Tue, 12/11/2024 - 17:19
“Caspian Sea Water Decline in light of climate change” event under UNFCCC COP29 Presidency will be held on 18 November 2024
On November 18, 2024, under the auspices of the UNFCCC COP29 Presidency, a high-level event entitled “Caspian Sea Water Decline in Light of Climate Change” will convene key environmental stakeholders and policymakers. The event, organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Secretariat of the Tehran Convention (TCIS) seeks to address the critical issue of Caspian Sea level decline intensified by climate change impacts.
The event will open with UNEP’s presentation of a pivotal working paper, “Caspian Sea Fluctuations and Climate Change: Coordinated Research is Needed to Understand Climate Impact on Caspian Sea Levels”. This document, based on rigorous peer-reviewed science and recent imagery, outlines the connections between climate change and the long-term decline in Caspian Sea levels, underscoring the need for comprehensive research and coordinated responses.
The discussion will feature inaugural addresses from ministers and senior officials representing the Caspian littoral states, including H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan; Mr. Alireza Jahangiri, Assistant to the Minister for the Caspian Sea Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran; H.E. Mr. Mansur Oshurbaev, Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan; H.E. Mr. Sergey Anoprienko, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia; and H.E. Mr. Gurbanmammet Elyasov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Azerbaijan (to be confirmed). Also joining the panel are H.E. Ms. Inger Andersen, Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNEP, alongside high-level representatives from UN-Habitat and the World Bank.
The session will conclude with the anticipated Adoption of a Ministerial Declaration on strengthening cooperation to address the Caspian Sea’s water level decline. This declaration aims to provide a robust political framework for regional cooperation.
Key messages from the event include:
- Acknowledgment of the urgency to understand and mitigate the rapid drop in Caspian Sea levels.
- A call for enhanced regional cooperation, recognizing the transboundary nature of climate risks impacting the region.
- Commitment to fostering greater coalition within the UN system to establish an actionable roadmap with priority actions, timelines, and resources.
This event represents a significant step towards unified action and sustainable solutions for the Caspian Sea, aligning with global climate commitments and regional environmental priorities.
Venue: Blue Zone, Azerbaijan Pavilion, Conference Room 1
Time: 9:00-10:30, 18 November 2024