Deputy minister: Caspian Sea level drop becomes potential regional threat

Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Rauf Hajiyev expressed his opinion on the situation around the Caspian Sea in his interview with Caliber.Az on the eve of the international conference entitled “Caspian Sea level fluctuations in the context of climate change, forecasts and adaptation measures” scheduled for July 5, 2022, in Baku.

- Mr. Hajiyev, what are the problems of the Caspian Sea today?

- The Caspian Sea is the world's biggest inland body of water. The endorheic Caspian Sea stretches for about 1,200 kilometers from north to south, with an average width of 320 kilometers. This determines the climatic diversity of the territory, covering the basins of the Volga and Ural rivers in the north, semi-arid and arid plains in the east, and the snowy mountains of the Caucasus in the southwest.

Climate change over the past 30 years has become sensitive in the Caspian Sea basin. The population living along the coast of the Caspian Sea is exposed to the danger of severe climate change, including sea-level fluctuations, increased flooding, and severe droughts.

The precipitation has decreased throughout the Republic of Azerbaijan over the past 30 years, and calculations for all scenarios, and general circulation models predict an increase in the average monthly temperature. The lowering of the level of the Caspian Sea has become a potential regional threat due to climate change.

- What is causing the sea level to drop?

- The main reason for the decrease in the level of the Caspian Sea is a decrease in precipitation, an increase in temperature and evaporation, and a decrease in the flow of water from the Volga and other rivers. The reduction in river flow is also associated with an increase in water demand for agriculture, water use by hydroelectric power plants, and other purposes. The faster the sea-level changes, the more severe its consequences are. This affects various sectors of the economies of countries, such as fishing, transport, and construction, as well as people working in these sectors and living in cities.

- What work is carried out to solve existing problems?

- First of all, it is necessary to adapt to climate change to cope with the expected adverse effects of climate change and take appropriate measures to prevent or minimise the damage they may cause. It is vital that climate change adaptation should be well planned and it is necessary to take into account early actions based on short, medium, and long-term interventions.

It is necessary to thoroughly analyse the main reasons and to assess vulnerability to climate change to develop sustainable climate change adaptation measures. Taking into account the need for immediate actions, to determine their main directions, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan held a national conference entitled “Impact of climate change and other factors on the level of the Caspian Sea and adaptation opportunities” in Baku on December 23, 2021.

Following the conference and taking into account the seriousness of the impact of climate change on the level of the Caspian Sea, the ministry decided to hold a regional conference on July 5, 2022, to agree on the necessary joint efforts to address the problems associated with sea-level fluctuations.

- What results do you expect from this conference?

- The international conference entitled "Caspian Sea Level Fluctuations in the Context of Climate Change, Forecasts and Adaptation Measures" will focus on the possible contribution of governments, international and regional organisations, international financial institutions, the private sector, communities and other stakeholders to the development of adequate response measures to the impacts of climate change.

The main goal of this conference is to discuss current and future fluctuations in the level of the Caspian Sea, with the corresponding organisations and experts of the Caspian states, as well as international organisations and consultants, to develop coordinated adaptation measures according to agreed climate and level scenarios and to expand cooperation in these spheres.

The conference will be a good platform for stakeholders to demonstrate their actions to achieve these goals, including international tools. The Final Document, action plan, and other initiatives presented during the Conference will be prepared.