Governor-General of Australia Officially Welcomed
At the invitation of President of Mongolia Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Samantha Joy Mostyn, accompanied by the First Gentleman Simeon Beckett, is paying a State Visit to Mongolia from September 4 to 9, 2025.
President of Mongolia Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and the First Lady Bolortsetseg Lvsandorj officially welcomed Governor-General Samantha Mostyn and the First Gentleman Simeon Beckett at Sukhbaatar Square. Upon a report of the Commander of the State Honor Guard, the National Anthems of the two countries were performed. President Khurelsukh, with the First Lady and distinguished guests, bowed before the State White Banner of Honour Guard, after which Governor-General Mostyn greeted the troops.
President Khurelsukh and Governor-General Mostyn greeted attending officials, heads of diplomatic missions, and representatives of international organisations accredited to Mongolia, and paid tribute at the statue of Chinggis Khaan. Governor-General Mostyn then signed the Book of Honored Guests at the State Palace of Mongolia.
During the visit, President Khurelsukh and Governor-General Mostyn will hold official talks to exchange views on expanding cooperation in politics, trade, investment, education, and agriculture, strengthening people-to-people ties, and deepening collaboration at the regional and international levels. The Governor-General will also become acquainted with the implementation of joint projects, including the “Oyu Tolgoi” project, the “Women’s Climate Resilience Capacity Building Programme,” and the Nalaikh Polytechnic College.
Mongolia and Australia established diplomatic relations in 1972 and have been developing an “Expanded Partnership” since 2007. The last Governor-General to visit Mongolia was Bill Hayden in 1994, while President Ochirbat Punsalmaa paid a reciprocal visit to Australia in 1997.
Australia’s cumulative foreign direct investment in Mongolia amounts to USD 680 million. Around 60 Australian enterprises, including “Rio Tinto,” “Jade Gas,” and “Aspire Mining,” are operating in Mongolia, 12 of which are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Australia has provided over USD 110 million in development assistance to Mongolia, more than 70 percent of which has been directed to the education sector.
Since 1990, more than 850 Mongolian citizens have studied in Australia under government scholarship programmes, with 40 students currently enrolled. Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022, 100 Mongolian citizens annually are eligible to work in Australia for one year and to study for up to four months.
During last year’s dzud (severe winter disaster), Australia provided emergency assistance of USD 250,000 through the Australian Red Cross, delivering cash and livestock feed packages to 600 affected households. Today, more than 22,000 Mongolian nationals reside in Australia, including over 7,000 students, while about 600 Australian citizens live and work in Mongolia.
Since 1998, more than 300 Australian volunteers have served in Mongolia.
