The ninth meeting of the Emergency Headquarters, chaired by Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene, focused on pressing issues facing the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. Key discussions revolved around air pollution reduction, the movement of secondary school students, progress on infrastructure projects, and the development of Hunnu City’s social and physical infrastructure.
One of the significant topics was the work of the National Committee for Air Pollution Reduction, which is actively working to improve the legal framework for reducing air pollution. The committee has launched efforts to phase out the use of raw coal by over 2,300 enterprises, a critical step in improving Ulaanbaatar's air quality.
Another important issue discussed was the government’s declaration of 2026 as the “Year of Education.” This initiative is designed to improve the quality and accessibility of education across the country, with a focus on reducing burdens on the education system and addressing traffic congestion. According to research, traffic caused by the daily movement of public school students contributes to 54.7 percent of the city’s congestion. In Ulaanbaatar, 307,000 children attend 150 schools, with 168,000 students and 7,844 teachers commuting daily, exacerbating road traffic.
To tackle these challenges, the Ministry of Education and the State Committee for Education and Science have proposed the construction of new kindergartens and primary schools in large towns and districts with high populations. These schools are expected to ease the load on the city’s traffic and reduce the number of students commuting across districts. The state budget plans to build 25 new schools in 2025, 29 in 2026, and 28 in 2027, further alleviating the pressure on Ulaanbaatar’s roads.
Moreover, in line with the city’s long-term development goals outlined in the 2040 urban planning framework, there is a need to reconsider the locations of universities and their impact on traffic congestion. Relocating these institutions is seen as part of the solution to reducing the daily strain on the capital’s transportation system.
The prime minister emphasized that the education policy in 2026 would focus not only on quality and accessibility but also on decentralization, aimed at reducing congestion in the capital. He noted that the previous meetings of the Emergency Headquarters had yielded important outcomes, such as clarifying priorities for major projects and establishing a unified digital monitoring and registration system for Ulaanbaatar’s traffic.
In his remarks, the premier urged officials to continue fulfilling the tasks outlined in the meetings and to take more proactive, creative approaches to solving Ulaanbaatar's traffic and infrastructure challenges. He also stressed that the results from these meetings would be presented at the Cabinet level for further action, particularly in addressing the needs of education and urban growth.
As Ulaanbaatar continues to grapple with rapid population growth and urban challenges, these efforts are seen as crucial steps toward creating a more sustainable and livable city, both for its residents and future generations.
