On March 5, 2018, the international seminar "Caspian Sea - Sustainable Development and Management", organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Enterprise for Caspian Sea Issues under the President of Turkmenistan jointly with the International Ocean Institute (IOI), began its work in the Avaza national tourism zone.
Specialists of various ministries and departments of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan, as well as international experts-scientific consultants of the IOI in the field of maritime economy, politics, management, ecology and the law of the sea take part in the event.
The program of the current 10-day training includes a wide range of issues directly related to the economic, social and environmental aspects of the development of the Caspian states. Thematically, the course is divided into four modules: "Ocean Governance Structure", "Financial Mechanisms for Sustainable Water Management", "Mechanisms for Managing Oceanic Relations" and "Caspian Sea Management".
On the first day of classes, the seminar participants were presented with the "Concept of the common heritage of mankind", according to which the World Ocean - the cradle of life on Earth - plays the leading role in ensuring the sustainable development of human civilization. Occupying three quarters of the planet, the oceans and seas serve as a source of colossal mineral resources, biological resources, a means for intercontinental connections, form and regulate the climate.
In addition, the seminar will cover topics such as "Wealth of the Oceans", "The Impact of Climate Change on the Marine Environment", "Marine Biodiversity", "Environmental Impact Assessment", "Integrated Coastal Zone Management", "Marine Spatial Planning ","Application of international law in the exploration and exploitation of oil, gas and other resources of the Caspian Sea", "Application of international norms for the regulation of navigation on the realities of the Caspian Sea", "Global Environment Facility Projects”, "Caspian Sea Region: Socio-Economic and Political Contexts", "Caspian Environmental Program", etc. The training includes lectures, practical exercises, interactive discussions, round tables, presentations, and an orientation tour to the Khazar State Reserve.
The international seminar "The Caspian Sea - Sustainable Development and Management" continues its work.