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14 session -> Recommendations of 14th CASPCOM Session

Recommendations of the 14th Session of Coordinating Committee on
Hydrometeorology and Pollution Monitoring of the Caspian Sea

The 14th Session of Coordinating Committee on Hydrometeorology and Pollution Monitoring of the Caspian Sea (CASPCOM) was held in Teheran, Islamic Republic of Iran, on 23-24 November 2009. Representatives of NHMSs from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Turkmenistan, World Meteorological Organization, the Caspian Environment Programme, as well as from scientific and industrial institutions of Iran participated in the Session.
The main results of activities of Coordinating Committee on Hydrometeorology and Pollution Monitoring of the Caspian Sea in 2008-2009 are as follows:
- Revised, as recommended by the 13th Session, Draft Agreement on cooperation between the Caspian states in the field of the Caspian Sea hydrometeorology;
- Pilot issue of the Reference Guide “Annual data and review of hydrometeorological situation in the Caspian Sea”, and materials for the General Catalogue of the Caspian Sea level, prepared by CASPAS Coordinator and the NHMSs;
- “Guide on hydrometeorology of the Caspian Sea in the Internet” prepared by the CASPAS Coordinator and the NHMSs, displayed at CASPCOM website;
- National achievements in the field of hydrometeorology and monitoring of the Caspian Sea providing the basis for enhancing NHMSs’ cooperation and increasing its efficiency.
The session acknowledged the great contribution to the CASPCOM activities made by the former Chairman Mr. A. Noorian and Vice Chairman Mr. A. Bedritskiy.

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

Having assessed positively CASPCOM activities, as well as the national activities addressing high priority problems in hydrometeorology and pollution monitoring of the Caspian Sea in 2008 -2009, the Session recommended the following:

1.1 To display on the CASPCOM website the NHMSs’ reports on national activities in addressing priority problems in hydrometeorology and pollution monitoring of the Caspian Sea, presented at CASPCOM-14;
1.2 CASPAS Coordinator, jointly with the experts – members of CASPCOM working group, is to update the “Guide on hydrometeorology of the Caspian Sea in the Internet” by checking the available links and adding new references to the websites containing information on hydrometeorology and pollution monitoring of the Caspian Sea;
1.3 IRIMO and Roshydromet are to prepare and submit to the next session of CASPCOM a report on the national system for education and training in meteorology, hydrology and oceanography, as well as the proposals for the use of this system in manpower training for NHMSs – CASPCOM participants.
1.4 To consider convening the international scientific conference “Changes in climate and water balance in the Caspian region» in Astrakhan, Russia, in October 2010, as a CASPCOM priority task, which requires support from the NHMSs.

With view to solve this task:
- to create an Organizing Committee of the Conference, which is to include representatives of NHMSs of the Caspian states;
- to establish Secretariat of the conference, which is to include the members of CASPCOM working and editorial groups;
- CASPCOM Chairman is to address WMO and other concerned international organizations for support in organizing and holding of the Conference.

2. Status of process of agreeing upon and preparation for signing the “Agreement on cooperation between the Caspian states in the field of the Caspian Sea hydrometeorology” in the Caspian states (Agenda Item # 4).

Taking into consideration that all the present CASPCOM members expressed their principle consent on the draft Agreement, the Working Group of the Session updated the English version of the draft Agreement based on the recommendations by the CASPCOM members.
The session recommended that Roshydromet is to prepare the updated Russian translation of the draft Agreement and forward it to the CASPCOM Chairman.
The CASPCOM Chairman will distribute the reconciled version of the draft Agreement via the formal channels, along with a request to advise on the parties’ readiness to initiate the formal procedures for reconciliation of draft Agreement at the national level. The CASPCOM members, if deem appropriate, will forward their comments on the new version of the draft Agreement, as soon as possible.
The CASPCOM members are requested to finalize reconciliation of the draft Agreement as soon as possible.

3. On the activities of CASPCOM working bodies (Agenda Item # 5).

Having approved the activities of CASPCOM working bodies, the 14th Session recommended the following:

3.1 Within the framework of proceeding with the General Catalogue of the Caspian Sea level:
3.1.1 Roshydromet is to prepare the tables with monthly data for the period from the start of observations to 1988, on Azerbaijani, Kazakh and Turkmen coasts of the sea;
3.1.2 Azerhydromet, Kazhydromet and Turkmenhydromet are to prepare the tables with monthly data for the period from 1989 to 2008, on Azerbaijani, Kazakh and Turkmen coasts of the sea, respectively;
З.1.3 IRIMO is to prepare the tables with monthly data for the period from the start of observations to 2008, on Iranian coast of the sea;
3.1.4 NHMSs are to submit to CASPAS Coordinator the tables with monthly data, formatted in accordance with the layout approved by the 12th CASPCOM Session;
3.1.5 CASPAS Coordinator is to consolidate the obtained material and forward it to CASPCOM working group experts for consideration, preparation of proposals, and further discussion at the next meeting of the working group.
3.2 Within the framework of proceeding with the “Annual data and review of hydrometeorological situation in the Caspian Sea”:
3.2.1 NHMSs are to review the pilot version of the Guide and to submit to CASPAS Coordinator their suggestions on its further improvement;
3.2.2 NHMSs are to forward to CASPAS Coordinator the tabulated data for the year 2008, prepared in accordance with the layout approved by the 12th CASPCOM Session;
3.2.3 CASPAS Coordinator is to prepare the Guide for the year 2008, based on the materials shared by NHMSs and taking into account all their suggestions on the improvement of the Guide;
3.3 To hold the next meeting of CASPCOM working group in 2010, concurrently with the international scientific conference “Changes in climate and water balance in the Caspian Sea region”:
3.3.1 To include the following issues into the Agenda of the working group meeting:
3.3.1.1 Preparation of the General Catalogue, divergence of data, defining altitude system used for measuring sea level;
3.3.1.2 Preparation of the Reference Guide on hydrometeorological regime of the Caspian Sea;
3.3.1.3 List of CASPCOM stations and advisability of creation a regional system of CASPCOM telecommunication;
3.3.1.4 Present status and improvement of marine hydrometeorological information exchange using global WMO telecommunication network;
3.3.1.5 Coordination of research vessel expedition studies in the Caspian Sea held by the countries – CASPCOM members.

4. Issues of developing international cooperation in the field of hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring in the Caspian Sea region (Agenda Item # 6)

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

4.1 Roshydromet is to draft, and CASPCOM Chairman is to distribute the draft Memorandum of Understanding between CASPCOM and the Framework Convention on Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea to the CASPCOM members, for reconciliation. CASPCOM members are to forward their comments to CASPCOM Chairmen, within two months upon the receipt of the draft Memorandum.
4.2 NHMSs are to take active part in convening a workshop on WMO-supported EU project aimed at development of regional cooperation in hydrometeorology of the Caspian Sea. The issues related to preparation and implementation of this project are to be discussed at the CASPCOM-15.
4.3 CASPAS Coordinator, jointly with NHMSs, is to prepare, and CASPCOM Chairman is to present the CASPCOM report “Hydrometeorological support for integrated management of the Caspian Sea at the regional level” at the 5th World Conference of IOC UNESCO.
Under Agenda Item # 6, the Iranian party presented reports on integrated coastal zone management, monitoring and forecasting draughts in the Caspian littoral states, meteorological locator network at the Caspian Sea coast. The participants of the Session appraised the Iranian experience in the above areas indicating feasibility of its application in the other Caspian littoral states.

5. Adoption of CASPCOM-14 Recommendations (Agenda Item # 7)

The Session adopted CASPCOM-14 Recommendations.

6. Defining date and venue for holding CASPCOM-15 (Agenda Item # 8)

Following NHMS suggestion, the Session recommended holding the next 15-th Session of CASPCOM in Astrakhan, Russian Federation, in October 2010.