Immaterial flows and hydropolitical tensions in the Mekong Region's transboundary rivers | “The Next Wave of Water Governance” Diffused Conference Thematic Seminars
Immaterial flows and hydropolitical tensions in the Mekong Region's transboundary rivers” by Stewart Motta (NEWAVE ESR 1)
This presentation will focus on the relationships between infrastructure and hydropolitical tensions in transboundary rivers. Using the Mekong Region as an area of geographic focus we will delve into the immaterial aspects of contested hydraulic infrastructure development. We will explore hydropower planning processes, distant financial flows, greenwashing, and temporalities and timing of infrastructures that are all entwined in escalating hydropolitical tensions in these shared river systems. These immaterial infrastructure components that are increasing uncertainty and risk in transboundary rivers are mirrored by the pragmatic attempts at water diplomacy to overcome them.
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About the speaker
Stew Motta is a PhD candidate and researcher at the VU Amsterdam's IVM. His research focuses on infrastructure, power dynamics, and hydropolitical tensions in the Mekong Region's transboundary rivers.
Moderators & discussants
Dr. Johanna Koehler is Assistant Professor of Environmental Risk Governance in the Public Administration and Policy Group at Wageningen University and Research. Her research interests include the governance of sustainability transformations, especially with regard to innovations in water services, and the governance of hydroclimatic extreme events.
Dr. Kyungmee Kim is a researcher at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research of Uppsala University, focusing on the intersection of climate change and insecurity, transboundary water conflict and cooperation, and environmental peacebuilding policies.
