MAECI Project - Water Diplomacy. Promoting Hydropower: An Italian Strategy

The project “Water Diplomacy – Promoting Italy’s Hydro-Strategic Vision”, developed in collaboration with the Centro Studi AMIStaDeS APS, is a research and strategic initiative aimed at strengthening and consolidating Italy’s role in the international landscape of sustainable water resource management and international cooperation.

In a global context increasingly shaped by climate change, growing pressure on natural resources, and evolving geopolitical dynamics, water is emerging as a central element in development policies, security strategies, and international cooperation frameworks. The project is grounded in the recognition that water management is not merely a technical or environmental issue but also represents a fundamental dimension of contemporary diplomacy.

Water can act as a powerful instrument of dialogue, trust-building, and cooperation among countries, contributing to the development of stable and constructive international relationships. Through this initiative, water is therefore approached not only as a natural resource but also as a strategic tool capable of supporting diplomatic engagement and international partnerships.

The project is carried out with the support of the Analysis, Programming, Statistics and Historical Documentation Unit of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). It forms part of broader efforts aimed at strengthening Italy’s capacity to act as a proactive actor in the field of environmental diplomacy and technical international cooperation.

The initiative starts from the recognition of water as a key diplomatic resource for the exercise of national soft power. By leveraging Italy’s scientific expertise, technological know-how, and industrial capabilities, the project aims to contribute to the development of a hydro-strategic governance framework capable of integrating public sector competencies with the excellence of the Italian productive system.

In this perspective, the project seeks to promote a stronger and more structured Italian presence in major international arenas dealing with water resource management. At the same time, it intends to support the country’s participation in multilateral cooperation processes and sustainable development initiatives at the global level.

Furthermore, the initiative aims to foster the creation of long-term strategic partnerships with regions that represent priorities for Italian foreign policy, particularly Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. These areas face significant challenges related to water security, infrastructure development, and sustainable resource management, and they represent contexts in which Italy’s technological expertise and industrial capabilities can offer meaningful contributions.

Objectives

The analytical and research activities carried out within the project focus primarily on the study of international models in the field of hydro-strategy. In particular, significant attention is devoted to the analysis of the Chinese model, which in recent decades has developed a strong international presence in the construction of water infrastructure and in the provision of technical cooperation abroad.

By examining Chinese industrial and institutional best practices in the water sector, the project aims to identify operational approaches, cooperation mechanisms, and governance tools that may provide useful insights for the Italian context. The goal is not to replicate these models directly but rather to assess their scalability, adaptability, and potential applicability within the Italian system.

This analysis allows for the identification of strategic benchmarks that could contribute to the development of a more structured national hydro-strategic approach capable of integrating foreign policy objectives with economic and technological capabilities.

At the same time, the project seeks to enhance and systematize the competencies present within Italy’s scientific, technological, and industrial ecosystem. A key component of the initiative therefore involves the mapping of Italian industrial and technological contributions in the water sector, including companies, research centers, and innovative organizations working in fields such as water infrastructure, desalination technologies, wastewater treatment, environmental monitoring, and digital water management systems.

Through this mapping process, the initiative aims to facilitate a more structured involvement of the private sector in the definition and implementation of national hydro-strategic policies and international cooperation initiatives.

Another important objective of the project concerns the development of long-term geographical partnerships with countries and regions facing significant water management challenges. The research therefore examines the main water-related vulnerabilities present in priority areas for Italian foreign policy, including issues such as water scarcity, demographic pressure, agricultural and urban demand, and the impacts of climate change on water availability.

Based on these analyses, the project seeks to contribute to the design of bilateral and multilateral cooperation models capable of delivering effective and sustainable results over time. Ultimately, the initiative aims to promote a pragmatic and forward-looking approach to water diplomacy that supports both international development goals and the strategic positioning of Italy in the global water sector.

Expected Outcomes

The project foresees the production of several concrete outputs designed to support both institutional decision-makers and private sector stakeholders in promoting the international development of Italy’s hydro-strategic vision.

One of the main deliverables will be a Policy Paper addressed to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, conceived as a technical and strategic document summarizing the key findings of the research. The policy paper will provide an overview of international best practices in water diplomacy and propose strategic guidelines for strengthening Italy’s role in international water cooperation initiatives.

Alongside this strategic document, the project will also develop a survey directed at companies operating in water-related strategic sectors. The purpose of this questionnaire is to gather detailed information on the current and potential contribution of Italian industries to the national hydro-strategic framework, identifying opportunities for international collaboration, institutional support needs, and possible public-private partnerships.

Another component of the project involves the creation of a podcast series dedicated to water diplomacy and hydro-strategy. Through interviews with experts, policy discussions, and thematic analysis, the podcast will aim to disseminate the project’s findings and raise awareness about global water challenges, technological innovation, and opportunities for international cooperation.

Finally, the project will conclude with the organization of a high-level final conference, bringing together representatives from government institutions, industrial stakeholders, academic experts, and professionals working in the water sector. The event will serve as a platform for presenting the results of the research, discussing the future perspectives of Italian water diplomacy, and contributing to the definition of a long-term strategic action plan aimed at strengthening Italy’s leadership in the field of hydro-strategic governance and international water cooperation.

Project partner: Centro Studi AMIStaDeS APS - https://www.amistades.info/