Austerity in Mongolia: The Cabinet has moved into “austerity mode” through Dec. 31, 2026, keeping essential funding flowing for civil servant salaries, pensions, and key hospital and education costs, while banning non-essential conferences, public celebrations, foreign travel (with limited exceptions), and other discretionary spending. Essential Medicines Procurement: A new regulation approves single-source procurement for 16 essential strategic pharmaceuticals plus anti-hemophilic Factor VIII and IX products from WHO-recognized international manufacturers, aiming to cut costs and protect against substandard or counterfeit drugs. Ger Area Home Heating Upgrade: The EU-funded SOAP II project (2022–2026) is credited with helping thousands of ger households insulate homes, reduce fuel use, and improve winter air quality and health. World Bank Health Support: World Bank Group Mongolia Country Manager Victoria Delmon presented credentials, highlighting ongoing cooperation; the Bank has backed Mongolia with over USD 1.2B in concessional loans and more than USD 170M in grants, including health-sector projects. Marmot Conservation Push: Mongolia plans intensified inspections to curb illegal marmot hunting and trade, with hunting restricted by law to specific licensed periods.