On 18 December, University representatives and experts from across Central Asia came together to shape the future of water diplomacy education through the development of a Regional Master’s program in Water Diplomacy.
The exchange of experience helped align approaches, define priorities, and identify next steps for academic cooperation, creating a solid basis for a shared curriculum and sustained collaboration among partner universities. The discussions laid the groundwork for strengthening regional capacity to prepare specialists capable of addressing the political, legal, and technical aspects of water governance.
Participants highlighted that climate change, glacier melt, and growing water demand are making water challenges in Central Asia increasingly transboundary. They emphasized the need for specialists who combine technical expertise with skills in policy, law, and diplomacy. The proposed Master’s program aims to address this gap through practical, interdisciplinary training tailored to the region’s shared water context.
The seminar also resulted in agreement on next steps for inter-university cooperation, including aligning curricula, defining research components, and strengthening coordination among partner institutions. By bringing together technical and policy-focused universities, the initiative seeks to support long-term regional cooperation and more effective water governance in Central Asia.
Organized under the Blue Peace Central Asia initiative and supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, with implementation by IWMI, CAREC, and IUCN, the seminar reflects a shared commitment to investing in people as a pathway to water security and regional stability.
