Leyla Aliyeva Highlights Caspian Sea Challenges at Green Energy Projects Session in Baku
Baku, The Gulf Observer: A session on Green Energy Projects was held on March 3 at the Baku Convention Center as part of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council Ministerial Meeting and the Green Energy Advisory Council Ministerial Meeting, bringing together international officials, energy experts, and industry representatives to discuss renewable energy development and regional cooperation.
Addressing the session, Leyla Aliyeva highlighted growing environmental challenges facing the Caspian Sea, warning that the situation has become increasingly concerning over time.
She stressed that the issue affects not only Azerbaijan but also neighboring countries around the Caspian basin. According to her, the Caspian Sea reflects the broader global ecosystem and its environmental condition serves as an indicator of wider ecological health.
Aliyeva expressed hope that joint international efforts could help restore the sea’s water levels and prevent ecological decline similar to that experienced by the Aral Sea and Lake Urmia.
She also noted that the Caspian Sea has experienced a dramatic loss of marine biodiversity over the past century, with species numbers declining from about one million to approximately 200,000, while emphasizing Azerbaijan’s ambition to become a regional leader in green energy.
Speaking at the session, Cristina Lobillo Borrero, Director of the Energy Platform Task Force at the European Commission Directorate-General for Energy, highlighted the role of renewable technologies in strengthening energy security, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and creating new industrial opportunities.
Meanwhile, Javid Abdullayev, Director of the State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources of Azerbaijan under the Ministry of Energy, outlined progress in developing bioenergy, geothermal energy, and green hydrogen in the country.
He added that international cooperation initiatives include action plans to transform Karabakh, East Zangezur, and Nakhchivan into designated green energy zones.
Elmir Musayev, Chief Executive Officer of SOCAR Green, also addressed the session, outlining efforts to decarbonize oil and gas facilities and strengthen Azerbaijan’s expertise through international partnerships.
Other speakers included Murad Sadigov, Polina Lyubomirova, Ayla Azizova, James Humphrey, and Wiebke Schloemer, who discussed investment opportunities and prospects in the renewable energy sector.
