Wed, 29/01/2025 - 19:11
Declaration of the Caspian Ministers and Senior Officials was adopted at COP29
Ministers and senior officials from the five Caspian littoral states – Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan – have adopted a groundbreaking Declaration on Strengthening Cooperation to Address the Caspian Sea Water Level Decline. The Declaration, issued at COP29, underscores the urgency of tackling the ongoing and projected decline in the Caspian Sea’s water levels, which poses significant ecological, economic, and social challenges.
The document reaffirms the countries' commitment to the Tehran Convention, the key regional legal framework for protecting the marine environment of the Caspian Sea. It also highlights the importance of enhanced cooperation under the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Hydrometeorology of the Caspian Sea, signed in 2014, to improve scientific understanding and predictive capabilities regarding water level fluctuations.
A central outcome of the Declaration is the decision to establish a working group of Caspian littoral states, an initiative proposed by the President of Azerbaijan. This group will assess the causes of the sea level decline and formulate measures to prevent further shallowing. Additionally, the Declaration calls for international recognition of the Caspian Sea’s environmental challenges and encourages collaboration with regional and international scientific institutions to advance research and sustainable management solutions.
The Ministers have expressed their willingness to mobilize technical and financial support from regional and global organizations, ensuring the long-term resilience of the Caspian Sea. This Declaration marks a significant step toward a coordinated, science-based response to one of the region’s most pressing environmental issues.
The text of the Declaration is available in English and Russian below.