LocationsKazakhstan and international partners strengthen cooperation to preserve the Caspian Sea
October 5, 2026
A High-Level Dialogue on the Caspian Sea was held in Aktau, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan in partnership with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Akimat of Mangystau Region. The event brought together representatives of government institutions, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, the scientific community, civil society and the private sector.
Participants discussed a range of interconnected issues, including declining sea levels, changes in the water balance and geological risks, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience, pollution, marine litter and the circular economy. They also paid particular attention to civil society engagement and available grant opportunities.
The Caspian Sea is a unique ecosystem and an important hub of economic activity for the coastal countries, situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Its declining water level is linked to changes in the water balance driven by a combination of factors, including climate warming and increased evaporation, changing precipitation patterns and river flows, and water management practices. Combined with pollution, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation, these processes create additional risks for coastal communities and economic sectors that depend on the Caspian Sea.
“For Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea is a vital part of the country’s environmental, social and economic development, a source of livelihoods for coastal communities, and a space connecting five states. That is why Kazakhstan has consistently advocated moving from discussions of individual environmental challenges towards systemic and coordinated action. The implementation of this project will strengthen the scientific and technical basis for decision-making on the Caspian Sea and provide more accurate information on the condition of the Northern Caspian and its main tributaries. This project serves as one of the first practical examples of cooperation that Kazakhstan proposes to develop within the framework of the “Friends of the Caspian” initiative — an open partnership initiative aimed at bringing together the Caspian littoral states, international organisations, financial institutions and donors around the common goal of preserving the Caspian Sea,” said Alibek Kuantyrov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
As part of the High-Level Dialogue, the new “Project for Enhancing Water Management Capacity for Responding to the Caspian Sea Level Decline”, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan, was officially launched. The project will support joint research involving experts from Caspian countries and establish a regional scientific coordination platform to bring together data and expertise for a more comprehensive understanding of the processes affecting the Caspian Sea.
“The project will focus on two main areas: establishing a platform to strengthen cooperation among the Caspian littoral states, and advancing scientific monitoring, transboundary data exchange, dialogue and joint action. Japan has extensive experience and expertise in water resources management, disaster risk reduction and environmental protection, as well as strong capabilities in monitoring technologies and data analysis. We believe that this expertise and technology can make an important contribution to addressing the challenges facing the Caspian Sea,” highlighted H.E. Mr Yasumasa Iijima, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
One of the project’s key areas of work is strengthening Kazakhstan’s capacity to monitor the Northern Caspian Sea. Together with RSE Kazhydromet, the Kazakh Research Institute of the Caspian Sea and other national partners, the project will assess the existing observation network and identify data gaps. Based on this assessment, priority monitoring locations and needs for modern equipment will be identified, taking into account existing infrastructure and the changing coastline. The project will also support the Kazakh Research Institute of the Caspian Sea in upgrading its monitoring and laboratory equipment and strengthening its specialists’ professional capacity.
The new data will enable more accurate monitoring of changes in sea level, river discharge, water temperature and salinity, and evaporation. Combined with meteorological information, bathymetric data and satellite observations, these data will be used to improve models and projections of changes in the Caspian Sea level and to assess related risks to coastal infrastructure and ecosystems.
The monitoring framework developed under the project will help national partners plan the further development and financing of the observation network. The project will also address the long-term operation and maintenance of equipment to help ensure that the monitoring system continues to function effectively beyond the project’s completion.
“The future of the Caspian Sea depends primarily on how well we understand the changes it is undergoing. This requires reliable scientific data, modern monitoring technologies and tools that can turn data into informed decisions. The Caspian is our shared responsibility, and safeguarding its future requires knowledge and data exchange, coordinated action, and the combined efforts of all stakeholders. The Friends of the Caspian initiative can provide a space for such cooperation, bringing together knowledge, experience and partnerships around a shared goal — the conservation of the Caspian Sea,” said Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.
The event in Aktau was the first to be held under the initiative, which aims to strengthen cooperation among stakeholders, including national partners, international organizations, the scientific community, financial institutions, civil society and development partners, around the shared goal of preserving the Caspian Sea’s unique ecosystem. In November 2026, the Friends of the Caspian initiative is expected to be presented to international partners on the sidelines of the COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, providing an opportunity to continue the dialogue on moving from regional initiatives towards joint action.
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