ABSTRACT Using insights from classical functionalism, this article analyses the complex relationship between the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea and the Caspian Environment Programme (CEP). The article pursues three objectives. First, it shows how shared ecological issues challenged individual littoral states and brought their respective governments under the CEP umbrella in 1998. Second, it shows how key actors (UNEP, UNDP, GEF, and World Bank – besides states) are involved in shaping the politics of the Caspian Sea region and how their preferences, both political and economic, and networks affect the capacity, opportunity and will of governments (e.g., ministries, parliaments and presidents) to cooperate. Third, it explains the link between low environmental politics and the uncertain legal status of the Caspian Sea. I find that lessons learned from environmental cooperation spilled over into the discussion of the legal status of the sea, which culminated in the signing of the Convention.

中文翻译：

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环境合作的现实和里海法律地位公约

摘要 本文利用古典功能主义的见解，分析了《里海法律地位公约》与里海环境计划 (CEP) 之间的复杂关系。文章追求三个目标。首先，它展示了共同的生态问题如何挑战个别沿海国家并在 1998 年将其各自的政府置于 CEP 保护伞之下。其次，它展示了主要参与者（环境署、开发计划署、全球环境基金和世界银行——除国家外）如何参与塑造里海地区的政治以及他们的政治和经济偏好以及网络如何影响政府（例如，部委、议会和总统）合作的能力、机会和意愿。第三，它解释了低环境政治与里海不确定的法律地位之间的联系。