Tokayev warns Caspian Sea could face Aral-style disaster at UN summit

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev warned at a UN summit that the Caspian Sea could face a disaster similar to the Aral Sea tragedy if countries in the region fail to take measures to protect it. Citing Akorda, the presidential press service, he called on the five Caspian states to join forces to preserve the sea's ecosystem.

Tokayev said the drying of the Aral Sea is a clear reminder of the destructive consequences of irresponsible use of natural resources. "We must not allow the Caspian Sea to suffer the same fate," he said.

The president also highlighted the decline of the Caspian seal population, which he said fell from 1 million to 270,000 animals over the last century. The Caspian seal is officially listed in Kazakhstan as a rare and endangered species. Tokayev recalled that he had already urged regional countries to act together at the first Caspian Ecological Summit in Turkmenistan.