The Scientific Conference on Climate Change in the Caspian Sea Region, organised jointly by the (UNEP administered) Secretariat of the (Tehran) Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea and the Co-ordinating Committee on Hydrometeorology and Pollution Monitoring of the Caspian Sea (CASPCOM) and supported by GRID-Arendal, was held virtually from 27 to 28 October 2021. The Conference brought together leading members of scientific communities from the countries bordering the Caspian Sea as well as representatives of regional and international organisations to stimulate further research and inform policy on climate change mitigation and adaptation in the region.

The event was organised in four sessions based on the following thematic focus areas:

· Climate of the Caspian Sea region and its changes in the 21st century.

· The Caspian Sea level change: analysis, modeling, and long-term projection.

· The effects of climate change on the ecosystem and biodiversity of the Caspian Sea.

· Adaptation to climate change in the Caspian Sea region.

A two-day review of 40 selected and presented scientific studies and papers resulted in many recommendations for decision and policy makers as well as the general public on how to prevent and restore irreparable damage to the marine environment of the Caspian Sea and its coastal zones, resulting from sea level fluctuations, drought and unpredictable precipitation patterns.

Video recordings of the 4 sessions of the conference will be posted on the website of the Tehran Convention. Moreover, a conference report as well as a publication of submitted scientific abstracts will be prepared and distributed in the near future.

The conference outcomes are anticipated to support the Caspian Governments, other regional actors as well as global stakeholders to take informed decisions in addressing climate change in the Caspian Sea region through adapting and building resilience to climate change towards the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.

For information about the Conference please contact the Organizing Committee by e-mail: caspian2021@yandex.ru. 

Cover Photo by: royamehralizada