Outcome 1. Ecosystem-based management (EBM) has begun to be adopted and practiced by the Caspian States.

Output 1: New analytical models and decision support tolls for EBM

Activity 1. Case Study: Develop new analytical models and decision support tools for EBM.

1. Develop TOR for Caspian Eco-regional Assessment including consideration of economics of bioresources management and climate change scoping paper

2. Recruit Consultant (s) for task

3. Develop EBM Tool to be presented at SCM

4. Share, train and apply

Output 2: Unified Environmental Monitoring Programme operational and data utilized .

Activity 1. Develop unified , integrated, and Caspian ecosystem monitoring program (EMP).

1. Develop TOR

2. Recruit int Consultant

3. Arrange Technical Scoping Meeting in Ashgabat to review means for information exchange and information sharing format at regional level. Activity to be coordinated with Component II, outputs 5, 6 and 7 . Meeting to include IPCC

4. Form Regional Technical Working Group and Develop EMP to be presented at SCM

5. Share and train including development of Reporting Formats and training to apply same

Activity 2 . Conduct Ecological Risk Assessment Training with IAEA collaboration.

1. Technical Workshop in IAEA /Monaco

2. Technical Workshops

Output 3: Capacity building for bioresources management effectiveness and institutional capacity.

Activity 1. Strengthen regional bioresources management effectiveness and capacity by bridging the bioresource management skills gap among Caspian countries

Activity 2. Contribute to the activities of the CAB and its members in integrating the ecosystem approach.

1. Meeting with CAB in Tehran same time as CAB Regional Meeting to dialogue on EBA and technical needs

2. Capacity& training needs assessment exercise through dialogue with CAB/national members with emphasis on EBM

3. Develop in consultation with CAB /national members a TA menu

4. . Selected TA actions

Outcome 2. Invasive species introduction mitigated.

Output 4 :Recommendations for regional management of ballast water to control invasive species traffic among Caspian , Black and Baltic Seas.

Activity 1: Develop recommendations for regional management of ballast water in concert with GloBallast.

1. Dialogue with the Black Sea , Baltic Sea and IMO/Globallast.

2. Form regional work-group to revisit and review CEP related work.

3.Develop recommendations through regional consultation based on CEP/GEFII -IMO findings

Output 5:Regional collaborative process focusing on Mnemiopsis control.

Activity 1. Assist the Tehran Convention to refine recommendations for invasive species management in the Caspian Sea in line with the TC protocol on biodiversity.

1. Recommendations to be developed at, inter alai, the Biodiversity Protocol meeting to be shared with SCM and COP as appropriate

2.Review status to decide on further actions

Outcome 3. Caspian stakeholders implement policies & measures to increase reproductive success of Caspian’s diadromous fish species.

Output 6: Pilots to improve existing hatcheries efficiency including location consideration , culture techniques

Activity 1. Provide technical recommendations for Caspian salmon hatchery on Iran’s Caspian coast.

( in collaboration with WB and FAO)

1. Develop TOR for development of recommendations for a Sustainable Caspian Salmon Hatchery Programme in Iran.

2. Form team/recruit consultant(s) to carry out the task and provide TA.

Activity 2. Clarify the problem of genetic variability and viability within remaining populations of priority Caspian fish species and initiate work to conserve and sustainably utilize the genetic variability of sturgeon stocks

1. Workshop by WB to address fish genetic issues to identify required TA /develop TOR for a Gene Bank Progarmme.

2. Selected TA re genetics to Caspian gene banks

3. Establish/strengthen Sturgeon Gene Bank at the International Sturgeon Research Institute in I.R.Iran

Output 7: Pilot demonstration to identify , rehabilitate asnd/or expand access to natural spawning grounds.

Activity 1. Conduct a Caspian-wide inventory of the natural spawning ground habitat for Caspian sturgeon and Caspian salmon below and above dams.

1. Form a Technical Work Group of five Caspian Icthyologists assisted by an Int Consultant to develop common survey methodology.

2. Conduct the survey

3. Regionally share results and present at SCM

Activity 2. Assess and develop recommendations on how to improve the quality of spawning grounds.

1. Task the above Technical Work Group to identify high priority wetlands /spawning habitats/rivers in need of rehabilitation

2. Develop specific and affordable proposals for rehabilitation building upon work carried out on Ural river spawning grounds.

Activity 3. Assess fish passages/fish ladders on five dams on the Caspian’s main tributary rivers and best practice experience worldwide with the introduction of fish ladders and the improvement in recruitment.

1. Form Caspian Technical Group, one from each country, and two Int. experts to carry out the task

2. Group to identify priority dams for improving fish passage; visit five priority dams to develop practical recommendations for improvement.

3. Group in collaboration with NPCOs and project to pursue recommendations in countries to convince implementation

Activity 4. Develop and implement pilot project to modify a fish passage facility to increase the efficiency and effectiveness and return on investment

1. Develop TOR for a fish passage pilot plan.

2. Recruit consultant(s) for task

3. Implement pilot plan

Outcome 4. Stakeholders apply regional, circum-Caspian approach to habitat conservation in the Caspian.

Output 8: Circum - Caspian network of special, protected areas, wildlife habitats and essential fish habitats for Caspian ecosystem (SPACE)

Activity 1. Establish the SPACE network.

1. Form the SPACE network based on the findings of Output 1 . Network to include five existing and at least 10 to be identified habitats and 10 EFH. Results to be presented at SCM

2. Support the SPACE to link with the wetlands and habitats projects in the region

3. Provide initial support to SPACE to generate, collect and share out data and information, e.g. carry out fish and seals migration surveys

4.Draw upon SPACE for technical inputs required by the CASPECO

Activity 2. Establish SPA for Caspian Seals in Kazakhstan coastal area of the Caspian

1. Develop TOR for the SPA

2. Govt of Kazakhstan and partners to mobilize team to implement the TOR

Activity 3. Demonstrate results-based state-of-the-art management plan for the Kura River Delta protected area.

1. 1.Develop TOR for the task , i.e. establishing /strengthening protected area in Kura delta

2.Govt of Azerbaijan and partners to mobilize team to carry out TOR

Outcome 5. Coastal communities increase participation and contribute to improved Caspian bioresources conservation.

Output 9: Matched Small Grants Programme.

Activity 1 . Implement Matched Small Grants Programme in coastal areas of Caspian littoral states.

1. Simplify/streamlined MSGP procedures.

2. Launch 1^st round of grants, application , selection and award

3. Launch 2^nd round of grants, application , selection and award

4. Implementation and monitoring of grants

5. Mid term impact assessment review

Activity 2. Implement Micro Environmental Grants

1. Launch 1^st Round of MEGs. , application, selection and award

2. Launch 2^nd round of MEGs, application, selection and award

3. Launch 3^rd Round of MEGs, application, selection and award

4. MEG implementation and monitoring

5. 5. Mid term impact assessment review

Outcome 1. Institutional setting of TC is fully operational and sustainable

Output 1. National and regional level coordination and institutional support to TC and Protocols

Activity 1. Establish national coordination and implementation structures for the implementation of the Convention, its protocols¹, and the CaspEco project.

4. Support dialogue and exchanges towards establishment of national inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms, including preparation of progress reports to COPIII-PrepCom and COPIII

5. Continuous monitoring, reporting on and utilization of coordination arrangements

6. Overview of Coordination arrangements in the Caspian countries in close consultations with NCLOs

Activity 2. Establish National Convention Liaison Officer (NCLO) in each littoral country.

1. ToR, nomination and arrangements for NCLOs

2. Implementation of TC activities at national level through close collaboration between TCIS and NCLOs

Activity 3. Generate adequate financial support by the Caspian littoral states for TC administration and promote regional negotiations on the location of the TCPS.

3. Continuation of strategic dialogue and contacts to obtain and secure country contributions to Convention budget pledges

4. Continuation of strategic dialogue, including preparation of discussion papers related to TCPS location and institutional/ organizational arrangements

5. Preparation of UNEP offer to administer the TCPS

6. Report and review of status of pledges and institutional arrangements to COPIII-PrepCom and COPIII

7. Implementation of COPIII decisions on Convention budget and TCPS

Activity 4. Provide advisory services to the national protocol ratification process, and assist in establishing regional protocol management structures.

2. Provide assistance upon specific request from TC Parties

Activity 5. Finalize draft protocols, promote preparation of protocol implementation plans, and develop new protocols.

1. Regional Biodiversity Protocol mtg

2. Biodiversity Protocol - internal approval process at national level

3. Regional LBSA Protocol mtg

4. LBSA Protocol - internal approval process at national level

5. Regional EIA Protocol mtg

6. EIA Protocol – internal approval process at national level

7. Regional Oil spills Response Protocol mtg

8. Oil Spills Protocol - internal approval process at national level

9. Final review of Protocols at COPIII-PrepCom

10. Adoption and signing ceremony of agreed protocols at COPIII

11. ToR and contractual arrangements for int. consultants to prepare regional protocol implementation plans

12. Preparation of regional protocols implementation plans

13. Regional Biod. Protocol implementation mtg/training

14. Regional LBSA Protocol implementation mtg/training

15. Regional EIA Protocol implementation mtg/training

16. Regional Oil Spills Response Protocol implementation mtg/training

17. Regional mtgs to discuss and prepare proposals for additional protocols for consideration by COPIII-PrepCom and COP III (see also Output 2 activity 2.2 and 2.3 and Output 7 activity 1)

18. Implementation of COPIII decisions on the implementation and development of Convention Protocols

Activity 6. Monitor and evaluate progress and organize and report to ordinary and extraordinary COP

1. Prepare documentation for COPIII-PrepCom and COPIII taking into account indicators developed under Output 5

2. Organize and service COPIII-PrepCom

3. Organize and service COPIII

4. Organize and service extraordinary COP meeting(s) if requested

Outcome 2. Coordination and synergy with other Caspian projects and activities.

Output 2. Convention Executive structure, donor coordination and thematic partnerships established and in operation

Activity 1. Establish and operate a Convention subsidiary body including representatives from the Parties, international partners, relevant donors and IFIs.

3. Prepare proposal (ToR and background paper) for a Convention Subsidiary Body

4. Review and adoption of the proposal by COP III-PrepCom and COPIII

Activity 2. Initiate thematic partnerships and joint programmes in support of the Convention and protocols.

2. Liaison with IMO, FAO, WB, Espoo Convention, EEA, CITES and CBD for finalization and implementation of draft Protocols

3. Technical mtg with ABC to identify ecosystem-based needs for strengthening bio-resources management effectiveness

4. Initiate dialogue and cooperation with Caspian ABC related to implementation of Art. 14 of the Convention

5. Liaise with EEA and other potential partners for SEIS related capacity building and support

6. Report on thematic partnerships to COPIII PrepCom and COPIII

7. Implementation of COPIII decisions on thematic partnerships

Output 3 Establish private sector partnerships and an effective process to identify and finance investment projects in the region.

1. Dialogue with regional oil companies to explore and decide on future joint activities, in particular with regard to the implementation of the Oils Spills Response Protocol

2. Consultations with WB and EBRD to explore potential for a Caspian Sea Investment Forum.

3. ToR and contractual arrangements for int. consultant to prepare a proposal for a Caspian Sea investment forum

4. Regional mtg on Caspian Sea Investment Forum

5. Report and review of potential collaboration with private sector to COPIII-PrepCom and COPIII

6. Implementation of COP III decision/

guidance on private sector partnerships and Caspian Sea Investment Forum

Outcome 3. Littoral States implement SCAP as adopted by the COP-II and approve/implement NSCAP at national level.

Output 4. Updated knowledge-based and enforceable SCAP and NSCAPs developed, initiated, monitored for enforcement

Activity 1. Develop standard reporting formats for the quantitative and qualitative data required under each protocol.

1. ToR and contractual arrangements for int. consultants to develop set of standard reporting requirements for each protocol

2. Development of reporting requirements for each protocol

3. Capacity building and training for applying reporting formats at national levels (in the context of regional workshops – see under Output 1 Activity 5 and as capacity building – see under Output 4 Activity 3)

4. Review of reporting formats by COPIII-PrepCom and COPIII

5. Implementation of Protocol reporting formats

Activity 2. Develop NSCAPs to facilitate national-level implementation of the Tehran Convention and its protocols.

6. NSCAP development at national levels with capacity building support (see also Output 4 Activity 3)

7. NSCAP progress reports to SCM meetings, COPIII-PrepCOM and COPIII

8. Post COPIII implementation and related capacity building (see also Output 4 Activity 3)

Activity 3. Assist countries to strengthen their national capacity for implementing the Convention and its protocols.

1. National capacity building provided by TCIS/PMCU upon request from TC Parties

Output 5. Effective regional M&E framework

Activity 1. Develop regional M&E framework to track implementation of regionally agreed measures (Protocols, SCAP, NSCAP) using a suite of measurable indicators, including the GEF 4 SP 1 Indicators.

1. Scoping mtg for development of unified integrated Caspian ecosystem monitoring programme

2. Develop indicators for (process related) monitoring, evaluation and reporting on implementation of Component II, based on the CaspEco Strategic Results Framework and taking into account relevant reporting requirements of the protocols

3. Develop standard set of indicators for monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the implementation of NSCAPs

4. Report on indicator development and implementation to COPIII-PrepCom and COPIII

5. Post COPIII use of indicators for future reporting

Outcome 4. Enhanced stakeholders’ engagement in the TC process and improved public access to information on the status of the Caspian Sea environment.

Output 6. Creation of solid regional NGO partnerships engaged in the implementation of the Tehran Convention and its protocols

Activity 1. Align the existing CEP public participation strategy (PPS) to better support the requirements of the Convention and its protocols.

1. Prepare ToR and contractual arrangements for TC Public Participation (PP) consultant