A working group of experts is being formed in Kazakhstan to study fluctuations in the water level of the Caspian Sea, according to the country's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Kazinform reports.
According to the ministry, all coastal countries are closely monitoring the situation in the Caspian Sea, as the water level in this unique body of water continues to decline.
The volume of water and the condition of the Caspian Sea remain under constant supervision by coastal states. These issues are regularly discussed at summits and meetings within the framework of the Convention for the Protection of the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention). The signatories of the Tehran Convention include the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation, and Turkmenistan.
- On November 18, 2024, during the COP29 Summit in Baku, chaired by Azerbaijan, an event was held on the topic "The Declining Level of the Caspian Sea in the Context of Climate Change." Proposals were developed for urgent solutions to address the issue, along with an action plan to mitigate the environmental crisis. Discussions emphasized the need to expand regional cooperation within the UN system and strengthen partnerships, according to the report.
Special attention was given to Azerbaijan's proposal to conduct professional discussions on the problem of the Caspian Sea's shrinking water levels.
- To further study the issue, the creation of an expert working group was proposed to investigate fluctuations in the Caspian Sea's water level within a five-party format. Kazakhstan is currently participating in the formation of this group. The issue will also be examined at the national level with the involvement of specialists and experts through the Kazakhstan Research Institute of the Caspian Sea, the ministry added.
Experts estimate that the Caspian Sea’s water level has dropped by approximately 2 meters since 2006. Some suggest that this decline has been influenced by reservoirs built along the upper reaches of the Volga and Ural rivers. Therefore, addressing this issue requires collaboration with scientists from all five coastal countries.
Earlier reports highlighted the extent to which the Caspian Sea is receding from the shore and the potential environmental consequences.
The largest river flowing into the Caspian Sea is the Volga (Russia), with an average annual discharge of 215–224 km³.
Other major rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea include the Ural (Kazakhstan), Kura (Azerbaijan), Atrek (Turkmenistan), and Sefidrud (Iran).
CentralasianLIGHT.org
January 29, 2025