Aliyev warns of Caspian Sea shallowing

Preserving the unique ecosystem of the Caspian Sea and maintaining it as a zone of peace and partnership is a shared duty of all littoral nations amid its rising economic and strategic importance,

President Ilham Aliyev said at the Caspian Ecological Summit in Turkmenbashi. Aliyev highlighted the comprehensive legal architecture built by coastal states, underscoring the landmark 2018 Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea.

Addressing the critical acceleration of the sea's declining water levels, Aliyev warned that current trajectories risk catastrophic consequences. He noted that the total surface area has already shrunk by more than 20,000 square kilometers, inflicting severe strains on shipping routes, port operations, and coastal livelihoods. Within the Azerbaijani sector alone, retreating shorelines have exposed roughly 30,000 hectares of dry land, demanding coordinated five-party intervention.