8th session of the Caspian Sea Port Authorities commenced its work in Turkmenbashi. During two days, representatives of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan will be discussing cooperation in shipping industry, maritime cargo handling, ensuring navigation security, developing port infrastructures, exchanging logistical information, protecting marine environment of the Caspian and other issues. The importance was stressed of the Resolution on Role of Transport and Transit Corridors in Ensuring International Cooperation for Sustainable Development, initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and adopted by the UN General Assembly, under which last year Ashgabat hosted the Global Sustainable Transport Conference convened under the UN aegis. Specific issue of the meeting is building potential and enhancing the international standing of the Caspian ports, also by means of upgrading their industrial infrastructure, technical equipment and introducing modern technology to the sphere of maintenance of cargo vessels. More precisely, construction of the Turkmenbashi International Port is targeted for completion as part of implementing the Program of the President of Turkmenistan on Socio-Economic Development of the Country for 2018-2024. The port is called to become the key logistical hub in the region and coordinate cargo traffic by means of maritime, road, rail and air transport. The regional session will continue its work tomorrow. At the end of the meeting, the relevant Protocol will be signed to reflect the agreements reached over a wide range of issues of cooperation in developing shipping industry and port infrastructure of the Caspian littoral states.