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, 2015
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MSE Trading Report: Top 20 -0.17%, ₮8.7 Billion T-Bills, ₮2 Million
October 6 (MSE) --
MSE Weekly Report: MSE ALL +0.92%, Market Cap -2.28% to ₮1.28 Trillion, Turnover ₮226.6 Million Stocks, ₮10 Billion T-Bills
October 6 (MSE) Mongolian Stock Exchange organized 5 securities trading sessions and made transaction of MNT10,226,621,825.00 with daily average transaction of MNT2,045,324,365.00 between 28 September 2015 and 02 October 2015.
Share trading:
1,532,576.00 shares of 26 joint stock companies worth of MNT226,621,825.00 were traded.
Most actively traded securities
№ | | Securities Name | Value /MNT/ |
1 | RMC | Remicon | 109,971,918 |
2 | HZB | Gan kherlen | 82,016,870 |
3 | SUL | Gazar suljmel | 8,402,160 |
4 | APU | Apu | 7,779,880 |
5 | SUU | Suu | 6,762,000 |
Most active brokerage companies
№ | | Company Name | Value /MNT/ |
1 | MSEC | Monsec | 169,785,770 |
2 | STIN | Standard investment | 117,153,662 |
3 | FRON | Frontier | 109,900,952 |
4 | ARGB | Argai best | 13,524,000 |
5 | BDSC | BDSec | 11,764,444 |
Government retail bonds trading:
100,000 Government retail bonds worth of MNT10,000,000,000.00 /10 billion/ traded through one trading session.
Most active brokerage companies in government securities trading
№ | | Company Name | Value /MNT/ |
1 | BDSC | BDSec | 4,602,700,000 |
2 | TNGR | Tenger Capital | 4,589,000,000 |
3 | TDB | Ti Di Bi Capital | 535,000,000 |
4 | BZIN | Daewoo Securities Mongolia | 252,600,000 |
5 | TABO | Tavan bogd | 17,200,000 |
As of October 2015, market capitalization was MNT1,282,657,715,673.00 which indicated decreased of 2.28%, and MSE ALL index reached 973.46 units which indicated increased of 0.92% from the previous week.
Mogi: no deets
Baganuur Announces JORC Coal Reserve of 800Mts
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) The Ministry of Energy received Tuesday a project report on "Detailed Exploration and Reserve Estimation of Baganuur Coal Deposit". The additional explorations have been conducted on the site, regarding the immediate need to prepare feasibility study for mine extension.
The updated estimation, piling up all data collected since the start of operations, found that Baganuur deposit's coal reserve amounts to over 800 million tons. Peviously, the deposit had been explored in 1974-75 and in 1989. The detailed exploration was executed by Erdgeo LLC (Mongolian) and Norwest Company (US), as a basic data collection for a feasibility study, being developed in scope of Mining Infrastructure Investment Support Project (MINIS). The project is funded by World Bank's easy-term credit.
The reserve estimation has been developed under A, B, C standards of Mongolia, and international JORC code, enabling thus the Baganuur Ltd. to compete on the international stock market.
A document on receiving the project reports was signed by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy D.Delgertsogt, the MINIS coordinator B.Enkhbaatar, and the director of Erdgeo LLC J.Dashkhorol.
FRC Approves Zoos Goyol's 288 for 1 Share Consolidation
October 6 (FRC) Pursuant to the Resolution No.:366 of Financial Regulatory Commission /FRC/ dated on 25 September 2015, the decision to make listing amendment to "Zoos Goyol" JSC for 1-288 reserve split which grouped every 288 shares with MNT100.00 per share into 1 share with MNT28,800.00 per share has been approved. Regarding reserve split, following rights have become available for shareholders of "Zoos Goyol" JSC:
1. The company will repurchase fractional amount of shares /1-287/
2. Or to complete whole 288 shares, shareholders who own fractional amount of shares could purchase missing amount of shares from the company.
FRC determined the price MNT850.00 per share for the actions including company repurchasing shares or shareholders completing shares as a whole 288.
Therefore, shareholders of "Zoos Goyol" JSC submit the request to Committee of Implementing Project of "Zoos Goyol" JSC within the period between 2015.10.05-2015.12.05.
Address: Ulaanbaatar, Chingeltei district 4th khoroo
Sambuu street, "Zoos Goyol" JSC door#202
Tel: 321907, 323306, 99002083, 88096945
Web: http:www.zoosgoyol.mn,http:/www.mse.mn/
E-mail: info@zoosgoyol.mn
Historic low is ₮1,997.26/USD set September 11
BoM MNT Rates: Tuesday, October 6 Close
| | 10/6 | 10/5 | 10/2 | 10/1 | 9/30 | 9/29 | 9/28 | 9/25 | 9/24 | 9/23 | 9/22 | 9/21 | 9/18 | 9/17 | 9/16 |
| USD | 1,995.06 | 1,996.34 | 1,996.69 | 1,996.27 | 1,996.83 | 1,996.99 | 1,993.89 | 1,996.76 | 1,996.27 | 1,995.28 | 1,995.17 | 1,993.66 | 1,993.59 | 1,992.50 | 1,990.09 |
| EUR | 2,237.66 | 2,245.68 | 2,229.90 | 2,242.44 | 2,242.44 | 2,244.22 | 2,231.26 | 2,229.48 | 2,236.32 | 2,221.35 | 2,229.50 | 2,252.14 | 2,272.09 | 2,252.52 | 2,243.63 |
| CNY | 313.88 | 314.09 | 314.14 | 314.07 | 314.16 | 313.81 | 313.02 | 313.16 | 312.86 | 312.54 | 313.00 | 313.03 | 313.36 | 312.95 | 312.41 |
| GBP | 3,022.91 | 3,041.82 | 3,024.09 | 3,021.16 | 3,026.00 | 3,032.63 | 3,032.31 | 3,042.96 | 3,048.00 | 3,063.15 | 3,091.32 | 3,098.45 | 3,104.82 | 3,090.17 | 3,051.90 |
| RUB | 30.59 | 30.40 | 30.28 | 30.70 | 30.41 | 30.17 | 30.37 | 30.32 | 30.05 | 30.07 | 30.17 | 30.00 | 30.19 | 30.60 | 30.06 |
Bank rates at time of sending: TDB (Buy ₮1,992 Sell ₮1,998), Khan (Buy ₮1,990 Sell ₮1,998), Golomt (Buy ₮1,992 Sell ₮1,998), XacBank (Buy ₮1,991 Sell ₮1,998), State Bank (Buy ₮1,991 Sell ₮1,999)
MNT vs USD (blue), CNY (red) in last 1 year:
IMF Lowers Mongolia's 2015 GDP Forecast to 3.5% from 4.4%
World Economic Outlook, October 2015: Adjusting to Lower Commodity Prices
3.6% in 2016, 9.1% in 2020
BoM FX auction: US$13.6m sold at ₮1,992, CNY50.5m at ₮312.49, accepts $3.028m MNT, CNY20m swap offers
October 6 (BoM) On the Foreign Exchange Auction held on October 6th, 2015 the BoM has received bid offers of USD 18.8 million in a rate between MNT 1990.50-1994.5 and bid offers of CNY 84.5 million in a rate between MNT 311.52-313.26 from local commercial banks. The BoM sold USD 13.6 million in a closing rate of MNT 1992.00 and CNY 50.5 million in a closing rate of MNT 312.49 respectively.
On October 6th, 2015, The BoM has received MNT Swap agreement bid offer equivalent to USD 3.028 million and Swap agreement bid offer equivalent to CNY 20.0 million from local commercial banks and the BoM has accepted the offers.
Finance Minister submits amendment bills for 2015 budget
October 6 (gogo.mn) Today /October 06, 2015/, Minister of Finance and MP B.Bolor has submitted draft laws to Speaker of Parliament Z.Enkhbold. The draft laws submitted include: 2015 state budget amendment law, 2015 budget amendment law of human development fund, 2015 budget amendment law of social insurance fund, 2015 state budget statement, and 2016-2017 state budget assumptions amendment law.
Considering expected performance of 2015 state budget revenues, next year's main macroeconomic indicators, internal and external economic conditions, and export commodities prices and volumes, 2015 state budget revenues are assumed to fall short; which leads to inevitable amendments into 2016-2017 state budget assumptions law.
Due to economic difficulties and drops in commodity prices at world market, 2015 budget revenues are expected to fall short of projections by around 1 trillion tugrugs. Thus, it is necessary to make certain amendments in 2015 state budget, including practical estimation of state revenues, reduction of projected revenues and re-estimation of current and asset expenditures.
Moreover, Speaker of Parliament was introduced: "According to 2015 budget law of social insurance fund, the fund's project revenues of 1.418.7 billion tugrugs were revised as 1.222.4 billion tugrugs while its projected expenditures of 1.484.8 billion tugrugs were increased to 1.546.6 billion tugrugs. These remedies were added in 2015 state budget amendment law." The delayed bond payments in 2015 by the human development fund leads to the reduction of 90.750.0 million tugrugs in state bond payments, which has been also added into the draft law of the budget amendment.
Press and Public Relations Department of the State Great Hural of Mongolia
Related:
Finance Minister submits draft laws – Montsame, October 6
Speaker pushes 2015 budget amendment bill discussion to top of agenda
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) Submitted to parliament on Tuesday draft amendments to the laws on the 2015 budget, on 2015 budgets for the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) and the Human Development Fund (HDF), the 2015 budget frameworks of the master budget of Mongolia and on the 2016-2017 budget assumption will be discussed by parliament as soon as possible.
Such a decision was made by the Speaker of parliament Z.Enkhbold on the same day accorded with the laws on the State Great Khural (parliament) and on parliamentary regime and at a request of the Prime Minister.
An order was given to the Standing committee on budget to prepare the draft amendments for discussions at this committee and at the plenary meeting of the parliamentary session.
Cabinet to submit customs bills in accordance with Japan EPA, APTA
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) At its regular meeting of Monday, the cabinet considered the bills on customs tariffs and taxes and draft amendments to the law on customs, and resolved to submit them to parliament after reflecting the Ministers' suggestions.
If adopted, the new bills will improve the customs' regulations and adapt them to the rapidly developing regional integration, will also help implement Mongolia's Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan, and the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA), considered the Ministers.
Cabinet to submit bill amending excise taxes on Japanese alcoholic beverages
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) At its meeting on Monday, the cabinet discussed and backed a draft amendment to the law on excise tax. It will be submitted to parliament.
Established between Mongolia and Japan, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has a clause on giving domestic conditions to Japanese products according to the 1994 General Agreement of Tariff and Trade, while the current Mongolian law on excise tax imposes different taxes on domestic and on imported alcoholic beverages. Due to this contradiction, the Japanese side requested Mongolia to impose on alcoholic beverages, supplied from Japan, the same taxes as the Mongolian similar products have.
The draft amendment has been worked with a clause which says that the same excise tax would be impose on both Mongolian alcoholic beverages and on imported from those countries having such an agreement with Mongolia.
Three Gorges Dam contractor awarded concession to build early infrastructure for Egiin Gol Hydro Power Plant
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) The Cabinet on Monday permitted the Invest Mongolia Agency to conclude a concession agreement with China Gejuba Group Limited on the preliminary work of infrastructure for Eg River Power Plant.
Minister of Industry D.Erdenebat was assigned to manage the agreement conclusion in accordance with the regulations. The Group has been selected from a number of bidders who had proposed to build the infrastructure on their own funding.
According to the draft agreement, the construction will complete within 13 months, creating more than 500 jobs.
China Gejuba Group Ltd. operates in energy, in roads, bridges and dams building, in infrastructure construction. The company had built and commissioned 146.5-km road in Mongolia. It had also executed over 70 percent of the construction of China's Three Gorges Dam, the top in the world in terms of its installed capacity.
MTZ says owning 100% of TT railroad is risky for Mongolia
October 6 (UB Post) Recently, it was reported that Mongolian Railway (MTZ) is going to own 51 percent of a new 267 km railroad being built from Tavan Tolgoi to Gashuunsukhait. The railroad's construction will be carried out in cooperation with China's Shenhua Group.
News.mn interviewed the Executive Director of the state-owned joint stock company Mongolian Railway, D.Ganbat, regarding issues concerning the railroad.
The media has reported that MTZ will own 51 percent of the new railroad from TT to Gashuunsukhait. Earlier, when the issue was discussed at the partnership negotiation of Mongolian Mining Corporation (MMC), it was reported that Mongolia would own 51 percent after 30 years.
The MMC partnership suggested making a 100 percent investment, and to give 51 percent stake to Mongolia after 30 years. The proposal wasn't supported by the Parliament. The Parliament decided to create a working group. They studied the agreement and concluded that it was inefficient for Mongolia.
Prime Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg called for improving the agreement's conditions. Following this, the TT project working group led by Minister of Mongolia M.Enkhsaikhan was changed. Currently, a working group led by the Executive Director of Erdenes Mongol, B.Byambasaikan, is working to revise the agreement.
In the previous agreement with the partnership, Energy Resources, Chinese Shenhua, and Japanese Sumitomo were going to jointly construct the railroad. But the main issue is that our domestic and privately owned company Energy Resources' financial conditions are unpleasant, while Shenhua is a Chinese state-owned company.
Shenhua may want to maintain their first position, but during the negotiations we will look to have MTZ own 51 percent from the beginning. There will not be an understanding about owning 51 percent after 30 years. Once the railroad construction is complete, transportation will be conducted. At this time, MTZ will make profits.
Can we understand that it is certain that Mongolia will collaborate with only Shenhua?
Yes, they will own 49 percent.
What about financing issues?
Before talking about financing, I want to speak about completed work. Our company is building railway structure and a dam. Currently, the construction is ongoing at 86.6 percent completion. This means that we have completed over 50 percent of the total railroad construction. The railroad includes power supply, stations, and employee housing.
It was reported that total investment required for the project stands at 1.2 billion USD. Is this the final estimation?
No, this number will change, because it was an estimation made from the Mongolian side. Shenhua will not make an investment of this amount. They will check with an external audit and then make investments following the audit's conclusion.
Expenses not related to the 267 km railroad should be cut from the 1.2 billion USD. Shenhua will only invest in railroad construction from Ukhaakhudag to Gashuunsukhait.
After the audit they will know the concrete amount of investment made from the Mongolian side. Afterwards, Shenhua should bring cash equal to 49 percent of the investment. Investments made from the Mongolian side and money from Shenhua will be added up. After subtracting the sum from the total investment of 1.2 billion USD, the remaining investment required will become clear. It should be understood that the remaining amount will be taken out in loans. A joint company that will be established by MTZ and Shenhua will take out the loan.
Does this mean that we are going to be repaying debts again?
Yes, we will be repaying it from transportation income.
Where will the loans come from?
Shenhua will take out a loan from Development Bank of China, and we will be repaying a loan equal to our 51 percent stake.
How much money was invested from the Mongolian side?
An approximately 220 million USD investment was made from the Chinggis Bond, but the money wasn't only spent on a dam. There are a bunch of other things to do, including research, blueprints, and an environmental assessment.
The Speaker of Parliament, Z.Enkhbold, believed that Mongolia needed to own 100 percent of the railroad. Why has the stake percentage declined drastically to 51 percent?
We understood that we needed to estimate risk. Coal will not always be as precious as it was in the last four years. The risk of price decline will arise for sure, so owning 100 percent is risky for Mongolia.
Gloomy Forecast for a Rusty Market
By G.Orkhon
October 6 (Mongolian Economy) Copper prices on global markets remain rusty, and an upturn will not be seen in the near term. Some forecasts predict that prices will stoop further and will bottom out in 2016.
International experts conclude that the price of copper will remain at USD 5,000 per tonne for five more years. They also believe that despite waning growth in consumption, three million tonnes more than currently demanded will be used over the next five years. This means demand will decline, and structural changes in supply may also take place. The new copper deposit to be put into operation in South Africa next year is a reflection of the changing market. However, prices will drop again as a result.
Copper prices will rise if the demand were to increase in 2018 and 2019. During the Invest Mongolia conference, the CEO of China's CRU Group, John Johnson, said a copper price of USD 6,500 per tonne could come about starting in 2019. Experts' forecasts seemed to have come true as copper prices decreased for three days in a row due to China's stock market plunge, as well as its slowdown in production. In addition, the London Metal Exchange forecasts that the base purchase price per tonne will be roughly USD 5,720 in December. That month, copper prices are likely to decrease by 0.4 percent, while the Shanghai Stock Exchange estimated the November purchase rate reducing by 0.8 percent.
The situation is that Mongolia's revenues from this market are likely to decline in the near term, as is reflected in the declining index of 10 staple commodities supplied from Mongolia to China. The issue is not lack of output, but rather low prices. On the other hand, John Johnson also stated China's economic moderation has spurred major changes in the minerals market. "In the past six months, the prices of 10 staple commodities, led by coal, have dropped by 40 percent. The main changes in the balance of supply and demand in the market are linked to the price drop. Therefore, the changes on the supply side will have a considerable effect in reaching the next equilibrium. Currently, there is no such balance," he said.
According to China's statistics on January to July imports over the past three years, USD 150 billion has been wiped out from the top 10 commodities imports. That is a decline equivalent to twelve times Mongolia's GDP. This situation has affected many mineral-exporting countries. On the one hand, copper prices fell due to increased supply. On the other hand, demand in the minerals market is comparatively low nowadays. The Chinese government has stated they will focus on the supply side and pursue a more sensitive policy over the next five years.
China is in the process of reforming its tax environment and monetary policy. Experts noted that expenses in China are rising: companies working in the minerals market have high expenses. According to the researchers at CRU Group, commodity prices, led by copper, coal and iron ore, will decline and expenses will rise, especially in 2016.
Hence, many international researchers forecast that Mongolia's revenues from this market will decline over the next few years due to the falling prices. In 2014, 70 percent of Mongolia's total export earnings were from the aforementioned products. "Due to the fall in prices, Mongolia's revenues will decrease by USD 800 million this year. It will be a loss of USD one billion if comparing uses prices from the previous period," added John Johnson.
What happens in the future depends on the price outlook. Unless there is a clear change in production, commodity prices will not increase until 2019. However, experts noted that Mongolia's revenues could increase after 2019 depending on output. Seeing as prices will not rise in the near future, ramping up production is the only way to boost revenues.
World Bank: Mongolia will see slower growth and lower public revenues this year
October 6 (UB Post) Several days ago, Asian Development Bank issued speculation that Mongolia's economic growth would be reduced to 3 to 2.3 percent this year. Meanwhile, the East Asia Pacific Economic Update, released by World Bank on October 5, estimates that economic growth will be 4.4 percent to 3.3 percent by the end of the year.
It was mentioned in the World Bank report that Mongolia's foreign investment decrease and the slowdown of individual consumption growth has become the main cause of the slowdown of economic activation this year. It also stated that Mongolia's economy highly depends on foreign factors. The current economic situation is to remain, according to the report. Therefore, World Bank advises Mongolia to make huge policy changes to protect the country from economic risk.
Growth in the East Asia Pacific region is likely to be moderate but still remain solid, says the World Bank report. East Asia remains one of the main growth drivers of the global economy, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the world's economic growth. Overall, the region is expected to grow by 6.5 percent in 2015, changing slightly from 6.8 percent last year.
In terms of Mongolia, Mongolia's budget looks to remain the same. Budget loss might exceed more than five percent of the country's GDP if Mongolia does not make budget amendments balancing budget spending with income cuts. The update mentioned that Central Bank should keep holding strict monetary policy and stop financing projects funded by the budget.
The East Asia Pacific Economic Update, the World Bank's comprehensive review of the region's economies, is published twice a year and looks at the challenging global environment facing the region. Economic recovery in high-income economies remains gradual, global trade is growing at its slowest pace since 2009, and the widespread slowdown in developing countries has intensified, particularly in commodity producers affected by lower commodity prices.
The performance trends across East Asia are diverse. China's economy is expected to grow at about seven percent this year and gradually moderate thereafter, as its economy continues to shift toward a model more dominated by domestic consumption and services, which implies a gradual reduction of growth.
The rest of developing East Asia is expected to grow 4.6 percent in 2015, similar to the rate last year. Commodity exporters such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Mongolia will see slower growth and lower public revenues this year, reflecting weaker global commodity prices. Commodity importers will maintain a stable — even robust — pace of growth. Vietnam, for example, is expected to grow 6.2 percent in 2015 and 6.3 percent in 2016. Growth will ease, however, in many of the smaller economies. In Cambodia, lower agricultural output is hurting the economy, although growth will still be 6.9 percent this year. In Myanmar, severe flooding in July will likely drive down the pace of growth to 6.5 percent, from 8.5 percent in 2014. Pacific Island countries, meanwhile, will see moderate growth.
"Developing East Asia's growth is expected to slow because of China's economic rebalancing and the pace of the expected normalization of U.S. policy interest rates," said Sudhir Shetty, Chief Economist of the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific Region. "These factors could generate financial volatility in the short term, but are necessary adjustments for sustainable growth in the long term."
The report assumes a gradual slowdown in the Chinese economy in 2016-17. This scenario is likely because China has sufficient policy buffers and tools to address the risk of a more pronounced slowdown, including relatively low public debt levels, regulations restricting savings outside of the banking system, and the state's dominant role in the financial system. If China's growth were to slow further, the effects would be felt in the rest of the region, especially in countries linked to China through trade, investment and tourism.
The report also assumes that a gradual increase in U.S. interest rates will begin in the coming months. While this increase has been anticipated and is likely to be orderly, there is still a risk that markets could react sharply to such tightening, causing currencies to depreciate, bond spreads to rise, capital inflows to fall, and liquidity to tighten.
In the face of these possible headwinds, the report emphasizes two key priorities across the region: prudent macroeconomic management, aimed at shoring up external and fiscal vulnerabilities; and deeper structural reform, focused on encouraging private investment.
"Growth in developing East Asia Pacific continues to be solid, but the moderating trend suggests policy makers in the region must remain focused on structural reforms that lay the foundation for sustainable, long-term and inclusive growth. These reforms include regulatory improvements in finance, labor and product markets, as well as measures that enhance transparency and accountability. These policies will reassure investors and markets, and help sustain growth that can help lift people out of poverty," said Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank East Asia and Pacific Regional Vice President.
Cabinet discusses constitutional amendment bill, relays opinions to initiators
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) ---
- The cabinet discussed a bill on amending the Constitution of Mongolia, initiated by N.Batbayar MP and others. Some matters will be conveyed to the initiators.
Cabinet appoints state secretaries to construction, labor ministries, relieves defense
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) --
- The cabinet appointed S.Magnaisuren the State Secretary of the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development and R.Erdeneburen--the State Secretary of the Ministry of Labor. Moreover, the State Secretary of the Defense Ministry Z.Boldbaatar was freed from the post.
Cabinet approves state midterm strategy on industry to boost local production
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) The cabinet meeting on Monday approved a middle-term strategy for state policy on industry and obliged D.Erdenebat, the Minister of Industry, to work out and then adopt a relevant plan.
The main aims of the strategy are to protect the national productions, to support export by processing raw materials home and introducing progressive technologies, and to promote the import substitution industrialization.
Other obligations were given to other Ministers, to heads of agencies, the UB Mayor and governors of aimags, to realize the strategy in their localities. In addition, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Industry were ordered to place capital in annual state and localities' budgets for realizing the strategy and to reflect its goals and measures in annual basic guidelines for social-economic development.
It will be implemented with a help of domestic and foreign investments as well.
Cabinet backs draft concept of civil aviation bill
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) ---
- The cabinet backed a draft concept of a bill on civil aviation and ordered related officials to formulate the draft law and to have it discussed by the cabinet.
…
Mongolia cabinet backs joining International Development Law Organization
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) The cabinet meeting on Monday backed joining the treaty on establishing the International Development Law Organization (IDLO).
The IDLO is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the promotion of the rule of law. With a joint focus on the promotion of rule of law and development, it works to empower people and communities to claim their rights, and provides governments with the know-how to realize them. It supports emerging economies and middle-income countries to strengthen their legal capacity and rule of law framework for sustainable development and economic opportunity. It is the only intergovernmental organization with an exclusive mandate to promote the rule of law and has experience working in more than 170 countries around the world.
…
Speaker speaks out against mass bonuses for city councilmen
October 6 (news.mn) It has become clear to the public, that the members of the Citizen Representation Meeting (CRM) have been taking MNT 4.5 million monthly or MNT 27 million over half year via the, so-called, "Glass Account". The public has therefore attacked the members of the CRM for the gross misuse of funds during an economic crisis. At the opening of the autumn session of Parliament, Speaker Z.Enkhbold has tasked the Prime Minister to annul these mandates with effect from this quarter. Therefore, it is now clear that the CRM will no longer assume any mandates.
State Procurement Agency claims ₮42 billion in state budget savings since 2012 inception
October 6 (gogo.mn) Minister of Mongolia ordered to establish Government Procurement Agency of Mongolia on August 27, 2012. Today, the Government Procurement Agency of Mongolia marks its 3rd year anniversary of establishment, organized press conference and introduced their works implemented in the past.
This agency which is responsible for the procurement of goods and services by the state and local funds, started its operation with 65 employees of 8 structural units on October 06, 2012.
Government Procurement Agency made MNT 684.8 billion worth of contracts for 726 lot of products worth of MNT 726 billion during 2013-2015. Therefore, they saved MNT 42.7 billion from state budget which is 14.2 times higher than its three years operating budget worth of MNT 3.1 billion.
Following is the state budget savings of each year:
- MNT 18.1 billion in 2013
- MNT 20.3 billion in 2014
- MNT 4.3 billion in 2015
ACMS Speaker Series - Tuya Shagdar: Homeland Associations and Production of Informal Power in Mongolia: the Case of Uvs nutgiin zuvlul
October 13th, 2015 - Starting 5:30 PM
Location: American Corner, Ulaanbaatar Public Library
Tel: 976 7711-048
In this article following Gramsci and more recently Steven Lukes I would like to explore issues of power and consent through ethnographic field work carried out in relation to Uvs Province Homeland Associations (Uvs aimgiin nutgiin zuvlul), a non-government organization that operates in the public domain and that has a significant influence on formal politics in Mongolia. As informal political institutions, these organisations are often overlooked as domain where powerful elites draw its legitimacy and mobilize public consent. The issues of Homeland Associations as powerful ideological institutions for political mobilization were explored by few scholars in Mongolian studies, including David Sneath who emphasizes "locality" as an emerging sub-national field for the production of collective identity as opposed to ethnicity based identity. To take this argument one step further I suggest that, if membership in HA can be regarded as evidence of powerful source of political mobilization albeit in "unofficial" public domain, then we may use the examination of these social groups as a way to take a closer look at what Lukes termed the third dimension of power- as opposed to visible and behavioral forms that are manifest in established political institutions and practices. From the anthropological point of view social theory that defines power in terms of domination and resistance presents a number of limitations. This paper argues that power can also be seen in processes designed to mollify various needs of the public in ways that do not fit the domination/resistance model, as the case study in Uvs HA shows. The ethnographic interviews with both local and national elites as well as rural residents reveal that such "informal" political institutions can be locus of reciprocity between elites and non-elite groups and individuals. Following my thesis I will discuss the historical background of the formation of these associations, their structure, recruitment and membership, including the youth organizations, women's associations under the HA umbrella and finally, the political, economic and cultural spheres upon which these associations exert their influence and how local people intentionally seek out such structures to improve their daily lives.
Baseline Survey on the Public Perception of Local-Self Governing Bodies
September 1 (UNDP Mongolia) Baseline Survey on the Public Perception of Local Self-‐Governing Bodies The survey was conducted by the Mongolian Marketing Consulting Group (MMCG), contracted by the "Capacity Strengthening of Local Self-‐governing Bodies" project, being implemented by the Parliament Secretariat of Mongolia, with support from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
The Survey adheres to ESOMAR Codes and Guidelines and (ISO 20252:2012) Standards on Market, Opinion, and Social Research. The Survey was conducted in April 2015, covering respondents from five aimags and seven districts in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
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First JCB Card in Mongolia Introduced by State Bank of Mongolia
Ulan Bator and Tokyo, Oct 6, 2015 - (ACN Newswire) - JCB International Co, Ltd. ("JCBI"), the international operations subsidiary of JCB, and State Bank, a government-run bank in Mongolia, are pleased to announce the start of issuing JCB debit cards to the people of Mongolia, who will be able to enjoy JCB's global merchant network with about 29 million acceptance locations. Mongolia is the 20th country where the JCB card is issued.
Kimihisa Imada, Deputy President of JCBI stated, "The new card issuing partnership with State Bank offers JCBI the opportunity to launch the JCB brand in Mongolia, a market with a high potential for growth in both card issuing and merchant acquiring business, as the central bank is making progress on building the payments infrastructure. I am delighted that the partnership enables State Bank and JCBI to provide people in Mongolia with more attractive services such as JCB Plaza Lounges and other T&E services that embody the Japanese spirit of hospitality."
D. Batsaikhan, CEO of State Bank said, "State Bank has started to accept JCB cards through Bank of Mongolia since March 2014. Since then, we have stepped up our partnership to the next level as the first issuer of JCB card in Mongolia. It is a great honor for us to have such a world brand as a partner. We are aiming to provide services to the tourist and travelers on business from both countries and also for the Mongolian people who are living and studying in Japan. We hope that our partnership will introduce more attractive services to cardmembers from both countries."
₮1.2 billion agro products sold at Autumn Green Days expo
October 6 (gogo.mn) Agricultural products expo titled "Autumn Green Days" has been organized since 2006.
This year, 198 entities and 250 farmers have attended in ten day expo held at Misheel expo center and MNT 1.2 billion worth of agricultural products were sold, reported by the Minister of Food and Agriculture.
Central Laboratory of Special Inspection Agency have conducted examination on herbal products and honey for free, run moving laboratory as well as more than 30 state inspectors and 10 experts monitored the quality of the product, safety and labels compliance with the approved schedule.
City allocates ₮981 million additional funding to ger area redevelopment
October 6 (UB Post) Ulaanbaatar City Mayor E.Bat-Uul issued an ordinance on Tuesday to provide 981 million MNT from the city budget for the ger area redevelopment project in Ulaanbaatar.
The budget will be used for building underground engineering pipelines, construction, and scheme development of the apartments that will replace ger households.
Invest Ulaanbaatar Agency will be responsible for monitoring quality and progress of the apartment constructions, while the State Property Committee was made responsible for listing the apartments to the capital city property without delay and ensure maintenance.
Mogi: controversy is brewing over how some city officials diverted a MIAT flight to Berlin to Novosibirsk to attend this. Apparently Novosibirsk didn't let the plane leave soon after and MIAT had to compensate some of the passengers for missing connecting flights in Berlin
UB and Novosibirsk cities signed Sister Cities Agreement
October 6 (gogo.mn) Novosibirsk city Mayor, Anatoly Lokot and Ulaanbaatar city Mayor, E.Bat-Uul have signed the Sister City Agreement on October 05.
Signing ceremony was held at Office of Novosibirsk city Mayor during the official visit of Mongolian delegations.
"Russia and Mongolian cooperation had long lasting experience during the 20th century, especially, the Great Patriotic War. In addition, the two countries had helped each other," Novosibirsk Mayor noted.
"Economic cooperation experience is connecting us. Certain proposals which we can help each other are being discussed here. Many buildings in Ulaanbaatar city were constructed by the direct involvement of Novosibirsk specialists and constructors. In addition, there are a lot of issues including restoration and modernization. We have a large field to cooperate," said Anatoly Lokoti.
Ulaanbaatar city Mayor E.Bat-Uul emphasized that the Russian constructors especially, Novosibirsk constructors played major role in the development of Ulaanbaatar and expressed his hope that this cooperation will continue in further.
"About US$ 18 billion is to be required for the restoration of housings and public utilities. We need your participation, funding and support for such a big development," stated by Mayor E.Baht-Uul.
Moreover, two cities will cooperate in many sectors such as agriculture, science, education, health and tourism.
In scope of the agreement, delegations of two cities are expected to pay mutual visits. Implementation of this five-year agreement has started from October 05.
Chairman of Seoul City Council Visits Sister City Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) A delegation led by Mr Park Nae Hak, the Chairman of the City Council of Seoul of South Korea, is visiting here by invitation of D.Battulga, the head of the Citizens' Representative Khural of Ulaanbaatar city, on occasion of the 20th anniversary of the sisterhood ties between the two capital cities.
Mr Battulga Tuesday received the guests and said our cities have been maintaining friendly relations since 1995, collaborating in many spheres. He mentioned about mutual visits of the capital cities' Mayors at which the sides had determined priorities of the cooperation, and expressed a willingness to cooperate by exchanging students and pupils and collaborating in medical sector.
In response, Mr Park said Seoul's ties with Ulaanbaatar are one of the friendliest, adding that the cities have been expanding the cooperation in almost all spheres such as health, society, culture and economy.
Following the meeting, Mr Park was awarded the "Khangaird" Order of Ulaanbaatar city at a resolution of the Presidium of City Council of Ulaanbaatar.
US, Japan and Mongolia: Don't Forget Asia's Other Trilateral
The three countries held their inaugural trilateral meeting in New York last week.
October 6 (The Diplomat) As I have written previously, the past few years have witnessed the strengthening of several trilateral mechanisms in the Asia-Pacific, including U.S.-Japan-India and U.S.-Japan-Australia (See: "Why the 'New' US Trilateral Dialogue with Japan and India Matters"). One of the more neglected ones in the mix has been the U.S.-Japan-Mongolia trilateral.
The U.S.-Japan-Mongolia trilateral is an outgrowth of Ulaanbaatar's long held close relationships with both countries, partly of its 'third neighbor policy' aimed at cultivating relationships with other important states to reduce its dependence on its two neighbors, China and Russia (though it should not be forgotten that Mongolia also has a separate trilateral with Beijing and Moscow). Japan has been Mongolia's largest aid donor since the 1990s, and U.S.-Mongolia relations, first established in 1987, have strengthened due to recent developments including Ulaanbataar's support for U.S.-led efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The rise of the trilateral between the three democracies is also yet another manifestation of the more active role Mongolia is seeking to play in the region and world under President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj. His tenure has witnessed the rise of several Mongolia-led initiatives, from the birth of regional institutions like the Ulaanbataar Dialogue on Northeast Asian Security to a willingness to play a role in mediating role between North Korea and the international community.
On the back of these developments, on September 29 the three countries held their first ever trilateral meeting in New York City on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting was attended by U.S. Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel, Director General of Asian and Oceanic Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Junichi Ihara and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Lundeg Purevsuren.
At the meeting, the three sides discussed steps they could take to deepen trilateral cooperation, including expanding economic relations and deepening regional security cooperation. "We were able to have a very, very fruitful and productive exchange on a range of issues," Russel told journalists at the Foreign Press Center in New York last Friday.
Pressed on exactly what was discussed, Russel was vague, noting only that discussions centered on a variety of regional issues as well as how the United States and Japan – as major investors and economies – can better support reforms and the improved investment climate in Mongolia. He played down the notion that Washington and Tokyo were using Ulaanbataar as a mediator on the North Korea issue, though he did emphasize that Pyongyang ought to see Mongolia's democracy as a model given its previous status as a communist state.
Yet as is the case with other trilaterals as well, the lack of publicly released specifics in early meetings should not detract from their value in creating an institutionalized, regular setting for partners to exchange views, coordinate actions and increase comfort in the way they deal with each other. This can help lay the foundation for greater cooperation further down the line.
"The first Mongolia-U.S.-Japan Trilateral Meeting laid the foundation for an important dialogue mechanism with our Third neighbors – the U.S and Japan – to exchange views on a broad range of regional and global security and economic issues, and on how to coordinate actions at the regional and global levels that reflect shared interest," Mongolia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted in a statement released following the meeting.
China Defense Minister to visit Mongolia on 8-10 October
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) Mongolia will receive the Colonel-General Chang Wanquan, the Minister of Defense and a State Councilor of the People's Republic of China on this October 8-10
He has been invited by his Mongolian counterpart Ts.Tsolmon. This has been a year of high-level interactions in the defense sphere for Mongolia, having hosted visits of Under-secretary-general for UN peacekeeping operations Hervé Ladsous, Minister of Defense of Qatar Major General Hamad Bin Ali Al Attiyah, Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense of Japan N.Masanori and Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow.
The Colonel-General Chang has been a director of the PLA General Armaments Department and a member of the Central Military Commission of China. He has helped to manage China's space program. From January 2002 to December 2004, he was the chief of staff and a CPC committee member of the PLA Lanzhou Military Region. From December 2004 to September 2007, he was the commander of the PLA Shenyang Military Region. Since September 2007, he has been serving as the director of the PLA General Armaments Department. In October of 2007 he was elected the member of the Central Military Commission. He attained the rank of senior Colonel in 1992, Major General in July of 1997, Lieutenant General in 2003, and Full General in October of 2007. He has been a member of the 16th, 17th and 18th Central Committees.
In October of 2012, he was appointed the Minister of National Defense, succeeding General Liang Guanglie. At the first plenary session of the 12th National People's Congress, he was also elected as State Councilor.
Speaker receives Non-Resident Ambassador of Indonesia
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) The Chairman of the State Great Khural (parliament) Z.Enkhbold Monday received Mr Sugeng Rahardjo, the Concurrent Non-Resident Ambassador of Indonesia.
Noting that our countries established diplomatic relations in 1956, the latter said Indonesia wants to enrich the bilateral relations and cooperation with economic contents, to augment the trade and investments, and to expand the collaboration in mineral, energy, agriculture and tourism spheres. "In this, the inter-parliamentary ties will play a vital role".
In response, the Speaker said Mongolia focuses on the multilateral relations with Southeast Asian countries, and expressed a willingness to intensify the cooperation with Indonesia.
Mongolia opened its Embassy in Jakarta last year, the current Ambassador of Mongolia to Indonesia is making great efforts to broaden the bilateral relations and cooperation, he went on and underlined that the state visit of the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Mongolia in 2012 played a main role in designing directions of the relations and cooperation.
The Speaker pointed out that the Mongolia-Indonesia inter-parliamentary group has been set up at the State Great Khural, it has been chaired by O.Baasankhuu MP.
After this, the sides underlined an important role of the inter-parliamentary cooperation in the bilateral ties and exchanged views on the cooperation in economic and mining spheres.
Present at the meeting was O.Baasankhuu MP.
Mongolia cabinet backs agreement with Croatia to exempt diplomatic, official passports from visa
Ulaanbaatar, October 6 (MONTSAME) --
- The cabinet backed a Mongolia-Croatia intergovernmental agreement on exempting diplomatic and official passport holders from visa requirements. An order will be issued of the PM on authorizing someone to sign this agreement.
…
MP G.Uyanga presents at Eurasian Women's Forum
October 6 (MONTSAME) Member of Mongolian parliament Ms G.Uyanga participated in the first Eurasian Women's Forum that took place in St.Petersburg, Russia, on the 24 to 25 of September.
The forum was attended by women from more than 85 countries.
During the event, MP Ms Uyanga made a presentation on the topic "The role of women of neighboring countries in regional development and stability". In her report she has criticized that when touching upon the gender theme, we only discuss global issues or problems of a given country; thus, regional issues are usually neglected. She has emphasized that relations between neighboring and regional countries are basic and fundamental relations and we should transfer global issue through regions starting from the neighboring countries in order to resolve women's issues.
Talking about Mongolian women, she noted that many Mongolian and foreign scholars highlighted how Mongolian women played a great role in society. They had considerable economic and social opportunities, even more political freedom and quite a bit of influence.
A third of 18,000 abortions in 2014 are first timers
October 6 (news.mn) Mongolia legalised abortion in 1992. This is legally only possible in 20 licensed hospitals. According to data, between 30 and 40 women have abortions daily in these hospitals. In total, 18,000 women had abortions last year, 1200 of them were aged less than 20 years of age, 3700 were between 21-24 years of age and 4900 were between 25-29 years old. Approximately, 6000 women had abortions for the first time, in 2014.
19th Annual Korea Education Fair, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 10-11 October, Blue Sky Hotel
Name of the event | 19th International Education Exhibition Mongolia, 2015 |
Period | 2015. 10. 10. ~ 2015. 10. 11. |
Location | Blue Sky Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia |
Participating Universities | 23 University |
Pre-registration Period | 2015. 09. 21. ~ 2015. 10. 09. |
Mobile kindergartens – best learning place for herders' children
by Enkhzul Altangerel, Digital Communication Consultant and Tsendsuren Tumee, Early Childhood Development Specialist
October 5 (UNICEF Mongolia) "My favorite toy is a car!" cheerfully says 4 year-old Otgonsuren. "We have so many toys to play with, but I like painting and drawing the most". Taking a pencil from stack of colored pencils, he starts drawing. Otgonsuren started kindergarten only this summer, and he has been enjoying the new experience. "I really like my kindergarten" he says.
He lives with his parents, two older brothers and a sister in a "ger", Mongolian traditional housing, in Shivee village in Khuvsgul province, located some 60 km away from the province center. Shivee village is home to 304 households, mostly herders, who are living a nomadic lifestyle.
In summer, the nomadic families move from the village center to find better pasture land for their livestock. Far away from the center, there was no access to kindergarten for their children. However, this year Otgonsuren was able to go the mobile "ger" kindergarten in Shivee village. There are 45 children from nomadic families studying at the mobile kindergarten.
Otgonsuren's mother Jargal explains "When we were young, there was no such thing as mobile kindergartens. Even my older children didn't go to kindergarten. So when they started school, they had a hard time adjusting to new environment and people".
Finding a solution
The mobile-ger-kindergartens offer the best learning place for children in families living far from the center. Shivee village authorities decided to establish mobile ger kindergartens in 2012 in order to bring early childhood education services closer to nomadic families. However, the local government had to rent gers and they did not have enough resources to fully furnish the kindergarten.
Last year UNICEF Mongolia with the financial and technical assistance of the Government of Monaco, donated two fully furnished gers with toys, furniture and learning materials to Shivee village. Now surrounded by colorful furniture, gers look no different than ordinary kindergarten.
These mobile-ger-kindergartens are helping develop children's learning, social skills and physical growth. "Children even learn good behaviors like washing their hands with soap, using improved latrines and throwing their garbage to waste bins" explains Bolor-Erdene enthusiastically. Bolor-Erdene is a full time kindergarten teacher in the village center. But during summer, she also works in the mobile ger kindergarten.
Mobile-ger-kindergartens have also helped herders boost their productivity by allowing them focus on their animal husbandry. "Summer is busy time for herders. We need to work extra hard in preparation for the cold winter ahead. Knowing that our son is safe at the kindergarten, learning new things and making friends, we feel so happy and do our work without any concern" says Jargal.
Bringing kindergarten closer to nomadic families
The decision to run summer kindergartens have received very positive feedback by the community. "It was an important decision we made for the future of our community. Access to early childhood education services is essential for these children not only to learn and make friends, but also learn good values such as sharing and helping each other" says Battsogt, the head of village citizens' representatives.
UNICEF Mongolia's Early Childhood Development Specialist Tsendsuren Tumee explains that the effort to bring early childhood education for every child has brought significant results.
"Since 2012 more than 2600 children have attended ger kindergartens in Khuvsgul province established with the support of UNICEF and its partners. Only this year we established 10 more ger-kindergartens in the area with the help of the Government of Monaco providing nearly 280 children aged 2-5 with early childhood education programs and services" Tsendsuren says. "Access to early childhood has helped many children to develop to their full potential and perform better at schools".
"My son will be six soon and start school. When that time comes, I'm confident that things he learned in kindergarten will help him a lot" says Jargal.
We believe so, too!
Sustainable Development Goals launched with youth in Mongolia
September 26 (UNDP Mongolia) With the theme "New Goals. New power. New technology," the second annual Social Good Summit Mongolia was held on September 26, 2015 at IT Park in Ulaanbaatar. Interactive sessions, speakers and presentations by and for young people explored how youth in Mongolia can contribute to the achievement of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) using innovation, technology and new media. More than 150 young women and men discussed and engaged with three main topics: Health; Environment; and Education and Opportunities.
To raise awareness of the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Mongolia partnered with the Centre for Citizenship Education, IT Park, Mongolian Youth Council, UN Youth Advisory Panel and UN Volunteers in Mongolia, to host the Social Good Summit Mongolia 2015. The event featured a mix of civil society leaders, grassroots activists, IT and social media experts and influencers, representatives from the government, academia, the private sector and the media.
"Here, now, today, in this room – we can make a good start for Mongolia…We are here to find solutions and ideas for how we can make Mongolia and the world a better place – for the People and the Planet," said UNDP Mongolia Deputy Resident Representative Thomas Eriksson.
The Sustainable Development Goals had a fitting launch in Mongolia as 17 young volunteers each introduced one of the 17 Goals. U. Erdenechimeg, UNFPA Mongolia National Programme Officer, Population and Development, discussed how the SDGs were developed and their importance to Mongolia. Oyungerel Tsedevdamba, a Mongolian Parliament Member, shared her experience and thoughts with the young audience on how to work towards the country's development. D.Batkhuyag from the IT Park talked about how information and communication technology can contribute to sustainable development. Actor B. Amarsaikhan, from popular Netflix series Marco Polo, moved the audience with his vision for Mongolia in 2030.
The panel discussions involved some of Mongolia's most creative, talented, and engaged people, including: Saranchuluun Otgon, a social worker and Mongolia's first amputee blade runner and marathoner; Bayarkhuu Chinzorigt, a researcher in economics and sustainable development; Yanzmaa Jutmaan from Khovd University; Tselmuun Chinzorig, a singer and a scientist; and Ts. Shurentsetseg, the founder of the viral #HogBucketChallenge. In addition to panels and speaker sessions, the Summit featured performances by Asia's Got Talent finalists Khusugtun and Orange Sessions, musicians working to end violence against women and girls.
Social Good Summit Mongolia 2015 participants were asked how they can and will contribute to the achievement of the SDGs in Mongolia and globally. Their commitments were documented through photo messages and on SDGs boxes. All aspects of the Summit, from speeches to discussions, were webcast live so that those not present could still participate and have their voices heard.
The Social Good Summit in Mongolia is part of more than 100 local Social Good Summits organized around the world to raise awareness of the SDGs.
Adopted by all 193 UN Member States on September 25, 2015 the SDGs are 17 ambitious goals to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice and tackle climate change for everyone by 2030. UNDP Mongolia stands as a ready partner to support Mongolia and others to achieve the Goals at the national level by 2030.
The Social Good Summit was successfully wrapped up with a group discussion of the main points from each of the panel discussions and with closing remarks. Making the Goals famous, asking the most pressing questions and finding innovative solutions with the help of media and technology are the first steps to achieving the new and ambitious development agenda. The Summit was an important start to making the new Goals famous and helped spark the conversation about how each of us can contribute to a better Mongolia by 2030. It's up to all of us to tell everyone about these Global Goals and make them happen. See you next year for Social Good Summit Mongolia 2016!
About Social Good Summit
Each September, world leaders come together at the United Nations General Assembly to discuss global issues and ways in which to tackle them. Recognizing that the voices and ideas of concerned global citizens connected by social media and technology can be powerful forces for change, UNDP Mashable, 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation first partnered in 2009 to host the Social Good Summit in New York to expand the UN conversations to include innovators, activists and entrepreneurs around the world. Now in its sixth year, the Social Good Summit continues to grow in impact and reach to unite global citizens to unlock the potential of technology to make the world a better place.
International Youth Day 2015 Mongolia: Photo and Video Contest
September 24 (UNDP Mongolia) Celebrating the International Youth Day 2015 (12 August) and Youth Month in Mongolia, UN Volunteers (UNV) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Mongolia, in cooperation with UN Youth Advisory Panel (UNYAP), carried out an online photo and video contest called "Youth4Mongolia." The contest, which lasted between 29 July and 25 August 2015, asked the Mongolian youth with two questions: "How are you contributing to Mongolia's development? What can young people do for better Mongolia?"
The contest opened up a space for young Mongolians (aged between 15-29 years old) to share their stories and ideas on youth volunteering and civic engagement activities. The panel of judges, comprised of the contest organizers and external experts, selected three winners, who will receive Golden, Silver and Bronze Prize, respectively. The online audience voted to select the best Audience Prize. The awarding ceremony took place on 17 September 2015 in the UN house, Ulaanbaatar, and was attended by the contest winners, organizers and partners.
The Golden Prize winner, Ms. Akherke Khalik, received a language course voucher offered by Talk Talk English Mongolia. The Silver and the Audience Prizes were awarded to Ms. Anar Ariunsanaa. Anar will undertake a free media training provided by the Breakthrough Communications under the Zorig Foundation leadership program. She also received the books published by Franklin Covey Education Mongolia. The Bronze Prize awardee, Ms. Gandi Munkhjargal, won a free language course voucher presented by the Суу Сур. All young talented winners also got free tickets to the Social Good Summit Mongolia 2015, which will be held on 26th September 2015.
The submitted photos and video showed that young people in Mongolia are very active in and enthusiastic to contribute to their country's development. Anar, the Silver and Audience Prize winner, believes in her role in Mongolia's development, even if it was small: "I am a tiny cell, a part of Mongolia. I am the holder of the future development of my very own home country." Likewise, Akherke, the Golden Prize winner, deeply relates to what Mother Theresa said: "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
The contestants' initiatives included but were not limited to: supporting action on climate change; improving children's education by providing them with glasses and organizing summer English camps; renovating the children wards in hospitals; and collecting waste in the neighborhoods. Gandi, the Bronze Prize awardee, who was engaged in Waste Bucket Challenge, says: "We are doing this in order to live in a clean environment. Not just complaining about all the hard things in our country but organizing events which will help to avoid these difficulties."
The campaign correlated with the global theme of International Youth Day 2015: "Youth Civic Engagement." The engagement and participation of youth is essential to achieve sustainable human development. Yet the opportunities for youth to be engaged politically, economically and socially are low or non-existent. The International Youth Day 2015 campaigns aimed at promoting civic engagement and participation of youth in politics and public life, so that young people can be empowered and bring a full contribution to society, development and peace.
We thank Talk Talk English Mongolia, Zorig Foundation, Cyy Cyp and Franklin Covey Education Mongolia for their support to the contest.
Azzaya Tsogt-Ochir Crowned Miss Mongolia 2015
October 5 (infomongolia.com) The "Miss Mongolia 2015" contest has successfully concluded on October 03, 2015. This year, Miss Mongolia Association held the festival jointly with MNB (Mongolian National Broadcaster).
Ms. Tsogt-Ochir AZZAYA became the Miss Mongolia of 2015 and other participants Ms. Tseveendash ENKHJIN and Ms. Ganzorig SARANTUYA took second and third place respectively.
Miss Mongolia is the oldest beauty contest in Mongolia that selects representatives for international beauty contests such as Miss International. Its first contest "Miss Mongolia 2004" was held 12 years ago in 2003.
The following is a list of previous Miss Mongolia winners:
2014 Miss Mongolia - Yu.Baljidmaa, model
2013 Miss Mongolia - N.Anu, model
2012 Miss Mongolia - D.Dolgion, student
2011 Miss Mongolia - I.Tugsuu, student
2010 Miss Mongolia - B.Badamtsetseg, student
2009 Miss Mongolia - Kh.Badamgerel, model
2008 Miss Mongolia - O.Khulangoo, model
2007 Miss Mongolia - B.Gerelchuluun, student
2006 Miss Mongolia - D.Bolortuya, student
2005 Miss Mongolia - B.Gantogoo, student
2004 Miss Mongolia - Ch.Sodtuya, model
700 Foreign Tourists Attend Annual Golden Eagle Festival Held in Bayan-Ulgii
October 6 (gogo.mn) During last weekend, "Eagle Festival 2015" was successfully organized for 16th time at Sayat Hill in Bugat soum of Bayan-Ulgii province.
The event was jointly organized by Local Administration, Culture, Sports and Tourism Authority and "Mongolian Eagle Hunters" Association.
This year, more than 90 eagle hunters with their eagles participated in the festival. Moreover, more than 700 foreign and 2000 local tourists attended the event.
During Eagle Festival, Kazakh traditional games and sport activities were also held. Particularly, the following games were main part of the festival such as "The best eagle hunter with eagle and horse gears", "The best eagle hunting of artificial animal", "Kokpar or (tug of war over a goat carcass while on horseback), "A girl chase game", "A race to pick up a coin on the ground while on horseback", "The best kazakh costume dressed couple", "Colt horse race", and "Camel race".
Kazakh people had been exercising eagle hunting for long time. The eagle festival is annually organized in order to promote eagle hunting culture to the public and demise it to next generations. Also, the other goal is to create new brand of attracting both foreign and local tourists.
Meet the woman who is going to run for 26 MILES on a frozen river in Mongolia
October 6 (Evening Times, Glasgow) SHE has run in searing South African heat and through the sub-zero temperatures of the Antarctic.
But now adventurer Shona Douglas Thomson is to take on her toughest challenge yet - racing along the frozen Tuul gol river in Mongolia.
She and two others, expedition leader David Scott and runner Dr Andrew Murray, will vie to complete the inaugural Genghis Khan Ice Marathon in January next year.
Their efforts will help raise money and awareness of charities Riding for the Disabled (RDA) and the Scottish Association of Mental Health (SAMH).
Shona said: "It was the hottest day of the year last year when I got a text message from David and Andrew to say, 'we have a little proposal for you'.
"The 'little proposal' turned out to be running a marathon on a frozen river in Mongolia.
"I had a lot to think about before saying yes. But so few people get to go there and it was just too good an opportunity to turn down, particularly with the great team we have got together."
Mongolia is often considered one of the most savage places on earth, due to its plunging temperatures of minus 40 and its sparsely populated land.
This means the inaugural Genghis Khan Ice Marathon will be one of the toughest runs the competitors will ever undertake.
Husky dogs will patrol the route of the race to ensure roaming packs of wolves do not endanger the runners - and they will also pull supplies for those taking part.
Shona added: "In terms of running preparation, I will just train as I would for any normal marathon.
"When I trained for both the polar marathons I didn't do anything particularly different like running in a freezer.
"Just as important, if not more important than the training, is getting the correct kit. I'm being sponsored by Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports for the many layers I'll need to wear to keep warm.
"There is a real risk of frostbite and hypothermia if you wear inappropriate clothing or pace yourself incorrectly on the run."
Andrew, 35, who works as a Sports and Exercise Doctor with Edinburgh University, added: "I can't say that my support crew has ever been a pack of huskies before, but I'll be giving it everything I have to get to the finish and avoid frostbite and hypothermia.
"Conditions are expected to be minus 35 to minus 40, but it is likely to feel a little colder with the wind chill. But all those hours training up in the Scottish hills in winter whilst everyone else is enjoying their Christmas festivities will be worth it.
"Everyone will look to do well, but the principle objective is to finish, and have a full complement of fingers and toes to go home with.
"Outer Mongolia is beyond spectacular. Where else could you run down an ice river in an area so steeped in history, with the prospect of a Burns supper, complete with a pipe band to look forward to when we arrive in Ulan Bator?"
As well as taking part in the epic ice race, Shona and her team will help people in Mongolia with the building of homes - called gers - for local people and the donating of medical equipment to rural communities in Outer Mongolia.
They will be staying with local families in basic accommodation - and Shona says she is already looking forward to the hot shower she'll have when she arrives home.
The investment banker said she can remember three showers in her life that has been standout moments - one after running the North Pole marathon, following the South Pole marathon and after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
But just as important as the running is Shona's determination to raise money for her chosen charities.
She added: "I have been involved with Riding for the Disabled for a number of years. The work they do is life changing, the way they can offer satisfaction and enjoyment to people.
"It would be amazing if this endeavour helps raise the profile and recognition of what they do.
"And to help raise their profile I'm going to be riding a Mongolian pony when I'm out there - I just hope it's been schooled."
The Evening Times first told of Shona's impressive running goals last year when she vied to become a member of the highly exclusive Seven Continents Club - running a marathon on all seven continents.
Shona, who grew up in Craigmaddie, near Glasgow, caught the running bug in 2010 and has now earned a long series of impressive achievements.
Shona has no plans to rest after her epic trip to Mongolia - she has the Tokyo Marathon to complete in February and part of her preparation for Mongolia is running the Chicago Marathon on October 11.
Scott, 42, who is Mongolian Honorary Consul for Scotland, said: "Effort alone will not be enough. Competitors will need to prepare themselves thoroughly for the frigid conditions, have the necessary quality clothing, and need a fair slice of luck, particularly with the weather.
"We have several teams of huskies to resupply runners, and ensure interactions with the local wildlife are safe.
"And although there is a chance of failure, this is an area of extreme beauty, of vast skies, unique culture, and a rich history. It is also an opportunity for a world first."
The Genghis Khan Ice Ultra will take place on January 26.
To donate to RDA or SAMH see uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/GhengisKhanIceMarathon or to sponsor Shona email ST@SlowTwitch.co.uk or David Scott david@sand-baggers.com
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