A ten-day seminar on “the Caspian Sea – Sustainable Development and Management” is being attended by specialists of various ministries and agencies of the Azerbaijan Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Russian Federation, as well as their colleagues from the Turkmen part.
The main goal of the seminar to be held in Turkmenistan for the fourth consecutive year is to provide advanced training course for the experts whose work is related to the Caspian Sea. The training courses are lectured by local and international experts, who are representing UN agencies such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC UNESCO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UNDP, as well as the International Maritime Law Institute under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization and the Caspian Environment Programme (CEP).
In particular, it was discussed the theme on «The Concept of the ocean management policies» in the framework of which the trainees familiarized with the following: the concept of common heritage of the mankind- the World Ocean, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the fundamental principles of formation of alternative global economy with its three components: economic, social and environmental, and others.
As noted at the seminar, Turkmenistan has become a good example of dynamic socio-economic development. According to the data published by the World Bank and other reputable international organizations, in 2015 our country is ranked the fourth in the world with regards to GDP growth. In accordance with experts’ opinion, the economy of Turkmenistan will maintain a leading position in the world’s ranking in the upcoming years. Obviously, such forecasting is important when considering attraction of foreign investments.
A clear illustration of abovementioned is the implemented work of the Turkmen sector on coastal part of the Sea. In particular, it includes the following: development of offshore hydrocarbon deposits, increasing capacity of oil and gas refinery sector, fishery and transportation sectors. Due to the fact that new industrial installations put into operations there is increasing volume of petrochemical productions in Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries. Jointly with Japan and Korean companies in the Caspian region there is a large gas-chemical complex on polyethylene and polypropylene productions which is now under construction. Another investment project is being implemented in the Garabogaz gulf area which is the construction of urea production plant.
In addition, it is developing the national merchant fleet at a rapid pace which includes seven powerful oil tankers, two modern ferries class «RO-PAX» for transporting passengers, trucks and other carrier equipments including fish freezer ship and tugboats.
It amazes the implementation of a huge construction work of the new International Sea Port in Turkmenbashi for the last year. Here, the key logistic centre will be set which will be coordinating the freight traffic activities via sea, road, railway and air transports. It is a project aimed at the development of port infrastructure which takes into account the construction of auto-passenger, container, loading, polypropylene terminals and other facilities designed in accordance with international standard "Green Port» (Green port), and environmental safety guidance.
In this context, heavy investments are being made in the tourism industry. From year to year the national tourist zone "Avaza" expands its horizons turning the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea into a modern resort area with its innovative infrastructure. There are magnificent hotels and multisectoral resort centers have been built which provide a wide range of services. It attaches a great importance to construction of the full set sports complexes aimed at improvement of people’s health, and to landscape gardening the seaside resorts with parks and squares.
Environmental protection and rational use of natural resources are defined as a priority issues for the Caspian littoral states. The seminar program of which includes lectures and workshops of the following topics: "Multilateral diplomacy and communication skills", "The application of international law in the exploration and operation of the Caspian Sea oil and gas resources", "International shipping regulation of the Caspian sea"," The application of international law, structures and institutions for protection of the marine environment and fish stocks of the Caspian sea", "Marine ecosystems and sustainable development", "Marine biodiversity", "Environmental impact assessment", "Learning experience in application of contemporary marine resource management: marine renewable energy and aquaculture” and etc.
It was devoted a special session theme on partnership in the field of environmental protection. In the session it was discussed the activities of the Global Environment Fund, and the projects implemented in Turkmenistan in collaboration with Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme and the World Bank. Also, the following themes of the sessions included: "Turkmenistan: preparation of the Third National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)", "The Caspian Sea: Restoring fish stocks and Consolidation of a Permanent Regional Environmental Governance “CASPECO", "Climate Risk Management in Turkmenistan", "Addressing climate change risks to farming systems of Turkmenistan at national and local levels "," Energy efficiency and renewable energy sources to improve the management of water resources", and etc.
The seminar will be completed on March 17, 2016.
The main goal of the seminar to be held in Turkmenistan for the fourth consecutive year is to provide advanced training course for the experts whose work is related to the Caspian Sea. The training courses are lectured by local and international experts, who are representing UN agencies such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC UNESCO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UNDP, as well as the International Maritime Law Institute under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization and the Caspian Environment Programme (CEP).
In particular, it was discussed the theme on «The Concept of the ocean management policies» in the framework of which the trainees familiarized with the following: the concept of common heritage of the mankind- the World Ocean, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the fundamental principles of formation of alternative global economy with its three components: economic, social and environmental, and others.
As noted at the seminar, Turkmenistan has become a good example of dynamic socio-economic development. According to the data published by the World Bank and other reputable international organizations, in 2015 our country is ranked the fourth in the world with regards to GDP growth. In accordance with experts’ opinion, the economy of Turkmenistan will maintain a leading position in the world’s ranking in the upcoming years. Obviously, such forecasting is important when considering attraction of foreign investments.
A clear illustration of abovementioned is the implemented work of the Turkmen sector on coastal part of the Sea. In particular, it includes the following: development of offshore hydrocarbon deposits, increasing capacity of oil and gas refinery sector, fishery and transportation sectors. Due to the fact that new industrial installations put into operations there is increasing volume of petrochemical productions in Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries. Jointly with Japan and Korean companies in the Caspian region there is a large gas-chemical complex on polyethylene and polypropylene productions which is now under construction. Another investment project is being implemented in the Garabogaz gulf area which is the construction of urea production plant.
In addition, it is developing the national merchant fleet at a rapid pace which includes seven powerful oil tankers, two modern ferries class «RO-PAX» for transporting passengers, trucks and other carrier equipments including fish freezer ship and tugboats.
It amazes the implementation of a huge construction work of the new International Sea Port in Turkmenbashi for the last year. Here, the key logistic centre will be set which will be coordinating the freight traffic activities via sea, road, railway and air transports. It is a project aimed at the development of port infrastructure which takes into account the construction of auto-passenger, container, loading, polypropylene terminals and other facilities designed in accordance with international standard "Green Port» (Green port), and environmental safety guidance.
In this context, heavy investments are being made in the tourism industry. From year to year the national tourist zone "Avaza" expands its horizons turning the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea into a modern resort area with its innovative infrastructure. There are magnificent hotels and multisectoral resort centers have been built which provide a wide range of services. It attaches a great importance to construction of the full set sports complexes aimed at improvement of people’s health, and to landscape gardening the seaside resorts with parks and squares.
Environmental protection and rational use of natural resources are defined as a priority issues for the Caspian littoral states. The seminar program of which includes lectures and workshops of the following topics: "Multilateral diplomacy and communication skills", "The application of international law in the exploration and operation of the Caspian Sea oil and gas resources", "International shipping regulation of the Caspian sea"," The application of international law, structures and institutions for protection of the marine environment and fish stocks of the Caspian sea", "Marine ecosystems and sustainable development", "Marine biodiversity", "Environmental impact assessment", "Learning experience in application of contemporary marine resource management: marine renewable energy and aquaculture” and etc.
It was devoted a special session theme on partnership in the field of environmental protection. In the session it was discussed the activities of the Global Environment Fund, and the projects implemented in Turkmenistan in collaboration with Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme and the World Bank. Also, the following themes of the sessions included: "Turkmenistan: preparation of the Third National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)", "The Caspian Sea: Restoring fish stocks and Consolidation of a Permanent Regional Environmental Governance “CASPECO", "Climate Risk Management in Turkmenistan", "Addressing climate change risks to farming systems of Turkmenistan at national and local levels "," Energy efficiency and renewable energy sources to improve the management of water resources", and etc.
The seminar will be completed on March 17, 2016.
