Launch of the Water Diplomacy Training for Young Specialists in Central Asia

Astana, 17 March 2025 - the Executive Committee of IFAS jointly with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands held a ceremony of launching the training titled “Promoting political cooperation through water diplomacy in Central Asia” aimed at young professionals from Central Asian countries in the field of water diplomacy.
The ceremony was co-hosted by the Chairman of the EC IFAS Ambassador Askhat Orazbay and the Ambassador of the Netherlands Mr. Nico Schermers. The speakers of the event were consisted of the Ambassador of Turkmenistan Mr. Batyr Rejepov, Director of the International Law Department of the Foreign Office of Kazakhstan Mr. Dastan Suleimenov, Director of the Department of Science and Innovation, Ministry of Water resources of Kazakhstan Ms. Lyazzat Zhussipova, senior diplomats and representatives of Central Asian countries to the EC IFAS.

The Netherlands side were represented online by the Director for Europe of the Foreign Office of the Netherlands Mr. Erik Weststrate, representatives of the Clingendael Institute Mr. Tobias van Lossow and the IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education Ms. Jenniver Sehring, and training participants from Central Asian countries.

Organized by the Clingendael Institute and IHE Delft, and funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this 18-month training will equip 15 young professionals from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan with the skills needed to foster regional cooperation and enhance their diplomatic expertise in water management.  

This initiative marks a significant step towards sustainable water diplomacy in the region!