Mongolia Brief October 21, 2014



First Consultative Meeting of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Runs
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) The Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone countries together with our nuclear experts, who are participating in the UN Disarmament Commission (UNODA) in New York, ran their first consultative meeting on October 20 in the central headquarters of the UN.

The gathered shared information and opinions on the regional security issues and introduced to each other their activities aimed at having five nuclear states guaranteed their statuses. Kazakhstan representative informed the gathered about a decision to build two nuclear power stations on its territory.
The Mongolian representatives presented our country's commitment to forwarding its "free of nuclear weapons” status on the regional and international levels and requested more information from Kazakhstan on the construction of the stations.

NEMA Reports at Weekly Meeting
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) In the last two years, 11.6% of techniques and facilities of the emergency service and 14% of all objects have been renovated, said Colonel T.Dulamdorj, the head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at the “Hours of construction” weekly meeting on Monday.
He added that 91% of all servicemen have been provided with working uniforms and facilities, buildings are being erected for eight emergency units and for a mechanized store of state reserves, "in overall, our sector has made a real progress thanks to the technical renovation and introduction of modern system of delivering awareness of possible disasters".
Thanks to the improved working condition, lives of 2,791 people and a property of MNT 38 billion were saved from 7,558 disasters and accidents in the last two years, he went on. Moreover, some emergency servicemen served in the UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan, he added.
The Colonel pointed out that Mongolia will have a highly skilled search-and-rescue team about which a recommendation was given by the UN consultative group of international search and rescue.

NDC Chairwoman Meets UNICEF Permanent Rep
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) A chairwoman of the National Department for Children (NDC) I.Narantuya Monday met with Mr Roberto Benes, the new Permanent Representative of the UNICEF to Mongolia.
This meeting became for Mr Benes, who has worked in Indonesia, Senegal, South Korea and Italy for saving children, the first one to get familiarized with the NDC actions and to meet its authority. He also got au fait with the “108” call for help for children and appreciated the NDC's activities for launching this service. Then he promised to collaborate with the NDC in empowering of staffers.

Our Judoka Wins Silver in Asian Para Games
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) Mongolian judo wrestler B.Uugankhuu has grabbed silver medal in men 60 kg category tournament which ran Monday at Asian Paralympic Games–Incheon 2014.
He reached the final bout defeating judokas from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Iran in previous matches. In the category, Uzbekistan wrestler Namozov won the gold, the S.Korean and Chinese wrestlers won bronze medals.
Our A.Monkhbat competed in men 66kg and B.Bolorchuluun in women 48kg both grabbed bronze medals on October 20 as well. 
By the third day of the Games, our national team is the 20th in overall tournament with four medals--a silver and two bronze in judo, and "bronze" in shooting.

Russian scholar awarded the Khubilai Khaan medal
October 21 (news.mn) The Mongolian Academy of Sciences highest honor, the Khubilai Khaan medal, was awarded to Russian researcher, Deputy Director of the Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences Golenkova Zinaida Tihonovna.
Golenkova Zinaida Tihonovna has made great efforts and contributions to Mongolian academics by holding an annual international scientific conference in Mongolia, providing a platform for scientific research and discussion since 2007, and has organized summer training sessions for young sociologists in Ulaanbaatar since 2010, in collaboration with the Philosophy and Sociology Institute of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. Golenkova Zinaida Tihonovna has also conducted several research projects on sociology and political science in collaboration with the Mongolian Ministry of Education and Sciences.
The prized Khubilai Khaan medal was presented to the Russian researcher on the occasion of her 75th birthday.
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Cooperation agreement between DP and MPRP causes political row
October 21 (news.mn) Democratic Party leader Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag and MPRP leader, former president N.Enkhbayar, signed a cooperation agreement extension through 2020 on Saturday, October 18th. The two parties held a press conference on Monday announcing the extended agreement comprised of 14 articles.
On the same day of the DP and MPRP announcement, leader of the Democratic Party of Ulaanbaatar, and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar E.Bat-Uul and Chair of the Ulaanbaatar Citizens' Representatives Khural D.Battulga held a press conference claiming the agreement is illegal.
The agreement includes several issues, such as the involvement of the DP and MPRP in the 2016 parliamentary election, partnering on policy and activities. The partnership of the two parties in the 2016 and 2020 elections will be decided at the National Consultative Committee meetings held at that time.
The DP and MPRP will also decide whether or not to ally as a coalition in the 2016 election, dependent on the political situation during the election season.
Leader of the Democratic Party of Ulaanbaatar city, E.Bat-Uul said during the press conference opposing the decision, "This is an illegal agreement. The National Consultative Committee of the DP did not hold a meeting. The Democratic Party of Ulaanbaatar does not agree with the decision.  The Democratic Party of Ulaanbaatar will review the issue in a commission meeting and will file a lawsuit. The thing is, the agreement says that it will be effective as soon as it signed."
The statement from E.Bat-Uul and others in opposition to the cooperation agreement extension says that members of the Democratic Party of Ulaanbaatar are shocked by the agreement signed between the leaders of the DP and MPRP.
E.Bat-Uul added, "The agreement casted local media, and was even designed to seem like it was signed with the Justice Coalition. In fact, it seems like a political concert. This is pure political concert - not a politically ethical move - as it was signed in a secret way, violating party rules.”
The MPRP suggested building the cooperation agreement extension last April to guarantee cooperation and strengthen trust between the party and the Democratic Party (DP). The DP's executive council then issued a decision to build the cooperation agreement with the MPRP on May 28th.
The DP and MPRP will follow guidelines to form a joint government in the case that the DP and MPRP do not win dominant seats in parliament in the 2016 election. The DP is also to build a cooperation agreement with the Civil Will and Green Party next Saturday.
The DP leader also noted discussions with Mongolian National Democratic Party (MNDP) leader M.Enkhsaikhan on cooperation last spring.

Ulaanbaatar Railway Decides to Utilize Railbus to Darkhan Destination That Takes about 4 Hours of Travel
October 21 (infomongolia.com) The Ulaanbaatar Railway JSC (UBTZ) authorities decided to stop Railbus service in Ulaanbaatar from October 01, which was running since June 06, 2014 on the ground that the expenses exceed the incomes and following some studies, the UBTZ Chairman issued an Ordinance to utilize this public transportation between Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan city of Darkhan-Uul Aimag.
Accordingly, the Railbus is running for experimental period of one month on daily basis and launched its first travel from UB to Darkhan with a 5 minute stopover in Zuunkharaa on October 20, 2014.
Railbus Timetable for Ulaanbaatar-Zuunkharaa-Darkhan
Departs the UB Railway Station at 09:40 am - 5 minute Stopover in Zuunkharaa Station at 12:02 pm - Arrives in Darkhan city at 01:33 pm.
Railbus Timetable for Darkhan-Zuunkharaa-Ulaanbaatar
On the same Departs the Darkhan at 01:54 pm - 5 minute Stopover in Zuunkharaa at 03:24 pm - Arrives in Ulaanbaatar at 06:12 pm daily.
Tickets from Ulaanbaatar to Darkhan and contrary costs 20,700 MNT (adult) and for children between 5-12 years old ages is 8,900 MNT. Moreover, tickets between Zunkharaa and Darkhan and contrary is 15,500 MNT (adult) and 6,900 MNT (child).

Mongolia Wins 2014 Judo Grand Prix Tashkent
October 21 (infomongolia.com) Following the attendance at Judo Grand Prix Astana held in Kazakhstan, Mongolian Judo Team has participated at the Judo Grand Prix Tashkent took place in Uzbekistan on October 16-18, 2014.
Mongolian Team comprised of 10 male and 4 female judokas took the first place after overall team standings with a total of 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 4 Bronze medals.
Gold medals were achieved by
D.Amartuvshin, Men’s 60 kg; S.Nyam-Ochir, Men’s 73 kg; and B.Temuulen, Men’s +100 kg;
Silver medals by
D.Altansukh, Men’s 66 kg; Kh.Tsagaanbaatar, Men’s 73 kg; and A.Tsolmon, Women’s 52 kg;
Bronze medals by
G.Kherlen, Men’s 60 kg; O.Uuganbaatar, Men’s 81 kg; G.Otgontsetseg, Women’s 48 kg; and Ts.Munkhzaya, Women’s 63 kg;
Final Team Standings
1. Mongolia (3+3+4)
2. Romania (2+0+0)
3. Uzbekistan (1+2+3)
Final Results for Women’s 48 kg
1. VAN SNICK, Charline (BEL)
2. AKKUS, Sumeyye (TUR)
3. DOLGOVA, Irina (RUS)
3. Galbadrakh OTGONTSETSEG (MGL)
5. MOSCATT, Valentina (ITA)
5. SAHIN, Ebru (TUR)
7. RISHONY, Shira (ISR)
7. ROSSENEU, Amelie (ISR)
Final Results for Women’s 52 kg
1. CHITU, Andreea (ROU)
2. Adiyasambuu TSOLMON (MGL)
3. RAMOS, Joana (POR)
3. VALENTIM, Eleudis (BRA)
5. GUICA, Ecaterina (CAN)
5. HEYLEN, Ilse (BEL)
7. SCHWARTZ, Roni (ISR)
7. TARANGUL, Romy (GER)
Final Results for Women’s 63 kg
1. GERBI, Yarden (ISR)
2. UNTERWURZACHER, Kathrin (AUT)
3. TRAJDOS, Martyna (GER)
3. Tsedevsuren MUNKHZAYA (MGL)
5. PUCHE, Isabel (ESP)
5. SILVA, Mariana (BRA)
7. GWEND, Edwige (ITA)
7. SHOR, Rotem (ISR)
Final Results for Men’s 60 kg
1. Dashdavaa AMARTUVSHIN (MGL)
2. UROZBOEV, Diyorbek (UZB)
3. Ganbold KHERLEN (MGL)
3. KYRGYZBAYEV, Gumar (KAZ)
5. INOYATOV, Bakhrom (UZB)
5. LUTFILLAEV, Sharafuddin (UZB)
7. ARSHANSKI, Artiom (ISR)
7. MILOUS, Sofiane (FRA)
Final Results for Men’s 66 kg
1. SOBIROV, Rishod (UZB)
2. Dovdon ALTANSUKH (MGL)
3. LAVRENTIEV, Denis (RUS)
3. URIARTE, Sugoi (ESP)
5. ARDANOV, Anzaur (RUS)
5. SHERSHAN, Dzmitry (BLR)
7. BRUNO, Emanuele (ITA)
7. FLICKER, Tal (ISR)
Final Results for Men’s 73kg
1. Sainjargal NYAM-OCHIR (MGL)
2. Khashbaatar TSAGAANBAATAR (MGL)
3. DUPRAT, Pierre (FRA)
3. OZDOEV, Zelimkhan (RUS)
5. BOBOYEV, Giyosjon (UZB)
5. IARTCEV, Denis (RUS)
7. MUKI, Sagi (ISR)
7. SHOKA, Vadzim (BLR)
Final Results for Men’s 81kg
1. MOUSTOPOULOS, Roman (GRE)
2. IMAMOV, Yakhyo (UZB)
3. Otgonbaatar UUGANBAATAR (MGL)
3. SOBIROV, Shaxzod (UZB)
5. LUZ, Carlos (POR)
5. VOROBEV, Ivan (RUS)
7. ABDELAAL, Mohamed (EGY)
7. KRIZSAN, Szabolcs (HUN)
Final Results for Men’s +100 kg
1. Battulga TEMUULEN (MGL)
2. ALLERSTORFER, Daniel (AUT)
3. BOR, Barna (HUN)
3. MASHARIPOV, Elyor (UZB)
5. EL SHEHABY, Islam (EGY)
5. VOLKOV, Andrey (RUS)
7. BALTAEV, Boltoboy (UZB)
7. TANGRIEV, Abdullo (UZB)

Ambassador Presents Mongolian Culture in Singapore
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) Mongolian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Singapore B.Delgermaa held a “Morning Tea” meeting with women diplomats and Ambassadors and spouses of Ambassadors accredited to this country.
She treated her guests with the Mongolian national meals, gave understanding about Mongolian traditional living, presented our long-songs and artworks of a unique guest--an Australian professional photographer Sealey Brandt. The latter displayed an exhibition of the photos taken during a 2000-km horse-back travel through Mongolia. 
Some 14 women Ambassadors and spouses of Ambassadors were at the meeting.

MPP Reps Work in Dornogobi
By N. Khaliun
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) A delegation led by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Chairman of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) M.Enkhbold has paid a working visit to Saishand soum of Dornogovi province.  
The delegation had D.Lundeejantsan, J.Batsuuri, D.Oyunkhorol, N.Nomtoibayar and A.Tleikhan MPs.
The main purpose of the trip was to "give accurate and truthful information about the socio-political situation in the country, to promote the works of the party and to receive people's opinions". A meeting with the locals ran at the Children’s Palace in the soum. During the meeting, the delegation noted that "the socio-economic situation is worsening due to wrong political decisions of the Government of reforms".

About Working Visit of First Lady
By N. Khaliun
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) Ms Kh.Bolormaa, the spouse of the Mongolian President and head of a "Hope" cancer-free-Mongolia national foundation, has worked in Uvs province.
During the visit, she gave a 23 million Togrog worth medical equipment to the oncology unit of the aimag’s united hospital and equipped two medical offices with necessary diagnostic tools.
Then she got au fait with a maternity ward and gave small gifts to mothers and their newborns.

ADB and Khan Bank Sign Loan Agreement
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed October 17 a USD 40 million loan agreement with Khan Bank, one of the biggest banks in Mongolia, to provide better access to bank financing for the country’s micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSME).
The loan will be used to expand Khan Bank’s MSME portfolio to 35% of its total loans by 2020 from 26% in 2013, helping to create jobs. "The loan will help address critical challenges being faced by the MSME sector in Mongolia by making available at Khan Bank more loans for MSMEs with longer repayment terms," said Monisha Hermans, an ADB Investment Specialist. "The growth of MSMEs in non-mineral-based resource sectors will help diversify and strengthen the resilience of the country’s economy".
Norihiko Kato, CEO of Khan Bank said:"We appreciate ADB’s strong support for Mongolian MSMEs through Khan Bank which enables us to effectively use and finance our growing MSMEs portfolio both in existing and new clients. We are delighted of our continuing long term cooperation with ADB to diversify our long term funding and to boost our competitiveness in Mongolian market.”
MSMEs comprise 98% of all enterprises in Mongolia, with three quarters considered microenterprises. Only an estimated 10% of them regularly access financing through banks, which often focus their operations on top-tier and larger companies as they are perceived to be less risky.
Khan Bank, established in 1991, is Mongolia’s largest bank in terms of total assets, loans and deposits. It has a strategic focus on the underserved MSME segment by offering products such as working capital, trade finance, and capital expenditure financing through electronic and mobile banking. It also has the largest branch network in rural areas.
Khan Bank is the second Mongolian bank to receive such a loan from ADB. In December 2013, ADB provided USD 30 million loan to XacBank for MSME on-lending.

Coal Exported Mainly through Gashuunsukhait
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) A 64 percent of the country’s total coal export was made through the Gashuunsukhait port, to China, mostly by those companies exploiting Tavan tolgoi deposit, in the nine months of this year.
An overall volume of the coal exported through it to China stood at 8.7 million tonnes of coal, a major part of which belonged to the "Energy Resource" LLC., for example, only in three quarters it passed to the south neighbor 4.7 million tonnes of coal.
In the same period, the "Erdenes Tavantolgoi” state-owned company, which started exporting coal since last year from the West Tsankh deposit, supplied 3.9 million tonnes to the Chinese market.  Doubling its export against the same period of 2013, this company intends to achieve an export of six million tonnes of coal this year.
It is estimated that, when the strategic investor at Tavan tolgoi deposit is chosen, the exports as well as the incomes will increase. The National Statistics Office informs that Mongolia’s coal export has amounted to 13.5 million tonnes and has shown increase of nearly two million tonnes, compared to the same period of 2013. However, the income decreased USD 150 million due to the decline in coal prices.

G.Ariunbat Wins III International Vocalists Contest Named after Muslim Magomayev
October 21 (infomongolia.com) The III Muslim Magomayev International Vocalists Contest was held at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow on October 18-19, 2014.
The Competition named after M.Magomayev brought the best 14 vocalists from 9 countries and after the final standings, a contestant from Mongolia, Ganbaatar ARIUNBAT (bass-baritone) won the first place after two rounds.
After previewing, organizing committee selected 14 artists, inviting them to Moscow to participate in the Contest, which was covered by Russian and foreign media and TV.
Contestants performed two works from the repertoire Magomayev (first branch – the classics and a second compartment - pop) and the first place winner was awarded with Certificate accompanied with 25 thousand USD.
The second place award of 20,000 USD was shared to Liparit Avetisyan (Armenia) and Pavel Petrov (Belarus) and the third place of 15,000 USD to Aytaj Shikhalizade and Azer Rzazade both from Azerbaijan.
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Addressing Mongolia's Human Resource Challenges
By A. Burenjargal
October 21 (Mongolian Economy) If you haven’t used Biznetwork.mn, then you’ve at least heard about it. Mongolian Economy talked with N. Javklan, founder of Mongolia’s first and largest employment website bringing together employers and employees. N. Javklan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Institute of Finance and Economics, and just finished his Masters in Public Governance at the Academy of Management.
In 2009, N. Javklan—previously a human resource manager for Anod Bank and an IT manager at the Education Evaluation Center—launched Biznetwork.mn, which has grown under his successful leadership to the industry leader it is today.
How did you come up with the idea of becoming the online link between the demand and supply chain of the labor market?
When I was a human resource manager, I used to give job vacancy advertisements to newspapers. Within this process, there were a lot of slowdowns and difficulties. There was a lot that needed to be done, such as making sure if an ad reached those who were interested, paying attention to lay-out, and preventing mistakes. And job seekers needed come to the office to fill out an application. The beginning of our operation was to reverse these difficulties. We have so far succeeded because of the room and the need in society.
How many people use the employment website in Mongolia, based on your data?
There are over 160,000 jobs announced or repeated each day on our website. For job seekers, over 1,000-1,200 people send a daily application to employers, while there are 80,000 people actively registered, who’ve created their CV profile.
What jobs are trending lately?
This year, we have more sales and marketing jobs in high demand. This explains to us that companies pay more to their service and sales when the economy is bad. Generally, some jobs are in high demand due to economic and social conditions of a country. For instance, there was more need of human resource managers in 2012 when the economy was growing rapidly. Back then, companies were focusing more on human resources.
Looking at the latest study from the Labor Exchange Central Office, all kinds of low-wage workforce jobs are in high demand. Why not have these types of job announcements on your website—not just mid- and high-level job offerings?
One hundred percent of job announcements belong to the mid and high level classification. Employers don’t place low-wage job listings—these kinds of job seekers apparently don’t have much internet usage. Those job announcements are mostly published in newspaper advertisement. Though we have high demand for low-wage jobs, the Mongolian labor market cannot supply it all.
We have many foreign experts coming to Mongolia to work. Do you do listings for this niche area?
We don’t have any CV’s of foreigners registered. Since we began, we have been targeting to supply the necessary Mongolian employees to entities operating in Mongolia. Foreign invested companies operating in Mongolia come to us quite a lot. Recently, a Hungarian company who plans to establish their office in Mongolia asked our help to choose representatives in Mongolia. Most foreign companies who come to us are more interested in labor market research. Particularly, issues such as defining wages of people being hired from Mongolia.
How would you grade an applicant’s general ability to fill out a CV?
I see it as the part they struggle with the most. We teach students CV-writing skills during our ‘How to Job Hunt’ training seminar that we’ve run over the past two years. After one training session, we see changes in over a 100 people’s CV.  On our website, of people who filled out their CV, more than 60 percent are qualified to send their applications to employers. Yet 30 percent of applicants registered on our website are graded as not qualified enough, based on a poorly filled out CV. These people fill out many applications at many different places and they say that are never called for an interview. They don’t call you because you fill out your CV deficiently, and this gives the employer an impression of someone who’s underdeveloped and has no goals.
What other issues do employees and employers currently face?
For someone who stands between every employer and employee, those people who say that they cannot find jobs are short of skills in terms of filling out a CV and in their self-expression. Sometimes, they don’t even know what they want to do. For the companies that say the same thing as not being able to find employees, they lack experience and strategies in selecting and keeping employees to work fruitfully and stably for them in the long term. However, big groups have already come to a solution. If we look overall at the overall 40-50,000 entities in Mongolia, approximately only 1,000 of them has solved this issue. It shows us that the human resource policy of most companies is not that good. They sometimes complain about finding good employees in Mongolia. In my opinion, I doubt whether bosses can hire foreigners when they can’t hire and sustain locals.
Basically, Biznetwork is acting as the human resource manager for thousands of companies. So, what can you tell us about the general workforce skills of Mongolians?
The workforce is getting younger and better. For example, some bosses happen to be not qualified or decent enough for their potential employees in some cases. After job interviews, some applicants say that their knowledge and skills are just too precious and that they would regret working under such bosses. Thus, there is no chance for leaders to hire good experts and expand their operation without first developing themselves. Likewise, those who are seeking jobs must start writing their CVs without a single mistake, because that’s the first and foremost thing you show to employers.
The first requirement of jobs all around the world is the approach. There are number of companies who are willing to teach and train people, who have a great desire of working for their future hires. The big companies of Mongolia have been paying attention to their human resource policy. The right people with the right approach always tend to hire and be hired before others.
Almost every employer asks for work experience. Is this better than a person with a good attitude?
People don’t value a person who cannot value themselves. It is common to leave that work experience section empty or say no experience. But even the events and things you organised as a student can qualify as experience. Rather than writing many years of experience, experience is more related to someone who has self-respect and value.
Would job offerings or examination announcements from the Civil Service be advertised through your organisation? 
We have contacted the Civil Service Council. As we often talk about public, private partnership (PPP), we wish to collect job advertisements from both public and private enterprises in one place and open access to people. There is always the need to create the opportunity for people to seek jobs with their own capabilities, independently. 
What is the average monthly salary offered on the ads you announce?  
Over MNT 2 million is offered for administrational jobs. For regular jobs the average is between MNT 800,000 to MNT 1.2 million. Employers and employees often negotiate the salary. In terms of salary information, organisations are becoming more open. Although both sides want to know this information, it is often a secret. I think this sort of information will be completely open within two years. 
What conclusions can you make about job offerings?
Big companies don’t have any significant HR problems. Such companies have stable policy management to keep their employees for a long time. On the contrary, companies with no certain HR policy make mistakes right from the beginning. Maybe companies that have HR issues might start to consider focusing on the issues within themselves.

"Petroleum Reserves to Cover 37-Day Needs"
By N. Khaliun
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) The Ministry of Mining reported on Tuesday that petroleum reserves are to cover 37-day needs if a consumption is routine.
The reserve of AI-92 petroleum will cover 54 days, of A-80—53 days, of diesel is enough for 24 days, and of TC-1 – for 18 days.
Today, petrol stations sell AI-92 and Mongol-93 petroleum for 1 660 togrogs per liter, A-80—for 1 550 togrog and diesel—for 1 709 togrog.
The prices are stable in recent months, say experts.  

Leave No One Behind: Think, Decide and Act Together Against Extreme Poverty
By Thomas Eriksson
October 17 (mn.undp.org) This article is written by Thomas Eriksson, the Deputy Resident Representative of United Nations Development Programme in Mongolia.             
Globally, the number of extreme poor has dropped by 650 million in the last three decades, a level of progress humankind had never seen before. Similarly, in Mongolia, poverty has been significantly reduced. But still there are more than a billion people living in extreme poverty around the world and poverty in Mongolia remains too high at 27.4 percent.
On 17 October each year, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, people of the world are invited to demonstrate solidarity with people living in poverty.
People living in poverty face a multifaceted reality. It is not simply a lack of adequate income; it is a cruel mix of human deprivation in food, decent housing, health, knowledge, dignity and rights as well as obstacles to participation and lack of voice. It is a lack of freedoms, opportunities and choices.
Economic growth alone will not produce jobs and cut poverty unless it is inclusive and equitable, and unless the needs of the poor and marginalized are at the centre of development priorities. When men and women have equal opportunities and freedoms, economic growth accelerates and poverty declines more rapidly. It therefore makes good business sense to invest in eradicating poverty.
Eradicating poverty is neither quick nor easy. Many think that the solution is to give cash hand-outs. To eradicate poverty is to provide people with choices and opportunities and to allow for equal participation. It is a people based change agenda addressing the social, cultural and economic conditions that created poverty in the first place. The agenda starts from the perspective of the poor and building their resilience and reduce their vulnerabilities; promote employment and decent work for all; provide equal access to education, health care and social services; invest in gender equality; and implement social protection programmes targeting the most vulnerable. This agenda also require a focus on the long term agenda of climate change to mitigate its impact and help people, especially the poor, to adapt.
Mongolia has recorded among the highest economic growth rates in the world in recent years. Mongolia’s economy has grown at an average annual rate of 8 percent since 2000 and in double-digits for three consecutive years in 2011-13. Mongolia is now classified as a middle-income country and a country with medium human development. Despite this extraordinary progress, poverty continues to be high and the share of the bottom quintile in national consumption has not changed since 2000. Disaggregation of data also reveals wide disparities across income quintiles and regions on most Millennium Development Goal indicators. There is evidence that there is a rapid concentration of wealth in a very small segment of society. Inequalities are also observed between rural, urban and peri urban settings.
To give a practical example: Water, sanitation and heating are vital components of sustainable development and the alleviation of poverty. The poor and vulnerable in Mongolia, such as recent migrants to Ulaanbaatar living in ger districts, pay more for such basic services than the better off who live in apartments with centralized heating, water and sanitation which is subsidized. Studies show that ger district dwellers pay 16 times more per heating unit per square meter as compared to apartment dwellers. Many countries around the world have introduced free electricity, water, heating, sanitation for the population that consumes below a threshold level subsidized by those who consume much more. Such policy reverses the subsidy and has the power to lift people out of poverty.
The theme of this year’s poverty day, “leave no one behind: think, decide and act together against extreme poverty”, points to two key issues. Firstly, to eliminate discrimination and exclusion based on poverty, gender or economic and social status and to focus attention on the most vulnerable. This is a human rights agenda. Secondly, it points to the need to include people living in poverty as equals in shaping their development agenda. Only by creating a partnership with people living with poverty will it be possible to create a world where all people can enjoy decent lives and have a place in their communities. In Mongolia, strengthened local governance is an important part of poverty eradication. The role of the Khurals at the most local level in listening to the poor, in engaging the poor and in truly representing the poor is crucial. This would be a genuine partnership with people living in poverty. It also requires engagement with the generations to come, the youth, what kind of country do they want to live in?
On this poverty day, UNDP urges Mongolia to take on the challenge of eradicating poverty. A national poverty eradication strategy focusing on the most vulnerable people in Mongolia integrated into the national development agenda is needed. This is a positive agenda for change. It has as its overarching objective the creation of opportunities that eradicate poverty, exclusion and inequalities for all Mongolians. Such focus should go hand in hand with an economic growth agenda. This strategy should take its starting point in a thorough understanding of the face of poverty in Mongolia and make poverty eradication everyone’s business, not only something that the poor or the social workers should deal with. As there is no quick fix, it requires all sectors of society and government to work together. First and foremost what is needed is a true commitment to eradicate poverty from Mongolia.

Last Week’s Bestsellers
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) Internom book-store announces its ten best-sold books of October 13-18.
Excluded all textbooks for general education schools, “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest” by Stieg Larsson topped this list again this week.   
This was followed by “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Sheryl Sandberg, pocket and regular size Oxford’s Mongolian-English and English-Mongolian dictionaries, “1Q84, I (1Q84)” by M.Haruki, Motivational Stories V, “Sorkhugtani” by B.Sarantuya, “Green-Eyed Monk” by Ts.Oyungerel and J.Falt, and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”  by Stieg Larsson.
A.Ganbaatar appointed acting president of the Mongolian Football Federation
October 21 (news.mn) The Mongolian Football Federation has appointed A.Ganbaatar as acting president of the federation, following the scandal involving FIFA's Ethics Committee.
FIFA's Ethics Committee issued a five-year ban on the former president of the Mongolian Football Association, B.Ganbold, resulting from charges of bribery.
The Executive Committee of the Mongolian Football Federation announced that their irregular assembly is scheduled to be held on October 22nd. The irregular assembly of the Mongolian Football Federation will be led by a provisional board with 11 members.

Mongolia becomes the 61st country to join Google Street View
October 21 (news.mn) In the scope of the “Smart Ulaanbaatar” program approved in 2014, Ulaanbaatar has launched Google Maps, Google Street View, Google Culture Institute, and Google Art projects in collaboration with the world's leading search engine and internet-related services and product developer, Google, to promote the city, strengthen its economic competitiveness, and develop tourism.
Based on work conducted by Google over a two-year period, Google Street View will officially be launched in Mongolia during a ceremony at Chinggis Khaan Square on October 22,  from 2 to 4 p.m.
Google Street View allows users take a virtual "walk" online through cities around the world, such as New York, Paris, Hong Kong, and soon, Ulaanbaatar, and view scenes of documented streets, avenues, squares, museums, restaurants, and buildings on Google Maps.
Nearly 8 million kilometers of panoramic scenes in 4,000 cities in 60 countries across the world have been captured by Google Street View. Mongolia is the first country in the Central Asian region to be part of the Google Street View project.

Petition for Prime Minister's resignation to be discussed on Wednesday
October 21 (news.mn) The Standing Committee on State Structure has scheduled a review of a petition calling for the resignation of Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag for Wednesday's committee meeting.
The petition calling for the resignation of the Prime Minister was initiated by the MPP caucus in parliament, and MP J.Batzandan and Deputy Speaker L.Tsog voted in favor of it.
Signatures from 28 MPs were collected for the petition.
Under the Constitution, parliament and relevant standing committees should discuss such proposals within two weeks of their submission. 
Parliament should issue a final decision on proposals within one week of their review. In the case that a standing committee or parliament takes a break on the issue, revision may be delayed.
The Democratic Party caucus in parliament announced during a press conference that the caucus would not approve the resignation of Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag.

Mongolia-Russia Food Fair 2014 in Ulaanbaatar Aims to Broaden Cooperation in Meat Industry
October 21 (infomongolia.com) The Mongolia-Russia Food Fair, which will bring together the leading companies of the Russian regions and Mongolian manufacturers, will be held in Ulaanbaatar from October 31 to November 02, 2014.
The Fair is aimed to establish business contacts with Mongolian companies, familiarity with the products and services organized by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ulaanbaatar, affiliated Ministries of Mongolia, Mayor’s Office and Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Mongolia-Russia Food Fair will become a traditional event in the establishment of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Mongolia. This year, the Food Fair in Ulaanbaatar acquires special significance. Due to the embargo on meat and meat products from countries that are subject to retaliatory sanctions of Russia, Mongolia can be a leading exporter of meat to Russia.
To recall, the issue on abolition of restrictions on the supply of animal products from Mongolia on Russian market was discussed during the working visit of the President Vladimir Putin to Mongolia held in September 2014. The head of state promised to pay particular attention on this matter.

Ministry of human development and social welfare holds consultative meeting
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) The Ministry of Human Development and Social Welfare held a consultative meeting on October 20 with representatives of its partner organizations. They are from the UN specialized agencies and related international organizations that cooperate with the Ministry in implementations of policies and regulations in the sector.
Two main issues have been discussed at the meeting. At first, the Ministry has presented its proposal to establish Partners’ Counseling Commission in order to enhance the efficiency of cooperation with the UN, its specialized agencies, and with international and domestic partner organizations.
The main guidelines of the Commission includes followings: ensuring coordination between participants and roles of sectors related to human development and social welfare and of international organizations in intensifying implementation of state policies and programs; exchange of information on policies and activities, establishing data network and making its operations constant; strengthening capacities of human resources in the sector, accumulating capital and finance reserves, making assessment and monitoring for improving efficiency in estimating those reserves and appropriate consumption, and issuing initiatives.
The second issue was the focus on child and family members’ protection in vulnerable groups of society, in frames of the Year of promoting family development.

Premier introduces bill on 2015 budget
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) The Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag introduced a draft law on the 2015 budget at a plenary meeting of the parliamentary session on Tuesday.
Comparing to the previous version of the bill on the 2015 budget, the draft law on the budget that is introduced this time reflects the reducing of total deficits. It has been formulated under a prediction that the economic growth of the 2015 budget will be 7.1%, and the unemployment rate will be seven per cent.
Moreover, the bill reflects an extra source of finance of MNT 500 billion for augmenting the sizes of salaries and pension. For instance, balanced revenue of the master budget will be MNT 7.1 trillion, whereas the expense will be MNT 7.6 trillion, to the balance is bound to have a deficit of MNT 478.4 billion. 80 per cent of the budgetary expenses is made from current expenses, which shows an increase of MNT 833 billion or 15.7% against the budget clarification of 2014. But the tax environment will be stable in 2015, the Premier underlined.
The tax pressure over the national economy is expected to decline in next three years, reaching 23.7%. The Premier also pointed out that parliament should back an issue of a long-term credit source of USD 1 billion to be given from China. The President of China Xi Jinping has promised to grant the loan to Mongolia during his visit here.
The Premier emphasized that a condition will be created to finance vital projects and measures with capitals of bonds to be issued next year from the capital city.

Stock exchange news for October 21
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, October 21 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Tuesday, a total of 65 thousand and 954 shares of 15 JSCs were traded costing MNT 47 million 587 thousand and 359.00.
"Hai Bi Oil” /57 thousand and 800 units/, “Mongolia Telecom” /4,818 units/, “Sharyn gol” /1,660 units/, “E-trans logistics” /789 units/ and "Gobi” /186 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value were "Hai Bi Oil” (MNT 22 million 599 thousand and 800), "Sharyn gol” (MNT 11 million 268 thousand and 700), “Mongolia Telecom” (MNT six million 119 thousand and 060), "Talkh chikher” (MNT one million and 800 thousand) and "Gobi” (MNT one million and 488 thousand).
The total market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 569 billion 263 million 751 thousand and 461. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 15,651.03, increasing 28.79 units or 0.18% against the previous day.

President honors Mongolian Incheon Asian Games athletes
October 21 (news.mn) The Mongolian National Olympic Committee held an event to congratulate Mongolian athletes who successfully competed in the Incheon 2014 Asian Games, on October 21st.
President Ts.Elbegdorj congratulated the athletes and presented the gold medal winners with the President's Prize.
President Ts.Elbegdorj appealed, “Mongolians have traditionally supported sports. We need to keep up this tradition. Taking care of sports is not a matter for officials, it must be everyone's desire, and playing sports is not an athlete's matter. It is everyone's matter in Mongolia. So, let everyone be an athlete."
President of the Mongolian National Olympic Committee D.Zagdsuren said, “The Government of Mongolia has compensated athletes who have achieved success on the Olympic and World podium with free grants since 1998. This has been a big prize for athletes' successes.  It is good that more and more youth are interested in sports in Mongolia, and the government's policy plays a large role in this. I want to congratulate our athletes and express thanks to Mr. President Ts.Elbegdorj.”

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