Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj served two terms as Mongolia’s prime minister and another two terms as president. He is customarily addressed as “President Elbegdorj” (pronounced Elbeg-doorj) or “President EB.”

President Elbegdorj began his involvement in politics as a youth activist. He has been described as the “Golden Sparrow of Democracy” for his role in the peaceful 1990 demonstrations leading to withdrawal of the Soviet Union and transition to a democratic form of government. Some call him Mongolia’s Thomas Jefferson because of his role in drafting the Mongolian Constitution, he is called as.

During his tenure in office, President Elbegdorj focused on policies that promoted:

• The unique relationship with the United States. Former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker, III dubbed this the “strategic third-neighbor policy,” to balance the competing influences of Russia and China.
• Foreign investment, including in mining and natural resource industries
• Free market principles
• Transparency
• Women’s rights

Since leaving office in 2017, President Elbegdorj has continued to exert thought leadership and promote these same policies. In 2023, he is a distinguished visiting fellow at Stanford University. Additionally, he is currently focusing on two areas:

• Student exchanges. President Elbegdorj was educated at the Harvard Kennedy School and understands the value of an international education. He is interested in developing relationships with other esteemed institutions of higher learning, for cultural and student exchanges.
• Strengthening Mongolia’s free market democracy through promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and public service.