Azerbaijan, Georgia to sign agreement on Kura River water resources

Azerbaijan is planning to sign an agreement with Georgia to facilitate the exchange of information regarding the water resources of the Kura River and their utilization.

Rafig Verdiyev, Deputy Head of the Environmental Policy Department at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, announced this during a roundtable titled “The Role of Water Management Systems in Climate-Resilient Agriculture,” held in anticipation of COP29, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Verdiyev mentioned that the agreement is expected to be signed soon. "We are particularly interested in the glacial reserves at the Kura River's headwaters and the overall situation in its basin. This agreement will allow us to more accurately predict the volume of water in the Kura headwaters above Azerbaijan," he stated.

The Kura River is a major waterway in the South Caucasus region, flowing through Türkiye, Georgia, and Azerbaijan before emptying into the Caspian Sea. Originating in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains in northeastern Türkiye, the river stretches approximately 1,515 kilometres, making it the longest river in the South Caucasus. As it flows through these countries, the Kura River is fed by several tributaries, including the Araz, Iori, and Alazani rivers.

The river plays a vital role in the economies of the regions it traverses. It is a crucial source of water for agriculture and irrigation, supporting the livelihoods of countless communities. In addition, the Kura is essential for hydroelectric power generation, contributing to the energy needs of the surrounding areas.

Historically, the Kura River basin has been a centre of human civilization, with ancient settlements and cultures flourishing along its banks, facilitating trade and cultural exchange between the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Europe.