Dashzegviin Amarbayasgalan

Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve
Дашзэгвийн Амарбаясгалан
Chairman of the State Great Khural
Incumbent
Assumed office July 2, 2024
Preceded by	Gombojavyn Zandanshatar
Chief Cabinet Secretary
In office August, 2022 – July 2, 2024
Preceded by	Tsendiin Nyamdorj
Secretary-general of the Mongolian People's Party
In office December 12, 2016 – 2022
Preceded by	Jamyangiin Mönkhbat
Personal details
Born	(1981-11-27) November 27, 1981 Taishir, Gobi-Altai, Mongolian People's Republic
Political party	Mongolian People's Party
Alma mater	Mongolian University of Science and Technology National University of Mongolia
Occupation	Engineer Politician
Website	amarbayasgalan.com

Dashzegviin Amarbayasgalan (Mongolian: Дашзэгвийн Амарбаясгалан), also referred to as Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve (born 27 November 1981) is a Mongolian politician, Chairman of the State Great Khural (Parliament) and a member of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP). Amarbayasgalan was born and raised in Taishir sum, Gobi-Altai Province.

Prior to assuming the position of chairman of the State Great Khural, Amarbayasgalan was the secretary general of the ruling Mongolian People's Party, after the party's landslide victory in the 2016 Mongolian legislative elections. He was elected to an unprecedented fourth term as Secretary General of the Mongolian People’s Party in 2021 and is often considered part of the next generation of leadership in the country. He is a social democrat, is regarded as center-left and progressive.

Early life

Born as the youngest of four children in a family from Gobi-Altai Province, Amarbayasgalan grew up in a household dedicated to public service and progress. His father, Dugeriin Dashzegve, was a lifelong agricultural leader, serving as the head of the "Jaran Jil Cooperative" and a prominent local party figure. Dashzegve made significant contributions to improving livestock breeds and developing high-yield dairy and meat cattle, notably establishing a core herd of "Norwegian Red" cattle with imported high-quality genetics. Amarbayasgalan's mother, Lamjavyn Norjin, was a respected educator who dedicated her life to teaching and mentoring thousands of students, leaving a lasting impact on the nation's educational system.

Education

Amarbayasgalan completed his secondary education at Gobi-Altai Province’s First Secondary School (1988–1998). He earned his degree in Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering with a specialization in Information and Measurement Electronics from the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (1998–2002). Later, he pursued a master's degree in political science at the National University of Mongolia (2010–2012), combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of political systems.

Professional experience

• 2000 - 2007: General manager and director at "Soyombo Printing" LLC
• 2007 - 2009: Head of Marketing and Planning Division at "Mongol Post" SOE
• 2009 - 2012: Head of the Press, Media, and Public Relations Division of the Mongolian People's Party Secretariat
• 2008 - 2020: Member and leader of the Mongolian People's Party Caucus at the Ulaanbaatar City Citizens' Representative Council; Chairman of the council's Executive Board
• 2009 - 2014: Deputy chairman of the Mongolian Youth Federation
• 2015 - 2016: Secretary for electoral affairs of the Mongolian People's Party
• 2016 - 2022: Secretary-general of the Mongolian People's Party
• 2022.08.30 - 2024.07.02: Member of the government, minister, and Chief Cabinet Secretary of Mongolia
• 2024.07.02 - Present: Chairman of the State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia

Political career

Amarbayasgalan joined the Mongolian People's Party (MPP) in 1999 at the age of 18. In 2007, he became the head of the 37th party cell in the Bayanzurkh District of Ulaanbaatar.

He played an active role in the 2008 parliamentary election campaign and was elected to the Citizens' Representative Khural of the capital city from Bayanzurkh District during the local elections held that year. At age 26, he became the youngest member elected to the Khural.

Due to his innovative political approach and leadership among younger party cadres, Amarbayasgalan was appointed by then-General Secretary Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh as the head of the MPP's Media and Public Relations Department.

He was re-elected to the Citizens' Representative Khural in the 2012 local elections. Although the MPP was defeated nationwide and became the opposition party, Amarbayasgalan was elected as the leader of the opposition group within the capital's Citizens' Representative Khural. He gained a reputation among party members as a decisive and courageous leader, known for articulating the party's views with conviction.

Public health initiatives

During his tenure as the head of the Mongolian People's Party group in the capital's Citizens' Representative Khural, Amarbayasgalan played a key role in securing government approval for an investment of 1 billion Mongolian tögrögs to purchase and install liver transplant equipment at the National Cancer Research Center. This initiative was considered a historic step, as Mongolia has one of the highest liver cancer rates in the world.

The funding created a viable opportunity to perform liver transplants domestically and at no cost to patients. As a result, liver transplant procedures began to be conducted free of charge starting in the first quarter of 2018.

A team of 64 liver transplant specialists, led by surgeon J. Chinburen—an honorary member of the French Academy of Surgeons—continues to develop their skills through training in advanced medical institutions abroad and actively performs liver transplants in Mongolia.

Party unity and reorganization

The Mongolian People's Party (MPP) has undergone several name changes throughout its history, reflecting shifts in Mongolia's political and social landscape. From 1921 to 1925, the party was known as the Mongolian People's Party. It was renamed the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) in 1925 and retained that name until 2010, when it reverted to its original name, the Mongolian People's Party, and underwent structural reforms.

Following the 2010 name change, a faction of members who opposed the reversion established a new political party under the name Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party. Over the subsequent years, particularly during election cycles, discussions and initiatives aimed at reconciling the two parties and promoting unity continued.

In 2021, efforts culminated in a formal agreement to merge the two parties. Amarbayasgalan played a pivotal role in implementing this unification process. He is widely recognized by multiple generations of MPP representatives as the central figure who translated longstanding proposals for unity into practical action, fostering a renewed sense of cohesion within the party.

Advocacy for justice and democratic reform

On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Mongolian People's Party (MPP) in 2011, then-party leader Sükhbaataryn Batbold publicly expressed condolences and issued an apology to the victims of political repression in Mongolia. This message was directed to citizens, civil servants, military personnel, monks, and the relatives of those who suffered material loss, emotional trauma, or lost their lives during past periods of repression.

A decade later, in 2021, party leader Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene reiterated this apology and reinforced the party’s commitment to upholding justice and preventing the recurrence of political or other forms of repression. Both leaders emphasized the importance of acknowledging historical injustices as part of building a more just and accountable society.

The 30th Grand National Assembly of the MPP has since endorsed a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening justice and democratic governance. These include efforts to combat corruption—viewed by the party as a serious threat comparable to political repression—that undermines public trust, disrupts social systems, and limits opportunities for citizens.

In addition, the party has supported legal reforms to improve the human rights framework, change negative public perceptions of civil servants, and promote broader civic engagement. These reforms aim to enhance the quality of democracy and strengthen the institution of parliamentarism in Mongolia.

Secretary General of the Mongolian People's Party

First mandate (2015–2016)

Since 2015, Amarbayasgalan has served as Secretary General of the Mongolian People's Party (MPP). In this role, he focused on strengthening the party’s organizational structure, particularly in preparation for elections. He expanded the media and public relations team, introduced data-driven decision-making, and emphasized research-based campaign strategies.

His efforts contributed to the MPP's landslide victory in the 2016 parliamentary elections. Following this success, Amarbayasgalan was appointed Acting Secretary General on 28 July 2016, after previously serving in the same position.

Despite multiple offers to join the State Great Khural and the Government, Amarbayasgalan declined, choosing instead to continue his work within the party organization. In public statements, he credited his father’s guidance and advice as the reason he remained focused on leading the party through local elections rather than seeking a government post.

In a later interview, he remarked:

“I have decided to devote the political power and opportunities of the Secretary General of a political party to implementing major reform policies that will fundamentally change this society.”

Second mandate (from 2016)

On 12 December 2016, Amarbayasgalan was officially elected as the General Secretary of the Mongolian People's Party at the party's 7th General Assembly.

His next major political challenge came during the local elections. Under his leadership, the party conducted its campaign using modern and innovative organizational strategies, including strategic candidate selection and targeted voter outreach. These efforts led to significant electoral success: the MPP won in 20 out of 21 aimags (provinces) and in 6 out of the 9 districts of Ulaanbaatar, further consolidating the party's position nationwide and reinforcing Amarbayasgalan's role as a key political strategist within the party.

Third mandate (from 2017)

On 23 November 2017, Amarbayasgalan was reappointed as General Secretary of the Mongolian People's Party (MPP) during the first session of the party's 28th Congress, following the election of Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh as party chairman.

During this mandate, Amarbayasgalan prioritized institutional strengthening within the party. His goals included transforming inter-election party activity into a more professional and research-based structure, establishing dedicated policy research institutes, and enhancing the role of the Strategy Academy as a regional-level think tank. He also championed digital transformation, aiming to modernize the party into an "electronic party" capable of directly engaging its membership through modern information technologies. Reforms to the party's internal rules were implemented to support these objectives.

As a result of these initiatives, the operations of primary and secondary party organizations improved, and all members were registered electronically. This led to increased participation from ordinary members and supporters in party activities. The MPP’s membership grew significantly, rising from approximately 212,000 to over 310,000 members and supporters by 2022.

Amarbayasgalan’s tenure also coincided with a period of internal political turbulence. In 2017, the MPP’s 65-member parliamentary group became divided into two factions of 33 and 32 members, leading to the resignation of the government and, later in 2019, the dismissal of the Speaker of the State Great Khural. In response to these challenges, the party leadership emphasized the need to reflect on past missteps, foster unity, and reinforce internal cohesion.

Amid these efforts, the MPP leadership—including the parliamentary group, the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister, and the party’s executive bodies—undertook a coordinated initiative to amend the Constitution of Mongolia. Guided in part by public opinion research, the reforms aimed to enhance political stability by strengthening the authority of the Prime Minister and ensuring greater continuity in government. These constitutional amendments were positioned as a key step toward institutional stability and more effective governance.

Fourth mandate (from 2021)

At the 30th Congress of the Mongolian People's Party (MPP), held in December 2021, Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene was elected as party chairman, and Amarbayasgalan was elected as General Secretary for a fourth term during the first session of the Congress on 8 December 2021.

During this term, Amarbayasgalan led several major policy initiatives and organizational reforms. Among the most notable was the party’s formal adoption of social democracy as its official ideology. While the MPP had expressed support for social democratic principles since 2010, it was during the 30th Congress that the party decided to articulate its platform using internationally recognized social democratic terminology. Amarbayasgalan chaired the working group tasked with revising the party's program to reflect this ideological shift.

The MPP declared that it would pursue development policy based on the social democratic principle of ensuring active and appropriate state participation in the distribution of social resources and public wealth, with an emphasis on accessible and high-quality healthcare, education, and social security for all citizens.

As part of its broader reform agenda, the 30th Congress introduced anti-corruption measures into the party’s charter. For the first time in Mongolian political history, a ruling party adopted provisions to exclude members convicted of corruption or abuse of office and to prohibit political support for such individuals. The party also launched internal ethics education programs and began efforts to raise awareness at all levels of the organization regarding integrity and accountability.

In addition, legislative and legal reforms were initiated to align existing laws with human rights norms and social demands. A review of 318 of Mongolia’s 815 laws was conducted by a team of legal experts and researchers, revealing over 800 provisions that were found to be inconsistent with human rights standards or societal needs. To address this, the **Human Rights Progressive Policy Institute** was established to ensure that current and future legislation upholds human rights principles. Within this framework, a human rights leadership training program for 30,000 party members was launched.

To increase public engagement and transparency, the party introduced new communication channels, including a dedicated phone line and a chatbot system via social media. The MPP also made its financial and operational data publicly accessible, starting from 1 January 2022.

Under Amarbayasgalan’s leadership, the party has expanded its international engagement. The MPP has increased cooperation with over 40 political parties and more than 30 international organizations, including the Socialist International, the Progressive Alliance, and the Network of Social Democratic Parties in Asia. These activities are aligned with Mongolia’s foreign policy and national security concepts, promoting a multi-pillar, peaceful, and independent international posture. Political analysts and members of the opposition have acknowledged the MPP’s progress in aligning itself with the global social democratic community.

Member of the Government of Mongolia: Head of the Secretariat

Amarbayasgalan has also served as a member of the Government of Mongolia and Head of the Secretariat of the Minister of Mongolia. During his tenure, he led several initiatives focused on improving the efficiency, transparency, and governance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Reform of state-owned enterprises

A key area of focus was the restructuring of legal entities with state ownership. Through a phased approach aimed at reducing duplicated functions and cutting wasteful expenditures, the number of SOEs and related entities was significantly reduced by the third quarter of 2023:

• Budget-supported SOEs were reduced from 44 to 41
• Independently operating SOEs decreased from 26 to 18
• Combined state-owned and state-participated companies were reduced from 114 to 90

As part of these reforms, 12 out of the 39 companies under *Erdenes Mongol LLC* were either liquidated or merged, and the number of board members across these companies was reduced from 269 to 66, representing a notable consolidation of corporate governance structures.

Emergency restructuring of Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC

In 2022, the Mongolian government directed *Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC* to allocate USD 500 million from the state budget and address ongoing operational inefficiencies. However, the planned reforms were not fully implemented, prompting the government to place the company under an emergency regime on 26 October 2022.

Under this emergency management framework, the following measures were introduced:

• Confidential project contracts were disclosed to the public, enhancing transparency
• Coal exports shifted to exchange-based and border-based pricing, leading to increased prices and export volumes
• Outstanding company debts were repaid, and overall operational efficiency improved

These actions contributed to the stabilization and increased accountability of one of Mongolia’s most strategically important state-owned enterprises.

Key figures

Since the emergency regime was imposed on *Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC* on 26 October 2022, the company sold 32.8 million tons of coal valued at approximately USD 3 billion over the following 12 months. In 2022, the company’s sales revenue reached USD 1.1 billion, the highest since its founding, with 28% of total sales in its 12-year history occurring during this emergency period.

Compared to the previous period, coal sales volume increased by 3.9 times, transportation volume by 3.5 times, exports by 2.2 times, revenue by 3.6 times, and production by 3.1 times.

As of 26 October 2023, 27.4 million tons of coal worth USD 2.8 billion had been sold. Of this, USD 1.9 billion had been deposited in the company’s accounts, and USD 1.6 billion remitted to the Bank of Mongolia.

The increased transparency in coal mining and export operations is expected to contribute approximately 2.3 trillion Mongolian tugriks in taxes and fees to the state budget in 2023.

Reform of professional supervision

During his tenure, efforts were made to streamline professional supervision across government agencies to reduce duplication and ease administrative burdens on citizens and businesses.

Out of the 26 supervision areas previously managed by the Professional Supervision Agency, 13 were found to overlap with responsibilities of other state organizations. This duplication led to difficulties and increased pressure on businesses and individuals.

To address this, the functions of the General Directorate of Professional Supervision were transferred to the relevant line ministries, eliminating redundant inspections and creating a more efficient regulatory environment.

Additionally, in 2023, the Government Supervision Implementation Agency was established. Its primary role is to enhance rational and efficient governance within the government and civil service.

Anti-corruption measures: Operation to identify illegal appointments

In line with the Government of Mongolia’s declaration of 2023–2024 as the "Year of Fighting Corruption," the fifth such operation was launched to identify and address illegal appointments across government bodies.

This operation targeted unlawful employment in government organizations, state-owned enterprises, and related legal entities. Measures included dismissal of employees who were illegally appointed, lacked professional qualifications, had conflicts of interest, failed to meet procedural requirements, or had been convicted of corruption or official misconduct.

As of December 2023, reports from 3,387 public institutions nationwide indicated that 481 officials had been dismissed, and corrective actions were taken against 1,344 others to eliminate violations.

Unified Research Fund

In June 2023, a unified electronic research fund was established to consolidate and better utilize research and analysis conducted by state organizations. Despite significant annual spending on research, findings were often underutilized in policy-making. The new platform integrates past and ongoing studies to improve access and application of research results.

As of January 2024, 77 organizations across Mongolian ministries, agencies, and provincial government departments had registered on the platform (www.sudalgaa.gov.mn), consolidating over 1,000 budget-funded studies.

Restoration of local flights

To regularize and improve local air travel, the Mongolian government explored policy options to reduce fares either by subsidizing companies or introducing competition. The objective was to establish reliable and affordable scheduled flights that would serve both citizens and tourists.

Following this review, the government authorized the national airline, MIAT, to resume local scheduled flights in June 2023, allowing it to compete with other domestic carriers and enhance connectivity.

Speaker of the Mongolian State Great Khural

Amarbayasgalan was elected as the Speaker of the 9th Parliament of the Mongolian State Great Khural, marking the beginning of a significant period of reform in Mongolia’s political history. He highlighted that the constitutional amendments adopted in 2023 led to the formation of a 126-member parliament for the first time, with five parties and coalitions represented. This development was an important step toward strengthening the principles of pluralism and democracy.

In his role as Speaker, Amarbayasgalan has taken responsibility for further advancing democratic representation and adapting to Mongolia’s evolving political landscape. He has prioritized updating parliamentary legislation in accordance with human rights standards and the rapid social changes occurring within the country.

Parliament 2.0 – “Three Rectifications”

Amarbayasgalan initiated the “Parliament 2.0 – Three Rectifications” policy to enhance the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of the lawmaking process in Mongolia. The policy focuses on three main objectives:

1. A human rights-respecting, people-centered legal system:

Legislation is designed to be citizen-centered, protect human rights, and align with international standards. This includes revising existing laws to eliminate over 800 articles and provisions that violate human rights.

1. Making legislation clear and understandable:

The aim is to create legal regulations that are accessible and easy for the public to understand and implement, while ensuring equal application. Efforts are underway to reduce the number of regulations approved by the state and increase the scope of relations regulated directly by law.

1. Adapting legal regulations to the needs of the times:

This involves updating the legal environment to keep pace with rapid social changes and technological advancements. Initiatives include developing laws addressing emerging issues such as cryptocurrency, e-cigarettes, and consumer rights protection.

This policy represents a significant step toward a more citizen-centered and effective legislative process, promoting transparency and responsiveness in parliamentary decision-making.

Other Experience

Amarbayasgalan has held various representative and management positions in multiple organizations, including:

• Member of the Board of Directors of the Mongolian Left Wing Politics Federation (2008–2018)
• Vice-President of the Mongolian Go-Dam Federation (2009)
• Vice-President of the Social Democracy Youth Federation (2009–2014)
• Member of the Board of Directors of the Capital Design Institute (2013–2016)
• Vice-President of the “Asian Huleg Uls” Policy Research Institute (2015–2016)
• Member of the Local Council of Gobi-Altai Province (2013–2018)

Featured Quotes

Excerpt from the speech of Amarbayasgalan, Secretary General of the Mongolian People's Party, at the 30th Congress of the Mongolian People's Party:

• "A political party is not a platform for someone to gain personal gain or achieve office."

• "The Mongolian People's Party will work to provide equal opportunities for underrepresented social groups such as women and people with disabilities at the decision-making level."

• "The 'Electronic Transition' based on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and technological achievements, saving money, creativity and innovation should be the priority direction of our party in the new century."

• "A total of 17 governments have been formed in Mongolia since 1990, and the average age of governments is 1.8 years, which negatively affects the stable implementation of state policies."

• "Our goal is to be a party that defines and implements development policies that move the country forward together, not an election campaign to gain power."

• "We will not provide political support to party members involved in any crime, including corruption and official misconduct."

• "Reform of the political party system is not just a matter for the Mongolian People's Party. We call on other parties to develop political parties into institutions that formulate political policies by strengthening parliamentary democracy with a multi-party system, increasing the responsibilities of parties to society, and expanding equal opportunities for political competition."

• "The majority of citizens place the highest priority on economic and social rights, such as living in a healthy and safe environment, protecting their health, and having access to education and training and employment."

Personal life

Amarbayasgalan resides with his wife and their four children, maintaining a family-oriented life alongside his public service career.

Hobbies

Amarbayasgalan's personal hobbies include bike riding, basketball, fishing and shooting sports.

References

1. "The first 126-member Parliament begins its timeline." Zindaa.mn. Available at: https://www.zindaa.mn/4wgt
2. "D. Amarbayasgalan, Minister of Mongolia and Head of the Cabinet Secretariat submits the draft amendment to the Constitution to Chairman G. Zandanshatar." Parliament of Mongolia. Available at: https://www.parliament.mn/en/nn/30087/
3. "Women’s measures opened by Speaker D. Amarbayasgalan." Montsame News Agency. Available at: https://montsame.mn/en/read/370146
4. "‘Three Rectifications’ - Statement by the Secretary General of the Mongolian People's Party." Parliament of Mongolia. Available at: https://www.parliament.mn/nn/63007/

External links

• Dashzegviin Amarbayasgalan on Twitter