The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, announced the development of a special state program covering the period until 2030, aimed at studying the ecological status of the Caspian Sea and forecasting changes in its water levels. The Russian leader made this statement during his speech at the Caspian Ecological Summit, held on October 9, 2026, in the "Avaza" National Tourist Zone in Turkmenistan.

The new program will encompass large-scale scientific research and will be implemented by the Russian government. The findings obtained from these studies will be shared with all Caspian littoral states.

According to President Putin, one of the most advanced aspects of this project will be the creation of a high-precision virtual (digital) twin of the Caspian Sea, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. By analyzing evaporation processes, precipitation levels, and river inflow dynamics, reliable future scenarios of the sea's water levels will be accurately calculated. This model will be utilized not only for ecological purposes but also to adjust shipping routes and enhance navigation safety. The Russian leader also invited the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to join this scientific initiative.