Ryberg speech at 27 BSPC

INTERVENTION at the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference 2018Mariehamn, Åland 27 August 2018ROGER RYBERG - CHAIRMAN OF BSSSCParliamentarians of the Baltic Sea Region - Excellences – Ladies and GentlemenThank you for allowing me to address this important Conference – on behalf of Baltic Sea States Subregional Co-operation (BSSSC).BSSSC is a political network organisation – representing all sub-regions in the 10 countries around the Baltic Sea - promoting the interests of regions towards national authorities and EU-institutions.But also - using our network to promote and share best practice, support regional cross border partnerships and to encourage concrete project developments.----------------------------------The Baltic Sea Region is a region of prosperity and challenges - bridging east and west – bringing people together. In my point of view bottom-up cooperation - involving local and regional level - is more important than ever - maintaining networks and people-to-people contact cross-borders in challenging times.Cooperation must be based on common and shared values of democracy, human rights, peace, social dimension and the rule of law.-------------Sustainable development and Climate Change is probably the most demanding challenge we are facing. AND - we have to address both the economic, the social and cultural as well as the ecological dimension - simultaneously!The demand for sustainable development can ONLY be met through innovation and smart solutions, because we have to change a lot in the way we organise our societies, production, consumption, distribution of opportunities, institutional structures etc.The focus of this year’s BSPC Conference is therefore important and of high relevance.BSSSC strongly supports the Baltic 2030 Action plan prepared by the CBSS and endorsed by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs in June last year. And, as sub-regions we will contribute to the follow up through our policy work.Youth involvement is a focus area of the BSSSCA continuous and permanent dialogue with the young generation in the Baltic Sea Region is of high importance - as they are at the change-makers – and the key to a more sustainable future.BSSSC is partner in the ReGeneration 2030 and took part in the Summit here on Åland 18 – 20 August. We encourage all Baltic Sea Region actors to support the youth movement for change - realising the objectives of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals________Coming to an end – I will like to inform you that theBSSSC will arrange its 26th Annual Conference on11 and 12 September in Gdansk, Poland - with the Pomorskie Voivodeship as hosts.The topic of this year’s conference is:“Solidarity, participation and being smart in action for a better future”.You are heartily welcome to join!__________I wish you the best of luck with your conference and look forward to take part in the rest of the sessions today and tomorrow.Thank you for your attention!