Caspian Sea’s Strategic and Economic Vitality Reaffirmed at Iranian Conference

A ceremony marking Caspian Sea Day was held in Tehran, attended by Shina Ansari, head of Iran’s Department of Environment, Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs of Iran and a number of officials and experts.

During the event, speakers highlighted the environmental, economic, and strategic importance of the Caspian Sea and discussed the role of the body of water in the region’s history and security, particularly during the Iran-Iraq War.

Participants also emphasized the Caspian Sea’s importance to the people and countries of the region, stressing the need to protect this valuable ecosystem and strengthen cooperation among the Caspian littoral states.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs of Iran stressed: "the security of the Caspian Sea and the prohibition of a military presence by non-littoral states have been emphasized by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the other Caspian littoral states. This issue is important because the Caspian Sea should not become an arena for competition or the presence of powers from outside the region."

The littoral states are capable of, and should be able to, discuss and make decisions about the security, stability, and future of the Caspian Sea themselves. The Caspian can and should serve as an example of a regional security framework shaped by the countries of the region and for the countries of the region, he said.

Shina Ansari, Head of Iran's Department of Environment, said: "For the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Caspian Sea is not merely a body of water; it is a part of our historical, cultural, and economic national identity.The three provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan have intertwined their social life and livelihood with this sea.Millions of Iranians benefit from its bounties, both directly and indirectly.Therefore, protecting the Caspian Sea is not a political or temporary choice for us, but rather an intergenerational responsibility."

With the approval of the coastal states, groundwork has been laid for the seventh Conference of the Parties to the Tehran Convention, to be held in Tehran. The gathering is set to take place on September 23, with senior officials from all five littoral states in attendance.