The Mangystau Region held the grand opening of the international volunteer week, Caspian Sea Action Week 2026—a major environmental initiative uniting Caspian region countries around the shared goal of preserving the unique ecosystem of the Caspian Sea. This was announced by the regional akimat.

According to the agency, this large-scale event is being held as part of the International Year of Volunteers, declared at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The ceremony was attended by Nurdaulet Kilybay, Akim of the Mangystau Region, representatives of international organizations, official delegations from Caspian states, leading environmental experts, youth associations, and volunteers. Over the course of the week, the events will bring together more than 2,000 participants from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Opening the event, Nurdaulet Kilybay noted that holding the International Volunteer Week in Mangystau confirms the region's growing role as a platform for international environmental cooperation.

"At the initiative of Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, 2026 has been declared the International Year of Volunteers. This decision reflects a strategic commitment to strengthening civic responsibility, solidarity, and a culture of creativity. It is symbolic that Mangystau Region is today uniting the countries of the Caspian region around the common goal of preserving our shared natural heritage. The Caspian knows no national borders, so responsibility for its future must be shared. I am confident that Caspian Sea Action Week 2026 will not only become a platform for open dialogue but also a starting point for new joint environmental projects that will yield tangible results and serve future generations," the head of the region said.

Mahir Aliyev, Coordinator of the Interim Secretariat of the Tehran Convention, and Kairat Kambarov, Chairman of the Committee for Youth and Family Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, also delivered welcoming remarks, emphasizing the importance of uniting states' efforts to ensure the long-term protection of the Caspian Sea ecosystem and the region's sustainable development.

The festive opening atmosphere was enhanced by a concert program, and the event culminated in the first performance of the official anthem of Caspian Sea Action Week 2026.

According to the Akimat, from August 6 to 12, participants will enjoy a rich program including panel discussions, environmental events, the Clean Caspian Challenge international coastal cleanup campaign, a Caspian Hackathon, TED-style meetings, volunteer environmental campaigns, an expedition to the Bozzhyra ravine, and the Caspian Sea Talks international summit. The project is being implemented with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, jointly with the Akimat of the Mangystau Region and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program.