This Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) is a scientific and technical assessment, through which the water-related environmental issues and problems of the Caspian Sea region have been identified and quantified, their causes analyzed and their impacts, both environmental and economic, assessed. The analysis involves an identification of causes and impacts at national, regional, and global levels and the socio-economic, legal, political and institutional context within which they occur. The identification of the root causes specifies sources, locations, and sectors.

One of the key challenges to be achieved in the coming decade and overriding goals for promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns is de-coupling economic growth and environmental and social impacts. Industrialized countries have a special responsibility to promote, facilitate and achieve this target. However, the gains of consuming and producing more efficiently (delivering quality of life with fewer natural resources and causing less pollution) will also be beneficial for eradicating poverty and creating business opportunities for developing countries.