Experts from Six Countries Are Shaping a Strategy to Address Water Scarcity in the Caspian Region
An international expert dialogue titled "The Caspian Region Amid Global Changes and Water Scarcity: Initiatives and Pathways to Enhanced Resilience" is currently underway in Elista, hosted by the B. B. Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University. This introductory scientific and practical conference, overseen by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, has brought together scientists, environmentalists, and specialized experts from six nations: Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The delegation from Turkmenistan is participating in the forum virtually.
This meeting serves as a practical implementation of agreements reached by the heads of state during the 3rd Caspian Economic Forum in Tehran. The fact that the issue of water scarcity and the adaptation of arid territories is being addressed not in isolation, but in conjunction with the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor, agro-biotechnologies, and environmental security, underscores the transboundary nature of these challenges. The Caspian functions as a unified ecosystem, where purely national solutions—lacking synergy with neighboring states—fail to yield long-term results.
The conference’s business program includes sessions focused on innovative water purification technologies, combating soil degradation, and monitoring the health of populations in the Caspian region. Particular emphasis is placed on academic cooperation and continuity: the Association of Caspian Universities and Research Centers has announced the establishment of a dedicated scholarship program for young student research teams. The recommendations developed during the event, along with agreements on joint research, will provide a scientific foundation for the preservation of bioresources and the sustainable development of the entire Caspian basin.
