Session with Dr. Alexander Diener on Central Asia’s Border Diplomacy and Para-Diplomacy

On 19 September 2024 the OSCE Academy hosted a guest lecture by Dr. Alexander Diener, Professor of Geography at the University of Kansas, on the topic “Central Asia’s Borders: Levels of Diplomacy and Para-Diplomacy.” The lecture shed light on the multifaceted nature of borders in the Central Asian region, exploring how states and non-state actors influence border dynamics and regional stability.

Beyond formal diplomacy, Dr. Diener discussed the concept of para-diplomacy, where local governments, non-governmental organizations, and private entities engage in cross-border cooperation. Dr. Diener emphasized the Central Asia borders’ function as the “key for mutually beneficial regionality”, and which serves as a “marker of sovereignty and identity for individual nations and states”.

Dr. Alexander Diener is a renowned expert in political, social, and cultural geography, with a particular focus on Central Eurasia and Northeast Asia. Having earned his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Diener has held prestigious positions at institutions such as the Kennan Institute and Harvard University. His research explores critical topics such as place attachment, borders, identity, and migration. He has authored and co-authored multiple books and is a leading voice in the study of Central Asia’s border dynamics.

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