FIRST ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

Dear Colleagues,

The Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) has organised its first Round Table Discussion yesterday. The discussion has been dedicated to the Caspian Sea issues, its Deterioration and Recovery.

14 leading officials from environmental bodies, the State Committee for Ecology and Environment Protection, the Azerbaijani Academy of Science, the Azerbaijani Institute of Fish Industry, businesses, SOCAR, BP and Statoil, leading environmental NGOs, IWACO and CEP, and 10 observers from UNDP and local press have raised and discussed the Caspian Environment problems.

The Round Table Discussion has been organised jointly by the CEP and the state Radio / TV company with the purpose of addressing issues relating to the Caspian Sea environment, promoting public awareness about international and national efforts toward recovering and rehabilitation of the Caspian Sea environment, and strengthening cooperation between participants attending the discussion. The participants have discussed the Eco-condition of the Caspian Sea, emphasizing the Baku Bay and the Azerbaijani coastal zone, Pollution and deterioration of the Caspian environment and its resources, Recovery and rehabilitation of the Caspian Environment, and Public involvement in solving environmental issues.

 The Round Table Discussion has been recorded and will be broadcasted in Russian on November 25 and 28th, between 7.30 - 8.00 P.M. and 3.10 - 3.40 P.M. correspondingly through radio FM 103.

 The opinions expressed by the Round Table Discussion participants do not necessarily coincide with the official opinion of the Caspian Environment Programme.

Best wishes