On November 6th 2018, the Course for Diplomats from Central Asia and Mongolia started at Clingendael Academy. The overarching theme of this three week diplomatic training programme is regional cooperation and integration in the Central Asian region.

Avenues for increased regional cooperation

Twelve participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will discuss matters related to security, economy, sustainability and water in their region and find avenues for increased cooperation. Through its multilateral nature and the interactive training components of the programme the participants will benefit from meeting colleagues from their region and from discussing topics of regional importance together.      

The course encourages participants to continuously link acquired knowledge and skills to their day-to-day work practice. Every content session is accompanied by a diplomatic skills training and by having participants apply the acquired knowledge and skills in practical assignments. For example, lectures on water conflict and cooperation are paired with workshops on sustainable development. Using their newly obtained knowledge on these topics, the diplomats will engage in an extensive negotiation simulation on issues  of sustainability, such as a cross-boundary water negotiation. Finally, as an overarching assignment within the programme participants will  work towards formulating an advice to their own Ministries on how to improve regional integration within this field .

Twenty-seven years of cooperation

This training programme marks the 27th edition in which Clingendael has trained diplomats from this region making it one of its long-standing multilateral training projects.

Want to know more about our diplomatic training programmes? Click here.