Speaking at the plenary session of the Caspian Environmental Summit held in Turkmenistan, President Ilham Aliyev stated:
“One of the most serious problems facing the Caspian Sea is its shallowing. The decline in the Caspian Sea’s water level has been continuing for many years. Unfortunately, this process has accelerated significantly in recent times, and the situation continues to deteriorate. A considerable reduction in the sea’s water area is being observed. The total surface area of the sea has already decreased by more than 20,000 square kilometers.”
The head of state emphasized that if the current trend continues, the consequences could be catastrophic. He noted that the problem of shallowing cannot be measured solely in environmental terms.
“The decline in sea level directly affects the interests of our countries, as well as the lives of people in coastal areas, the economy, and transportation. We are witnessing the retreat of the coastline, changes in the ecosystem, and problems affecting ports and other coastal infrastructure. As a result of the decline in the Caspian Sea’s water level, approximately 30,000 hectares of land have emerged in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian alone. ”President Ilham Aliyev stated that the decline in the Caspian Sea’s water level is not related solely to climate change.
“One of the main causes is the reduction in river inflows and anthropogenic factors associated with agricultural activities.”
What did the President mean by the reduction in river inflows and anthropogenic factors associated with agricultural activities?
Commenting on the issue to Medianews.az, Said Safarov, Head of the Laboratory of Caspian Sea Geography at the Institute of Geography of the Ministry of Science and Education and Doctor of Geographical Sciences, stated:
“Mr. President is absolutely right: the sharp decline in the Caspian Sea’s water level in recent years is attributable not only to climatic factors but also to a significant reduction in river inflows. In my view, this primarily concerns the expansion of agricultural activities in the territories of individual Caspian littoral countries, the increase in irrigated land, and the inefficient use of water resources. Failure to adopt modern irrigation methods and excessive water consumption are causing a sharp decline in river flows. This applies to the Volga, Kura, Terek, and Ural rivers, as well as other rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea.
I believe one of the main issues concerns the Volga River, which supplies more than 80 percent of the water flowing into the Caspian Sea. Numerous large reservoirs have been built along the Volga, and hydroelectric power stations operate on them. As temperatures continue to rise, evaporation from these reservoirs, which have a combined surface area of more than 36,000 square kilometers, is also increasing.
In fact, there has been no significant change in the amount of precipitation falling across the Volga basin. However, alongside increased evaporation, anthropogenic factors-including the expansion of agricultural land and inefficient water use—are contributing to the decline in river flows. Rising temperatures are also increasing agricultural water demand.
On the other hand, it should be noted that approximately 50 percent of Russia’s industrial and agricultural facilities are located along the Volga River. As economic activity expands and the population grows, demand for water also increases. The same situation is observed in other river basins. All these factors contribute to declining river flows and, consequently, to the sharp drop in the Caspian Sea’s water level.
Research conducted by both Azerbaijani and international scientists shows that the volume of water delivered by rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea plays the principal role in its water balance and, more specifically, in fluctuations in its water level. As I mentioned, more than 80 percent of this inflow comes from the Volga River.
In this regard, on October 9, while attending the environmental summit held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone near the city of Turkmenbashi, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev proposed establishing a special intergovernmental commission involving the five Caspian littoral countries to address the sharp fluctuations in the Caspian Sea’s water level. The commission is expected to be formed at the level of deputy ministers. Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Russia should be represented through their respective ministries.
The commission’s objective is to study fluctuations in the Caspian Sea’s water level in greater scientific detail, identify their causes, and propose ways to address the problem. As President Ilham Aliyev himself noted, if the decline in the Caspian Sea’s water level continues, it could lead to serious adverse economic, political, social, and environmental consequences.
I believe that these are precisely the factors our respected President had in mind when referring to agricultural activities and the reduction in river inflows.”
