World Maritime Day
World Maritime Day is celebrated annually last week of September. Each country individually can choose any date. However, the official events of the International Maritime Organization are scheduled for September 30. The United Nations is working to ensure the peaceful, cooperative and legally defined use of the seas and oceans for the benefit of individuals and all of humanity. Different activities are carried out on this occasion to educate the general public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global challenges, and to celebrate and strengthen the achievements of humankind.
On August 12, 2006, the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea wad adopted. At present, this day is celebrated annually as the Day of the Caspian Sea. The flora of the Turkmen Caspian region is more than 700 plants and algae. The waters near the breeding grounds are considered a “bird's Eldorado”; on the territory of the Turkmenbashi Bay there is an object of the Ramsar Convention as a unique habitat, nesting and wintering grounds for waders, gulls, coots, flamingos, herons. Since 1932, the Khazar State Natural Reserve has been operating in the city of Turkmenbashi. By this day, ecologists are initiating the provision of practical measures in the field of protection against pollution of the marine environment, conservation, restoration, sustainable use of biological resources, nature protection.
One of the important events is the signing of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea by the Presidents of the five Caspian states. It was prepared for 20 years and became a historic event. The Caspian Sea is one of the largest closed water basins on the planet, with unique world stocks of sturgeon fish and valuable biodiversity. In Turkmenistan, on the occasion of the Caspian Day, thematic contests, expositions in nature museums, seminars at the higher educational institutions of the country, and scholarly disputes are organized.
The goal of World Maritime Day is to draw the attention of the international community to the irreparable damage to the seas and oceans caused by overfishing, pollution of water bodies and global warming, as well as to the urgent problems of preserving the biological, natural and recreational resources of the seas for future generations. The celebration of World Maritime Day, dedicated to a specific topical environmental topic, is accompanied by various environmental and educational events in different countries of the world.
Amanbagt USSAYEVA,
Student of the Faculty of
the International Law
of
the Institute of International Relations
of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan