Tokayev: Kazakhstan supports Azerbaijan's initiative on Caspian Sea issue

Kazakhstan supports Azerbaijan's proposal to establish an intergovernmental commission to address the declining water levels of the Caspian Sea, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the Caspian Environmental Summit in Turkmenistan, Report informs via Akorda.

"Kazakhstan supports Azerbaijan's proposal to establish an intergovernmental commission on the declining water levels of the Caspian Sea at the level of deputy prime ministers. The Caspian littoral states have also approved Kazakhstan's proposal to develop an Interstate Programme for the Conservation of the Caspian Sea's Water Resources," Tokayev said.

According to him, despite the existing international legal and institutional framework for cooperation, the measures being taken are insufficient to address the Caspian's environmental problems. He called on the Caspian littoral states to move towards coordinated action to mitigate the effects of the declining water levels and adapt their economies and ecosystems to the ongoing changes.

Tokayev also highlighted the importance of the Tehran Convention and the contribution of the United Nations Environment Programme to environmental protection efforts.

The head of state cited Kazakhstan's experience in restoring the Northern Aral Sea as an example. According to him, the sea's area has increased by 36%, contributing to improved water quality, the recovery of fish stocks and the revival of economic activity in the surrounding areas.

The Kazakh president expressed the view that this experience could be applied to preserve the unique ecosystem of the Caspian Sea.