The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on earth. Situated in a natural depression it receives water mainly from the Volga, Ural and the Kura rivers, but has no outlet to the World’s oceans. The coastlines of the Caspian are shared by the five Caspian littoral states, namely, Azerbaijan, I.R. of Iran, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation and Turkmenistan. The isolation of the Caspian basin and its climatic and salinity gradients has created a unique ecological system with some 400 species endemic to the Caspian waters. Today, many Caspian biotas are threatened by over-exploitation, habitat destruction and pollution. The traditional Caspian sturgeon fishery is know worldwide for its caviar production. In recent years, however, the Caspian region has witnessed a serious decline in fish stocks. More efficient fishing methods combined with over-fishing and extensive poaching, dam constructions, introduction of invasive species as well as increased pollution are all factors contributing to the dramatic decline.

The Caspian basin is rich in commercially developable hydrocarbon deposits and the increasing number of oil and gas producing industries as well as hydrocarbons production and exports, constitutes serious environmental threats.

Being the first regional legally binding instrument signed by all five Caspian littoral states, the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Envinment of the Caspian Sea serves as an overarching framework laying down the general requirements and the institutional mechanism for environmental protection in the Caspian region.