The Caspian countries have taken an important step towards the specific operation and implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, 2003, (The Tehran Convention) by adopting and signing one more Protocol to this Convention, The Protocol for the Protection of the Caspian Sea against Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities (LBSA Protocol).
The LBSA Protocol was adopted and signed at the Fourth Meeting of the Tehran Convention Conference of the Parties (COP4), held in Moscow, from 10 to 12 December 2012, and hosted by the Government of the Russian Federation. Ministers and high-level government representatives of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Russian Federation, the Republic of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan participated in the COP4 which was also attended by representatives from the European Union, UNEP, UNDP, IMO, FAO, and other international observers.
The LBSA Protocol addresses one of the major ecological threats to the Caspian environment and aims to safeguard coasts and waters from the detrimental effects of pollution from land-based sources such as agriculture, industry and urban settlements. The Moscow COP further laid the groundwork for implementing a sound environmental monitoring and reporting programme in the region, providing for harmonized and regular information and data exchange between the countries.
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on earth. Covering a surface area of around 436 000 km² and being situated in a natural depression, the Caspian Sea receives its inflowing freshwater from nearly 130 rivers. The vast river system and extensive wetlands attract millions of migrating birds and are the habitat of diverse flora and fauna. Today, Caspian biota is threatened by over-exploitation, habitat destruction and pollution. The traditional Caspian sturgeon fishery is well-known for its caviar production. In recent years, however, the Caspian region has witnessed a serious decline in fish stocks.
It is to be noted that, in 1998, the Caspian Environment Program (CEP) was established as a regional umbrella program with the aim to prevent the deterioration of environmental conditions of the Caspian Sea and to promote sustainable development in the area for the long-term benefit of the Caspian population. The Caspian Environment Program, funded by the littoral states, the European Union and the international community through the GEF, has been a partner to the efforts of the Caspian States to negotiate and finalize the Tehran Convention.
The Tehran Convention is the first legally binding regional agreement signed by all five Caspian littoral States (Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Russian Federation and Turkmenistan), laying down the general requirements and the institutional mechanism for environmental protection in the Caspian region. Driven under the auspices of UNEP within the framework of the CEP and following a fast ratification process by all five Governments of the Caspian littoral states, the Tehran Convention entered into force on 12th August 2006. The Convention not only aims at protecting the Caspian environment from all sources of pollution but also targets the preservation, restoration and protection of the marine environment of the Caspian Sea. The Convention includes also provisions on sustainable and rational use of the living resources of the Caspian Sea, as well as provisions on environmental impact assessment and environmental monitoring, research and development.
The Tehran Convention contains so far two specifying Protocols:
- The Protocol Concerning Regional Preparedness, Response and Co-operation in Combating Oil Pollution Incidents (“Aktau Protocol”) adopted and signed at the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP3) in Aktau, Kazakhstan on August 12, 2011.
- The Protocol for the Protection of the Caspian Sea against Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities (“LBSA Protocol”) adopted and signed at the Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP4) in Moscow, Russian Federation on December 12, 2012.
The development of two more specifying Protocols to the Tehran Convention, namely the Protocol on Conservation of Biological Diversity, and the Protocol on Environment Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context, are being negotiated by the Contracting Parties to the Tehran Convention and they are expected to be finalized soon.
Source: UNEP, Tehran Convention
For further Information:
http://www.unep.org/newscentre/Default.aspx?DocumentID=2700&ArticleID=9356&l=en
http://www.tehranconvention.org/
http://www.tehranconvention.org/spip.php?article1
About the author
MEPIELAN Centre
MEPIELAN Centre is an international research, training and educational centre established by Professor Evangelos Raftopoulos at the Panteion University of Athens in 2008.
Before its establishment as a University Centre, MEPIELAN operated as a successful international research, training and informational programme (2002-2007) under the scientific direction of Professor Evangelos Raftopoulos and the aegis of the Panteion University of Athens, supported by the Mediterranean Action Plan/UNEP and the Greek Ministry of the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works.
MEPIELAN Centre is an accredited UNEP/MAP PARTNER (since 2013), a Member of the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development (MCSD) (since 2016), and a Member of the Steering Committee of the MCSD (since 2019).
On 22 May 2022, MEPIELAN Centre proceeded to the development of MEPIELAN as a Non- Profit Civil Organization (INGO) for the more effective and efficient advancement of its Goals and Missions and furtherance of its activities. MEPIELAN Centre as a Non- Profit Civil Organization (INGO) is registered in Greek Law (Hellenic Business Registry, Reg. No. 16477300100) in accordance with Laws 4072/2012 & 4919/2022 as applicable
-
MEPIELAN Centre#molongui-disabled-link
-
MEPIELAN Centre#molongui-disabled-link
-
MEPIELAN Centre#molongui-disabled-link
-
MEPIELAN Centre#molongui-disabled-link