Two-day Caspian Sea ecological forum under way in Ashgabat

The forum was organized by the Ministry of nature protection of Turkmenistan jointly with EU/TASIS within the framework of the Caspian ecological programme (CEP). Ecology experts, representatives of international organizations, ministries and establishments as well as a number of renowned foreign oil companies attend the forum. The delegations of neighboring countries - Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Russia also arrived in Ashgabat.

The workshop is designed to kick start a new project of CEP "Monitoring of water quality in the Caspian Sea and action plan for areas with increased pollution". It aims at developing a single legal, technical, financial and ecological mechanism for implementation of this project as well as joint measures to control the man's impact on marine environment of the unique water reservoir. The European Union provides assistance to develop and introduce a regional programme of sea water monitoring, an agreed regional action plan for "hot spots" and a programme of priority investment. Besides, the project is designed to speed up the processes of cooperation at the regional level. The project will start in December 2007.

The forum discussed the work by CEP member states. The result of this work is directly related to the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) which is part of the National Caspian Action Plan (NSAP). One of the major areas in implementing SAP is the assessment of the Caspian Sea pollution and identification of its causes, polluted zones and composition of organic pollutants. As is known, a scientific marine expedition was arranged for this purpose. The expedition members conducted analysis of key trans-border pollutants of water and seabed settlings along the entire coast of the Caspian Sea.

During a lively exchange of views a wide range of issues related to restricting and preventing water pollution, close monitoring of emissions affecting marine environment and posing a threat to health of people were discussed. The workshop participants paid particular attention to adoption of preventive measures that would limit the risk of pollution caused by industrial damages and natural disasters and to preservation of biodiversity of the Caspian Sea basin. One of the most important items on agenda was proving assistance to sustainable development of the coastal areas.

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