Caspian littoral states mobilize scientific efforts to save sea’s ecosystem PHOTO

A meeting of government officials from the Caspian littoral states convened on the margins of the United Nations’ Third Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Avaza, Turkmenistan, focused on addressing the pressing issue of the Caspian Sea’s declining water levels.

The session centered on joint strategies to mitigate the environmental and socio-economic consequences of the sea’s ongoing shallowing, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev highlighted the positive trajectory of trade relations among the Caspian states, emphasizing that sustained growth in trade turnover forms a strong foundation for enhancing both bilateral and multilateral cooperation. He also pointed to the significance of the 3rd Caspian Economic Forum held in Tehran earlier this year, which expanded trade volumes, mutual investments, and collaboration in energy and transport-logistics sectors.

Turning to ecological concerns, Mustafayev underscored the urgent need to address the Caspian Sea’s decreasing water levels, a challenge that was notably raised by Azerbaijan’s President during the 2022 Ashgabat Summit.

He announced that preparations are underway to host the inaugural meeting of the five-party expert group on Caspian shoaling in Baku. This expert group is tasked with developing scientific research and coordinated efforts to confront the negative impacts of water level changes.

The discussions also delved into the socio-economic and environmental repercussions of alterations in the Caspian Sea ecosystem, particularly focusing on how water level fluctuations affect coastal living conditions and regional development. To mitigate these effects, Mustafayev called for intensified scientific cooperation and joint programs targeting fisheries, maritime transport, and biodiversity conservation.

In line with these objectives, the meeting proposed the establishment of a multilateral interaction mechanism designed to unify standards and methodologies for studying the Caspian Sea’s evolving dynamics. The forthcoming expert group meeting in Baku is expected to serve as a crucial platform for advancing these cooperative efforts and fostering sustainable management of the Caspian’s natural resources.

By Vafa Guliyeva