At the first Caspian Environmental Summit, held on 9 October 2026 in the Avaza National Tourist Zone in Turkmenistan, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed that partner countries join an initiative to develop a digital twin of the Caspian Sea.
The proposed model will use artificial intelligence algorithms to analyse evaporation, precipitation and river inflows, as well as to simulate possible scenarios of changes in the sea level. The modelling results are expected to support environmental risk assessments, improve navigation routes and enhance maritime safety.
The summit also addressed the issue of the declining water level of the Caspian Sea. According to data cited by the Russian side, the sea level has been falling by an average of approximately 9 cm per year in recent years. The consequences of the decline include reduced resources for aquatic ecosystems and fisheries, degradation of coastal areas, and additional challenges for navigation.
Russia also announced that it is preparing a comprehensive programme to study changes in the Caspian Sea level through 2030 and expressed its readiness to share the findings with the Caspian littoral states.
The development of joint monitoring systems, the exchange of hydrological data and the modelling of changes in water bodies are important for transboundary water cooperation. The use of digital technologies could contribute to a better understanding of natural processes in the Caspian region and support improved approaches to environmental risk management.