Japan Allocates $3 Million to Help Save the Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea, whose water level continues to decline rapidly due to climate change and increasing pressure on water resources, has become the focus of a new international environmental initiative. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan are launching a joint $3 million project in Kazakhstan aimed at supporting the Caspian region and developing modern water resource management systems, according to inbusiness.kz.
The project will be implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In addition, the initiative is designed to enhance the environmental sustainability of the region and support sustainable water management in an important transport and ecological corridor connecting Central Asia and the Caucasus.
The project aligns with Japan’s approach to supporting the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, as outlined during the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue and Summit held in December last year.
Environmental experts emphasize that the Caspian Sea remains one of Eurasia’s most important ecosystems. However, in recent years, the sea has been shrinking rapidly. Climate change, rising air temperatures, increased evaporation, reduced river inflow, and growing pressure on water resources have all contributed to the problem.
The project aims to strengthen cooperation among the Caspian littoral states in water resource management and in developing joint responses to declining water levels.
Key areas of focus will include the exchange of environmental data, coordination of actions, and the expansion of monitoring systems, particularly in the vulnerable northern part of the Caspian Sea and in river inflow regions.
Japan is already one of UNDP’s key partners in promoting sustainable development and climate initiatives. With Japanese support, UNDP is currently implementing projects in Kazakhstan to enhance the safety of hydraulic infrastructure, improve urban resilience to natural disasters, and strengthen emergency preparedness across Central Asia.
The new programme will become the fourth joint initiative of Kazakhstan, Japan, and UNDP. Particular attention will be paid to developing modern monitoring systems and strengthening research capacity in the North Caspian region.
The implementation of the project will help Kazakhstan not only enhance environmental monitoring of the Caspian Sea but also contribute to fulfilling international climate and environmental commitments, including the National Adaptation Plan, the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
