DOI: https://doi.org/10.36719/2706-6185/54/139-143
Alim Allahverdiyev
Baku State University
Master's student
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9610-7012
aallahverdilii@gmail.com
Legal Protection of Azerbaijan’s Water
Resources: Problems and Prospects
Abstract
The legal protection of water resources represents one of the key priorities of contemporary environmental and economic policy, playing a vital role in ensuring sustainable development and the preservation of natural ecosystems. The Republic of Azerbaijan, being a country with limited freshwater resources, faces increasingly urgent challenges due to climate change, growing anthropogenic pressures, and legal complexities surrounding the use of transboundary water bodies. In this context, the effectiveness of national legislation, the distribution of powers among relevant state bodies, the licensing system for water use, and legal mechanisms against pollution require thorough analysis.
This article first examines the legal status of water resources in Azerbaijan, the national regulatory framework, and the institutional structures responsible for oversight. Secondly, it explores practical challenges such as pollution risks stemming from industrial and agricultural sectors, regulatory gaps in the management of shared rivers (e.g., Kura, Araz), and inefficiencies in water infrastructure. Finally, based on progressive examples from international law, the paper outlines potential legal reforms and strategic approaches for establishing an integrated and effective water governance model in Azerbaijan.
The study concludes that the legal protection of water resources depends not only on the existence of legislation but also on the efficiency of its implementation, transparent governance, and robust information exchange. Strengthening legal mechanisms, ensuring harmonization with international agreements, and advancing institutional reforms are essential to securing long-term, equitable access to water in Azerbaijan.
Keywords: water resources, legal regulation, transboundary water, liability for pollution, sustainable water management, legal framework, environmental law, water law, ecological reforms, climate change and water policy