On May 19, a high-level dialogue themed " Climate-Resilient Cities and Communities along the Caspian Sea – Unlocking Vertical Climate Finance for Urban Adaptation" was held as part of the 13th Session of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13).

Axar.az informs the event brought together high-ranking government officials, UN representatives, international financial institutions, and development partners.

The event featured discussions on how climate finance, partnerships, and innovations can support scalable and human-centered urban adaptation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Agakerim Samadzade, First Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, pointed out that the impacts of climate change are becoming more critical each year, with rising temperatures and depleting water resources posing new challenges.

He noted that the decline in the water level of the Caspian Sea has already become a serious problem. He emphasized that this affects the lives of millions of people, spanning from the fishing industry to the livelihoods of coastal populations, the tourism economy, and the overall ecosystem.

The event continued with discussions moderated by Mahir Aliyev, Regional Coordinator of the UN Environment Programme.