Chairman of the State Great Hural (Parliament), D. Amarbayasgalan, delivered a keynote address at the “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Parliamentary Oversight” conference, organized as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Proclamation of the Republic and the adoption of the First Constitution.

Below is the full text of his address:

Honorable Members of Parliament,

Excellencies, Ambassadors, Scholars, and Distinguished Guests,

Today, we are convened to discuss parliamentary oversight, the cornerstone of Mongolia’s democratic governance, and how to implement it effectively.

The 2024 parliamentary elections resulted in the establishment of a new Parliament with 126 members, representing five political parties and various social groups, elected through a regional, mixed electoral system. We have embarked on the important task of modernizing the legal framework, strengthening public trust in government, and shaping a new era of Parliament.

In this regard, we have initiated the “Three Pillars of Excellence” policy to ensure that the laws enacted by the State Great Hural are human-centered, uphold human rights, and meet the needs of a rapidly evolving society. The aim is to ensure that legal regulations are comprehensive, clear, and effective while avoiding ambiguity in distinguishing between laws and regulatory policies.

Currently, 54 working groups have been established based on the input of MPs to refine and evaluate Mongolia’s legal framework and accelerate its implementation. Fifteen of these groups are dedicated to oversight functions of the State Great Hural.

Furthermore, the recently approved 2024-2028 Strategic Plan of the State Great Hural emphasizes placing a people-centered approach and the protection of human rights and freedoms at the forefront of the legislative process. The plan also underscores the importance of establishing a permanent system for monitoring the implementation of laws and regularly assessing their impact to improve legislative quality.

The Constitution of Mongolia grants the State Great Hural the exclusive authority to monitor and enforce the implementation of laws and resolutions. This responsibility includes oversight of government activities and the implementation of laws across the country. The Law on Parliamentary Oversight, adopted on December 24, 2021, provided mechanisms to fulfill this authority, including the formation of temporary committees to investigate and collaborate with independent entities such as the National Audit Office, the Bank of Mongolia, and others.

Following the 2019 constitutional amendments, the updated Law on Parliamentary Oversight was adopted on May 16, 2024, incorporating international best practices. Among these are provisions allowing standing committees to establish oversight working groups based on members’ proposals and mandating prompt discussions of oversight reports in committee sessions, and, if necessary, plenary sessions.

The law also enhances oversight mechanisms to strengthen parliamentary democracy and empower a strong opposition. For example, minority groups in Parliament can now initiate budget oversight hearings, while The Subcommittee on Budget Expenditure Control can directly present its reports and findings in plenary sessions.

In essence, the State Great Hural has established a robust system for conducting systematic oversight of law enforcement. Moving forward, it is essential to embed parliamentary oversight as a cultural norm in our governance. We must ensure coordination among oversight bodies to avoid redundancy and inefficiencies while focusing on impactful evaluations.

Dear MPs, Scholars, and Experts,

Your expertise and participation are crucial in implementing effective parliamentary oversight and amplifying its impact. I urge you to continue collaborating to strengthen Mongolia’s democratic governance.

The Secretariat of the State Great Hural is directed to prioritize institutionalizing mechanisms for consistent oversight practices.

Thank you.