Dr. Valentin S. Batomunkuev graduated from Buryat State University in 2002 with a Specialist degree in Geography (with the qualification of Geographer, Teacher of Geography). He completed postgraduate studies in Geography from 2002 to 2005 and earned a PhD degree in Geography in 2006. He currently serves as Head of the Laboratory for Geostrategic Studies and Spatial Development at the Baikal Institute of Nature Management, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dr. Batomunkuev is a member of the Russian Geographical Society (RGS); the Association of Russian Geographers and Social Scientists (ARGO); the Scientific Council of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the Problems of Lake Baikal; the Council for Cooperation between the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia; the Standing Committee of the International Union of Scientists in Support of the Belt and Road Initiative; editorial Board of the Central Asian Journal of Geographical Researches; editorial Board of the international scientific journal, Nature of Inner Asia; editorial board of the journal Eastern Vector: Economics, Sociology, Ethnology. His research interests include economic and social geography, the economics of natural resource use, and the economic–geographical assessment of mineral resources. He is also a member and expert of the International Union of Scientists supporting the Belt and Road Initiative.