The ecosystem and biodiversity of the Caspian region is currently on the brink of a large-scale environmental disaster. The increasing manmade impact, large-scale climatic changes, desertification, aridization, loss of the region’s biodiversity, threat to food security - how to counteract these threats, using the methods of academic and university science? The discussion will involve representatives of Russian and international scientific community, representatives of state authorities and experts, who will present situational and foresight analyses.