Caspian Leaders Form Commission to Combat Sea Level Decline
Presidents of five littoral states established a joint commission in Turkmenistan to address the catastrophic shallowing of the Caspian Sea.
Presidents from Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan convened on October 9, 2026, for the Caspian Environmental Summit in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan. The leaders signed a decision to establish a joint commission composed of deputy heads of government and high-ranking representatives to identify the causes of the Caspian Sea's declining water levels and implement coordinated countermeasures.
Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, warned that the sea's surface area has decreased by more than 20,000 square kilometers, leading to the emergence of nearly 30,000 hectares of dry land in Azerbaijan's sector. He noted that this shallowing creates operational challenges for ports and coastal infrastructure, impacting regional economies and transport. While Aliyev attributed the decline to climate change, reduced river inflow, and anthropogenic factors, Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted shifting wind patterns as a primary driver.
To address the crisis, Russia proposed a national research program running through 2030 and the creation of an AI-powered digital twin of the sea for predictive modeling. The newly formed commission will hold its first meeting in Azerbaijan during the first half of 2027 to approve regulations. Member governments are required to designate their authorized representatives within three months, after which meetings will rotate among the five states in English alphabetical order.
