BSPC_ObserverStatusHELCOM2023_2024

Report on the Exercise of the Observer Status of the Bal -tic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) at theBaltic Marine Environment Protection Commission(Helsinki Commission – HELCOM)2023–202433YEARSBSPCThe BSPC Rapporteur’s 2023-2024 Report on HELCOM© Schwerin, August 2024Text: Beate SchluppEditing: Evgeniya Bakalova, Georg Strätker and Bodo BahrLayout: produktionsbüro TINUSBaltic Sea Parliamentary Conference Bodo BahrSecretary General+49 171 5512557bodo.bahr@bspcmail.netwww.bspc.netBSPC SecretariatSchlossgartenallee 1519061 SchwerinGermany The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) was established in 1991 as a forum for po-litical dialogue between parliamentarians from the Baltic Sea Region. The BSPC aims toraise awareness and opinion on issues of current political interest and relevance for the Bal-tic Sea Region. It promotes and drives various initiatives and efforts to support the sustain-able environmental, social and economic development of the Baltic Sea Region. It strives toenhance the visibility of the Baltic Sea Region and its issues in a broader European context.BSPC gathers parliamentarians from 10 national parliaments, 7 regional parliaments withlegislative powers, one supranational parliament and 4 parliamentary organisations aroundthe Baltic Sea. The BSPC thus constitutes a unique parliamentary bridge between the dem-ocratic EU- and non-EU countries of the Baltic Sea Region. BSPC external interfaces in-clude parliamentary, governmental, subregional and other organisations in the Baltic SeaRegion and the Northern Dimension area, among them CBSS, HELCOM, the NorthernDimension Partnership in Health and Social Well-Being (NDPHS), the Baltic Sea LabourForum (BSLF) and the Baltic Sea States Subregional Cooperation (BSSSC).The BSPC shall initiate and guide political activities in the region; support and strengthendemocratic institutions in the participating states; improve dialogue between governments,parliaments and civil society; strengthen the common identity of the Baltic Sea Region bymeans of close cooperation between national and regional parliaments based on equality;and initiate and guide political activities in the Baltic Sea Region, endowing them with ad-ditional democratic legitimacy and parliamentary authority.The political recommendations of the annual Parliamentary Conferences are expressed in aConference Resolution adopted by consensus by the Conference. The adopted Resolutionshall be submitted to the governments of the Baltic Sea Region, the CBSS and the EU anddisseminated to other relevant national, regional and local stakeholders in the Baltic Sea Re-gion and its neighbourhood.3 ContentContentsI. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 4II. Cooperation between the BSPC and HELCOM ............................................................................. 61. HELCOM Update at the BSPC Standing Committee Meeting in Brussels, 4 March 2024 ............ 72. BSPC at HELCOM 50th Anniversary, 25 April 2024 .................................................................. 103. BSPC Efforts to Support HELCOM .............................................................................................. 11III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024 ............................................................................. 141. HELCOM Strategic Pause .............................................................................................................. 142. Third HELCOM Holistic Assessment (HOLAS 3) ........................................................................ 15Thematic assessment reports 2023 ................................................................................................. 17State of the Baltic Sea 2023 Report ................................................................................................ 183. HELCOM at the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2023, 4–5 October 2023 ............................................ 194. HELCOM at COP 28, 6 December 2023 ..................................................................................... 215. Baltic Stakeholder Conference 2024, 29 February 2024 ................................................................. 226. Ministerial Meeting on the Baltic Sea Marine Environment in Riga, 25 April 2024 ...................... 25HELCOM Ministerial Meeting 2024: Opening and Ministerial Debate ...................................... 25Documents Adopted by the 2024 Ministerial Meeting .................................................................. 337. HELCOM 50th Anniversary Celebration, 25 April 2024 .............................................................. 348. Lithuanian HELCOM Chairmanship Priorities ............................................................................. 36IV. Prospects and Outlook .................................................................................................................. 38Useful Sources and Links .................................................................................................................... 39ANNEX I: Updated Lists of HELCOM’s Expert Groups and Projects ............................................... 41Annex I.1. List of Current HELCOM Working Groups and Expert Groups .................................... 41Annex I.2. Updated List of Ongoing HELCOM Projects .................................................................. 43List of Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................... 44Content4 I. IntroductionI. IntroductionOn 1 July 1973, the German news magazine Der Spiegel published acover story titled “Baltic Sea: Dirtiest Sea in the World.”1 The articlepainted an alarming picture of the rapidly deteriorating ecological stateof this unique and vulnerable ecosystem, which was predicted to be-come “biologically dead”,2 should the coastal states not manage to takeurgent collective action soon. To the authors, the possibility of gather-ing all states bordering the Baltic Sea “at one table” to reverse the down-ward trend appeared “illusory”: “as long as [they] accused each otherand glossed over their own grievances.”One year later, in light of the ever-increasing environmental challenges arising from industrialisation andother human activities severely affecting the state of the marine environment, seven Baltic Sea coastalcountries had indeed managed to gather at one table and arrive at a common understanding regarding thenecessity of change. On 22 March 1974 in Helsinki, they signed the Convention on the Protection of theMarine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area (Helsinki Convention) and later established the Baltic MarineEnvironment Protection Commission (HELCOM). Fifty years later, HELCOM can proudly call itselfone of the oldest regional environmental organisations in the world and look back at achievements thatappeared almost impossible five decades ago.Last year, on 15 July 2023, Der Spiegel published an article titled “Sea in Distress”, which once again fo-cussed on the state of the Baltic Sea ecosystem.3 The preface raised concerns over dumped munitions turn-ing parts of the seabed into a “death zone”. The impacts of climate change reportedly affected the BalticSea more than any other sea in the world. Nonetheless, the author suggested that the Baltic Sea could be-come a model for other coastal regions – all thanks to the crucial work of HELCOM. This work, as de-tailed in the report at hand, is the key to understanding how the Baltic Sea can serve as an example on aregional and global scale.1 Der Spiegel, Nr. 27, 01.07.1973, https://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/index-1973-27.html .2 Ein Meer voller Unrat und Häßlichkeit, Der Spiegel, 27/1973, https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ein-meer-voller-unrat-und-haesslichkeit-a-e421362c-0002-0001-0000-000041986587?context=issue .3 Johann Grolle: „Die Ostsee ist zur Jauchegrube verkommen – ist sie noch zu retten?“ Der Spiegel 29/2023, https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/ostsee-ge -faehrdet-wie-kaum-ein-meer-koennte-sie-zum-modell-fuer-viele-andere-kuestenregionen-werden-a-73ee8346-8ad7-4a34-bd5e-53a32b369de8 .Ms Beate Schlupp5 I. IntroductionThe Baltic Sea is considered to be among the most polluted seas in the world. However, it is also one ofthe most well researched water bodies on the planet – primarily due to the science-based approach, whichlies at the heart of regional cooperation within HELCOM. Holistic assessments of the Baltic Sea’s envi-ronmental state conducted every six years under the auspices of HELCOM represent a unique and com-prehensive monitoring and knowledge-accumulating tool. The regular State of the Baltic Sea reports al-low for identifying persistent pressures and setting priorities for implementation.Despite the strategic pause announced following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in February2022, HELCOM continued its successful and far-reaching operational work towards the protection ofthe Baltic Sea. Within the time-period covered by this report, HELCOM finalised the third holistic as-sessment phase (HOLAS 3) and published the overarching 2024 State of the Baltic Sea report summaris-ing the main findings. The 2024 Ministerial Meeting focussed on the results of the conducted assessmentand reflected on future actions. The Meeting adopted a forward-looking Declaration signalling the par-ties’ renewed commitment to the jointly agreed measures under the 2021 Baltic Sea Action Plan and theoverall vision of a “healthy Baltic Sea environment”. Even though the latest State of the Baltic Sea reportrevealed that the Baltic Sea was not in a good ecological state, it also showed progress and improvementin those areas, where corresponding measures had been duly implemented. These findings can certainlyserve as an inspiration not only for the region but also for the whole world currently affected by the tripleplanetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.The fiftieth anniversary celebration commemorating the Helsinki Convention and the establishment ofHELCOM highlighted the resilience of regional cooperation even in the face of recurring crises and geo-political challenges. The BSPC congratulates HELCOM on half a century of dedicated work and willcontinue to support the implementation of the BSAP .Beate SchluppFirst Vice President of the State Parliament of Mecklenburg-VorpommernBSPC Observer at HELCOM6 II. Cooperation between the BSPC and HELCOMII. Cooperation between the BSPC and HELCOMThe Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) and the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Com-mission (HELCOM) traditionally uphold and nurture close links and ties to further our common goal ofa healthy and resilient Baltic Sea region. This fruitful cooperation and exchange continued throughout2023–2024, with traditional references to HELCOM’s work in BSPC recommendations for Baltic Seagovernments, HELCOM’s participation in the meetings of BSPC working bodies, and further contactsbetween BSPC and HELCOM representatives.The resolution of the 32nd BSPC Annual Conference held on 27–29 August 2023 in Berlin called upona strict and quick implementation of the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) and its associated docu-ments within the agreed timelines. In addition, the resolution called to consider further measures fromthe policy-relevant suggestions of the 2021 Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Fact Sheet.4The BSPC also followed the tradition of paying special attention to the challenge of sea-dumped muni -tions – as highlighted in the resolutions of the 28th,5 29th,6 30th,7 and 31st8 Baltic Sea Parliamentary Con -ferences – and devoted a separate section in the resolution of the 32nd BSPC to the issue.9 Baltic Sea par -liamentarians welcomed the joint consultations between CBSS and HELCOM on the issue and expressedtheir support for going beyond the previous agreements of the governments and initiating a joint strategicapproach and effort of the democratic Baltic Sea states in the area. The resolution suggested that this effortcould be based on the continuation of cooperation between the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS) andHELCOM to eliminate the hazardous situation caused by sea-dumped ammunition within the next twen -ty years. The resolution also highlighted the important role of close cooperation between CBSS and HEL -COM in filling knowledge gaps and developing best environmental practices and best available techniquesfor the environmentally sound and safe management of unexploded ordnance (UXOs).4 Conference Resolution Adopted by the 32nd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) in Berlin on 29 August 2023, Items 34–35, p. 5, https://www.bspc.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Final-Version-32-BSPC-resolution-V-28082023_v1-.pdf.5 Conference Resolution Adopted by the 28th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) in Oslo on 27 August 2019, Item 24, p. 4, https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bspc.net%2Fwp-con -tent%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F08%2FConference-Resolution-28-BSPC-adopted-270819-.docx&hl=en.6 Conference Resolution Adopted by the Digital 29th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) on 24 August 2020, Item 15, p. 3, https://www.bspc.net/29th-bspc-resolution-final-adopted/.7 Conference Resolution Adopted by the 30th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) on 30 August 2021, Item 47, p. 6, https://www.bspc.net/30-bspc-resolution-2021-adopted/.8 Conference Resolution Adopted by the 31st Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) in Stockholm on 14 June 2022, Item 26, p. 5, https://www.bspc.net/conference-resolution-31-bspc/.9 Conference Resolution Adopted by the 32nd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) in Berlin on 29 August 2023, Items 60, 62, 63, pp. 8–9, https://www.bspc.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Final-Ver -sion-32-BSPC-resolution-V-28082023_v1-.pdf.7 II. Cooperation between the BSPC and HELCOMIn continuation of BSPC’s established tradition of meeting with partner organisations at the beginning ofeach year, Mr Rüdiger Strempel, Executive Secretary of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Com-mission, was invited to provide an update on HELCOM’s current priorities and activities at the meetingof the BSPC Standing Committee in Brussels in March 2024. Mr Strempel elaborated on the currentworking procedures and ongoing processes and underlined the ongoing implementation of the updatedBaltic Sea Action Plan.In April, Mr Bodo Bahr, BSPC Secretary General, followed HELCOM’s invitation to the fiftieth anniver-sary of the Helsinki Convention signed in 1974 and congratulated the organisation on behalf of the Bal-tic Sea Parliamentary Conference. Mr Bahr looked back at five decades of extensive international effortsfor the protection of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea and reflected on more than two decades ofcooperation between the BSPC and HELCOM.The following sections provide a detailed overview of the information exchange between HELCOM andthe BSPC, as well as the relevant items contained in the resolution of the 32nd BSPC. These meetings andefforts present essential steps towards building awareness about our shared goal of improving the environ-mental situation in the Baltic Sea region and helping restore its good ecological status by the end of thecurrent decade.1. HELCOM Update at the BSPC Standing Committee Meeting in Brussels, 4March 2024In March 2024, Mr Rüdiger Strempel, Executive Secretary of the Helsinki Commission, joined the BSPCparliamentarians during their traditional winter meeting in the European Parliament in Brussels.10 Themeeting was dedicated to current developments in the Baltic Sea region, energy security, and ocean con-servation.10 Continuation of Close Cooperation with the EU, the CBSS and HELCOM, 4 March 2024, BSPC, https://www.bspc.net/continuation-of-close-co -operation-with-the-eu-the-cbss-and-helcom/ .8 II. Cooperation between the BSPC and HELCOMAt the beginning of his update on the current work of HELCOM, Mr Strempel noted that the Baltic Seawas a unique and vulnerable sea with a huge catchment area quadrupling the sea area itself. He remindedthat HELCOM counted ten contracting parties, including Russia and the European Union. He under-lined that HELCOM’s approach and organisation were science-based, meaning that expert groups pre-sented scientific information to the eight working groups, which were structured around the Secretariatand the Heads of Delegations’ (HODs) meetings. Based on the Helsinki Convention, HELCOM issuedrecommendations to governments, which were generally implemented despite not being legally binding.Action plans and projects – in particular, the Baltic Sea Action Plan at the heart of the organisation’s ac-tivities – addressed the bigger picture. Regular monitoring and assessment rounds allowed for reviewingthe progress made. Mr Strempel noted that the geopolitical changes since 2022 had necessitated a so-called “strategic pause”, postponing all official HELCOM meetings, with informal consultations of ninecontracting partners (H9) taking their place. Due to the unanimity requirement, decisions taken by theH9 were communicated to Russia through the Secretariat by means of a written procedure. Mr Strempelalso added that Russia’s willingness to cooperate on this basis had decreased over time.He moved on to the third HELCOM holistic assessment (HOLAS 3), covering the period of 2016–2021 anddetailing the state of the Baltic Sea. The 2023 State of the Baltic Sea report provided decision-makers with dataand information on the state of the environment during the period assessed, as well as information on the spatialvariation, trends in development over time, the distribution of pressures, and the effects of enacted measures. MrStrempel noted that, unfortunately, there had been scant overall progress in the review period. However, regionalmeasures were seen to have a beneficial effect on the marine environment of the Baltic Sea. Mr Strempel pointedto HELCOM’s central roadmap towards a healthy status of the Baltic Sea: the 2021 Baltic Sea Action Plan, whichfocussed on a healthy ecosystem, hazardous substances and litter, sustainable sea-based activities, and eutrophica -tion. Overarching topics included climate change, financing, knowledge exchange, and monitoring, among oth -ers. The updated Baltic Sea Action Plan included 199 actions, each encompassing individual target years for im -plementation. The BSAP also established specific criteria to help assess the implementation of measures andtasked individual HELCOM bodies with reviewing progress. Mr Strempel highlighted the HELCOM Explorer11tool, allowing real-time progress tracking in implementing the BSAP . Other tools HELCOM had developed in -cluded the Climate Change Fact Sheet12 – detailing the current scientific understanding of corresponding chal -lenges, the HELCOM Science Agenda,13 and a Regional Maritime Spatial Planning Roadmap.1411 HELCOM Explorer, https://maps.helcom.fi/website/HELCOMexplorer/ .12 Climate Change in the Baltic Sea 2021 Fact Sheet, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Baltic-Sea-Climate-Change-Fact-Sheet-2021.pdf.13 HELCOM Science Agenda 2021, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/HELCOM-Science-Agenda.pdf .14 Regional Maritime Spatial Planning Roadmap 2021-2030, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Regional-Maritime-Spatial-Plan -ning-Roadmap-2021-2030.pdf .9 II. Cooperation between the BSPC and HELCOMWith a view to current activities, Mr Strempel emphasised that the work on implementing the updated BalticSea Action Plan would continue. In 2023, HELCOM had restructured its working groups and completed itsthird holistic assessment. HOLAS 3 had shown that hazardous substances appeared to be a major problem inthe Baltic Sea, which HELCOM was determined to address with greater vigour. A few days before the BSPCStanding Committee meeting in Brussels, the annual Baltic Stakeholder Conference had been held in Helsin -ki. The event was dedicated to PROTECT BALTIC, the biggest project HELCOM had ever engaged in. InApril, the Informal Consultation Meeting of the Helsinki Commission was to be held in Riga, followed by theHELCOM Ministerial Meeting. In conjunction with the 2024 Ministerial Meeting, the Latvian Chairman -ship of HELCOM was planning an event to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Helsinki Convention andHELCOM. Mr Strempel further stressed HELCOM’s cooperation with partner organisations, such as theBSPC, and a number of regional and global frameworks, including the EU and the CBSS.He mentioned that Latvia would hand over HELCOM’s presidency to Lithuania in July 2024. Latvia’s prioritieswere maintaining HELCOM as an effective and well-functioning organisation, the implementation of the BalticSea Action Plan, and strengthening the role of regional cooperation. Lithuania’s priorities were still being definedat that time and were expected to be announced at the upcoming Ministerial Meeting in April 2024.During the discussion following Mr Strempel’s update, Mr Enn Eesmaa from the Estonian parliamentasked if HELCOM had considered the possible effects of the Gulf Stream changing or ceasing to exist.Mr Strempel pointed to the Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Fact Sheet, which also scientifically inves-tigated future impacts, although no changes to the Gulf Stream were included. Ms Anna Kassautzki fromthe German Bundestag regretted that pressing security concerns had reduced the focus on the issue of sea-dumped ammunition, wondering if that could be pushed to the fore at the meeting with environmentalministers in autumn. Mr Strempel still saw sea-dumped munitions as a firm part of the agenda, havinggained momentum in the past couple of years. He noted that the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan includ-ed relevant actions on the issue. While it might not be central to the public discussion, Mr Strempel reas-sured that the problem of sea-dumped munitions was still at the forefront of HELCOM’s efforts. Mr Mik-ko Polvinen from the Finnish parliament inquired about ongoing contacts and communication with Rus-sia. Mr Strempel considered the effect of the Russian war of aggression on HELCOM to be more institu-tional than environmental. He referred to the strategic pause announced by HELCOM in 2022. Sometechnical and scientific data, though, had been provided by Russia, even though he could not foretell if orfor how long such an exchange would continue. Mr Strempel admitted that it was impossible to tellwhether Russia was implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan.10 II. Cooperation between the BSPC and HELCOM2. BSPC at HELCOM 50th Anniversary, 25 April 2024On 25 April 2024, Latvia – in its capacity as HELCOM Chair – hosted a celebration to mark the fiftiethanniversary of the Helsinki Convention. In a special session dedicated to the addresses and speeches ofpartner organisations and stakeholders, BSPC Secretary General Mr Bodo Bahr conveyed his greetingsand best wishes on behalf of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference.15Mr Bahr emphasised that despite the fact that the essential goals that HELCOM parties and stakeholders had set forthemselves had not been reached – or not reached to the desirable extent – HELCOM exemplified the power ofmultilateral cooperation in addressing the complex environmental challenges facing the Baltic Sea region. Importantstrides had been made to promote the sustainable development and preservation of the Baltic Sea ecosystem. HEL -COM and its partners worked tirelessly to combat marine pollution, promote biodiversity conservation, foster sus -tainable maritime practices and safety, contribute to combatting climate change and find solutions to the challengeof removing sea-dumped ammunition. Mr Bahr stressed that HELCOM had continued its dedicated and passion -ate work to achieve its ambitious goals and made progress even in extremely difficult geopolitical situations – duringthe Cold War and in the face of Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable, and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.The BSPC, Mr Bahr underlined, had repeatedly referred to the results of HELCOM’s work from the ear-ly days of its existence. He reminded that since 2002, when the BSPC had attained observer status atHELCOM, both organisations had been working together as close partners. In line with this cooperation,responsible ministers of the presiding states, the chairpersons of HELCOM, and the executive secretariesregularly reported on the results of HELCOM’s work at BSPC annual conferences, Standing Committeeand working group meetings. BSPC observers at HELCOM had, for their part, submitted and continuedto submit comprehensive annual reports on the work of HELCOM to the BSPC.Mr Bahr stressed that the BSPC had continuously called for the broadest implementation of HELCOM’sgoals and objectives in almost all BSPC resolutions addressed to the governments in the Baltic Sea region, theCBSS, and the European Union. He noted that parliaments had always been on the progressive and ambi -tious side of implementing HELCOM’s goals. Mr Bahr also noted that BSPC member parliaments tradition -ally attached great importance to the involvement of younger generations in discussions and decision-makingand commended HELCOM for intensively involving young people in the anniversary event. In this sense, hereminisced about the extremely successful, lively, and well-founded HELCOM Youth Forums of the past.15 Congratulations by Mr Bodo Bahr, Secretary General of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC), HELCOM 50 Years, 25 April 2024,https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BSPC_HELCOM-speech-version-25-Apr -MB.pdf.11 II. Cooperation between the BSPC and HELCOMAs one of the greatest examples of successful and forward-looking practical cooperation, Mr Bahr specif-ically mentioned the enforcement and implementation of far-reaching measures to strengthen maritimesafety in the Baltic Sea based on binding agreements under international law more than two decades ago.This effort had been strongly supported and promoted by parliamentarians and made a decisive contribu-tion to preventing catastrophic tanker accidents in the Baltic Sea.Based on his long experience and more than 25 years of involvement with HELCOM’s work, Mr Bahrcalled upon the parties and stakeholders to “implement, implement, implement!!!” the agreed measuresand complement these efforts with holistic assessments and reports on their implementation status.On behalf of the BSPC, Mr Bahr expressed his sincere appreciation to all who had contributed to of HEL-COM’s success over the past five decades. Unwavering dedication and tireless efforts had been the drivingforce behind collective achievements, and Mr Bahr expressed confidence that HELCOM would continueto make meaningful progress in safeguarding the Baltic Sea environment.Finally, Mr Bahr stressed the significance of close and united cooperation between the democratic statesof the Baltic Sea region against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing brutal and unprovoked war of aggressionagainst Ukraine. He underlined the crucial importance of efforts to ensure that the Baltic Sea remained aSea of Peace and wished that international cooperation continued to thrive as the democratic Baltic Searegion continued to strive towards a peaceful and sustainable future.3. BSPC Efforts to Support HELCOMReferences to HELCOM’s ambitious goals and efforts undertaken to ensure the protection of the BalticSea marine environment have traditionally been an integral part of the consensually adopted resolutionsof the BSPC annual conferences since its establishment in 1991.12 II. Cooperation between the BSPC and HELCOMIn recent years, the BSPC has been closely following the process leading to the adoption of the updatedBaltic Sea Action Plan and its supporting documents, the development of the 2021 Climate Change inthe Baltic Sea Fact Sheet, as well as HELCOM’s related work in the area of unexploded underwater ord-nance. Thus, the resolution of the 31st BSPC strongly supported the updated BSAP16 and called for thefast and consistent implementation of the agreed objectives. In addition, it underlined the importance ofregular monitoring. Moreover, the resolution recommended deriving and implementing further measuresfrom the policy-relevant suggestions of the Baltic Sea Climate Change Fact Sheet.17 On the issue of sea-dumped munitions, which has been one of the priorities of the German Chairmanship of HELCOM, theresolution called for continued cooperation with HELCOM and the CBSS. The resolution envisioned anambitious goal of establishing the Baltic Sea region as a global role model region for the environmentallysound, rapid, and affordable salvage, decontamination and removal of explosive ordnance dumped in thesea.18In line with BSPC’s special interest in mitigating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and resolvingthe problem of sea-dumped munitions, the resolution of the 32nd BSPC Annual Conference specificallyhighlighted HELCOM’s commitments and work within these areas.Below please find the relevant items from the 32nd BSPC resolution,19 which also include recommenda-tions of the BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity 2020–2023:“The parliamentarians, elected representatives from [ten national parliaments, seven regionalparliaments, and three international parliamentary organisations], assembling in Berlin on29 August 2023 [...]Call on the Governments in the Baltic Sea Region, the CBSS, and the EU [...]Regarding strengthening the resilience of maritime ecosystems to [...]16 Conference Resolution Adopted by the 31st Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) in Stockholm on 14 June 2022, Item 19, p. 4, https://www.bspc.net/conference-resolution-31-bspc/ .17 Ibid, Item 20, p. 5.18 Conference Resolution Adopted by the 31st Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) in Stockholm on 14 June 2022, Item 26, p. 5, https://www.bspc.net/conference-resolution-31-bspc/ .19 Conference Resolution Adopted by the 32nd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) in Berlin on 29 August 2023, https://www.bspc.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Final-Version-32-BSPC-resolution-V-28082023_v1-.pdf.13 II. Cooperation between the BSPC and HELCOM34. contribute to the rapid entry into force of the landmark international legally binding instrumenton the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national ju -risdiction (BBNJ) from 19 June 2023 and use its tools and possibilities in intensive cooperationwithin the CBSS and HELCOM to reach the goals mentioned above (WG/Biodiversity 16);35. ensure a quick and strict implementation of the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan and its associatedaction documents within the agreed timelines in all democratic HELCOM member states toachieve a good ecological status of the Baltic Sea by the end of the decade and consider as far aspossible implementing further measures from the policy-relevant suggestions for various policyareas in the HELCOM 2021 Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Fact Sheet to reach this goal; [...]Considering the special attention the BSPC devoted to the issue of dumped ammuni -tion in the Baltic Sea, particularly during the Presidency of the German Bundestag, theConference strongly welcomes [...]60. the initiation of a cross-sectoral, multidisciplinary, and macro-regional dialogue on un-derwater munitions in line with its previous demands during the round table of expertsin Kiel in December 2022 and the joint consultation of HELCOM and the CBSS inApril 2023; [...]In light of the foregoing, the BSPC calls on the Governments in the Baltic Sea Region,the CBSS, and the EU to62. go beyond the previous agreements of the governments and initiate a joint strategic ap-proach and effort of the democratic Baltic Sea states - as has been achieved concerningthe expansion of offshore wind capacities -, also based on the continuation of the coop-eration between CBSS and HELCOM, as well as consider establishing a joint financialinstrument to succeed in the goal, which the BSPC considers of great importance, ofeliminating the hazardous situation caused by ammunition dumped in the Baltic Seawithin the next 20 years at the latest;63. continue close cooperation between the CBSS, HELCOM, and other relevant organisa-tions to fill knowledge gaps, develop best environmental practices for risk assessment,and explore funding opportunities for the development and implementation of the bestavailable techniques for environmentally sound and safe management.”14 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024Moving forward and given our common and shared priorities, the BSPC shall take note and consider theresults of HELCOM’s third holistic assessment (HOLAS 3), the State of the Baltic Sea 2023 Report andthe thematic assessment reports, together with the Ministerial Declaration of the 2024 HELCOM Min-isterial Meeting in Riga. The BSPC will continue closely following the implementation of the updatedBaltic Sea Action Plan, especially in combatting eutrophication and protecting biodiversity. In terms ofenhancing climate resilience, the BSPC would take particular note of the policy-related recommendationsof the 2021 Baltic Sea Climate Change Fact Sheet.III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/20241. HELCOM Strategic PauseShortly after the start of Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine inFebruary 2022, the European Union and the contracting parties to the Helsinki Convention that aremembers of the European Union (H9) condemned the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.On 4 March 2022, then German HELCOM Chairmanship issued a Statement on behalf of the Contract-ing Parties that are member states of the European Union.20 The Statement reiterated the condemnationof Russia’s invasion and announced the suspension of all HELCOM meetings with Russia’s involvement.This included all HELCOM bodies, including the Heads of Delegations, working groups, expert groups,and other bodies. In June 2022, the suspension was prolonged until further notice.21The announced strategic pause in regular HELCOM operations with Russia’s involvement meant thatHELCOM’s official work had been put on pause. However, HELCOM’s practical environmental workand ongoing activities continued in the form of informal consultations. Formal decisions were handledby a correspondence procedure – with Russia’s involvement – after the informal session.20 Statement by the German Chairmanship of HELCOM on behalf of the European Union and the Contracting Parties to HELCOM that are Mem -ber States of the European Union, 4 March 2022, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/German-Chairmanship-Statement-on-Ukraine.pdf .21 HELCOM meetings remain suspended until further notice, 21 June 2022, https://helcom.fi/helcom-meetings-remain-suspended-until-further-no-tice/.15 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024In April 2024 at the Ministerial Meeting in Riga, the ministers and high-level representatives of the Minis -tries of the Environment, respectively of Climate, of Infrastructure and of Maritime Affairs of eight Baltic Seacoastal states and the European Union issued a Statement on the geopolitical situation.22 In this Statement,the European Union and HELCOM contracting parties that are members of the European Union reaffirmedtheir unanimous position that they could not currently engage in business as usual with the Russian Federa -tion in the context of HELCOM. Therefore, they upheld their decision to observe a strategic pause but em -phasised that this strategic pause did not constitute a cessation of HELCOM activities.The H9 reiterated their continued commitment to the implementation of the Helsinki Convention andthe policies and measures agreed to in the context of that Convention, for the benefit of the entire BalticSea Region.At the same time, they reaffirmed their support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integri-ty of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, as well as its inherent right of self-defenceagainst the war of aggression by the Russian Federation.2. Third HELCOM Holistic Assessment (HOLAS 3)The holistic assessments of the State of the Baltic Sea (HOLAS) follow up on the goals of the initial andupdated Baltic Sea Action Plan from 2007 and 2021 respectively and serve as a tool for a comprehensiveoverview of the ecosystem health of the entire Baltic Sea. The holistic approach highlights the intercon-nectedness of various environmental factors and their impact on the ecosystem.Comprehensive holistic assessments of the state of the Baltic Sea are conducted once every six years. Thereports summarising the main findings result from collaborative efforts among HELCOM member states,scientific experts, and organisations dedicated to the protection of the Baltic Sea. They serve as a corner-stone of HELCOM’s work and policymaking, assisting in the monitoring of the implementation and ef-fectiveness of the Baltic Sea Action Plan.22 HELCOM Statement on the geopolitical situation, 2024, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Geopolitical-Statment-2024.pdf .16 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024T able 1. Overview of HELCOM’s holistic assessmentsHOLAS2003-2007HOLAS 22011-2016HOLAS 32016-2021In 2010, HELCOM completedthe initial assessment (HOLAS)of the ecosystem health of theBaltic Sea – including the associ-ated costs and benefits to the so-ciety. The assessment was basedon data from 2003 to 2007.The second HELCOM ‘State ofthe Baltic Sea’ holistic assessment(HOLAS 2) provided a compre-hensive overview of the ecosys-tem health of the Baltic Seabased on data collected between2011 and 2016.The third holistic assessment ofthe Baltic Sea (HOLAS 3) coversthe period 2016–2021. The re-sults were published in 2023 instages, starting with the thematicassessments.Source: HELCOM, https://helcom.fi/baltic-sea-trends/holistic-assessments/.The initial assessment was conducted based on the data and expert knowledge gathered throughout 2003–2007 and resulted in the first HOLAS Assessment Report published in 2010.23 This initial assessmentshowed that none of the open-water basins in the Baltic Sea was in a good environmental state. Accord-ing to the report, eutrophication and hazardous substances negatively affected most sub-basins, and hu-man communities linked to the sea had been negatively affected by the deteriorated state of the Baltic Sea.The assessment concluded that given the impaired status of the ecosystem, pressures from agriculture,fisheries, industries, and the maritime sector should be managed more effectively. The second holistic as-sessment for the period of 2011–2016 was carried out throughout 2014–2018. HOLAS 2 gave a com-prehensive data-based assessment of the ecosystem’s health, provided a solid framework for future evalua-tions and covered more aspects than had ever been covered in the region previously. The summary Stateof the Baltic Sea report was published in 2018.24 It concluded that the environmental objectives envi-sioned by the 2007 Baltic Sea Action Plan were unlikely to be achieved by 2021. Based on the findings ofHOLAS 2, the 2018 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting launched the BSAP update process. The BSAP up-date was concluded by adopting the revised Baltic Sea Action Plan at the HELCOM Ministerial Meetingin 2021 – with measures and actions set for the target year 2030.23 HELCOM, Baltic Sea Environment Proceedings No. 122, Ecosystem Health of the Baltic Sea, HELCOM Initial Holistic Assessment, 2010,https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/BSEP122.pdf .24 HELCOM, State of the Baltic Sea – Second HELCOM holistic assessment 2011-2016. Baltic Sea Environment Proceedings 155, 2018, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BSEP155.pdf .17 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024The preparation of the third holistic assessment (HOLAS 3) started in 2019; it covered the period of 2016–2021and featured five thematic assessment reports, each focussing on a specific topic. The reports addressed the state ofbiodiversity, environmental pressures, eutrophication, and the relationship between humanity and nature. The re-sults of HOLAS 3 have been published in stages, commencing in March 2023.Thematic assessment reports 2023HELCOM Thematic assessment of economic and social analyses 2016-202125HELCOM Thematic assessment of spatial distribution of pressures and impacts 2016-202126HELCOM Thematic assessment of hazardous substances, marine litter, underwater noiseand non-indigenous species 2016-202127HELCOM Thematic assessment of eutrophication 2016-202128HELCOM Thematic assessment of biodiversity 2016-202129The assessment work culminated in the publication of the HOLAS 3 summary report in October 2023.25 HELCOM Thematic assessment of economic and social analyses 2016-2021, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HELCOM-Themat -ic-assessment-of-economic-and-social-analyses-2016-2021.pdf .26 HELCOM Thematic assessment of spatial distribution of pressures and impacts 2016-2021, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HEL -COM-Thematic-assessment-of-spatial-distribution-of-pressures-and-impacts-2016-2021.pdf .27 HELCOM Thematic assessment of hazardous substances, marine litter, underwater noise and non-indigenous species 2016-202, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HELCOM-Thematic-assessment-of-hazardous-substances-marine-litter-underwater-noise-and-non-indigenous-spe -cies-2016-2021.pdf.28 HELCOM Thematic assessment of eutrophication 2016-2021, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/HELCOM-Thematic-assess -ment-of-eutrophication-2016-2021.pdf .29 HELCOM Thematic assessment of biodiversity 2016-2021 (Main report compressed), https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HEL -COM-Thematic-assessment-of-biodiversity-2016-2021-Main-report.pdf .18 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024State of the Baltic Sea 2023 ReportThe State of the Baltic Sea 2023 summary report30 combined the results of a wide range of assessmentsconducted within the framework of the third HELCOM holistic assessment. It presented a comprehen-sive picture of the state of the Baltic Sea environment and helped track progress towards implementingthe 2021 Baltic Sea Action Plan’s goals and objectives.The State of the Baltic Sea 2023 report offered a concerning picture of the Baltic Sea’s environmentalhealth. Despite its ecological, economic, and cultural significance, the assessment revealed little to no im-provement in the marine environment during the period of 2016–2021. The report identified persistentpoor status across various environmental pressures throughout the Baltic Sea, with continued degradationof biodiversity. Key pressures included eutrophication, pollution from hazardous substances, land use,and overfishing, with climate change exacerbating these existing challenges and increasing the risk of bi-odiversity loss.According to the assessment, the ecosystem’s health showed alarming trends, with few indicators reachingthreshold values in parts of the Baltic Sea and none achieving satisfactory levels across all assessed areas.Some species groups, particularly marine mammals and fish, experienced a worsened integrated status,with commercial fish stocks in an especially poor condition. This environmental degradation had signifi-cant economic ramifications, affecting sectors such as fisheries and tourism, as well as compromising eco-system services. The report estimated that achieving good environmental status by 2040 could be worth5.6 billion euros annually to the region.Despite these challenges, the assessment highlighted the effectiveness of regional measures when properlyimplemented. Some areas had seen nutrient inputs and certain hazardous substances reach sustainablelevels, whereas biodiversity conservation efforts had increased. The report mentioned that the Baltic Searegion was on track to achieve the global target of 30 percent protected area by 2030. To build on thisprogress, the report recommended implementing ecosystem-based management approaches, further re-ducing nutrient inputs to agreed maximum levels, strengthening coordination of hazardous substancemanagement, transitioning to ecosystem-based fisheries management, and enhancing ecosystem resil-ience against climate change.30 State of the Baltic Sea 2023 – Third HELCOM holistic assessment 2016–2021, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/State-of-the-Baltic-Sea-2023.pdf.19 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024The report emphasised the critical importance of implementing the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan andcalled for a transformative change across all socioeconomic sectors affecting the Baltic Sea. It also under-scored the need for continued coordinated monitoring, assessment, and analysis among Baltic Sea coun-tries to support effective environmental policy and ecosystem-based management. The HOLAS 3 assess-ment recognised that many environmental objectives would likely require a combination of measures tar-geting various pressures and climate change effects.These findings and recommendations provided a comprehensive framework for addressing the complexchallenges facing the Baltic Sea and working towards its sustainable future. The report stressed that thenational work in HELCOM countries was at the core of implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan andimproving the health of the Baltic Sea. It highlighted the importance of measures to strengthen Baltic Seabiodiversity and equip the ecosystem with the capacity to withstand future effects of climate change.3. HELCOM at the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2023, 4–5 October 2023On 4 October 2023, HELCOM, in collaboration with the Pomorskie Region and CBSS, co-organised aworkshop on “Submerged munitions in the Baltic Sea – environmental, security and other challenges” atthe 2023 Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR).31 Mr Rüdigger Strem-pel, Executive Secretary at HELCOM, joined the panel of experts and highlighted HELCOM’s efforts todeal with the problem of unexploded ordnance in the Baltic Sea.The workshop brought together key stakeholders and experts to discuss the submerged munitions issue.32Mr Christos Economou, Deputy Director at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries(DG MARE), summarised ongoing discussions and highlighted recent commitments made by Baltic Seamember states. He noted that the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme had provided substantial fund-ing for projects such as CHEMSEA, DAIMON, and DAIMON 2, totalling 10.13 million euros.31 EUSBSR Annual Forum 2023 in Riga, https://helcom.fi/helcom-at-work/events/events-2023/eusbsr-annual-forum-2023/.32 Annual Forum 2023: Submerged Munitions in the Baltic Sea – Environmental, Security, and Other Challenges, https://eusbsr.eu/annual-fo -rum-2023-submerged-munitions-in-the-baltic-sea-environmental-security-and-other-challenges/ .20 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024Mr Grzegorz Poznański, Director General of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, highlighted the organ-isation’s initiatives under the German CBSS presidency. The CBSS had expressed concerns about under-water munitions and adopted the Wismar Declaration in 2023, which directly addressed this issue. MrPoznański stressed that the CBSS continued to emphasise the importance of public awareness and actionsregarding submerged munitions.Mr Rüdiger Strempel outlined HELCOM’s role in addressing underwater munitions. Thus, HELCOM’supdated Baltic Sea Action Plan 2021 acknowledged the severe impact of hazardous substances and com-mitted to developing a regional strategic approach by 2024.Professor Jacek Bełdowski from the Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, presented hiswork on mapping submerged munitions in the Baltic Sea. His latest project, MUNIMAP , aimed to coor-dinate activities related to sea-dumped munitions in the region, building on previous collaborative pro-jects.Mr Alexander Bach, representing the Ministry of Energy T ransition, Climate Protection, Environment,and Nature of Schleswig-Holstein, shared recommendations from expert discussions held in Kiel. Nota-bly, the German government had initiated a 100-million-euro national action program to address theclearance of underwater munitions in the Baltic Sea, focusing on the Bay of Lübeck.The BSPC issued action recommendations and targets for governments regarding sea-dumped munitionsin the Baltic Sea, as outlined in the resolution of the 32nd BSPC. Additionally, BSPC Rapporteur on sea-dumped munitions Ms Anna Kassautzki prepared a report on the current developments in the area ofdumped munitions and unexploded ordnance in the Baltic Sea in the summer of 2023.33The workshop emphasised that addressing submerged munitions was crucial for limiting the negative ef-fects of climate change, protecting biodiversity, and preserving marine ecosystems. The economic ex-ploitation of the Baltic Sea, including the establishment of wind farms, development of the shipping in-dustry, and construction of gas pipelines, increased the risk of releasing toxic substances into the environ-ment. Therefore, the clearance of submerged munitions was deemed essential in achieving a sustainableand prosperous Baltic Sea Region in the long term.33 BSPC, Report 2023 by the Rapporteur on Sea Dumped Munitions, https://www.bspc.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BSPC_Report-on-Sea-Dumped-Munitions_22_23.pdf.21 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/20244. HELCOM at COP 28, 6 December 2023On 6 December 2023, Mr Rüdiger Strempel, HELCOM Executive Secretary, delivered a recorded mes-sage as part of a panel “WILDLY BLUE: ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF OUR SEAS”, organised bythe City of Tallinn – European Green Capital 2023 – at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UnitedNations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28).In his video message, Mr Strempel referred to the State of the Baltic Sea 2023 report launched in Octo-ber 2023 and summarised the main findings of HELCOM’s third holistic assessment of the Baltic Sea.He noted that HOLAS 3 represented the most comprehensive overview of the state of the Baltic Sea en-vironment ever produced. However, the results appeared sobering: despite decades of efforts, the assess-ment showed that the Baltic Sea was not in a good state. Mr Strempel stressed the continued degradationof biodiversity resulting from human activities. Eutrophication, pollution from hazardous substances,land use and overfishing remained the biggest pressures.Moreover, climate change increased the risk of biodiversity loss in the Baltic Sea and aggravated the im-pact of existing pressures. Mr Strempel underscored that the Baltic Sea region was already warming fasterthan the global average, but the impacts of climate change were expected to exacerbate this trend further.Therefore, urgent and decisive action was imperative to reverse current negative trajectories and to protectand restore the Baltic Sea ecosystem. In this sense, Mr Strempel acknowledged that regional measurescould have a positive effect on the environment – when they were implemented – and reminded that the2021 Baltic Sea Action Plan was a cornerstone in addressing these challenges and achieving good ecolog-ical status by 2030. Mr Strempel highlighted that the BSAP aligned with the United Nations SustainableDevelopment Goals and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, emphasising the global and re-gional commitment to the cause.Mr.Strempel highlighted the successes that regional actions had already achieved, such as reductions innutrient inputs and hazardous substances, as well as actions for biodiversity conservation in certain areasof the Baltic Sea. He also outlined HELCOM’s current priorities; including lowering the input of nutri-ents to regionally agreed maximum levels in all sea basins. In addition, strengthening the coordination ofmanagement measures to limit the introduction of a wide range of hazardous substances, and promotingsustainable sea-based activities. He stressed that transformative change was required to protect and rebuildthe ecosystem and halt existing negative trends.22 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024Local and regional governments emerged as pivotal players, translating global commitments into meas-ures on the ground, Mr Strempel emphasised. These could drive transformative change at the grassrootslevel, making them key players in the effort to protect and restore the Baltic Sea ecosystem.5. Baltic Stakeholder Conference 2024, 29 February 2024The Baltic Stakeholder Conference 2024 (BSC2024) took place on 29 February 2024 and was dedicatedto the launch of the Mission Ocean PROTECT BALTIC project, which is funded by the EU under Ho-rizon Europe with HELCOM as the lead partner.34 The inaugural stakeholder event gathered more than300 participants, who joined the meeting online and in-person at Hanaholmen – the Swedish-FinnishCultural Centre in Espoo, Finland.The overarching goal of BSC2024 was to create a collaborative space for stakeholders vested in the PRO-TECT BALTIC project.35 The project aims to improve the biodiversity status of the Baltic Sea, raising thecoverage of protected areas to 30 percent, with one-third of these under strict protection. By bringing to-gether stakeholders with varying expertise and diverse perspectives, the conference strived to facilitatecross-sectoral dialogue and collaboration, paving the way for innovative solutions and collective action to-wards Baltic Sea protection.Ms Jannica Haldin, Deputy Executive Secretary of HELCOM and Project Manager for PROTECT BAL-TIC, introduced the project’s aims and scope, emphasising the urgent need for protection in the BalticSea. She highlighted the unique nature of the Baltic Sea, the complex relationship between human activ-ities and pressures affecting the sea’s ecosystems, and the need for immediate action.36 Ms Haldin furtherexplained that approximately 16.5 percent of the Baltic Sea was currently under protection. However,challenges persisted, including knowledge and governance gaps, as well as inadequate adaptive manage-ment. The presentation made clear that doubling the protected area to 30 percent in seven years posed asignificant challenge, which necessitated collective action.34 HELCOM, Baltic Stakeholder Conference 2024 – PROTECT BALTIC, 2024, https://helcom.fi/helcom-at-work/events/helcom-stakeholders-con -frences/bsc2024/ .35 PROTECT BALTIC: An EU Mission Restore our Oceans and Waters project to preserve, revive and help the Baltic Sea thrive, https://protectbal -tic.eu/ .36 Baltic Stakeholder Conference 2024 Report, 2024, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/BSC2024_final_publish.pdf .23 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024Regarding the project design, Ms Haldin elaborated on the protection optimisation framework for PRO-TECT BALTIC. The project would consist of various components to ensure that the approach to protec-tion was holistic. Thus, the project would involve an assessment of the existing legal frameworks govern-ing marine protection efforts, which would help to identify gaps and areas for improvement in the regu-latory landscape. In addition, the project would focus on evaluating the management effectiveness of ex-isting marine protected areas (MPAs) by assessing their performance in achieving protection goals. More-over, the sufficiency of measures (SOM) implemented within MPAs would be assessed to determine theiradequacy in meeting targets. This would involve evaluating the effectiveness of protection measures andidentifying opportunities for enhancement. Monitoring guidelines would be developed to enable system-atic tracking of protection outcomes and progress, including, capacity building among MPA managers toenhance their skills and capabilities. Ecosystem service analysis would represent another component with-in the project to assess the benefits provided by marine ecosystems and inform decision-making processesrelated to MPA management. Ms Haldin also highlighted that the project would involve modelling newspecies and habitat maps to improve spatial planning and identify priority areas for protection. Climatechange predictions and assessments of the distribution of human activities would represent another cru-cial aspect of the project since they were needed to identify areas of potential conflict and inform adaptivemanagement strategies. Ms Haldin emphasised that a regional restoration action plan to guide restorationefforts would be developed with the aim of enhancing the resilience and health of marine ecosystems. Ul-timately, the project would culminate in the Baltic Sea protection optimisation framework, which wouldserve as a comprehensive tool for guiding protection and management efforts in the region.In conclusion, Ms Haldin underlined that PROTECT BALTIC and other projects under EU’s MissionOcean would play a pivotal role in achieving regional protection goals and restoring ocean health and ad-dressing the impacts of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.Following the presentation of the PROTECT BALTIC project, Mr Eduardo Carquejeiro, Policy Officerfrom the EU’s Directorate-General Research and Innovation, provided a comprehensive overview of theEuropean Union’s Mission Ocean,37 which aims to protect and restore the health of ocean and watersthrough research and innovation, citizen engagement, and blue investments. Mr Carquejeiro stressed thesignificance of projects like PROTECT BALTIC, which fell under the umbrella of Mission Ocean andcontributed to its overarching objectives. In this regard, he underscored the Mission’s alignment with keyEU strategies under the European Green Deal, including the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the37 EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters, https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/restore-our-ocean-and-waters_en .24 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024Climate Adaptation Strategy. He explained that Mission Ocean was divided into different sea basins or“lighthouses,” each focusing on specific objectives, such as making the blue economy carbon-neutral andcircular in the Baltic and North Sea Basin. Within the framework of the Mission, public funding and pro-ject support was allocated to partnerships and stakeholders to support Mission Ocean’s objectives.T wo key enabling mechanisms – the Digital Ocean and Waters Knowledge System – were launched to fa-cilitate the implementation of Mission Ocean through visualisation models and knowledge-sharing initi-atives. Mr Carquejeiro underscored the importance of public mobilisation and public engagement strat-egies, such as co-creation, citizen science, education and awareness initiatives, community-driven businessmodels, and information and participation portals for stakeholders. Such strategies, combined withhigh-level political support, were aimed at building a community around Mission Ocean. In conclusion,Mr Carquejeiro reiterated the importance of sustained commitment and collaboration in the long-termfor the effective implementation of measures to advance marine sustainability within the EU.The presentations of PROTECT BALTIC and Mission Ocean were followed by 21 workshops, focusingon different aspects of marine protection, and an online youth conference.During the closing ceremony, Ms Jannica Haldin emphasised the significance of stakeholder involvementfor the project’s success and objectives. She underscored that the understanding that stakeholders had di-verse interests and commitments was central to the project organisers’ approach. Ms Haldin explainedthat in the next step, the input from the Baltic Sea Stakeholder Conference 2024 would be gathered andintegrated into the work structured around different packages and strands, which were reflected in theconducted workshops. As a final message, Ms Haldin expressed her hope that all the stakeholders involvedcould feel themselves as a little part of a much greater solution.25 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/20246. Ministerial Meeting on the Baltic Sea Marine Environment in Riga,25 April 2024T wo and a half years after the previous Ministerial Meeting in Lübeck, Germany, in October 2021, theministers and high-level representatives of Baltic Sea coastal states and the European Union have gatheredin Riga, Latvia on 25 April 2024, for the 2024 Ministerial Meeting on the Baltic Sea Marine Environ-ment.38The 2024 Ministerial Meeting on the Baltic Sea Marine Environment was attended by the ministers andhigh-level representatives of the Ministries of the Environment, respectively of Climate, of Infrastructureand of Maritime Affairs of eight Baltic Sea coastal states and the European Union. The discussions pri-marily focussed on the results of the third HELCOM holistic assessment of the Baltic Sea (HOLAS 3)with the aim of further strengthening the scientific basis for determining key priorities and shaping thetrajectory of future work.The HOLAS 3 assessment process, which culminated in the publication of the State of the Baltic Sea2023 synthesis report in October 2023, provided a comprehensive overview of the Baltic Sea’s ecosystemhealth in the period of 2016–2021 and enabled tracking progress in implementing the Baltic Sea ActionPlan. The Ministerial Meeting in Riga presented an opportunity to consider further steps towards reach-ing the vision of a healthy Baltic Sea environment by 2030 and to ensure continued regional cooperation.The ministerial debate focussed on better targeting and prioritising efforts to implement the 2021 BalticSea Action Plan, based on the new insights gained from HOLAS 3 and the continued implementation ofHELCOM’s goals against the background of the challenging geopolitical situation in the Baltic Sea re-gion.HELCOM Ministerial Meeting 2024: Opening and Ministerial DebateThe 2024 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting was opened by Ms. Inga Bērziņa, Minister of EnvironmentalProtection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia, who referred to the meeting and the fol-lowing fiftieth anniversary celebration of the Helsinki Convention as a major and culminating event ofthe Latvian Chairmanship of HELCOM. Ms Bērziņa emphasised the unprecedented geopolitical situa-tion and commended the member states of the EU as well as the European Commission for their38 HELCOM, 2024 Riga, https://helcom.fi/helcom-at-work/ministerial-meetings/2024-riga/ .26 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024continued cooperation for the sake of the Baltic Sea environment. She stressed that HELCOM’s third ho-listic assessment showed only little or no improvement in the state of the Baltic Sea, which meant thatstates should continue to work better and harder towards the shared vision of a healthy marine environ-ment and tackling the crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.Mr Rüdiger Strempel, Executive Secretary at HELCOM, welcomed the ministers and high-level repre-sentatives and recalled the past Ministerial Meeting in Lübeck on 20 October 2021. Since then, the re-gion had descended into geopolitical turmoil, while the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiver-sity loss, and pollution was making itself felt with ever-greater urgency. Mr Strempel assumed that the re-sults of HOLAS 3 may have come as a shock to many but cautioned against despair and indifference. Hestressed that the roadmap and toolbox provided by the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan from 2021 com-bined with the knowledge acquired thought the assessment process would help prioritise policies towardsa healthy Baltic Sea environment. Despite the sobering picture, HOLAS 3 showed that regional measuresto reduce pressures had a beneficial effect on the Baltic Sea, where these were duly implemented. Thus,inputs of nutrients and hazardous substances had reached sustainable levels in some parts of the BalticSea. Moreover, there was an uptick in biodiversity conservation measures. Therefore, Mr Strempel stressedthat much progress had been achieved in the past fifty years and expressed his gratitude towards all thosewho had worked tirelessly to save the Baltic Sea and shape the history of HELCOM.Following the opening words, Ms Jannica Haldin, Deputy Executive Secretary of HELCOM, gave a keynotepresentation dedicated to the results of the third holistic assessment of the state of the Baltic Sea. Ms Haldinnoted that the assessment report provided a snapshot of the situation in the period of 2016–2021. The assessmentshowed that pressures on the environment, including hazardous substances, eutrophication, extraction of speciesand the introduction of non-indigenous species, remained above sustainable levels. Moreover, the effects of cli -mate change were becoming more visible across the entire Baltic Sea region. Unsustainable use had resulted in cas -es of inadequate status in biodiversity and the food web across the full extent of the Baltic Sea. Only a few biodi -versity indicators showed acceptable levels in parts of the region and none in all areas. Yet, as Ms Haldin noted,the assessment also showed inspiring achievements: the knowledge about the Baltic Sea ecosystem and policies tosupport it had developed substantially, and as an endeavour, HOLAS 3 presented an extraordinary example ofwhat could be achieved through true regional cooperation and long-term commitment. Almost a thousand ex -perts from all across the Baltic Sea were involved in the review process and, over nine months, had processed al -most three thousand comments to ensure the robustness of the information presented. The results showed une -quivocally that human activities were at the core of the poor status across the Baltic Sea ecosystem. Ms Haldinemphasised that limiting the impact of the activities humans could control would help the ecosystem rebuild.Even though the results had not yet reached the thresholds for good ecological status, positive trends where27 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024appropriate measures had been implemented could be identified across the region. However, in order to see achange in the status of the ecosystem, a combination of measures was needed. Therefore, Ms Haldin underscoredthat the most effective and cost-efficient measures to alleviate the pressures were those that targeted managing hu -man activities so that they remained within the boundaries the ecosystem could tolerate. In this regard, the BSAPprovided an opportunity to reflect on the effectiveness and urgency of specific measures. Yet she stressed that al -ready now, both the BSAP and the results of HOLAS 3 made clear that achieving good environmental status ofBaltic Sea ecosystems required transformative change across all sectors affecting the sea. The holistic assessment’seconomic and social analysis showed that failure to secure good status was costly for commercial sectors such ascoastal and marine tourism. Ms Haldin concluded that considering the high costs of inaction, achieving a healthyBaltic Sea could be seen as an investment in the region’s sustainable economic and societal development.The presentation of the results of the third HELCOM holistic assessment was followed by the Ministeri-al Debate, which concentrated on two main questions:a) The lessons learned from the State of the Baltic Sea 2023 report for the prioritised implementation ofspecific actions,b) The reinforcement of the successful implementation of HELCOM goals notwithstanding the currentgeopolitical situation in the Baltic Sea region.Regarding the prioritisation of specific measures for implementation, Ms Inga Bērziņa, Minister of En-vironmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia, stressed the need to facilitate ecosys-tem-based management of the Baltic Sea and to increase its resilience to climate change. Another priorityarea was marine litter since plastics and micro-plastics constituted a principal environmental challenge forthe Baltic Sea, including the Gulf of Riga. Ms Bērziņa noted that, Latvia introduced a deposit system forglass, PET and metal items two years ago. Since then, the amount of beverage packaging found in riversand beaches had significantly decreased, reducing macro-plastic pollution. Further, marine biodiversityand ecosystems represented another priority field. Ecosystem-based maritime spatial planning that alsoconsidered climate change effects could enhance biodiversity conservation and strengthen marine ecosys-tem services, establishing a network of marine protected areas. Wrapping up, Ms Bērziņa welcomed HEL-COM initiatives to engage in large-scale EU-funded projects to support the implementation of the BalticSea Action Plan.28 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024Ms Ida Hannibal, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Danish Ministry of Environment, stressed thathazardous substances remained one of the top pressures in the Baltic Sea. Ms Hannibal specifically ad-dressed scrubber wash water from ships, which contributed to the high pressure on the marine environ-ment. For its part, Denmark had reached a “broad political agreement” to ban the discharge of scrubberwash water in the Danish territorial waters starting in 2025. She expressed her hope that HELCOMwould prioritise banning discharges of scrubber wash water in the Baltic Sea. As the second priority field,Ms Hannibal emphasised nutrient input reductions, which, despite certain achievements, had stagnatedor even worsened in some cases. She, therefore, called to increase efforts in order to reach the agreed Max-imum Allowable Inputs and the National Nutrient Input Ceilings.Mr Kaupo Läänerand, Deputy Secretary General on Maritime Affairs and Water Resources of Estonia,noted that despite the very good and comprehensive overview of the ecological status of the Baltic Sea,some impacts and the overall effects of climate change remained hard to assess. Therefore, Mr Läänerandprioritised the need for continued regional cooperation among the authorities and scientists within HEL-COM to successfully implement the Baltic Sea Action Plan. As a second priority area, he pointed out theproblem of marine litter, which showed some signs of deterioration. Mr Läänerand called to continue ac-tively preventing marine litter at the regional level and to establish unified monitoring requirements formacro-plastic and thresholds, including those for biodiversity. Thirdly, he stressed the need to continueexpanding the network of marine protected areas in the Baltic Sea through cooperation. In addition, MrLäänerand emphasised the importance of pollution response, infrastructure security, and the safe disposalof wrecks and unexploded ordnance. Finally, he underscored that the effectiveness of measures and theircosts should be considered more closely while planning and implementing measures.On behalf of the European Union, Mr Patrick Child, Deputy Director General for Environment, high-lighted the State of the Baltic Sea 2023 report as a remarkable tool demonstrating the benefit of regionalcooperation. He noted that the pressures on the Baltic Sea remained intense and were further exacerbat-ed by climate change. Nevertheless, there were positive developments, such as the high level of awarenessacross the Baltic Sea countries on the need to take strong and effective actions, the expansion of the netof protected areas, and the understanding that immediate and targeted action and implementation wereneeded. The EU had been actively working in several areas and had adopted or revised regulations, for in-stance, on the treatment of urban wastewater and on industrial emissions. Moving forward, the EU wasworking on the review of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Mr Child emphasised that imple-menting EU law helped EU member states reach the objectives of the BSAP , and conversely, the BSAPwould help EU member states achieve the good environmental status required by EU rules.29 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024On behalf of Mr Kai Mykkänen, Minister of Climate and the Environment of Finland, Ms Sara Vilja-nen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, stressed the high value of the State of the Baltic Sea 2023 report andHOLAS 3, which provided the best possible background information regarding the measures needed toprotect the Baltic Sea. Ms Viljanen emphasised that eutrophication continued to present the main chal-lenge, and combined with progressing climate change, affected the marine environment and required ur-gent action. Actions were needed in order to remove pollution hot spots. Here, Ms Viljanen noted thatcooperation with enterprises was at the heart of Finland’s efforts to reduce agricultural pollution. Marinelitter was another key area since Finland had recently witnessed exceptionally large quantities of marineplastic litter. Moreover, the presence and dangers coming from the so-called “dark fleet” or “shadow fleet”of the Baltic Sea posed an ever-increasing risk of oil spills close to the coastlines. In order to address theissue, Ms Viljanen mentioned that Finland was planning to organise an event in conjunction with thenext Administrative Board meeting of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in Lisbon andcalled upon the Baltic Sea states to work together more coherently on the issue.Ms Steffi Lemke, German Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safetyand Consumer Protection, underlined that the triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity loss, and cli -mate change harmed the Baltic Sea’s flora and fauna. However, she also noted that the third HELCOMholistic assessment had shown that improvements were evident where measures had been implemented. Interms of priorities for implementation, Ms Lemke emphasised combating pollution in order to put an endto plastic waste entering the Baltic Sea and reducing pollution through nutrients and harmful substances.She underscored that for HELCOM, there could only be one response to the State of the Baltic Sea 2023report: to implement the updated BSAP that was adopted in Lübeck two and half years ago. Ms Lemkestressed the importance of cooperation with the relevant economic sectors since investments in the sustain -able development of the Baltic Sea would lay the groundwork for an economy that is fit for the future.Ms Daiva Matusevičė, Vice-Minister of Lithuania, recognised the urgent need for action in light of thefindings outlined in the State of the Baltic Sea report. Ms Matusevičė underlined that the challenges posedby climate change and eutrophication demanded decisive and coordinated efforts. The goal, therefore,was to ensure the effective implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and to address ma-jor problems persisting in the Baltic Sea region. For its part, Lithuania had implemented a series of com-prehensive measures to reduce nitrogen originating in agriculture. Furthermore, the country launched theWastewater Management Information System for proactive monitoring and swift intervention to preventenvironmental contamination. At the Klaipėda Sea Port, Lithuania was implementing the Green Port De-velopment Plan in line with European directives. Ms Matusevičė stressed that achieving progress in thementioned areas would contribute to the implementation of the overarching objectives of the BSAP .30 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024Ms. Monika Michaliszyn, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, noted the unique nature of the BalticSea, which made it particularly exposed to pressures of anthropogenic nature. The results of HOLAS 3showed that eutrophication, pollution from hazardous substances, land use, and overfishing continued tohave a major impact on the poor state of the Baltic Sea. The recommendations contained in the State ofthe Baltic Sea report were demanding, but the BSAP had already introduced a clear roadmap of requiredactions. Ms Michaliszyn drew particular attention to two aspects: firstly, there was a need to find the rightbalance between the economic and social use of the Baltic Sea on the one hand and the protection of itsbiodiversity on the other; secondly, hazardous substances did not respect spatial limitations and possesseda transboundary nature. Ms Michaliszyn emphasised that future consideration of these issues withinHELCOM or in cooperation with other regional organisations would help achieve the goals of the updat-ed BSAP .Mr. Daniel Westlén, State Secretary for Climate and the Environment of Sweden, reminded that HEL-COM had achieved significant reductions in the emissions of nutrients in the past fifty years. However,HOLAS 3 showed that the Baltic Sea ecosystem was still in a dire situation, and unfortunately, there hadnot been much visible progress within the past six years. Mr Westlén stressed that the measures agreedupon in the BSAP were effective when properly implemented. He provided two examples that exempli-fied the progress made. One concerned the impacts of shipping, e.g., the cap on the discharges of sulphuroxides into the air in 2015. Mr Westlén then congratulated Denmark on the decision to ban scrubbers inDanish waters – an initiative Sweden was also preparing to introduce. The second example concernedcombatting eutrophication. Mr Westlén noted that the HELCOM’s nutrient input reduction schemerepresented a unique tool for taking further action. Finally, he commended HELCOM’s cooperation inestablishing ecosystem-based marine spatial planning in the Baltic Sea region and expressed Sweden’scommitment to taking further steps within the framework of HELCOM.With regard to the successful reinforcement of the successful implementation of HELCOM’s goals not-withstanding the current geopolitical situation, Ms Inga Bērziņa (Latvia) underlined the need for inter-national cooperation in order to meet the Helsinki Convention’s objectives and HELCOM commit-ments. However, she stressed that HELCOM could not indefinitely act in the form of informal consulta-tions and called for the reconsideration of all possible options for re-establishing the fully operational andlegally sound mechanisms for future HELCOM operations. In addition, security concerns stemmingfrom threats to critical infrastructure, vulnerability of electricity and communication cables, and thegrowing trend in offshore wind power development plans along with the well-known problem of under-water dumping sites were closely linked to environmental protection. Therefore, Ms Bērziņa called uponHELCOM to consider these issues jointly.31 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024Mr Daniel Westlén (Sweden) noted that the core of HELCOM lay in the fact that decisions were takenby consensus and that actions were developed through cooperation. The strategic pause announced byHELCOM in view of Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine hadproven a functional approach. However, since the situation was unlikely to be resolved in the near future,Mr Westlén called upon HELCOM parties to examine alternative approaches that could resolve legal andorganisational issues while not excluding continued Baltic Sea cooperation in the future.Ms Monika Michaliszyn (Poland) recalled that the 1974 Helsinki Convention was signed by Baltic Sea coun -tries, which at that time represented two opposing blocks but shared an interest in regional cooperation totackle increasing environmental challenges. HELCOM’s strategic pause in response to Russia’s aggressionagainst Ukraine clearly showed that violations of international law would not weaken the will to continueworking to implement the previously adopted obligations. Regardless of the solution adopted in the future, MsMichaliszyn emphasised that HELCOM’s past should be a source of strength and determination. In addition,the eight contracting parties that were members of the European Union remained committed to implement -ing EU regulations for the protection of the marine environment. Furthermore, HELCOM was involved inregional and global initiatives and its work could contribute to synergy effects at different levels.Ms Daiva Matusevičė (Lithuania) stressed that pollution and ecological degradation knew no borders,and the sustainability of the Baltic Sea ecosystem was vital for all countries bordering it. The current sit-uation made interactions with Russia and Belarus at the technical level challenging; obtaining reliabledata on pollution had become almost impossible. Ms. Matusevičė expressed Lithuania’s commitment – asthe incoming Chair of HELCOM – to make informed decisions that would enhance HELCOM’s influ-ence in the region and contribute to improving the environmental status of the Baltic Sea, regardless ofgeopolitical challenges.Ms Steffi Lemke (Germany) underscored the willingness to tackle global challenges through cooperation.The adoption of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Con-servation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction(BBNJ) represented a huge success in this regard. Ms Lemke noted that by announcing the HELCOMstrategic pause, the democratic Baltic Sea riparian states and the European Union had sent an unmistake-able message that their joint commitment to improving the state of the Baltic Sea marine ecosystem wasunwavering. However, financing was becoming challenging. Therefore, Ms Lemke reassured that Germa-ny would continue making its contribution and called upon all partners to do the same. She also stressedthat HELCOM required a resilient and sustainable solution. On the technical level, the implementationof the BSAP and the HELCOM Science Agenda remained a priority.32 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024Ms Sara Viljanen (Finland) emphasised that while the current geopolitical situation remained extremelychallenging, HELCOM had successfully continued its crucial work to protect the Baltic Sea. Ms Viljanennoted that geopolitical challenges should not become challenges in the marine environment. However,the new geopolitical situation was causing new potential threats, such as those stemming from the opera-tion of the so-called “dark fleet” or “shadow fleet” and the recently reported discoveries of large amountsof plastic litter. Ms Viljanen mentioned that the past two years had shown that flexibility was the secretto a resilient organisation and called upon the contracting parties to remain calm and patient while alsoalert. She expressed her conviction that it was a common duty to ensure that HELCOM continued striv-ing towards the shared goals despite changing circumstances.Mr Patrick Child (European Union) expressed his heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the HELCOMSecretariat and team for their flexibility and dedication in the face of the complex geopolitical situation.Mr Child commended HELCOM on its pragmatic stance, which ensured the continuation of practicalwork. The Russian Federation’s absence could potentially undermine progress and bring challenges in fi-nancing HELCOM activities. Mr Child emphasised that the EU and the other contracting parties tooktheir responsibilities to mitigate these shortcomings, notably through direct support to specific HEL-COM projects and grants.Mr Kaupo Läänerand (Estonia) noted that EU member states had continued to engage in good and effi-cient work in implementing the BSAP despite the official suspension of cooperation within HELCOM.He stressed the need for continued support for Ukraine and pointed towards the need to address newthreats, such as the “shadow fleet” in the Baltic Sea. Mr Läänerand underscored the importance of con-tinued cooperation and exploring new areas for common work, such as developing common formats fordata collection and enhancing digital capabilities. Finally, he highlighted the need to ensure funding tosupport agreed-upon activities, through national financing and various European Union funds.Ms. Ida Hannibal (Denmark) applauded the HELCOM Secretariat for handling the challenging geopo-litical situation and encouraged the Baltic Sea states to continue implementing HELCOM goals despitethe difficult circumstances. Ms Hannibal shared the concern expressed by other contracting parties re-garding the “shadow fleet” and the environmental risks of oil spills.33 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024Documents Adopted by the 2024 Ministerial MeetingAt the 2024 Ministerial Meeting, the ministers and high-level representatives of Baltic Sea coastal statesand the European Commission adopted a Ministerial Declaration39 as well as a Statement on the geopo-litical situation.40The Ministerial Declaration of the 2024 Ministerial Meeting on the Baltic Sea Marine Environment reaf -firmed the strong commitment to continued cooperation within the Framework of HELCOM. It under -scored the intention to continue to develop HELCOM as an effective and well-functioning regional cooper -ation organisation capable of action even in unforeseen and force majeure situations. The ministers andhigh-level representatives recommitted to fully implementing the 2021 Baltic Sea Action Plan and achievinga good ecological status of the Baltic Sea by 2030. Moreover, they recommitted to fully implementing the nu -trient input reduction measures, by 2077 at the latest. They reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a co -herent, well connected and effectively managed network of HELCOM marine protected areas, which wouldcover at least 30 percent of the sea area, of which at least 10 percent would be strictly protected, by 2030.In terms of monitoring and assessment, the Ministerial Declaration reiterated the continued need for ho-listic assessments of the Baltic Sea and reaffirmed HELCOM’s mandate to proceed with the fourth holis-tic assessment of the Baltic Sea (HOLAS 4), starting this process in 2024.In addition, the Ministerial Meeting adopted the updated HELCOM Science Agenda,41 which wouldsupport the implementation of the BSAP and aims and communicate HELCOM science needs to deci-sion-makers and stakeholders.In their Statement on the geopolitical situation, the ministers and high-level representatives of Baltic Sea coast -al states and the European Commission reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of the Russian Federation’sunprovoked, unjustified, and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. They demanded that the Russian Fed -eration immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the entire territo -ry of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. Meanwhile, the H9 reaffirmed their unanimousposition that they could not engage in business as usual with the Russian Federation in the context of HEL -COM and, therefore, upheld their decision to observe a strategic pause in regular HELCOM operations.39 HELCOM, Ministerial Declaration of the 2024 Ministerial Meeting on the Baltic Sea Marine Environment, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/up -loads/2024/04/Ministerial-Declaration-2024.pdf .40 HELCOM Statement on the geopolitical situation, 2024, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Geopolitical-Statment-2024.pdf .41 HELCOM Science Agenda, 2024, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/HELCOM-Science-Agenda-2024.pdf .34 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/20247. HELCOM 50th Anniversary Celebration, 25 April 2024To mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Helsinki Convention and HELCOM, the Latvian HELCOMChairmanship hosted a celebration on 25 April 2024 in Riga,42 preceded by the Ministerial Meeting onthe Baltic Sea Marine Environment. The event commemorated the landmark signing of the HelsinkiConvention and establishing the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) in1974. The event aimed to reflect on the achievements of the past fifty years while also addressing currentchallenges and looking ahead to future opportunities.Ms Inga Bērziņa, Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic ofLatvia, opened the event and underlined that regional cooperation was essential due to the cross-bordernature of the marine environment. Ms Bērziņa noted that the year 2024 also marked the thirtieth anni-versary of Latvia’s accession to the Helsinki Convention. She stressed that informed discussions requiredscience-based knowledge. Science-policy dialogue had always been at the heart of HELCOM’s work. Thefiftieth anniversary of HELCOM also marked an evolution from scientific cooperation to science-basedmanagement solutions, with the strategic Baltic Sea Action Plan representing a roadmap for targeted ac-tions. Ms Bērziņa noted that, nowadays, HELCOM was a globally recognised example of regional coop-eration. HELCOM parties had continued to work together in crucial times for the region and withstoodchallenges together, proving that HELCOM was an organisation capable of action even under unforeseencircumstances. With this in mind, she wished the HELCOM family a happy anniversary.Subsequently, Mr Kai Mykkänen, Minister of Climate and the Environment of Finland, delivered hisgreetings online. Mr Mykkänen noted that just as modern technologies allowed him to join the meetingdigitally, they also held the key to e.g., reducing nutrient loads and eutrophication without compromis-ing the production of food or industrial production. He mentioned inspiring pilot projects aimed at de-creasing the concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen in the Baltic Sea. Mr Mykkänen emphasised thatHELCOM held the position of the oldest regional organisation in the world and continued to serve as arole model for many other regions. Finland, hosting the HELCOM Secretariat in Helsinki, took specialpride in the regional cooperation within the framework of HELCOM. Mr Mykkänen stressed thathigh-quality expert knowledge had always defined the work of HELCOM, and the knowledge-based ap-proach continued to be a crown jewel of cooperation. He regretted that the Baltic Sea remained amongthe most polluted seas in the world – largely due to its nature as a semi-enclosed, shallow, brackish sea.However, the Baltic Sea was also the best-researched sea area in the world, with comprehensive long-term42 HELCOM 50 years, 2024, https://helcom.fi/helcom-at-work/events/helcom-50-years/.35 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024datasets and continued monitoring. Therefore, Mr Mykkänen emphasised that HELCOM had a lot tocontribute to global efforts. HELCOM should continue its dedicated work because pollution and eutro-phication did not heed geopolitical crises and wars. At the same time, new challenges were emerging, suchas “shadow oil tankers”, which had to be addressed collectively. Mr Mykkänen thanked the visionaries andHELCOM veterans for the hard work that they had put into the organisation. He expressed his hopethat, with joint efforts and the parties’ unwavering commitment, HELCOM would have a truly promis-ing future.The opening ceremony was followed by keynote speeches and two thematic panels: one dedicated to themost remarkable milestones and achievements reached by HELCOM in the past fifty years, and anotherthat underscored the youth’s pivotal role as catalysts for change in the Baltic Sea region. The Next Gener-ation Panel Discussion, “Are we fit for the future?” was brought by the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum(BSRYF)43 – a platform that empowers young people to express their ideas and partake in real policymak-ing on a macro-regional level, in collaboration with the CBSS.The panels on HELCOM’s proud past and promising future were followed by an update on HELCOM’scurrent work and priorities, delivered by Mr Rüdiger Strempel, HELCOM Executive Secretary, and MsJannica Haldin, HELCOM Deputy Executive Secretary.Finally, the event closed with greetings and congratulations delivered by HELCOM’s partner organisa-tions. On behalf of the BSPC, Secretary General Mr Bodo Bahr recalled more than twenty years of closepartnership between HELCOM and the BSPC and expressed his sincere appreciation to all those whohad contributed to HELCOM’s success over the past five decades (please see Section II.2 for more de-tails).43 Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum (BSRYF), https://cbss.org/youth/bsryf/ .36 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/20248. Lithuanian HELCOM Chairmanship PrioritiesOn 27 June 2024, a handover ceremony to mark the change of HELCOM Chairmanship was held inButinge, at the border between Latvia and Lithuania. Taking over from Latvia, Lithuania assumed theChairmanship of HELCOM from 1 July 2024 until 30 June 2026.44 The HELCOM ceremonial Chair-manship key was handed over by the outgoing Chair of HELCOM, Ms Evija Šmite, Deputy DirectorGeneral and the Director of Fisheries Control Department, State Environmental Service of Latvia. Mr Vi-talijus Auglys, Head of the Pollution Prevention Policy Group with the Ministry of Environment of theRepublic of Lithuania, assumed the position as Chair of HELCOM until 2026. Mr Tomas Zelvys, senioradvisor on water and subsoil questions at the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, wasappointed Vice-Chair.The Lithuanian Chairmanship would continue Latvia’s work to ensure that HELCOM remains awell-functioning regional organisation capable of action even under challenging geopolitical circumstanc-es. Another priority area is exploring the balance between environmental protection and the Blue Econo-my. Finally, Lithuania has committed to strengthening dialogue and engaging the public in decision-mak-ing. Please find below the comprehensive list of Lithuania’s Chairmanship priorities.44 HELCOM, Lithuania takes over the Chairmanship of HELCOM, prioritizes environmental protection amid geopolitical challenges, 27 June 2024,https://helcom.fi/lithuania-takes-over-the-chairmanship-of-helcom-prioritizes-environmental-protection-amid-geopolitical-challenges/ .37 III. Main Developments and Events in 2023/2024Priorities of the Lithuanian Chairmanship of HELCOM 2024–2026:451. Strengthening HELCOM’s role in the context of geopolitical challengesGeopolitical challenges in the Baltic region and political tensions between the countries canaffect environmental activities and maritime security. To make HELCOM as effective as pos-sible for countries to cooperate and tackle common environmental challenges, we will focuson strengthening its capacity to address environmental issues in the Baltic Sea Region, con-sidering the changing political dynamics.2. Seeking a balance between the Blue Economy and environmental protectionA sustainable blue economy can help overcome current shortcomings in the management of ma -rine, coastal and aquatic ecosystems and become an important part of meeting the economic, so -cial and environmental needs. A sustainable blue economy, based on clean technologies, renew -able energies and a circular economy, offers enormous benefits for present and future genera -tions, while preserving a clean environment. We will enhance HELCOM’s role in maintainingand developing the economic potential of the Baltic Sea Region, while at the same time enhanc -ing environmental policies that promote the sustainable use of marine resources.3. Strengthening dialogue and engaging the public in decision-makingThrough HELCOM’s public diplomacy and stakeholder engagement efforts, we will pay at-tention to promoting an inclusive, transparent and participatory approach to environmentalmanagement and protection in the Baltic Sea Region. Attracting diverse stakeholders, foster-ing partnerships and empowering communities to strengthen common efforts to protect andsustainably manage the Baltic Sea marine environment for present and future generations.45 HELCOM, Lithuania 2024-2026: Priorities of the Lithuanian Chairmanship of HELCOM 2024-2026, https://helcom.fi/about-us/chairmanship/lithuania-2024-2026/ .38 IV . Prospects and OutlookIV. Prospects and OutlookThe HELCOM 2024 Ministerial Meeting and the anniversary celebration commemorating fifty years of dedicat -ed and ambitious work within the framework of HELCOM have demonstrated the resilience of regional coop -eration, guided by a strong and shared vision for the future. The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference shares HEL -COM’s vision of “a healthy Baltic Sea environment with diverse biological components functioning in balance,resulting in a good ecological status and supporting a wide range of sustainable economic and social activities.”46Despite the challenges arising from the current geopolitical situation, our common vision continues toguide our efforts. If anything, the persisting pressures and emerging threats to the Baltic Sea environmentunderscore the need for even stronger cooperation between the democratic Baltic Sea states. The unwa-vering commitment to jointly agreed actions and our common cause by HELCOM contracting partiesthat are member states of the European Union and the European Union as a party to the Helsinki Con-vention sends a strong message to the region and to the rest of the world.The BSPC shares the deep concern that the Baltic Sea continues to be heavily affected by multiple anthro-pogenic pressures, as revealed by the results of the third HELCOM holistic assessment of the state of theBaltic Sea environment (HOLAS 3) and expressed in the Ministerial Declaration of the 2024 HELCOMMinisterial Meeting in Riga. However, the BSPC also acknowledged the progress that had been made inthe past five decades.The BSPC will continue to support HELCOM’s comprehensive efforts to restore and preserve the BalticSea ecosystem and closely follow the implementation of the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan. We look for-ward to our continued cooperation and exchange on issues of common interest for the sake our sharedBaltic Sea.46 HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan 2021 Update, p. 4, https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Baltic-Sea-Action-Plan-2021-update.pdf .39 Useful Sources and LinksUseful Sources and LinksConference Resolution Adopted by the 32nd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)in Berlin on 29 August 2023,https://www.bspc.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Final-Version-32-BSPC-resolution-V-28082023_v1-.pdf.HELCOM Annual Report 2023,https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Annual-report-2023.pdf.HELCOM Recommendation 42-43/5, 20 May 2024,https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Rec-42-43-5.pdf.HELCOM Statement on the geopolitical situation, 2024,https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Geopolitical-Statment-2024.pdf.HELCOM Thematic assessment of biodiversity 2016-2021 (Main report compressed),https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HELCOM-Thematic-assessment-of-biodiversity-2016-2021-Main-report.pdfHELCOM Thematic assessment of economic and social analyses 2016-2021,https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HELCOM-Thematic-assessment-of-economic-and-social-analyses-2016-2021.pdf.HELCOM Thematic assessment of eutrophication 2016-2021,https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/HELCOM-Thematic-assessment-of-eutrophication-2016-2021.pdf.HELCOM Thematic assessment of hazardous substances, marine litter, underwater noise andnon-indigenous species 2016-202,https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HELCOM-Thematic-assessment-of-hazardous-substances-marine-lit-ter-underwater-noise-and-non-indigenous-species-2016-2021.pdf.HELCOM Thematic assessment of spatial distribution of pressures and impacts 2016-2021,https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HELCOM-Thematic-assessment-of-spatial-distribution-of-pres-sures-and-impacts-2016-2021.pdf.40 Useful Sources and LinksHELCOM, Lithuania 2024-2026: Priorities of the Lithuanian Chairmanship of HELCOM 2024-2026,https://helcom.fi/about-us/chairmanship/lithuania-2024-2026/.HELCOM, Ministerial Declaration of the 2024 Ministerial Meeting on the Baltic Sea Marine Environment,https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ministerial-Declaration-2024.pdf.State of the Baltic Sea 2023 – Third HELCOM holistic assessment 2016–2021,https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/State-of-the-Baltic-Sea-2023.pdf.41 ANNEX I: Updated Lists of HELCOM’s Expert Groups and ProjectsANNEX I: Updated Lists of HELCOM’s Expert Groupsand ProjectsAnnex I.1. List of Current HELCOM Working Groups and Expert Groups1. WG GEAR – HELCOM Working Group on the Implementation of the Ecosystem Approach1.1. EG ESA – Expert Group on Economic and Social Analyses1.2. EG MSFD1.3. EN CLIME – Joint HELCOM/Baltic Earth Expert Network on Climate2. WG Maritime – HELCOM Maritime Working Group2.1. EG AIS – Expert Group for Mutual Exchange and Deliveries of AIS Data2.2. GREEN TEAM – Sub-group on Green Technology and Alternative Fuels for Shipping2.3. EG SAFE NAV – Expert Group on Safety of Navigation2.4. JTG Ballast & Biofouling – Joint HELCOM/OSPAR Task Group on Ballast WaterManagement Convention (BWMC) and Biofouling2.5. CP PRF2.6. PRF Cooperation Platform – Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilities in the Baltic Sea3. WG Sea-based Pressures – HELCOM Working Group on Reduction of Pressures from Sea-based Sources3.1. EG Marine Litter – Expert Group on Marine Litter3.2. EG Noise – Expert Group on Underwater Noise3.3. EG DREDS – Expert Group on Dredging/Depositing Operations at Sea3.4. EG Submerged – Expert Group on Environmental Risks of Submerged Objects3.5. JEG NIS – OSPAR/HELCOM Joint Expert Group on Non-Indigenous Species4. WG Response – HELCOM Response Working Group4.1. EG Wildlife – Expert Group on Wildlife Response4.2. EG Shore – Expert Coordination Network on Response on the Shore4.3. EG Surveillance – Expert Group on Aerial Surveillance42 ANNEX I: Updated Lists of HELCOM’s Expert Groups and Projects5. WG BioDiv – HELCOM Working Group on Biodiversity, Protection and Restoration State of theEnvironment and Nature Conservation5.1. EG MaMa – Expert Group on Marine Mammals5.2. EG STUR – Expert Group on Sturgeon Remediation5.3. EG BENTHIC – Expert Group on Benthic Habitats and Biotopes5.4. EG Birdmove – Expert Group on Bird Migration5.5. EG Foodweb5.6. EG MPA – Expert Group on Marine Protected Areas5.7. EG Phyto5.6. EG Zoo5.7. JWG Bird – HELCOM-OSPAR-ICES Joint Working Group on Seabirds6. WG Fish – HELCOM Working Group on Ecosystem-based Sustainable Fisheries6.1. EG FISH-M – Task Force on Migratory Fish Species6.2. EG FishData6.3. CG Aquaculture – Correspondence Group concerning a draft document on Best AvailableTechnology/Best Environmental Practices (BAT/BEP) descriptions for sustainable aquacul-ture in the Baltic Sea region7. WG Source to Sea – HELCOM Working Group on the Source to Sea Management of Nutrients andHazardous Substances and Sustainable Agricultural Practices7.1. EG MORS – Expert Group on Monitoring of Radioactive Substances in the Baltic Sea7.2. EG Hazardous Substances – Expert Group on Hazardous Substances7.3. EG Eutro – Expert Group on Eutrophication7.4. EG RedCore – Expert Group on Reduction Scheme Core Follow-Up8. HELCOM-VASAB MSP WG – Joint HELCOM-VASAB Maritime Spatial Planning Working Group43 ANNEX I: Updated Lists of HELCOM’s Expert Groups and ProjectsAnnex I.2. Updated List of Ongoing HELCOM Projects1. Horizon Europe project AquaINFRA – Infrastructure for Marine and Inland Water Research (2023–2026)2. Baltic Sea2Land – Fostering Integrated Governance for the Joint Sustainable Use of Human andNatural Capital in the Near Shore Zone (2023–2025)3. Baltic SIREN – Spread, Impact, Relevance and Establishment of Non-indigenous species in the Bal-tic Sea (2024)4. BEACON – Application of Biological Effects Methods in Monitoring and Assessment of Contami-nants in the Baltic Sea (2022–2023)5. BLUE4ALL – Blueprint Demonstration for Co-created Effective, Efficient and Resilient Networksof MPAs (2023–2027)6. CiNURGi – Circular Nutrients for a Sustainable Baltic Sea Region (2023–2026)7. EMERGE – Evaluation, Control and Mitigation of the Environmental Impacts of Shipping Emis-sions (2020–2024)8. EMPEREST – Eliminating Micro-Pollutants from Effluents for Reuse Strategies (2023–2025)9. eMSP NBSR – Emerging Ecosystem-Based Maritime Spatial Planning Topics in the North and Bal-tic Seas Region (2021–2024)10. HAPHazard – Developing a Well-defined and Functional Strategic Framework for Addressing Haz-ardous Substances in HELCOM (2022–2024)11. HAZ-SHAP – Hazardous Substances Strategic Holistic Action Plan – Improving Management toReduce Risk and Impact (2023–2024)12. HELCOM RED LIST II – HELCOM Project for Reviewing and Updating the Threat Status ofSpecies and Habitats/Biotopes in the Baltic Sea (2022–2024)13. HOLAS to all – Enhancing Ocean Literacy through Science Communication (2024)14. MSP4BIO – Improved Science-Based Maritime Spatial Planning to Safeguard and Restore Biodi-versity in a Coherent European MPA Network (2022–2025)15. PASPS – Policy Area ‘Spatial Planning’ Support16. PEG – Quality Assurance of Phytoplankton Monitoring in the Baltic Sea (2020-2024)17. PERMAGOV – Improving the PERformance of MArine GOVernance (2023–2026)18. PharmaSea – Pharmaceutical Substances in the Baltic Sea (2023–2024)19. Play-ducate – More than Just Fun and Games – Play Your Way to Save the Baltic Sea (2024)20. PLC-8 – Compilations of Pollution Load Data, or Pollution Load Compilations (2020–2024)21. PROTECT BALTIC – An EU Mission Restore our Oceans and Waters project to Preserve, Reviveand Help the Baltic Sea Thrive (2023–2028)22. ReMAP – Reviewing and Evaluating the Monitoring and Assessment of Maritime Spatial Planning (2022–2025)44 List of AbbreviationsList of AbbreviationsBSAP Baltic Sea Action PlanBSPC Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceCBSS Council of the Baltic Sea StatesEU European UnionEUSBSR EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea RegionGES Good Environmental/Ecological StatusHELCOM Helsinki CommissionHOD Heads of DelegationsHOLAS Holistic Assessment of the Ecosystem Health of the Baltic SeaMPA Marine Protected AreasMSFD Marine Strategy Framework DirectiveMSP Maritime Spatial PlanningOSPAR Oslo Paris CommissionSDG Sustainable Development GoalSOM Sufficiency of MeasuresUN United NationsVASAB Vision and Strategies around the Baltic SeaBaltic Sea Parliamentary Conferencewww.bspc.netBSPC SecretariatSchlossgartenallee 1519061 SchwerinGermany