The 1st International Volunteer Week “Caspian Sea Action Week – 2026” was held in Aktau

The “International Volunteer Action Week on the Caspian Sea – 2026 – Caspian Sea Action Week – 2026” kicked off in Aktau, Kazakhstan, on August 6, 2026. A delegation from Turkmenistan, consisting of five representatives from civil society organizations—PAE “Tebigy Kuwwat,” the Aarhus Centre in Turkmenistan, and “Dap Dessur” (Mary city)—arrived at the forum at the invitation of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Upon crossing the border of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the Temir Baba checkpoint, the delegates received a warm welcome featuring shubat (chal) and baursaks, organized by the staff of the Youth Resource Center under the Akimat of the city of Zhanaozen, Mangystau Region. From the border checkpoint to the hotel in Aktau, the vehicle carrying the guests from Turkmenistan was escorted by a traffic police patrol. Furthermore, in front of the hotel in Aktau, volunteers in national attire welcomed the guests from Turkmenistan with baursaks, shubat, and the live sounds of the national musical instrument, the dombra.

The forum brought together over 100 participants from 8 countries: Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It is worth noting that representatives of volunteer organizations from many regions of Kazakhstan attended the forum.

At the very beginning of the opening ceremony, held on August 6, 2026, at Rixos Water World Aktau, the forum participants were shown a video about the growing problems of the Caspian Sea, followed by the national anthem of the Republic of Kazakhstan performed by a children’s choir. The Akim of the Mangystau Region, Nurdaulet Kilybay, opened the forum with a welcoming speech. The attendees were also greeted by Mahir Aliyev, Coordinator of the Tehran Convention, and Mr. Kairat Kambarov, Chairman of the Committee of Youth and Family Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

This was followed by a short show program featuring vibrant color laser installations and performances by the renowned pianist Ratovich, pop singers, and dance ensembles. Notably, on the opening day, samples of water from the Caspian Sea, brought by delegations from the Caspian countries, were presented in vessels.

During the first half of the second day, a round table titled “Joint Scientific Research – the Key to Solving Current Problems of the Caspian Sea” was held. This event coincided with the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the Tehran Convention, which aims to protect the Caspian ecosystem from pollution. The meeting was moderated by the First Deputy Akim of the Mangystau Region, Askhat Razdykovich Oralov. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Mansur Tursynovich Ashurbayev, Vice-Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Kairat Kambarov; Mahir Aliyev; Vera Alexandrovna Kim, Deputy of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chairwoman of the National Volunteer Network; and Thomas Price, UNOPS Advisor for the “Blueing the Caspian Sea” project.

Sakhetmyrat Mammedov, Head of the Scientific Department of the Khazar State Nature Reserve of Turkmenistan, delivered a report on the current state of affairs on the Caspian coast of Turkmenistan. He noted that on August 12, an international scientific conference and exhibition would take place in the “Awaza” national tourist zone in the city of Turkmenbashi, with the participation of international partners (UNDP, FAO, EU, GIZ, OSCE) as well as the heads of all diplomatic missions of the Caspian states. “I am confident that today’s exchange of experience in the field of hydrometeorological and hydrological research will be another step in realizing the principle ‘One Caspian – One Future’,” added S. Mammedov.

After a short break, the first thematic session dedicated to hydrometeorological and ecological research of the Caspian Sea commenced. Its first part was moderated by Daulet Yesmagambetov, Director of the Department of Ecological Culture and Policy of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Nemat Gasanov, Senior Advisor of the Caspian Complex Ecological Monitoring Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, delivered an online report on the environmental security of the Caspian Sea, comprehensive monitoring of the water area, and modern coastal zone protection systems. Andrey Kostyanoy, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Professor at the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, provided an overview of the interannual variability of the Caspian Sea level and its forecasting. Petr Zavyalov, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Doctor of Geographical Sciences, spoke about the features of coastal circulation in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea based on field measurement data. Thomas Price presented the Global Environment Facility project “Caspian Sea Ecosystem Recovery: Capacity Building in Pollution Management and Biodiversity Conservation” — “Blueing the Caspian Sea.”

The second half of August 7 at the International Volunteer Week was dedicated to the “Caspian Team Building” event, which took place on the seashore at the O’Mir Glamping ethno-hotel. All participants were divided into four teams and created their own logos and slogans. The delegates from Turkmenistan were on the same team as participants from Kazakhstan and Russia. The team’s creative logo, designed in the style of volunteer symbolism with the abbreviation CIT (Caspian International Team), was complemented by the slogan “Sun, air, and water – our countries are friends forever!” The goal of this competition was to unite the delegates, help them learn more about each other, and become a single team. Although there were four teams competing against each other, an atmosphere of friendship, respect, and joy prevailed on the sandy beach by the sea.

After numerous competitions, the teams enjoyed swimming in the sea, and during dinner at a seaside restaurant, distinctive certificates were awarded to the teams. The CIT team, which included representatives from Turkmenistan, was awarded a Certificate as the most creative team. In the concluding part of the program during dinner, country presentations took place. Most countries demonstrated national dances. The Turkmen delegates, wearing national costumes, performed the famous Kushdepdi dance. The dancers ignited the audience with their skill so much that many joined in the dancing!

The culmination of an action-packed day was a gathering of all teams and organizers at a focal point around a campfire. In such a cozy and friendly atmosphere, the forum delegates shared stories, exchanged their vivid impressions, and sang national and well-known popular songs.

Berkeli Atayev.