TURKMENBASHI /Turkmenistan/, August 12. /TASS/. There is currently no single scientific explanation for the causes of the Caspian Sea’s receding water levels, which is why it is necessary to pool the scientific and technical capabilities of all Caspian littoral states to gain a clearer understanding of the process, said Pyotr Shchukin, Russia’s Charge d’Affaires in Turkmenistan.

"One cannot overlook the well-known issue of the Caspian Sea’s receding water levels. <…> At the same time, it is important to remember that fluctuations in the Caspian Sea’s water level have occurred in the past and were cyclical in nature. There is currently no single scientific explanation for the causes of the present-day drop in water levels. <…> Under these circumstances, it is crucial to pool the scientific and technical capabilities of all Caspian littoral states to gain a clearer understanding of the causes behind the Caspian Sea’s cyclical fluctuations, develop forecasts, ensure the region’s environmental safety, and implement practical measures to minimize the damage caused by climate-related changes," he said at the scientific-practical conference "Protection of the Caspian Sea Ecosystem: Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Development."

For Russia, the issue of receding water levels is particularly acute: in the northeastern part of the Caspian, specifically within the Russian coastal zone, the area of shallowed waters has already exceeded 20,000 square kilometers over the past 20 years, the diplomat added. "It is evident that this process has a detrimental impact on the Caspian’s biosphere and ecosystem, port operations, the fishing industry, and the sustainable development of economic activities," he said.