Mongolian politician
Dashzegviin Amarbayasgalan (Mongolian: Дашзэгвийн Амарбаясгалан), also referred to as Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve; born 27 November 1981) is a prominent Mongolian statesman and politician, currently serving as the Chairman of the State Great Khural (Parliament) and a member of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP). Born and raised in Taishir soum, Gobi-Altai Province, Amarbayasgalan is recognized as one of Mongolia’s leading figures advocating for national sovereignty, justice, and the fundamental values of democracy.
Prior to the parliament, 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[1] and is regarded to be next generation of leadership of the country.[2] He is a social democratic,[3] center left and progressive[4] Mongolian politician.
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.
Political career
Early days (2007–2016)
Amarbayasgalan joined the Mongolian People's Party in 1998 as a young student and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the leader of the 37th Party cell in Bayanzurkh district in 2007. His leadership during the 2008 Mongolian legislative election campaign garnered significant recognition, and he became the youngest Citizens’ Representative to be elected that year at just 26 years old, representing Bayanzurkh district in the Ulaanbaatar City Citizens’ Representative Council.
As a young leader known for his innovative political strategies, Amarbayasgalan was appointed as the Head of the Communications and Public Relations Division of the Mongolian People's Party by then-Secretary General Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. In this role, he played a key part in strengthening the party’s public engagement and modernizing its communications strategies.
In 2012, Amarbayasgalan was re-elected to the Ulaanbaatar City Citizens’ Representative Council. Despite the MPP’s defeat in both local and national elections, he emerged as a prominent voice in opposition, gaining respect for his bold and decisive approach to addressing issues. As the leader of the MPP’s opposition group within the Council, he became known for advocating transparency, social equity, and development policies that reflected the party’s commitment to public welfare.
During this period, Amarbayasgalan also demonstrated his focus on public health initiatives. As the MPP group leader, he successfully advocated for a 1 billion MNT budget allocation to the National Cancer Center, enabling the purchase and installation of equipment for liver transplantation surgeries. This was a landmark achievement that allowed Mongolian patients to access life-saving procedures domestically, reducing reliance on expensive treatments abroad.
Secretary General (2016 – 2024)
Amarbayasgalan was first appointed as the Secretary General of the Mongolian People's Party (MPP) on December 12, 2016, during the party's 7th Conference. His leadership coincided with the party's landslide victory in the 2016 parliamentary elections, which reestablished the MPP as Mongolia's dominant political force. Under his leadership, the MPP implemented structural and organizational changes, strengthening its political strategy and public engagement. This allowed the party to consolidate its position as Mongolia's leading political force.
At the 28th Party Congress on November 23, 2017, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa was elected Chairman of the Party, and Amarbayasgalan was re-elected Secretary General, cementing his role as a key figure in the party’s leadership team. At the 30th Party Congress in 2021, Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene was elected Chairman of the Party, and the First Party Conference reaffirmed Amarbayasgalan’s position as Secretary General for a fourth term on December 8, 2021.
During his time as Secretary General, Amarbayasgalan focused on modernizing the party's operations, introducing data-driven strategies, and fostering a more inclusive and transparent political culture. His tenure was marked by key initiatives aimed at aligning the party's objectives with Mongolia's evolving socio-economic needs, ensuring its continued relevance and public trust.
Chairman of the State Great Hural (2024–Present)
Following the historic 2023 constitutional amendments, which expanded Mongolia’s Parliament to 126 members and included representation from five political parties and coalitions, Amarbayasgalan was elected Chairman of the 9th State Great Khural (Parliament) in 2024. This expanded legislature marked a pivotal moment in Mongolia’s democratic evolution, fostering greater pluralism, inclusivity, and diversity in governance. As Chairman, Amarbayasgalan has prioritized making the legislative process more responsive, efficient, and transparent, in alignment with the changing needs of Mongolian society.
A cornerstone of his leadership is the launch of the “Parliament 2.0 – Three Pillars of Excellence” initiative, a comprehensive reform program designed to modernize Mongolia’s legislative framework to meet contemporary societal and technological challenges. This initiative represents a forward-looking approach to governance, ensuring that the Parliament remains adaptable, effective, and rooted in democratic principles.
″Parliament 2.0 – Three Pillars of Excellence″
Introduced under Amarbayasgalan’s leadership, this initiative is structured around three core pillars aimed at creating a legislative framework that is human-centered, future-ready, and clear in its application:
- Human-Centered Legislation – Prioritizing the protection and promotion of human rights, this pillar focuses on ensuring that laws reflect and uphold the dignity and equality of all citizens. Over 800 legal provisions identified as infringing on human rights are being revised, alongside the introduction of mechanisms to evaluate the human rights impact of proposed legislation. This approach aims to foster a legal system rooted in equity, inclusivity, and justice.
- Legislation for Modern Challenges – Recognizing the rapid pace of technological, economic, and social change, this pillar focuses on addressing emerging issues such as digital currencies, blockchain technology, e-commerce, and environmental sustainability. By proactively filling regulatory gaps and updating outdated laws, the initiative ensures that Mongolia’s legal framework remains relevant and forward-thinking.
- Comprehensive and Clear Legal Framework – This pillar emphasizes clarity and accessibility in legislation, reducing ambiguity and ensuring laws are actionable for all stakeholders. By distinguishing between matters best governed by law and those suited for regulatory guidelines, the initiative aims to streamline governance while promoting transparency and accountability.
To achieve the goals outlined in Three ″Pillars of Excellence″, 54 specialized working groups have been established to address critical areas such as human rights protections, public service reform, environmental safeguards, digital economy regulation, and social welfare improvements. Nineteen proposals are set to be presented during the fall 2024 parliamentary session, with the remaining proposals scheduled for spring 2025. These working groups are composed of lawmakers, experts, and civil society representatives to ensure that the resulting legislation is comprehensive, inclusive, and effective.
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 Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia
Personal life
Amarbayasgalan resides with his wife and their four children, maintaining a family-oriented life alongside his public service career.
References
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