Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene

Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrain
Лувсаннамсрайн Оюун-Эрдэнэ
Oyun-Erdene in 2023
32nd Prime Minister of Mongolia
Assumed office
27 January 2021
PresidentKhaltmaagiin Battulga
Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh
Preceded byUkhnaagiin Khürelsükh
Member of State Great Khural
In office
5 July 2016 – 30 June 2020
Constituency41th, Khentii Province
In office
30 June 2020 – 2 July 2024
Constituency18th, Khentii Province
Assumed office
2 July 2024
Constituency6th,
Dornod, Khentii, Sükhbaatar Provinces
Chief Cabinet Secretary of Mongolia
In office
2 February 2019 – 27 January 2021
Prime MinisterUkhnaagiin Khürelsükh
Preceded byGombojavyn Zandanshatar
Succeeded byTsendiin Nyamdorj
Chairman of the Mongolian People's Party
Assumed office
25 June 2021
Preceded byUkhnaagiin Khürelsükh
President of Social Democracy Mongolian Youth Union
In office
September 2010 – 21 June 2015
Preceded byGombojavyn Zandanshatar
Succeeded byGanzorigiin Temüülen
Personal details
Born (1980-06-29) 29 June 1980 (age 44)
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolian People's Republic
Political partyMongolian People's Party
SpouseBoldyn Tuul
Children3
Websitewww.oyunerdene.mn

Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrain[1] (Mongolian: Лувсаннамсрайн Оюун-Эрдэнэ, romanizedLuvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene; born 29 June 1980) is a Mongolian politician who has served as the 32nd Prime Minister of Mongolia since 27 January 2021. He was reappointed to the position by the State Great Khural (Mongolia's parliament) on July 5 2024,[2] following the Mongolian People's Party's victory in the 2024 parliamentary elections, and currently leads a cross-party coalition government.[3]

Oyun-Erdene was born in Ulaanbaatar in 1980 but was raised in Berkh, a village on the Eastern Mongolian Steppes. Oyun-Erdene obtained degrees in both journalism and law[4] in Mongolia before obtaining a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University. At 21, Oyun-Erdene managed the governor's office in Berkh. He later worked abroad with the NGO World Vision, an experience that made him more aware of the challenges facing his own country. Before entering politics, Oyun-Erdene became well-known for his activism against corruption.[5] His leadership during the 2018 protests against government corruption, which saw the participation of over 30,000 citizens, helped cement his reputation as a reformist and paved the way for his election to the State Great Khural in 2016, representing Khentii Province.[6][7]

Oyun-Erdene’s political career took off after his election to the State Great Khural, and his rise up the ministerial ranks was rapid. As Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat of Mongolia from 2019, he took a leading role in efforts to modernise Mongolia’s economy through greater use of digital technology, including through drafting a five-year program to expand the country’s digital infrastructure.[8] Oyun-Erdene also made his name at this time as a vocal advocate for judicial reform in Mongolia. He gained attention for his criticism of the justice system after the controversial release of executives involved in a money laundering case related to the purchase of Erdenet Mining Corporation shares.[9]

He is a leading figure in Mongolia’s modernization efforts, with his time as Prime Minister, seeing Mongolia’s level of economic growth rank among the highest in the world following the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s credit rating being upgraded, moves towards economic diversification, an ambitious program to combat corruption, and Mongolia strengthening ties with nations outside of its immediate neighbourhood. Oyun-Erdene has positioned himself as part of a global wave of younger leaders focused on modernization, digital transformation, and progressive policy-making.[10]

In 2021, Oyun-Erdene launched the “New Recovery Policy”, a blueprint for tackling long-term barriers to Mongolia’s development, in line with the country’s “Vision 2050” ambition to become a leading country in its region by the middle of this century.[11]

Before entering politics, Oyun-Erdene gained prominence as a vocal anti-corruption activist, organizing protests in 2018 that drew over 30,000 participants and pushed for greater government accountability. His early career established his reputation as a reformist figure, paving the way for his first election to the State Great Khural in 2016. He was re-elected to the body in 2020 and 2024.

  1. ^ "Full CV of Oyunerdene". The State Great Hural. Government of Mongolia. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  2. ^ Adiya, Amar (6 July 2024). "Mongolia's Prime Minister Offers Cooperation to Opposition After Election Victory". Mongolia Weekly. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  3. ^ Adiya, Amar (28 June 2024). "Mongolia Election 2024: MPP Wins Third Term, But Majority Reduced". Mongolia Weekly. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  4. ^ Campbell, Charlie (9 August 2022). "Mongolia's Prime Minister Wants to Transform the Country. That Means Looking Beyond Russia and China". TIME. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai MC/MPA 2015 is looking ahead to Mongolia's long-term development". Harvard Kennedy School. Harvard College. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Mongolia's Next Election Will Feature New Types of Candidates". Bulgan Batdorj and Julian Dierkes. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Economic concerns high as Mongolia holds national elections". DailyHerald Web. 23 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Mongolian parliament appoints 3 new ministers". Xinhuanews Web. 5 February 2019. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020.
  9. ^ Munkhzul, A. (7 March 2019). "L.Oyun-Erdene: This is a clear depiction of where the fight for justice halts". Montsame. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  10. ^ B., Lkhaajav (14 April 2022). "Mongolia Highlights 'New Recovery Policy' at Economic Forum".
  11. ^ B., Lkhaajav (14 April 2022). "Mongolia Highlights 'New Recovery Policy' at Economic Forum".