Caspian Sea Day 2026 Marks 20 Years of the Tehran Convention
Caspian Sea Day 2026 Marks 20 Years of the Tehran Convention
12 August 2026, marks the International Caspian Sea Day and the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the Tehran Convention, an important milestone for the protection of the Caspian Sea.
To celebrate this milestone, government representatives, international organizations and experts came together in Awaza, Turkmenistan, for the Scientific and Practical Conference “Protecting the Caspian Sea Ecosystem: Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Development,” to discuss the environmental challenges facing the Caspian Sea and the actions needed to safeguard its future.
The Blueing the Caspian Sea initiative participated in the conference, highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen pollution monitoring and biodiversity planning in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, including support for Marine Protected Areas.
Speaking at the event, UNOPS Multi-Country Director, Simonetta Siligato, reflected on the significance of the anniversary and the importance of sustained action to address the challenges facing the sea.
No single country, and no single institution, can meet a challenge of this scale alone.
Her remarks also highlighted the importance of building lasting national capacity, ensuring that stronger monitoring systems, technical expertise and biodiversity management continue to support the Caspian Sea beyond the lifetime of individual projects.
As the Tehran Convention enters its third decade, Caspian Sea Day is a reminder of what we are working to protect. Through stronger pollution monitoring, better biodiversity planning and strengthened national capacities, Blueing the Caspian Sea is contributing to the long-term protection and resilience of this unique ecosystem.