Skills for Successful Resource Contract Negotiations

Alberto Reyes served as the Dominican Republic's first Vice-Minister of Hydrocarbons at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, where he played a pivotal role in developing the country's hydrocarbon sector. During his tenure, he spearheaded significant initiatives including the country's first oil licensing round and established policies to attract international investment in the energy sector. He created and directed the Extractive Industry Supervision Bureau, coordinating activities between major government institutions including the Ministry of Finance, Internal Tax Directorate, General Customs Directorate, and the Central Bank for oversight of extractive activities. His career includes positions as Legal Director for a major oil distribution company and attorney in an energy generation conglomerate's corporate department. Currently, he serves as senior counsel at Guzmán Ariza law firm, where he continues to work on energy and extractive industry matters. His expertise in transparency and governance in extractive industries has been recognized internationally, and he has contributed to regional forums on strengthening good governance in Latin America's extractive sector.

Zorigt Dashdorj is a distinguished public servant and energy sector expert who currently serves as Executive Director of the Mongolia Development Strategy Institute while managing his Eurasia risk consulting practice and holding board positions at several companies including Skytel, AIC, and Emart Mongolia. His most prominent role was serving as Mongolia's Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy from 2008 to 2012, concurrent with his position as Member of Parliament from 2009 to 2012, during which he spearheaded major mining initiatives that transformed Mongolia's economy. His extensive career includes founding and serving as CEO of the state-owned mining company Erdenes MGL, and holding key positions such as Director of Policy Planning in the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance and Economy. His 14-year public service career began at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he served as Deputy Director for Strategic Planning and First Secretary of Mongolia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations. His academic achievements include an LLD and LLM from Kyushu University, an MA in International Relations from the Australian National University, and an MA in Political Science from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. Under his leadership, Mongolia developed its first commercial-scale wind farm and implemented significant reforms in the mining sector, establishing himself as a key figure in Mongolia's economic transformation and sustainable development initiatives. His expertise continues to influence regional development through his current roles in strategic consulting and policy advisory positions.

Herbert P. M'cleod (1948-2022) served as Country Director for Sierra Leone and Liberia at the International Growth Centre, leaving an indelible mark on economic development in West Africa. His illustrious career spanned over five decades, including 35 years with the United Nations Development Programme where he held positions across Africa in Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone. As a trusted advisor transcending party politics in Sierra Leone, he served both as senior advisor to Vice President under the SLPP government and later as senior advisor to the APC President Koroma. His expertise in extractive industries led him to work as a UN adviser on mining agreements in Guinea and the Republic of Congo, where he championed human rights protection and broader economic benefits from resource extraction. At the International Growth Centre, he focused on addressing post-conflict economic challenges and promoting regional collaboration through the Mano River Union and African Continental Free Trade Area. His work with the International Finance Corporation included promoting private sector development through the Africa Project Development Facility and Foreign Investment Advisory Services. M'cleod was particularly noted for his intellectual rigor and deep understanding of economic transformation in post-conflict settings, working tirelessly to link domestic supply chains to international markets through stronger regional collaboration.

Tehtena Mebratu-Tsegaye currently serves as Strategy & Governance Manager for Responsible Tech & Human Rights at BT, following her significant tenure as a senior legal researcher at the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment. Her expertise spans sustainable investment in extractive industries, land rights, and agricultural development. Her academic credentials include an LL.M. from Columbia Law School and a B.A. in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford, with legal qualifications in both England and Wales, and New York. Her career encompasses valuable experience at various prestigious organizations, including work as a legal consultant at Namati focusing on large-scale mining and agricultural projects, and as an Aryeh Neier fellow at the Open Society Justice Initiative where she contributed to anti-corruption research and freedom of information initiatives. Her professional background also includes training at an international law firm, where she handled finance, energy, and infrastructure projects in both London and Singapore offices. Her scholarly contributions include numerous publications on agricultural investments, community rights, and sustainable development, with her research work garnering 68 citations across 15 published works. She has authored significant papers on topics ranging from agricultural investments for host governments to mechanisms for consultation and free, prior, and informed consent in investment contracts.

Solongoo Bayarsaikhan serves as the First Deputy Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat of Mongolia, bringing extensive private sector expertise to public service. Her career trajectory includes serving as Deputy Minister of Justice and Home Affairs and Deputy Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat after transitioning from her role as managing partner at Avinex Partners LLP, where she specialized in corporate and commercial law, banking, finance, and natural resources. Her impressive academic background includes an LL.M. from Harvard Law School, an LL.M. in Mineral Law and Policy from the University of Dundee, and a law degree from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. Prior to co-founding Avinex Partners, she gained valuable experience as an in-house legal associate at MCS Holding LLC and as a senior associate at Hogan Lovells' Ulaanbaatar office, where she advised on high-profile cross-border financing and equity transactions. Her legal expertise and qualifications span multiple jurisdictions, including admission to practice in England and Wales and New York State. In her current governmental role, she has been instrumental in advancing Mongolia's international legal cooperation, particularly in strengthening the country's legal framework for commerce and economic development through engagement with international organizations like UNIDROIT, while maintaining her focus on regulatory matters and natural resource governance.