COP29: Iranian official warns of ecological crisis from Caspian Sea level decline

Alireza Jahangiri, Iran's Assistant Foreign Minister for Caspian Sea Affairs has said that continued Caspian Sea level decline could lead to devastating consequences and ecological crisis.

Significant shallowing of the Sea is related to climate change and anthropogenic factors, he said at an event dedicated to the Caspian Sea level decline due to climate change at the Azerbaijan Pavilion within COP29, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Jahangiri said it poses a threat to marine flora and fauna, as well as the socio-economic development of coastal areas, with significant consequences for the population.

“Continued sea level decline at the current rate could have devastating consequences and lead to an ecological crisis, including the drying up of small bays and wetlands,” he said.

Summing up, Jahangiri said that utilising international experience in controlling water level fluctuations and revitalising wetlands and lakes, as well as ensuring the livelihood of the population in coastal areas, should be a priority for cooperation among the countries in the region.

Notably, COP29, which is being held at Baku Stadium from November 11-22, is Azerbaijan’s most significant international event to date and the first time the country has hosted a COP conference. The summit kicked off with the signing of the Host Country Agreement and other key documents between the Azerbaijani government and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat.

One of the central goals of COP29 is the establishment of a New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. To further this aim, the COP29 presidency has introduced 14 key initiatives designed to integrate climate action with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These initiatives cover a broad spectrum of critical areas, including the development of green energy corridors, energy storage solutions, climate resilience strategies, clean hydrogen, methane reduction from organic waste, and the promotion of green digital technologies. A flagship proposal of the conference is the creation of the Climate Finance Action Fund, which is aimed at supporting efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Throughout the event, Azerbaijan has continued to reaffirm its strong commitment to addressing climate change and promoting environmental protection. The unanimous decision to select Azerbaijan as the host for COP29 reflects the global community’s trust in the country’s leadership on climate-related issues. In his opening remarks, President Ilham Aliyev underscored Azerbaijan’s central role in global climate efforts, emphasizing the nation’s dedication to tackling climate change and advancing sustainable development.

By Khagan Isayev