International Caspian Sea Day

International Caspian Sea Day, celebrated annually on August 12, was special in 2026: it marked the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (the Tehran Convention). The past two decades have shown that preserving the world’s largest enclosed body of water requires sustained cooperation among all Caspian states, monitoring and minimizing anthropogenic impacts on the Caspian ecosystem, regularly monitoring biodiversity, promptly making science-based decisions, and engaging the general public in their implementation.

Representatives of government agencies, scientists, and the public took part in the celebration of Caspian Sea Day in Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan.

The Republic of Azerbaijan

Environmental education events were held in Azerbaijan on this day. A presentation of Caspian Senses Observatory environmental programme was held in Sea Breeze – the largest resort area (a suburb of Baku). It was organised by the resort administration and Social-Ecology Center “EkoSfer” with the support of UNEP. The program’s vision is for everyone, regardless of age or ability, to become an observer, researcher, and protector of the Caspian Sea. Children with special needs were the first participants in Caspian Senses Observatory’s event.

Caspian Sea Day, Sea Breeze resort area, a suburb of Baku, Azerbaijan, August 12, 2026. Credited by Azernews.

The Islamic Republic of Iran

On August 11, the Department of Environment held a scientific and practical conference in Tehran, in conjunction with Caspian Sea Day celebrations. The event was attended by the Vice President and Minister of Environment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, ambassadors of Caspian states, and representatives of government agencies and international organisations. Conference participants discussed current environmental issues and ways to preserve the Caspian ecosystem.

Caspian Sea Day, Scientific and Practical Conference of the Department of Environment, Tehran, Iran, August 11, 2026. Photo from the Government of Turkmenistan web-site.

Environmental campaigns were held in Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan provinces. Volunteers collected marine debris along the Caspian Sea coast.

The Republic of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan held the international Caspian Sea Action Week 2026, one of the largest environmental initiatives, dedicated to Caspian Sea Day and the International Year of Volunteers.

On August 6, Aktau hosted an international seminar, “Monitoring the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea: Modern Measurement, Processing, and Data Transmission Tools”, and on August 7, an international roundtable discussion, “Joint Scientific Research: The Key to Solving the Caspian Sea’s Current Challenges”. Both events brought together representatives from all five Caspian littoral states to discuss joint scientific research and the future of the Caspian Sea.

Caspian Sea Action Week 2026, Aktau, Kazakhstan. Credited by: The Kazakh Research Institute of the Caspian Sea web-site; S.B. Mammedov, Deputy Director for Science, Khazar State Nature Reserve, Turkmenistan; the Press Service and Information Department of the Governor Administration of the Astrakhan Region.

Caspian Sea Action Week 2026 program included cultural, educational, and environmental activities. The key event was an environmental marathon, during which participants collected and sorted marine debris and shared experiences of similar initiatives.

The Russian Federation

In Russia, Caspian Sea Day was celebrated in the Astrakhan Region and the Republic of Dagestan. Around 200 events dedicated to preserving the natural resources of this unique body of water were held in the Astrakhan Region. According to the region’s Environmental Management and Protection Service, events, lectures have become a good tradition, reminding people about the fragility of the Caspian ecosystem.

In Astrakhan, kindergartens actively joined the celebrations. The Astrakhan Education Department commissioned educational activities for children. During thematic lessons, children learned about the natural features of the Caspian Sea and diversity of its flora and fauna.

Caspian Sea Day in preschools, Astrakhan, Russia. Credited by the Press Service and Information Department of the Governor Administration of the Astrakhan Region.

In addition to plenary sessions and roundtables, a large-scale international youth campaign, “The clean Caspian Sea is shared responsibility,” was held in Dagestan. Hundreds of volunteers participated in events, organized with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, Dobro.rf Association, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs of the Republic of Dagestan and Astrakhan Region.

Young people from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan joined Caspian Sea Day celebrations in Russian cities to support the general idea that the responsibility for the Caspian Sea has no boundaries. Volunteers collected marine debris on the coast in Makhachkala.in Makhachkala, Kaspiysk, and Derbent. This action was followed by environmental lessons and an international teleconference with participants in other Caspian countries. Volunteers received watches and certificates as gifts.

Turkmenistan

On August 12, the main events took place in the Avaza National Tourist Zone, Turkmenbashi, as part of a regional project by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The central event was the scientific and practical conference “Protection of the Caspian Sea Ecosystem: Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Development.” Representatives from government agencies, scientific communities, diplomatic missions, and international organisations discussed environmental monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and climate risks.

Caspian Sea Day, the Avaza National Tourist Zone, Turkmenistan, August 12, 2026. Photo from the News Central Asia web-site.

An environmental event was organised for young people under the project “Combating marine debris and plastic: a systematic approach in the Caspian Sea,” implemented with the financial support of the Russian Federation.

Caspian Sea Day, the Avaza National Tourist Zone, Turkmenistan, August 12, 2026. Photos from UNEP Turkmenistan web-site.

In the top photo: Caspian seals, Malyy Zhemchuzhnyy Island, the Russian sector of the Caspian Sea. Photo by N.O. Meshcheryakova, Astrakhanskiy State Nature Biosphere Reserve.