ASWRA: Climate change threatens Azerbaijan's water resources

Azerbaijan's water resources are under pressure from climate change, Deputy Chairman of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency (ASWRA), Khayyam Mammadov, said on the second day of Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW 2026), Report informs.

Mammadov explained that longer droughts, more intense floods, and heavy rainfall have serious impacts on various economic sectors, including agriculture, urban infrastructure, and public welfare.

"At the same time, rapid urbanization worldwide and aging infrastructure make the consequences of these events increasingly complex. In this context, the implementation of early warning systems is not only a technological innovation but also an essential part of measures to enhance climate resilience and reduce disaster risks," he stated.

The official further stressed that adaptation measures are particularly relevant in Azerbaijan, given the sensitivity of water resources to climate change.

"Our country is heavily dependent on transboundary rivers, and climate change creates new challenges not only for Azerbaijan but for the entire region. Fluctuations in the Caspian Sea level, reduction of regional water reserves, shrinking glaciers, and changes in precipitation patterns all add further pressure on water resources," Mammadov noted.