Abstract

This paper aims at identifying how Para diplomacy influences the

Transboundary Water Cooperation in Central Asia with a special

reference to the non-state and sub-state actors. This research aims

at finding out what para diplomacy is, why it is done, the benefits

and the risks associated with doing para diplomacy especially in

managing the shared water resources. The research method used in

the study combines the scenario mapping, typology analysis, and

comparative case studies in order to obtain data from the Central

Asian context. Thus, the reason for the findings is to increase an

understanding of the Para diplomacy enhancement of

transboundary water security

Key Words

ara Diplomacy, Transboundary Water

Cooperation, Subnational Actors, Central

Asia, Water Management, Regional

Governance

Introduction

One of the most emergent global issues presently is

water resources management across the borders,

and climate change together with the rapidly

growing population aggravate this challenge. To

that end, transboundary water cooperation is

deemed vital, hence the following arguments (Li et

al. , 2016). Altogether, most of the strategies have

been placed on the high-level government

diplomacy though the general concept of para

diplomacy (Gupta, 2023) concerning the

subnational and non-governmental players has not

been well explored. Indeed, this is due to the fact

that transboundary waters is of a necessity a topical

issue in the field of international relations because

of its indispensability as water resources can only

be managed effectively if efforts are pooled

together. Thus, speaking of governance, scholarly

discourse tends to focus more on the approaches

on the national/international level while admitting

the presence and importance of non-governmental

and subnational actors (Islam & Repella, 2015). It is

with regard to this background that this research

seeks to assess the extent to which these actors

enhanced sound transboundary water cooperation

and governance using the Para diplomacy

paradigm. Hence, the significance of the future

work consists in filling this theoretical gap with

reference to the multifaceted but insufficiently

Hamza Mehmood, Syed Shamsuddin and Laiba Ali

58 | P a g e G l o b a l S t r a t e g i c & S e c u r i t y S t u d i e s R e v i e w ( G S S S R )

addressed role of the non-governmental and

subnational actors in TBC (Wang et al. , 2021).

Policy and decision-makers involved in water

governance at various levels which include national

regional within study areas would be in a better

position to benefit from this papers’ analysis of

effectiveness of Para diplomacy in enhancing

transboundary water security (Gao et al. , 2021).

This study consequently will strive to sensitize the

shifting dynamic of international relations, water

management, and subnational actors in response to

global challenges focusing on Central Asia Para

diplomacy and transboundary water security.

Research Questions

This study unfolds through a framework of four

central inquiries that guide its exploration into the

realm of para diplomacy within the context of

transboundary water cooperation:

1) Exploring the contribution of sub-national

and non-governmental actors in the

cooperation in transboundary water resources

and to what extent the "Paradiplomacy" helps

the process ?

2) Which actions are encompassed by the term “

Paradiplomacy,” and how does it affect the

work on transboundary waters?

3) Considering the activity described as

‘paradiplomacy,’ what could be the

advantages and the drawbacks of such an

approach towards the security and

management of transboundary water

resources?

4) What roles and impact of political context,

degree of the autonomy and kinds of

paradiplomacy define the results of

“Paradiplomacy” in various regions?

Objectives

The primary objectives of this forthcoming study

include:

1) To compare the specifics of the subnational

and non-governmental actors in the context

of “Paradiplomacy” concerning the

transboundary water cooperation.

2) To explicate on the “Paradiplomacy” activities

and possible acts and then review the roles

that they play in creating improved transboundary water safety.

3) In order to evaluate such factors one needs to

define the potential opportunities and risks of

‘paradiplomacy’ for collaboration on transboundary watercourses.

4) To see how various paradiplomacy

categorizations, political context, and level of

independence impact the outcomes of

“paradiplomacy. ”

Materials and Methods




global challenges focusing on Central Asia Para

diplomacy and transboundary water security.

Research Questions

This study unfolds through a framework of four

central inquiries that guide its exploration into the

realm of para diplomacy within the context of

transboundary water cooperation:

1) Exploring the contribution of sub-national

and non-governmental actors in the

cooperation in transboundary water resources

and to what extent the "Paradiplomacy" helps

the process ?

2) Which actions are encompassed by the term “

Paradiplomacy,” and how does it affect the

work on transboundary waters?

3) Considering the activity described as

‘paradiplomacy,’ what could be the

advantages and the drawbacks of such an

approach towards the security and

management of transboundary water

resources?

4) What roles and impact of political context,

degree of the autonomy and kinds of

paradiplomacy define the results of

“Paradiplomacy” in various regions?

Objectives

The primary objectives of this forthcoming study

include:

1) To compare the specifics of the subnational

and non-governmental actors in the context

of “Paradiplomacy” concerning the

transboundary water cooperation.

2) To explicate on the “Paradiplomacy” activities

and possible acts and then review the roles

that they play in creating improved transboundary water safety.

3) In order to evaluate such factors one needs to

define the potential opportunities and risks of

‘paradiplomacy’ for collaboration on transboundary watercourses.

4) To see how various paradiplomacy

categorizations, political context, and level of

independence impact the outcomes of

“paradiplomacy. ”

Materials and Methods

The typology analysis carried out initially in the

study will help to classify those who are involved

and the nature of paradiplomacy in the Central

Asia region in cooperation on trans-boundary

water. This work will differentiate between tasks

and roles of local governments, subnational

governments, and other relevant actors in the field

and provide a basic understanding of

paradiplomacy in regard to the given specific case

of transboundary water security in Central Asia.

To get a better picture of the sorts of activities

various stakeholders engage in within the

framework of transboundary water cooperation, it

will be sufficient to apply the technique of scenario

mapping only to the CA region. With regard to

Central Asia, the above mapping strategy will help

define the key stakeholders, their functions, and

the extent of their influence (Wei et al., 2021). The

discussion of the scenario mapping will shed light

on the relationships of the players and the

interdependence of the actors in the framework of

the "paradiplomacy" of Central Asia. In addition,

this study will employ a comparative case study and

since the focus will be on the effects of

environmental regulation on the firms the main

case study will be limited to Central Asia.

Thus, literature review, documents review,

interviews with key stakeholders, and, if necessary,

questionnaires will be used to collect data, with a

special focus on one region, namely Central Asia. In

data analysis, there will be the use of both

qualitative and quantitative techniques; and theme

analysis of the qualitative data; while for the

quantitative data, statistical analysis. The goal of

this technique is to give a summarized assessment

of the function and result of 'Paradiplomacy' in the

management of transboundary waters in the

Central Asia region.

Para-diplomacy’s Role in Central Asian Transboundary Water Cooperation: An Assessment of Subnational Actors

Vol. IX, No. I (Winter 2024) 59 | P a g e

Study Area: Central Asian Transboundary

Rivers

Consequently, this study, which is geared towards

the analysis of Transboundary water cooperation in

the Central Asia, commenced with the Typology

analysis of the players with the ultimate aim of

categorising systematically the various players and

their paradiplomacy activities as identified by

Micklin in 2010. Based on the findings of this

research the roles and responsibilities of the

subnational governments, the municipal

governments, and other related parties were

identified clearly. Some of these are general on the

nature of paradiplomacy and as a framework that

may be deployed to address the issue of the

attainment of transboundary water security in the

case of the centrality of the Central Asian nations.

Situational Analysis

Although the situation mapping was only in

Central Asian area, it was useful in mapping the

complex interaction of actors involved in

paradiplomacy ( Giordano et al. , 2014). This is due

to the fact that through comprehensive mapping

one is able to easily identify the players that are

involved, their roles, and their level of involvement

in TsWC. The study contributed towards the

understanding of paradigm as it established various

interconnectivity of paradiplomats from the

different entities of Central Asia.

Approach to Comparative Case Studies

The primary research methodology of comparative

case study was Central Asia for this study (Pak,

Wegerich, & Kazbekov, 2013). Framed in the

context of the paradigm of transboundary water

cooperation and paradiplomacy, this typological

division provided a deeper insight into the nature

of the case and its unique characteristics. It was

applied during the course of the work because by

narrowing the focus on Central Asia, it was easier

to analyze the social environment affecting

paradiplomatic activity in the region.

Data Gathering

The data collection techniques were as prompt as

systematic document reviews, aimed interviews

with key informants, Central Asia questionnaires

and a literature review (Pak, Wegerich, &

Kazbekov, 2013). The kind of data sources that were

employed in the course of the study meant that the

author had enough background information in

other to define the mi of paradiplomacy in water

cooperation in Central Asia.

Information Analysis

The study design was based on the mixed

methodological approach, and this is whereby both

the qualitative and quantitative data analysis

approaches were applied (Bernauer & Siegfried,

2012). For the data collected as part of the

qualitative research method, thematic analysis was

done, as it is useful for identifying details and

patterns within the material (Cole et al. , 2017). In

order to assess and quantify a number of factors

pertaining to the Transboundary Water

Cooperation in Central Asia, a series of quantitative

research analysis techniques were employed:

Moral Reflection

Therefore ethical considerations are appropriate to

protect the research scope, validity/integrity,

credibility, and ethical practices on transboundary

water cooperation and paradiplomacy research

(Fang et al. , 2015). Another pertinent ethic one has

to consider especially when conducting any form of

survey, interview or any other form of data

collection is the informed permission. It is

imperative to have participants' consent in order to

ensure that they are voluntarily participating in the

research and that they understand the intention

and procedures for the study as well as their

individual rights as the participant (Falkingham,

2005). Furthermore, some actions should be made

for masking the participants and preserving the

confidentiality of all details to avoid the violation of

individuals' rights. When undertaking a research

and / or interacting with people of different

cultural background, it is important to be cultures

sensitive so as to respect cultural values. Second to

non-maleficimce is that researcher should not add

any form of negative consequences to the

participants or the societies involved. In the course

of undertaking the proposed study, ethical practice

is necessary when it comes to the collection,

analysis and reporting of the data so as to come up

with this genuine study.

Findings

This work analyzed the studied area of cooperation

and non-cooperation on transboundary water

resources in Central Asia and identified the

complex nature of the issues that indicate

timeliness of applying paradiplomacy when

addressing the cooperation projects (Gleick, 1993).

Conduct of the investigation therefore afforded

understanding of the numerous factors which

contribute to the utilization of the water resources

within the region. As for the highly increased and

rather valuable function of paradiplomacy, it

defined it as an intermediary between the opposing

parties. In this context of a highly connected world,

this account of many interconnections underscored

paradiplomacy as the way of achieving the required

coordination for the survival of the water resource

management systems.

The second discourse stemmed from the very

process of scenario mapping and a detailed

typology study – the stocktaking of the broad

spectrum of actors involved in paradiplomacy.

These analytical tools outline the information

about the numerous subnational governments,

organizations and stakeholders involved in the

various networks and provide information on their

responsibilities, interrelations, and levels of

involvement (Abdullaev & Rakhmatullaev, 2013).

This research aimed at disaggregating this

analytically intricate web and the dynamics

rendering the transboundary water cooperation

and consequently towards a better prognosis. In

this regard, it stated that many participants are

interdependent, and they all have their role to play

towards economic development during the

paradiplomatic process.

Finally, using comparative case study gave

deeper understanding in comparison and analysis

of paradiplomacy processes in Central Asia. By

applying this method of analysis, it was possible to

identify several other contextual factors that are

rather closely connected with paradiplomacy in the

region according to (Cabrera et al., 2012). It assisted

in providing a sound typology of the manifold

socio-political, environmental and economic

factors that underpinned the transboundary water

cooperation in Central Asia region. In this way, the

gains and dynamics of the area of interest were

more comprehensively analyzed and useful

information on how paradiplomacy can be

addressed and approached, as well as the existence

and evolution of typical challenges in the region,

was identified.

Such practice of analysis along with extreme

slang gathering and focusing contributed to

improved understanding of the many faceted

correlation between paradiplomacy and transboundary water cooperation in Central Asia

(Cooley, 2009). The study also presented the

definition of paradiplomacy as the basis of global

relations and the need for the use of this approach

to address complex problems associated with the

regulation of water supply at the international

level

Results

Typology Analysis Findings

Observing the typology analytical data resulted in

identifying the broad classification of

paradiplomatic actors involved in the cooperative

approaches to the transboundary water

management in Central Asia. More specifically, in

the meticulously designed categories, the roles and

duties of different stakeholders regarding

responsibility, commitment, and involvement were

described (Chen, Li, Fang, & Li, 2018). This

examination also focused on the activities of many

paradiplomatic players in terms of their initiatives,

policies, and actions towards the sustainable

development of different areas. That is why the

concentration on the described context of alliances

and opposed, yet interrelated, positions and the

relations between stakeholders gave an overall

outlook by observing the transboundary water

management programs.

Situation Mapping Insights

In the area of paradiplomacy, the scenario mapping

approach proved useful in developing proper

understanding of the main actors and their

different roles. It help to distinguish the different

levels of involvement on the part of important

stakeholders and enabled them to be better defined

and categorized in the framework of the

cooperation on transboundary water. Network

main articulation also revealed the nature of

stakeholder relations, coalitions and possible

sources of tension and conflicts (Bernauer &

Siegfried, 2012). These outcomes shed a certain

Para-diplomacy’s Role in Central Asian Transboundary Water Cooperation: An Assessment of Subnational Actors

Vol. IX, No. I (Winter 2024) 61 | P a g e

light on the cooperative as well as the conflictive

processes involving the paradiplomatic framework

within the context of managing transboundary

water resources in Central Asia and thereby offer a

slightly different perspective on the discussed issue.

Comparative Case Study Findings

Consequently, the specified comparative case study

approach provided a significant appreciation of the

contextual environment influencing paradiplomacy

in the Central Asian region. A strong and rich

understanding of the many factors that determine

the various socio-political, environmental, and

economical characteristics of paradiplomatic

techniques is arrived at based on a review of the

different socio-political, environmental and

economical factors (Chen et al. , 2018). They used

this approach to draw attention to how

paradiplomacy resolved various challenges relating

to water management in Central Asia and adapt its

measures to local problems. The findings

established how responsive and sustainable the

area is when it comes to the challenges posed in the

regulation of transboundary water resources.

Tables, Figures, and Statistical Outcomes

Table 1 Impacts of Paradiplomacy on Transboundary Water Cooperation in Central Asia Paradiplomatic Actor Impact on Water Cooperation Activities Undertaken Influence Level Subnational Government A facilitated cooperative water management Joint infrastructure project implementation facilitated cooperative water management Joint infrastructure project implementation High NGO X promoting the sustainable use of water initiatives for awareness and involvement in the community promoting the sustainable use of water initiatives for awareness and involvement in the community Moderate Municipality B regional initiatives to save water Programs for public education and local policy advocacy regional initiatives to save water Programs for public education and local policy advocacy Low International Organization financing for local initiatives Collaborations in research and capacity development financing for local initiatives Collaborations in research and capacity development Very High The first table presented above shows the function and importance of each Paradiplomatic actor concerning the water-sharing cooperation in Central Asia. These entities- subnational governments, municipalities, NGOs, international organizations etc are categorized based on the following categorization. In the same way, it categorizes the influence, action, and importance at the actors' level toward water cooperation. For example, it can be extremely central to advance the provision of regional states' common structural frameworks for co-operative water resource management. The public may be sensitive and the community may be engaged in the attainment of the organizational objective of water conservation. The mentioned parties might focus on change in local policy and reasonable usage of power for water saving locally. Whenever huge powers are mobilized to back many-sided undertakings in a area repeating massive participation in capacity improvement, large power is denoted on undertakings to cooperate on water . Hamza Mehmood, Syed Shamsuddin and Laiba Ali 62 | P a g e G l o b a l S t r a t e g i c & S e c u r i t y S t u d i e s R e v i e w ( G S S S R ) Table 2 Interrelationships among Paradiplomatic Actors in Central Asian Water Cooperation Paradiplomatic Actors Collaborative Initiatives Areas of Conflict Subnational Government A cooperative infrastructure initiatives and data-sharing contracts Differences in the distribution of water cooperative infrastructure initiatives and data-sharing contracts Differences in the distribution of water NGO X Initiatives for community involvement and collaborations with local government Policy agendas that differ Initiatives for community involvement and collaborations with local government Policy agendas that differ Municipality B Local policy advocacy and educational initiatives Difficulties in Allocating Resources Local policy advocacy and educational initiatives Difficulties in Allocating Resources International Organization Cooperation in research and financing for joint initiatives Conflicts pertaining to project execution Cooperation in research and financing for joint initiatives Conflicts pertaining to project execution The second table displays activities and possible drafted conflicts of several paradiplomatic actors in the water cooperation in Central Asia. Represented in the same fashion as Table 1, these actors have been categorized based on the areas of consensus and disagreement. Subnational governments may have issues on how to provide their resources, though they can cooperate on data-sharing and data infrastructure projects. Out of experience, they act independently and intensively on community mobilization hence, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) may achieve conflicting policies. It may be difficult for towns’ campaigning for some local regulations changes and educational activities to find the resources they need. Whereas parties holding each of these perspectives are active in the financing of projects carried out through international organizations and the encouragement of research cooperation, local conflict over project implementation may arise. These tables are provided in detail to demonstrate multifaceted arrangements and complex interaction of the number of paradiplomatic actors in the sphere of transboundary water cooperation in Central Asia. They also given methodical overview of their impacts, collaborations and potential interference in an effort to seek better understanding and assess the multifaceted mechanisms within the region’s water governance. Some elements that are included in the model may be modified by the results obtained in a particular study or by the need for a more detailed examination of certain objects. Overview of the Role of Paradiplomacy in Transboundary Water Cooperation in Central Asia The analysis carried out in this paper demonstrates that paradiplomacy can be credited with a major role of setting up cooperation in the water sector in Central Asia. The integration of typology analysis, scenario mapping, and comparative cases provided the detailed aspects and contextual factors of paradiplomacy (Cole et al. , 2017). The topics of this paper are the opportunities and risks of subnational and non-governmental involvement, coordination, and ambiguous results of water governance. Diverse Effects of Paradiplomacy The study proves that paradiplomatic members in transboundary water management in Central Asia perform a number of crucial and diverse functions. Particularly, subnational administrations contributed to the enhancement of water security by participating in cooperation programs in water management and development of infrastructure (Dinar, 2012). Despite the perceived weakness of the proceedings of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), they have helped in promoting people participation and sustainable use of water. Municipalities also showed more localized approaches to tackle the peculiar problems of Para-diplomacy’s Role in Central Asian Transboundary Water Cooperation: An Assessment of Subnational Actors Vol. IX, No. I (Winter 2024) 63 | P a g e individual areas in terms of water saving and policy lobbying, and they possessed less authority compared with regions. There is nothing out there which has made a huge impact more than the sponsorship of, and the launching of capacitybuilding programs by international organizations for regional cooperative projects. Cooperative Efforts and Conflict Areas Paradiplomatic actors underlined the cooperative strategies by stressing the advancements on the policy lobbying, the conjoining of infrastructural framework, communion and involvement arrangements, and the climate of data-sharing agreements (Eidem et al. , 2012). But at the same time, the study also identified possible tensions and agressive attitudes among the actors. Their goals are different, policy issues, and concerns relating to water sharing, difficulties in granting resources, and the conflict that arises when implementing the project were found to present major hurdles to efficient collaboration. In Paradiplomacy, Adaptability and Resilience Nonetheless, these restrictions have demonstrated the hypothesis that the comparative case studies of paradiplomacy are flexible and durable in solving context problems (Eidem, Fesler, & Wolf, 2012). The studies showed, for example, how Central Asia’s paradiplomatic strategies actively adjust to suit the specific socio-political, environmental, and economic contexts. They indicate the need for more versatile and situation-adequate approaches when addressing the issues of transboundary water management. Ways to Improve the Governance of Water The following are some of the policy insights that have been established by the study pointing out various ways that may lead to the improvement of water governance. An increase in the effectiveness of the strategies for cooperation, an increased number of meeting platforms, and efforts to prevent the bias of self-interest among the stakeholders are inevitable (Fang, Chen, & Li, 2018). Furthermore, there is a need to build up subnational systems, engage more people, and consolidate localized initiatives into international programs. The study therefore promotes policy adaptability mechanism which considers all the stakeholders’ needs with the view of adopting effective and sustainable water management systems in the area. This paper identifies the need for paradiplomacy in dealing with the challenges of transboundary water partnerships in Central Asia. The findings demonstrate the significance of paying proper attention to the diverse role players and stakeholders in the sphere and utilising them as a source for forming the proper policies of water governance (Qin, Fu, & Peng, 2020). Since the suggested approach relied on a broad range of methods that empowered multiple groups of stakeholders, the research’s findings and recommendations are invaluable to policymakers, as they promote the cooperation necessary to solve the region’s pressing issues concerning water security

Conclusion

To conclude, this work provided an extensive

analysis of the significant functions of the

subnational organisations including local

administration, global organisations, authorities,

and NGOs in the context of the transboundary

water cooperation in Central Asia (Wang et al. ,

2020). In this study typology evaluation, scenario

mapping, and a comparative case study approach

have been used in order to bring out the diverse

effects or roles of paradiplomacy as a concept in the

management of water resources. Subnational

governments have demonstrated that they fully

prove themselves as subnational stakeholders to

contribute appropriate aid for the infrastructural

projects and efficient cooperation management. At

the same time, interests in water management are

also sectarianized by players like the municipalities

and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who

equally engage in lobbying, community

participation, and local conservationism albeit to

different extremes. International organizations also

provided a lot of help in regard to the cooperation

within projects and capacities enhancement. These

findings, therefore, have implication that goes

beyond Central Asia. They argue with the

population increase, water shortage, and climate

change as threats to global water governance for

which paradiplomacy must intervene.

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