Leyla Aliyeva Highlights Urgent Caspian Sea Ecological Challenges at Davos Forum

Baku, The Gulf Observer: Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, together with Arzu Aliyeva, head of the Baku Media Center, participated in the World Economic Forum event titled “Accelerating Sustainability Through Innovation and Collaboration” on January 23 in Davos.

In her address, Leyla Aliyeva shed light on critical environmental challenges affecting the Caspian Sea, emphasizing the urgency of addressing its declining water levels. She described the Caspian as the world’s largest lake, containing over 40% of the total water reserves of all global lakes. Over the past decade, the sea’s water level has significantly decreased, posing severe ecological risks to the region.

Aliyeva expressed concern over the impact of these changes on the Caspian’s unique biodiversity, particularly highlighting the decline in populations of key species such as the Caspian seal, sturgeon, and salmon. She noted the sharp reduction in Caspian seal numbers, stressing the urgent need to protect this endangered species and preserve the sea’s fragile ecosystem.

A significant highlight of Aliyeva’s speech was the introduction of the Caspian Research Center, established by IDEA and unveiled at COP29. The center aims to study, monitor, and address the complex environmental challenges facing the Caspian Sea while fostering regional cooperation to ensure its long-term sustainability.

Calling for collaborative action, Aliyeva urged international experts, research institutions, and stakeholders to unite in safeguarding the Caspian Sea’s unique ecosystem. She emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring, analysis, and scientific research to tackle the pressing environmental issues in the region.

The event brought together visionary leaders, innovators, and global stakeholders to explore innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. High-level representatives from various international organizations addressed the forum, underscoring the shared responsibility for advancing sustainability through collective innovation.

By focusing on the Caspian’s ecological challenges, Leyla Aliyeva reinforced the global importance of regional environmental preservation and the role of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainability.