Tokayev calls for creation of Environmental council to tackle Caspian Sea shrinkage

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for a joint action between Central Asian countries and Russia to address shrinkage of the Caspian Sea.

Tokayev who made the call during the "Central Asia – Russia" summit urged the countries of the region to unite efforts in tackling pressing environmental issues.

The head of state placed particular emphasis on the preservation of the Caspian Sea’s water resources - one of the region’s key natural arteries.

Tokayev noted that the countries of Central Asia and Russia are currently faced with unprecedented ecological challenges that require a systematic and coordinated approach.

To this end, he proposed the establishment of a Council of Ministers for Environmental Affairs, which would coordinate actions to address transboundary issues.

"Particular attention should be given to the state of transboundary rivers and the Caspian Sea.

The implementation of an Interstate Programme for the Preservation of Caspian Water Resources will contribute to solving this complex problem," the President emphasised.

Tokayev identified water security as one of the most pressing issues in the region, suggesting the use of modern technologies for monitoring and assessing the state of natural resources.

Specifically, he proposed the creation of a joint space monitoring programme based on satellite constellations. This would enable objective assessment of the condition of water resources and agricultural land, as well as forecasting potential emergency situations.

The level of the Caspian Sea has dropped to a historic low - below minus 29 metres according to the Baltic height system.

This figure is the lowest recorded since instrumental observations began. The consequences are especially noticeable in the northern part of the sea, bordering Russia and Kazakhstan, where significant sections of the seabed now lay exposed.

Experts note that a key factor in the drop in the Caspian Sea level is the reduced flow of the Volga River, which accounts for about 80% of all river water entering the sea.

Moreover, it contributes 64% of the total inflow component of the Caspian Sea’s water balance. Specialists also highlight that climate change contribute to the Caspian Sea’s level.

Rising temperatures, driven by increased greenhouse gas concentrations, lead to more intense evaporation from water bodies.

The human factor also plays a role: water is actively extracted from rivers feeding into the Caspian for agricultural, industrial and municipal needs. This further reduces the volume of fresh water reaching the sea.

The shrinkage is especially critical for the northern part of the Caspian, which is characterised by shallow waters and high biological activity. This area contains the most productive zones, rich in living organisms. The reduction of the water area threatens entire ecosystems and may lead to a decline in biodiversity.

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