Tashkent, Uzbekistan – 12 August 2024. The second week of the training course on Water Diplomacy for teaching staff of Central Asian universities, which started on August 5th this year, is currently taking place at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED). The course is organized jointly with Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanisation Engineers (TIIAME-NRU), Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic (DAMFA-KR), and International Water Management Institute (IWMI) within the framework of the Erasmus+ HWCA project. Mr. Shakhboz Akhmedov, Deputy Director of the Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) under UWED, and Odilbek Manabov, Research Fellow at the IAIS Centre for Sustainable Development, are also part of this programme.

The course week at UWED was opened by Akram Umarov, the First Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, along with senior representatives from the partner organizations. In his opening remarks, he emphasized the critical role of water diplomacy in the current geopolitical landscape and wished success to the participants.

Moreover, a summer school for young researchers sponsored by the Blue Peace Central Asia initiative of the Swiss Government is also underway. This programme is designed to provide emerging professionals with both theoretical insights and practical expertise in water management and diplomacy. The comprehensive curriculum includes lectures from leading experts, hands-on workshops, and field visits to important water sites. This well-rounded approach ensures participants develop a deep understanding of the challenges and solutions in the field.

By the end of the programme, teaching staff and young researches of Central Asian universities are expected to be equipped to tackle urgent water issues and contribute to policy development and regional cooperation.