AHK Azerbaijan 2

The project aims to combat environmental problems in the South Caucasus, especially in water management and related areas. Central to this is to support projects in the (re)construction of the Karabakh region in combating water scarcity.

In Agenda 2030, the world community adopted 17 global goals for sustainable development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Due in part to the 30-year conflict with Armenia, Azerbaijan's environment has been severely degraded. The implementation of SDGs 6 (sufficient water of the best quality), 13 (implement climate action globally), and 15 (life on land) are currently under acute threat. There is a glaring water shortage in Azerbaijan. The country has the lowest water reserves in the already water-scarce South Caucasus. The Karabakh region in the west of the country is one of the central regions where local water resources originate (about 25 %).

The lack of bilateral agreements with neighboring states, as well as political and military conflicts, have led to significant environmental damage. Deforestation and burning of forests, destruction of flora and fauna, and mining of raw materials have also led to enormous economic damage and numerous ecological impacts. Since about 70% of Azerbaijan's waters originate abroad, forming an environmental cluster involving stakeholders from Germany and the South Caucasus is essential. This environmental cluster should pursue the following core objectives:

• Mitigate pollution of rivers/water bodies in the Karabakh region (e.g., Araz and Okchuchay).

• Improvement of water quality and reduction of pollutants

• Treatment of water for use as drinking water as well as for Azerbaijani agriculture in the Karabakh region.

• Establishment of sustainable water and wastewater management for the "Smart Village/City" pilot projects in Agdam and Zengilan

• Reclamation of flora and fauna in western Azerbaijan.

As part of the project, a framework analysis ("Environmental and Water Protection: Measures for the Modernization of Water Infrastructure in the South Caucasus") will be prepared and presented to German companies at a symposium. In addition to establishing the environmental cluster, this event aims to develop initial project ideas for the region. A subsequent study trip on "Reconstruction of the water and wastewater infrastructure in western Azerbaijan" includes visits to the affected areas, expert discussions and visits to government agencies. Here, the participants (including environmental experts, research institutes, companies, and technical experts from agriculture, construction, and mining) gain access to local actors and have the opportunity to present their project ideas. In addition, the participants will concretize and finalize their project proposals in regular exchange events and working group meetings of the environmental cluster. Finally, the project proposals will be bundled in a white paper and presented to the Azerbaijani government to contribute to the establishment of sustainable water management in the affected regions with the help of German technologies.