Baku: The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has announced the formation of a working group to facilitate forecasts concerning the Caspian Sea. Natalie Tretyakova, Head of Department at the Ministry, made the announcement during the panel session titled 'The Caspian Sea at a Crossroads: Science-Policy Dialogue on Sea Level Decline and Regional Action'. This session was part of an international event dedicated to World Environment Day hosted by Azerbaijan, as reported by APA.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Tretyakova emphasized the unique nature of the Caspian Sea and its distinctive characteristics, particularly the variability of its water level. She highlighted that this variability is recognized in the Tehran Convention, a legal document aimed at addressing such issues. Tretyakova stressed the significance of the five-party cooperation format involving countries bordering the Caspian Sea. This collaborative approach is essential as it allows for the exchange and sharing of critical data, which in turn leads to more objective assessments and informed decisions regarding adaptation measures during periods of significant water level decline.

Tretyakova also underscored the importance of the newly established working group. This group will enable the exchange of information and the development of a broader database, which is crucial for forecasting changes in the Caspian Sea level. The initiative aims to serve as an effective mechanism for cooperation among the Caspian littoral states, facilitating a comprehensive assessment of the situation based on shared data.

The Russian official acknowledged that a decline in the Caspian Sea's water level is currently being observed. However, she noted that it remains uncertain how severe or prolonged this decline might be. Tretyakova called for active cooperation among all five Caspian littoral states to address this critical issue collaboratively.