The Seventh Meeting of the Parties to the Tehran Convention in Iran
The highest decision-making body of the Convention is the Conference of the Parties (COP), consisting of the Ministers of Environment of the five Caspian littoral states (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan). In accordance with Article 22 of the Tehran Convention, the Conference of the Parties must be held on a rotational basis, in the territory of each Contracting Party, following the alphabetical order of the names of the Contracting Parties.
The hosting of the Seventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Tehran Convention in Iran (COP7) aims to bring together members of the Convention, including expert meetings and high-level meetings of the environmental organizations/ministries of the Caspian littoral states.
2026
Expected Outcomes of COP7:
Review of actions taken regarding the implementation of the binding protocols:
- Protocol Concerning Regional Preparedness, Response and Co-operation in Combating Oil Pollution Incidents (Aktau Protocol)
- Protocol for the Protection of the Caspian Sea against Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities (Moscow Protocol)
- Announcement of the entry into force of the Protocol on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Ashgabat Protocol)
- Planning for the activities and the biennial work program of the Convention and its protocols, to be adopted at the High-level Meeting
- Presentation of the report of the Tehran Convention Regional Monitoring Committee and adoption of the Regional Monitoring Program for the Caspian Sea Environment
- Presentation of the Regional Action Plan for Caspian Sea Level Fluctuations and, upon finalization, its approval at COP7.
- Presentation of the report on the regional project addressing marine plastic waste under the Tehran Convention.
- Presentation of the draft Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Caspian Seal by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Furthermore, numerous other programs and documents are currently under review and consultation, which will be presented for consideration and adoption at the COP7 meeting following the outcomes of expert-level discussions.
The first meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-1) for the Seventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Tehran Convention (COP7), chaired by the Islamic Republic of Iran, was held virtually on June 18–19, 2024, to prepare the documents and materials for COP7.
The second meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-2) for the Seventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Tehran Convention (COP7), chaired by the Islamic Republic of Iran, was held virtually on August 24–25, 2026, to prepare the documents and materials for COP7.
The third meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-3) for the Seventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Tehran Convention (COP7), chaired by the Islamic Republic of Iran, was held for one day on September 8, 2026, to prepare the documents and materials for COP7.
The fourth meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-4) was held online on September 14, 2026.