Tue, 27/08/2024 - 19:14
Caspian Sea Day 2024
On August 12, 2024, the Caspian littoral states — Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan — celebrated Caspian Sea Day with a series of significant events. The annual celebrations mark the day the Tehran Convention came into force, underscoring the importance of protecting the Caspian Sea's exceptional ecosystem. In 2024, the focus was on a mix of environmental, educational, and cultural initiatives aimed at raising public awareness about the Caspian Sea's environmental challenges and the necessity of its conservation.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan marked the day with a variety of activities, including environmental campaigns and cultural events. In the Absheron National Park, lectures were conducted on the current state of the Caspian ecosystem, and water samples from the sea were showcased to highlight ongoing monitoring efforts. Primorsky National Park featured information stands that addressed critical environmental issues facing the Caspian. Additionally, widespread coastal clean-up efforts took place across Azerbaijan’s Caspian shoreline, with active participation from local communities and public organizations.
Iran
In Iran, the day was observed through environmental projects and cultural events, such as art exhibitions celebrating the Caspian Sea's natural beauty. Schools and universities hosted educational programmes to inform young people about the importance of marine conservation.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan joined in the celebrations with a focus on protecting the marine environment and promoting sustainable resource use. The country organized shoreline clean-ups and educational seminars across various regions. On August 9, 2024 a roundtable discussion titled "The Current State of the Caspian Sea Ecosystem" was held. Coastal cities also participated in the "Clean Coast" campaign, where activists and public service representatives worked together to remove debris from beaches and illegal fishing nets from the sea.
Russia
In Russia, the festivities included scientific conferences and exhibitions that highlighted the latest research on the Caspian Sea’s ecosystem and protective measures. Coastal regions saw large-scale beach clean-ups and educational events aimed at both locals and tourists. The Russian Foreign Ministry also launched a new Telegram channel, "View of the Caspian Sea", in honor of the occasion. Moreover, on August 12, 2024, a comprehensive geo-ecological expedition was launched as part of a scientific project focusing on the environmental dynamics of river basins in the North-Eastern Caucasus, Azerbaijan, and Iran in the context of climate change and increasing human impact.
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan celebrated Caspian Sea Day with conferences and scientific seminars focused on the sea’s ecology. In Ashgabat, a roundtable discussion on international cooperation for marine environment protection was held, along with events aimed at raising awareness among youth and the general public. The Avaza National Tourist Zone hosted a scientific and practical conference titled "The Caspian Sea: Partnership for Sustainable Development," attended by government officials, diplomats, experts from international and regional organizations, and media representatives.
Based on the materials by Azertac, Report, Turkmenportal, Caspian Dispatch (Kaspiyskiy Vestnik), All Astrakhan News (Vse Novosti Asktakhani).
