Azerbaijani climate envoy: Shallowing Caspian levels endanger ports, wildlife

The falling water level in the Caspian Sea is creating difficulties for handling ships in maritime ports, said Azerbaijan’s Presidential Envoy for Climate Issues, Mukhtar Babayev.

Speaking at the closing of the UN Youth Local Conference on Climate Change (LCOY Azerbaijan 2025), Babayev said the shallowing of the Caspian is ongoing and is expected to deepen in the coming years, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“Due to the declining water level, ports are becoming shallower, causing problems with ship docking and cargo unloading. Additionally, lower sea levels negatively affect biodiversity, leading to the death of living organisms and the formation of new islands. Oil and gas operations in the area are also at risk,” he added.

Babayev also addressed the issue of glacier melting.

“Over the past 20 years, around 7% of the world’s glaciers have melted, and this process continues. The melting is particularly intense in the Greater Caucasus,” he emphasised.

By Khagan Isayev