Dear Reader,
between August 10 and 14, 2026, the XIIIth International Congress of Mongolists, organized by the International Association for Mongol Studies (IAMS, mong. Олон Улсын Монгол Судлалын Холбоо, ОУМСХ) was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, under the patronage of the President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh. After modest beginnings in 1959 with approx. 40 participants from 15 countries, the Congress has been growing over the decades; this year’s event saw a record participation of about 570 international and Mongolian scholars from a total of 30 countries, according to media reports.
From the perspective of Mongolia, this congress was much more than a purely scholarly gathering. In his opening speech, the President stated: “On behalf of the government and people, I would like to express my gratitude to Mongolian scientists and researchers who are serving as academic ambassadors connecting Mongolians with the outside world.”
The International Congresses of Mongolists are traditionally also used as a platform to award scholars with some of the highest Mongolian decorations; a total of 16 scholars were awarded the Order of the Polar Star (mong. Алтан Гапас) at this occasion, among them several members of the PIAC family:
The Friendship Medal (Найрамдал медаль) was awarded to
We offer our heartfelt congratulations to the distinguished scholars.
It was announced that the Congress will be held from now on every three years.
Oliver Corff
Secretary General
September 2026
Sources:
“Монгол судлалыг хөгжүүлж байгаа эрхмүүдийг шагналаа” [Awards given to distinguished individuals developing Mongolian studies], news.mn, 2026-08-10, https://news.mn/r/2881088/. URL visited 2026-09-04.
“У.Хүрэлсүх: Монгол судлаачдын залгамж холбоог бэхжүүлэхэд онцгой анхаарах шаардлагатай” [U. Khurelsukh: Special attention should be paid to strengthening the succession of Mongolian researchers], news.mn, 2026-08-10, https://news.mn/r/2881067/. URL visited 2026-09-04.