A Study on the Application of Metaverse Diplomacy for Integrated Dust Storm Management from a Hydropolitical Perspective (Case Study: Tigris and Euphrates Watershed)
نویسندگان
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Reclamation of arid and mountainous regions Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran.
2 Professor, Department of Reclamation of arid and mountainous regions Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran.
3 Ph.D. candidate, Department of Reclamation of arid and mountainous regions Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran
doi
10.30467/nivar.2025.233539چکیده
Metaverse diplomacy, as an innovative and digitally oriented approach to tackling complex international challenges, offers a platform for virtual and meaningful interactions among stakeholders. The Tigris and Euphrates watershed, recognized globally as one of the most politically sensitive transboundary regions, is characterized by intricate political, social, and security interdependencies involving water resources. Extensive dam projects along the upper reaches of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers have had profound security and environmental ramifications for downstream nations, sparking contentious disputes over water rights. The reduction of water allocations and the failure to meet agreements for downstream countries have led to the desiccation of vital wetlands, turning them into major sources of wind erosion and intensifying dust storms in the region. This research, using a descriptive-analytical approach, examines the application of metaverse diplomacy from a hydropolitical perspective within the Tigris-Euphrates watershed. The findings of this study hold potential for informing the formulation of regional and international policies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of dust storms. Moreover, metaverse diplomacy could serve as a tool for facilitating dialogue among the riparian nations of the Tigris-Euphrates watershed, enhancing cross-border cooperation and fostering conflict resolution. The integration of virtual simulations and scenario-based modeling could significantly improve the forecasting and management of dust storms, serving as a pivotal platform for the exchange of information, and enabling more rapid, informed decision-making in the context of reifying predictions and countering dust storm impacts.
