Introduction: Caspian Regional Thematic Center on Biodiversity will be based, in its activity, on institutions possessing data on biodiversity. CRTC will act on the basis of working groups established in literal countries collaborating with international experts.

Objectives:

CRTC on biodiversity will develop program and technical support aimed at protection of biodiversity of Caspian Sea, in compliance of provisions of Convention on biodiversity. It will ensure data collection on the status and alteration of biodiversity of Caspian Sea. It will present survey on the status of ecosystems, evaluate their value and factors threatening to biodiversity of the Caspian region. It will assure preparation of national reports on biodiversity status on the basis of single structure. It will prepare regional survey on the status of Caspian biodiversity. It will establish unified data base, provide communication with all experts and participants of the programme. It will develop Caspian Red Book on the basis of analysis of National Red Books. It will make survey on the conditions of protected territories and work out regional strategy of the evolvement of protected territories. It will facilitate the development of investment plan for biodiversity conservation and fund raising.

Main Actions:

• Develop CRTC working plan.
• Ensure collaboration with other CRTCs and experts.
• Define scope of work CRTC on biodiversity.
• Conduct training of working groups.
• Develop strategy and action plan relevant to biodiversity.
• Make Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis on biodiversity problems of the region.
• Work out Priority Investments Portfolio for biodiversity theme.
• Ensure reliable communications with Intersection Coordination Committees and Project Coordination Unit (PCU).
• Establish information network and provide with mechanism of awareness of all stake holders of CEP and public.
• Develop framework of data bases on biodiversity and systems of their management