“The problem of water resource shortage is one of the main challenges of modern international relations”
IRGS students Timofei Petrov and Kirill Shurakov attended the conference “Water Resources in the Climate Policy of a Multipolar World” at the Russian Academy of Sciences
On January 30, the Russian Academy of Sciences hosted the conference "Water Resources in Climate Policy of a Multipolar World." The event featured presentations by scientists from Russia and other countries. Among the invited participants were second-year students from the International Relations and Global Studies program, Timofei Petrov and Kirill Shurakov.
The conference brought together experts, including faculty members from the HSE University, who presented their research across three key sessions: The Role of Water in Climate Policy, The Climate Agenda in Eurasia: Challenges and Solutions, and Water Policy in a Changing Climate: Concepts, Technologies, and Finance. A central focus of the event was the discussion of a draft bill that Nikolai Nikolaev, a State Duma Deputy and Deputy Head of the Interfactional Working Group on Legal Support for the Green Economy, plans to present to the Federal Assembly. According to our students, the debate was highly engaging, with experts from different countries and disciplines sharing their insights and suggesting amendments to improve water resource management in Russia and across Eurasia. Discussions also highlighted the need to enhance the training of specialists in water and climate policy on a global scale.
Research at HSE continues to evolve, with new laboratories emerging to address global political and economic trends. At the recent conference, Fyodor Alekseev, a junior research fellow at the Laboratory for Climate Change Economics, also participated in the discussions. The IRGS Press Center asked Fyodor to share his thoughts on the key issues debated at the event.
Water scarcity is one of the most pressing challenges in modern international relations. Each year, the number of transboundary water conflicts increases, threatening the long-term economic development of entire regions. Some scholars argue that the 21st century will be marked by wars over water. This is not an exaggeration, as many of the world's largest economies — including Australia, northern China, the western United States, and the countries of Central Asia — are already experiencing severe water shortages. Today specialists must recognize water as a strategic factor in global politics and work on developing diplomatic and institutional mechanisms to prevent and resolve conflicts over water use.
One of the most engaging sessions of the conference, The Climate Agenda in Eurasia: Challenges and Solutions, was moderated by Anastasia Likhacheva, Dean of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs. The session focused on the most urgent climate-related challenges facing Eurasian countries, their impact on the region, and strategies to mitigate negative consequences. Discussions covered a wide range of issues, including environmental conflicts over water resources, the Eurasian Economic Union’s (EAEU) climate strategy, and approaches to optimizing water resource management in Central Asia. Leading representatives of governmental and international organizations contributed their expertise on these critical topics.
The IRGS Press Center extends its gratitude to the conference organizers for inviting our students to participate and looks forward to continued collaboration in both scientific research and education.
This article was prepared as part of the International Relations and Global Studies Press Center project.
Text by: Evgeniy Sanfirov (1st year student)
Edited by: Timofei Petrov (2nd year student, Press Center Coordinator)
