Conference Overview

The Caspian Sea is undergoing a long-term decline in water levels with significant environmental, economic, infrastructural, and social consequences. This conference invites researchers and policymakers to explore the causes, impacts, and adaptation strategies related to these transformations. The event aims to support evidence-based decision-making, enhance regional cooperation, and promote sustainable development across the Caspian region (for more information see at www.dku.kz).

Sessions and Topics:

The conference welcomes submissions that address the following thematic areas:

Logistics and Infrastructure

Transformation of port infrastructure under declining sea levels
Future of maritime and coastal transportation in the Caspian region
Resilience of logistics chains and regional transport corridors
Engineering and infrastructure adaptation solutions
Development of multimodal logistics systems

Energy Security, Low-Carbon Transition, and Environmental Challenges

Vulnerability of offshore, energy and coastal oil and gas infrastructure
Energy strategies of Caspian littoral states
Low-carbon transition and renewable energy potential
Climate-related risks for energy facilities
Energy security under environmental change

Water Systems, Climate Dynamics, and Ecological Risk

Hydrological and climatic drivers of Caspian Sea level change
Ecological consequences of shoreline transformation
Sustainable water-resource governance
Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration
Transboundary environmental cooperation

Socioeconomic Impacts, Community Resilience, and Regional Development

Economic consequences of declining sea levels
Sustainable development of coastal regions
Social vulnerability and community adaptation
Transformation of fisheries, tourism, and agriculture
Human capital development and regional policy

Authors are also welcome to propose additional topics that align with the overall thematic scope of the conference sessions.

Submission Guidelines

Authors are invited to submit an abstract of 250-300 words that clearly outlines the research problem, objectives, methodology, and key findings or expected contributions. Each abstract must be accompanied by 3-5 keywords that accurately reflect the thematic focus of the paper.

Submissions must be prepared in English and should include the following author information:

full name(s),
institutional affiliation(s),
academic position or title (optional),
email address and any additional relevant contact details.

In addition to the abstract, authors are encouraged to submit an optional full paper ranging between 6000 and 8000 words. Full papers will undergo peer review for potential publication in one of the academic outlets. All submissions should be formatted in accordance with guidelines that will be provided at later stage.

Publication Opportunities

Accepted papers will be considered for publication in one of the following venues: a high-ranking international academic journal indexed in Scopus or Web of Science (subject to peer review), the Central Asian Journal of Water Research, or the official Conference Proceedings.

Important Dates:

Abstract submission deadline: 28.02.2026

Notification of acceptance: 30.03.2026

Full paper submission: 30.05.2026

Conference dates: October 2026

Contact

For submissions and inquiries, please contact: conference_cs@dku.kz

Attachment 1

Concept

The Caspian Sea: Issues, Prospects, and Opportunities for Sustainable Development

The decline in the water level of the Caspian Sea in recent decades has emerged as a persistent and long-term process that exerts multifaceted impacts on the natural, economic, and social systems of the Caspian littoral states. The lowering of the sea level leads to significant transformations of the shoreline, degradation of coastal ecosystems and loss of biodiversity. At the same time, risks are increasing for port and transport infrastructure, fisheries, water supply systems, oil and gas facilities, and the overall quality of life in coastal communities. The scale and interdisciplinary nature of these changes necessitate in-depth scientific analysis, improvements in predictive models, and the development of comprehensive approaches to regional management.

The aim of the conference is to establish an interdisciplinary platform for discussing the causes, dynamics, and consequences of the Caspian Sea’s decline, as well as to formulate scientifically grounded approaches to ecological adaptation, sustainable resource management and infrastructure modernization. The conference seeks to strengthen coordination among scientists, experts, and governmental bodies ensuring the integration of scientific knowledge into strategic planning and regional policy.

Several key objectives will be addressed during the conference. These include presenting up-to-date scientific data on hydrological, climatic, ecological, economic, and social aspects of the Caspian Sea; analyzing possible scenarios for further sea-level change and associated risks; and discussing the impacts of the decline on ecosystems, biological resources, economic sectors, and the living conditions of coastal populations. Special attention will be given to adaptation technologies and strategies, improved water-resource management, infrastructure modernization, ecological restoration, and the development of recommendations for enhancing transboundary cooperation among the Caspian littoral states.

The expected outcomes of the conference include the preparation of scientifically grounded recommendations for public authorities, and sectoral organizations. The conference will help identify promising directions for future research, strengthen mechanisms of transboundary collaboration, and create an expert platform for regular assessment of the Caspian Sea’s condition. An important result will be increased professional and public awareness of the scale and consequences of the sea-level decline, as well as the potential for ecological and infrastructural adaptation of coastal regions. The conference will serve as a foundation for the development of a long-term strategy for the sustainable development of the Caspian region under conditions of climatic transformation.

Announcements

Call for Papers International Conference The Caspian Sea: Issues, Prospects, and Opportunities for Sustainable Development