About BSPC

Compilation of Statements Available Here: The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) – gathered in Helsingør – unanimously passed on 27 August 2024 the following 33 rd BSPC resolution: In keeping with a long-standing tradition, national and regional governments across the Baltic Sea Region have submitted their official responses to the 33 rd BSPC Resolution , adopted unanimously at the 33 rd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Helsingør on 27 August 2024 . Once again, the Standing Committee expresses its sincere appreciation for the governments’ commitment to reviewing and supporting the BSPC’s calls for action. Their contributions reflect a broad spectrum of initiatives, policies, and measures that align with the shared goals of the 33 rd Resolution – which focused on advancing democratic resilience, maritime security, critical infrastructure protection, climate neutrality, and sustainable development in the region. The compilation of statements offers valuable insight into ongoing governmental efforts, providing a unique overview of regional and national activities in response to the parliamentary recommendations. These statements serve not only as a reference for monitoring progress but also as a catalyst for further parliamentary engagement and intergovernmental cooperation. The publication, now available for download, encompasses contributions from: Åland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hamburg, Latvia, Lithuania, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Norway, Poland, Schleswig-Holstein, and Sweden. 📌 For reference: Materials and Outcomes of the 33 rd BSPC Conference – Helsingør 2024

Statements of the Governments in the Baltic Sea Region to the 31 st BSPC Resolution The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) – gathered in Stockholm – unanimously passed on 14 June 2022 the following 31 st BSPC resolution: https://www.bspc.net/conference-resolution-31-bspc/ https://www.bspc.net/final-resolution__lv/ https://www.bspc.net/31-bspc-resolution-de/ https://www.bspc.net/conference-resolution-31-bspc_pl/ The priorities of the 31 st annual conference and resolution relate to: Peaceful and reliable neighbourliness and intense cooperation – how do we go forward in the Baltic Sea Region in times of crisis? Democracy and freedom of expression – how do we secure free media in the Baltic Sea Region? Mitigating climate change, preserving biodiversity and adapting to climate change Demographic challenges in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; migration, labour market and the social welfare model It is customary that the delegations to the BSPC – or the parliaments as a whole based on an appropriate decision – inform their governments about the outcome of the respective annual conference. Furthermore, with the BSPC resolution, the delegations call on the governments in the Baltic Sea Region, the CBSS, the EU, and other pertinent actors to implement various actions or measures. The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference and its Standing Committee highly appreciate that the governments from the Baltic Sea area again sent statements on implementing calls for action in the 31 st resolution. Many comments were detailed and essential for political development in the areas addressed. Some parliaments explicitly decide that their governments implement the resolution within their competencies and report to Parliament on its implementation. To receive a comprehensive overview of the actions taken by the governments in the Baltic Sea Region in response to the resolution of the 31 st Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, the members of the Standing Committee have asked their government to inform as far as possible on the following: Which measures, projects or actions have been a) planned, b) initiated, and c) implemented in support of the 31 st BSPC resolution, particularly regarding the calls for action? The statements and information the governments provide form a unique and valuable overview of developments in the respective policy fields in the Baltic Sea Region. Based on these statements and comprehensive information, parliamentarians can track progress in different policy fields and identify further action needs. The compilation will be updated as soon as further statements are received. You can download the statements of the governments here .

BSPC President Jörgen Pettersson and the head of the delegation of the Finnish Parliament to the BSPC, Kari Kulmala, attended the XIX International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day” on 22-23 March in St. Petersburg. In his address to the Forum, Jörgen Pettersson underlined the fundamental importance of a constructive dialogue and close cooperation especially in politically difficult times as well as the crucial need for more stringent action on the national level in the BSR countries to reach the goals of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan until 2021 and thus a good ecological status of the Baltic Sea. In particular, he said: ‘The Baltic Sea Day here in St. Petersburg each year is a crucial component of our common efforts to promote sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region. ‘Especially in politically difficult times, a constructive dialogue and close cooperation are of fundamental importance. ‘From the very beginning, the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference has dealt intensively with environmental issues. Their solution is also necessary independently from all other political disputes. Environmental problems are our common problems. Environmental pollution does not stop at our borders. ‘That is why we also have to solve them together. ‘Our aim is to be progressive and to urge governments to act progressively and also to convince those who are still hesitant in their actions. ‘Since the beginning of our cooperation – and during 17 years as an official observer –, the 27 parliaments and parliamentary organizations of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) have actively supported the work of HELCOM and called on our governments to give HELCOM the political support it needs to execute the necessary measures. Many topics the BSPC has been dealing with refer to issues that HELCOM is concerned with, such as, to mention only a few, the good ecological status of the Baltic marine environment, stricter emission regulations, stricter controls on eutrophication and the Baltic Sea as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area. ‘And – as I already pointed out at the Ministerial Meeting of HELCOM in Brussels on 6 March – we do this because the people who elected us expect us to provide them with a good environmental status and a clean and healthy Baltic Sea. The environment is similar to peace on earth. It’s the foundation of all human life. ‘That is why it is so important to achieve the goals that we have set ourselves for example with the Baltic Sea Action Plan and to do so within the very time frame set in the plan. We are in a hurry, 2021 will soon be here, and that is why we have to implement the 2030 sustainable development goals. ‘I myself come from Åland, the self-governed, neutralised and demilitarised Islands of Peace as we are called. We have 6,700 larger islands, and we are situated in the middle of the Baltic Sea. For us, the sea is a central lifeline and living space. We see it every morning and say goodnight to it every evening. ‘That is why we have a vital interest in the well-being of the Baltic Sea. That is why we have developed a wide-ranging sustainability strategy which we hope will be acknowledged as a Best Practice and repeated by others. ‘Therefore, we consider it necessary to keep emphasizing the political will regarding a clean Baltic Sea but also a good environmental status overall. It calls for action rather than talk. ‘For that reason, I am glad about this International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day”. ‘Apart from all the progress achieved by HELCOM in the meantime, the current situation shows us that appeals alone are not enough. We must act more widely and stringently and make greater efforts. The priorities from our point of view are eutrophication, marine litter, hazardous substances and underwater noise. ‘We support the agreements in the new ministerial declaration and the path the ministers have taken on this basis. At the same time, however, we call for stricter action at the national level to guarantee the achievement of the objectives that in our mind are necessary in order to reinstate the health of the Baltic Sea. ‘The crucial foundation of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference is: We want to be a political platform for cooperation, for commitment and for competence in the political dialogue of parliaments, governments and civil societies in the Baltic Sea region. ‘We should not take for granted that we parliamentarians can always find satisfactory solutions. But we have an obligation to our citizens to contribute to solving problems. In order to achieve that, we must strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation as well as the influence of parliaments. Their common will is of crucial importance in order to look for answers to international challenges. We parliamentarians as representatives of the citizens in our countries need to continuously work on deepening dialogue, on compromise and on cooperation related to the democratic values to face future international challenges, especially environmental problems. ‘The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Åland on 26-28 August 2018 will offer dialogue, debate, solutions, friendship and a strong will to increase cooperation, prosperity, sustainability and a healthy environment in the region. ‘I invite you to come to the conference. Let us – parliaments, governments and societies – strengthen our efforts working toward a good environmental status of our Baltic Sea, which is a lifeline for all of us. ‘You are welcome to participate in order to fulfil the will of all people depending on the health of the Baltic Sea!’ In the margins of the conference, the representatives of the BSPC had talks with representatives of the Finnish government, the CBSS, HELCOM, BSSSC, WWF, the city of Turku and a number of scientists.

27 years after the BSPC was launched on the initiative of the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, Mr. Kalevi Sorsa, BSPC President Jörgen Pettersson pointed out with a view to the upcoming annual conference, that the 27 th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Åland on 26–28 August 2018 will offer dialogue, debate, solutions, friendship and a strong will to make the Baltic Sea more prosperous than ever before. He invited to participate in this process. In an article of Baltic RIM Economies he underlined that a fair solution to any challenge can only be achieved by dialogue and cooperation, particularly in times of crisis. He explained on the basis of the history of the Åland Islands how they developed from crisis to the ‘Islands of Peace’. He also emphasized, that the ‘Åland Example’ is living proof of a functional crisis management and the fact that discussions and agreements can be reached even when circumstances are challenging. He also pointed out the crucial foundation of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference as a political platform for cooperation, for commitment and for competence in the political dialogue of parliaments, governments and civil societies in the Baltic Sea region and explained the priority issues for the BSPC during the Åland Islands Presidency in 2018. The whole article can be found here (www.utu.fi/pei. Jörgen Pettersson . From crisis to success , how Åland . became the Islands of Peace . Expert article • 2259).