Iranian scholar warns Caspian Sea risks Aral Sea’s fate

If urgent measures are not taken to protect the Caspian Sea, it could face the same fate as the Aral Sea, Iranian Ambassador Mohsen Mohammadi has warned.

Mohammadi, a researcher at the Institute for Political and International Studies of Iran, delivered the remarks at the 13th Meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Think Tank Forum, Caliber.Az reports per local media. 

Speaking on the topic “Shifts in Power Balance and Global Threats: Challenges and Opportunities for CICA,” Mohammadi emphasised the instability of the current transitional period.

"The transformation of global powers, governance gaps, and other factors are driving this instability. Problems on both sides of the Atlantic, systematic human rights violations, and the killing of scientists are consequences of these shifts. Attacks on countries and strikes on nuclear facilities have become routine. What's most concerning is the silence of the international community. Unjust sanctions disrupt sustainable development, break supply chains, and increase socio-economic tensions. Climate change also introduces new threats. A decline in water levels has been observed in the Caspian Sea. Without serious intervention, it may suffer the same fate as the Aral Sea," he said. 

The scholar also stressed Iran’s continued focus on regional trade relations, despite facing international sanctions.

"Unfortunately, Iran continues to face unjust sanctions. I believe Asian countries can promote equity by forming regional cyber frameworks, strengthening scientific and technological cooperation, establishing technology parks, and building advanced infrastructure in less developed nations. Based on their own economies, Asian countries can also develop a new security model," he noted. 

By Sabina Mammadli