Strengthening Mongolia-UK Parliamentary cooperation

The recent official visit of Mr. Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve, Speaker of the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia, to the United Kingdom marked a historic milestone in Mongolia-UK relations. This visit, the first of its kind at the Speaker’s level, reinforced Mongolia’s commitment to strengthening parliamentary democracy and expanding cooperation with its Western partners.

Mongolia and the UK share a longstanding relationship based on common values of democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law. The UK was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with Mongolia following its accession to the United Nations. Furthermore, the UK played a crucial role in supporting Mongolia’s democratic transition, notably during the 1991 G7 Summit in London, where it called on the international community to assist Mongolia in its economic and political reforms. Since then, bilateral relations have expanded into diverse fields, particularly education, environmental protection, and renewable energy. This visit reaffirmed the strong and enduring ties between our two nations.

The delegation led by Speaker Amarbayasgalan included representatives from all five political parties with seats in Parliament, reflecting Mongolia’s commitment to a pluralistic and inclusive democracy. This visit also provided an opportunity to highlight the recent constitutional amendments aimed at enhancing governance and political stability in Mongolia.

Advancing Parliamentary Democracy and Governance

In 2019, Mongolia enacted significant constitutional amendments to improve governance and political stability. A major change was the expansion of Parliament from 76 to 126 members, with 78 elected through a majoritarian system and 48 through proportional representation. This reform aimed to enhance representation and improve legislative efficiency.

The 9^th parliamentary elections held on June 28, 2024, resulted in a notable shift in Mongolia’s political landscape. The Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) retained a majority, securing 68 out of 126 seats, a reduction from its previous supermajority. The Democratic Party (DP) made significant gains, increasing its representation to 42 seats. Other parties, including HUN, the National Coalition, and Civil Will-Green, also secured parliamentary representation. A remarkable outcome of the election was the increased participation of women, with 32 women elected to Parliament—marking a record 25.4% representation.

Following the elections, Mongolia formed a Coalition Government comprising three major parties: the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP), the Democratic Party (DP), and HUN. The coalition aims to drive national development and implement key projects to enhance citizens' well-being.

The Coalition Government has identified 14 mega projects to diversify Mongolia's economy beyond its mining sector. One of the most critical initiatives is the establishment of a metro system in Ulaanbaatar to address traffic congestion and promote sustainable urban development. During the Ministerial-level strategic dialogue between Mongolia and the UK held on 26 February 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Amarsaikhan Sainbuyan and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar Nyambaatar Khishgee met with UK counterparts to explore potential cooperation on this project. The visit provided a platform for continued high-level discussions on international cooperation, trade, education, and innovation, with a particular focus on Mongolia’s Third Neighbour Policy.

Key Engagements in Westminster and Beyond

In Westminster, Speaker Amarbayasgalan met with Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons, where both sides expressed their dedication to strengthening parliamentary ties and promoting democratic governance. Discussions also covered expanding trade and investment, enhancing cooperation in science and technology, and fostering climate diplomacy. Speaker Amarbayasgalan and his delegation also met with Fabian Hamilton MP, Chair of the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, along with several other British MPs. The discussions focused on the relationship and cooperation between the two parliaments via the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), of which the UK is one of the founding members.

Beyond the capital, the delegation visited two of the world’s most prestigious universities—Oxford and Cambridge—where they engaged with leading scholars and researchers.

At Oxford University, meetings with Chancellor William Hague, Professor Giles Wiggs, Head of the School of Geography and the Environment at Oxford, and Dr. Ariell Ahearn, a Departmental Lecturer specializing in Mongolian pastoralism studies, reinforced the importance of sustained academic exchange and research cooperation. 

During the meetings, the urgent challenges Mongolia faces due to climate change were highlighted, with Mongolia being one of the ten most affected countries in the world. It was noted that 78% of Mongolia’s territory is affected by desertification, which leads to severe consequences, especially in winter when extreme snow and dzud conditions disrupt traditional nomadic livestock farming. The previous year alone, dzud conditions caused herders to lose livestock valued at approximately 2 trillion MNT (around USD 700 million), dealing a significant blow to Mongolia’s traditional pastoral economy.

To address these issues, Mongolia’s Parliament passed a law aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of climate change on nomadic livestock herding. In addition, President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa initiated the "One Billion Trees" national campaign in 2021. Mongolia is also set to host the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 2026, in line with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, as declared by the UN. These efforts provide an avenue for continued cooperation between Mongolia and Oxford.

The 7th Oxford Desert Conference, organized by the University of Oxford’s School of Geography and the Environment, was held in Oxford on 20-21 March. On March 20, Speaker Amarbayasgalan met with Mongolian scholars participating in the conference. The meeting was attended by researchers from the UK, US, Japan, and Europe, as well as Mongolian nationals living and working in Oxford, and two camel herders from Mongolia who travelled to attend the conference.

In Oxford, Speaker Amarbayasgalan also visited the Satellite Applications Catapult, a UK government innovation centre. He was welcomed by John Abbott, the centre’s CEO, who introduced the organization’s activities. The centre specializes in advancing space technology and expanding its applications. Notably, a Mongolian national, Maral Bayaraa, works as a senior advisor at the centre and is conducting studies using satellite data analytics.

At Cambridge University, meetings with Professor John Aston, Vice President for Research, and scholars at the Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies Unit reinforced the importance of academic exchange and research cooperation. Established in 1986 within Cambridge’s Department of Social Anthropology, the Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies Unit has conducted extensive research on Mongolia, contributing to Mongolia-UK academic exchanges.

With the funding of the Government of Mongolia, the “Chinggis Khan and Mongol Empire Studies Research Scholarship" was recently launched at Cambridge University, reflecting Mongolia’s dedication to preserving and promoting its historical heritage through academic research.

The visit to Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory highlighted Mongolia’s growing interest in scientific collaboration and technological innovation. Speaker Amarbayasgalan met with Professor Samuel Stranks and Mongolian scientist Dr. Ganbaatar Tumen-Ulzii, who is conducting research on developing a novel X/gamma-ray detector for early-stage cancer detection at Cambridge. These engagements underscored the critical role of Mongolian researchers in global scientific advancements.

A particularly forward-looking discussion took place with Professor Brian Sheil, Director of the Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction and Professor Giulia Viggiani, Head of Civil Engineering at the University of Cambridge, on potential cooperation in urban development and infrastructure projects. With Ulaanbaatar’s growing urban challenges, Mongolia is keen to explore modern transport solutions, including metro construction and tunnel development, to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance sustainability.

A New Chapter in Mongolia-UK Relations

Speaker Amarbayasgalan’s visit comes at a pivotal moment in global affairs, as both Mongolia and the UK seek to navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. The discussions reaffirmed the shared commitment to deepening cooperation in trade, science, education, and climate diplomacy, in alignment with Mongolia’s strategic foreign policy goals.

As Mongolia and the UK enter their second six-decade period of diplomatic relations, this visit has opened a new chapter in parliamentary cooperation. It has also demonstrated Mongolia’s aspiration to be a proactive and engaged partner on the international stage, strengthening ties with like-minded nations that uphold the principles of democracy, free markets, and global cooperation.

Mongolia’s dynamic engagement with the UK reflects its broader vision of leveraging diplomacy, international collaboration, and scientific innovation to address global challenges. As we look ahead, the foundations laid by this historic visit will undoubtedly pave the way for stronger bilateral ties and expanded partnerships in the years to come.