Wed, 19/11/2025 - 18:51
Caspian Sea Level Decline: Joint Efforts Toward Preservation and Resilience Event Concludes with Declaration at COP30
On November 17, 2025, at the COP30 climate conference in Belém, Brazil, a high-level panel discussion convened to address the critical decline of the Caspian Sea. The event, organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Tehran Convention Secretariat concluded with the adoption of a Declaration, signaling a strengthened regional commitment to collaborative action.
The high-level event, "Caspian Sea Level Decline: Joint Efforts Toward Preservation and Resilience", successfully fostered crucial dialogue among the Caspian littoral states and international partners. The discussion underscored the urgency of addressing the transboundary environmental challenge and charted a course for future cooperation.
The panel was moderated by representatives of Azerbaijan and featured inaugural remarks from H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President and Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues. The discussion proceeded with key speeches from high-level representatives of all five Caspian littoral states, UNEP, UN-Habitat and WMO, including:
- Ms. Umayra Taghiyeva, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan
- Ms. Sedigheh Torabi, Deputy Head of the Department of Environment, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Mr. Mansur Oshurbayev, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan
- Mr. Igor Shumakov, Director of the Hydrometeorological Service of Russia
- Mr. Suleyman Mametmuradov, representative of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan
- Mr. Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at the UN Environment Programme
A key outcome of the event was the formal adoption of the "Declaration of the Ministers and High-Level Representatives of the Caspian Sea Littoral States on Strengthening Cooperation on the Issue of the Caspian Sea Water Level Decline". This declaration builds upon the foundation laid by the Baku Declaration at COP29 and welcomes the preparation of the "Caspian Sea Level Fluctuations Action Plan (2025–2035)".
In the declaration, the high-level representatives of five Caspian states expressed their intention to continue consultations to refine the Action Plan, promote cooperation in scientific research and data exchange, encourage inclusive dialogue with scientific institutions and local communities, and explore further opportunities for UN cooperation.
This event marks a significant step forward in the collective efforts to ensure the long-term well-being and sustainable development of the Caspian Sea region.
- Venue: Azerbaijani Pavilion, COP30 – Belém, Brazil
- Time: 3:00 PM, 17 November 2025
