Azerbaijan and Iran have finalized and approved operational regimes for the distribution of water resources from the Araz River, marking a significant step in cross-border resource management.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, which cited the State Water Resources Agency of Azerbaijan, the agreement was reached during the 55th meeting of the Permanent Joint Commission on the use of water and energy resources of the Araz River, held between June 8 and 11.
The meeting, hosted in Iran, was co-chaired by Zakir Guliyev, Chairman of the Board of the Regional Water Reclamation Service under the State Water Resources Agency of Azerbaijan, and Fariba Averideh, Head of the General Department for Border Rivers at the Iranian Ministry of Energy.
The delegation included representatives from the Regional Water Reclamation Service, the State Service for Control over Water Use and Protection, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, and Azerenergy OJSC. Discussions focused on monitoring water extraction, ensuring water quality, and installing modern water-measuring equipment along the river. The session concluded with the signing of a final protocol outlining future cooperation.
The Araz River serves as a vital transboundary water source for both nations, playing a critical role in agricultural irrigation and hydroelectric power generation in the region. Effective management of these shared water resources is essential for maintaining ecological balance and supporting the economic development of the bordering territories in both Azerbaijan and Iran.
