Turkmenistan is preparing to implement a new international project aimed at improving the ecological condition of the Caspian Sea, reducing impacts on the marine environment, strengthening pollution control and preserving biodiversity in the region. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan.
The project titled “Improving the Environmental Status of the Caspian Sea: Enhancing Capacities for Pollution Control and Biodiversity Conservation Planning” will be implemented in 2026–2030 jointly by Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The project is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the World Bank, with a total budget of 11.7 million US dollars.
Along with the World Bank, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) will participate in the implementation of the project. This international cooperation is aimed at addressing environmental challenges in the Caspian region in a comprehensive manner, developing scientific monitoring systems and improving management capacities.
Within the framework of the project, technical and scientific support will be provided to the Caspian Sea Ecological Monitoring Service of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the Hazar State Nature Reserve. Modern specialized equipment will be purchased for regular monitoring of seawater, air and seabed sediments, while training programmes will be organized to improve the professional skills of specialists.
In addition, the project envisages the establishment of the new “Garabogaz” protected area within the Hazar State Nature Reserve, covering approximately 80,000 hectares, as well as the development of an integrated management plan for the area.
One of the key objectives of the project is the conservation of the Caspian Sea’s biodiversity, including improving protection conditions for habitats, migration routes, feeding and wintering areas of rare species of animals and birds. Special attention will be paid to the conservation of endangered Caspian seals, sturgeon species and birds listed in the Red Book of Turkmenistan.
The implementation of this international project will become an important step towards protecting the Caspian Sea ecosystem, improving the effectiveness of environmental monitoring, expanding scientific information exchange and strengthening regional cooperation in environmental protection.
