By B.NANDIN

During his visit to Kyrgyzstan, the Mongolian President addressed the SCO Plus meeting, held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and attended the opening of the Sixth World Nomad Games.

President of Mongolia U.Khurelsukh participated as an observer in the expanded meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on September 1.

In his address, President U.Khurelsukh reaffirmed Mongolia’s commitment to an open, independent and multi-pillar foreign policy and expressed the country’s interest in expanding multilateral cooperation across the region.

The summit, marking the SCO’s 25th anniversary, brought together leaders and senior representatives from around 20 countries, as well as UN Secretary-General António Guterres and heads of international organisations.

President U.Khurelsukh said the SCO had grown into an influential international organisation covering a significant part of Asia and Europe. He expressed confidence that it would continue developing “from an organisation of dialogue into an organisation of implementation” and achieve tangible results in peace, security, trade, investment and economic cooperation.

The summit addressed regional and international security, trade, transport infrastructure, energy, food security, climate change, digital development and artificial intelligence. Participating countries adopted the Bishkek Declaration and signed 28 documents covering security, energy, transport, logistics, information security and cooperation against organised crime and illegal drug trafficking.

Mongolia and China Target USD 30 Billion in Trade

Ahead of the summit, President U.Khurelsukh met Chinese President Xi Jinping to review the Mongolia–China comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the continued expansion of bilateral relations and the strengthening of political trust. They noted progress in trade, cross-border railway construction, renewable energy, environmental protection, agriculture and light industry.

The two sides agreed to work towards increasing bilateral trade to USD 30 billion over the next five years. They also agreed to deepen long-term cooperation in industry, infrastructure, green development, mining and renewable energy.

The leaders emphasised the economic importance of cross-border railway links. They discussed completing the Gashuunsukhait–Gantsmod railway crossing in 2027 and gradually commissioning the Shiveekhuren–Sekhee, Bichigt–Zuun Khatavch and Khangi–Mandal railway links.

President U.Khurelsukh thanked China for responding to Mongolia’s request for petroleum products amid instability in global fuel supplies. President Xi said China would continue supporting the stable supply of petroleum products to Mongolia.

The two leaders also discussed trilateral cooperation among Mongolia, China and Russia, including increasing the capacity of the Central Railway Corridor, the proposed natural gas pipeline through Mongolia and progress on the Erdeneburen hydropower plant.

Talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin

President U.Khurelsukh also met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit to discuss bilateral relations, major infrastructure projects and Mongolia’s fuel and energy security.

The presidents agreed on the importance of deepening the Mongolia–Russia comprehensive strategic partnership and expanding mutually beneficial economic cooperation. They noted that 2026 marks the 105th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

They welcomed the entry into force of the Interim Free Trade Agreement between Mongolia and the Eurasian Economic Union, describing it as an opportunity to increase bilateral trade and bring economic relations to a new level.

Energy, transport, industry, mining and agriculture were identified as priority sectors. The leaders discussed accelerating the work of the joint group of experts on the proposed Egiin Gol hydropower plant and advancing the expansion and modernisation of Ulaanbaatar’s Thermal Power Plant No. 3.

They also discussed plans to modernise the Ulaanbaatar Railway and increase its annual freight capacity from 30 million to 50 million tonnes over the next five years. The two countries will study the development of western and eastern railway corridors connecting Mongolia, Russia and China.

Possible cooperation with Russia’s Rosatom on small- and medium-sized nuclear power plants was also discussed. The two sides agreed to intensify cooperation on the proposed natural gas pipeline from Russia to China through Mongolia.

World Nomad Games Celebrate Shared Heritage

President U.Khurelsukh also attended the opening ceremony of the Sixth World Nomad Games as an honorary guest.

The Games are being held in Bishkek and Cholpon-Ata, on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, under the motto “United in Strength, United in Spirit.” More than 3,500 athletes and officials from 113 countries are participating in 43 traditional and ethnosport disciplines.

Mongolia is represented by 47 athletes competing in 27 sports, with a total delegation of 135 people. The Mongolian team is showcasing the country’s traditional sports, nomadic culture and heritage on the international stage.

The programme includes traditional wrestling, horse racing, archery, horseback archery, strength competitions, intellectual games, music and other events highlighting the cultures and traditional knowledge of nomadic peoples.

First organised by Kyrgyzstan in 2014, the World Nomad Games have developed into a major international celebration of traditional sports and the shared cultural heritage of nomadic civilisations.

Source: Zuuniimedee № 166 (7908) September 4, 2026

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