Cabinet discusses protected areas, intergovernmental projects, appointments, and spending cuts

During the March 15 meeting of Cabinet, the ministers discussed issues concerning conservation, foreign affairs, government appointments, and state spending cuts.

The ministers reviewed proposals for the expansion of the protected area boundaries of Tost Mountain and the Toson Bumba Mountain Range in Gurvantes soum of Umnugovi Province, as well as Noyon Mountain in Mandal soum of Selenge Province, and in Bornuur and Batsumber soums of Tuv Province. The Prime Minister ordered the revocation of exploration licenses impacted by the newly established boundaries through negotiations with the holders of the licenses.

The protected areas discussed face ecosystem imbalances and archeological resource damage due to mining operations and vehicle traffic along unpaved routes.

Cabinet’s members agreed to appoint Ambassador of Mongolia to Austria G.Battungalag as Resident Representative of Mongolia to the organizations of the United Nations in Vienna, Austria, following the conclusion of the diplomatic mission of former Resident Representative G.Batjargal.

They also appointed former Member of Parliament D.Zagdjav as Deputy Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry.

Cabinet voted in support of a program carried out by the governments of Mongolia and Mexico on cooperation in education, culture, arts, sports, and youth development from 2017 to 2020. Through the program, Mongolian sports and arts representatives will attend international festivals, exhibitions, and events held in Mexico, and Mongolian diplomats will be able to participate in foreign policy training organized by Mexico's Matias Romero Institute.

During the meeting, Prime Minister J.Erdenebat instructed all the heads of districts, provinces, and soums to prohibit the organizing of ceremonies for the presentation of new official seat seals to help cut spending during challenging economic times.