Putin spoke at the Caspian Environmental Summit. The main thing

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at the Caspian Environmental Summit in Turkmenistan on October 9. The main topics were the causes and consequences of the shallowing of the Caspian Sea, joint measures to preserve its ecosystem and the rational use of water resources. The main statements of the head of state are in the material of Izvestia.

On the consequences of the shallowing of the Caspian Sea

Putin said that, according to Russian data, the level of the Caspian Sea is decreasing by an average of 9 cm per year. According to him, maintaining such a pace is fraught with a reduction in biological resources, damage to fisheries and soil erosion in the coastal zone.

"It's a big threat to all of us," the president stressed, speaking about the environmental consequences of shallowing.

He noted that the decrease in water levels also affects the socio-economic situation in the region: it reduces the investment attractiveness of the trans-Caspian logistics corridors, creates risks of job losses and a deterioration in the quality of life of the population. According to the head of state, Russia is forced to allocate significant budgetary funds annually for dredging operations to ensure navigation.

About the causes of sea level decline

The President said that research by Russian and foreign experts points to climate change as the main reason for the shallowing of the Caspian Sea. An increase in average annual temperatures affects the evaporation rate, precipitation, and river water inflow.

"The main reason for the shallowing of the Caspian Sea is climate change," Putin said.

He called the change in the wind rose an additional factor. According to him, instead of the previously prevailing air masses, hot and dry streams from Central Asia come from the Atlantic Ocean, increasing evaporation.

On joint measures to preserve the Caspian Sea

Putin called on the Caspian littoral states to work out joint steps to preserve the marine ecosystem. To do this, he suggested making maximum use of existing international mechanisms, primarily the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea — the Tehran Convention of 2003.

The President said that at the session of the Conference of the Parties to the convention in Iran two weeks earlier, an agreement was reached on the early approval of an action plan in connection with fluctuations in the Caspian Sea level until 2036.

"Russia also supports the idea of developing a special protocol on monitoring the Caspian Sea within the framework of the Tehran Convention," he said.

According to Putin, such a document will make it possible to systematize the exchange of information on shallowing and other environmental risks, as well as establish mechanisms to respond to them.

Bottom line: what will the shallowing of the Caspian Sea lead to?

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The Head of State also supported Turkmenistan's initiative to establish a special commission to identify the causes of sea level decline and develop comprehensive measures to counteract its negative consequences.

About climate research and the Russian program

Putin proposed the creation of a specialized working group on climate within the framework of the Caspian Committee on Hydrometeorology. Its 30th anniversary session is scheduled for December 2026 in Ashgabat.

The President also informed about the preparation by the Russian government of a comprehensive program to study changes in the Caspian Sea level and minimize their negative consequences. It is designed until 2030.

"It provides for conducting numerous studies, the results of which we will certainly share with all our neighbors," the head of state stressed.

About the digital twin of the Caspian Sea

Putin recalled the Russian proposal to create a digital twin of the Caspian Sea, a highly accurate virtual model using artificial intelligence. It should take into account the dynamics of evaporation, precipitation, and river runoff and help calculate scenarios for sea level changes.

"In my opinion, this is exactly the area where artificial intelligence can be effectively used," the president said.

According to him, the model can also be used to refine navigation routes and improve navigation safety. Putin invited the partners to join the project.

About the rational use of water

The President called the careful use of water resources one of the important areas of cooperation between the Caspian littoral countries. Russia is ready to continue working together to reduce water losses, improve water management practices, and modernize irrigation systems and pumping stations.

"Russia is committed to further work with all the Caspian littoral countries on reducing water losses," Putin stressed.

He also noted the possibilities of cooperation in the field of industrial water management, digital management of water bodies and space monitoring of irrigation networks and water loss zones.

About the training of specialists

Putin stressed that the preservation of the Caspian ecosystem requires not only financing and interstate mechanisms, but also qualified specialists in various fields of natural sciences.

He said that an international educational program dedicated to the comprehensive study of the Caspian Sea is being opened at the Sirius University of Science and Technology. Young specialists will be able to explore real problems in the field of ecology, economics and innovation.

"We invite young people from your countries to take part in this joint work," the president said.

Context

The level of the Caspian Sea has been continuously decreasing since 1995 at a rate of about 10 cm per year. During this period, the indicator fell by almost 3 m.

The shallowing has already led to negative consequences for the region. In particular, navigation is difficult due to falling water levels in the Volga-Caspian Sea Canal and ports, and the coastline has begun to move away from populated areas. According to experts, by the end of the 21st century, sea level may decrease by another amount from 2 to 21 m.

According to scientists, by 2025, the level of the Caspian Sea dropped to -29.4 m. This figure was lower than the historical low of 1977, when the sea level was -29.0 m. In addition, the area of the Caspian Sea mirror decreased by 28,644 square kilometers from 1996 to 2025, which is 7.4% of the figures from 30 years ago. According to their calculations, over the past decades, the Caspian Sea area has lost a territory comparable in size to the area of Albania.