Caucasus region is exposed to increasing risks due to melting glaciers, COP29 President and Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev said at the ministerial meeting on Climate Change and Regional Cooperation for Preventing Glacier Melting in Central and Western Asia, Report informs.
Babayev stated that freshwater resources are rapidly decreasing, causing water scarcity, desertification, and reduced agricultural productivity, severely impacting habitats and ecosystems.
Babayev noted that Azerbaijan is directly experiencing the effects of climate change, with glaciers in the Greater Caucasus significantly shrinking:
"Azerbaijan has recently adopted a National Water Strategy to improve water management, enhance resource assessment, and address climate risks through integrated management, innovative technologies, and regional cooperation. Our response must be collaborative, adaptive, and future-oriented."
The minister emphasized that Azerbaijan reaffirms its commitment to glacier protection and sustainable water management in solidarity with regional partners: "We support the transformative Glacier to Farm Regional Program, which aims to mobilize funding over the coming years. This program serves as a promising solution for addressing glacier melting, increasing climate resilience, and ensuring food and water systems for our communities."
"Azerbaijan has developed a national adaptation plan incorporating relevant adaptation measures across key sectors. We must prioritize water management, climate-resilient infrastructure, and sustainable land practices while promoting cross-border cooperation and dialogue. Our region faces significant funding gaps for climate adaptation. The challenges ahead are huge, but they are also opportunities. Let's use this opportunity to join forces and turn our shared vision into concrete steps. Together, we can protect our glaciers, ensure regional water security, and build a sustainable future for generations to come," the COP29 president emphasized.