Caspian environment forum starts

A two-day Caspian Environment Program Investments and Donors Forum, organized by the World Bank (WB) and the Azerbaijan Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources started in Baku on Friday. The event is attended by representatives of the Caspian states’ ministries of finance, economics, energy and ecology, the private sector and international organizations.

On Friday the forum was chaired by the Azeri Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Husyen Baghirov. He said that environmental problems are negatively affecting both the Absheron peninsula and all areas of Azerbaijan, their, the environmental protection of the Caspian is one of the priority areas for the country’s government.

Caspian environmental protection is possible only with the joint effort by all littoral states. Considering this, an international organization called Caspian Environment Program was set up.

The Caspian states discussed at the forum priority trends in their activity, financing problems, investment climate and the work done within the National Caspian Action Plans.

An official from the Ministry Raisim Sattarzada said $300 million is required to implement the Action Plans and that $71 million has already been spent for the purpose.

On Saturday, the forum participants are expected to present priority projects on drawing investments and donor aid to addressing Caspian environmental problems.