AGP Executive Report

Mongolia–China Ties: President Ukhurelsukh met Xi Jinping in Bishkek, with both sides highlighting progress on trade, cross-border rail, renewables, environmental protection, agriculture, and light industry, and discussing completion of the Gashuunsukhait–Gantsmod border rail by 2027. SCO Spotlight: Xi also delivered remarks at the SCO Plus meeting on building an “equal and orderly multipolar world,” while PM Modi pushed a 10-point regional plan focused on security, connectivity, and opportunity. UNCCD After COP17: Mongolia’s COP17 wrapped with $1.3bn mobilized for rangelands and land restoration, but the global drought agreement was postponed to COP18. Border Security Drill: China, Russia, and Mongolia will hold “Border Defense Cooperation 2026” in early September to counter reconnaissance and sabotage. Nomad Games Sports: At the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia’s wrestlers and other steppe disciplines delivered medals on day one, with kok-boru and kok-par draws set for upcoming matches.

SCO Diplomacy in Bishkek: Mongolia’s President Khurelsukh told the SCO+ meeting the country is ready to cooperate on a Mongolia–Russia–China transport corridor, including new highways and rail links, as leaders gather for the bloc’s 25th anniversary. China–Mongolia Ties: In Bishkek, Khurelsukh met Xi Jinping, with both sides highlighting expanding cooperation and agreeing to lift bilateral trade to $30 billion over five years. UNCCD Desertification Follow-Through: Mongolia’s COP17 win is being formally recognized, with a UNCCD resolution thanking Mongolia for hosting and supporting global action against desertification and drought. Education Push: Mongolia launched a nationwide reading campaign on Sept. 1, with reading spaces already set up in 88 schools and a class-based program to build daily reading habits. Teacher Support Reform: The education ministry outlined a broader package for teachers, including professional development, workload reforms, and new support tools beyond salary changes. Budget Update: Mongolia submitted draft laws for the 2027 budget and projections, including plans tied to Oyu Tolgoi dividends and energy projects.

China-Mongolia Talks: Xi Jinping told Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh in Bishkek that China is ready to “hand in hand” advance modernization together, deepen strategic trust, and expand cooperation from trade and connectivity to energy and minerals. UN Land & Drought: UNCCD COP17 negotiators in Ulaanbaatar pushed rangelands and pastoralist support forward, including a $1.2bn rangelands initiative, but failed to lock in a drought-preparedness framework—kicking key decisions to COP18 in 2028. SCO Summit Diplomacy: At the 25th SCO summit in Bishkek, Xi and Putin reaffirmed their strategic alliance amid global uncertainty, while leaders including Modi and Pezeshkian met on Ukraine and wider regional tensions. Sports (Mongolia in Focus): Mongolia advanced in FIBA Asia Cup 2029 pre-qualifiers, while Fiji’s men’s team also secured a spot after beating Vietnam—setting up the next round groups that include Mongolia.

SCO Summit in Bishkek: Mongolia’s President U. Khurelsukh arrived as an observer for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s 25th anniversary meeting, where he will speak and hold talks with member and dialogue partners. Bilateral diplomacy: China’s Xi Jinping met Mongolia’s President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh in Bishkek, underscoring close ties ahead of the summit. Fuel supply update: Mongolia confirmed fuel orders are on track for September demand, with 68,502 tonnes of AI-92 gasoline delivered out of August orders and all diesel imported; shortages remain in some soums as distribution is prioritized for Ulaanbaatar. Education start: Mongolia’s 2026–2027 academic year begins tomorrow, with about 1.3 million students expected nationwide and roughly 75,000 entering first grade. Youth sports: Mongolian junior chess players won 30 medals at the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship in China, including 5 golds. UNCCD COP17 follow-through: COP17 in Ulaanbaatar wrapped with new momentum on land restoration and finance, including pledges aimed at tackling desertification and drought.

SCO Summit in Bishkek: Mongolia’s President Khurelsukh is in Kyrgyzstan for the SCO “Plus” meeting and the 25th-anniversary summit, with Mongolia listed as an observer as leaders including Putin, Xi, Modi and Erdogan gather for talks and bilateral meetings. UNCCD Land & Drought Push: UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar ended with a $1.3bn land-restoration and drought-resilience financing portfolio, while delegates unanimously selected Egypt to host COP18 in 2028. Mongolia’s Harvest Outlook: PM Uchral visited Selenge to review harvest preparations; officials forecast higher wheat yields and more grain overall, supported by concessional loans, while farmers urged a balanced wheat pricing mechanism. Sports—Mongolia on Court: In FIBA Asia Cup 2029 pre-qualifiers, Mongolia beat Fiji 102-40 in Group D, while Thailand also won to set up a key match for pool top spot. Anti-Corruption Cooperation: Mongolia’s IAAC joined GlobE Network talks in Vienna and signed a model agreement to speed direct information-sharing on cross-border corruption cases.

SCO Summit Watch: President Khurelsukh departs for Bishkek to attend the SCO extended heads-of-state meeting (Aug 31–Sep 1), with leaders including Putin, Xi, Modi and Iran’s Pezeshkian—Mongolia is set to engage on regional cooperation and bilateral ties. Anti-Corruption Cooperation: Mongolia’s IAAC signed a model agreement with the GlobE Network in Vienna to speed up direct cross-border information sharing on corruption cases. Land & Drought Finance: UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar ended with a $1.3bn portfolio for land restoration and drought resilience, including $644.5m newly identified, while talks on a stronger global drought framework were left for COP18. Harvest Update: PM Uchral visited Selenge to review the 2026 harvest; forecasts point to higher wheat yields and more production, alongside calls for fair wheat pricing and labor support. Sports—Mongolia in the Spotlight: Ulaanbaatar Amazons secured a spot in the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Shanghai Final; meanwhile, Japanese judo champion Kosuke Mashiyama is set to compete for Mongolia’s national team. Culture & Society: Busan Biennale opened with “Dissident Chorus,” a sound-focused program turning the port city’s noise into protest.

SCO Summit in Bishkek: Leaders from 17 countries and UN chief António Guterres will gather in Kyrgyzstan for the Sept. 1 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and “SCO Plus,” with Presidents Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian and Mongolia’s Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh among the expected attendees. Mongolia’s COP17 land push: After COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, countries announced a $1.3bn finance portfolio for land restoration and drought resilience, including $644.5m in new funding, while talks still fell short on a stronger global drought framework. Drought diplomacy: Egypt urged a legally binding drought protocol, warning drought and desertification are worsening water and food security. Regional finance for rangelands: A COP17 investment hub aims to close a $278bn land restoration gap by backing rangeland projects, including grasslands and pastoralist areas. Mongolia in sports: Mongolia’s Kosuke Mashiyama confirmed a switch to compete for the Mongolian judo team from April 2027, and the Mongolian team won medals at the International Earth Sciences Olympiad in Italy.

SCO Summit in Bishkek: Leaders including China’s Xi, Russia’s Putin, India’s Modi, Iran’s Pezeshkian, Pakistan’s Sharif and Mongolia’s President Khurelsukh are set to gather in Kyrgyzstan on Sept. 1 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization “SCO plus” summit, with separate bilateral talks also on the agenda. UN Land Restoration Gap: A UN report says land restoration needs about $278 billion a year, but current funding is far lower, while Mongolia’s COP17 push highlighted a major rangelands initiative and new financing for drought resilience. Mongolia’s Economy: Mongolia’s balance of payments posted a USD 566.6M surplus in H1 2026, driven mainly by a stronger goods trade surplus from higher copper concentrate and coal exports. Mongolia at COP17: COP17 in Ulaanbaatar advanced rangeland and pastoral support, but delegates failed to agree on a global drought preparedness framework, kicking the decision to COP18. Mongolian Sports & Culture: A Japanese judoka, Kosuke Mashiyama, will compete for Mongolia from April 2027, and Mongolian students won medals at the International Earth Sciences Olympiad in Italy.

UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: The UN desertification talks closed without a global drought-preparedness deal, pushing the hardest decisions to COP18 in 2028, even as parties agreed on major rangeland-focused financing—about $1.2 billion for a Rangelands Priority Initiative and $1.3 billion overall for land restoration and resilience. Civil society pushback: Indigenous peoples, women, youth and pastoralists said a single party’s objections sidelined core agenda items like gender and civil society participation, urging Mongolia’s COP presidency to keep decision-making inclusive. Mongolia in the spotlight: Coverage highlighted Mongolia’s role as host and “ecological diplomacy” hub, with the conference framing rangelands as central to livelihoods for hundreds of millions of herders. Regional diplomacy: Russia’s Putin is set to attend the SCO summit in Bishkek and then speak at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, with Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osoryn Uchral among planned EEF participants.

UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: The high-level segment drew representatives from about 170 states as talks push from pledges to implementation on land degradation, desertification and drought. Private sector push: UNCCD and Mongolia’s Business Council signed an MoU to launch the Business4Land Mongolia Hub, aiming to mobilize investment and innovation for rangeland and drought resilience. Soil health alarm: A UN report warned that more than half the world’s soils are in poor condition and that proven soil stewardship measures aren’t being adopted fast enough. EU forest cooperation: Mongolia met EU officials to expand sustainable forest management, backed by the EU-Mongolia Forest Partnership and potential EIB financing, with a “Steppe Action Agenda” focus. Local governance & greenbelt: Ulaanbaatar will revoke land-use rights for 407 plots in greenbelt areas after inspections found blocked access and safety risks. Food security updates: Mongolia reported domestic wheat and potato production will meet demand in 2026, while harvest timing may shift due to wet weather. Sports & youth: Mongolia won medals at the Earth Science Olympiad in Italy and youth chess success continues abroad.

UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: Mongolia’s land-restoration push is framed as “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope,” with delegates stressing soil health, drought resilience, and livelihoods as restoration moves from promise to funding and projects. Rangelands & pastoralists: Qatar’s environment ministry highlighted its integrated rangeland protection and rehabilitation work, noting 2026’s International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Soil warning: A new UN FAO report says over half the world’s soils are in poor condition and that proven soil-improvement measures are still not being widely adopted. Mongolia diplomacy: Mongolia’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan presented credentials to President Sadyr Japarov, signaling continued efforts to deepen bilateral ties. Sports (Mongolia on court): FIBA Asia Cup 2029 pre-qualifiers begin with Group D featuring Mongolia, with games in Ulaanbaatar. Data-center policy ripple: Australia’s minister says national rules for data centres will require 100% renewables backed by firming, with only limited case-by-case flexibility.

UNCCD COP17 & Land Restoration: Mongolia is hosting UN desertification talks in Ulaanbaatar as finance and water cooperation stay front and center, with the ADB launching a regional push to attract at least $2 billion by 2035 for restoring degraded land and boosting drought resilience. Rio “Triple COP” Synergies: Mongolia also backed an integrated “Steppe Action” agenda linking climate, biodiversity and desertification goals, aiming to turn commitments into practical investment and policy. Mongolia’s Food Security: The government says 2026 harvest preparations are on track, with 580,400 hectares planted and an expected harvest that should fully meet domestic wheat and potato demand. Fuel Supply Update: Mongolia reports 50,780 tonnes of fuel imported in August so far, with queues easing as deliveries expand to more aimag and soum stations. Child Protection & UNICEF: UNICEF praised Mongolia’s legal reforms strengthening child protection systems and urged further improvements. Milk Incentives: New rules keep cold-season raw milk incentives in place to raise domestic dairy supply and cut import dependence. Green AI Push: PM Uchral unveiled a renewable, energy-efficient “Green AI Data Center” concept tied to Mongolia’s broader Steppe Action agenda.

UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: UNCCD says three “Restoration Flagships” will restore nearly 5 million hectares by 2030, with land repair tied to resilience, livelihoods and food and water security. Mongolia diplomacy & drought planning: Prime Minister N. Uchral met Loro Piana CEO Frédéric Arnault, highlighting Mongolia’s push to move up the cashmere value chain and citing cooperation on recycled water and herder soil conservation; meanwhile, Mongolia’s “Blue Horse” initiative is advancing surface-water storage and water-source protection as drought risk rises. Regional cooperation on land: India’s Bhupender Yadav met Maldives’ climate minister to discuss coastal ecosystems and land restoration, stressing tech-enabled, community-backed drought resilience; Tanzania urged sustainable grazing and soil management, including early-warning systems and participatory planning. Green business ties: BYD Battery signed a strategic cooperation plan with Ulaanbaatar for green transport, charging, battery storage and smart transit. Finance watch: Mongolia’s central bank raised rates to 12.5% ahead of budget talks as inflation accelerates.

UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said Africa’s Great Green Wall has restored at least 20 million hectares, linking land restoration to food, jobs and peace. Drought policy push: Egypt called for a legally binding global drought protocol and urged prevention, early warning and better financing. Rangelands at the center: India argued for community-led, science-based restoration that treats pastoralists as custodians, while FAO stressed that “what grows matters” for long-term productivity. Mongolia-Japan cooperation: Mongolia and Japan agreed to expand work on desertification and drought, including training and updating UN indices. Water and nature value: A COP17 side forum promoted Gross Ecosystem Product to put a price on natural capital like groundwater and clean air. Digital payments leadership: Visa named Kunal Chatterjee president for Korea and Mongolia, aiming to accelerate digital payments growth. Green infrastructure in Ulaanbaatar: A Chinese-Mongolian wastewater plant is helping turn the Tuul River’s sewage problem around. Sports: Ulaanbaatar Amazons booked a spot in the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Shanghai Final 2026.

UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: Kuwait’s delegation is attending the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, saying its participation reflects national efforts to fight desertification and land degradation and to share scientific know-how. Pastoralist demands: Hundreds of pastoralists in Mongolia are pushing for stronger protections for Indigenous herding traditions, better access to funding, and official recognition of Indigenous adaptation knowledge as arable land degrades faster than historic norms. Drought policy shift: India’s Bhupender Yadav urged a move from reactive drought relief to proactive, technology-enabled resilience, highlighting early warning, satellite assessments, and watershed restoration. Land restoration targets: Brazil presented voluntary land-degradation neutrality targets to restore 163,000 km² by 2030. Mongolia’s green push: BYD Battery signed an MoU with Ulaanbaatar to cooperate on green urban development, including EV adoption, charging networks, battery storage, and smart transit. Local economy & culture: Mongolia also continues to court global attention through COP17-linked initiatives and partnerships, while international cultural exchanges and travel stories keep Mongolia in the spotlight.

UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia: Mongolia is hosting the UN desertification talks as finance and water cooperation move to the front, with Mongolia’s forestry and conservation push getting a major boost: the EIB and Mongolia signed a Letter of Intent for up to EUR 200 million to protect forests, restore degraded land, and support jobs and livelihoods. Water & land diplomacy: Egypt’s irrigation minister met Mongolia’s agriculture and food counterpart to expand water-resources cooperation, while India used COP17 to argue for a shift from reactive drought relief to proactive, technology-enabled resilience. Global funding for drought resilience: The Global Environment Facility announced a $140 million drought resilience program aimed at helping dryland regions manage risk before crises hit. Mongolia in the spotlight: Mongolian state-honored athlete Ts.Radnaa won the 100m in the 90+ category at the World Masters Athletics Championships. Local economy & markets: A MONTSAME market review reported mixed performance on the Mongolian Stock Exchange, with the TOP-20 index up for the week.