Baku: The declining water level in the Caspian Sea in recent years is a serious concern, Rauf Hajiyev, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, stated this during the panel session titled 'The Caspian Sea at a Crossroads: Science-Policy Dialogue on Sea Level Decline and Regional Action' held within the framework of the international event dedicated to World Environment Day (WED), hosted by Azerbaijan, APA reports.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Hajiyev emphasized that the impacts are already being felt in coastal ecosystems, economic activities, and the lives of local communities. He noted that research on the causes of the decline in sea level is ongoing, with factors such as climate change, river flows, hydrological processes, and water use under study. He stated that scientific knowledge is expanding as research progresses, and the purpose of the meeting was to share scientific knowledge, discuss different approaches, and identify opportunities for cooperation, rather than to establish a unified position.
The deputy minister highlighted that the decline in the Caspian Sea's level has gained greater prominence on the international agenda in recent years. He mentioned that the high-level ministerial dialogue held in Baku within the framework of COP29 contributed to increasing attention to this issue. Following this, the Secretariat of the Tehran Convention prepared an Action Plan defining future directions for cooperation. Azerbaijan is continuing its activities in this direction by establishing bilateral expert working groups on the issue of the declining water level in the Caspian Sea. These platforms are intended to exchange information and experience and promote scientific cooperation.
Hajiyev emphasized the importance of strengthening scientific research, observations, and information exchange among the Caspian littoral states in the coming period. He reaffirmed Azerbaijan's commitment to supporting dialogue, cooperation, and joint action on Caspian-related issues. He expressed confidence that a science-based approach and mutual trust will help find common solutions regarding the future of the Caspian Sea, which he described as a shared asset that unites the region.