Name: Bahodur Sheraliev
Country: Tajikistan
Degree: MA in Global Political Economy
Academic discipline: International Relations, Political Economy
Specialisation: Climate Change Mainstreaming, Policy Advice
Topic of the doctoral thesis: Tajikistan in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Multilateral Negotiations Process: Achievements, Commitments and Perspectives for Tajikistan
How would you explain the topic of your dissertation to a non-expert in the field? Tajikistan is a mountainous landlocked country that is severely affected by the negative consequences of climate change: the melting of glaciers, the Aral Sea shrinking, floods and droughts impact over 70 percent of its population. Tajikistan has been active in multilateral climate change negotiations, but without being able to take a strong position. Tajikistan has signed the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) Paris Agreement and submitted a nationally determined contribution to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. In order to fulfill its international commitments, Tajikistan has to go through a complex five-year long process. Unfortunately, many experts from the key ministries lack knowledge on climate change in general as well as on the substance and commitments agreed upon by the country in the Paris Agreement in particular. Thus, a comprehensive analysis of Tajikistan’s commitments and the implementation roadmap is of utmost importance for domestic administrations and decision-makers.
I am writing a doctoral thesis because I would like to project how international framework agreements, namely the UNFCCC Paris Agreement, can shape domestic policy development in the field of climate change.
What are your expectations from the EUCACIS programme? I expect to gain sound knowledge in research methods through mentoring by postdoctoral researchers and online coaching; to use the opportunity for joint publications; to communicate with young researchers and expand my network within the academic community in the EU, Central Asia and the Caucasus. I would like to gain as much as possible from tutors, conferences, online courses, and training sessions.
In ten years, I see myself holding a decision-making position within government, dealing with climate change issues in Tajikistan and leading a negotiation platform in UNFCCC. I see myself as high-level government expert working in the field of climate change policy in Tajikistan. I am a leading professor at a university teaching International Relations with a particular focus on climate change in Central Asia, writing and publishing in international academic journals, giving lectures at leading universities of the region and providing mentorship for young scholars. I am a professional marathon runner and see myself as the champion of Tajikistan in the nine-kilometer or semi-marathon competition and as a participant in international and regional marathon competitions.
If I was not doing a PhD right now, I would continue working as an advisor for the Committee on Environmental Protection of Tajikistan for climate change mainstreaming and climate finance access. I would continue teaching at the university, but as an assistant to professors rather than myself designing and holding courses for students.
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