Azerbaijan faces looming ecological crisis

Lake Sevan continues to remain at the center of Azerbaijan’s political interests. Experts note that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s recent statements should be viewed not only from a security perspective but also in terms of energy and resource management, as water has become one of the world’s most critical security issues.

According to the United Nations, one billion people globally lack access to drinking water, and by 2030, water scarcity could trigger a global crisis. There is a risk that the shortage of water resources could create around 700 million climate refugees worldwide.

Against this backdrop, Azerbaijan’s water reserves are rapidly depleting, making Aliyev’s recent remarks more understandable.

Data from the World Bank indicate that Azerbaijan has only 851 cubic meters of freshwater per person, compared to over 2,300 cubic meters per person in Armenia.