Sevan's Importance in Baku's Strategic Plans for Azerbaijan: Davtyan

Energy security expert Vahe Davtyan has commented on the statement made by the President of Azerbaijan regarding Lake Sevan, placing it in the context of the country’s water scarcity and its ambitions to control regional resources.

Davtyan noted that Aliyev's expression, "There is no Lake Sevan on Russian imperial maps; there is only Goycha," should be viewed through the lens of Azerbaijan's internal water crisis. He emphasized that today, the issue of water has become one of the key factors in international security, with the sixth goal of the UN Millennium Development Goals pertaining to water security.

He pointed out that over 1 billion people worldwide lack access to clean water, and by 2030, there could be around 700 million climate refugees due to the scarcity of water resources.

Davtyan stressed that water has transformed into not only a vital resource but also a geopolitical tool. He indicated that the freshwater shortage in Azerbaijan has deepened in recent years, and Aliyev has himself spoken about the necessity of rational usage.

According to the World Bank, the renewable freshwater internal resources per capita in Azerbaijan amount to 851 cubic meters, while in Armenia, it exceeds 2329 cubic meters.

The expert noted that Baku faces serious ecological and socio-economic threats, and international experts warn of a possible ecological disaster if the issue is not addressed systematically. In his assessment, Azerbaijan is striving to secure new water sources, with water scarcity becoming one of its security and political priorities.

According to Davtyan, Lake Sevan, being one of the region's most important water resources, is included in Baku's strategic calculations.