Khaltmaagiin Battulga

Khaltmaagiin Battulga (Mongolian: Халтмаагийн Баттулга) (born 3 March 1963), also referred to as Battulga Khaltmaa, is a Mongolian politician and sambo wrestler who served as the 5th President of Mongolia from 2017 to 2021. He served as Member of the State Great Khural from 2004 to 2016 and Minister of Roads, Transportation, Construction and Urban Development from 2008 to 2012. Before his career in politics, Battulga was a sambo wrestling champion. He was the Democratic Party's candidate in the 2017 presidential election and was elected President with 50.6% in the run-off, the first-ever run-off election in modern Mongolian history.

Khaltmaagiin Battulga in 2019

Quotes

• Mongolian people overcame many challenges throughout the years and established our democratic and sovereign state of Mongolia, which honors human rights and freedom. Today the Government of Mongolia and its people, are protecting and guarding independence and sovereignty inherited from our ancestors to hand-out to the future generations, as well as honoring peace, developing friendly relations with all the countries of the world, and aiming to develop relations in political, economic and other fields.
  • "President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulga on his vision for his nation" in The Asian (15 April 2019)

• It is told that foxes have very short memories, so they often forget they were running away from a hunter while they hide behind a rock. Memory of our parliament and cabinet is as short as fox’s. The recommendations already remind them about the threats of environmental pollutions, mining, unemployment and poverty. What should be done when they do not accept the recommendations? Should we be renewing the recommendations? I think it is an indication of accountability crisis.
  • "President Of Mongolia Kh.battulga: Problem Of Smog Should Be Tackled Along With Unemployment And Poverty" (11 January 2018)

• Any country prepares a development policy based on the traditions and centuries-old customs of its people. Mongols are nomads. Blood of nomads, too, run through my own veins. The peculiarity of Mongolia lies in the fact that we are drafting development programs based on the traditions of nomads. The Mongolians are a people who constantly seek to live independently and can thrive so, as well.
  • "President Kh.Battulga: We hope to bolster ties with the Russian Federation" in Montsame (18 August 2017)

• The development of sustainable tourism will also play a key role in accelerating rural economic development, increasing employment, reducing poverty, improving the living standards of women and people with special needs, ensuring environmental balance, and protecting and promoting historical and cultural heritage.
  • "Five million stars" in International Trade Center (8 April 2020)

• Time and climate change will not wait us. We call on all countries to take decisive, effective and concrete actions to transform our economic recoveries after the pandemic into the environment friendly “green” model and start to fulfill our commitments made before the international community while every country is overcoming the pandemic with less damage.
  • "Statement by the President Of Mongolia at the Leaders’ Session Of the 2021 P4g Seoul Summit" (30 May 2021)

• Infrastructure, energy and transport are the central development pillars of landlocked developing countries like Mongolia. In this regard, we proposed to jointly implement a project to build an energy power grid to address the rational use and distribution of power in Northeast Asia. In the region, which is rich in renewable energy, the project is expected to not only increase the use of renewable energy, but also make a significant contribution to environmental protection and the fight against climate change.
  • "Address at the 77th Session Of The United Nations Economic And Social Commission For Asia And The Pacific" (27 April 2021)

• During my service, I have never forgotten my oath as the head of state, and have been loyally fulfilling my duties as I view my Presidency as a honorable opportunity to work for the benefit of my nation, the state, for building a fair and just society under rule of law, and for the prosperity of our country. I am committed, as I swore with my hand on the Constitution of Mongolia, to strengthening the independence and national security, overcoming challenges facing the country’s growth, eliminating any threat and danger, building capable and professional governance, and strengthening the democracy, as well as maintaining healthy competitive economy and ensuring fair distribution of natural resources. I promise I will not stop.
  • "Address to the Nation on Protecting Mongolia’s Democracy" (23 April 2021)

• It has recently come to public attention that a group of few oligarchs had taken over the public wealth that belong to the people by Constitution and hidden enormous amounts of illicit assets in offshore regions. They have obviously been blackmailing and controlling the Parliament members. The time has come for You to re-live the old saying: “The force of union is as limitless as the ocean”.
  • "Address To Plenary Session Of State Great Khural" (28 January 2021)

• Interdependence between humans and the natural world is at the root of human existence. To this day we have done everything not to bend down under the overwhelming forces of nature. However, our struggle was not to adapt to nature, but rather to defeat it. Day by day we realize that the fight to win is what is causing defeat, while the fight to seek harmony is the foundation of our existence.
  • "Address at the General Debate Of 75th Session Of The United Nations General Assembly" (24 September 2020)

External links

• Encyclopedic article on Khaltmaagiin Battulga on Wikipedia
• Media related to Khaltmaagiin Battulga on Wikimedia Commons