No. 63 (724) June 2026
SIC ICWC Expert Participates in International Monterey Summer Symposium 2026
SIC ICWC expert G. Khamdamova participated in the international Monterey Summer Symposium 2026, which, for the first time in its ten-year history, was held in Central Asia and the South Caucasus, with events taking place in Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Armenia.
The Uzbekistan segment of the symposium program was held in Samarkand, Bukhara, and Tashkent, where participants explored the region’s historical and cultural heritage while discussing contemporary issues related to international cooperation, geopolitics, security, and sustainable development.
The final stage of the program in Uzbekistan took place on 27 June 2026 at the Hilton Tashkent City, where a series of expert panel discussions was organized. During one of the sessions, entitled "Water, Power, and the Future of Central Asia: Diplomacy, Security, and the Politics of a Vanishing Resource," G. Khamdamova participated as a guest expert representing SIC ICWC.
The session was moderated by Brianne Todd, Professor of Practice at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA Center), whose research focuses on Central Asia. The panel also featured Iskandar Abdullaev of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), who addressed issues of transboundary water cooperation in Central Asia, emphasizing the importance of strengthening regional collaboration, advancing scientific and expert dialogue, and jointly developing solutions for the effective management of shared water resources.
In her speach, G. Khamdamova provided an overview of the current state of transboundary water cooperation in Central Asia, with particular emphasis on the role of water diplomacy, regional dialogue, and existing cooperation mechanisms in promoting sustainable and equitable management of shared water resources. She also presented the activities of SIC ICWC, highlighting its organizational setup, key areas of work, and ongoing projects aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, improving water management, promoting scientific and information exchange, and supporting evidence-based decision-making in the water sector.
The panel discussion was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants discussed current challenges related to water diplomacy, transboundary cooperation, and sustainable water management. Drawing on their extensive professional experience, the speakers shared their perspectives on the future development of regional water cooperation in Central Asia.
Participation in the symposium provided SIC ICWC with an opportunity to present Central Asia’s experience in transboundary water management, exchange views with leading international experts and members of the academic community, and discuss contemporary approaches to strengthening regional cooperation in the water sector.
For information: The Monterey Summer Symposium is an international expert forum that brings together representatives of academia, government institutions, and international organizations to discuss issues related to geopolitics, security, diplomacy, and regional cooperation. In 2026, the symposium was held in Central Asia for the first time, reflecting the region’s growing importance in addressing issues of sustainable development, water security, and international cooperation.
See more information about the Monterey Summer Symposium 2026