Mukhtar Babayev: “Measures must be taken against the rapid shallowing of the Caspian”

The level of the Caspian Sea has reached a historic low, and the process of shallowing continues.

This was stated by Azerbaijan’s Presidential Special Representative on Climate Issues, Mukhtar Babayev, during a panel session at the Regional Environmental Summit held today in Astana.

According to him, the declining water level poses risks to the environment, economy, and social sectors in all Caspian littoral states. “The Caspian Sea is not only a natural object but also a shared historical and cultural heritage of many generations. Our duty is to preserve it and pass it on to future generations,” he noted.

Babayev emphasized that the main inflow of water to the Caspian Sea – up to 80% of its total volume – is provided by the Volga River, but a significant reduction in water flow is currently being observed. “Today, the inflow is at a historic minimum,” he said.

The presidential envoy listed climate change, which intensifies evaporation, anthropogenic factors, as well as the construction of irrigation and hydraulic infrastructure for agriculture, among the key causes of the current situation.

He added that Azerbaijan considers the shallowing of the Caspian Sea a priority issue and is closely cooperating with Kazakhstan in this regard. “The condition of the Caspian Sea directly affects our lives and our future,” Babayev said.

According to him, within coordination with the United Nations Environment Programme, an international platform has been established to consolidate efforts against the shallowing of the Caspian, and a 10-year action plan has been developed under the Tehran Convention.

Babayev added that work in this direction will continue under the leadership of Ilham Aliyev.