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  12 session -> Recommendations 12 Session

COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON HYDROMETEOROLOGY
AND POLLUTION MONITORING OF THE CASPIAN SEA

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 12th SESSION

 

The 12th Session of Coordinating Committee on Hydrometeorology and Pollution Monitoring of the Caspian Sea (CASPCOM) was held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, 17-18 December 2007. Representatives of NHMSs from Azerbaijan Republic, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Russian Federation as well as from World Meteorological Organization and the Caspian Environment Programme participated in the Session.

The main results of activities of Coordinating Committee on Hydrometeorology and Pollution Monitoring of the Caspian Sea in 2006-2007 are as follows:

  • Report “Socio-Economic Efficiency of Information on the Caspian Sea Level” prepared by the CASPCOM Working Group, presented at the International Conference in Madrid, March 2007;
  • Updated information on the status of hydrometeorological network in the Caspian Sea presented on CASPCOM website, General Catalogue of the Caspian Sea Level and Annual Reference Guide on Hydrometeorological Regime of the Caspian Sea (mock-up versions);
  • National achievements in the field of hydrometeorology and pollution monitoring of the Caspian Sea, which present the basis for enhancing cooperation between NHMSs and improving its efficiency.

 

1. CASPCOM activities and national activities towards solving high priority problems in hydrometeorology and pollution monitoring of the Caspian Sea (Agenda Items ## 2, 3)

Having assessed positively CASPCOM activities as well as national activities in solving high priority problems in hydrometeorology and pollution monitoring of the Caspian Sea in 2006-2007, the Session recommended as follows:

1.1. To display NHMSs’ reports on national activities in solving high priority problems in hydrometeorology and pollution monitoring of the Caspian Sea presented at CASPCOM-12, on the CASPCOM website;
1.2. To establish CASPCOM Editorial Group incorporating one representative from each NHMS as well as CASPAS Coordinator (Annex 1);
1.3. Representatives of NHMSs – members of the Editorial Group are to prepare and submit to CASPAS Coordinator the national reports for displaying on the CASPCOM website;
1.4. NHMSs that have not yet submitted materials for creating the interactive map on hydrometeorological network at the Caspian Sea are to forward information to CASPAS Coordinator;
1.5. CASPCOM Editorial Group is to prepare review of national studies on the climate of the Caspian region, to be presented at the next CASPCOM Session;
1.6. NHMSs are to prepare suggestions on activities aimed to draw attention of World Community to the Caspian Sea as a nature laboratory for studying global climate change, to be discussed at the next CASPCOM Session.

 

2. Status of reconciliation process and preparedness for signing the “Agreement on cooperation between the Caspian states in the field of the Caspian Sea hydrometeorology ” in the Caspian states (Agenda Item # 5)

Having considered amendments to the Draft “Agreement on cooperation between the Caspian states in the field of the Caspian Sea hydrometeorology ” suggested by NHMSs, the Session recommended as follows:

2.1. With the aim of preparing a unified text of the Draft Agreement to be reconciled by all NHMSs:
2.1.1. To take the wording of the Draft Agreement prepared by Roshydromet, as a basis;
2.1.2. NHMSs are to forward to CASPAS Coordinator, by the end of January 2008, their amendments and comments on the text submitted by Roshydromet;
2.1.3. CASPAS Coordinator, jointly with Roshydromet, is to draft integrated text of the Agreement and forward it, by the end of February 2008, to NHMSs for ultimate approval with the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs;
2.1.4. The decision on the number of signatory states is to be suspended until Turkmenistan position on this subject is clarified.

2.2. With the aim of clarification of Turkmenistan position in regard to “Agreement on cooperation between the Caspian states in the field of the Caspian Sea hydrometeorology ”:
2.2.1. CASPCOM Chairman is to forward the Draft Agreement to Turkmenhydromet requesting to submit it for reconciliation to the Government of Turkmenistan;
2.2.2. NHMSs of the Caspian riparian countries are to apply to the relevant MFAs requesting to forward via diplomatic channels an inquiry to the Turkmen party concerning its political position in regard to the Agreement, with further report to CASPCOM Chairman on results of the inquiry.

2.3. CASPCOM Chairman, upon the information received from NHMSs, is to define preparedness of each party for signing the Agreement and provide feedback information to NHMSs.

 

3. Issues of developing international cooperation in the field of hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring in the Caspian Sea region (Agenda Item # 4)

Taking into consideration issues of developing international cooperation included in the Agenda, the Session recommended as follows:

3.1. To approve CASPCOM Action Plan for 2007-2009 (Annex 2) focused on development of regional observation system and improvement of information exchange between NHMSs in regard to the Caspian Sea status.
3.2. NHMSs are to envisage actions aimed at implementation of CASPCOM Action Plan 2007-2009 in relevant national plans and activity programmes for the years 2008-2009.
3.3. CASPAS Coordinator is to set a referral to the Caspian Environmental Programme homepage on CASPCOM website.
3.4. CASPAS Coordinator is to prepare and CASPCOM Secretary is to submit to the Interim Secretariat of the Framework Convention on protection of marine environment of the Caspian Sea CASPCOM proposals on enhancing cooperation between the mentioned Convention and CASPCOM.
3.5. NHMSs participative in implementing international projects and programs in the field of pollution monitoring of the Caspian Sea are to submit reviews of these works, to be presented at the next CASPCOM Session.

           
4.  On the activities of CASPCOM working bodies (Agenda Item # 6)

Having approved activities of CASPCOM working bodies, the Session recommended as follows:

4.1. CASPAS Coordinator is to prepare and forward to NHMSs the questionnaires for defining national capacity and subsequent coordinating actions on development of early warning systems, meteorological radars and communication systems.
4.2. NHMSs are to submit CASPAS Coordinator the filled questionnaires. CASPAS Coordinator is to summarize the survey results in a special review, to be presented at the next CASPCOM Session.
4.3. To approve CASPCOM Reference Guide on Hydrometeorological Regime of the Caspian Sea (mock-up print version) as well as its preparation plan for the year 2008 (Annex 3), which envisages presentation of the pilot sample Guide based on the data-2007 at the next CASPCOM Session.
4.4. To approve mock-up General Catalogue of the Caspian Sea Level as well as its preparation plan for the year 2008 (Annex 4), which envisages presentation of reconciled List of stations included in 3 Sections of the Catalogue at the next CASPCOM Session.
4.5. To accept IRIMO’s offer in terms of covering all expenses and conducting works on replication of the General Catalogue of the Caspian Sea Level by IRIMO.
4.6. To appreciate activities on drafting project concept – “Caspian Sea Initiative” – carried out by Dr. Kortchev, Director of Department, WMO; to nominate national focal points for implementation of this project (Annex 5).
5. Confirmation of CASPCOM-12 Recommendations

The Session confirmed CASPCOM-12 Recommendations.

 

6. Defining date and venue for holding CASPCOM-13

Following Kazhydromet suggestion the Session recommended holding the next Session, CASPCOM-13, in October 2008, in Republic of Kazakhstan, the city of Almaty.