On 19-26 April 2026, a delegation from the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) travelled to Azerbaijan to explore potential areas of cooperation with various Azerbaijani public and private institutions in the fields of water management, migration and public management.
Climate change, increasing water scarcity, and the ongoing conflict with Armenia underscore the growing importance of environmental diplomacy and peacebuilding, particularly in the management of transboundary water resources, such as the Kura and Araz rivers and their tributaries.
The ISS delegation thus held productive discussions with the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency, the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture, ADA University, Khazar University and the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University.
The parties also discussed research activities and provided an opportunity to explore how ISS can support academic and government institutions in the Caucasus, for example by sharing its experience and best practices in attracting international students.
A further strategic objective of ISS collaborations in Azerbaijan is to enhance the societal impact of its development studies research by fostering research partnerships and educational initiatives with a critical focus on water governance, peace and diplomacy with universities in Azerbaijan.
Enhancing the quality of research on water diplomacy and governance
Azerbaijani partners hope to strengthen the quality of research on water diplomacy and governance, for example, by collaborating with internationally recognized institutions in these fields. And universities sought to enhance the attractiveness of their educational programmes to both domestic and international students, including through the development of double degree programmes.
The discussions also explored how ISS' expertise on governance frameworks (public-private partnerships, public sector reform), social dimensions of water management (community participation and infrastructure maintenance) and economic aspects (water pricing, investment climate, climate change adaptation) could be integrated with technical and engineering solutions.
The visit also included consultations with a number of international organizations operating in Azerbaijan, and two workshops by Patrizia Rampioni introducing the European Union’s grant schemes to Azerbaijani students and researchers.
The visit was arranged and facilitated by Dr Farhad Mukhtarov (Principal Investigator of the Erasmus+ project) and Ms Shahla Balakishiyeva, a senior policy officer at the Netherlands Embassy in Azerbaijan.
Delegation members
- Professor Ruard Ganzevoort (Rector of ISS)
- Dr Oane Visser (Associate Professor)
- Dr Farhad Mukhtarov (Assistant Professor)
- Mr Sebastian Rodriguez (Business Development Officer)
- Ms Patrizia Rampioni (Grant Advisor)
- Ms Shahla Balakishiyeva (Senior policy officer at the Netherlands Embassy in Azerbaijan)
