On 18th May 2026, the Institute for Advanced International Studies hosted a new session of its Frontier Talks series featuring Dr. Ismaël Maazaz, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Faculty of Business and Management, Tampere University (Finland). The seminar focused on contemporary challenges of water governance, climate-related disasters, and the growing political and social dimensions of water management.
The discussion examined the increasing global pressure on water systems caused by climate change, population growth, urbanization, and rising demand for water resources. Particular attention was devoted to the growing scale of water insecurity and the rising frequency of climate-related disasters affecting different regions of the world.
A significant part of the session focused on Central Asia and broader debates surrounding water governance in the Global South. In this regard, participants discussed the historical transformation of water systems during the Tsarist and Soviet periods, the long-term impact of large irrigation projects on regional ecosystems, and contemporary challenges related to transboundary water management. Particular attention was devoted to the case of Karakalpakstan and broader regional dependence on shared water resources.
The seminar also explored how water access is shaped not only by infrastructure and technical management, but also by social relations, inequality, governance practices, and everyday adaptation mechanisms. Discussions highlighted the importance of studying water governance through interdisciplinary and people-centered approaches.
The session concluded with a broader reflection on the growing strategic importance of water governance in the context of climate change and regional development. The Frontier Talks session provided an important platform for academic exchange on the political, social, and environmental dimensions of water management in a rapidly changing world.
