UNCCD COP17 Prep: The Silk Road Caravan has entered Mongolia, starting a seven-day route through Dundgobi, Uvurkhangai, Arkhangai, Bulgan and Tuv aimags, with stops at Khustai National Park, the Orkhon Valley UNESCO site and Ugii Lake, to highlight rangeland restoration and drought resilience ahead of COP17 in Ulaanbaatar. Fuel Security: Prime Minister Uchral Nyam-Osor met PetroChina’s Mongolia-linked unit after China agreed to supply 6,000 tonnes of AI-92 gasoline in August, urging the firm to raise shipments to 12,000–15,000 tonnes per month and seek lower prices. Digital Government Push: The Cabinet Secretariat’s “Chuluulye” initiative aims to digitize public services, with directives to move at least 80% of government data exchanges online in 2027 and enforce the “Once-only” principle. Politics Ahead of 2028: Mongolia’s presidential succession race is already reshaping the ruling MPP and investor expectations as the country heads toward the next election cycle. Sports & Talent: Mongolia’s youth basketball club Etugen Irvesuud U14 won silver at an international tournament in China, and Mongolia also picked up medals in roller skiing in South Korea.