AGP Executive Report

Green Finance Push: The EBRD and Green Climate Fund have launched the next phase of Mongolia’s GEFF “Greening Financial Systems” framework in Ulaanbaatar, aiming to pull households and businesses into water efficiency, sustainable land management, and resource-saving investments through mainstream banking. Mining Meets Environment: “Mining Week & MinePro 2026” opened in Ulaanbaatar with a focus on sustainable development, urging tighter coordination between mining and environmental sectors and pushing legal reforms to improve transparency and reduce public opposition. Winter Air-Quality Measures: Ulaanbaatar says heating has started and 83% of winter prep is done, with plans to use semi-coke and improved fuel, expand gas stoves to 5,000 households, and convert some boiler units to cut pollution. Wildlife Safety Alert: Mongolia recorded over 80 brown bears entering human settlements, prompting an emergency order for provincial and city governors to implement safety measures for people and livestock. Health & Medicines Cooperation: Mongolia and Poland agreed to expand cooperation on drug registration, quality and safety, including learning European Pharmacopoeia methods and improving reliable access to essential medicines. International Nuclear Diplomacy: Mongolia’s delegation joined the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, stressing nuclear energy’s role in peace, health, and sustainable development while reaffirming non-proliferation commitments. Nature & Food Markets: “Autumn Green Days” will run Sept 21–27, bringing producers from all 21 provinces to support sustainable food supply, organic production, and direct farmer-to-consumer sales.

Wildlife-Human Conflict: Mongolia recorded more than 80 cases of brown bears entering human settlements, prompting the Environment and Climate Change Minister to order emergency safety measures across provinces, the capital, and districts to protect people and livestock. Urban Air & Heating: Ulaanbaatar is ramping up for the 2026–2027 winter season, with 83% of planned winter projects done and heating starting Sept. 15; authorities plan to improve air quality using semi-coke and “improved fuel,” expand night truck deliveries, and convert 5,000 households to gas stoves, while noting some boiler units already switched to gas. Energy Transition Pressure: Kazakhstan’s coal dependence is being flagged as a barrier to integrating wind and solar, especially in heating, where replacing coal-fired systems is complex. Climate-Nature Finance Link: A World Bank official says the China partnership is shifting toward more two-way knowledge sharing, alongside growing World Bank work on climate financing and nature-focused investments. Conservation Insight: A new update follows snow leopard “M24” (Angarag), raising questions about why this smaller male may roam farther than typical males.

Snow Leopard Conservation: A new update from Mongolia’s long-term snow leopard study spotlights “M24” (Angarag), the 24th collared male in the Tost mountains, raising fresh questions about territory, range, and how smaller males survive alongside larger competitors. Wildlife-Safe Power Lines: Mongolia’s Bird Conservation Center reports that insulating crossarms and the tops of 26,000+ poles across 69 power distribution lines in 15 aimags has sharply cut bird-of-prey electrocution deaths—by 95% in a 2023 study—showing practical, research-backed fixes for steppe raptors. Climate-Nature Action Push: UN climate and nature discussions highlight the need to move faster on cooling and emissions cuts, with the Kigali Amendment framed as a major lever for limiting warming. Gender-Based Violence Prevention: The Asian Development Bank approved a $3 million grant for Mongolia to prevent and respond to violence against women and children, including safer schools, survivor support, and policy reforms. Winter Air Pollution Prep: Ulaanbaatar begins selling charcoal briquettes ahead of the 2026-2027 heating season, expanding fuel distribution points to keep households supplied while reducing reliance on raw coal. Clean Energy Cooperation: Mongolia and the UAE sign energy cooperation deals, including clean energy and green hydrogen collaboration.

Gender-Based Violence Response: The Asian Development Bank approved a $3 million grant for Mongolia to prevent and respond to violence against women and children, including safer school environments for about 19,500 students, stronger survivor support, and policy reforms to tackle online abuse. Air Quality & Household Fuel: Ulaanbaatar began selling charcoal briquettes ahead of the 2026–2027 heating season, with 500 sales points planned across seven districts to reduce reliance on raw coal and keep winter supply steady. Bird Protection on Power Lines: Mongolia is insulating more than 26,000 power poles across 69 distribution lines in 15 aimags to cut bird-of-prey electrocution; officials cite research showing pole insulation can reduce deaths by 95%. Sustainable Food Supply Fair: “Autumn Green Days” will run Sept. 21–27 at the National Sports Stadium, bringing producers from all 21 provinces to boost sustainable food supply, organic production, and direct farmer-to-consumer sales. Camel Science & Industry: ISOCARD 2026 opened in Alxa Right Banner, highlighting camel genetics, sustainable farming, and camel product development, and naming Alxa Camel Milk a regional public brand. Early Childhood Learning: Mongolia’s education ministry, with The Asia Foundation, is consulting corporate leaders to expand private sector support for early childhood language development, targeting low school-readiness in speech and communication. Trade Standards for Mongolia-linked Exports: SGS secured a new three-year PVoC contract for Tanzania covering exports from the “China Zone,” explicitly including Mongolia, to help block substandard products and protect public health and the environment.

UNCCD COP17 Delivery Challenge: UNCCD COP17 discussions in Mongolia stressed that countries don’t need more international “architecture,” but do need easier ways to bundle finance and technical support for linked problems like climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and water stress—without forcing governments to split integrated landscape work into separate institutional boxes. Drought as a Long-Term Risk: UNCCD warnings say strengthening El Niño could keep drought extremes going into 2027, pushing drought beyond a temporary crisis into an economy-wide threat to food, water, energy, health, transport, tourism, and trade. Bird-Safe Power Lines: Mongolia is insulating crossarms and the tops of 26,000+ poles across 69 power distribution lines in 15 aimags to cut bird-of-prey electrocution; a 2023 study cited a 95% drop when poles are fully insulated. Migratory Bird Declines: A Nairobi summit backed the Nairobi Flyways Declaration, urging governments and funders to integrate migratory bird route conservation into planning and finance as 45% of migratory species are reported declining. Mongolia–China Energy Push: Mongolia’s president highlighted progress on the Erdeneburen hydropower plant with China, framing it as a key infrastructure cooperation milestone. Gender-Based Violence Prevention Funding: ADB approved a Mongolia project to upgrade school dormitories and roll out violence-prevention programs in about 19,500 students, including digital safety measures. Clean Energy Cooperation: UAE and Mongolia signed MoUs to strengthen clean energy and green hydrogen ties.

Bird-Safe Power Lines: Mongolia is insulating crossarms and the tops of 26,000+ poles along 69 power distribution lines across 15 aimags to cut bird-of-prey electrocution, after a 2023 study found full insulation can reduce deaths by 95%. Clean Energy Builds: Mongolia’s Erdeneburen Hydropower Plant in Khovd is progressing as a major Mongolia–China energy project, with officials framing it as a step toward more stable electricity for western provinces. Airport Debt, More Expansion: Despite not yet repaying a first JICA loan for Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Mongolia is already looking at a second concessional Japanese loan to expand and modernize the facility. Gender-Based Violence Prevention: ADB-backed funding will upgrade safety-focused school dormitories and roll out violence-prevention and digital safety programs in Mongolia for about 19,500 students. Natural Resource Transparency: MPs have submitted a draft law to create a unified public system for reporting and oversight of how Mongolia uses minerals, water, forests, wildlife and plants—aimed at boosting transparency and reducing corruption. Diesel Efficiency Trials: Field tests of The Fuel Ox® at Mongolian industrial sites report 8–20% average fuel savings under real operating conditions.

Conservation & Biodiversity: A new push for migratory bird protection is gaining momentum after the Nairobi Flyways Summit, where more than 100 groups backed the Nairobi Flyways Declaration to weave bird-route conservation into development and finance; the latest “State of the World’s Birds” report warns 45% of migratory species are declining. Climate & Food Security: Mongolia’s neighbors are watching El Niño closely—Sri Lanka is preparing contingency plans for possible shortfalls in imported essentials, including shifting cultivation timing and lining up alternate markets. Energy, Water & Environment: Mongolia’s Erdeneburen Hydropower Plant in Khovd is progressing, with the president calling it a key Mongolia–China energy cooperation milestone; separately, TMK Energy reports rising coal seam gas flows at its Gurvantes XXXV project, underscoring how Mongolia’s energy push is tied to resource extraction. Governance & Natural Resources: Lawmakers have submitted a draft Law on Transparency in the Use of Natural Resources to require public reporting on minerals, water, forests, wildlife and plants via a unified digital portal—aimed at cutting corruption and conflicts of interest. Air & Industry: The Ulaanbaatar City Hall unveiled a winter preparation and air-pollution control plan, while Mongolian field tests claim diesel-efficiency gains from The Fuel Ox® at industrial sites.

Energy & Infrastructure (Mongolia–China): Mongolia’s Erdeneburen Hydropower Plant in Khovd is moving ahead, with President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh calling it a key outcome of Mongolia–China energy cooperation and urging deeper ties as construction progresses. Renewables & Clean Energy Deals: The UAE and Mongolia signed a MoU to strengthen renewable energy and green hydrogen cooperation, including expertise exchange and a joint working group to identify and develop priority projects. Natural Resource Transparency: Lawmakers submitted a draft Law on Transparency in the Use of Natural Resources to require public, centralized reporting on minerals, water, forests, wildlife and plants, aiming to curb corruption and conflicts of interest. Climate Risk & Planning (Regional): China’s expanding electricity spot market is increasing the value of weather forecasting for renewables trading, while Mongolia-linked regional green agriculture training is supported through ADB’s CAREC program. Education & Safety (Schools): ADB approved $3 million for Mongolia to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, upgrading school dormitories and rolling out prevention programs. Air & Environment (Urban): Ulaanbaatar City Hall unveiled a winter preparation and air pollution control plan.

Natural Resources Transparency: Three lawmakers have submitted a draft Law on Transparency in the Use of Natural Resources, calling for a unified digital portal and public reporting on Mongolia’s minerals, water, forests, wildlife and plants—aimed at strengthening public oversight and cutting corruption risks. Clean Energy Deal: The UAE and Mongolia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on renewable energy and green hydrogen, setting up a joint working group to identify priority projects and support capacity-building and public-private cooperation. Hydropower Progress: President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh inspected the Erdeneburen Hydropower Plant in Khovd, praising construction progress and framing it as a major Mongolia–China energy and infrastructure cooperation milestone. Air-Pollution Prep in the Capital: Ulaanbaatar City Hall presented a winter preparation and air pollution control plan, focusing on reducing seasonal impacts. Museum for Science Education: Construction of the National Museum of Natural Sciences is reported at 83% completion, with the president pushing for stronger collections, preservation, interactive exhibits and education programs. Energy Security via Fuel Supply: Mongolia agreed with CNPC to receive 10,000 tons of gasoline and 4,000 tons of jet fuel in September, with further October requests and a push toward longer-term, transparent supply contracts. Regional Tourism Links: CAREC’s Tourism Working Group met in Tashkent, discussing cross-border travel integration, an upgrade to the “Visit Silk Road” portal, AI travel tools, and adoption of GSTC standards.

Natural Resource Transparency: Mongolian lawmakers B.Uyanga, B.Munkhsoyol and B.Jargalan submitted a draft Law on Transparency in the Use of Natural Resources to Parliament, proposing a unified digital portal and public reporting on minerals, water, forests, wildlife and plants, plus multi-stakeholder oversight to curb corruption and conflicts of interest. Clean Energy Partnership: The UAE and Mongolia signed an MoU to boost renewable energy and green hydrogen cooperation, including expertise exchange, capacity building, and a joint working group to identify and assess priority projects. Museum & Science Capacity: President Khurelsukh reviewed the National Museum of Natural Sciences project in Ikh Tengeryn Am, now 83% complete, and urged upgrades to collections, preservation, interactive exhibits, education programs and specialist training. Air & Land Pressures: A Korea Forest Service youth delegation inspected Mongolia’s desertification-prevention afforestation sites and forest fire systems, including nursery operations and restoration planting, while an ILO brief warns land degradation and desertification threaten around 1.2 billion jobs worldwide. Regional Tourism Links: CAREC’s Tourism Working Group met in Tashkent to push cross-border travel integration, including upgrading the “Visit Silk Road” portal, using AI travel tools, and adopting GSTC standards.

Clean Energy Deal: The UAE and Mongolia signed an MoU to boost renewable energy and green hydrogen cooperation, including knowledge exchange, capacity building, and a joint working group to assess feasible projects. Air Pollution Control: Ulaanbaatar City Hall unveiled a winter preparation plan focused on air pollution control. Fuel Security: Mongolia agreed with China’s CNPC on September fuel deliveries (gasoline, jet fuel, diesel) and discussed shifting toward longer-term, stable supply contracts. Land Restoration Funding Gap: A UNCCD COP17-linked report highlights how restoration pledges still fall far short of the money needed to sustain land recovery after donor projects end. Desertification Jobs Link: The ILO warned that land degradation and desertification threaten about 1.2 billion jobs, while restoration could create new work if skills and support are planned. Forest Cooperation: Korea Forest Service youth officials inspected Mongolia’s desertification-prevention afforestation sites and forest fire disaster systems, including agroforestry and ODA models. Regional Tourism Routes: CAREC’s tourism working group met to push cross-border travel integration, AI travel tools, and GSTC standards across member states, with Mongolia participating.

Ulaanbaatar Air & Winter Preparedness: Ulaanbaatar City Hall unveiled a winter readiness plan that also targets air pollution control, aiming to reduce seasonal health impacts. Clean Energy & Hydrogen Deal: Mongolia and the UAE signed an MoU to cooperate on renewable energy, green hydrogen, power transmission, storage, and capacity building, with a joint working group to identify feasible projects. Fuel Supply Security: Mongolia’s energy minister met CNPC and agreed on September deliveries of gasoline and jet fuel, plus plans to shift toward longer-term, stable fuel contracts coordinated with railway logistics. Land Restoration Funding Gap: UNCCD COP17 coverage highlighted how restoration pledges still fall far short of the money needed to sustain land recovery after donor projects end. Forest & Desertification Prevention: Korea Forest Service youth officials inspected Mongolia afforestation and desertification-prevention sites, including nursery work and forest-fire disaster systems. Regional Tourism Links: CAREC’s tourism working group met to push cross-border travel integration, including upgrades to the “Visit Silk Road” portal and AI-powered travel tools. Public Input on Monetary Policy: Bank of Mongolia opened a public consultation on 2027 monetary policy guidelines, including inflation stabilization and financial-sector resilience.

Wildlife & Forest Management: Mongolia has banned cedar nut harvesting through the end of the year after brown bears moved into residential areas in Khentii, with officials citing poor nut crops and the need to protect a key food source for bears and other wildlife. Energy Transition (Mongolia-UAE): Mongolia and the UAE signed an MoU to cooperate on renewable energy, green hydrogen, power transmission and storage, plus training and capacity building—aimed at helping Mongolia diversify its energy mix. Regional Tourism Links: CAREC’s tourism working group met in Tashkent to push cross-border travel integration, including upgrading the “Visit Silk Road” portal, adding AI travel tools, and adopting Global Sustainable Tourism Council standards. Land Restoration & Jobs: An ILO brief warns land degradation and desertification threaten about 1.2 billion jobs, while restoration could create new work—if training and fair transitions are planned. Local Governance & Air Quality: Ulaanbaatar city hall unveiled a winter preparation and air-pollution control plan, targeting seasonal emissions pressures. Climate/Environment Policy Context: UNCCD COP17 coverage highlights the huge funding gap for land restoration and the need for longer-lasting, sustained financing beyond short projects.

Clean Energy Diplomacy: Mongolia and the UAE signed an MoU to boost renewable energy and green hydrogen cooperation, including expertise exchange, capacity building, and a joint working group to identify and assess joint projects. Fuel Supply Pressure: Mongolia agreed to buy 10,000 tons of gasoline and 4,000 tons of jet fuel from China in September, with talks on longer-term, contract-based supply and additional volumes for later months. UNCCD Land Restoration Reality Check: COP17 in Ulaanbaatar ended with calls for faster action on drought, land restoration finance, and implementation—while Indigenous and civil society participation issues were still unresolved. Wildlife-Forest Conflict: Mongolia banned cedar nut harvesting through year-end after bear sightings in residential areas rose following a poor crop, aiming to protect a key food source for wildlife. Rangelands and Jobs: The ILO warned that land degradation and desertification threaten around 1.2 billion jobs, while restoration could create new work—if transitions are managed fairly. Regional Tourism Links: CAREC tourism officials met in Tashkent to push cross-border travel integration, including upgrades to the “Visit Silk Road” portal and AI-powered travel tools. Forest Restoration Funding Challenge: A COP17-linked discussion highlighted how restoration pledges often fail to secure long-term financing after donor projects end. Biodiversity Digitization: Global experts gathered in Beijing on cultural heritage digitization, underscoring how tech collaboration can preserve irreplaceable records.

Desertification & Land Restoration: Mongolia’s UNCCD COP17 wrapped up in Ulaanbaatar with officials pointing to the “Ulaanbaatar Declaration” and a “Steppe Plan,” plus new initiatives on rangelands, the water-land link, and nature-based solutions—while critics say Indigenous and civil society caucuses were blocked and deferred to COP18. Wildlife Conflict & Forest Policy: Mongolia has banned cedar nut harvesting through year-end after brown bears entered residential areas in Khentii province, citing poor nut crops and food shortages for wildlife. Energy Transition Cooperation: Mongolia and the UAE signed an MoU to expand renewable energy, green hydrogen, grid upgrades, energy storage, and training, with talks also touching electricity and hydrogen exports and clean power for data centers. Air Pollution & Winter Fuel: Ulaanbaatar announced measures for the Sept. 15 heating season, including improved fuel supply, tighter stock controls via “Khotula,” and coal imports for semi-coke production while a Baganuur coal processing plant is planned for 2028. Biodiversity & Heritage: World Monuments Fund teams visited Mongolia to support climate-resilient restoration work at Choijin Lama Temple Museum and Erdene Zuu Monastery. Regional Conservation Context: UNCCD-linked reporting also highlighted land-restoration finance talks in Cameroon and broader rangeland/pastoralism priorities for drought resilience.

UNCCD COP17 Accountability: Mongolia’s National Audit Office has launched a financial and compliance audit into COP17 funding and spending, reviewing budgets, procurement contracts, and legal compliance across multiple ministries and the Ulaanbaatar city office. Air Pollution & Winter Fuel: Ulaanbaatar City Hall rolled out measures for the Sept. 15 heating season, aiming to cut air pollution while improving access to fuel in ger districts, including switching 5,000 households to gas heating and importing coal for semi-coke production until a Baganuur plant opens in 2028. Land Restoration & Drought Resilience: UNEP says COP17 progress still needs faster implementation and stronger drought finance, highlighting rangelands and pastoralism as central to resilience and peace. Energy Cooperation: Mongolia and the UAE signed an energy cooperation MoU covering renewables, green hydrogen, grid upgrades, storage, and potential electricity/hydrogen exports. Rangelands, Pastoralism & Rights: A COP17 wrap-up argues pastoralists and Indigenous communities must have real influence over land-use decisions, with finance shifting toward stewardship and ecosystem services. COP17 Indigenous Voice Blocked: Reporting from COP17 says Indigenous and civil society participation items were removed from the agenda early, with caucus terms deferred to COP18. Heritage Conservation: World Monuments Fund representatives worked in Mongolia to train conservators and support restoration of temple roofs and protection of Erdene Zuu’s Golden Stupa, linking heritage work to climate resilience. Wildlife & Rewilding: Kazakhstan celebrated the birth of two Przewalski’s horse foals in a reintroduction center, a milestone for grassland conservation. Science & Mongolia’s Region: A 120-million-year-old dinosaur fossil was recovered from a deep drilling core in Inner Mongolia, expanding the known range of Early Cretaceous dinosaur remains.