Baku (Turkey News) – A Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Ali Asadov was held with the purpose of implementing the "Comprehensive Action Plan for 2025–2030." The plan includes the removal and rehabilitation of old and non-functional hydraulic structures in the Caspian Sea, re-closure and isolation of oil wells, dismantling of trestles, bridges, and platforms, clearing of sunken or partially submerged vessels, and other restoration works. Measures to improve the environmental quality of Baku Bay were also discussed.
The Prime Minister noted that various hydraulic structures, closed or secured oil wells, trestles, bridges, and platforms in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea from the former Soviet era have deteriorated and rusted, and due to hydrometeorological factors, have reached an emergency condition. As a result, serious negative impacts on the Caspian Sea’s environmental situation have emerged. He highlighted the pollution problem in Baku Bay (Seaside Boulevard) caused by long-term human impact and emphasized the urgent need to address it.
At the meeting, Alshan Hajiyev, head of the Industrial and Energy sector, presented the comprehensive action plan. Reports were also presented by Emergency Situations Minister Kamaladdin Heydarov, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Rashad Ismayilov, President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Rəşad Nəcirov, and Chairman of “Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping” Afghan Jalilov.
Additionally, Khanlar Agalarov, Chairman of the Seaside Boulevard Department, and Zaur Mikelov, Chairman of the State Water Resources Agency of Azerbaijan, presented further reports on measures to improve the environmental condition of Baku Bay.
Following deliberations, relevant government bodies were instructed to monitor the Caspian Sea, prepare an interactive map, determine the scope of work and priority list, study international best practices, and implement measures under public-private partnership principles. They were directed to remove emergency and non-functional structures and wells, clear sunken or partially submerged vessels, and assess the environmental impact of these measures on coastal and marine ecosystems.
Furthermore, an action plan was ordered to clean and improve the environmental condition of Baku Bay (Seaside Boulevard), including immediate measures such as draining water to remove metal structures near the coast, preventing sewage discharge, cleaning surface oil spills and various waste, and removing oil-contaminated soil from surrounding areas.
