(MENAFN- AzerNews)
By Laman Ismayilova
Rich in natural resources, the Caspian Sea is a unique water
body vital for the people of the coastal states.
Currently, the Caspian region is facing a number of challenges
related to the negative impact of unresolved environmental
problems.
Speaking with journalists, Deputy Minister of Ecology and
Natural Resources Rauf Hajiyev underlined that the anthropogenic
effects such as the reduction of bioresources, pollution of the
marine environment as well as the long-term lowering of the sea
level due to climate change lead to the degradation of marine
ecosystems.
Fluctuations in the level of the Caspian Sea have a negative
impact on the condition of the coastal zones and a number of
sectors of the economy related to the sea.
According to the deputy minister, the issues of environmental
protection of the Caspian Sea and efficient use of natural
resources are among the priority areas of Azerbaijan's national
policy.
Certain steps have been taken to minimize the negative impact of
the Caspian Sea on the environment in Azerbaijan, he added.
'In order to assess the ecological situation in the section of
the Caspian Sea belonging to Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Ecology
and Natural Resources regularly conducts expeditions with the Alif
Hajiyev scientific-research ship to study biological resources and
hydrological state of the sea to find out possible negative effects
on the marine environment. Today, one of the goals of the ministry
is to prevent the pollution of the Caspian Sea. The strictest
measures are taken against polluters,' Rauf Hajiyev told
journalists.
The Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources stressed
the importance of the Framework Convention for the Protection of
the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, which creates a legal
basis for regional cooperation, especially for unifying the efforts
of the Caspian littoral countries in solving environmental
problems.
Adopted in 2003 in Tehran, the convention is the first legally
binding regional agreement signed by all five Caspian littoral
states, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russian, and
Turkmenistan. It lays down the general requirements and the
institutional mechanisms for environmental protection in the
Caspian region.
By the way, the 6th Conference of the Parties to the Framework
Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the
Caspian Sea will be held in Baku on October 19- 21.
'Today, the issues of environmental protection of the Caspian
Sea and efficient use of natural resources are among the priorities
of the national policy of all Caspian countries. From this point of
view, I believe that based on the decisions taken at this meeting,
Caspian littoral countries will cooperate more closely to improve
the natural environment of the Caspian Sea,' said Rauf Hajiyev.
The conference will include the adoption of a number of
documents, including the Ministerial Declaration and Decisions, the
work program and budget of the convention for the next years, the
report on the state of the environment of the Caspian Sea, plan of
regional cooperation in the field of combating oil pollution in the
Caspian Sea in emergency situations, etc.
The participation of high-level representatives of the United
Nations Environment Program, which performs the functions of the
secretariat of the convention, and other international
organizations are planned as part of the event.
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