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.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova praised Georgia for resisting Western pressure (30 May), defending its national interests and pu...
More than 1,500 pages of government documents relating to Peter Mandelson's appointment and tenure as UK ambassador to the U.S. have been published, r...
As Armenia approaches parliamentary elections, Russia appears to be increasing political and economic pressure on Yerevan, signalling that closer inte...
Afghanistan’s consul general in Mashhad and the governor of Iran’s Khorasan Razavi province have discussed expanding trade, improving border trans...
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has withdrawn the appointment of a senior U.S. official to a top leadership role because of delays in U.S....
As Armenia approaches parliamentary elections, Russia appears to be increasing political and economic pressure on Yerevan, signalling that closer integration with the EU could lead to significant changes in labour, transport and energy arrangements between the two countries.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has withdrawn the appointment of a senior U.S. official to a top leadership role because of delays in U.S. payments, according to a statement published on Monday (1 June).
Turkish authorities have launched an investigation into a passenger bus crash in southwestern Türkiye that killed eight people and injured 33 others over the weekend.
Okinawa lost transport links and suffered widespread power outages on Monday (1 June) as Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought destructive winds and heavy rain to Japan's south-western islands.
U.S. rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, performed to a crowd of 118,000 people in Istanbul on Saturday night, marking his first concert in Europe in more than a decade, despite being barred from performing in several countries over past antisemitic remarks.
Okinawa lost transport links and suffered widespread power outages on Monday (1 June) as Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought destructive winds and heavy rain to Japan's south-western islands.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
Donald Trump said he is “in no hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, insisting the U.S. is slowly getting what it wants. He warned military action remains an option if talks fail. Meanwhile, U.S. forces said they fired a missile at a vessel trying to breach Washington’s blockade of Iran.
The World Health Organisation’s designation of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is a stark reminder that Ebola remains a persistent global health threat rather than a disease of the past.
When Armenians vote on 7 June, they will be voting in an election shaped by months of political change and a rapidly deepening relationship with the European Union. The result may not only determine who governs Armenia but also the future direction of the country's geopolitical alignment.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway will resume operations on 2 June after extensive modernisation works. Officials from Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye are set to gather in Akhalkalaki for a launch event marking the reopening of one of the Middle Corridor's most important transport links.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova praised Georgia for resisting Western pressure (30 May), defending its national interests and pursuing a "multi-vector foreign policy" - language that closely mirrors the rhetoric of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
As Armenia approaches parliamentary elections, Russia appears to be increasing political and economic pressure on Yerevan, signalling that closer integration with the EU could lead to significant changes in labour, transport and energy arrangements between the two countries.
Uzbekistan recorded further declines in the production of key energy resources during the first four months of 2026, even as output of fuel products, electricity and construction materials increased, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Committee.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment