Climate change and water resource depletion are among the greatest global challenges of our time. Around two billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, and half the world’s population experiences severe water scarcity at least once a year. Currently, only 0.5% of the Earth’s water is accessible and usable as freshwater, and the impacts of climate change are exacerbating this critical problem. Over the past two decades, surface water reserves – including soil moisture, snow and ice – have shrunk by as much as one centimeter per year, posing significant risks to water security.

According to the World Resources Institute, 36 countries are already suffering from water scarcity. This means that settlements, industry and agriculture no longer need enough water to use the available resources. The water crisis is regularly ranked among the five greatest global risks by the World Economic Forum.

The amount of water stored in glaciers and snowpack is forecast to continue to decline over the course of the century, reducing water availability in regions that are home to more than one-sixth of the world’s population, particularly those that rely on meltwater from major mountain ranges during dry periods.

In Azerbaijan, surface water resources total 30 billion cubic meters, of which 30% come from the Republic and 70% from neighboring countries. Recent climate changes have led to a sharp decline in these resources. The volume will decrease to 17 billion cubic meters in 2022.

Solving this problem is a priority of state policy. On August 28, Baku hosted an event titled “The Role of Water Management Systems in Climate Resilient Agriculture: COP29 Roundtables,” where the decline in water resources in Azerbaijan was discussed.

Firudin Taghiyev, head of the Land Use Control Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, reported an 18% decrease in glacier areas in Azerbaijan over the past seven years. He also noted that water resources entering the country have decreased by 18-20% in recent years, with the area of ​​mountain lakes decreasing by 4.2% compared to August last year. Taghiyev stressed that the Kura River has low water levels and has reversed its flow direction in recent years, indicating that the river is having serious problems reaching the sea, which ultimately affects water resources.

One of the main water challenges in Azerbaijan is the failure to implement an effective water balance and crop accounting system for resource assessment. The State Water Resources Agency is working on this in cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture, but the system is still incomplete.

The ongoing development of the electronic water management information system is aimed at improving water resources management. According to Rafik Verdiyev, Deputy Head of the Environmental Policy Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the water balance system has been handed over, which allows real-time assessment of water resources using data from automatic stations on most rivers.

This problem extends beyond Azerbaijan and also affects neighboring countries such as Turkey, Armenia, Georgia and Iran. These countries are also experiencing a decline in rainfall, leading to a shortage of water resources both locally and across borders. The challenges are further exacerbated by droughts, seasonal fluctuations in river flow and inefficient flood management, which complicates irrigation and water supply for agriculture.

There are 153 reservoirs in Azerbaijan with a total capacity of 21.9 billion cubic meters. These reservoirs play a crucial role in flood regulation, energy production and supporting agriculture. Notable reservoirs include Mingachevir, Shamkir, Yenikand, Araz, Sarsang, Jeyranbatan, Takhtakorpu, Aghstafa, Varvara, Gyz Gala, Zogalavachay, Khanbulanchay, Khachinchay, Khudafarin and Sugovushan. In April 2023, President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree to build the Yingeja Reservoir, underscoring his commitment to developing water infrastructure and promoting a “green economy”.

Azerbaijan is also focusing on optimizing water resource management in Karabakh and East Sanghesur. According to official reports, there are 14 rivers, 9 reservoirs and 7 aqueducts in these liberated territories, the largest of which is the Khudafar reservoir with a capacity of 1 billion 612 million cubic meters. These resources are crucial for irrigation, drinking water and energy in these regions.

The Sarsang Reservoir in Karabakh was severely damaged by the long Armenian occupation, leaving 100,000 hectares unirrigated and affecting the surrounding infrastructure. Following Azerbaijan’s recent victory in the conflict, the Sarsang Reservoir was rehabilitated, including the construction of a new 50-megawatt hydroelectric power plant. The Sarsang Reservoir was built in 1976 on the initiative of national leader Heydar Aliyev and remains an important strategic asset for Azerbaijan.

It is worth noting that the Sarsang reservoir in Karabakh, known for its abundant water resources, has seen a record increase in area this year compared to previous years. Satellite images from 2024 show that the reservoir’s water surface reached a peak of 1,065 hectares in the last decade. This significant increase follows years of fluctuating water levels from 2014 to 2023.

The rehabilitation of the Sarsang Dam and the construction of a new hydroelectric power plant are further examples of Azerbaijan’s strategic approach to water resources management. As these initiatives progress, they will play a critical role in ensuring the country’s water security and contribute to overall regional stability.

In Azerbaijan, these general trends are reflected: surface water resources have declined even more sharply due to climate change. Recent glacier retreats and the reduction of water resources in the country underline the need for effective management and protection strategies. The Baku event on water management systems highlights ongoing efforts to address these challenges, including the development of an electronic water management information system.

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