President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov called on the Caspian states to expand trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties in the Caspian region. This was stated in his message to the participants of the scientific and practical conference "The Caspian Sea - the Sea of Friendship and Peace", dedicated to the Caspian Sea Day, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reports.

“Turkmenistan regularly puts forward constructive initiatives to expand trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties in the Caspian region, which find broad support among the coastal states,” the head of state noted.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov reminded the holding of the first Caspian summit in Ashgabat, which "became a reliable foundation for the development of a comprehensive partnership." He also emphasized the importance of developing a Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea and a Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea.

The President noted the organization of the first Caspian Environmental Forum in the "Avaza" National Tourist Zone in 2012 and the holding of the first Caspian Economic Forum in 2019. In 2023, Turkmenistan proposed creating a "Caspian Environmental Initiative" to consolidate efforts to ensure environmental well-being in the region.

“I am confident that the current Forum on the occasion of Caspian Sea Day will make a significant contribution to expanding cooperation between the Caspian states in protecting and studying the rich marine ecosystem and unique biodiversity of the Caspian,” concluded Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Caspian Sea Day is celebrated annually on August 12 to commemorate the entry into force of the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea.