Caspian Sea washes territories of 5 states (Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan). More than 11 millions people live in the coastal area (7000 km in length). Infrastructure is well developed, energy and oil extraction sectors of economy are dominating.

Sea level rise, which have begun since 1970s, contemporized with intensive pace of assimilation of oil and gas fields. Increase of the square of the sea by 40 thousands sq. km., adversely affected on social-economic conditions of riparian states. The damage caused by sea level fluctuation, water contamination and biological diversity loss in the Caspian region is counted in millions US dollars.

The problems of Kazakh sector as well as other literal states, have its own peculiarities, what is stipulated by geographic position, natural and social-economic properties.

Coastal line of Kazakhstan goes through north-eastern coast of Caspian Sea. (length is 2.3 thousands km.). Coastal areas of Kazakhstan (Atirau and Mangistau districts) occupy 284.2 thousands sq.km., with population – 800.8 thousands persons. Their economy is mainly oriented for oil and gas production, potential reserves of which is 2.1 billions tons, their refining and fishery.

Out of 124 fish species inhabiting in Caspian Sea, almost all of them are present in Kazakh waters, 5 types of fishes are included in Kazakhstan Red Book (caspian lamprey, caspian salmon).

Kazakh sector is dwelling place for numerous mammals species (56), invertebrates and plants. More than 278 bird species spend winter here, out of which 36 species are included in Kazakhstan Red Book.

Eastern coast of the sea is conterminous with endless clay desert (Usturt plateau) - the dwelling place of moufflon, oytred gazelle, saiga, falcons, water area of Northern Sea, including food-lands of Ural river, has the status of protected area.

Conservation of biological diversity of Kazakh sector of Caspian Sea and its coastal zone is an important component of stability of the overall environmental system of the region.

• Destabilization of aquatic and coastal ecosystems of Caspian Sea.
• Decline of species variety (in-situ, ex-situ).
• Reduction of squares of natural inhabiting place of flora and fauna.
• Decrease of genetic fund of agricultural plants and animals.
• Lack of equilibrium between utilization and reproduction of biological resources.

• Caspian Sea level fluctuation
• Contamination of the environment caused by anthropogenic activity
• Predatory extraction of biological resources (excessive catch, smugling)
• Imperfection of normative-legal base.
• Lack of optimal management system.
• Imperfection of mechanisms for regional ineraction.
• Insufficient public awareness.

• Rehabilitation of marine and coastal ecosystems.
• Preservation of biological diversity (in-situ, ex-situ).
• Rehabilitation of natural inhabiting places.
• Balanced utilization of biological resources.
• Development of normative-legal frameworks.
• Evolvement of regional partnership.

• Trasnboundary Diagnostic Analysis of biodiversity status.
• Development of national and regional strategies and action plan for biodiversity conservation.
• Development of normative-legal basis for extraction and protection of bioresources.
• Creation of national and unified regional data bases on the status of biological resources of the region.
• Organization of monitoring system.
• Ensuring public awareness.
• Preparation of pilot projects for rehabilitation and protection of ecosystems of rare and endangered species.

All actions that we propose regarding to biodiversity preservation are consistent with conceptual provisions of European Strategy with respect to biological and landscape diversity. Conceptions on conservation and balanced utilization of biological diversity includes the principles of: Conventions on preservation of migratory species, Ramsar Convention, Agreement on Preservation of Afro-Eurasian migratory waterfowls birds, and Bazel declaration.

Common basis of all nature protection conventions and strategies is preservation of biodiversity, sustainable utilization of its components and joint receipt of benefits on fair and equal basis.

International cooperation implies on responsibility carried by every state, so that the activities within their jurisdiction should harm environment of other states and regions outside of territory of national jurisdiction effectiveness.

In this view, GEF project “Resolution of Transboundary Problems” can be considered as specific implementation of measures proposed in international conceptual documents on a regional basis.

Considered in this project, main directions for liquidation of oil contamination, emergency response, preservation of Caspian ecosystems are priorities for Kazakhstan and are included in the development strategy 2030 in Environment and Natural Resources section, Short-term Strategic Plan up till year of 2000, National Action Plan for Environmental Protection.

In accordance with CEP implementation stages, the following measures have been undertaken in Kazakhstan:

• CEP structure is established. Coordination function is fulfilled by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection (National Focal Point of CEP is the Minister).
• Executive body is Committee NEC/SD on Problems of Caspian Sea and Oil-Gas Pollution. Working programs of the Committee are agreed upon and approved.
• There have been established interaction relations with international institutions, countries – participants, Programme Coordination Unit, Caspian Regional Thematic Centers as well as ministries, local executive bodies and NGOs.

Implementation of this programme is based on fulfillment of works in thematic directions. (Transparency).