Inception Workshop on the “Addressing Marine Litter and Marine Plastics – A Systemic Approach in the Caspian Sea” Project held on 8 April 2025

Jointly organized by the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub and the UNEP Tehran Convention Secretariat, the workshop marked the official launch of the full-scale regional initiative aimed at addressing marine litter and plastic pollution in the Caspian Sea through an integrated and collaborative approach.

Participants were introduced to the project’s objectives, key components, and expected results, covering regional and national actions focused on data collection, policy reforms, improved waste management, and community engagement. The regional components of the project were presented by the UNEP Tehran Convention Secretariat, while national components and country-specific activities were introduced by the respective UNDP Country Offices in the Caspian countries.

The workshop also served as a platform for discussing partnerships, aligning efforts, and planning concrete activities in Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The meeting concluded with agreement on the next steps for the project implementation, reaffirming the shared commitment of Caspian countries to protect the marine and coastal environment from plastic pollution and marine litter.