Post Release of the Round table "Water politics"

Post-release
Presentation Seminar No. 1, 2025, "Power and Water: from Geopolitics to Hydropolitics," Bulletin of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. The Political Science series. April 28, 2025, 6 p.m. Teleconference.Yandex

Participants: 
Pochta Yuri Mikhailovich – Doctor of Philosophy, Professor of the Rudn University, Editor-in-chief of the Bulletin
Darya Borisovna Kazarinova - Candidate of Political Sciences, Associate Professor at the RUDN University, executive editor of the Bulletin, author
Mikhalev Alexey Viktorovich - Doctor of Political Sciences, Director of the Center for the Study of Political Transformations, D. Banzarov Buryat State University, Guest editor of the thematic issue
Likhacheva Anastasia Borisovna – Candidate of Political Sciences, Dean of the Faculty of World Economy and World Politics at the National Research University Higher School of Economics
Nikolayev, Nikolai Petrovich. – Candidate of Political Sciences, Professor of the Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, National Research University Higher School of Economics, author
Pavel Nikolaevich Dudin – Doctor of Historical Sciences, Doctor of Political Sciences, Doctor of Law, Associate Professor, Leading Researcher, Institute of Mongolian Studies, Buddhology and Tibetology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, author
Zhiltsov Sergey Sergeevich - Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Political Science and Political Philosophy, Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, author
Kubatbek Kalyevich Rakhimov – Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (Ph.D.), Director of the Public Fund "Application – Center for Strategic Solutions", expert on infrastructure development of Central Eurasia, former adviser to the Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic on macroeconomics and Eurasian integration, author
Mikhaleva Anastasia Anatolyevna – Candidate of Political Sciences, Senior Researcher, Center for the Study of Political Transformations, D. Banzarov Buryat State University, author 
During the presentation seminar, topical issues related to water resources, their political significance and the challenges faced by countries, especially in the context of conflicts and climate change, were discussed.
 Key theses:
• Water resources as a source of conflict: examples of conflicts between India and Pakistan.
• The need for a systematic approach to water research and hydropolitics.
• The impact of climate change on the availability of water resources and their use in policy.
• Water justice and its importance in international relations.
• The role of the scientific community in developing practical solutions for water resources management.
• Lack of a strategic document on water resources in Russia
• The need to create a water doctrine to regulate relations with neighboring countries.
• The relevance of the problem of water scarcity in the context of climate change.
• The importance of studying transboundary water resources and their use.
• Prospects for the development of hydropolitics as a scientific discipline.

Key concepts of the institutionalizing subdiscipline "Hydropolitics":
• Hydropolitics: the study of political aspects of water resources management.
• Water justice: a concept concerning the equitable distribution of water resources between countries and regions.
• Hydro-trust: trust between States in matters of joint management of water resources.
• Axiology of Hydropolitics: a philosophical discipline that studies values and their impact on behavior and decisions in relation to water resources - Hydropolitics: a science that studies the political aspects of water resources management.
• Water Doctrine: a strategic document defining the state's policy in the field of water resources.
• Transboundary water resources: water resources that cross national borders and require joint management.

Mikhalev A.V. I started my research on water resources since the construction of a hydroelectric power station in Mongolia. In the course of my work, I came across a concept that refers to natural forces that influence human behavior. I suggested that my colleagues write articles about the relationship between the hydraulic and the political in order to create an issue that combines these topics. As a result, our issue has become a combined one, covering both general reasoning and applied aspects. I would like to highlight the work of Nikolai Petrovich, which touches on the climate agenda.
 I am generally pleased with the results of our special issue, which was the beginning of an important conversation about water. We present the issue that has finally been released, and we hope that it will arouse the interest of readers. Anastasia Borisovna's work had a significant impact on our issue, especially her article "No Water, no War." We strive to keep our research relevant and useful. It is important that the topic of water remains in the spotlight.
Likhacheva A.B. I congratulate all the participants on the publication of the issue and thank them for their contribution to the development of water research in Russia. We have a huge potential for studying water issues, especially in the context of Central Asia. Water issues are becoming more and more urgent, and we need to explore them more deeply. It is important that the scientific community actively works on this topic. We must understand that water problems affect security and socio-economic processes.
The water issue in Central Asia is sensitive to Russian security challenges. Water resources management in this region requires special attention. It is important to study how water sovereignty affects State sovereignty. Water as a political phenomenon requires in-depth analysis. We must pay attention to the regional aspects of water policy.
 Hydropolitics is becoming an important topic in international relations. We are witnessing how water is used as a weapon in conflicts, which requires a new approach to water resources management. It is important to develop measures to prevent conflicts in this area. We must take into account that water problems are being exacerbated by climate change. It is necessary to actively work on the international legal framework.
The special issue sets out important concepts that help to understand the vastness of the water problem. We need to consider what a hydropolitics is and how it can be implemented. It is important to consider how different countries approach water issues. We must develop the concepts of water justice and water trust. This will help us better understand water conflicts and find solutions.
 Water conflicts have deep historical roots and require careful analysis. We must take into account that they are being exacerbated by climate change and population growth. It is important to develop strategies for water resources management. We must understand that water can be used as a weapon in conflict situations. This requires new approaches and solutions from us.
 The scientific community should work on practical steps in the field of water policy. We need to systematize our research and proposals for making policy decisions. It is important that our developments become the basis for practical implementation. We must objectively consider the problems of interaction with Central Asia. This is especially true in light of the expected climate migration.
Water justice is related to axiology and political ethics. We must take into account that multipolarity complicates the possibility of agreement between civilizations. It is important to consider water as an investment resource, not just as a competitive one. This will help us overcome our differences of values. We must look for ways to cooperate in the field of water resources.
We should expect that water problems will worsen in the future. Changes in geopolitics and climate will affect water resources management. It is important that the scientific community actively works on this topic. We must develop strategies to prevent conflicts. Water will remain an important resource in international politics.
I would like to congratulate all the participants on the release of the issue and thank them for their active participation. We must continue to discuss water issues and seek solutions. It is important that our research is relevant and useful. We must work on practical steps in the field of water policy. The topic of water will not lose its relevance in the coming years.
Nikolaev N.P. Over the past five years, we have been in a situation where we do not have an internal document on the water strategy. This absence also concerns a conceptual document that could become a water doctrine. We have discussed this issue on forums, and it is important that our community starts working on creating such a document. It should become strategic for Russia, both in domestic and foreign policy. This is necessary for our partners, including the countries of Central Asia and Eastern Europe, to understand our attitude to water resources.
 I want to thank everyone for their cooperation and interest in this topic. Reading the magazine was fascinating, and I hope that the number of like-minded people who realize the importance of water issues will grow. We must continue to discuss this topic and develop cooperation. I also thank the RDN for the support that has allowed us to move forward in this direction. It's a really valuable experience that's worth continuing.
 Zhiltsov S.S. noted that it turned out to be diverse and balanced. It is important that it raised key issues related to water issues. We have considered both general issues and regional aspects, especially in Central Asia. Given climate change and water scarcity, these issues remain relevant. It is necessary to study them from the point of view of crisis moments for the region and neighboring countries.
The problem of using transboundary water resources remains acute and unresolved. Sovereignty over water resources often contradicts the interests of individual States. Water law in this context is insufficiently developed and does not offer effective tools. We must continue to explore this topic and look at it from different angles, including the impact of climate change on politics. The geopolitics of water resources requires special attention.