Dr. LUVSANJAMTS Ganzorig
According to the young politician, air pollution in Ulaanbaatar is not a consequence of poverty. He also discussed corruption, methods to eliminate it, and the concept of the new city of Kharkhorum.
Dr. LUVSANJAMTS Ganzorig, recently elected to parliament, actively raises issues of air pollution, corruption, and political stability, as well as the need to relocate the capital of Mongolia. In an interview with a journalist from The Diplomat, he spoke about the government's actions to address these issues in the context of expanded legislative power.
— Given that Ulaanbaatar has remained the most polluted city in terms of air quality for the past ten years, what do you, as someone actively working to resolve this issue, believe are the root causes? What measures have been taken this year by both the legislative and executive branches?
— Many researchers link air pollution to poverty; however, I am convinced that the main problem lies in the government's inadequate ability to clearly identify the causes and develop effective solutions.
During the spring session of parliament last year, public hearings were held, which revealed that since 2009, the government has invested ₮5.6 trillion in combating air pollution, but the results have been insignificant. This indicates that it is not only the lack of funding that is the main issue. Previously adopted measures focused on supporting consumption, such as subsidies for coal and stoves, at the expense of long-term solutions, which has prevented a comprehensive resolution of the pollution issue.
Since my election to parliament, I have identified combating air pollution as one of my main tasks. We conducted research with scientists and concluded that effective solutions require measures aimed at energy conservation and increasing energy efficiency, rather than increasing consumption. This became the basis for developing a clear action plan aimed at improving policies for home insulation and the use of renewable energy sources.
On June 19, 2025, parliament adopted Resolution No. 57 following the work of the working group I chaired. This resolution obliges the government and the Central Bank of Mongolia to optimize the "green" financing system and improve the legal framework for reducing air pollution.
In December 2025, at the suggestion of the Speaker of Parliament, an additional resolution was adopted for the faster implementation of this policy. The executive branch began promoting environmentally friendly technologies, such as insulation and electric heating, as well as expanding the use of distributed renewable energy sources.
At the municipal level, a project is planned in 2025 to insulate 5,000 households with citizen involvement. Additionally, the Chingeltei district administration is implementing projects with the private sector and international organizations to transition about 700 households and school buildings to environmentally friendly water supply systems. I believe that such initiatives are very targeted and effective. It is important to expand such projects nationwide, not just in Ulaanbaatar.
To achieve significant reductions in pollution levels, active participation is needed not only from the government but also from local authorities, the private sector, civil society, and the people themselves. We must create an ecosystem that allows a transition from traditional "brown" technologies to "green" solutions. In this context, we launched the "Dulaanbaatar" campaign (translated from Mongolian as "Warm Hero"). In 2025, we held a series of meetings where we received professional consultations from over 2,000 households in ger areas. We plan to expand the campaign in the future.
— Given your architectural background, what structural changes do you believe are necessary in Ulaanbaatar to reduce traffic congestion, overcrowding in ger areas, and create a healthier environment for urban residents?
— The main cause of traffic congestion is limited access to social infrastructure facilities, such as schools, kindergartens, medical institutions, and green spaces. Additionally, the underdeveloped public transport system forces people to use personal vehicles, worsening the situation.
The key solution is to increase access to social infrastructure, create a diverse public transport network, and establish conditions that are convenient for pedestrians and cyclists. In this context, I led a working group to develop the concept of a "20-minute city," which I presented to the relevant ministry.
From a professional standpoint, I also proposed several recommendations to the municipal public transport management to improve service quality. Some measures, such as the ability to pay by bank cards on buses and optimizing the route network, have already begun to be implemented. Furthermore, as reported by the capital administration, preparations are underway to change bus routes based on collected data and to develop large-scale public transport systems, such as metro and light rail.
This year, the first line of a cable car is also planned to be opened. I fully support these urban development projects.
Additionally, I am involved in preparing the "General Development Plan for Ulaanbaatar until 2040," which will be presented for discussion in parliament. We are working on implementing principles for creating a city that is people-oriented rather than car-oriented.
— In East Asia, several countries are making decisions to relocate their capitals to historical sites. Mongolia is considering relocating Ulaanbaatar to the historically significant city of Kharkhorum. What are the chances of realizing this project, and how will it improve the lives of Mongolians and the economy of the country?
— Mongolia is currently represented as a highly centralized state, with Ulaanbaatar as the only center. Future policy should focus on improving life in rural areas, expanding access to social infrastructure, and creating new jobs.
The government has developed a regional development strategy, within which preparations for relocating the capital are underway. This is a politically justified approach. First, this area should be developed as the central city of the Khangaikhan region.
For the successful implementation of the project, active participation from the private sector is essential, as it is the one that creates jobs in the new capital. The state must ensure the creation of attractive infrastructure for private investments. It is also necessary to identify centers in the other five regions and direct state investments to these cities.
I am confident that by 2030, if infrastructure projects are implemented, the population of Darkhan and Erdenet will reach 200,000, while Choibalsan, Khovd, Olgii, and Sainshand will each reach 100,000. This will significantly advance regional development policy.
I have also participated in the parliamentary working group on the bill for the new city of Kharkhorum. As a specialist, I regularly receive updates on the development of the master plan. I believe that the principles on which the new capital will be built, taking into account nomadic culture, environmental friendliness, and compactness, are correct and well thought out.
Today, when traveling through cities around the world, we see many glass skyscrapers and developments oriented towards cars. Urban planners note that very few cities reflect the history, culture, and way of life of their country.
I hope that the new Kharkhorum will avoid the mistakes of other countries and become a people-oriented city that reflects the history of Mongolia, nomadic culture, and heritage.
— The year 2025 has been challenging for the political situation in Mongolia. We have witnessed several large-scale protests, the ousting of the government of Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, and the return of Zandanshatar Gombojav to power. How do you assess the political stability in Mongolia at the moment, and what do you believe causes such instability? It seems that the new parliament is spending too much time fighting it. What mechanisms could improve the situation?
— Instability in the executive branch has existed since the establishment of democracy in Mongolia, but this year it has intensified. I believe the reason lies in the lack of clear ideological foundations and political orientations within the parties. It is necessary to strengthen intra-party democracy so that parties can participate in discussions, research, policy development, and open debates about leadership and governance.
Parties that come to power must remain true to their policies and strive for their implementation, including aligning budget allocations.
At the same time, citizen participation in political processes seems to be limited to elections and protests. Political parties should reflect the opinions of citizens in state policy. Therefore, citizens, especially the youth, must actively participate in local assemblies, identify relevant issues, and propose solutions, incorporating them into party programs and demanding their implementation. Only then can democracy be strengthened. This issue is relevant not only for Mongolia but also for many other democratic countries.
When the public clearly understands how the branches of power operate and demands accountability from them, many problems can be solved.
— Mongolia continues to attract foreign investment; however, many foreign experts believe that corruption is a serious obstacle to attracting quality long-term investments. What needs to be done to improve the situation with corruption in the country?
— Corruption exists in various forms in every country. The government of Mongolia, the parliament, the judiciary, and anti-corruption bodies have long been working to address this issue, but so far without tangible results.
To attract long-term and stable investments, consistency in policy is crucial. We must clearly define our short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies and improve the legal framework for their implementation. It is important for political parties to align their actions in the interests of the nation in key areas.
For the successful implementation of projects that positively impact the economy, transparency and accessibility of information are necessary. Public trust is built when there is open data about projects—where, when, and under what conditions they will be implemented. It is important for program documents to clearly specify projects funded by both domestic and foreign investments, and for the Ministry of Economy and Development to pay special attention to their implementation.
I am also convinced that it is necessary to abandon systems that require multiple approvals from individual officials. Decisions dependent on specific individuals create uncertainty for businesses and investors, increasing the risks of corruption.
The public and private sectors should implement systems based on clear plans and measurable results, rather than subjective decisions. I believe that transitioning to a system where activities can commence after notification of compliance with standards and criteria will be more effective. We are currently working on the legal basis for this reform.
Finally, transparency in political party financing is necessary. It is believed that open disclosure of funding sources reduces the level of corruption.
Author: Bolor Lkhaajav — a researcher specializing in Mongolia, China, Russia, Japan, East Asia, and America. She holds a master's degree in Asian-Pacific Studies from the University of San Francisco.
Translation: Tatar S.Maidar
Source: The Diplomat
