Hybrid Diplomacy in a Nexus Approach; Managing Shared Water Resources in Kura-Aras River Basin

In the 21st century, governments have attempted to overcome the limits of their sovereignty in the non-navigational uses of shared water resources through the promotion of water diplomacy. The resolution of water disputes between upstream and downstream states has gone beyond the framework of official diplomatic relations between riparian states, linking with regional and international peace and security, climate, energy, land, and food issues, and incorporating various nexuses in the literature on transboundary water management. While the concept of nexus refers to interconnected components, the concept of "hybrid diplomacy" promotes the participation of new non-state, supranational, and transnational actors, thereby open a new field of diplomatic activity. The official actors in the Kura-Aras River Basin have different economic and political conditions, necessitating the adoption of hybrid diplomacy in the nexus approach to advance water management in the basin, utilizing all capacities. The main question in this regard is, "How can a hybrid diplomacy in the Nexus approach contribute to successful shared water resources management in the Kura-Aras River Basin?" To answer this question, this research examines the hypothesis that hybrid diplomacy enables the management of transboundary water resources in the Kura-Aras basin through stakeholder networking and dialogue initiatives within a nexus framework. The findings of this study demonstrate that this initiative enhances political commitment to capacity building, improves the efficiency and effectiveness of water management through multilateral coordination, and provides a political strategy that enables all stakeholders to pursue their interests in line with current policies.