Mon, 27/01/2025 - 21:14
Regional Virtual Meeting on the "Blueing the Caspian Sea" Project Preparation was held on 31 October – 1 November 2024
The Regional Virtual Meeting on Project Preparation for the GEF-funded initiative, “Blueing the Caspian Sea: Building Capacities for Pollution Management and Biodiversity Conservation”, took place on 31 October – 1 November 2024. This event, attended by key stakeholders from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, the World Bank, UNEP, and UNOPS, marked a step forward in addressing the pressing environmental challenges facing the Caspian Sea region.
The project aims to address critical environmental challenges in the Caspian Sea, focusing on reducing pollution, conserving biodiversity, and promoting regional cooperation. Discussions highlighted national priorities such as marine protected areas, pollution management, and coastal zone planning, along with the need for capacity building and updated environmental monitoring systems.
Participants reviewed the project’s Theory of Change, which links planned actions to long-term outcomes. The initiative will involve both national and regional components, supported by GEF financing and executed through partnerships with international organizations.
The meeting concluded with agreement on next steps, including refining the project’s design, strengthening regional collaboration, and ensuring alignment with national and international goals. The project is expected to contribute significantly to the sustainable management of the Caspian Sea’s unique ecosystem.