Zakir Guliyev: Azerbaijan's water resources expected to decline by 30-35% by 2100

Azerbaijan's water resources are expected to decrease by 20-25% between 2020-2050 and by 30-35% between 2070-2100 according to projections, Zakir Guliyev, Chairman of the Board of the Regional Water Melioration Service under the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency (ASWRA), said at a regional climate conference on strengthening climate action in the agri-food sector of European and Central Asian countries, Report informs.

Guliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan's water resources are extremely limited. "Based on long-term data, the country's surface water resources amount to 30 billion cubic meters, with only 30% of these resources forming within the country's territory, while 70% come from neighboring countries," he stated.

In recent years, the flow of Azerbaijan's main water arteries, the Kura and Araz rivers, has drastically decreased due to the impact of climate change and prolonged droughts, with many internal rivers completely drying up, the official added.

“To address this challenge, Azerbaijan has established a Water Commission by Presidential Decree in April 2020 to ensure efficient use of water resources, improve water management, and coordinate activities in this field. The Commission, led by relevant authorities, implements measures to regulate the operation of water reservoirs and water use limits, considering climatic conditions and water demand.”

Furthermore, a 2020-2022 Action Plan for the efficient use of water resources was approved in July 2020, envisaging the reconstruction of 20 important existing irrigation canals and the creation of 10 new water reservoirs to generate additional water resources. Extensive restoration, reconstruction, and construction work has been carried out in the liberated territories, with efforts continuing in this direction.

Guliyev noted that the measures taken in the field of efficient water use, including the construction and commissioning of large water reservoirs, hydro junctions, irrigation and collector-drainage networks, pumping stations, and other infrastructure, have significantly contributed to improving water supply in the country, preventing water losses, and ensuring the sustainable development of the agricultural sector.