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Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene

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In this Mongolian name, the given name is Oyun-Erdene. Luvsannamsrain is a patronymic, not a family name.

Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrain
Лувсаннамсрайн Оюун-Эрдэнэ
Oyun-Erdene in 2023
32nd Prime Minister of Mongolia
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 January 2021
PresidentKhaltmaagiin Battulga
Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh
Preceded byUkhnaagiin Khürelsükh
Member of State Great Khural
In office
5 July 2016 – 30 June 2020
Constituency41th, Khentii Province
In office
30 June 2020 – 2 July 2024
Constituency18th, Khentii Province
Incumbent
Assumed office
2 July 2024
Constituency6th,
Dornod, Khentii, Sükhbaatar Provinces
Chief Cabinet Secretary of Mongolia
In office
2 February 2019 – 27 January 2021
Prime MinisterUkhnaagiin Khürelsükh
Preceded byGombojavyn Zandanshatar
Succeeded byTsendiin Nyamdorj
Chairman of the Mongolian People's Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
25 June 2021
Preceded byUkhnaagiin Khürelsükh
President of Social Democracy Mongolian Youth Union
In office
September 2010 – 21 June 2015
Preceded byGombojavyn Zandanshatar
Succeeded byGanzorigiin Temüülen
Personal details
Born (1980-06-29) 29 June 1980 (age 44)
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolian People's Republic
Political partyMongolian People's Party
SpouseBoldyn Tuul
Children3
Websitewww.oyunerdene.mn

Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrain[1] (Mongolian: Лувсаннамсрайн Оюун-Эрдэнэ, romanized: Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene; born 29 June 1980) is a Mongolian politician who has served as the prime minister of Mongolia since 27 January 2021. He has been elected to the State Great Khural (Parliament) three times[2] since 2016.[3]

The State Great Khural re-appointed Oyun-Erdene as the prime minister of Mongolia on July 5, 2024,[4] following Mongolian People's Party's third-term election victory[5] in the 2024 parliamentary election.

Prior to becoming the prime minister, Oyun-Erdene was a Minister and Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat[6] of the government of Mongolia from 2 February 2019 to 27 January 2021.

Education and early career

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Oyun-Erdene graduated from Harvard University in 2015 with a master's degree in Public Policy.[7]

In 2016, he was elected as a Member of Parliament in Mongolia for Khentii. He led multiple demonstrations, most notably one held in 2018 involving more than 30,000 citizens against government corruption.[8]

Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat of Mongolia

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As Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat of Mongolia in 2019, Oyun-Erdene assisted in amending the Constitution of Mongolia. The 2019 amendments strengthened the powers of the Prime Minister.

During his time in this role, Oyun-Erdene drafted plans for a 5-year program to expand Mongolia's digital infrastructure. The first action of this program was rolling-out E-Mongolia, an online platform which provides 182 different services to citizens.[9]

Prime Minister of Mongolia

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Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on 28 September 2022

Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene was appointed Prime Minister of Mongolia on January 27, 2021. He reshuffled his cabinet and appointed new ministers on August 30, 2022. Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene's priorities as prime minister include increasing Mongolia's energy independence, expanding Mongolia's links with the rest of the world, supporting the long-term expansion of the Mongolian economy, reforming government and tackling corruption.[10] He was re-appointed as the Prime Minister on July 5, 2024, following his party's third-term win in the 2024 elections.[4]

Vision 2050

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The Vision 2050 plan was developed during Oyun-Erdene's time in office.[11] One of the top priorities was economic diversification—a response to Mongolia's over-reliance on its mining sector, which accounts for a significant portion of the nation's GDP.[12] Vision 2050 promotes sectors such as technology, tourism, and manufacturing, positioning Mongolia to better withstand economic fluctuations and create sustainable, long-term growth.[13] In his address at the 2023 Mongolia Economic Forum, Oyun-Erdene noted "Mongolia is landlocked, but not mind locked."[14]

Digital transformation, including efforts to digitalize government services and promote e-governance, has been a focus of Oyun-Erdene's tenure,[15] with the eventual aim of preparing Mongolia to thrive in a global economy that increasingly relies on technology and innovation.[16] The government also has plans to adopt English as a second language, including giving access to native speaking English teachers to every pupil.[17]

Sustainability is also a focus of Vision 2050, as Mongolia is a producer of copper and other minerals needed to build green technologies.[18] It is also embracing renewable energy to reduce emissions and support new green industries to emerge.[19] Mongolia will play a role in the global debate on desertification, hosting COP17 on the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.[20] It’s ‘Billion Tree’ planting initiative looks to promote reforestation in Mongolia.[21]

New Recovery Policy

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In December 2021, Oyun-Erdene introduced the New Recovery Policy (or New Revival Policy) as part of Mongolia's Vision 2050 program, focused on diversifying Mongolia's economy, supporting the country's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and driving long-term development. The policy contains six pillars with each aimed at tackling existing economic constraints and unlocking growth in the following areas: border ports, energy, industrialization, urban and rural development, green development and state efficiency.[22]

Partially as a result of the New Recovery Policy beginning to be implemented, the country's economy grew by 4% in 2022,[23] having been forecasted to grow by just 2.6%.[24] The Mongolian budget deficit was reduced by 60%, with exports increasing.[25] In December 2022, the Government announced that Mongolia had paid off the 1.5 billion USD 'Chinggis bond', a key milestone in the country's long-term debt management strategy.[26] In 2023, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development forecasted that Mongolia's economy would see 7.2% growth in 2023 and 7.5% in 2024.[27]

Under the New Recovery Policy, Mongolia has already built the Zuunbayan-Khangi rail link, which opened in November 2022, and started construction on the New Settlement Zone of Khushigt Valley. Other New Recovery Policy Projects completed in 2022 include the Borkh solar thermal power plant charge storage system in Uliastgai and the solar thermal power plant hybrid system in Altai soum.[28][29]

Tourism

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On 29 November 2022, the Government of Mongolia unveiled a major package of measures to promote the country as a growing tourist destination.[30] This included the Government launch of its 'Welcome to Mongolia' campaign, as well as designating 2023-2025 as the 'Years to Visit Mongolia'. To encourage overseas travelers to visit Mongolia, the campaign's reforms were focused on opening up more travel routes, modernizing Mongolia's visa system and reducing the cost of flights to the country.[31] In June 2022, Mongolia started allowing South Koreans to enter and stay without a visa for up to 90 days.[32] In January 2023, nationals of 34 countries became exempt from visa requirements for those traveling to Mongolia for tourism purposes.[33] In August 2023, during Oyun-Erdene's visit to the United States, it was announced that direct flights between the US and Mongolia would start in 2024.[34]

Digitalization policy

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In December 2022, Oyun-Erdene's government launched its new online procurement portal, Mindgolia, to boost the country's tech sector and to transition the country's economy "from mining to mind."[35] The website allows companies to search for products by software category, view reviews, and choose products and services by looking at other people's ratings of them.[36] In April 2023, Oyun-Erdene launched the E-Business online platform to help businesses start and grow more easily, cutting down on bureaucracy and waiting times by streamlining exchanges between government and business.[37] At the Mongolia Economic Forum in July 2023, the Government announced an agreement with SpaceX and Starlink to launch a new era of high-speed internet connectivity.[38] Mongolia now has two licences for SpaceX to operate as an internet provider in Mongolia using low-orbit satellites. In August 2023, during Oyun-Erdene's official visit to the United States, it was announced that Google would be partnering with Mongolia to enhance the digital skills of Mongolian teachers and young people, including the provision of 20,000 Chromebooks to schools.[39]

Mining

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Under Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene's initiative the new Natural Wealth Fund was established in 2024. It intends to channel natural resource revenues into investments that could help Mongolia diversify away its mining sector dependence.[40]

Anti-Corruption

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During the December 2022 Mongolian protests, thousands protested in Mongolia's capital against alleged corruption in Mongolia's coal industry and inflation.[41] As part of the New Recovery Policy's pillar to tackle corruption and in light of these protests, the Prime Minister put forward an initiative to change the governance of Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC (ETT), making the company public. This was aimed at improving transparency within the mining sector.[42] The Prime Minister also set up a six-month investigation into ETT.[43] In January 2023, Mongolia took further steps to crack down on corruption by passing the Commodities Exchange Law, which requires state-owned enterprises to trade export commodities on a new mining commodity exchange.[44]

In January 2023, Mongolia's anti-corruption authority announced that over 30 officials, including the chief executive of Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi, were under investigation for embezzlement.[41] In May, the Mongolian Parliament passed constitutional amendments to enlarge the legislative body, from 76 members to 126, and adopt a more proportional electoral system for the 2024 elections. Oyun-Erdene stated that the proportional system would prevent the government being used for private gain.[45] In July 2023, Mongolia became the first APAC country to implement all 40 recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force, and the fifth globally.[46]

Since 2021, the Government's Anti-Corruption Programme has led to 2.4 trillion MNT being seized back from corrupt individuals, and $12.2 million being repatriated back to Mongolia. According to some estimates, losses from corruption in Mongolia declined by 83.1% between 2022 and 2023, from 5 trillion MNT to 85 billion MNT.[47]

The constitutional reforms passed in May 2023 increased the size of the State Great Khural (Mongolia’s parliament) from 76 to 126 members and introduced a mixed electoral system. Under this system, 78 members are elected through majoritarian voting, while 48 are chosen via proportional representation. This mixed electoral model, inspired by New Zealand's system, enhances political pluralism by enabling smaller parties and diverse social groups to gain representation, which has historically been dominated by the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) and the Democratic Party (DP).[48][49] A gender quota mandates that 30% of party candidates must be women, rising to 40% by 2028.[50][51]

Foreign affairs

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Oyun-Erdene has worked to strengthen Mongolia's relationships with key global partners in line with the country's "Third Neighbor" policy, which seeks to strengthen the country's ties with nations outside its immediate neighborhood.[52]

In October 2022, Oyun-Erdene visited Germany and met with Chancellor Scholz, during which both sides re-iterated their desire for closer co-operation. This was followed by the two countries entering into a strategic partnership in February 2024.[53]

The Prime Minister's visit to South Korea in February 2023 resulted in a new committee being formed on the rare material supply chain.[54] Memorandums of Understanding were signed with South Korea's KT Group to explore potential opportunities in digital transformation businesses, mineral resources and digital finance-related ventures.[55] Additionally, Oyun-Erdene agreed to support South Korea's bid to host the World Expo in the southern city of Busan in 2030 during the trip, saying that "the more South Korea prospers the more beneficial it will be to all Asian countries."[56] This was followed by Oyun-Erdene making a working trip to South Korea in March-April 2024, during which he launched the country's new "Go Mongolia" national brand and met South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duk-soo.[57]

Oyun-Erdene made an official visit to the United States of America in August 2023. During his visit to Washington D.C., the Prime Minister agreed with representatives of the Biden administration to deepen cooperation on mining rare earth metals and other minerals which could be of use to high-tech appliances.[58] Upon meeting Vice President Kamala Harris, Oyun-Erdene said he made clear "the importance of U.S. investment and involvement with mega projects in Mongolia" and highlighted that Mongolia's links with the USA were not just of economic nature, saying that the country is "the North Star for Mongolia's market economy and democratic values."[59]

In January 2024, Mongolia stated that it seeks to institute a summit where Mongolia, China, and Russia can further develop economic opportunities, including the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, one of the six major land corridors of the Belt and Road Initiative.[60] That same month, Oyun-Erdene described relations between Mongolia and China as at their highest level and described the two countries as working towards a comprehensive strategic partnership.[60]

In February 2024, Mongolia and the United Arab Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to agree cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) development and governance.[61] Under the terms of the agreement, both countries will work on "joint research projects, exchange of policies related to AI, and co-operation on capacity building as well as other means to support the development of AI."

Then British Foreign Secretary David Cameron visited Mongolia in April 2024 as part of a diplomatic tour of Central and East Asia.[62] As part of the trip, Cameron visited the Prime Minister's Ikh Tenger residence and toured secondary school No. 23 in Ulaanbaatar, where he announced that the UK will provide £10 million over three years to support the implementation of the English language program in Mongolia.[63]

In August 2024, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while on an official state visit to Mongolia, met with Oyun-Erdene, during which the two shared their satisfaction with the development of commitments and bilateral relations to further Mongolia's 'Third Neighbor Policy'.[64]

References

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  39. ^ Butts, Dylan (6 August 2023). "Mongolia signs digital skills partnership with Google as landlocked nation seeks closer ties with US". South China Morning Post.
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  52. ^ Gracefoo, Antonio (28 August 2024). "Mongolia's "Third Neighbor": Balancing between China, Russia, and the U.S." Geopolitical Monitor. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
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  54. ^ Son, Ji-hyoung (15 February 2023). "Korea, Mongolia pledge rare earths cooperation". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
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  56. ^ Kim, Seung-yeon (14 February 2023). "Mongolia endorses S. Korea's World Expo bid". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
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  61. ^ Robertson, Derek (15 February 2024). "The metaverse puts its best foot forward". Politico. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  62. ^ Lloyd, Nina (27 April 2024). "Lord Cameron joins language lesson and pets horses during Mongolia visit". The Standard. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  63. ^ "UK plans to allocate £10 million support for English language program in Mongolia". AKIpress. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  64. ^ Unubold, B. (1 August 2024). "U.S. Secretary of State Pays a Courtesy Call on Prime Minister of Mongolia Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai". Montsame. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
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Political offices
Preceded by Prime Minister of Mongolia
2021–present 		Incumbent
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