AKIPRESS.COM - Prime Minister of Mongolia Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai was officially invested as chairperson of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) during a two day party conference (Monday 6 December to Tuesday 7 December). His appointment caps a year that has seen Mongolia’s youngest-ever Prime Minister set out a progressive and reformist agenda with Vision 2050, a framework for economic diversification, governmental efficiency, and social development, press release of the government of Mongolia said.
With 2021 marking the 100-year anniversary of Mongolia’s political independence, Oyun-Erdene noted during his investiture that it was now time to ensure Mongolia’s economic independence. This process began with the ratification in November of his government’s 2022 budget, one of the most progressive and reformist in Mongolia’s recent history.
The ambitious budget records a spending increase of 4 trillion MNT (US$1.4 billion) from 2021, with policies designed to drive long-term economic growth and double GDP during the next ten years. Key policy areas include improvements to the Foreign Direct Investment environment, further economic diversification, expanded and restarted infrastructure projects, and increased privatisation of state-owned enterprises and utilities.
The budget will also expand the E-MONGOLIA government service digitalisation initiative, a ‘one stop shop’ for government services previously only accessible in paper. E-MONGOLIA currently offers digital access to over 500 services, and has already made available digital versions of national identification, driving licences, birth certificates, business licences, marriage licences, and company registration.
Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene speech coincided with further progress on his government’s review of Mongolia’s laws from a human rights perspective. Working with Mongolian and international human rights lawyers and experts, the review has found that 800 articles of over 300 laws most commonly used in the country fail to meet international human rights standards. The MPP is now leading a process to amend these laws to protect both human rights and improve the legal environment.
Oyun-Erdene’s policy priorities reflect the nine core pillars of Vision 2050 - a uniquely Mongolian development model for the country based on its imperial history, nomadic civilization, and unique national unity and diversity combined with international development models and trends. Vision 2050’s nine pillars are: Shared National Values; Human Development; Quality of Life and Middle Class; Economy; Governance; Green Development; Safe and Secure Society; Regional and Local Development; and Ulaanbaatar and Satellite Cities.
The ratification of this budget and the swift steps the MPP-led government is taking to implement its reform agenda come as Mongolia appears to be successfully navigating the COVID-19 pandemic with a wide-ranging vaccine and booster programme. With 66% of the population already doubled-vaccinated, and 21% having received their booster, the country is seeing a steady decline in infections and an overall casualty rate of only 0.3%. These successes against COVID-19 have positioned the government and people of Mongolia to move past the challenges of the pandemic and realise Vision 2050, together with setting the 2022 budget’s ambitious goals and policies.
Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene said: “We are very proud of the way our nation came together to overcome the challenges of COVID-19. It is now time to repay our people’s commitment with a vision and a budget that responsibly and sustainably stimulates, reshapes, and strengthens both our economy and society. For 100 years we have been proudly politically independent, and for 30 years a free and multi-party democracy. Vision 2050, with the support of the 2022 budget, will now set us on the path to true economic independence to benefit all our citizens. We will reward ambition with new employment opportunities; embrace 21st century tools to improve efficiency; and ensure our young people have a stake in our country’s future with investment and education.”
Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai has been Prime Minister of Mongolia since 27 January 2021. Elected aged 40, he is one of the youngest prime ministers in the country’s history.