STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP)

FOR

THE CASPIAN SEA
















Caspian Environment Programme
As approved at the Tehran Steering Committee Meeting
of November 5, 2003

Updated October 2006

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Disclaimer:

A number of the studies, researches and preparatory works from which the Strategic Action Programme benefited
were conducted in the context of support provided inter alia by the International Partners to the Caspian
Environment Programme.

The findings and the conclusions of the document however are those of the adopting parties and do not necessarily
reflect the policies or opinions of the International Partners including the European Commission, The Global
Environment Facility, The World Bank, UNEP, UNDP and UNOPS.


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List of Abbreviations

Aarhus:
UN/ECF Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access
to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus)
CCA:
Causal
Chain
Analysis

CEP:
Caspian
Environment
Programme
CHM:
Clearing
House
Mechanism
CIS:
Commonwealth
of
Independent
States
CITES:
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
CLC:
Civil
Liability
Convention
CMS:
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
CRTC:
Caspian Regional Thematic Centre
EIA:
Environment
Impact
Assessment

EQO:
Environmental
Quality
Objective
EQS:
Environment
Quality
Standard
ESI:
Environment
Status
Indicator

Espoo:
Convention
on
Environmental
Impact
Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo)
EU/Tacis:


European Union/Technical Assistance for CIS
Framework Convention

The Framework Convention for the Caspian Marine Environment
GEF:
Global Environment Facility
GIS:
Geographical
Information
System

HDI:
Human Development Index
IA:

Institutional
Arrangement

I.R. Iran:


Islamic Republic of Iran
ML:
Mnemiopsis
Leidyi
MPPI:



Major Perceived Problem and Issue
NEAP:
National
Environmental
Action
Plan
NCAP:
National
Caspian
Action
Plan
NCS:
National
Coordination

Structure
NGO:
Non
Governmental
Organization
NFP:
National
Focal
Point
PCU:
Programme
Coordination
Unit
PI:
Process
Indicator
PIP:
Priority
Investment
Project
POPs:
Persistent
Organic
Pollutants
PPS
Public
Participation
Strategy
SAP:
Strategic
Action
Programme
SPACS



Special Protected Area of the Caspian Sea
SRI:
Stress
Reduction
Indicator
TDA:
Transboundary
Diagnostic
Analysis

Tehran Convention

The Framework Convention for the Caspian Marine Environment
UNDP:
United
Nations
Development
Programme
UNEP:
United
Nations
Environment
Programme

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Strategic Action Programme for the Caspian Sea


Section 1:
Introduction

The Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) represents a partnership between the five littoral states namely
Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation and Turkmenistan and the International
Partners namely the EU, UNDP, UNEP, and the World Bank. The overall goal of the CEP is environmentally
sustainable development and management of the Caspian environment, including living resources and water quality,
so as to obtain the utmost long term benefits for the human population of the region, while protecting human health,
ecological integrity and the region's economic and environmental sustainability for future generations.

The goals of CEP during its first phase (1995-2002) included 1) development of a regional coordination mechanism
to achieve sustainable development and management of the Caspian environment 2) completion of a Transboundary
Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) of priority environmental issues to guide the prioritization of environmental actions and
3) formulation and endorsement of a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) and adoption of National Caspian Action
Plans (NCAPs).

During the second phase of the CEP (2003-2007), the main objectives included 1) beginning implementation of the
SAP in the priority areas of Biodiversity, Fisheries, Invasive Species, Coastal Development, and Persistent Toxic
Substances; 2) continued development of regional coordination mechanisms to support implementation of the SAP
and to update the TDA, SAP and NCAPs; 3) strengthening the environmental legal and policy frameworks operating
at the regional and the national levels, with special attention to signature, ratification and entry into force of the
Framework Convention for the Caspian Marine Environment; 4) implementation of small-scale investments, coastal
community sustainable development projects and public awareness activities supported by a small grants
programme. Actions to support these objectives have been carried by the Caspian states, in part with support of
international projects such as the GEF Project "Towards a Convention and Action Programme for the protection of
the Caspian Sea Environment (CEPSAP) Project" (ongoing), and the EuropeAid (Tacis) projects "Sustainable
Development of Caspian Coastal Communities," (completed), "Sustainable Management of Caspian Fisheries"
(completed), and "Caspian Water Quality Monitoring and Hotspot Action Plan" (to begin implementation late
2006).


The February 2006 Steering Committee Meeting (SCM) held in Almaty acknowledged the need for an updating of
the CEP TDA, SAP and NCAPs, to examine and reflect changes in the environment as well as progress under the
CEP during the second phase. The Almaty SCM requested that the PCU undertake the updating in order for at least
preliminary results to be available for consideration and possible action by the December 2006 SCM (Moscow).
While completion of the TDA updating is expecting to require several more months, preliminary findings have been
sufficient to confirm the consistency of the four priority regional concern areas identified in the first SAP:


· unsustainable use of bioresources;
· threats to biodiversity, including those from invasive species;
· marine and coastal pollution; and
· unsustainable coastal area development.

The updating process included three regional meetings and a number of supplementary studies inter alia an
assessment of the implementation of the SAP since 2002. The Updated SAP, which will inter-changeably be referred
to as SAP hereinafter, is a regional policy framework document that lays down the principles of environmental
management and cooperation; notes the challenges to the sustainable integrated management of the Caspian Sea
environment; sets the regionally agreed Environmental Quality Objectives (EQOs) for the four areas of
environmental concern in a transboundary context and proceeds to define a set of targets,, interventions and
indicators to meet these objectives. The SAP also highlights the financial resource and the institutional structure
required for the implementation of the priority actions for the next 5+5 years (approximately 2007-2017).

The Updated SAP. is designed for voluntary adherence by the Caspian States and its contents are supported by and
in accordance with the NCAPs, with appropriate support from the International Partners. Such voluntary adherence
will promote cooperative and coherent action for safeguarding the fragile environment of the Caspian Sea and for
advancing the sustainable and equitable use of the Caspian bioresources.


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Implementation of the Updated SAP is the responsibility of the Caspian States independently as component of their
NCAP, and collectively as part of the Caspian Environment Programme. The Steering Committee of the Caspian
Environment Programme with the assistance of the Programme Coordination Unit has the responsibility of
monitoring and reporting on SAP implementation progress.

This document is the first updating of the SAP prepared under the Caspian Environment Programme. The revision
process reviewed the implementation of all SAP interventions at the national and regional level, including target
dates and indicators. Details of the implementation in each country of the National Caspian Action Plans and the
SAP during the second phase of the CEP are contained in separate reports, annexed to this updated SAP.

The updating of the SAP was undertaken following a review of the Caspian TDA from which a number of new
additional interventions have emerged. A review of the countries' obligations under the Convention and draft
protocols currently under development identified a further set of interventions which have been added to the SAP.

The updated SAP was endorsed by the CEP Steering Committee meeting in December 2006 and brought to the
attention of the First Conference of the Parties to the Tehran Convention (March 2007) with the reference to the
provision of Art. 18.2 of the Tehran Convention requesting the Contracting Parties to cooperate in the formulation
of the Convention Action Plan.

The updating process helped to define a long-term over-arching vision for the Caspian Sea which is a clear
representation of the characteristics desired for the future environment. The long term vision is a political objective
to be achieved within a twenty year time-frame and is designed to inspire the peoples of the Caspian and their
leaders.

The Caspian vision is a clean and productive Caspian Se enjoying responsible stewardship for sustainable long
term use



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1.1
The need for and purpose of the SAP
The SAP sets the agenda for enhanced regional environmental cooperation among the littoral states over the next ten
years, approximately 2007 ­ 2017, in two distinct five-year periods. To improve environmental stewardship and
protect the ecosystems of the Caspian, the SAP outlines five regional Environmental Quality Objectives (EQOs) to
be addressed, and identifies environmental interventions to be taken in order to meet those EQOs at the national and
regional level (See Section 3). The SAP builds upon and complements the NCAPs and creates clear objectives and
targets for priority investment action considerations for the international community.

1.2
The geographic scope of the SAP
The immediate geographic scope of the SAP is the Caspian Sea and the coastal areas up to 100 km inland. This
delimitation however does not exclude identification and prioritization of interventions that address environmental
stressors and challenges beyond this 100 km zone. In a number of the SAP interventions reference is made to the
concept of the near Caspian basin, which incorporates the lower Volga basin below Volgograd, the major coastal
rivers of Dagestan and northern part of the Azerbaijan Republic, the Kura basin in the territory of Azerbaijan below
Mingachaur reservoir, the basins of the coastal rivers in Iran, and the rivers in the territories of Turkmenistan and
Kazakhstan.

1.3
Principles of environmental management and cooperation
The five littoral states share a common desire for the sustainable management of the natural resources and
biodiversity of the Caspian for the benefit of present and future generations, and recognize their role and
responsibility in conserving the global value of the biodiversity resources. The littoral states have considered and
taken into account, where appropriate, the following principles and values when developing this document.

1 3.1 The principle of sustainable development shall be applied such that there is a prudent and rational utilization
of living resources and the preservation of the rights of future generations to a viable environment.

1.3.2 The precautionary principle shall be applied, such that measures shall be taken when there are reasonable
grounds for concern that any activity may increase the potential hazards to human health, harm living resources or
marine ecosystems, damage amenities, or interfere with other legitimate uses of the Caspian Sea, even when there is
no conclusive evidence of a causal relationship between the activity and the effects; and by virtue of which, greater
caution is required when information, including scientific information, is uncertain, unreliable or inadequate.

1.3.3 The polluter pays principle shall be applied, such that the cost of preventing and eliminating pollution,
including clean-up costs, shall be paid by the polluter.

1.3.4 The principle of anticipatory action shall be applied, such that contingency planning, environmental impact
assessment and strategic impact assessment (involving the assessment of the environmental and social consequences
of governmental policies, programmes and plans) shall be undertaken in the future development in the region.

1.3.5 The principle of preventative action shall be applied, such that timely action shall be taken to alert the
responsible and relevant authorities of likely impacts and to address the actual or potential causes of adverse impacts
on the environment, before they occur. Many adverse impacts are irreversible or, if they can be reversed, the cost of
remedial action is higher than the costs associated with prevention.

1.3.6 Environmental and health considerations shall be included into all relevant policies and sectoral plans and
programmes, including, inter alia, urban planning, industrial development, oil and gas exploitation, fisheries,
aquaculture and tourism.

1.3.7 Use of clean technology shall be promoted when replacing or phasing-out high waste and waste-generating
technologies.

1.3.8 Development planning and environmental planning processes should be integrated to the maximum extent. The
use of economic instruments that foster sustainable development shall be promoted through, inter alia, the
implementation of economic incentives for introducing environmentally friendly technologies, activities and
practices; the phasing-out of subsidies which encourage the continuation of non-environmentally friendly
technologies, activities and practices; and the application of user fees, taxes and tariffs.

1.3.9 The principle of accessibility of information shall be applied, such that information on the pollution of the
marine environment of the Caspian Sea held by a littoral state shall be provided by that state to all littoral states,
where relevant and in the maximum possible amount.


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1.3.10 The principle of public participation and transparency shall be applied, such that all stakeholders,
including communities, individuals and concerned organizations shall be given the opportunity to participate, at the
appropriate level, in decision-making and management processes that affect the Caspian Sea. This includes
providing access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities and effective access to
judicial and administrative proceedings to enable all stakeholders to exercise their rights effectively. Public
authorities shall widely disseminate information on the work proposed and undertaken to protect and rehabilitate the
Caspian Sea.

Section 2:
The challenge: Sustainable integrated management of the Caspian environment

The extensive work carried under the first phase of the CEP has led to the identification of four priority regional
environmental concern areas, namely: unsustainable use of bioresources; threats to biodiversity, including those
from invasive species; pollution, including human health impacts; and unsustainable coastal area development
including impacts of climate change. The observed impacts are degrading the environment and in the longer term
reducing the range of economic and development options available to the states. Common regional root causes of
these areas of concern include poor law enforcement and compliance, inadequate development planning,
undeveloped civil society and public awareness and inadequate pricing policies.

2.1
Priority Regional Environmental Concern Areas

2.1.1 Unsustainable use of Bioresources
Catches of sturgeons, herrings, sprats and some other commercial fish have continued to decline in recent years.
Official data from the Caspian countries indicate that the sturgeon catches have dropped from an average 13
thousands tons a year in the period from 1950-1960 (peaking in the 1970s to 28 thousands tons a year) to 3
thousands tons in 1996-1999 and to less one thousand tons in 2004-2005. Sturgeon catch fell resulting in calls for
export bans. Factors contributing to the fishery decline include poaching, the impact of dams, loss of habitats, and
perhaps pollution. A major factor impacting both fisheries and biodiversity has been the invasion by the ctenophore
Mnemiopsis leidyi. The direct and indirect impact of this invasive species have led to changes in Caspian food chain
threatening the Caspian kilkas (sardines), which is one of the major fishing resource and a food for many other
commercially important fish species. Kilka catches declined from 400 thousands tons in 1970s to 115 thousands tons
in 2001 and to 64 thousands tons in 2005. The decline in the sturgeon, kilka and other species catches directly effect
human livelihoods and food for the local people.

2.1.2. Threats to biodiversity, including those from invasive species.
The Caspian biodiversity is low across all phyla compared to other seas, but, due to its historic isolation, endemism
is high. Approximately 40% of the species found in the Caspian are endemic and therefore any threat may lead to a
potentially high loss of global biodiversity. Quantifiable data on the status of the biodiversity of the Caspian sea is
scarce. In recent years no systematic monitoring of biodiversity (except in connection with fishery productivity and
oil company monitoring) has been undertaken by the Caspian states. Even population number and temporal
distribution of main commercial fishing species such as sturgeons, kilkas, and Caspian seals are still in dispute. The
aerial surveys of 2005 and 2006 supported by the CEP note a continuous decline in Seals population and a
considerable difference with the existing official survey figures, which are much higher. These gaps in knowledge
are in itself a major threat. Other threats include habitat erosion, fragmentation, and degradation (observed, but not
quantified), unsustainable use of key species, pollution and invasive species. Of these invasive species is probably
the most damaging and acute threat. Invasion of Mnemiopsis leidyi may irrevocably change the whole Caspian
ecosystem, starting from the composition of the zooplanktonic species. The presence of persistent organic pollutants,
in particular DDT is also a major source of concern especially on the point of its accumulation in the long-living
species ­ mollusks, seals, and sturgeons.

2.1.3
Marine and Coastal Pollution
Data on the overall environmental quality of the Caspian region are generally not systematic or comprehensive,
although efforts are being made to initiate a more comprehensive and integrated monitoring system in the region. In
the former USSR water and sediment quality measurements were taken on a regular basis and with good coverage,
however, its break up made the monitoring fragmented and irregular. In the immediate years following the break up
the flux of pollutants through rivers into the Caspian changed with a drastic reduction in industrial and agricultural
activity in the four CIS states. The economic recovery of the recent years is changing the environmental quality
situation although this can not yet be substantiated with reliable data and information. A review of those reliable data
that do exist, including data from sediment and ecotoxicological surveys undertaken as part of CEP during its two
phases up to 2006, do indicate highly stressed environment in certain hot-spots, but there are not sufficient data to
support the idea that the assessment of a highly stressed environment can also be applied to the entire Caspian
ecosystem. The new pollution data set created under the sediment contaminant survey in 2005 Caspian Sea supports

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rather the trend of a decline in the environmental quality. Levels of certain chlorinated agrochemicals, in particular
DDT, Lindane and Endosulfans, are a major cause for concern in the Caspian. Although a banned substance, DDT
and its breakdown products have been detected at high levels in CEP sediment analyses indicating continued use of
the chemical. DDT was also detected at relatively high levels in the tissues of seal and fish in autopsies undertaken
by CEP in 2002, but since then no analysis has been carried out. The new sediment contaminant data on Kura and
Volga rivers estuaries made available in 2005 have indicated rather elevated levels of PCBs which corresponds with
the results obtained from Ecotox study. Higher PCBs levels have also been found in the upstream Kura river
sediment close to Mingechaur Reservoir. Some heavy metals (Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Copper and Arsenic)
are found at comparatively high levels throughout the Caspian sediments, but the distribution suggests the source is
due to the nature of regional geology rather than pollution. Elevated levels of mercury, lead and chromium indicate
local pollution sources superimposed over the regional signature. Hydrocarbons are also an area of concern where
there has been oil and gas production. Pollution threats include contaminants sequestered in the major
impoundments; continued and increased use of banned agrochemicals; increased industrial activities, potential
widespread hydrocarbon pollution, with the anticipated expansion of oil and gas development and transportation;
and, acute damage from oil and hazardous substance spillage particularly from substandard vessels currently are
using in the region. Available data do not support the generally held view that nutrient loading is a regional problem,
although a large size anomalous algal bloom (AAB) was recorded in the Southern Caspian in 2005 near the Iranian
coast in South west Caspian. There is a lack of information about pollution in groundwater and its interaction with
the Caspian Sea.

2.1.4
Unsustainable coastal area development
The coastal landscapes, habitats, amenities and infrastructure are being damaged by a variety of natural and man-
made factors. Natural factors include water level fluctuations, wind induced or storm-induced surges and
earthquakes. Man-made causes, include desertification/deforestation, regulation of rivers, urbanization and industrial
development, inadequate agricultural/aquaculture planning and development, poor groundwater management,
inadequate recreational development, and land-based and sea-based pollution. Climate change is influencing and
often exasperating the impacts of the natural and man factors resulting in considerable social and economic damages
in the coastal areas. Close to 40 percent of the Caspian coastal area is impacted and it is estimated that of this area,
about 69 percent has undergone desertification in various ways. Unsustainable coastal area development combined
with pollution, and the decline in fisheries has produced undesired human health impacts. Understanding of the
concepts of integrated coastal zone and coastal land use planning are critical to addressing these issues.

2.2
Environmental Management Challenges

2.2.1 Legal
and
regulatory

All the littoral states have comprehensive laws on environmental protection and on the use of natural resources,
supported by provisions in their constitutions. During the last few years this legislation has been strengthened
through additional laws and regulations and modifications. A desk study undertaken as part of the transboundary
diagnostic analysis in 2001 and complemented by a review in 2006 has identified a number of remaining
deficiencies, in national laws and regulations relating to priority regional environmental concern areas. The studies
stress the need for stronger enforcement of and compliance with the existing laws and regulations which in
themselves are sufficiently stringent. In spite of the undetermined legal status of the Caspian Sea the littoral states
have continued to recognize the need to take joint and separate actions to protect the Caspian Sea environment and to
protect, preserve, restore and utilize its resources in a sustainable and rational manner. In November 2003 the five
Caspian Littoral States signed the "Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the
Caspian Sea", also known as Tehran Convention. The objective of the Convention is "the protection of the Caspian
Sea environment from all sources of pollution, including the protection, preservation, restoration and sustainable and
rational use of the living resources of the Caspian Sea". Entering into force on 12 August 2006, the Tehran
Convention is the first legally binding agreement signed by all five Caspian littoral states and serves as an
overarching legal instrument laying down the general requirements and the institutional mechanism for
environmental protection in the region. Being a Framework Convention it is envisaged that concrete obligations of
the parties will be formulated through the adoption of a number of additional binding instruments in the form of
protocols. At the First Meeting of the State Signatories (Tehran, July 2004), the Caspian government representatives
agreed to initiate the development of the first draft protocols for priority areas of concern, namely: i) Protocol on
Environmental Impact Assessment in Transboundary Context, ii) Protocol on Pollution from Land-Based Sources,
iii) Protocol on Biodiversity Conservation. The same meeting agreed to finalize the ongoing negotiations on the draft
Protocol concerning Regional Cooperation in Cases of Emergency to the Governments, later renamed to Protocol
Concerning Regional Preparedness, Response and Cooperation in Combating Oil Pollution Incidents". These
protocols are in advanced stages of formulation and development. The State Signatories to the Tehran Convention
have also requested that consideration is given to the possibility of developing additional protocol on fisheries.
Littoral states are participating in many major international environmental conventions.

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2.2.2 Institutional
From early 90's the political, legal and economic regimes of the Caspian states have undergone radical
transformations and this transition created, and to some extent still continue to create enormous challenges. In spite
of commendable work, the necessary investment and in most states, the monitoring and enforcement activities are
not yet fully carried out. Some of the responsible institutions still lack the adequate capacity, resources, mandate and
expertise. At times, the responsibilities are shared across a range of organizations, with inevitable consequences of
inconsistent or conflicting policies and measures. Institutional deficiencies can bring about ineffective spatial
planning, environmentally aggressive subsidies, insufficient control procedures, inadequate EIA practices, and
aggressive agricultural and development policies, all of which have been identified as root causes in the concern
areas. The littoral states are engaged in programmes to streamline policies, build capacity in the institutions and
reform the relevant sectors, but the impacts of these reforms are slow to materialize and are still to be felt. The
entering into force of the Tehran Convention activated the Convention's provisions related to the institutional
arrangements for the implementation of the Convention. The implementation of the Convention is to be governed by
a Conference of the Parties and serviced by a Convention Secretariat. The Convention allows for various sub-bodies
and institutions to be put in place as and when the need arises. Such sub-bodies could be, for instance, put in place
with the mandate to oversee the implementation of the Convention and its Protocols and to secure the best scientific
advice. The Tehran Convention also obligates each Contracting Party to designate a National Authority to co-
ordinate the implementation of the Convention in its territory and under its jurisdiction. While deciding on the final
institutional arrangements for the Convention consideration is also given to the close links between the CEP and the
Convention process which were underlined already back in 2004 in the Decisions and Recommendations of the CEP
Steering Committee meeting where a request was made to develop proposals for further improving and
strengthening the collaborative arrangements between the two processes.

2.2.3
Economic and financial
The Caspian Sea contains considerable oil and gas deposits and is rich in Bioresources. The sea also offers
remarkable opportunities for transport between the littoral countries as well as between Europe and south and south-
east Asia. The Caspian has also good potential for eco-tourism. During the 2002-2006 period the region witnessed a
relative improvement in its financial and economic status as indicated by increase in per capita GNP and HDR in all
the countries. This welcome change was mostly due to global rise in oil prices, increased oil and gas exploitation in
the region as well as the relative stabilization of the national economies. However the Caspian region as a whole is
still not a major economic center. Unemployment rates are generally high, and considerably higher among the
women and the internally displaced population and, consequently, for many years to come the littoral governments
will need to give higher priority to job creation, health, and education than to environment protection. Individuals too
will be less concerned with safeguarding the environment when they are unemployed and faced with finding
adequate food, shelter, education and healthcare for their families. For most part governmental accountability needs
to improve and the civil society to be strengthened. Environmental and natural resources are overseen by a host of
ministries and local governments. Despite the relative economic improvement and the associated increase in
environmental budgets in most countries the government agencies often do not have sufficient resources to conduct
the necessary monitoring and enforcement activities to protect the regional environment. Integration of the
development planning process and environmental protect still remains to be fully achieved. The countries are not
using economic incentives as much as possible in the region in order to promote environmental protection. Limited
donor based financial contributions to the region is also a major constraint.

2.2.4 Information
The region suffers from severe limitations in available data and information both to decision makers and to informed
members of the society. Considerable research and monitoring has been carried out in the past, but the data is often
not comparable across the region, it is often insufficient, inaccurate or non-harmonized and not freely exchanged and
shared among the responsible institutions. The researches conducted in the region under umbrella of CEP in last
years contributed into overall knowledge of the Caspian environment and demonstrated ability of countries to
cooperate in data and information exchange. However the lack of strong country commitment has not allowed
sustainability to be reached in this issue. The lack of data often promotes regulatory capture and self interest.
Further, if and when national legislation requires open access to information, it is often constrained by poor
dissemination, non-user friendly formats and insufficient media attention to the environmental issues or lack of
information technology for information exchange. This sub-optimal availability of information can result in
uncoordinated and unsubstantiated policies and measures at regional level.




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Section 3:
SAP development and prioritization

The revisited TDA confirmed the eight Major Perceived Problems and Issues identified in the initial TDA, but also
revealed several new issues that had not previously been fully recognized, such as human health, groundwater
protection, and regional natural disaster planning and mitigation. It was determined that these areas of concern, and
their root causes, could be most effectively and appropriately addressed through the aims of the five Environmental
Quality Objectives (EQOs). Four of these EQOs correlate to the four concern areas, plus one EQO addressing the
cross-sectoral issue of strengthening the involvement of all stakeholders. The five EQOs are:

· Conservation and sustainable use of bioresources
· Conservation of Caspian biodiversity
· Improved water quality of the Caspian
· Sustainable development of the coastal zones
· Strengthened stakeholder participation in Caspian environment stewardship

Each EQO consists of a number of targets that are comprised of inter-related interventions that address the root
causes of the concern areas. For the regional level interventions, the littoral states and the international partners shall
work collectively to take the required steps to fulfill the intervention. The national level supporting interventions will
be the responsibility of the littoral countries. The EQOs, their targets and interventions are listed below. The timings
of the interventions in order to meet their targets are also listed, whether within the time span of five or ten years.
Interventions have only been included in the first five year period if they are supported by a majority of the NCAPs,
that is if the national level support is included within the NCAP, and they have been identified as priority
interventions. The countries have classified each intervention as having either high (H) or medium (M) priority. In
addition, in Annex 2 of this document are listed the interventions and their corresponding indicators.


EQO I:
Conservation and sustainable use of bioresources

EQO Indicator: Commercial fish stocks are maintained at sustainable levels with reference to the base year (1998)

Target 1:
Sustainable use of commercial fisheries resources

1.1 Promote the development and implementation of a regional Fisheries protocol under the Tehran Convention. (H)
1-5 years.

1.2 Further strengthen the regional cooperation under the fisheries protocol for fisheries management, including the
development of a regional integrated fisheries management strategy, regional standards of fisheries harvest
practices of commercial species, and the establishment of a quota system based on regular joint stock
assessments. (H) 1-5 years.

1.3 Improve compliance, enforcement and monitoring mechanisms and develop enforcement mechanisms and
economic instruments for protection of the sturgeon fishery and to reduce illegal catch and trade in accordance
with CITES Paris Declaration. (H) 1-5 years.

Target 2:
Rehabilitate stocks of migratory (sturgeon, inconnu, herring) commercially valuable fish
species

2.1 Conduct activities to identify, protect, restore and manage natural spawning grounds for sturgeon and other
commercially valuable anadromous species, inter alia, within the framework of a regional integrated fisheries
management strategy. (M) 1-5 years.

2.2 Increase sturgeon hatchery efficiency and capacity through improvement of bio-techniques and fry growth
technology as well as enhancing scales of their production. (H) 5-10 years.

2.3 Strengthen regional cooperation including scientific exchanges on improving hatchery efficiency and the
creation of a gene bank for anadromous fish. (H) 1-10 years

2.4 Increase aqua-culture of sturgeon and other commercially valuable species. (H) 1-5 years.

Target 3:
Improve livelihoods in coastal communities to reduce dependency on unsustainable fishing
practices

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3.1 Promote more selective fishing methods and small-scale aquaculture. (MH) 5-10 years.

3.2 Promote alternative income sources and the adoption sustainable livelihoods in fishing communities. (H) 5-10
years

Target 4:
Rehabilitate stocks of Caspian seal

4.1 Conduct scientifically based surveys on the number and health of Caspian seal stocks. (H) 1-5 years.

4.2 Strengthen regional cooperation in Caspian seal research activities. (H) 1-5 years

4.3 Draft and adopt regional management plan on Caspian Seal. (H) 1-5 years


EQO II:
Conservation of Biodiversity

EQO Indicator: Arrest biodiversity erosion due to anthropogenic impacts

Target 1:
Increased regional collaboration to achieve strengthened protection for




biodiversity

1.1 Draft and adopt a Biodiversity Protocol to the Tehran Convention. (H) 1-5 years

1.2 Establish a regional biodiversity monitoring system. (M) 1-5 years.

1.3 Develop an international research programme on Caspian biodiversity related issues. (H) 1-5 years.

1.4 Ensure biodiversity issues and impacts are taken into account in all EIA and planning applications. (H) 1-5
years.

Target 2:
Ensure all key threatened species are maintained or restored to viable levels

2.1 Identify and assess key threatened species status. (M) 1-5 years.

2.2 Ensure adequate legal protection for key threatened species. (H) 1-5 years.

2.3 Provide improved in-situ and ex-situ protection for key threatened species. (H) 5-10 years.

2.4 Create a gene bank of key threatened species. (M) 5-10 years.

Target 3:
Control of non-native (alien) species and management of impact of existing invasive species

3.1 Regional commitment to the control of alien Species in Biodiversity Protocol and other appropriate regional
agreements. (H) 1-5 years.

3.2 Development of regional procedures for the introduction and management of alien species and control of
invasive species in the Caspian. (H) 1-5 years.

3.3 Investigation of possible biological control measures to reduce the impact of Mnemiopsis on the ecosystem of
the Caspian and reach regional agreement on the appropriate measures. (H) 1-5 years.

3.4 Construction of one ballast water reception/treatment facility to control passage of invasive species via shipping
routes. (H) 1-5 years.

Target 4:
Ensure all key coastal and marine habitats are represented in the list of Special Protected
Areas of the Caspian Sea (SPACS)

4.1 Create new and expand existing protected areas (including where necessary transboundary areas) to cover all
special Caspian coastal and marine habitats. (H) 1-5 years.


11

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4.2 Improve effectiveness of management of Caspian protected coastal areas complying with existing legislation.
(H) 5-10 years.

4.3 Creation of a regional communication network between SPACS. (M) 5-10 years.

4.4 Development of ecosystem management plans for the major rivers in the near Caspian basin as per paragraph
1.3. (H) 1-5 years.

Target 5:
Identify and restore priority coastal habitats

5.1 Develop and apply a standardized methodology for the assessment of the environmental health of coastal
habitats. (M) 5-10 years.

5.2 Design, implement and monitor coastal habitat restoration projects. (M) 5-10 years.

Target 6:
Identify and restore priority marine habitats

6.1 Develop and apply a standardized methodology for assessing the health of marine habitats. (M) 5-10 years.

6.2 Design, implement and monitor priority marine habitat restoration projects. (M) 5-10 years.


EQO III:
Improve the water quality of the Caspian

EQO Indicator: A measurable decline in levels of the main contaminant groups in the water, sediment and biota.


Target 1:
Development of regional strategies for pollution reduction

1.1 Develop and adopt a protocol to the Tehran Convention for land-based sources of pollution. (H) 1-5 years.

1.2 Undertake a comprehensive land-based source assessment and develop a regional action plan to remediate areas
of pollution concern identified. (H) 1-5 years.

1.3 Reduce pollution from existing and decommissioned onshore and offshore oil and gas installations causing
significant pollution. (H) 5-10 years

1.4 Draft and adopt a protocol to the Tehran Convention on dumping at sea by vessels. (M) 1-5 years.

1.5 Establish ship waste reception/treatment facilities in all major ports. (M) 5-10 years.

1.6 Regional POPs/PTS Programme developed, agreed and implemented. The work is to be coordinated with POPs
enabling activities in Stockholm Convention signatory states. (H) 5-10 years.

1.7 Develop and initiate implementations of the regional marine litter control and mitigation strategy. (H) 1-5 years.

Target 2:
Strengthen pollution prevention, monitoring and control measures in the littoral states

2.1 Develop at a regional level proposals for strengthening discharge licensing, compliance monitoring and
enforcement of pollution control. (H) 1-5 years.

2.2 Develop recommendations for harmonization of pollution discharge and emission, and water quality standards.
(H) 1-5 years.

2.3 Develop and introduce economic instruments to encourage reduced pollution loads. (H) 1-5 years.

2.4 Reduce untreated discharges from coastal municipal sources. (M) 5-10 years.

2.5 Undertake a survey of coastal zone to identify and characterize major contaminated land sites and develop
strategy to tackle areas of pollution concern. (H) 1-5 years.


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2.6 Implement pilot projects to demonstrate the most cost effective reclamation technologies for a range of
contaminants. (H) 5-10 years.

Target 3 :
Implement a regionally coordinated water quality monitoring programme

3.1 Develop and implement a regional water quality monitoring programme focused on critical contaminants and
hotspots. (H) 1-5 years.

3.2 Provide report on contaminant levels in Caspian every three years, and make proposals for remedial actions. (H)
1-5 years.

3.3 Develop and implement a research programme into the phenomena of Anomalous Algal Blooms in the Caspian.
(M) 1-5 years

3.4 Establish a regional monitoring programme for recreational waters. (M) 1-5 years

Target 4:
Disaster prevention and response

4.1 Finalize and approve national oil spill contingency plans and harmonize with mutual aid industry plans. (H) 1-5
years.

4.2 Draft and adopt a Protocol to the Tehran Convention Concerning Regional Preparedness, Response and Co-
operation in combating oil pollution incidents. (H) 1-5 years.

4.3 Develop and implement under a Memorandum of Understanding the Regional Oil Spill Preparedness and
Cooperation Plan. (H) 1-5 years.

4.4 Update sensitive areas mapping of the Caspian for inclusion in the national and regional plans. (H) 1-5 years.

4.5 Development of regional contingency plan for spills of hazardous substances other then oil. (H) 1-5 years.

4.6 Undertake risk assessment for oil and hazardous substances spillage from shipping, pipelines, offshore and
onshore production and storage facilities. (H) 1-5 years.

4.7 Promote the development of regional agreements for liability and compensation in the event of oil and other
hazardous substance spills. (H) 1-5 years.

4.8 Develop regional agreement on minimum standards of maintenance of existing Caspian tanker fleet. (M) 5-10
years.

4.9 Development of a Natural Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Plan for the Caspian Sea. (M) 1-5 years

EQO IV:
Sustainable development of the coastal zones

EQO IV Indicator:
Measurable and sustained increase in human development indices in the Caspian coastal
areas

Target 1:
Sustainable use and management of coastal areas through integrated coastal area
management

1.1 Strengthen, as needed, national regulation on coastal area planning and management. (M) 1-5 years.

1.2 Strengthen technical capacity at local and municipal government level for coastal planning and introduce
economic instruments to promote rational land use. (M) 1-5 years.

1.3 Develop regional databases including GIS for coastal planning and management. (M) 1-5 years.

1.4 Develop regional guidelines for pilot integrated coastal area management planning and undertake a pilot project
in each Caspian state. (M) 1-5 years.


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1.5 Development of eco tourism pilot projects based on existing and successful models from other regions. (M) 1-5
years.

Target 2:
Combat the desertification and deforestation process

2.1 Where necessary, strengthen legislation to combat desertification and deforestation. (H) 1-5 years.

2.2 Apply remote sensing and GIS techniques to monitor trends in desertification and deforestation in the Caspian
region. (H) 1-5 years.

2.3 In critical desertification and deforestation areas, develop and implement pilot projects designed to address root
causes. (M) 5-10 years.

2.4 In threatened coastal forest areas introduce economic instruments and alternatives to reduce wood
consumption, including use of wood fuel. (H) 5-10 years.

2.5 In threatened desert areas conduct targeted awareness campaigns on sustainable grazing practices. (H) 5-10
years.

Target 3:
Develop and initiate implementation of strategies for managing groundwater

3.1 Assess the current knowledge about the occurrence, flow and quality, including pollution, of groundwater,
including its interaction with the Caspian Sea; and devise a programme for coordinated groundwater
monitoring. (H) 1-5 years.

3.2 Carry out a review of legal and institutional framework for managing groundwater; and make adjustments to
reflect current needs, as necessary. (H) 1-5 years.

3.3 Design a regional programme of groundwater management measures, as necessary. (H) 1-5 years.

3.4 Implement demonstration of sound groundwater management. (H) 1-5 years.

Target 4:
Develop and initiate implementation of strategies for management of Sea level rises

4.1 Undertake an assessment of coastal vulnerability to sea level rises and potential economic losses. (H) 1-5 years.

4.2 Development of a set of sea level fluctuation scenarios accounting for climate change over the next fifty years.
Undertake an assessment of coastal vulnerability to sea level rises and potential economic losses. (H) 5-10
years.

4.3 Development of regional guidelines for adaptive management for sea level fluctuation and climate change. (H)
1-5 years.

Target 5:
Promote environmentally sound agricultural practices in the Caspian region

5.1 Establish and promote best practice recommendations for the use of agro chemicals, including application times
and rates, handling, storage and disposal. (M) 1-5 years.

5.2 Demonstrate through pilot projects environmentally sound agricultural practices such as soil conservation,
creation of surface and groundwater protection zones, use of natural fertilizers and use of pest resistant crop
strains. (M) 5-10 years.

5.3 Combat eutrophication in sensitive coastal zones by controlling soil and water contamination from agriculture
and other nutrient sources. (M) 5-10 years.







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EQO V:
Strengthen civil society participation in Caspian environmental stewardship

EQO Indicator: Enhanced involvement of stakeholders in the NCAPs and SAP implementation

Target 1:
Increased participation of public in coastal communities as well as stakeholders of Caspian


countries in management of Caspian environment

1.1 Establish a Caspian NGO Forum to provide support and guidance for improving civil society involvement and
strengthening of environmental NGO Networks. (H) 1-5 years

1.2 Implementation of the endorsed Caspian Public Participation Strategy through its incorporation in the National
Caspian Action Programmes (NCAPs). (H) 1-5 years

1.3 Create a press bureau to improve country, regional and international awareness of the Caspian environmental
issues and encourage the media to participate in the dissemination of information. (H) 1-5 years

1.4 Provide regular training to journalists in order to strengthen environmental journalism and improve media
coverage of environmental issues. (H) 1-5 years

1.5 Create a Caspian Environment Information/Communication/Education Centers to provide information to public
on Caspian environmental issues. (H) 1-10 years

1.6 Development of academic curriculum materials focusing on Caspian environmental issues and promotion of
academic partnerships at school and university levels. (H) 1-5 years

1.7 University level curricula developed for ecology and environmental science in conjunction with international
institutions featuring Caspian issues. (H) 1-5 years

1.8 Establish media and film festivals in conjunction with NGO Forum, on Caspian ecology to focus on the links
between human behavior and natural ecosystem functions. (H) 1-5 years

1.9 Set up a fund for micro-grants addressing coastal community development schemes and local environmental
issues, in partnership with the private sector and international donor community. (H) 1-5 years

1.10 Establishment of "Caspian Day" and develop specific awareness raising for specific target groups. (H) 1-5
years

1.11 Set up "Friends of Caspian" programme with annual competition for local, national and international
companies of facility that has achieved the most concrete gains in protection of the Caspian environment in the
previous year, in at least two levels (national and international) on the territory of coastal region. (H) 1-5 years

Target 2:
Increase local, regional and governmental authorities understanding the importance of
environmental issues and increase their involvement in project implementation

2.1 Develop awareness training programmes on environmental issues for local authorities, and national ministries,
through Caspian Environment Information/Communication/Education Centers emphasizing the environmental
evaluation techniques. (H) 1-5 years

2.2 Implement national EIA procedures for all appropriate Caspian project developments, including provisions for
public participation, and encourage all littoral countries to sign ESPOO Convention. (H) 1-5 years

2.3 Hold biennial mayoral conferences sponsored by national and international partners to foster networking
among coastal local authorities and enhance their participation in implementing Caspian environmental
policies. (H) 1-5 years

2.4 Development of training programmes for land/property agents, construction firms, regional, district and
national level planning agencies on importance of coastal sustainable development practices with concrete
examples of sustainable development projects. (H) 1-5 years

2.5 Development of training programmes for regional and municipal authorities on modern techniques for waste
water and municipal waste treatment. (H) 1-5 years

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2.6 Create targeted awareness building campaigns for ministerial authorities and regional administration involved
in inter alia: agriculture, fisheries, transportation natural resource management. (H) 1-5 years

Target 3:
Develop active partnerships between Caspian NGO Forum, local and multinational
enterprises and other stakeholders in the region

3.1 Promote environmental partnerships between NGO, government and private sector to address specific Caspian
issues by implementation of Caspian Public Participation Strategy. (H) 1-5 years

3.2 Develop Stakeholder Dialogue Groups at national level and exchange experience at regional level to improve
dialogue opportunities for stakeholder groups who may be in conflict natural resource management. (H) 1-5
years

3.3 Develop a programme to encourage implementation of cleaner technologies by local industries corresponding
to ISO 14000. (H) 1-5 years

3.4 Provide a basic ecology training course for local coastal enterprises and targeted populations emphasizing win-
win scenarios and sound environmental stewardship. (H) 1-5 years


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Section 4:
SAP implementation

4.1
National Caspian Action Plans (NCAPs)
In preparing and updating the SAP, the CEP assembled the NCAP teams of experts from all five states with the
purpose of defining the priority regional environmental concern areas to be addressed and agreeing the
corresponding Environmental Quality Objectives. Through a series of regional meetings the targets and interventions
needed to meet these EQOs were articulated and this intense national involvement has resulted in a SAP, which
contains regional interventions which are supported to a great extent by national interventions contained in the
NCAPs. Without this commitment to implement the national supporting interventions the SAP's regional
interventions have no foundations and their implementation is undermined.
The NCAPs, as revised and updated, are the main foundation of the SAP. The preparation of the NCAPs and their
revisit by the littoral states is based on an assessment of the priority national concern areas, which include, where
they are in concordance, regional concerns identified in the TDA. Each country has developed objectives, targets,
proposed interventions, and drawn up a resource mobilization strategy to address their objectives. They entered into
a thorough inter-sectoral dialogue as an integral part of a national endorsement process. The NCAPs represent an
awareness of and commitment to enhanced environmental stewardship by the littoral states. Whilst the NCAPs feed
into the SAP, they are also cohesive, independent documents which detail national objectives, targets and
interventions to be achieved. They have been prepared and revisited along common guidelines while taking note of
the planning and implementations specifities of each littoral country. Once full government endorsement has been
granted the NCAP and will move forward independently of the SAP process.

It is critical that all states continue to make further steps towards improved environmental stewardship at the national
levels, with the confidence that even the smallest action can lead to large improvements when taken collectively.

4.2 Policy
Coordination
The littoral states have ensured and will continue to ensure that the NCAP and SAP content, policy and measures,
are coordinated and consistent with those developed across the sectoral ministries. The NCAP consultation process
leading to endorsement was designed to ensure all key government stakeholders were consulted as early as possible
to ensure integration. In preparing and revising the NCAPs the littoral states were and are required to refer to
existing development and environment plans, including the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) and
National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan and it has been stressed that each littoral state should ensure that its body
of laws and regulations is fully coordinated and supportive of environmental policies developed through the SAP.

4.3
Resource mobilization
In 2002 the cost of the implementation of the SAP in its first five year period was estimated to require a total of
approximately $170 million. Noting the considerable depreciation in the value of US Dollar the estimated cost could
easily surpass $ 200 million even taking into consideration that a number of the suggested interventions in the
original SAP have now fully implemented and their costs will need to be deducted.. In the original SAP the potential
assistance from the international donor community and the private sector over this period was estimated at $20
million of which some $ 15 million materialized. International grant sources could be further tapped; however, any
success will undoubtedly be tied to the Caspian states demonstrating the commitment and implementation of their
NCAPs. International financial institutions should be approached for loans with the full involvement of both
technical environmental institutions and financial, economic and planning authorities to ensure that the requests meet
the strict financial criteria and are nationally guaranteed. An Investment Forum in Baku in 2003 sought to mobilize
resources for a number of defined investment ideas and proposals. Further initiatives to mobilize international and
regional resources could be explored including development of Strategic partnership(s).

Even given the above initiatives, there remains a significant funding gap, which will principally need to be filled by
the littoral states. This may be done through further integration of development and environment planning processes;
assigning higher value to environmental consideration in the region and allocation of substantially enhanced national
financial resources to environmental issues in general and to the Caspian in particular. The most doable, cost
effective and upstream measures dealing with fisheries development, biodiversity protection, pollution monitoring
and control, and sustainable development of coastal areas should be given higher implementation priority. Regional
and supporting national policy measures and initiatives, including regional agreements and Memoranda of
Understanding that would contribute to the creation of an environment conducive to implementation of other
measures, such as investment activities and environmental sensitization initiatives, should be assigned highest
priority. Environmentally oriented economic measures, environmentally oriented budgets, and private sector
partnership for environmental protection should be promoted throughout the region.



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4.4
Institutional Arrangements
With the full ratification of the Tehran Convention and the establishment of the Convention Secretariat the
implementation arrangement of the SAP will need to be reviewed to take account of the need to engage the
Secretariat. Essentially however and once agreed at Ministerial level, implementation of the SAP is the responsibility
of the governments of the littoral states. At the national level the CEP National Coordination Structures (NCSs) will
be responsible for coordination of NCAP and SAP implementation activities under the leadership of the CEP
National Focal Points.

Section 5:
The Future of the Strategic Action Programme

The SAP is officially launched and updated with its adoption by the CEP Steering Committee and verification by the
CEP National Focal Points of the littoral states. Active promotion of the SAP by the littoral states and the PCU at
national, regional and international fora is critical in gaining the broad support it needs for successful
implementation. Key stakeholders are to be targeted through public meetings, media campaigns and briefings and
consultations. Ultimately, the littoral states responsibility is to create and maintain the necessary momentum for SAP
implementation. The littoral states and the CEP International Partners will maintain their close dialogue on how best
to support implementation of the SAP and strenuous efforts will be made to attract new international donors to CEP.
Private sector will be approached with the aim of obtaining coincidental, parallel funding. At the end of its first year
a detailed SAP financial gap analysis will be undertaken at regional and national levels, and a donor conference
convened.


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Annex 1: Caspian Strategic Action Programme Development: A Chronology

November 1997- May 1998. The Concept Paper for the first phase of the CEP was prepared and approved at the
CEP Steering Committee Meeting at Ramsar, I.R. Iran. It was based on the Preliminary TDA formulated in
1997/1998; the joint missions by the UNDP, UNEP, the World Bank to the five countries in 1995 and 1997 and the
significant input from the EU/Tacis after their mission in 1996. The Concept paper proposed the overall goal of the
CEP to be the promotion of 'the sustainable development and management of the Caspian environment over the long
term'. The document identified three Environmental Challenges namely a) sea level rise b) pollution threat including
oil products from oilfields and transportation, and c) biodiversity and depletion of bio-resources. It therefore aimed
at i) understanding and learning to live with the water level fluctuations; ii) abatement of existing and prevention of
new types of pollution and deterioration of the Caspian environment and its bio-resources, iii) recovery and
rehabilitation of the degraded elements of environment including biological diversity and iv) long term sustainability
of environmental quality and bioresources. These challenges and goals laid the basic principles for future work on
the SAP. The CEP Project Brief and Project Documents subsequently developed in 1998/1999 incorporated these as
major elements and issues.

July 2000. The First Regional TDA/NCAPs/SAP Meeting was held in Baku. The meeting identified eight Caspian
Major Perceived Problems and Issues (MPPIs). These were i) decline in certain fisheries stocks including Sturgeon,
ii) threats to biodiversity iii) overall decline in environmental quality, iv) damage to coastal infrastructure and
amenities, v) degradation of coastal landscapes and damage to coastal habitats, vi) and decline in human health, vii)
introduced species and viii) contamination from offshore oil and gas activities. The last two MPPIs were at the time
considered as 'emerging' MPPIs. The meeting continued to identify the list of threats to the Caspian environment.
The PCU and the CRTCs were requested by the meeting to collect needed information on the MPPIs to ascertain
their relevance and significance.

December 2000. The Second Regional TDA/NCAPs/SAP Meeting was held in Baku. It initiated the preliminary
Causal Chain Analysis (CCA) of the MPPIs to identify Primary, Secondary and Root Causes of the MPPIs, and
began the dialogue on the identification of Prioritized Interventions (PIs) to deal with the Root Causes. The meeting
outlined the NCAP Terms of Reference for the countries and tasked them to initiate the NCAP development process.
It requested each country to have its own National TDA Forum to review the relevance and significance of MPPIs,
CCA and PIs for the country in question. The meeting also identified additional supporting studies and activities to
gather and analyze data and information required to verify the links between the MPPIs and the Root Causes. These
were undertaken over 2000 and 2001 and included, inter alia, over 30 national and regional studies and a number of
cruises and marine expeditions.

April-May 2001. Five National TDA Meetings were held, one in each of the five countries. These provided the
preliminary inputs to the NCAPs and also inputted to the TDA. These were seen as the main vehicle to reflect the
national concerns into the TDA.

July 2001. The Third Regional TDA/NCAPs/SAP Meeting was held in Baku. The meeting reviewed the TDA
progress including the National TDAs and the TDA supporting studies and activities findings. An Outline for the
TDA structure was discussed and approved. The dialogue on CCA and PIs continued. The concept of a Stakeholders
Analysis was introduced and the countries were requested to input into it. The meeting was presented, discussed and
approved five Environmental Quality Objectives (EQOs) for the TDA. These closely reflected the initial Concept
Paper and Project Document. They were i) sustainable economic uses of the Caspian and its hinterland, ii) balanced
Caspian environment including biodiversity conservation, iii) high quality Caspian Sea surface and groundwater, iv)
sustainable mixed use of the Caspian coastal environment and v) enhancing the quality of human life. For each EQO
a set of Targets and Indicators was identified and the Prioritized Interventions were reviewed and listed against
EQOs.

July 2001-November 2001. The first TDA draft was produced under stewardship of PCU by an international
consulting firm in September 2001. The draft was revised following a technical review at PCU. The second draft
was shared with the region for review and comments.

September 2001. The first regional meeting of the Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (BSAP) was held in Atyrau.
The meeting outlined the BSAP structure and identified the roadmap for its production and integration into the SAP.
FFI was recruited to produce BSAP draft in consultation with regional stakeholders.

November 2001. The Fourth TDA/NCAPs/SAP meeting was held in Baku. In addition to the regional technical
experts and representatives of the governments and international partners, a number of internationally renowned
experts participated. The TDA draft was thoroughly reviewed and revised. MPPIs, EQOs, Targets, Indicators and
Prioritized Interventions were reviewed, revised, changed and reworded for purposes of additional clarity and

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analytical value. A rough costing of the Interventions was attempted. Preliminary SAP Interventions were extracted
from the list of Prioritized Interventions.

December 2001. EU/Tacis completed and published its input to the CEP TDA.

December 2001-May 2002. Five draft National NCAPs produced. In each country a national team of experts was
recruited to produce the draft under the leadership of a national planer/strategist with necessary support from PCU.
NCAPs provided the national MPPIs, the Prioritized Interventions and the interlinking analytical structure. They also
identified the challenges to the implementation of the NCAPs and the suggested resource mobilization strategies.

January - April 2002. The Concept Paper for CEP II developed. Concurrently EU/Tacis initiated a process to
develop a framework for its partnership with CEP II. A consensus emerged to focus on a number of environmental
transboundary concern areas including fisheries and bioresources development, biodiversity protection, pollution
control and sustainable development of degraded coastal areas.

February 2002. A regional BSAP/NCAPs meeting was held in Baku. The first BSAP draft was presented, discussed
and reviewed. The major findings of the NCAPs were also presented and discussed. At same time a structural
linkage was established between the NCAP process on one hand, the Priority Investment Projects (PIP) identification
process on the other hand. The NCAP teams and the World Bank Local Consultants were requested to fully
cooperate to ensure that the NCAPs included a listing of PIPs.

May 2002. A meeting of the regional technical experts was held in Baku to once again review the TDA draft in
particular the SAP Preliminary List of Interventions. Final TDA was released in July 2002.

June 2002. Under the stewardship of PCU two international experts were recruited to produce the first SAP draft on
the basis of the TDA and the NCAPs. The draft was shared with the region and the CEP International Partners for
review and comments. Concurrently the NCAPs were subjected to national review through National Forums in all
the five countries.

July 2002. A BSAP/SAP Meeting was held in Baku. The SAP first draft including the MPPIs, EQOs, Targets
Indicators, Interventions were thoroughly reviewed, changed and improved. BSAP was discussed as an integral
component of the SAP. Following the meeting the SAP and BSAP were redrafted and shared with the region for
comments.

July 2002. A meeting of the CEP Institutional Structure for CEP II was held in Tehran. The meeting was
immediately followed by the 7th Meeting of the Framework Convention for the Protection of Marine Environment of
the Caspian. These meetings resulted in a regional agreement of the general institutional arrangements for the CEP II
and the final text of the draft Convention.

August 2002. The second SAP meeting was held. The SAP draft including the text, the institutional arrangements
and the EQOs were reviewed. A Gap Analysis was performed to ensure that the root causes identified in the CCA
were addressed in the listing of the Prioritized Interventions. EQOs, Targets, Indicators and Interventions were once
again reviewed and revised. BSAP related EQO(s) were also revisited. In line with the TDA and the Concept Paper
four areas of concerns that were need to be addressed were identified as fisheries and bioresources development,
biodiversity protection, pollution control and sustainable development of degraded coastal areas.

October 2002. Review of SAP draft by Steering Committee.

December 2002. Written comments received by SC members on SAP draft.

February 2003. National SAP consultation meetings held in each Caspian state to determine whether the SAP 1-5
year activities are supported by the pre-requisite baseline activities in the National Caspian Action Plans; if the
countries allocate high or medium priorities to these 1-5 year activities; and a cost estimate of SAP implementation
in the first five years at the national and regional levels and what level of funding has been earmarked in the NCAPs.

March 2003. Presentation of the final draft of the SAP and final comments from the Steering Committee.

November 2003. Adopted at Tehran Steering Committee Meeting.

February 2006: First Regional meeting of the TDA/NCAPs/SAP Revisit process is held in Baku to determine
TDA/NCAPs/SAP Revisit roadmap and reconfirm regional agreement on the earlier agreed EQOs for SAP.


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February- July: Information gap fill studies commissioned in the littoral countries. NCAP Revisit works initiated in
all five countries.

July 2006 : Second meeting of the TDA/NCAPs/SAP Revisit process is held in Baku to review the SAP original
targets, interventions and indicators in view of the perceived changes in the environmental, social and economic
situations in the region and taking note of the SAP/NCAP national implementation assessments reports.

August 2006: TDA Revisit Technical Meeting held in Tehran.

October 2006: Third meeting of the TDA/NCAPs/SAP Revisit process is held in Tehran to finalize the SAP
Update.

December 2006: SAP updated presented to the CEP SCM for endorsement as guidance document.



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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


E Q O I :
C O N S E RV AT I O N A N D S U ST A I NA BLE U S E O F B I O R E SO UR C E S

EQI INDICATOR: COMMERCIAL FISH STOCKS ARE MAINTAINED AT SUSTAINABLE LEVELS WITH REFERENCE TO THE BASE YEAR (1998)

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
frame
1
Sustainable use of
1.1 Promote the development and implementation of a regional Fisheries
a) Developed and implemented a regional
PI 1-5
years
commercial fisheries
protocol under the Tehran Convention
Fisheries protocol.
resources.
b) An effective, operational regional
PI 1-5
years

fisheries body
1.2 Further strengthen the regional cooperation under the fisheries
a) Relevant regional standards of fisheries
PI 1-5
years
protocol for fisheries management, including the development of a
harvest practices developed and adopted
regional integrated fisheries management strategy, regional standards
by the national governments.
of fisheries harvest practices of commercial species, and the
b) Integrated regional fisheries management
establishment of a quota system based on regular joint stock
PI 1-5
years
strategy document developed and
assessments.
adopted
c) Institutional dialogue between regional
PI 1-5
years
fisheries agencies documented
d) Annual quotas set based on the results of
PI 1-5
years
regular joint stock assessments
1.3 Improve compliance, enforcement and monitoring mechanisms and
a) Establishment
of
a system of regional
PI 1-5
years
develop enforcement mechanisms and economic instruments for
fisheries inspection
protection of the sturgeon fishery and to reduce illegal catch and trade
b) Reduction in the level of illegal catch and
in accordance with CITES Paris Declaration
SRI 1-5
years
trade measured and verified by CITES
c) Establishment of legal and economic
PI 1-5
years
instruments to strengthen mechanisms to
reduce illegal catch and trade.
2 Rehabilitate stocks of
2.1 Conduct activities to identify, protect, restore and manage natural
a) Production of a periodic Caspian-wide
PI 1-5
years
migratory (sturgeon,
spawning grounds for sturgeon and other commercially valuable
inventory of natural spawning grounds.
inconnu, herring)
anadromous species, inter alia, within the framework of a regional
b) Agreement of restoration plans for natural
commercially valuable
integrated fisheries management strategy.
PI 1-5
years
spawning grounds, including financial
fish species.
plans for their management
c) At least 50% of key spawning grounds
SRI 5-10
years
restored, protected and maintained, i.e.,
in the Kura, Sefidrud, Anzali Wetlands,
Ural and Volga.
Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


E Q O I :
C O N S E RV AT I O N A N D S U ST A I NA BLE U S E O F B I O R E SO UR C E S

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
frame


d) Increase in numbers of fish using
ESI 5-10
years
spawning grounds.
2.2 Increase sturgeon hatchery efficiency and capacity through
a) Double amount of sturgeon fingerlings
SRI 5-10
years
improvement of bio-techniques and fry growth technology as well as
released from hatcheries from baseline
enhancing scales of their production.
year of 1998.
b) Increase of fingerling survival rate from
SRI 5-10
years
2002 rate of 2.5%.
c) Hatchery capacity built to maintain Brood
SRI 5-10
years
stocks.
2.3 Strengthen regional cooperation including scientific exchanges on
a) Regional gene bank established.
SRI 5-10
years
improving hatchery efficiency and the creation of a gene bank for
anadromous fish.
b) Hatcheries cooperation network created
PI 1-5
years
and knowledge transfer improved.
2.4 Increase aqua-culture of sturgeon and other commercially valuable
a) Doubling of aqua-culture production from
SRI 5-10
years
species
baseline year of 2002
3
Improve livelihoods in
3.1 Promote more selective fishing methods and small-scale aquaculture.
a) Policies and incentives introduced to
PI 1-5
years
coastal communities to
encourage use of selective fishing
reduce dependency on
methods
unsustainable fishing
b) Policies and incentives introduced to
practices
PI 5-10
years
encourage small scale aquaculture.
c) At least one functioning coastal
SRI 5-10
years
community small-scale aquaculture
scheme in each of the Caspian states.
3.2 Promote alternative income sources and the adoption sustainable
a) Programmes in place to promote
SRI 5-10
years
livelihoods in fishing communities.
alternative livelihoods in all coastal fishing
communities. Community revenue from
unsustainable fishing reduced to less
than 50% of the total.
b) Improved livelihoods in coastal fishing
SRI 5-10
years
communities as measured by increased
household incomes
Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


E Q O I :
C O N S E RV AT I O N A N D S U ST A I NA BLE U S E O F B I O R E SO UR C E S

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
frame
4 Rehabilitate stocks of
4.1 Conduct scientifically based surveys on the number and health of
a) Regionally published and agreed reports
PI 1-5
years
Caspian seal
Caspian seal stocks
on the status of the Caspian seal
population
4.2 Strengthen regional cooperation in Caspian seal research activities
a) International conferences on the Caspian
PI 1-5
years
seal attended by all five Caspian states
b) Documented evidence of joint surveys
PI 1-5
years
4.3 Draft and adopt regional management plan for the Caspian Seal
a) Regionally adopted Caspian Seal
PI 1-5
years
management plan
Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


E Q O I I :
C O N S E RV AT I O N O F BIO D I V E R SIT Y

EQO INDICATOR: ARREST BIODIVERSITY EROSION DUE TO ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACTS

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
frame
1 Increased
regional
1.1 Draft and adopt a Biodiversity Protocol to the Tehran Convention
a) Regionally adopted Biodiversity Protocol
PI 1-5
years
collaboration to
to the Tehran Convention.
achieve strengthened
1.2 Establish a regional biodiversity monitoring system.
a) Development and agreement of a
PI 1-5
years
protection for
regional biodiversity monitoring plan for
biodiversity.
marine habitats, species and sites
which are threatened.
b) Establishment of a network of equipped
SRI 5-10
years
biology laboratories staffed with trained
personnel
c) Production of regional bi-annual reports
ESI 5-10
years
on status of biodiversity of the Caspian.
1.3 Develop an international research programme on Caspian biodiversity
a) A bi-annual international scientific
PI 1-5
years

related issues.
conference of the health of the Caspian
ecosystem
b) Creation of a regional `clearing house
PI 1-5
years
mechanism' (CHM) for Caspian
biodiversity.
c) 50% increase in a number of international
PI 1-5
years
publications on Caspian biodiversity
related issues measured against a 2002
baseline
1.4 Ensure biodiversity issues and impacts are taken into account in all
a) Increased reference to biodiversity as a
PI 1-5
years
EIA and planning applications.
key issue in marine and coastal planning
/land use decision making documents.
2
Ensure all key
2.1 Identify and assess key threatened species status.
a) A regional Red Book published
PI 1-
5
years
threatened species are
containing a list of threatened key
maintained or restored
Caspian species and their status.
to viable levels.
2.2 Ensure adequate legal protection for key threatened species.
a) Development of new or strengthening of
PI 1-5
years
existing national & regional legislation for
the protection of key threatened species.
Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


E Q O I I :
C O N S E RV AT I O N O F BIO D I V E R SIT Y

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
frame


b) Improved enforcement of legislation for
SRI 1-5
years
the protection of threatened species, with
50% increase in prosecution cases won
and decisions carried out from a baseline
of 2002.
2.3 Provide improved in-situ and ex-situ protection for key threatened
a) A halt or slow down the decreasing trend
RSI 5-10
years
species.
of population numbers of key threatened
species from a baseline of 2002.
b) Expansion of the ranges of key
SRI 5-10
years
threatened species from a baseline of
2002.
c) Improved record of re-introduction of
SRI 5-10
years
native species and restoration of their
habitats.
2.4 Create a gene bank of key threatened species.
a) DNA of key threatened species deposited
PI 5-10
years
in gene bank.
Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


E Q O I I :
C O N S E RV AT I O N O F BIO D I V E R SIT Y

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
frame
3
Control of non-native
3.1 Regional commitment to the control of alien Species in Biodiversity
a) The issue of alien and invasive species is
PI 1-5
years
(alien) species and
Protocol and other appropriate regional agreements.
included in the Biodiversity Protocol to
management of impact
the Tehran Convention
of existing invasive
3.2 Development of regional procedures for the introduction and
a) Agreement
and
implementation of
PI 1-5
years
species.
management of alien species and control of invasive species in the
regional guidelines for the purposeful
Caspian.
introduction of alien species,
b) Conducting a transboundary EIA for
PI 1-5
years
introduced species.
3.3 Investigation of possible biological control measures to reduce the
a) Develop and implement a regional
SRI 1-5
years
impact of Mnemiopsis on the ecosystem of the Caspian and reach
management plan to decrease
regional agreement on the appropriate measures.
Mnemiopsis biomass to an acceptable
level.
3.4 Construction of one ballast water reception/treatment facility to control
a) A feasibility study of the development of
SRI 1-5
years
passage of invasive species via shipping routes.
ballast water reception/treatment facilities
at shipping routes to/from the Caspian
Sea
b) Decision on construction and construction
SRI 1-5
years
of the facility.
4
Ensure all key coastal
4.1 Create new and expand existing protected areas (including where
a) Expanded area of special habitats under
SRI 1-5
years
and marine habitats
necessary transboundary areas) to cover all special Caspian coastal
protection measured from 2002 baseline
are represented in the
and marine habitats
list of Special
4.2 Improve effectiveness of management of Caspian protected coastal
a) 50% increase in number of well trained
PI 5-10
years
Protected Areas of the
areas complying with existing legislation.
protected area wardens measured from
Caspian Sea
2002 baseline
(SPACS).
b) Development of SPACS management
SRI 1-5
years
plans incorporating modern protected
area management techniques.
c) Evidence of increased local community
SRI 1-5
years
involvement in SPACS management
decision making and implementation.
Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


E Q O I I :
C O N S E RV AT I O N O F BIO D I V E R SIT Y

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
frame

4.3 Creation of a regional communication network between SPACS
a) Improved regional communication among
PI 1-5
years
protected areas managers as evidenced
by regional meetings/conferences,
newsletters, annual reports etc.
4.4 Development of ecosystem management plans for the major rivers in
a) New ecosystem management plans
PI 5-10
years
the near Caspian basin as per paragraph 1.3.
agreed including improved minimum
flows for environmental needs.
5 Identify
and
restore
5.1 Develop and apply a standardized methodology for the assessment of
a) An ecosystem health map of the region's
PI 5-10
years
priority coastal
the environmental health of coastal habitats.
coastal habitats based on standardized
habitats.
assessment methodology.
5.2 Design, implement and monitor coastal habitat restoration projects.
a) Agreed and financed prioritized action
PI 5-10
years
plan for restoration of coastal habitats.
b) Restored and protected priority coastal
SRI 5-10
years
habitats in all five littoral states.
6 Identify
and
restore
6.1 Develop and apply a standardized methodology for assessing the
a) An ecosystem health map of the
PI 5-10
years
priority marine
health of marine habitats.
Caspian's marine habitats based on
habitats.
standardized assessment methodology.
6.2 Design, implement and monitor priority marine habitat restoration
a) Agreed and financed prioritized action
PI 5-10years
projects.
plan for restoration of marine habitats.
b) Restored and protected marine habitats
SRI 5-10
years
in all five littoral states.

Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


EQO II I:
I M P RO VE T H E W AT E R Q U A LI T Y O F T H E C ASP I A N

EQO INDICATOR: A MEASURABLE DECLINE IN LEVELS OF MAIN CONTAMINANT GROUPS IN THE WATERS, SEDIMENT AND BIOTA

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
Frame
1 Development
of
1.1 Develop and adopt a protocol to the Tehran Convention for land-based
a) Adopted protocol on land-based sources
PI 1-5
years
regional strategies for
sources of pollution
of pollution.
pollution reduction
1.2 Undertake a comprehensive land-based source assessment and
a) Land-based source assessment (point
PI 1-5
years
develop a regional action plan to remediate areas of pollution concern
and diffuse sources) leading to prioritized
identified.
listing of areas of pollution concern.
b) Development of an agreed action plan
PI 1-5
years
and prioritized investment programme.
c) Reduction in the pollution load by 20%.
SRI
5-10 years
d) Established a regional clean production
PI 5-10
years
center
1.3 Reduce pollution from existing and decommissioned onshore and
a) Hydrocarbon pollution from existing and
SRI 5-10
years
offshore oil and gas instal ations causing significant pollution.
decommissioned facilities reduced by
50% from the baseline of 2002.
1.4 Draft and adopt a protocol to the Tehran Convention on dumping at
a) Adopted protocol on dumping at sea.
PI
1-5 years
sea by vessels.
1.5 Establish ship waste reception/treatment facilities in all major ports.
a) Functional
waste
reception/treatment
SRI 5-10
years
facilities installed in all major ports with
standardized management practices and
enforcement.
1.6 Regional POPs/PTS Programme developed, agreed and implemented.
a) Endorsed regional plan, with national
PI 1-5
years
The work is to be coordinated with POPs enabling activities in
and international funding agreed.
Stockholm Convention signatory states.
b) Reduction in POPs/PTS pollution loading
SRI 5-10
years
by 50% from the baseline of 2002.
1.7 Develop and initiate implementations of the regional marine litter
a) Approved and initiated strategy
PI
1-5 years
control and mitigation strategy.
2 Strengthen
pollution
2.1 Develop at a regional level proposals for strengthening discharge
a) Regional proposals addressing the need
PI 1-5
years
prevention, monitoring
licensing, compliance monitoring and enforcement of pollution.
for enhanced management capacity of
and control measures
licensing, compliance monitoring and
in the littoral states.
enforcement of pollution discharges
agreed and enforced.
Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


EQO II I:
I M P RO VE T H E W AT E R Q U A LI T Y O F T H E C ASP I A N

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
Frame

2.2 Develop recommendations for harmonization of pollution discharge
a) Harmonized regional pollution discharge
PI 1-5
years
and emission, and water quality standards.
standards and water quality standards
adopted.
2.3 Develop and introduce economic instruments to encourage reduced
a) Regional economic instruments
SRI 5-10
years
pollution loads.
introduced and contributing to a reduction
in pollution loading of 10%
2.4 Reduce untreated discharges from coastal municipal sources
a) Install screening and primary treatment in
SRI 5-10
years
all settlements with a population greater
than 10,000
2.5 Undertake a survey of coastal zone to identify and characterize major
a) Coastal survey completed, with major
PI 1-5
years
contaminated land sites and develop strategy to tackle areas of
contaminants listed and remediation
pollution concern.
strategy agreed
2.6 Implement pilot projects to demonstrate the most cost effective
a) Functioning contaminants reclamation
SRI 5-10
years
reclamation technologies for a range of contaminants.
pilot projects in all five littoral countries.
3
Implement a regionally
3.1 Develop and implement a regional water quality monitoring programme
a) Implemented regional monitoring
SRI 1-
5
years
coordinated water
focused on critical contaminants and hotspots.
programme to focus on certain
quality monitoring
contaminants and hotspots, with
programme.
information exchange among relevant
bodies, standardized monitoring
protocols, including baseline contaminant
levels.
3.2 Provide report on contaminant levels in Caspian every three years, and
a) Production of standardized reports on
PI 1-5
years

make proposals for remedial actions.
regional contaminant levels with
concrete, realistic and cost effective
proposals for remedial action to reduce
impacts where needed, based on
baseline contaminant levels.
3.3 Develop and implement a research programme into the phenomena of
a) Guideline on actions needed to address
PI 1-5
years
Anomalous Algal Blooms in the Caspian
root causes of Anomalous Algal Blooms
in the coastal and off-shore waters of the
Caspian
Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


EQO II I:
I M P RO VE T H E W AT E R Q U A LI T Y O F T H E C ASP I A N

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
Frame

3.4 Establish a regional monitoring programme for recreational waters.
a) Establish a blue flag labeling and award
PI 1-5
years
programme for Caspian beaches and
recreational waters with results published
nationally and internationally
4 Disaster
prevention
4.1 Finalize and approve national oil spill contingency plans and harmonize
a) Operational national oil spill contingency
PI 1-5
years
and response.
with mutual aid industry plans.
plans, harmonized with the industry
mutual aid plans.
4.2 Draft and adopt a Protocol to the Tehran Convention Concerning
a) Protocol
adopted
PI
1-5
years
Regional Preparedness, Response and Co-operation in combating oil
pollution incidents
4.3 Develop and implement under a Memorandum of Understanding the
a) First regional exercises to test Regional
PI 1-5
years
Regional Oil Spill Preparedness and Cooperation Plan.
Cooperation Plan
4.4 Update sensitive areas mapping of the Caspian for inclusion in the
a) Sensitive areas mapped and information
PI 1-5
years
national and regional plans.
made available on Internet to relevant
local, national, regional and international
bodies.
4.5 Development of regional contingency plan for spills of hazardous
a) Contingency plan developed and adopted
PI
1-5 years
substances other then oil
4.6 Undertake risk assessment for oil and hazardous substances spillage
a) National and regional plans amended to
PI 1-5
years
from shipping, pipelines, offshore and onshore production and storage
take account of the results of risk
facilities.
assessment
b) Risk assessment includes full information
PI 1-5
years
about annual ship movements
4.7 Promote the development of regional agreements for liability and
a) Draft agreements developed with input
PI 1-5
years
compensation in the event of oil and other hazardous substance spills.
from oil industry, relevant ministries, and
international organizations and adopted
by the littoral states.
4.8 Develop regional agreement on minimum standards of maintenance of
a) Endorsed agreement.
SRI
5 -10 years
existing tanker fleet.
4.9 Development of a Natural Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Plan
a) Development of a relief plan for victims of
PI 1-5
years
for the Caspian Sea
earthquakes and Tsunamis.
b) Flood evacuation plans developed for
PI 1-5
years
susceptible coastal areas
Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


EQO II I:
I M P RO VE T H E W AT E R Q U A LI T Y O F T H E C ASP I A N


Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

---

A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


E QO I V:
S U ST A I NA BLE D E VE L O P M E NT O F C O A ST A L Z O N E S

EQO INDICATOR: MEASURABLE AND SUSTAINED INCREASE IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDICIES IN THE CASPIAN COASTAL AREAS



Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
frame
1
Sustainable use and
1.1 Strengthen, as needed, national regulation on coastal area planning
a) Have in place improved, cost effective
PI 1-5
years
management of
and management.
and environmentally conscious national
coastal areas through
regulations on coastal area planning and
integrated coastal area
management.
management.
1.2 Strengthen technical capacity at local and municipal government level
a) Increased number of trained and skilled
PI 1-5
years
for coastal planning and introduce economic instruments to promote
local and municipal staff.
rational land use.
b) Developed and implemented economic
PI 1-5
years
instruments aiming at efficient and wise
land use in coastal areas.
1.3 Develop regional databases including GIS for coastal planning and
a) Functional regional GIS database for use
PI 1-5
years
management.
by coastal planning authorities.
1.4 Develop regional guidelines for pilot integrated coastal area
a) Results from pilot projects published and
SRI & PI
1-5 years
management planning and undertake a pilot project in each Caspian
regional guidelines on integrated coastal
state.
area management planning for the
Caspian adopted.
1.5 Development of eco tourism pilot projects based on existing and
a) Five small scale eco-tourism project in
SRI 1-5
years
successful models from other regions
Caspian that feature information
exchange and are open to the public.
2 Combat
the
2.1 Where necessary, strengthen legislation to combat desertification and
a) Improved deforestation and
PI 1-5
years
desertification and
deforestation
desertification control legislation in place
deforestation process.
in all five littoral states
2.2 Apply remote sensing and GIS techniques to monitor trends in
a) GIS Database established and regional
PI 1-5
years
desertification and deforestation in the Caspian region.
reports and reviews produced on bi-
annual basis.
2.3 In critical desertification and deforestation areas, develop and
a) Results from pilot projects published and
PI 5-10
years
implement pilot projects designed to address root causes.
used to develop guidelines for protection
of coastal forest and desert areas.
2.4 In threatened coastal forest areas introduce economic instruments and
a) A 40% reduction in wood fuel
SRI 5-10
years
alternatives to reduce wood consumption, including use of wood fuel.
consumption in coastal forest areas from
the 2002 baseline.
Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


E QO I V:
S U ST A I NA BLE D E VE L O P M E NT O F C O A ST A L Z O N E S

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
frame


b) A 40% reduction in rate of coastal area
SRI 5-10
years
deforestation
2.5 In threatened desert areas conduct targeted awareness campaigns on
a) A 40% reduction in over grazing in
SRI 5-10
years
sustainable grazing practices.
coastal areas from the 1990 baseline.
3
Develop and initiate
3.1 Assess the current knowledge about the occurrence, flow and quality,
a) GIS datasets and maps developed
PI
1-5 years
implementation of
including pollution, of groundwater, including its interaction with the
b) Monitoring programme approved and
PI 1-5
years
strategies for
Caspian Sea; and devise a programme for coordinated groundwater
implemented
managing groundwater
monitoring
3.2 Carry out a review of legal and institutional framework for managing
a) Recommended adjustments to the legal
PI 1-5
years
groundwater; and make adjustments to reflect current needs, as
and institutional framework adopted.
necessary
3.3 Design a regional programme of groundwater management measures,
a) Endorsement by competent authorities in
PI 1-5
years
as necessary.
the littoral states.
3.4 Implement demonstration of sound groundwater management
a) Completion of pilot projects
SRI
1-5 years
4
Develop and initiate
4.1 Undertake an assessment of coastal vulnerability to sea level rises and
a) Caspian report on vulnerability to sea
PI 1-5
years
implementation of
potential economic losses.
level rises.
strategies for
4.2 Development of a set of sea level fluctuation scenarios accounting for
a) Agreed set of sea level fluctuations
PI 1-5
years
management of Sea
climate change over the next fifty years.
planning scenarios.
level rises.
4.3 Development of regional guidelines for adaptive management for sea
a) Guidelines
adopted.
PI
1-5
years
level fluctuation and climate change.
5 Promote
5.1 Establish and promote best practice recommendations for the use of
a) Recommendations developed and
PI 1-5
years
environmentally sound
agro chemicals, including application times and rates, handling,
disseminated throughout region to
agricultural practices in
storage and disposal.
relevant stakeholders.
the Caspian region.
5.2 Demonstrate through pilot projects environmentally sound agricultural
a) Functioning
environmental
conservation
SRI 5-10
years
practices such as soil conservation, creation of surface and
demonstration projects addressing
groundwater protection zones, use of natural fertilizers and use of pest
agricultural sector in all five littoral
resistant crop strains.
countries.
5.3 Combat eutrophication in sensitive coastal zones by controlling soil
a) Reduction in nutrient loading by 30% in
SRI 5-10
years
and water contamination from agriculture and other nutrient sources.
critical areas from a 2002 baseline.

Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


EQO V:
STRENGTHEN CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN CASPIAN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

EQI INDICATOR:
ENHANCED INVOLVEMENT OF STAKEHOLDERS IN THE NCAP AND SAP IMPLEMENTATION

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
frame
1 Increased
participation 1.1 Establish a Caspian NGO Forum to provide support and guidance for
a) NGO Forum with participation of national
PI 1-
5
years
of public in coastal
improving civil society involvement and strengthening of environmental
and international NGOs throughout the
communities as well
NGO Networks
Caspian region
as stakeholders of
1.2 Implementation of the endorsed Caspian Public Participation Strategy
a) Increased public awareness on
PI 1-5
years
Caspian countries in
through its incorporation in the National Caspian Action Programmes
environmental issues
management of
(NCAPs)
Caspian environment
b) Increased participation of public in
PI 1-5
years
different steps of decision making, policy
formulation, implementation and
monitoring of activities to be undertaken
for the Caspian Sea
1.3 Create a press bureau to improve country, regional and international
a) Functioning of press bureau and
PI 1-5
years
awareness of the Caspian environmental issues and encourage the
increased number and quality of articles
media to participate in the dissemination of information
published on the Caspian environment in
all national languages
b) Established networks between media and
PI 1-5
years
civil society groups
1.4 Provide regular training to journalists in order to strengthen
a) Number of environmental sections in
PI 1-5
years
environmental journalism and improve media coverage of
major newspapers and environmental
environmental issues
TV/radio programs in major networks is
produced
1.5 Create a Caspian Environment Information/Communication/Education
a) Functioning Caspian Environment
PI 1-10
years
Centers to provide information to public on Caspian environmental
Information/Communication/Education
issues
Centers
b) Developed Web-pages in all national
PI 1-10
years
languages
1.6 Development of academic curriculum materials focusing on Caspian
a) New elements included in primary,
PI 1-5
years
environmental issues and promotion of academic partnerships at
secondary and tertiary schools in coastal
school and university levels
communities in the region
1.7 University level curricula developed for ecology and environmental
a) Exchange of academic programs and
PI 1-5
years
science in conjunction with international institutions featuring Caspian
conferences in all Caspian countries
issues
focusing on Caspian ecology
Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


EQO V:
STRENGTHEN CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN CASPIAN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
frame


b) Increase in number of academic
PI 1-5
years
partnerships recorded in Caspian
universities & institutions
1.8 Establish media and film festivals in conjunction with NGO Forum, on
a) Five documentaries in national languages
PI 1-5
years
Caspian ecology to focus on the links between human behavior and
is selected from competition and aired on
natural ecosystem functions
television stations of coastal communities
1.9 Set up a fund for micro-grants addressing coastal community
a) Number of awarded micro-grants to
PI 1-5
years
development schemes and local environmental issues, in partnership
develop coastal community schemes
with the private sector and international donor community
1.10 Establishment of "Caspian Day" and develop specific awareness
a) Number of newspaper articles,
PI 1-5
years
raising for specific target groups
environmental contests, posters,
brochures, informational materials and
media coverage
1.11 Set up "Friends of Caspian" programme with annual competition for
b) Number of applicants for "Friends of
SRI 1-5
years
local, national and international companies of facility that has achieved
Caspian" over the first five years of
the most concrete gains in protection of the Caspian environment in
operation
the previous year, in at least two levels (national and international) on
the territory of coastal region.
Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


EQO V:
STRENGTHEN CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN CASPIAN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
frame
2 Increase
local,
2.1 Develop awareness training programmes on environmental issues for
a) Number of organized environmental
PI 1-5
years
regional and
local authorities, and national ministries, through Caspian Environment
training programmes for local authorities,
governmental
Information/Communication/Education Centers emphasizing the
and national ministries.
authorities
environmental evaluation techniques.
understanding the
2.2 Implement national EIA procedures for all appropriate Caspian project
a) Application of EIA in development of
PI 1-5
years
importance of
developments, including provisions for public participation, and
transbounday projects decisions making
environmental issues
encourage all littoral countries to sign ESPOO Convention.
process and increased number of public
and increase their
meetings.
involvement in project
implementation
b) Inclusion in EIA procedures specific
PI 1-5
years
guidelines addressing Caspian
environment concerns
2.3 Hold biennial mayoral conferences sponsored by national and
a) Regular [biennial] mayoral conferences
PI 1-5
years
international partners to foster networking among coastal local
held and environmentally focused
authorities and enhance their participation in implementing Caspian
networks established
environmental policies
2.4 Development of training programmes for land/property agents,
a) Training materials in national languages
PI 1-5
years
construction firms, regional, district and national level planning
is distributed
agencies on importance of coastal sustainable development practices
b) Workshops on sustainable development
PI 1-5
years
with concrete examples of sustainable development projects.
strategies is organized
2.5 Development of training programmes for regional and municipal
a) Training materials in national languages
PI 1-5
years
authorities on modern techniques for waste water and municipal waste
is distributed
treatment
b) Workshops on modern municipal waste
PI 1-5
years
treatment techniques is organized
2.6 Create targeted awareness building campaigns for ministerial
a) Informational materials are distributed to
PI 1-5
years
authorities and regional administration involved in inter alia: agriculture,
Ministries and regional administrations.
fisheries, transportation natural resource management
Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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A N N E X 2 : I N T E R V E N T IO N S A N D T H E C O R R E S P ON D I N G I N D I C A T O R S


EQO V:
STRENGTHEN CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN CASPIAN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Indicator
Time-
Target Intervention
Indicator
type
frame
3 Develop
active
3.1 Promote environmental partnerships between NGO, government and
a) Enhanced activities of multiple
PI 1-5
years
partnerships between
private sector to address specific Caspian issues by implementation of
stakeholder group partnerships to
Caspian NGO Forum,
Caspian Public Participation Strategy.
address Caspian environmental issues
local and multinational
b) Number of Memorandum of
PI 1-5
years
enterprises and other
Understandings signed between
stakeholders in the
stakeholders
region
3.2 Develop Stakeholder Dialogue Groups at national level and exchange
a) Regular meetings are organized and
PI 1-5
years
experience at regional level to improve dialogue opportunities for
facilitated 2-3 times per year to
stakeholder groups who may be in conflict natural resource
encourage discussions and exchange of
management
information
3.3 Develop a programme to encourage implementation of cleaner
a) A significant increase in number of
PI/SRI 1-5
years
technologies by local industries corresponding to ISO 14000
coastal industries installing new, cleaner
technologies (to be assessed in
conjunction with EQO III intervention 1.4).
3.4 Provide a basic ecology training course for local coastal enterprises
a) Delivery of number of training courses to
PI 1-5
years
and targeted populations emphasizing win-win scenarios and sound
enterprises of all sizes.
environmental stewardship
b) Number of win-win scenarios developed
PI 1-5
years
by local projects

Indicator Types:

PI Process
Indicator
SRI
Stress Reduction Indicator
ESI
Environmental Status Indicator

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