Water security and sustainable management of the Kura River for future generations

Abstract

The Kura River is central to Azerbaijan’s water security because it supports drinking-water supply, irrigation, energy production and riverine ecosystems while remaining strongly dependent on transboundary inflows. This study examines how water scarcity, inefficient use and environmental pressure are understood at the local research level and how these concerns align with contemporary water-management priorities. The paper integrates two independently prepared 2026 research dossiers with a targeted review of official and peer-reviewed literature. One source project used desk research, maps and a five-factor problem prioritization, while the second combined desk research with an exploratory questionnaire and interview material. The source-based prioritization assigned the greatest emphasis to pollution (35%), followed by water overuse (30%), climate change (20%), solid waste (10%) and riparian tree loss (5%). In the exploratory survey material, 63% identified water waste as the leading cause of depletion, 80% reported avoiding unnecessary water use, 63% selected drinking-water shortage as the principal anticipated consequence, and 49% preferred stronger oversight of water consumption as the most effective measure. Because the source files do not document the survey sample size or respondent-level data, these percentages are interpreted descriptively rather than as population estimates. The combined evidence supports an integrated strategy based on infrastructure modernization, efficient irrigation, wastewater control, rainwater and treated-water reuse, public awareness, monitoring and basin-scale cooperation. These priorities are broadly consistent with Azerbaijan’s 2024–2040 National Strategy on efficient use of water resources.