Zorigt Dashdorj is the former Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy of Mongolia (2008-2012) and Member of Parliament (2009-2012). During his tenure, multi-billion dollar mining and energy projects were signed or initiated, propelling Mongolia to become one of the fastest growing emerging economies. He is a strong backer of renewable energies, supporting the first privately funded commercial scale wind farm in Mongolia. Prior to becoming a government minister, Dashdorj was a chief executive officer of a state-owned mining company in charge of strategic projects, and a director in the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Dashdorj started his career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served as Deputy Director for Strategic Planning and Coordination and served as First Secretary of Mongolia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations. He has an 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.