On 12 August, events marking Caspian Sea Day were held in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. The main event was a scientific and practical conference entitled ‘Preserving the Ecosystem of the Caspian Sea: Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Development’, according to the TDH news agency.

The forum was attended by members of the national government, representatives of ministries and departments, scientific institutions, diplomatic missions, and international and regional organisations.

Participants discussed issues relating to the conservation of the Caspian Sea ecosystem, the protection of biodiversity, the rational use of natural resources and the development of regional cooperation. Particular attention was paid to Turkmenistan’s ‘Caspian Environmental Initiative’ and the proposal to hold the Caspian Environmental Forum in 2026.

An address by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was read out at the opening of the conference. The Head of State noted the priority of preserving the Caspian’s unique ecosystem and emphasised the need for the Caspian states and international organisations to join forces.

During the forum, participants reviewed the implementation of the Framework Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, which entered into force on 12 August 2006. This year marks the 20th anniversary of its entry into force. The document serves as the legal basis for cooperation among the Caspian littoral states in the field of environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources.

Particular attention was paid to the falling water level of the Caspian Sea, climate change, the monitoring of the marine environment and biological resources, the development of scientific research, and the introduction of modern technologies. Participants called for an expansion of information exchange and the establishment of a Caspian scientific partnership.

Turkmenistan’s international environmental initiatives were also discussed, including the establishment of a Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia and a Regional Centre for Combating Desertification.

As part of the event, an exhibition was held dedicated to the nature of the Caspian Sea and the country’s achievements in the field of environmental protection.

Following the conference, the participants adopted an Appeal to the President of Turkmenistan. The document emphasised the importance of further developing cooperation among the Caspian states with a view to preserving the Caspian ecosystem and strengthening regional collaboration.

On the same day, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Affairs Minister, R. Meredov, held meetings with Serhan Aktoprak, the International Organisation for Migration’s Regional Coordinator for Central Asia; Beata Peksa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union to Turkmenistan; Xiaojun Grace Wang, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan; and William Leaf, Head of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Centre in Ashgabat.

The parties discussed the sustainable development of the Caspian region, environmental protection, environmental diplomacy, the transition to a ‘green’ economy and energy security. Opportunities for implementing joint projects to preserve the Caspian ecosystem were considered separately.

Representatives of international and regional organisations reaffirmed their readiness to support Turkmenistan’s environmental initiatives and projects aimed at achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

As part of the events marking Caspian Sea Day, sporting competitions were also held among forum delegates, with the participation of representatives from foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations in Turkmenistan.