aimed at increasing economic circulation while improving the livelihoods of local communities.

During the discussion, Member of Parliament Undraa Agvaanluvsan noted that integrating forests into the economy, alongside their protection and restoration, is of strategic national importance. She stressed that government policy should support residents of remote soums in aimags such as Khuvsgul and Khentii to become stewards of their forests and sustain their livelihoods. At the same time, she underlined the need for the draft law to promote the use of advanced technologies, enhance public knowledge and capacity, and support community groups and cooperatives.

The currently effective Law on Forests regulates relations related to forest protection, restoration, reforestation, ownership, use, and the prevention of forest and steppe fires. The revised draft, however, aims to balance forest conservation, restoration, and sustainable use with ecosystem stability, biodiversity, economic benefits, and local participation.

While the existing law classifies forests into protection and utilization zones, the new draft introduces a third category, “special-purpose forests.” This includes forests designated for genetic resources, research, education, urban green zones, and those with historical and cultural significance, all to be subject to special protection regimes.

In addition, the draft establishes a comprehensive and coordinated system across all levels — national, provincial/capital, soum, privately managed forests, and contract-based management. It proposes the development of a transparent, integrated digital system covering permits, contracts, classification, utilization, restoration, carbon accounting, violations, and reporting.

Furthermore, the draft incorporates modern, market-oriented, and climate policy-aligned concepts such as ecosystem services, forest-based economy, bioeconomy, carbon sequestration, carbon units, and carbon projects.

Mongolia to form coalition gov't www.xinhuanet.com

Mongolia is expected to form a coalition government following recent political developments.

The opposition Hun Party announced on its official social media platform Wednesday evening that it had agreed to form a coalition government with the ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP).

So far, the MPP has proposed forming a coalition government only with the Hun Party.

The development came after Nyam-Osor Uchral, chairman of the MPP, was appointed Mongolia's 35th prime minister on Monday after being nominated by the party.

His appointment followed the resignation of former Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar, who stepped down at his own request last week.

In the 2024 parliamentary elections, the MPP won a narrow majority, securing 68 of the 126 seats. The Hun Party secured eight seats. 

Tourism Emerges as Key Economic Driver, Reaching USD 1.4 Billion Output www.montsame.mn

The Standing Subcommittee on Tourism Development of the State Great Khural (Parliament) held its first meeting of 2026 on March 31, receiving updates on sector policy, implementation of laws and regulations, and pressing challenges.

Director of the Tourism Policy and Regulation Department at the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth, Batchimeg V., reported that Mongolia welcomed more than 847,000 tourists in 2025, generating USD 728 million in export revenue. Domestic tourism spending reached MNT 2.6 trillion, bringing the total economic output of the sector to MNT 5.2 trillion (USD 1.4 billion), underscoring tourism’s growing importance to the national economy. She also noted that Mongolia ranked 15th among the world’s top 20 fastest-growing destinations in the UN World Tourism Barometer.

The sector operates under the revised Law on Tourism adopted in 2023, along with one parliamentary resolution and Government Resolution No. 95, with implementation currently at 69.1 percent. Updated regulations on classification and grading of tourism service providers have been approved, while a “Winter Tourism Development Plan” is being implemented as part of efforts to promote year-round tourism.

In terms of international cooperation, Mongolia hosted the launch of the “Tea Road Auto Tourism” initiative during the 9th trilateral tourism ministers’ meeting of Mongolia, China, and Russia in Darkhan-Uul aimag in November 2025. A national travel platform is also ready for development. Additionally, a Tourism Training Center building has been handed over under Mongolia–Republic of Korea cooperation, with preparations underway to establish a formal vocational training institution based on the facility.

Infrastructure improvements are progressing, including an increase in direct international flights, with Khuvsgul aimag receiving international arrivals. Concessional loans for tourism businesses are set to be issued starting this month.

Looking ahead, the government is prioritizing the establishment of a tourism development fund, improved tax policy to reinvest in the sector, expanded infrastructure, and sustainable tourism practices that reduce environmental impact while benefiting local communities. Key challenges remain in upgrading airports and border capacity, improving roads, expanding year-round eco-friendly accommodations, and developing distinctive tourism products and attractions.

Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth Undram Chinbat stated that the government has identified 17 tourism zones across 12 aimags for the first time and is developing management plans for each with international support. She added that businesses in the sector will have access to loans with a 6 percent interest rate, a six-year term, and a one-year grace period on principal repayment.

Members of Parliament raised concerns about future tourist growth amid rising fuel and flight costs. The minister noted that earlier projections estimated Mongolia could receive around one million tourists this year, although increasing airfare prices may affect demand. She also highlighted strong demand for financing, with loan requests totaling MNT 800 billion submitted to banks, despite only MNT 250 billion available this year, and called for continued support to expand funding in the coming years.

Water Compact Implemented on Schedule and Within Approved Budget www.montsame.mn

The implementation of the second Millennium Challenge Compact, known as the Mongolia Water Compact, between the Government of Mongolia and the Millennium Challenge Corporation of the United States has concluded, and its results were reviewed.

Under the project, Mongolia’s first large-scale wastewater recycling plant was officially inaugurated, creating new opportunities to conserve clean water and supply thermal power plants with treated water. This marks the country’s first major use of recycled water in the energy sector and is expected to expand into other industrial sectors, conserve groundwater resources for future generations, and support the ecosystem of the Tuul River. The project fulfills a key objective of Mongolia’s water policy and establishes a completely new source of water supply.

In addition, as part of the project to build a new Western Source for Ulaanbaatar’s water supply, the country’s first advanced water treatment plant has been established. The facility is currently undergoing testing and is expected to be opened next month. At present, residents of Ulaanbaatar consume about 55 million cubic meters of water annually from seven sources. Once operational, the new plant will supply up to 50 million cubic meters of water per year to the central system, significantly enhancing the city’s water security, supporting westward urban expansion, and contributing to economic growth.

The project also included soft infrastructure initiatives aimed at strengthening the sustainability of Ulaanbaatar’s water supply. Within this framework, five sub-projects and activities have been successfully carried out. These focused on improving the institutional framework, legal environment, and policy regulation of the water sector; strengthening the capacity of sector organizations; providing technical assistance; and enhancing the financial and human resource capacity of the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority to sustainably operate its services in the future.

Thus, the largest investment in Mongolia’s water sector over the past 30 years has achieved tangible results, and this strategically significant project that has elevated Ulaanbaatar’s water supply system to a new level, has been successfully completed.

It is also worth noting that the Water Compact program, which entered into force on March 31, 2021, has been fully implemented on schedule and within its approved budget.

Report on Implementation of Mongolia’s 2025 Development Plan Presented www.montsame.mn

At the plenary session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) on March 31, Prime Minister Uchral Nyam-Osor presented a report on the Government’s 2024-2028 action plan and an analytical review of the implementation of Mongolia’s 2025 development plan.

According to the monitoring and evaluation results outlined in the reports, the average performance of 13 key outcome indicators reached 55.5% compared to the 2025 target levels; the average implementation of 67 outcomes under budget governors stood at 64.1%, and the average completion rate of 575 objectives in the operational plan was 66.4%. In addition, the average implementation of 1,213 measures reached 67.9%.

During the session, members of parliament emphasized the need to improve planning accuracy, clearly define target levels, implement recommendations from the National Audit Office, revoke the budget austerity law, reduce reporting requirements from civil servants, and introduce artificial intelligence-based technologies. They also raised questions regarding the plans of several ministries and received responses.

Mongolia and Turkey agree on cooperation in defense sector www.akipress.com

The 11th consultations between the Ministries of Defense of Mongolia and Turkey took place in Ankara from March 23 to March 27, MiddleAsianNews reported.

The sides discussed important aspects of military cooperation, interaction in the defense industry, and regional security issues. The main goal of the negotiations was to deepen relations in the fields of education and technology.

The participants considered the current state of military partnership between the two countries, outlined plans for expanding cooperation, and signed a protocol on further interaction.

The countries agreed on areas of cooperation, including military training, joint exercises, education, cybersecurity, and collaboration among scientists in the fields of science and research.

The meeting was attended by high-profile representatives of the Defense Ministries, including Colonel Gansukh Erkhembayar, head of the strategic policy and planning department of the Ministry of Defense of Mongolia, and Brigadier General Erdoğan Çatal, head of the foreign cooperation department of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces.

In January 2025, the Presidents of Mongolia and Turkey, Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, signed a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the two states.

Mongolia arrive as the team to beat at FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2026 www..fiba.basketball

SINGAPORE - At the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2026, Mongolia enter as one of the strongest programs in the competition, with the men seeded first and the women seeded second. After missing the podium last year, both teams return with a clear objective: get back among Asia’s best.

Men: New faces, same ambition
Mongolia’s men come in as the top seed, backed by a track record that includes two titles, two runner-up finishes and a bronze medal in FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup history.

This year’s squad, though, offers a different look.

The roster features a new generation of players making their Asia Cup debut. They bring experience from the FIBA 3x3 Pro Circuit and Youth Nations League. While the familiar names may be absent, the identity remains the same. This team will be physical, cohesive and built for the demands of 3x3 basketball.

Drawn into Pool A alongside Chinese Taipei and the winner of Qualifying Draw A, Mongolia will look to establish rhythm early as they begin their campaign.

Women: Proven core, unfinished business

If the men are evolving, the women arrive with continuity and momentum.

Mongolia bring back the core of the team that finished second at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2025, led by Khulan Onolbaatar and rising star Nandinkhusel Nyamjav.

Onolbaatar, who embodies Mongolia's "warrior spirit," continues to set the tone with her leadership and competitiveness, while Nyamjav adds a new dimension as one of the most promising young players in the game.

Despite their global success, Mongolia are still chasing their first FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup title in the women’s competition. They enter Pool B alongside New Zealand and the winner of Qualifying Draw B.

Back on the hunt
Both teams carry the same motivation.

After finishing on the podium in 2024 but falling short in 2025, Mongolia return with a point to prove.

With a blend of emerging talent and established leaders, they once again position themselves as one of the teams to beat in Singapore.

FIBA

Jade Gas secures AU$1.8 million to advance Mongolia’s first commercial gas operation www.petroleumaustralia.com.au

Jade Gas Holdings Ltd. has completed a AU$1.8 million capital raise to deliver the first commercial gas production in Mongolia.

The company issued 60 million new shares at 3 cents per share.

Jade Gas will use the funds for its Red Lake gas field, part of the Tavantolgoi coal bed methane (TTCBM) project. Jade is focusing on executing initiatives at the project to deliver Mongolia’s first commercial gas production operation.

Jade’s strategy is to develop all of its projects so that gas produced may, in the long-term, provide an economically viable and reliable supply option to the power and transport sectors in Mongolia, initially in the South Gobi.

The funds raised will support several near-term value milestones including securing a maiden gas reserve booking, submission for a gas production licence and advancing commercial and strategic initiatives to establish a substantial gas operation.

Meanwhile, the company is pursuing multiple commercialisation options to participate in the heavy vehicle transport and power sectors through both compressed and/or liquified natural gas projects.

Achievement of Jade’s strategy will displace the heavy reliance on imported gas and gas liquid products, especially diesel fuel, and coal fired power.

This will increase the security of energy supply for Mongolia as well as provide significant improvement in air quality and other environmental outcomes.

Getting Detached: How Coal-to-Solar Is Moving Beyond Mongolia’s Gers www.asiafoundation.org

In Ulaanbaatar, where winter temperatures regularly fall below –30°C, heating systems are literally a matter of life and death. For decades, coal-fired stoves have both facilitated and burdened daily life in the city’s ger districts. The ubiquity of the smoke-belching stoves reflects the lack of modern infrastructure or affordable alternatives. Making matters worse, coal stoves contribute 70 to 80 percent of particulates in one of the world’s most severely polluted urban areas in winter. 

Thus, finding safe, affordable alternatives that function in the harsh environment and fit within people’s homes and routines has been a top priority for The Asia Foundation (TAF) in Mongolia. Over the past several years, the Coal-to-Solar initiative implemented by TAF in partnership with URECA LLC and Ger Urguu NGO has been piloting alternatives with transformative impact. 

From Idea to the First pilot 
Coal-to-Solar launched in 2022 with pilot funding from TAF and a simple but ambitious idea: to make clean energy solutions not only technically viable, but accessible and scalable for everyone, including ger district households.  

As explored in In Mongolia, A Quest to Democratize Carbon Credits, the early phase focused on testing whether integrated systems combining solar power, electric heating, and battery storage could replace coal while also generating verifiable carbon reductions. But technology alone was never the solution. From the outset, the initiative recognized that lasting change depends on how well innovation fits into people’s daily lives, their routines, livelihoods, economic realities, and aspirations. 

In the years since, families have jumped at the opportunity to rid themselves of their coal stoves and the backbreaking labor of feeding the beasts. In 2024, with generous funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, TAF launched the Women’s Climate Resilience project to expand the initiative through TAF’s Women’s Business Center. 

The early results, captured in How Transitioning from Coal to Renewable Energy Transformed a Mongolian Family’s Life, revealed something critical: the success of renewable energy transitions is not just measured in emissions reduced, but in daily lives improved, especially for women entrepreneurs.  

First Kindergarten to transition to renewables under The Asia Foundation’s “Women’s Climate Resilience” project Arvaikheer, Uvurkhangai province, 2025 
A New Milestone: First Pilot of Coal-to-Solar in a Detached House 
While the initiative expands to transition more gers, there is a bigger challenge: decarbonizing the estimated 134,000 detached houses in the district. Due to their larger size and higher heating demand, these houses typically consume 30 to 50 percent more coal and emit higher emissions and air pollution than gers. Plus, the houses vary widely in construction, insulation, and layout, making it difficult to apply a standardized solution.  

Transitioning detached houses to solar heating requires not just technology but also close collaboration between innovators and households to adapt solutions to fit real conditions in Ulaanbaatar ger-districts.  

On a cold March 2026 morning, that innovation became a reality inside the home of Ms. Davaakhuu and Mr. Namsraidorj. Just days earlier, the family had removed their masonry coal stove that had stood at the center of their home for nearly 30 years. While it had been essential, it came with a tremendous cost of endlessly hauling coal, tending fires, cleaning ash, and living with toxic invisible indoor smoke. 

Now, for the first time since 1998, it was gone. When we visited the household on March 18, the moment marked more than a household upgrade but reflected how innovation, when applied thoughtfully, can reshape daily lives of a family.  

Where Technology Meets Daily Life 
Ms. Davaakhuu, a client of TAF’s Women’s Business Center, and her spouse Mr. Namsraidorj had long accepted coal heating as a necessity. Like many families, they had even considered moving into an apartment to escape the burden and outdoor air pollution during winter peaks. 

That changed when they were selected as the first pilot household to test Coal-to-Solar in a detached house, supported by the British Embassy Ulaanbaatar through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Under this pilot, in February 2026, their home was equipped with an integrated system, including a cold-climate heat pump for primary heating, solar photovoltaic panels generating renewable electricity, battery storage for energy reliability, and a smart monitoring system verifying coal reduction in real time.  

Mr.Namsraidorj and Ms.Davaakhuu in front of their detached house and 10kW solar panels 
Developed and implemented by URECA, the system reflects an important shift of innovation being no longer tested in isolation, but it is embedded into everyday life of this family.  

What Change Looks Like in Practice 
The impact was immediate and deeply practical. “We sleep longer now,” the family shared. 

Without the need to wake early to light the stove or tend fire throughout the day, their routine has fundamentally changed. The transition has created space not only for comfort, but for opportunity. Ms. Davaakhuu now dedicates more time to expanding her handmade soap business. Mr. Namsraidorj, a retired welder, is finally able to rest and plan time with family after years of labor-intensive work, including maintaining their greenhouse business in their plot. 

“We were especially fortunate to work with Ms. Davaakhuu and Mr. Namsraidorj’s family,” the URECA team said. “They were an exemplary household, and Mr. Namsraidorj brought rare practical knowledge through his welding work and his experience at CHP-4 [Thermal Power Plant No.4] in Ulaanbaatar. He even helped build some components of the solar system himself. In many ways, he felt like part of our engineering team.”  

The household shared how their home now feels healthier; the air is clearer and the effort once required to maintain warmth has disappeared. This is how change happens. Not only through systems installed, but through lives made easier. 

Building a Path to a Smoke-Free Future 
This pilot is more than a technical milestone. It demonstrates how collaboration between innovators, communities, and development partners can turn possibility into practice. Early results show that renewable energy can supply a substantial share of household electricity demand in winter while reducing heating costs. At the same time, real-time monitoring systems make emissions reductions measurable, opening pathways for carbon financing. 

A small survey conducted in collaboration with Breathe Mongolia NGO in 2025 highlights that average 2.5 micrometer particulate matter level was 3.5 times lower in solar heated households. Findings were similar for 1 and 10 micrometer particulate matter. Converted households met Mongolian air quality standards 98.3 percent of the time compared to 25.4 percent for coal-heated households.  

But perhaps most importantly, the project shows that a smoke-free future in Ulaanbaatar is not a distant vision as it is already being built, one household at a time. 

A view from the household’s bedroom with the heat pump installed, Ulaanbaatar Mongolia 2026 
Coal-to-Solar’s expansion into detached housing is not the end of the journey. The next step is understanding how clean energy transitions can scale across diverse conditions. It is crucial to understand that technology alone does not create change. Change happens when technology is designed, adapted, and deployed with the input and involvement of families. 

Through continued collaboration with partners like URECA, and with the support of initiatives such as the FCDO-funded pilot, the expansion of the DFAT funded Coal-to-Solar project is demonstrating how innovation can move beyond pilots and change more people’s lives.