IACEP Participated in the International Session 'One Caspian - One Future'

On August 7, 2026, in the city of Aktau, at the Rixos Aktau hotel, as part of the International Action Week 'Caspian Sea Action Week 2026', a facilitation session 'One Caspian - One Future' and a round table 'Joint Scientific Research - the Key to Solving the Actual Problems of the Caspian Sea' were held.

The Director General of the RSE on the Right of Economic Management 'Information and Analytical Center for Environmental Protection' of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Askhat Kozhumov, took part in the work of the international platform. The participation of IACEP was aimed at expanding expert dialogue, exchanging relevant scientific and environmental information, as well as strengthening international cooperation in the study and conservation of the unique ecosystem of the Caspian Sea.

The event brought together representatives of government agencies, research organizations, international structures, and the expert community of the Caspian states. The opening ceremony was moderated by the First Deputy Akim of the Mangystau Region, Ashat Orlov.

With welcoming speeches, the following individuals spoke: Vice-Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mansur Oshurbayev; Chairman of the Committee for Youth and Family Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kambrov Kayrat Telmanovich; First Deputy Akim of the Mangystau Region, Ashat Orlov; Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Tetekin; Deputy Head of the National Hydrometeorological Service of the Azerbaijan Republic, Akbar Askarov; Deputy Director of the Department of Marine Environment and Wetlands of the Environmental Protection Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ahmadreza Lahijanzadeh; Head of the Scientific Department of the Hazar State Natural Reserve of Turkmenistan, Sakhetmurat Mammedov; Coordinator of the Temporary Secretariat of the Tehran Convention, Mahir Aliyev; UNOPS Project Coordinator 'Blueing the Caspian Sea', Thomas Price; and Chair of the National Volunteer Network, Vera Kim. Representatives of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran joined the event in online format.

The first thematic session was devoted to hydrometeorological and environmental research of the Caspian Sea. Its first part was moderated by the Director of the Department of Environmental Culture and Policy of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Daulet Ysmagambetov.

Senior Advisor to the Department of Environmental Monitoring of the Caspian Complex of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Azerbaijan Republic, Nemat Gasanov, presented a report on the environmental safety of the Caspian Sea, comprehensive monitoring of the water area, and modern systems for protecting the coastal zone.

Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Andrey Kostyanoy, highlighted the issues of interannual variability of the Caspian Sea level and its forecasting. Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Pyotr Zavyalov, spoke about the features of coastal circulation in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea based on field measurements.

Head of the Scientific Department of the Hazar State Natural Reserve of Turkmenistan, Sakhetmurat Mammedov, presented information on the environmental conditions of the Turkmen part of the Caspian Sea. UNOPS Project Coordinator Thomas Price presented the Global Environmental Fund project 'Restoration of the Caspian Sea Ecosystem: Building Capacity in Pollution Management and Biodiversity Conservation' - 'Blueing the Caspian Sea'.

The continuation of the first session was moderated by the Chairman of the Board of the Kazakh Research Institute of the Caspian Sea, Serik Akhmetov.

Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Irvine, Amir Agha Kouchak, presented a report on the ecogeochemical responses of the shrinking Caspian Sea to anthropogenic and climatic pressure.

Acting Head of the Department of Marine Hydrometeorological Research of the Kazakh Research Institute of the Caspian Sea, Balzhan Elbasieva, spoke about the impact of climate factors on the water level in the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea.

Head of the GIS Department of the Institute, Togzhan Akshabaeva, presented the results of a study of the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea using satellite data. Leading Researcher of the Institute and the University of Oulu, Aziza Baubekova, considered the possible consequences of the Caspian Sea's regression for regional stability, connections, and livelihoods of coastal areas.

The second session was devoted to hydrobiological research of the Caspian Sea. It was moderated by the Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Kazakh Research Institute of the Caspian Sea, Saltanat Sadvakasova.

Senior Specialist of the Center for Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Azerbaijan Republic, Elnara Dzhafarova, presented a comprehensive approach to the study and conservation of the Caspian Sea ecosystem.

Representatives of the Environmental Protection Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sohrab Mazlumi and Behdokht Mirzaei, presented a national report on the measures taken by Iran regarding the Caspian Sea.

Doctor of Biological Sciences of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Filipp Sapozhnikov, presented the results of a study on the state of benthic biological communities on the shelf of the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea.

Chief Expert of the Department of Fish Resources Protection and Fisheries Regulation of the Committee for Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Indira Khabdulina, spoke about the implementation of obligations undertaken within the framework of the Tehran Convention.

Deputy Head of the Department of Fish Health and Fisheries Productivity of the Agency for Agricultural Services under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Azerbaijan Republic, Elchin Mammadov, presented a report in online format on the impact of sea level changes on the ecosystems and biodiversity of the Caspian Sea.

During the discussions, the participants exchanged scientific data and expert assessments on issues such as changes in the Caspian Sea level, climate and anthropogenic impact, environmental monitoring, conservation of biodiversity, and sustainable management of natural resources.

The meeting confirmed the particular importance of coordinating scientific research, developing a unified information base, and elaborating coordinated decisions for the conservation of the Caspian Sea.

IACEP's participation in the international event contributes to the strengthening of professional interaction, the exchange of reliable environmental information, and information and analytical support for decisions in the field of environmental protection.