A working meeting of representatives from Caspian littoral states was held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone to address environmental security and the sustainable use of Caspian Sea resources. The event was organized by Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Caspian Sea Institute, Turkmenistan’s official media reported on Wednesday.

Delegations from the relevant ministries and agencies of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia participated. The main focus was on strengthening cooperation in environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and implementing nature preservation initiatives in the region.

Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov emphasized the importance of coordinating efforts among Caspian states based on decisions made at regional leaders’ summits. He highlighted Turkmenistan’s active role in advancing the environmental agenda and sustainable development of the Caspian Sea.

Of the 32 developing landlocked countries (LLDCs) worldwide, 16 are in Africa, 10 in Asia, 4 in Europe, and 2 in Latin America. According to the United Nations, LLDCs are home to more than 500 million people, accounting for roughly 7% of the global population.