"Drops of the Future" in Vienna: A Milestone for Water Cooperation!

10.03.2025 Building Peace

On February 26–27, 2025, the OSCE-led “Drops of the Future” initiative held its concluding event in Vienna, marking the culmination of a youth-focused series on the Water-Food-Energy Nexus across five Central Asian countries.

Geneva Water Hub contributed to regional discussions in Central Asia through the OSCE-led “Drops of the Future” initiative – a youth-focused series on the Water-Food-Energy Nexus. Launched by the OSCE in partnership with Switzerland, this initiative spanned all five Central Asian countries and culminated in a high-level event in Vienna, Austria.

Our colleague, Nadira Mukhamejan, represented the GWH in these discussions, bringing her expertise in Central Asian water governance and youth engagement to the table. Her participation in the panel discussions and co-facilitating a design thinking workshop aimed at spurring creative problem-solving for water-related challenges underscores GWH’s commitment to empowering the next generation of water leaders and fostering regional cooperation.

Key Takeaways from the Vienna Event:

Water Diplomacy = Sustainable Development: Continuous dialogue and negotiation are key to managing trade-offs between water use, energy production, and food security – especially under climate change pressures. Such cooperation helps prevent resource conflicts and promotes sustainable development amid climate uncertainties.
Focus on Cooperation, Technologies, and Data Exchange: From hydrological modelling to stakeholder mapping, open-access tools and data-sharing agreements can reduce tensions and build trust across borders.
Youth and Women’s Leadership in Water for Peace: Empowering young professionals and women leads to stronger cross-border trust and collaboration. Engaging these voices in water dialogues is vital for long-term stability and peace in the region.

In addition to work in Central Asia, the Geneva Water Hub leads various initiatives to advance water diplomacy worldwide. Nadira highlighted the initiative of the Science-Policy Incubator Grant on Water Diplomacy that provides support for scholars to bridge research and policy ensuring that scientific insights inform sustainable cooperation over shared water resources.

We also prioritize knowledge-sharing and training. The upcoming Summer School in Water Governance (8th edition, June 2025), offering hands-on training in hydropolitics, international water law, and data-driven cooperation.