Iran (IMNA) – Speaking at an extraordinary Environmental Summit of the Heads of Caspian Sea Littoral States in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Friday, Pezeshkian said the initiative should be pursued within the framework of the Tehran Convention. He stressed that no single country could save the inland body of water on its own.
The Iranian president also welcomed the summit’s decision to establish a high-level commission comprising the deputy heads of government of the Caspian littoral states to address issues concerning the sea.
Highlighting the multiple crises facing the world, including geopolitical rivalries, wars, unilateral sanctions, and the absence of multilateralism, Pezeshkian emphasized that environmental cooperation could serve as a vital link in building trust and strengthening convergence among regional countries.
He stated that the environment must not become a victim of political and economic rivalries or interference from outside the region. Instead, he called on the littoral states to determine the Caspian Sea’s future by drawing on their own scientific, technical, financial, and human resources within a framework of regional cooperation.
Pezeshkian identified the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, widely known as the Tehran Convention and signed in 2003, as the most important legally binding regional mechanism for protecting and preserving the Caspian Sea environment.
Referring to the countries’ historic responsibility toward one of the world’s most valuable natural heritages, he warned against overlooking the serious and growing threats facing the sea. These include declining water levels, climate change, rising air and water temperatures, oil and industrial pollution, and the destruction of natural habitats.
According to the president, the Caspian Sea is an interconnected ecosystem in which damage to one part affects the entire body of water. Addressing these challenges therefore requires shared political will and coordinated action among the littoral states, while fully respecting one another’s national sovereignty and legitimate interests.
Pezeshkian urged the summit participants to demonstrate to future generations that the Caspian littoral states had stood together and cooperated to save the sea in the face of a shared crisis.
He added that the need for environmental diplomacy was greater than ever, noting that the Caspian Sea could become a successful example of countries working together to protect their common interests.
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