Statements of the Governments in the Baltic Sea Region to the 33rd BSPC Resolution

Statements of the Governmentsin the Baltic Sea Regionto the 33rd BSPC ResolutionStatus: June 20251. Åland 22. Denmark 173. Estonia 244. Finland 375. Germany 596. Hamburg 827. Latvia 988. Lithuania 1429. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 17110. Norway 20611. Poland 21412. Schleswig-Holstein 23913. Sweden 28934YEARSBSPCÅland Page 3Åland Page 4Åland Page 5Åland Page 6Åland Page 7Åland Page 8Åland Page 9Åland Page 10Åland Page 11Åland Page 12Åland Page 13Åland Page 14Åland Page 15Åland Page 16DENMARKDenmark Page 18Denmark Page 19ϭ,ρComments from the Danish government concerning the conferenceresolution adopted by the 33nd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference dŚĞĂŶŝƐŚŐZ|ĞƌŶŵĞŶlǁĞůDZŵĞƐlŚĞƌĞƐZůƵlŝZŶĂEZƉlĞEďlŚĞϯϯŶEĂůlŝD^ĞĂWĂƌůŝĂŵĞŶlĂƌZŶĨĞƌĞŶDĞ;^WͿĂŶEŝlƐƌĞDZŵŵĞŶEĂlŝZŶƐ. 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ƵƌŝŶŐŝlƐWƌĞƐŝEĞŶDZĨlŚĞZƵŶDŝůZĨlŚĞ ƵƌZƉĞĂŶhŶŝZŶ,ĞŶŵĂƌŬǁŝůů ǁZƌŬZŶĞŶŚĂŶDŝŶ g EU’s coordination and effectiveness in responding to foreign influencelŚƌZƵŐŚlŚĞ ƵƌZƉĞĂŶĞŵZDƌĂD^ŚŝĞůE. ŝŐŝlĂůEĞŵZDƌĂD WƌZlĞDlŝŶŐĂDDĞƐƐlZƌĞůŝĂďůĞŵĞEŝĂĂŶEƉƌZŵZlŝŶŐDƵůlƵƌĂůEŝ|ĞƌƐŝlĂƌĞ|ŝlĂůĨZƌƵƉŚZůEŝŶŐEĞŵZDƌĂlŝD|ĂůƵĞƐ.ƵƌŝŶŐŝlƐW ƌĞƐŝEĞŶDZĨlŚĞZƵŶDŝůZĨlŚĞ ƵƌZƉĞĂŶhŶŝZŶ,ĞŶŵĂƌŬǁŝůůƉƌŝZƌŝlŝnjĞƐlƌĞŶŐlŚĞŶŝŶŐlŚĞƌZůĞZĨDƵůlƵƌĞĂŶEŵĞEŝĂŝŶďƵŝůEŝŶŐƌĞƐŝůŝĞŶl ƵƌZƉĞĂŶEĞŵZDƌĂDŝĞƐ./ŶƉĂƌlŝDƵůĂƌ,ĞĨĨZƌlƐǁŝůůĨZDƵƐZŶĞŶƐƵƌŝŶŐĂDDĞƐƐlZDenmark Page 20 Ϯ,ρlƌƵƐlǁZƌlŚŵĞEŝĂĂƐƉĂƌlZĨĂďƌZĂEĞƌ ƵƌZƉĞĂŶĞŵZDƌĂD^ŚŝĞůE. /ŶĂEEŝlŝZŶ,ĞŶŵĂƌŬŚĂƐĞŶŐĂŐĞEŝŶĂDZŶlŝŶƵĞEDůZƐĞƌDZůůĂďZƌĂlŝZŶŝŶlŚĞƌĞŐŝZŶlŚƌZƵŐŚlŚĞ /ŶϮϬϮρ,lŚĞ ĞŶlĞƌĨZƌƐZDŝĂůŵĞEŝĂ,lĞDŚĂŶEEĞŵZDƌĂD –ĂƉĂƌlZĨlŚĞĂŶŝƐŚDŝŶŝƐlƌZĨŝŐŝlĂůĨĨĂŝƌƐ –published the “Index of the Danish Digital Democracy 2024”, the firstDZŵƉƌĞŚĞŶƐŝ|ĞĞdzĂŵŝŶĂlŝZŶZĨEŝŐŝlĂůEĞŵZDƌĂDŝŶĞŶŵĂƌŬ.dŚŝƐƐlƵEǁŝůůďĞƌĞƉĞĂlĞEŝŶϮϬϮςlZŵZŶŝlZƌlŚĞŝŵƉĂDlZĨEŝŐŝlĂůƉůĂlĨZƌŵƐZŶlŚĞĂŶŝƐŚEĞŵZDƌĂDĂŶEƉƵďůŝDEŝƐDZƵƌƐĞZ|ĞƌlŝŵĞ. ŶŚĂŶDĞŝŐŝlĂůZŶŶĞDlŝ|ŝl DZƵŶDŝůDZŶDůƵƐŝZŶŚĂƐďĞĞŶƉƌĞƉĂƌĞEĨZƌlŚĞŵĞĞlŝŶŐZĨlŚĞdĞůĞDZŵŵƵŶŝDĂlŝZŶZƵŶDŝůς:ƵŶĞϮϬϮρǁŝlŚĂƐƉĞDŝĨŝDĨZDƵƐZŶƌĞƐŝůŝĞŶDĞĂŶEƐĞDƵƌŝlZĨDZŶŶĞDlŝ|ŝlŝŶlŚĞƵƌZƉĞĂŶhŶŝZŶ.dŚĞDZƵŶDŝůDZŶDůƵƐŝZŶǁŝůůĞŵƉŚĂƐŝƐĞlŚĞŶĞĞE ĨZƌƉƌZlĞDlŝŶŐƵŶEĞƌƐĞĂdata cables as part of the European Union’s effort to strengthen digital resilience andƐĞDƵƌŝl.ƐƉĞDŝĂůĂllĞŶlŝZŶŝƐŐŝ|ĞŶlZlŚĞŶĞĞEĨZƌĞƐlĂďůŝƐŚŝŶŐĂůlĞƌŶĂlŝ|ĞĂŶEƐĞDƵƌĞDZŶŶĞDlŝZŶƐŝŶƐlƌĂlĞŐŝDŝŵƉZƌlĂŶlĂƌĞĂƐƐƵDŚĂƐlŚĞ ĂůlŝD^ĞĂ,lŚĞlůĂŶlŝDKDĞĂŶĂŶEthe Arctic region. 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ĞŶŵĂƌŬƐĞĞƐĂĨĂƐlĞdzƉĂŶƐŝZŶZĨ ƌĞŶĞǁĂďůĞĞŶĞƌŐĂƐĂDĞŶlƌĂůĞůĞŵĞŶlŝŶƌĞEƵDŝŶŐK ϮĞŵŝƐƐŝZŶƐĂŶEŝƐDZŵŵŝllĞElZĞŶƐƵƌŝŶŐĂĨĂƐlĞƌEĞƉůZŵĞŶlZĨƌĞŶĞǁĂďůĞĞŶĞƌŐƉƌZũĞDlƐ,ŝŶDůƵEŝŶŐlŚƌZƵŐŚƐlƌĞĂŵůŝŶŝŶŐĂŶEƐŚZƌlĞŶŝŶŐƉĞƌŵŝllŝŶŐƉƌZDĞEƵƌĞƐ.EEŝlŝZŶĂůů,ĞŶŵĂƌŬĂDŬŶZǁůĞEŐĞƐlŚĞƌĞŐŝ ZŶĂůĞĨĨZƌlƐŝŶlŚĞĂůlŝD^ĞĂŝŶlƌĂŶƐŝlŝZŶƐĨƌZŵĨZƐƐŝůƐlZǁĂƌEƐƌĞŶĞǁĂďůĞĞŶĞƌŐƐZƵƌDĞƐǁŝlŚlŚĞĂŝŵZĨƐĞDƵƌŝŶŐĂƐlĂďůĞĂŶEĂĨĨZƌEĂďůĞƐƵƉƉůZĨĞŶĞƌŐ. ŝZEŝ|ĞƌƐŝl ĞŶŵĂƌŬŚĂƐEĞƐŝŐŶĂlĞEŝlƐĨŝƌƐlƐlƌŝDlůƉƌZlĞDlĞEŵĂƌŝŶĞĂƌĞĂƐ,ǁŚĞƌĞĂDlŝ|ŝlŝĞƐ ƐƵDŚĂƐDZŵŵĞƌDŝĂůĨŝƐŚŝŶŐĂŶEĞdzlƌĂDlŝZŶZĨƌĂǁŵĂlĞƌŝĂůƐĂƌĞƌĞƐlƌŝDlĞElZƉƌZŵZlĞlŚĞŶĂlƵƌĂůƌĞDZ|ĞƌZĨďŝZEŝ|ĞƌƐŝlĂŶEĞDZƐƐlĞŵƐ.ςƉĞƌDĞŶlZĨlŚĞĂŶŝƐŚƐĞĂĂƌĞĂŚĂƐďĞĞŶEĞƐŝŐŶĂlĞEĂƐƐlƌŝDlůƉƌZlĞDlĞEĂŶEĂlZlĂůZĨŵZƌĞlŚĂŶϯϬƉĞƌDĞŶlĂƌĞŶZ ǁƉƌZlĞDlĞEŵĂƌŝŶĞĂƌĞĂƐ.ϮϬϯϬϭϬƉĞƌDĞŶlZĨĂŶŝƐŚƐĞĂĂƌĞĂǁŝůůďĞEĞƐŝŐŶĂlĞEĂƐƐlƌŝDlůƉƌZlĞDlĞE./ŶϮϬϮκĂŶĞǁDĂƌŝŶĞEĂlƵƌĞ&ƵŶEǁĂƐĞƐlĂďůŝƐŚĞElZƐƵƉƉZƌlDZŶDƌĞlĞƌĞƐlZƌĂlŝZŶƉƌZũĞDlƐ,ƐĞĂďĞEŵĂƉƉŝŶŐ,ĂŶElŚĞEĞ|ĞůZƉŵĞŶlZĨlZZůƐĨZƌĞDZƐƐlĞŵ -ďĂƐĞEƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ.Ϭ.ρďŝůůŝZŶĂŶŝƐŚŬƌZŶĞƌŚĂƐďĞĞŶĂůůZDĂlĞElZlŚĞĨƵŶEǁŚŝDŚŝƐlŚĞůĂƌŐĞƐlŵĂƌŝŶĞƌĞƐlZƌĂlŝZŶƉƌZũĞDlŝŶĂŶŝƐŚŚŝƐlZƌ. ƐƉĂƌlZĨŶĂlŝZŶĂůĞĨĨZƌlƐlZƌĞEƵDĞƉZůůƵlŝZŶŝŶŵĂƌŝŶĞĞDZƐƐlĞŵƐ,ĂďĂŶZŶlŚĞEŝƐDŚĂƌŐĞZĨǁĂlĞƌĨƌZŵ ƐDƌƵďďĞƌƐƐlĞŵƐŝŶĂŶŝƐŚlĞƌƌŝlZƌŝĂůǁĂlĞƌƐǁŝůůĞŶlĞƌŝŶlZĨZƌDĞZŶϭ:ƵůϮϬϮρĨZƌZƉĞŶ -ůZZƉƐƐlĞŵƐĂŶEZŶϭ:ƵůϮϬϮεĨZƌDůZƐĞE -ůZZƉƐƐlĞŵƐ,ĂŝŵŝŶŐlZůŝŵŝllŚĞƌĞůĞĂƐĞZĨĞŶ|ŝƌZŶŵĞŶlĂůůŚĂnjĂƌEZƵƐƐƵďƐlĂŶDĞƐůŝŬĞŚĞĂ|ŵĞlĂůƐĂŶElĂƌ-ůŝŬĞDZŵƉZƵŶE Ɛ.&ƵƌlŚĞƌŵZƌĞ,lŚĞƌĞDĞŶlůĂŐƌĞĞE'ƌĞĞŶdƌŝƉĂƌlŝlĞŐƌĞĞŵĞŶlto reduce nitrogen runoff and restore nature further supports Denmark’s efforts, andlŚĞŐZĂůlZŵĞĞllŚĞ htĂlĞƌ&ƌĂŵĞǁZƌŬŝƌĞDlŝ|ĞďŝŶlƌZEƵDŝŶŐŵĞĂƐƵƌĞƐlZŝŵƉƌZ|ĞǁĂlĞƌƋƵĂůŝlĂŶEŚĞůƉ DƌĞĂlĞĂŚĞĂůlŚŝĞƌĂŶEŵZƌĞƌĞƐŝůŝĞŶlŵĂƌŝŶĞĞDZƐƐlĞŵƐŝŶĂŶŝƐŚǁĂlĞƌƐ.ƵŵƉĞEĂŵŵƵŶŝlŝZŶŝŶlŚĞĂůlŝD^ĞĂ /ŶϮϬϮϯ,lŚĞZƵŶDŝůZĨlŚĞĂůlŝD^ĞĂ^lĂlĞƐ,ŝŶDZůůĂďZƌĂlŝZŶǁŝlŚ, >KD,lŚĞƌĞŐŝZŶĂůƐĞĂDZŶ|ĞŶlŝZŶĨZƌlŚĞĂůlŝD^ĞĂ,ŚĂƐƉƵlƌĞŶĞǁĞEĨZD ƵƐZŶlŚĞŝƐƐƵĞZĨĂŵŵƵŶŝlŝZŶƐEƵŵƉĞEZŶlŚĞƐĞĂďĞEŝŶlŚĞĂůlŝD^ĞĂ./lŝƐĞƐlŝŵĂlĞElŚĂllŚĞƌĞĂƌĞĂƉƉƌZdzŝŵĂlĞůϯϬϬ,ϬϬϬlZŶƐZĨĂŵŵƵŶŝlŝZŶƐŝŶlŚĞĂůlŝD^ĞĂ.dŚĞĂŵŵƵŶŝlŝZŶƐDĂŶďĞĂƉƌZďůĞŵĨZƌlŚĞŵĂƌŝŶĞĞŶ|ŝƌZŶŵĞŶlŝŶƌĞůĂlŝZŶlZůĞĂŬĞElZdzŝDDŚĞŵŝ DĂůƐ.dŚĞDĂŶĂůƐZDƌĞĂlĞĞŶ|ŝƌZŶŵĞŶlĂůĂŶEƐĂĨĞlDŚĂůůĞŶŐĞƐŝŶĨŝƐŚŝŶŐZƌlŚĞĞƐlĂďůŝƐŚŵĞŶlZĨDZŶƐlƌƵDlŝZŶƐĂlƐĞĂ.ĞŶŵĂƌŬƉĂƌlŝDŝƉĂlĞƐlŚƌZƵŐŚĂƌŚƵƐhŶŝ|ĞƌƐŝlŝŶƐĞ|ĞƌĂůƉƌZũĞDlƐƌĞůĂlĞElZĂůůŬŝŶEƐZĨƌŝƐŬĂƐƐĞƐƐŵĞŶlƐ,ŝŶDů.ŚĂŶEůŝŶŐĂ.Z. ESTONIAEstonia Page 25Estonia Page 26Estonia Page 27Estonia Page 28Estonia Page 29Estonia Page 30Estonia Page 31Estonia Page 32Estonia Page 33Estonia Page 34Estonia Page 35Estonia Page 36FINLANDFinland Page 381 123427 August 2024, 12.29 - FINLAND ́s COMMENTS 25 6 2025 567Conference Resolution 8910111213Adopted by the 33rd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) on 27 August 2024. 141516The participants, elected representatives from the 1718Parliament of Denmark 19Parliament of Estonia 20Parliament of Finland 21Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany 22Parliament of Iceland 23Parliament of Latvia 24Parliament of Lithuania 25Parliament of No rway 26Parliament of Poland 27Parliament of Sweden 28Parliament of Åland 29Parliament of the Hanseatic City of Bremen 30Parliament of Faroe Islands 31Parliament of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg 32Parliament of Greenland 33Parliament of Mecklenburg -Vorpomm ern 34Parliament of Schleswig -Holstein 35Baltic Assembly 36European Parliament 37Nordic Council, 383940assembling in Helsingør on 27 August 2024 414243- state that the Baltic Sea Region faces multiple increased challenges that require 44even deeper cooperation and solidarity between the democratic Baltic Sea states; 4546- emphasise in view of the geopolitical situation and current threats, their 47commitment to c ontribute to safety, security, and stability in the region; 4849Finland Page 392 - recognise the need to strengthen cooperation between the democratic Baltic Sea 50states and make increased efforts to promote security, environmental protection, 51and economic development in the r egion by even more coordinated action; 5253- emphasise the importance of collaboration in defence policy and the need to 54collectively address security challenges and enhance coordination of defence 55efforts in the Baltic Sea region; 5657- reiterate our unwavering and full support for the sovereignty and territorial 58integrity of Ukraine as long as it takes, and repeat in the strongest possible terms 59our condemnation of the Russian full -scale invasion and acts of violence in 60Ukraine committed by the Russian Federation and the ongoing blatant and 61massive violations of international law; 6263- stress the need for intensified cooperation to strengthen the line of defence on 64the border with Russia and Belarus and for continued increase in investment in 65regional defence and protection against hybrid threats to ensure the security of 66the entire Baltic Sea region; 6768- condemn the instrumentalisation of people by Belarus and Ru ssia to increase the 69pressure on the borders; 7071- underline the absolute necessity to strengthen the resilience of their democratic 72societies based on the values that unite the democratic Baltic Sea countries; 7374- condemn in the strongest possible terms the significant increase in the number 75of brutal attacks and criminal offences against politicians, police officers and 76media representatives, particularly in the recent past and during the European 77election campaign, and see the need to draw consequences from this in all our 78member states, which are suitable for pushing back such condemnable 79developments that are directed against the foundations of our coexistence and 80democratic values; 8182- share also with deep concern the statement of the Ministerial Declarati on of the 832024 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in Riga, expressing that the Baltic Sea 84ecosystem continues to be heavily affected by multiple anthropogenic pressures, 85as reflected in the outcome of HELCOM HOLAS 3, and is under increasing negative 86impact from th e triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and 87pollution apart from all the significant environmental improvements and 88contributions to preventing further deterioration of the environment of the Baltic 89Sea. This leads to the urgent nee d for consistent implementation of the Baltic 90Sea Action Plan; https://helcom.fi/wp - 91content/uploads/2024/04/Ministerial Declaration -2024.pdf 9293- fully endorse the content of the CBSS Porvoo Declaration, issued by the Foreign 94Ministers of the democratic States of the Baltic Sea Region on 14 June 2024; 95https://cbss.org/wp -content/uploads/2024/06/porvoo -declaration- 2024.pdf 96979899100101102103104Finland Page 403 call on the Governments in the Baltic Sea Region, the CBSS, and the EU 105106107Regarding cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region to 1081091101. Strengthen Democratic Resilience: Call on governments to further enhance 111democracy, the rule of law, equality, and human rig hts, building on successful 112legislative and administrative measures from the past year by intensifying 113collaboration and sharing best practices among democratic stakeholders in the 114region. 115116FINLAND 117In order to strengthen democratic resilience, the Finnish Government adopted on 20 118March 2025 a Government Resolution: National Programme to Promote Democracy 119and Participation (Democracy Programme). The resolution outlines the promotion of 120democracy and participatio n in 2025– 2027 in line with the Programme of Prime 121Minister Orpo’s Government. The Democracy Programme contains 15 policy goals as 122well as key measures to promote democracy and participation. 123124The aim is for the Democracy Programme is to primarily develop general government 125measures. In addition to central government, the work to promote democracy and 126participation requires the involvement of local and regional -level actors, that is, the 127municipalities, wellbeing services counties and othe r authorities. There will be 128extensive cooperation during the implementation of the programme with various 129societal actors, such as civil society and research institutes. 1301312. Promote Peaceful Cooperation : Emphasise the importance of peaceful 132cooperation and dialogue among Baltic Sea states to address shared environmental 133challenges while respecting international law and territorial integrity. 134135FINLAN D 136Finland is an active Contracting Party of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection 137Commission, also known as the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM). HELCOM is an 138intergovernmental organisation (IGO) and a regional sea convention in the Baltic Sea 139area. A regional platform for environmental policy making, HELCOM was established 140in 1974 to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of 141pollution. HELCOM has ten Contracting Parties, namely Denmark, Estonia, the 142European Union, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden. 143The Contracting Parties form the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) and are represented 144by a Head of Delegation that in addition to an annual Commission meeting, meet at 145least twice a year. 146147Furthermore, Finland actively participates in the intergovernmental VASAB 148cooperation, which supports integrated maritime and spatia l planning among like - 149minded democratic countries across the Baltic Sea Region. VASAB Committee is 150regarded as a valuable platform for strengthening coastal and maritime resilience 151through, for example, the sharing of best practices , and the alignment of national 152planning with environmental challenges such as pollution, biodiversity loss, and 153climate change. These shared goals are pursued through the implementation of the 154VASAB Vision for the Territorial Development of the Baltic Sea Region by 2040. 155Finland served as Chair of the VASAB Committee from July 2023 to June 2024 and 156promoted understanding of the importance of spatial and territorial resilience . 157158Finland Page 414 3. Empower Citizen Engagement: Facilitate citizen participation in political decisi on- 159making, create more platforms for citizens with decision- making power with a 160particular focus on the young generation, and promote youth civic engagement 161through increased political literacy, notably by improving education about democracy 162and the school curricula and educational programmes (BSPYF). Promote the 163exchange of experience on building an efficient civil protection system that takes into 164account the potential represented by civil society organisations in mobilising human 165resources and responding to emergencies. 166167FINLAND 168One of the primary objectives of the Democracy Programme of the Finnish 169Government (2025) is to improve voter turnout and strengthen the participation of 170children and young people, and to develop good practices in education for democratic 171citizenship and human rights. In addition, the programme aims to strengthen a 172culture of good discussion and exchange of opinions in society, starting at an early 173age, while safeguarding the constitutional freedom of expression and opinion. The 174programme also aims to develop municipal government and ensure grassroots 175democracy. The programme also outlines the goals and measures for the 176development of national democracy policy and for the promotion of democracy in the 177European Union and internationally. 178179Fostering active citizenship among young people and youth participation was one of 180the core priorities of Finnish CBSS presidency in 2023/2024. Finland organized in May 1812024 CBSS Youth Ministerial, which focused on societal resilience and participation 182in elections. In the framework of the Finnish Presidency of the Nordic Council of 183Ministers, Finland will host a Nordic Baltic Youth Summit in November 2025 to 184enhance collaboration and participation among young people in the region. 185186The Finnish Government’s current youth policy framework, the National Youth Work 187and Youth Policy Programme 2024 -27 aims to improve young people’s opportunities 188to participate in and influence societal debate and decision -making. The objective of 189the progr amme is to strengthen young people’s understanding of democratic 190processes, critical thinking and active citizenship. Finland also supports innovative 191digital tools to enhance youth engagement. One example is Digiraati.fi, a digital 192panel, that enables you ng people to engage in dialogue with decision -makers and 193organizations in a structured and accessible way. Democracy education is integrated 194into the national core curriculum in basic and upper secondary education. 1951964. Focus on Social Sustainability: Stress the need to extend and build upon recent 197successful initiatives addressing social sustainability, including those aimed at 198addressing challenges regarding an ageing population by upskilling and reskilling, 199integrating migrants and vulnerable groups into th e labour market, and promoting 200gender equality. Encourage governments to ensure these initiatives are well -funded 201and effectively implemented. Develop and implement civic education programmes 202and civil society initiatives for both young people and adults a like to raise awareness 203of the dangers posed by all forms of extremism to democracy, including recruitment 204strategies of extremist groups (BSPYF). Encourage cross -border exchange 205programmes for citizens of all ages and diverse backgrounds, focused on bridg ing 206societal division and combating extremism (BSPYF). Guarantee inclusive governance 207by including citizens in the formation of policies and establish mechanisms for 208participatory budgeting for equitable resource distribution and community 209empowerment. Enc ourage workers to join unions by promoting awareness and 210involvement by putting special emphasis on strengthening and securing the 211institutional framework of the workers’ unions (BSPYF). 212213214Finland Page 425 FINLAND 215Social sustainability is central to the work of the Minis try of Social Affairs and Health. 216Cooperation with different actors promotes this in many ways. One of the key tasks 217of the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States was to promote the 218rights and equality of the child by paying particular attention to violence against 219children and trafficking in human beings. The Council of the Baltic Sea States has a 220working group for vulnerable children called Children at Risk (CAR). 221222In the fight against violence and human trafficking, it is essential to share experiences 223of the phenomenon and its effective means of intervention and prevention. The Baltic 224Sea countries have, in coop eration with each other, shared their experiences and for 225example strongly promoted Barnahus units specialising in investigating violence 226against children and providing support and treatment for children. This work also 227strengthens social resilience. 2282295. Strengthen social resilience: Reiterate the continued importance of strengthening 230social resilience in the Baltic Sea Region by fostering resilience through cultural 231activities, acknowledge and support in this regard the successful start of the Baltic 232Sea Cultural Pearls awarding procedure and the first awarded cities and encourage 233and promote the development of a long -term operating concept and further annual 234implementation of the award after the end of the Interreg projects lifetime in 235December 2025. 236237FINLAND 238It is essential to reaffirm the increasing importance of strengthening social resilience 239in the Baltic Sea Region through cultural means. We acknowledge the successful 240launch of the Baltic Sea Cultural Pearls initiative and the 10 awarded cities and 241municipalities in the recent years. It is of high importance that this work continues 242and that new solutions for resourcing are found to sustain the award concept beyond 243the current project cycle ending in December 2025. It is crucial that the Cultural 244Pearls initiative becomes an integral part of long -term regional cooperation 245strategies, since it has shown its value contributing to resilience of the communities 246in the region. 2472486. Protect vulnerable groups: Protect the rights and ensure the safety of refuge es, 249ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, women, children, the elderly and other vulnerable 250groups who are particularly at risk in times of war and threatened by intolerant 251attitudes. 252253FINLAND 254The Finnish Government adopted on 31 August 2023 a statement to Parliament on 255measures to promote equality, gender equality and non -discrimination in Finnish 256society. The Government is committed to promoting equality on a broad front 257throughout the parliamentary term. The statement lists many measures to p romote 258equality and combat racism. Many of them are based on the Government Programme, 259but the statement also includes new measures. The government has started the 260implementation of these measures. In international and EU contexts, Finland has 261continued it s long- term human rights policy of promoting and defending the rights 262of, e.g. women, girls, people with disabilities, indigenous peoples, gender and sexual 263minorities, and other people in particularly vulnerable positions. 264265Finland has adopted the Nationa l Action Plan against THB (2021 -2023). The drafting 266process of the Action Plan was chaired by the Government Anti -THB Coordinator, 267based at the Ministry of Justice. The Action Plan included 55 concrete measures 268against human trafficking and it was based on five strategic objectives: to promote 269Finland Page 436 the detection of human trafficking, to improve the assistance and protection of 270victims of THB, to enhance the establishment of criminal liability in THB cases, to 271strengthen the mainstreaming of anti -THB action and t o intensify the cooperation 272with civil society. As part of the Action Plan, the Ministry of Justice has just recently 273published a handbook for professionals encountering victims of human trafficking in 274their work. The current Government has decided to upda te the above -mentioned 275Action Plan, and the Ministry of Justice has established a cross -sectoral working group 276to draft a proposal by the end of 2025. In addition, a working group has been 277established by the Ministry of Justice to implement the amended anti -trafficking 278Directive. 279280The Action Plan can be found here (available also in English): Finland fights human 281trafficking - Action Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings - Valto 282The NRM- handbook can be found here (currently only in Finnish and in Swedish): 283Ihmiskaupan uhrien tunnistamis - ja ohjausmekanismi (NRM) : Käsikirja uhrien 284tunnistamiseen ja auttamiseen - Valto 285286In 2024, during Finnish CBSS presidency, CAR workshops discussed the prevention 287of the exploitation of Ukrainian refugees, strengthening the realisation of criminal 288liability and best practices for preventing online child trafficking. An international 289conference on measures to combat child trafficking was also held. In connection with 290the security theme, the Council's working groups shared best practices for 291preventing, identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and violence against 292children. Th e results of the work was published: best practices for combining 293trafficking in children and young people and for identification and support Victims: 294Report on countries in the Baltic Sea region; Pihlaja, Saara (2024 -05-31), 295http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978 -952-400-871-6 2962977. Defend sexual and reproductive autonomy: Defend sexual and reproductive 298autonomy and respect the right to reproductive health. 299300FINLAND 301in the fight against sexual violence, it is essential both to take preventive measures 302and to ensure the support of victims of violence at the same time as criminal 303investigations are carried out. The Barnahus operating model responds to this need. 304The Bal tic Sea countries have jointly developed and disseminated the model because 305it has proved to be an effective operating practice. Cooperation between the countries 306is essential for the development of the necessary professional skills, among other 307things. Pr oject funding has been used in this. 308309In Finland, Barnahus units also train and consult other professionals in identifying 310and responding to violence against children. This is important because action against 311sexual violence and violence in general require s extensive cooperation between 312different actors. More information about Barnahus in Finland can be found here: 313www.barnahus.fi . 3143158. Support Ukraine: Encourage continued and expanded su pport for Ukraine, 316referencing past legislative aid packages and reconstruction assistance initiatives. 317Advocate for comprehensive programmes that include economic support, 318infrastructure rebuilding, and assistance in strengthening democratic institutions. 319320FINLAND 321Finland’s support to Ukraine totals already more than 3,7 billion euros, including 2,7 322billion € worth of defence materiel. Our 28th defence materiel package worth 200 323MEUR was published in March 2025, together with a new Finland -Ukraine MoU on 324Finland Page 447 defence cooperation. Finland’s Ministry of Defence has also published a procurement 325program that will channel additional 660 million euros worth of def ence material from 326the Finnish suppliers to Ukraine. 327328Ukraine remains Finland’s biggest development cooperation partner and largest 329recipient of humanitarian aid. Our development cooperation focuses on the themes 330of education, rule of law, environment and energy, and private sector cooperation 331with cross cutting measures on EU Integration, Digital Transformation, Gender and 332disability and participation of civil society. 333334The second part of Finland’s National Ukraine Reconstruction Plan was presented in 335December 2024. Finland’s private sector has shown a lot of interest in reconstruction 336of Ukraine. 337338Finland’s goal is to continue the EU’s strong political, economic, defence materiel, 339civilian material and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine as long as necess ary. 340Finland supports Ukraine’s EU and Nato aspirations and helps Ukraine implement 341reforms needed for these memberships. 342Ukraine is also a priority in the programme of Finland’s OSCE Chairpersonship in 3432025. 3443459. Combat Disinformation: Request governments to enhance the legislative 346frameworks and administrative measures that have shown effectiveness in 347countering disinformation campaigns, particularly those spearheaded by the Russian 348Federation. Promote the expansion of public awareness campaigns, digital l iteracy 349programs, and robust media education to combat misinformation. Prohibit personal 350profiling based on mass data collection, as long as these profiles allow targeted 351advertisement for disinformation campaigns (BSPYF). 352353FINLAND 354Finland supports resilience building in cooperation with its partners. Part of resilience 355are for example tolerant public discussion and sound information environment 356(information integrity), citizens capable of making informed choices based on 357knowledge a nd free media as a dispensable part of a democratic, open society. It is 358known that democratic countries do not usually form a threat to each other. 359Therefore, free media enhance security. 360361Finland continues to support independent Russian -language content production in the 362EU’s Eastern Partnership countries through the European Endowment for Democracy 363(EED). As a member of the EU and NATO Finland takes part in these organization’s 364efforts to counter Russia’s information manipulation. 365366Finland’s National Audiovisual Institute (KAVI) , which promotes media education in 367Finland, has been supporting Ukrainian media literacy efforts since 2021. 368369Furthermore, Finland has long recognized media literacy as a cornerstone of 370democratic resilience and has embedded it deeply into its youth policy and education 371system. The National Youth Work and Youth Policy Programme 2024 -27 highlights the 372importance of media literacy as a civ ic skill and a key tool in identifying and resisting 373disinformation. The programme supports the development of young people’s ability 374to critically assess information, recognize disinformation, and act responsibly in digital 375environments. 37637710. Promote Region al Digital Cooperation: Advocate for further enhancement and 378harmonisation of digital markets and infrastructure across the Baltic Sea Region. 379Finland Page 458 Highlight successful national and regional measures from the past year to bolster 380cybersecurity and ethical digit al practices and call for cooperative efforts to scale 381these successes region- wide. Enhance digital resilience, with the parliaments in the 382Baltic Sea Region striving towards manifesting their leading role in digital literacy 383education for all age groups, focusing on 1) raising awareness on the importance of 384data privacy and 2) supporting innovations to tackle disinformation. 385386FINLAND 387Finland has launched the Cyber Citizen initiative . The goal is to train the EU citizens 388in cybersecurity in their native languages, so that European citizens can safely use 389digital services and devices. The initiative has developed a cybersecurity learning 390model and a learning portal based on it. The portal offers conten t tailored for all 391Europeans, including interactive tools like a mobile game designed for different target 392groups and the portal is available for all EU languages. 39339411. Enhance Maritime Ecosystem Protection: Strongly urge governments to enhance 395efforts to com bat eutrophication by systematically implementing the revised HELCOM 396Action Plan and nutrient input reduction schemes. Encourage the adaptation and the 397necessary prioritization on innovative, sustainable agricultural practices and the 398promotion of nutrient recycling strategies, ensuring that these measures are 399integrated into national and regional policies to significantly reduce nutrient runoff 400into the Baltic Sea without decreasing food production. Emphasise the need for 401coordinated efforts to protect the Baltic Sea's biodiversity and improve water quality 402through updated legislative measures and targeted investments. 403404FINLAN D 405Finland is the host country and an active Contracting Party to the Baltic Marine 406Environment Protection Commission HELCOM. A Baltic -wide cooperation to tackle the 407shared challenges of our marine and coastal environment has been our view forward 408since HELCOM was founded. 409410Finland finalized the second implementation cycle of the Marine Strategy Framework 411Directive (MSFD) in December 2021, with 63 new measures to tackle the challenges 412identified in Finnish marine areas. Many of these measures are linked to the new 413HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan, thereby addressing pressures shared by all Baltic Sea 414states. Furthermore, these measures are also closely linked to the Finnish Water 415Framework Directive measures, to apply a source -to-sea approach by which the 416pressure s from the catchment area can be reduced. Currently Finland implements its 417River Basin Management Plans and Programme of Measures of its Marine Strategy 418for years 2022 –27 and have recently completed the first phase of the third 419implementation cycle as outl ined in the articles 8, 9 and 10 of the MSFD. 420421To boost effective implementation of these plans, the government has decided to 422grant specific funding of 30 MEUR for 2023 –27 for their implementation, and in 423particular actions aimed at the Archipelago Sea ar ea. Agricultural pollution of the 424Archipelago Sea drainage area is the last remaining Hot Spot of Finland on HELCOM’s 425list of Hot Spots. Finland’s Government has set an objective to clean up the pollution 426and clear the hot spot status by 2027. A large number of measures have been put to 427place to implement this goal, including the use of gypsum (main measure) as well as 428structural lime and fine cellulose fiber from the pulp industry in order to tie 429phosphorus to the agricultural soil and decrease leaching . Furthermore, other 430measures applied include 1) increased plant coverage of agricultural land, 2) efficient 431nutrient recycling though measures such as transfer of nutrient containing biomass 432from excess areas to areas deficient in nutrients, and 4) biogas pl ant investments 433with efficient handling of nutrient containing biomasses. All these measures 434contribute to the r educed nutrient loads and will help the sea to recover from 435Finland Page 469 eutrophication. This will enable the flora and fauna to return and be restored to a 436more natural status and can be defined as a passive restoration measure and thereby 437contribute to the implementation of the EU’s Nature Restoration Regulation (N ature 438Restoration Law, NRL ). In addition, active restoration methods are currently being 439planned as a part of the first step in the implementation of the NRL. 440441Finland’s network of marine protected areas (MPA) consists of sites of which many 442have a multiple protection status and can be identifie d as HELCOM MPAs, Natura 4432000 sites, National Parks. At present a bit more than 11% of Finland’s marine area 444is protected. Additionally, m arine habitat types, such as eel grass beds and 445Charophyte habitats , are be protected as defined by the revised Nature Conservation 446Act, which entered into force in 2023. 447448Finland continues its work on reducing hazardous substances, specifically from urban 449areas, through better control of urban runoff, as well as through nature -based 450solutions, among other things. In addi tion, Finland has carried out restoration of risk 451wrecks, which may leak oil or other harmful substance. A wreck of a WWII -era 452(Finnish WW2 flagship Ilmarinen) has been examined for oil recovery and in 2024, 453and a project to remove the oil is currently ong oing. 45445512. Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Call for the continuation and expansion 456of legislative actions that have successfully created new MPAs and improved 457management strategies. Urge governments to increase transboundary cooperation 458to protect vul nerable habitats, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of 459climate change. 460461FINLAND 462Finland is currently preparing its pledges related to the EU Biodiversity Strategy, one 463of which concerns the objective of protecting at least 30% of EU's land and sea areas, 464out of which 1/3 must be protected strictly. The same objectives have been agreed 465to in the Baltic Sea Action Plan, adopted by HELCOM in 2021 and one of the measures 466in Finland’s Marine Strategy’s Programme of Measures aim to move towar ds a 30% 467MPA cover as well. At present, the coverage of MPAs in Finnish marine areas is 468approximately 11% of the total sea area. 469470Finland is also preparing an MPA Roadmap, as part of the LIFE IP project 471“Biodiversea” (first draft finished in May 2025) . This Roadmap aims to increase the 472protection of underwater biodiversity in order to achieve both national and 473international quantitative biodiversity targets through an ambitious and science - 474based plan. The Roadmap utilizes the underwater nature data collect ed through the 475Finnish VELMU programme (The Inventory Programme for Underwater Marine 476Diversity which includes more than 180 000 inventory points ) and other marine 477nature data. A zonation tool is used to identify suitable areas for protection. Finland 478is also a partner in the EU Horizon project “PROTECT BALTIC”, in which the aim is to 479secure biodiversity, maintain ecosystem function, produce ecosystems services and 480enable sustainable use of the Baltic Sea. 481482Finnish maritime spatial planning supports the imp lementation of the HELCOM Baltic 483Sea Action Plan B1 actions on spatial conservation measures by promoting blue -green 484infrastructure considerations among Baltic Sea countries to enhance the vitality of 485valuable marine biodiversity. This cross -border work ha s been carried out within the 486Baltic Sea2Land project, funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme. 487488Finland Page 4710 13. Promote Sustainable Blue Economy Initiatives: Foster public and private 489investments in innovative marine and maritime sectors to support the development 490and implementation of sustainable blue economy initiatives whilst underlining Article 4911 Para 3 of the EU Maritime Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD ). Highlight the 492importance of balancing economic activities such as offshore wind energy and 493aquaculture with marine environmental protection by applying an ecosystem 494approach. Call for incorporating scientific research and stakeholder input in planning 495and executing these initiatives to ensure that they strive for ecological sustainability 496whilst contributing to economic growth. 497498FINLAND 499Finland is committed to EU’s Green Deal and the present programme of PM Petteri 500Orpo’s Government aims to set an ambit ious goal to boost renewable energy 501production in Finland’s offshore areas. The Ministry of E conomic Affairs and 502Employment leads a coordination group with experts from all other ministries with 503interests in offshore areas. This coordination group will identify areas suitable of 504offshore renewable energy in the Finnish territorial waters as well as the Exclusive 505Economic Zone (EEZ). The planning of such offshore renewable energy has only 506recently started but an action plan with 17 proposals for actions was published in 5072024. The intention is to apply an ecosystem -based approach in order to minimize 508the pressure on the marine ecosystems. At present the multiuse of marine areas, 509where renewable energy production is combined with other uses such as aquaculture 510is not yet planned but might be applied later on in the planning process. 511512Maritime spatial planning is considered a key tool for balancing economic activities 513with the well -being of the marine environment. The environmental goals of Finland’s 514National Marine Strategy are taken into account in maritime spatial planning, where 515an ecosystem -based approach is applied. Finland has taken an active and integral 516role in revising the EBA Guidelines — the ecosystem -based approach to maritime 517spatial planning — within the HELCOM -VASAB Maritime Spatial Planning Working 518Group to support a sus tainable blue economy. The Plan is prepared through a 519collaborative process with maritime stakeholders and in coordination with the Coastal 520Strategy. 52152214. Support Maritime Transport Sustainability: Advocate for the transition to low - 523sulfur fuels and alterna tive energy sources and promote digitalisation and automation 524in logistics to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. 525526FINLAND 527Together with other Baltic Sea States and EU Member States Finland has advocated 528for new environmental regulation in shipping in the International Maritime 529Organization (IMO). The Ministry of Transport and Communications of Finland has 530taken part in the work on sustainable shipping in all regional organizations around 531the Baltic Sea (HELCOM, CBSS, Nordic Co uncil of Ministers). In December 2024, the 532Fuel Transition Roadmap for Nordic Shipping, a comprehensive document outlining a 533decarbonization strategy for the region, was unveiled in Copenhagen. 53453515. Enhance Port Security and Infrastructure: Invest in port infrastructure 536improvements focusing on security and sustainability, such as shore -side electricity 537and waste management, and enhance connectivity with hinterland transport 538networks. 539540FINLAND 541Finland has implemented the EU Alternative Fuels Regulation to ensure necessary 542supply infrastructure for alternative fuels in ports, including shore -side electricity. 543The EU PRF Directive that mandates the provision of port reception facilities has also 544Finland Page 4811 been fully implemented. The hinterland connection s are developed as part of the 545national transport system (see The National Transport System Plan for 2021 –2032), 546while also responding to TEN -T requirements. The aim is to implement the most 547necessary and effective measures. 54854916. Strengthening Maritime Safety: Ensure safe, efficient and obstacle -free shipping 550routes. Implement and enforce advanced navigational aids, improved Vessel Traffic 551Services (VTS), a nd stringent safety regulations to enhance maritime safety amidst 552the region's dense traffic and challenging weather conditions. An increased use of 553Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS) in areas with sensitive infrastructure are of 554essence. 555556FINLAND 557Between 2022 and 2024, Finland reviewed and enhanced traffic arrangements in its 558permanent Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) areas, introducing updated meeting and 559overtaking prohibition zones. New dynamic safety zones were also implemented to 560improve traffic m anagement for vessels carrying dangerous cargo. The first dynamic 561safety zone was established in the Inkoo fairway on 13 October 2024 to ensure the 562safe passage of special transports such as LNG and LPG tankers. 563564Together with other authorities participating in maritime safety duties, the Finnish 565Border Guard constantly develops its Search and Rescue and environmental 566protection capabilities, operational readiness as well as national and international 567cooperation mechanisms through active training, joint ex ercises and sharing of best 568practices. 56957017. Support Technological Innovations in Engines: Invest in the research and 571development of hybrid propulsion systems, new fuels, and electrification technologies 572to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions, ensur ing vessels meet evolving 573regulatory requirements. 574575FINLAND 576Finland supports vessels development and the shipyards in Finland. The mentioned 577items (hybrid propulsion, new fuels, enhance energy efficiency, reduction on 578emissions etc.) are already built -in in Finnish vessel development and construction. 579The hybrid propulsion and new fuels capability are already in use today. 58058158218. Address the threats by the Russian "Shadow Fleet": Prioritise addressing the 583threats posed by the Russian "shadow fleet" by enhancing maritime surveillance, 584intelligence sharing, regulatory e nforcement, and collaborative efforts to mitigate 585environmental and security risks, including advocating for international sanctions, as 586long as it is necessary. 587588FINLAND 589Finland supports efforts by the Baltic Sea states to counter the shadow fleet used by 590Russia, considering its manifold risks to our region and recent incidents regarding 591critical undersea infrastructure. In January 2025, Finland hosted a summit of Baltic 592Sea Nato allies, which resulted in eg. the launch of the Baltic Sentry operation. 593594In April, Finland hosted a conference on the protection of Critical Undersea 595Infrastructure and a shadow fleet expert meeting. 596597Finland has taken an active part in expert -level multinational formats to address the 598risks posed by the shadow fleet, including by advancing information -sharing and 599situational awareness. 600Finland Page 4912 601Finnish authorities are monitoring waterborne traffic in the Baltic Sea region 24/7. 602Based on thorough analysis of the maritime picture, special emphasis is placed on 603shadow fleet vessels. For example, Finnish authorities actively follow the shadow fleet 604vessels' insurance certificates to ensure compliance with oil spill liability rules and 605regularly share intelligence information with other authorities competent in maritime 606surveillance in the Baltic Sea region. In late December 2024, the Finnish Border 607Guard's Offshore Patrol Vessel Turva intercepted and seized the crude oil tanker Eagle 608S, that was suspe cted of damaging the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and 609Estonia. 61061119. Continue to Address the Issue of Sea -Dumped Munitions: Encourage 612governments to prioritise and coordinate cooperation on the comprehensive mapping 613and safe removal of sea -dumped muni tions, leveraging the European Commission's 614ongoing projects and funding initiatives such as Horizon Europe as well as developing 615further joint efforts of HELCOM, CBSS and the EU in this field. Advocate for the 616application of environmentally friendly techn ologies and methodologies to mitigate 617the risks posed by submerged munitions, ensuring that these efforts are integrated 618into national and regional security and environmental agendas and implemented as 619soon as possible. 620621FINLAND 622Finland has participated the work of HELCOM expert group Submerged, on developing 623thematic assessment on environmental risks from submerged objects – dumped 624munitions and wrecks, which describes the state of knowledge on the issue in the 625Baltic Sea area and possible m ethods to reduce or remove their eventual 626environmental effects. Finland also participates the Interreg Baltic Sea region project 627MUNIMAP, which develops a legal and administrative framework for public authorities 628to initiate joint remediation of dumped mu nitions from the Baltic Sea and Skagerrak, 629which pose threats to the marine ecosystem and hinder the maritime economy. 630631Regarding Energy Supply security and Interconnectivity to 632633Improve Energy Security and Self -sustainability 63463520. given the current geopolitical challenges, prioritise and support projects aimed 636at improving energy security in the Baltic Sea region; (WG) 637638FINLAND 639Finland has increased the renewables electricity generation capacity by around 6406 GW since 2020 which has significantly decreased the need for imports of 641electricity and fuels for electricity generation. 642643Finland has procured a floating LNG terminal to the port of Inkoo which increases 644energy security for the whole Baltic Sea region. The terminal proved its value 645after the Baltic Connector pipeline was disrupted by the Chinese vessel Newnew 646Polar Bear. There were no interruptions in the supply of gas to the customers. 64764821. while building new or transforming the already existing energy infrastructure, 649take strongly into account the regional needs, resilience considerations, and 650sustainability goals, as well as social and economic welfare; (WG) 651652FINLAND 653In electricity, Finla nd considers that the most efficient way to take into account 654regional and economic considerations are the well -functioning internal EU energy 655Finland Page 5013 markets and EU emissions trading system. The markets should give sufficient 656signals to efficiently direct investm ents where they are most needed. In addition, 657it is important that the transmission systems are developed in accordance with 658the needs of the customers efficiently removing bottlenecks where they appear. 659In Finland the TSO is required to develop the transm ission system so that Finland 660remains as one price zone. 66166222. facilitate more interconnections in the Baltic Sea region; (WG) 663664FINLAND 665Finland has been promoting for more interconnectors both in electricity and gas 666systems. In gas system, Finland and Estoni a built the Balticconnector pipeline in 6672019 to connect Finland to the Baltic gas grid. In electricity system, Finland is 668currently building a third overhead interconnector to Sweden (commissioning 66912/2025). In addition, Finland is applying for the status of Project of Common 670Interest for two additional interconnectors (Estlink III to Estonia, Aurora Line II 671to Sweden) 67267323. unite in setting up a common interconnection execution in regional political 674initiatives and strongly involve the EU Funds in order to suc ceed in regional 675renewable energy market development; (WG) 676677FINLAND 678Finland, together with Sweden and Estonia, have successfully applied for the 679status of Project of Common Interest (PCI) for all relevant interconnectors build 680during the last years, namely Balticconnector gas pipeline and Aurora Line 681electricity interconnector. The projects have received funding through EU’s 682Connecting Europe Facility 187,5 MEUR and 131 MEUR, respectively. Finland is 683also applying for the PCI status for the planned new electricity interconnectors 684(Estlink III to Estonia, Aurora Line II to S weden). 68568624. regularly exchange experience and best practices concerning the implementation 687of onshore and offshore wind projects in the Baltic Sea region; (WG) 688689FINLAND 690Finland is active in BEMIP (Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan) 691concerning renewa ble energy and offshore wind. Finland has also had bilateral 692discussions and other exchange of knowledge especially concerning the recent 693regulation of offshore wind. 694695Furthermore, Finland is active within the HELCOM -VASAB Maritime Spatial 696Planning Working Group, as well as in the more informal Planners’ Forum, which 697consists of MSP authorities from all Baltic Sea countries. Both groups meet twice 698a year. Additional efforts have been made to strength en collaboration with 699Swedish MSP authorities to ensure that offshore wind projects are sustainable 700with respect to migratory fish, fisheries, maritime traffic, and nature. 701702Improve Transport 70370425. increase the funding for improving infrastructure and start discussions on a new 705strategy to enhance military mobility capabilities and civil transport in the region; 706(WG) 707708FINLAND 709Finland Page 5114 Military mobility is strongly highlighted in the updated National Transport 710Syste m Plan, which will be finalized in the autumn. The objectives of the plan 711have been revised according to the changes in the operational environment, more 712attention will be paid to security of supply, international connectivity, and military 713mobility in the future. The investment programme of the Nation al Plan for the 714transport infrastructure projects will promote cross -border connections, 715international accessibility and prioritize military mobility. 71671726. develop and execute plans to further improve maritime and railway transport 718connectivity in the Baltic Sea region and ensure connectivity with the European 719continent; (WG) 720721FINLAND 722According to the draft of the National Transport System Plan Transport, the 723Government is improving a knowledge base on the needs and the risks of 724developing international conne ctions. The Government will assess the migration 725of the current Finnish rail track gauge into the European gauge, especially in 726Northern Finland, from the perspective of military mobility and security of supply 727in accordance with the requirements of the TE N-T Regulation. 728729Potential routes may include new and existing connections from Finland to 730Sweden in northern Finland, the Kvarken connection from Vaasa to Umeå, and a 731connection to Rail Baltica, including a train -ferry connection. However, the most 732impor tant projects that develop international connections are land connections in 733Northern Finland and measures to secure maritime transport (incl. icebreaking). 734They will ensure the most critical needs for the functioning of the transport 735system and Finland's international accessibility and security of supply. 73673727. significantly improve coordination of activities and regular cooperation of the 738democratic Baltic Sea countries in protecting maritime infrastructure in the Baltic 739Sea region; (WG) 740741FINLAND 742Finland broadly supports the objectives and actions of the EU ac tion plan on the 743security of submarine cables. The action plan recognises the special situation of 744the Baltic Sea Region, and the proposed actions seek to respond extensively to 745the issues affecting the safety of submarine cables. Finland will actively pro mote 746its objectives in cooperation with the European Commission and other Member 747States, especially with the states of the Baltic Sea region. There is cooperation 748between different national authorities of the Baltic Sea Countries, and the public - 749private co operation in Finland is on a very good level. 75075128. create a plan for addressing shipping insurance challenges in the region that can 752disrupt trade routes, leading to delays and increased costs for businesses; (WG) 753754FINLAND 755Finland started requesting vessel insurance certificates (CLC certificates) on a 756voluntary basis in the Gulf of Finland on 11 December 2024. The certificates are 757requested from tankers entering the Finnish EEZ from the east and carrying 758crude oil or petroleum products. 75976029. jointly discuss the implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 761to address challenges in the Baltic Sea, in particular, the protection of critical 762infrastructure and the coordination between coastal States in the Baltic Sea; 763764Finland Page 5215 FINLAND 765At the Baltic Sea NATO Allies Summit in Helsinki on 14 January 2025, Heads of 766State and Government tasked the legal experts to identify further measures in 767accordance with international law of the sea, including the freedom of navigation, 768to prevent and ef fectively respond to wilful damaging of critical undersea 769infrastructure or irresponsible behaviour. All Baltic Sea states have been actively 770involved in this work, as highlighted in the Declaration adopted by the Ministers 771for Foreign Affairs of the member states of the Council of the Baltic Sea States 772in Vihula on 16 May 2025. Issues relating to the implementation of the UN 773Convention on the Law of the Sea are also discussed within the European Union. 774775Enhance Digital Connectivity 77677730. commence negotiatio ns between the members of the BSPC on enhancing 778cooperation in the area of cybersecurity; (WG) 779780FINLAND 781Finland considers it essential to strengthen cybersecurity cooperation among the 782countries in the Baltic Sea region. As cyber threats know no borders, maintaining 783a shared situational awareness is crucial. Finland looks forward to deepening 784collaboration with the Nordic and Baltic countries via the development of a 785regional cross -border cyber hub in line with the Cyber Solidarity Act 78678778831. develop incentives and support for strengthening underwater communication 789infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, including expanding connections and ensuring 790the resilience of the existing ones; (WG) 791792FINLAND 793Finland broadly supports the objectives and actions of the EU action plan on the 794security of submarine cables. The action plan recognises the special situation of 795the Baltic Sea Region, and the proposed actions seek to respond extensively to 796the issues aff ecting the safety of submarine cables. Finland will actively promote 797its objectives in cooperation with the European Commission and other Member 798States, especially with the states of the Baltic Sea region. There is cooperation 799between different national au thorities of the Baltic Sea Countries, and the public - 800private cooperation in Finland is on a very good level. 80180232. cooperate and exchange practices on increasing universal coverage and service 803for Internet connectivity in the Baltic Sea region; (WG) 804805FINLAND 806Finland’s broadband aid scheme under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) 807ended in 2023, with the building of connections for 16 000 households to 808continue until 2026. In addition, the broadband construction is currently 809supported by the European Ag ricultural Fund for Rural Development. In the 810Finnish Rural Development Fund Plan, EUR 53 million has been reserved for 811financing broadband connections in rural areas (so- called village network 812projects) for 2023 -2027. As of early 2025, 29 projects worth a pproximately EUR 8139.4 million had been awarded under this fund. This should help alleviate the 814difficulties with market -based deployment of broadband in sparsely populated 815areas. 816817The roll -out of VHCN and fibre is progressing well. In 2023, investments in fixed 818networks amounted to a record high of EUR 385 million, focusing predominantly 819Finland Page 5316 on fibre. Finland is currently preparing the national implementation of the Gigabit 820Infrastructu re Act (GIA) that will, among other things, streamline the permitting 821process and hopefully further accelerate investments in fibre. 822823The most significant project funded under Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) 824Digital has been Far North Fiber that aims to build a submarine cable connection 825from Northern Norway via arctic areas of Canada to Japan. Recently, Finnish Far 826North Fiber, Swedish Polar Connect and other actors have started preparing 827cooperation on Pan-Arctic Cable System (PACS). Other submarine cable projects 828funded by CEF Digital include C -Lion2 and Terrestrial Backbone Finland projects, 829as well as the new Eastern Light connection between Finland and Sweden. 830831Facilitate Cross -border projects 83283333. raise awareness and search for s olutions to facilitate the implementation of 834largescale cross -border projects of regional importance; (WG) 835836FINLAND 837EUR 443 million of the total of EUR 1 641 billion has been allocated under 838Finland's Regional and Structural Policy Programme ‘Innovation and skills in 839Finland 2021 -2027’ to activities supporting the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea 840Region. 84184234. explore joint cross -border renewable energy projects and to identify 843infrastructure needs in order to enable the integration of renewable energy while 844ensuring and improving the security of supply and access to affordable energy; 845846FINLAND 847The energy priority accounts for about 15% of the Finland's Regional and 848structural Policy Programme ‘Innovation and skills in Finland 2021 -2027’ (EUR 84965 million/287 projects). The priority theme is innovation, which accounts for 850nearly one third of the programme funding supporting the Baltic Sea Strategy. 851852Most of the above mentioned projects have been implemented at national level 853and about 25 % of them are implemented in cooperation with other Baltic Sea 854countries. 85585635. coordinate corporation to rapidly stimulate the installation of needed computing 857capacity in the Baltic Sea region, in light of the rapid development of AI software 858and services demanding green and sufficient energy and abundant computing 859power, Baltic Sea renewable energy market growth, and interconnectivity 860development serving as a basis for supercomputer implementation and usage; 861(WG) 862863FINLAND 864One of the pan -European pre- exascale supercomputers by the European High 865Performance Computing Joint Undertaki ng (EuroHPC JU) is LUMI. It is located 866in Finland. LUMI is a world -known scientific instrument for the lifespan of 2021 – 8672027. LUMI supercomputer positioned 9th on the Top500 list of the world’s 868fastest supercomputers. LUMI’s resources have been consistentl y in high 869demand over the years. Over half of LUMI’s computing resources have been 870utilized for AI -related research and innovation. 871872Finland Page 5417 LUMI is an example of cross -border cooperation and pooling of resources. The 873LUMI (Large Unified Modern Infrastructure) consortium countries are Finland, 874Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, 875Sweden, and Switzerland. LUMI system will be succeeded by a new AI -focused 876supercomputer called LUMI -AI. 877878Regarding Defence to 87988036. Coordinate the Approach to Threats : Agree on a coordinated approach to 881address the lack of information exchange, thread control centres, thread 882mitigation policy as well as effective communication against the spread of 883targeted fake news and propaganda, considering multiple recent and potential 884hybrid threats towards critical energy and communication infrastructure in the 885Baltic Sea region. (WG) 886887FINLAND 888In February 2025, the European Commission adopted a Communication setting 889out the measures required to secure our critical undersea infrastructure. That 890Communication identified the Baltic Sea as an ideal test bed for collaborative 891development. Finland, with the lead of the Finnish Border Guard, is looking to 892take charge of the coordinating and establishment of the proposed Integrated 893Surveillance Mechanisms, including a network of Security Operations Centers, 894enhanced underwater critical infrastructure repair capabilities and more robust 895public -private and civil -military cooperation in the Balti c Sea region. 89689737. Use examples of good practice as a blueprint: Some countries bordering the 898North Sea have signed the "Joint Declaration on Cooperation for the Protection 899of Infrastructure in the North Sea"; this initiative could serve as a model for closer 900security cooperation in the Baltic Sea as well. 90190238. Realise a n Integrated NATO Defence Area: Commit to realising the potential 903of the Baltic Sea region to become an integrated NATO defence area with strong 904regional cooperation in coastal, maritime, and air defence. (WG) 905906FINLAND 907Finland pursues bilateral and multil ateral cooperation with NATO Allies who are 908relevant for Finland’s defence and who, in terms of NATO’s deterrence and 909defence, play significant roles in a crisis in the Baltic Sea region. The territory of 910Finland has been assigned under Supreme Allied Comm ander Europe’s (SACEUR) 911area of responsibility, and the defence of this area is planned as one entity. The 912military defence of Finland extends beyond the Finnish borders to a larger whole 913that stretches from the Baltic Sea region to the Nordic Allies in the Arctic and to 914the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic. 915916The Finnish Navy has sustained its capability for the surveillance and protection 917of territorial integrity. A modernisation of Finland’s maritime defence is 918underway. Once the Squadron 2020 progra mme is completed and the Pohjanmaa 919class multi -role corvettes are deployed, the Navy will have the capability of year - 920round sustained presence and operations at the Baltic Sea and the capability to 921take part in NATO’s maritime operations and missions. 92292392439. Strengthen Surveillance and Response Coordination through NATO: 925Increase integration of maritime infrastructure surveillance and response efforts 926within NATO frameworks, particularly with Finland's and Sweden's accession. 927Finland Page 5518 Promote the development of cooperative governance measures and joint 928surveillance initiatives to enhance NATO's capabilities in monitoring and 929protecting critical maritime infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region. 930931FINLAND 932See 38 93393440. Raising situational awareness and increasing societal resilience : Pay 935particular attention to raising situational awarene ss and increasing societal 936resilience to respond to hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea region. (WG) 937938FINLAND 939Security situation in the Baltic Sea region is worrying. Variety of hybrid actions 940are not expected to diminish. Lately shadow fleet has posed a threat to our 941critical undersea infrastructure and creates also a serious environmental threat. 942We have also experienced GNSS -disturbances, both as regards aviation and sea 943traffic. 944945We need to protect more efficiently our infrastructure, regardless of in tention. 946Important to protect ourselves against all hostile actions and accidents. 947These are real risks that we need to actively counter, together. 948949Cooperation has increased both internationally and specially among the 950countries in the region. Detecti on and prevention actions are intensifying. New 951technology can help us, but the main strength lies in national preparedness and 952capacity. EU and NATO contribute in this work. 953Finland has updated several security related strategies and is reviewing 954national security structures. The whole of society approach has been and will be 955important : authorities, companies, civil society, academia and local actors work 956closely together. 957958The awareness raising and strengthening the societal resilience lies on active and 959continuous dialogue between the authorities and citizens. It is vital to offer 960information to all citizens to raise awareness of the possibilities people can take 961in their everyday life to increase security and preparedness. An aware citizen 962can also mitigate the possible disruption and minimize the possible 963consequences. 96496541. Enhance Maritime Infrastructure Governance and Legislative Alignment: 966Harmonise national def initions and legislative frameworks for critical maritime 967infrastructure across the Baltic Sea region. Establish a cohesive governance 968structure to oversee the protection of maritime infrastructure, ensuring 969consistent and coordinated legislative measures to enhance security and 970resilience against threats. 971972FINLAN D 973Finland broadly supports the objectives and actions of the EU action plan on the 974security of submarine cables. The action plan recognises the special situation of 975the Baltic Sea Region, and the proposed actions seek to respond extensively to 976the issues aff ecting the safety of submarine cables. Finland will actively promote 977its objectives in cooperation with the European Commission and other Member 978States, especially with the states of the Baltic Sea region. There is cooperation 979between different national au thorities of the Baltic Sea Countries, and the public - 980private cooperation in Finland is on a very good level. 981982Finland Page 5619 42. Invest in Advanced Surveillance and Early Detection Systems: Invest in 983advanced surveillance technologies, such as sensors, hydroacoustic system s, and 984unmanned subsea drones, for real -time monitoring of maritime infrastructure. 985Promote the integration of these technologies into new and existing infrastructure 986to establish a comprehensive early warning and rapid response system, 987minimising the risk and impact of grey zone attacks. 988989FINLAN D 990Finland supports measures to develop surveillance technologies for submarine 991cables in cooperation with European industry, and to improve the exchange of 992information between Member States. Finland will actively p romote objectives of 993the EU Cable Security action plan in cooperation with the European Commission 994and other Member States, especially with the states of the Baltic Sea region. 99599643. Foster Public -Private Partnerships for Maritime Security: Advocate for the 997establishment of robust public -private partnerships to enhance cooperation and 998information sharing between governments and private sector stakeholders 999involved in maritime infrastructure. Develop joint security protocols and 1000investment st rategies to incentivise private companies to implement advanced 1001security measures, ensuring mutual benefits and enhanced protection of critical 1002infrastructure. 10031004FINLAND 1005Finland will actively promote the objectives of the EU Cable Security action plan 1006in cooperation with the European Commission and other Member States, 1007especially with the states of the Baltic Sea region. Finland supports the measures 1008to improve the exchange of information between Member States. Finland actively 1009cooperates with national auth orities, the EU and countries in the Baltic Sea region 1010to promote the security of submarine cables. 1011101244. Develop Regional Contingency and Rapid Repair Capabilities: Encourage 1013the further development of regional contingency plans and rapid repair 1014capabilities for maritime infrastructure. Invest in dedicated repair ships and 1015coordinated response strategies across the members of the BSPC to ensure swift 1016restoration of damaged infrastructure, reducing the effectiveness and appeal of 1017hybrid grey zone attacks. 10181019FINLAND 1020For Finland, increasing the capacity to repair submarine cables will be one of the 1021key actions identified in the EU Cable Security Action Plan. Finland considers it 1022vital that the Baltic Sea be prioritised in terms of repair capacity. The EU Cable 1023Security Action Plan recognises the risks associated with the shadow fleet and 1024the need to reinforce the Union's actions against it. Finland actively cooperates 1025with national authorities, the EU institutions and c ountries in the Baltic Sea region 1026to promote the safety of submarine cables. 10271028Regarding Climate Change to 1029103045. Implement HELCOM’s Climate Change -related Recommendations: 1031Emphasise the urgency of enhancing climate resilience through the continued 1032implementation of HELCOM’s Climate Change Fact Sheet recommendations and 1033the Baltic Sea Action Plan’s climate -related actions. 10341035FINLAND 1036Finland continues the implementation of the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan 1037(BSAP) at the national level, in coherence with the River Basin Management Plans 1038Finland Page 5720 and the Programme of Measures for the Marine Strategy (2022 –27). Additionally, 1039with in its governmen t programme, Finland remains committed to achieving a 1040good ecological status for the Baltic Sea, particularly focusing on improving the 1041status of the Archipelago Sea during the years 2024 –27. Finland actively 1042participates in implementing joint BSAP actions through engagement in HELCOM 1043expert and working groups, as well as by leading specific BSAP measures within 1044HELCOM. 10451046HELCOM’s Climate Change -related Recommendations emphasize the urgency of 1047enhancing climate resilience through the continued implementation of BSAP’s 1048climate -related actions. The HELCOM Climate Change Fact Sheet provides an 1049overview of the manifold impacts of climate change on the Baltic Sea ecosystem, 1050highlighting knowledge gaps regarding future temperature, rainfall, salinity, and 1051indirect ecological changes. It is evident that climate change will have extensive 1052effects on the Baltic Sea ecosystem. 10531054While not all potential impacts can be fully predicted, Finland continues to focus 1055on minimizing harmful environmental pressures, such as nutrie nt input, to 1056strengthen the Baltic Sea’s resilience to climate change. This includes ongoing 1057national efforts related to pollution control and marine protection policies, in 1058alignment with HELCOM’s recommendations. Finland seeks to contribute to 1059regional efforts in adapting to climate change and safeguarding the Baltic Sea 1060ecosystem. 1061106246. Promote Renewable Energy Development : Support the deployment of 1063offshore renewables and decarbonised fuels, such as renewable hydrogen - with 1064strong regard for the biodiversi ty of the sea -, and set ambitious targets for 1065renewable energy capacity to drive the clean transition and contribute to global 1066climate goals. 10671068FINLAND 1069Finland has set a renewable energy target of 62 % in 2030, which is the third 1070highest target among EU Member States. Furthermore, as outlined in the 1071Governmental Program, Finland will set separate offshore wind targets for 1072future. Finland has also finalized the law concerning offshore wind projects in 1073EEZ area and is currently implementing several measures promoting offshore 1074wind in coordination by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. The 1075work concerning promotion of offshore wind has also environmental aspects 1076including biodiversity. Finland has as one of the first countries set mandatory 1077RFNBO (renewable hydrogen) targets to transportation and funded several 1078large scale RFNBO -projects through different aid schemes. 1079108047. Develop Coastal Management Plans: Urge the implementation and updating 1081of comprehensive coastal management plans, building on eff ective measures 1082observed in the past year that protect and restore coastal ecosystems. Highlight 1083the importance of protecting these areas as carbon sinks and buffer zones against 1084sea-level rise. 10851086FINLAND 1087Finland’s Coastal Strategy was published in February 2024. The aim of the 1088strategy is to promote the sustainable use of the coast in response to biodiversity 1089loss, climate change, and pollution. It was developed through extensive 1090stakeholder collaboration, and serves as a guide for coastal action, development, 1091and planning. The strategy focuses on identifying key stakeholders and points of 1092interaction, opportunities for collaboration and information sharing, and relevant 1093Finland Page 5821 policy instruments. Key measures inc lude supporting a thriving coastal 1094environment. 10951096Finland’s Coastal Strategy is coordinated with Finnish Maritime Spatial Planning, 1097and both emphasize the importance of coastal areas. A national survey on marine 1098and coastal ecosystem services was published in 2024 to support the revision of 1099the Finnish Maritime Spatial Plan. The mapped regulating services include, for 1100example, carbon storage, which will be integrated into the updated Plan as part 1101of the blue -green infrastructure. Considering valuable ecosyst ems in maritime 1102spatial planning supports the spatial allocation of human activities in a way that 1103minimizes potential human -induced harm. 1104110548. Implement the Raised Calls for Action: Rigorously continue to implement the 1106far-reaching calls for action of the 32nd BSPC resolution regarding climate change 1107and biodiversity. 11081109FINLAND 1110Finland has continued to implement the far -reaching calls for action of the 32nd 1111BSPC resolution regarding climate change and biodiversity during Prime Minister 1112Petteri Orpo’s Government (since June 2023). 11131114Regarding climate change Finland, as a EU Member State, is also committed to 1115carry out the directives and policies covering thes e two topics, and joint global 1116decisions. e.g. the UNFCC COP28 decisions, the Paris Agreement, the European 1117Climate Law, EU’s Green Deal, and nationally committed to Finland’s Climate 1118Change Act, awareness rising, cross -border cooperation, and climate dipl omacy. 11191120Regarding biodiversity Finland is implementing the Kunming -Montreal Global 1121Biodiversity Framework, by implementing EU legislation and policies, and through 1122national legislation. Ecosystem -based planning and management is applied 1123increasingly, e.g. in maritime spatial planning, conservation planning and 1124management and through SEA’s and EIA’s, e.g. for large scale offshore and 1125coastal renewable energy installations. The national biodiversity strategy is not 1126yet agreed politically but many of the obje ctives in EU’s biodiversity strategy are 1127carried out regardless when implementing biodiversity related Eu legislation such 1128as the Habitats and Bird Directives, the Water Framework Directive, Marine 1129Strategy Framework Directive and Maritime Spatial Planning Directive. 11301131Furthermore, the Conference Decides to 1132113349. welcome with gratitude the kind offer by the Parliament of Åland to host the 34th 1134Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Mariehamn on 24 -26 August 2025. 1135GERMANYGermany Page 60127 August 2024, 12.29Conference ResolutionAdopted by the 33rd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) on 27 August 2024.The participants, elected representatives from theParliament of DenmarkParliament of EstoniaParliament of FinlandParliament of the Federal Republic of GermanyParliament of IcelandParliament of LatviaParliament of LithuaniaParliament of No rwayParliament of PolandParliament of SwedenParliament of ÅlandParliament of the Hanseatic City of BremenParliament of Faroe IslandsParliament of the Free and Hanseatic City of HamburgParliament of GreenlandParliament of Mecklenburg -VorpommernParliament of Schleswig -HolsteinGermany Page 612 Baltic AssemblyEuropean ParliamentNordic Council,assembling in Helsingør on 27 August 2024- state that the Baltic Sea Region faces multiple increased challenges that requ ireeven deeper cooperation and solidarity between the democratic Baltic Sea states;- emphasise in view of the geopolitical situation and current threats, theircommitment to contribute to safety, security, and stability in the region;- recognise the need to strengthen cooperation between the democratic Baltic Seastates and make increased efforts to promote security, environmental protection,and economic development in the region by even more coordinated action;- emphasise the importa nce of collaboration in defence policy and the need tocollectively address security challenges and enhance coordination of defenceefforts in the Baltic Sea region;- reiterate our unwavering and full support for the sovereignty and territorialintegrity of Ukraine as long as it takes, and repeat in the strongest possible termsour condemnation of the Russian full -scale invasion and acts of violence inUkraine committed by the Russian Federation and the ongoing blatant andmassive violations of internatio nal law;- stress the need for intensified cooperation to strengthen the line of defence onthe border with Russia and Belarus and for continued increase in investment inregional defence and protection against hybrid threats to ensure the security ofthe entire Baltic Sea region;- condemn the instrumentalisation of people by Belarus and Russia to increase thepressure on the borders;- underline the absolute necessity to strengthen the resilience of their democraticsocieties based on the values that u nite the democratic Baltic Sea countries;- condemn in the strongest possible terms the significant increase in the numberof brutal attacks and criminal offences against politicians, police officers andmedia representatives, particularly in the recent past and during the Europeanelection campaign , and see the need to draw consequences from this in all ourmember states, which are suitable for pushing back such condemnabledevelopments that are directed against the foundations of our coexistence anddemocratic values;Germany Page 623- share also with deep concer n the statement of the Ministerial Declaration of the2024 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in Riga, expressing that the Baltic Seaecosystem continues to be heavily affected by multiple anthropogenic pressures,as reflected in the outcome of HELCOM HOLAS 3, and is under increasing negativeimpact from the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, andpollution apart from all the significant environmental improvements andcontributions to preventing further deterioration of the environment of the BalticSea. This leads to the urgent need for consistent implementation of the BalticSea Action Plan; -content/uploads/2024/04/Ministerial Declaration -2024.pdf- fully endorse the content of the CBSS Porvoo Declaration, issued by the ForeignMinisters of the democratic States of the Baltic Sea Region on 14 June 2024;https://cbss.org/wp -content/uploads/2024/06/porvoo -declarati on-2024.pdf-Preliminary remarksThe Federal Government welcomes the resolution of the 33rd Baltic Sea ParliamentaryConference (BSPC) of 27 August 2024. The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conferencecontinues to advance close cooperation between governments, national and regionalparliaments and civil society and thus strengthens democratic institutions in the BalticSea Region (BSR). The CBSS and other regional for ums continue to play an essentialrole in improving cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region.call on the Governments in the Baltic Sea Region, the CBSS, and the EURegarding cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region to1. Strengthen Democratic Resilience: Call on governments to further enhancedemocracy, the rule of law, equality, and human rights, building on successfullegislative and administrative measures from the past year by intensifyingcollaboration and sharing best practices among democratic stakeholders in theregion.2. Promote Peaceful Cooperation : Emphasise the importance of peacefulcooperation and dialogue among Baltic Sea states to address sharedenvironmental challenges while respecting international law and territorialintegrity.Calls to action 1 and 2 are answered together:The Federal Government fully agrees with the importance of peaceful cooperation anddialogue among the Baltic Sea states, and therefore cooperates closely with the relevantpartners and stakeholders and actively takes part in all relevant organi sations andstrategies in the Baltic Sea Region , for example HELCOM and the CBSS as well as theGermany Page 634 EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) , which aim s at saving the sea,connecting the region and increasing prosperity.The principles of democracy, the rule of law, equality and human rights are acornerstone of the German constitution. The Federal Government continues to supportthese principles and democratic structures and values in the Baltic Sea Region througha multitude of program mes and initiatives .The Federal Government strongly condemns the Russian Federation ’s war ofaggression against Ukraine and strongly emphasi ses its support for international lawand territorial integrity as a foundation of peace and prosperity in the Baltic Sea Regionand beyond.3. Empower Citizen Engagement: Facilitate citizen participation in politicaldecision -making, create more platforms for citizens with decision -making powerwith a particular focus on the young generation, and promote youth civicengagement through i ncreased political literacy, notably by improving educationabout democracy and the school curricula and educational programmes (BSPYF).Promote the exchange of experience on building an efficient civil protectionsystem that takes into account the potenti al represented by civil societyorganisations in mobilising human resources and responding to emergencies.Children, adolescents and young adults have the right to a good childhood and youth.Right from the start, they should be afforded the same opportu nities as adults. Childrenand young people should be allowed to develop into confident, independent individuals.This involves ensuring that children and young people know their rights, that they areincluded in the policy- making process and that their in terests are considered in policy -making. The Federal Government adopted these principles in its Youth Strategy, whichwas put in place in 2019. With the Youth Strategy, the Federal Government aims toinvolve the younger generation in decisions that affect them and to offer young peoplethe best possible conditions for meeting the challenges of this specific phase of life.4. Focus on Social Sustainability: Stress the need to extend and build uponrecent successful initiatives addressing social sustainabilit y, including thoseaimed at addressing challenges regarding an ageing population by upskilling andreskilling, integrating migrants and vulnerable groups into the labour market,and promoting gender equality. Encourage governments to ensure theseinitiatives are well -funded and effectively implemented. Develop and implementcivic education programmes and civil society initiatives for both young peopleand adults alike to raise awareness of the dangers posed by all forms ofextremism to democracy, i ncluding recruitment strategies of extremist groups(BSPYF). Encourage cross -border exchange programmes for citizens of all agesand diverse backgrounds, focused on bridging societal division and combatingextremism (BSPYF). Guarantee inclusive governance by including citizens in theformation of policies and establish mechanisms for participatory budgeting forequitable resource distribution and community empowerment. Encourageworkers to join unions by promoting awareness and involvement by puttingspecia l emphasis on strengthening and securing the institutional framework ofthe workers’ unions (BSPYF).The social security systems in Germany enable a life of dignity and social participationfor people whose own income and assets are not sufficient. This i s laid down in theGerman constitution.Germany Page 645 The Citizen ’s Benefit Act (Bürgergeld -Gesetz ) has increased the continuing educationand training opportunities for unemployed persons and employees receiving citizen ’sbenefit. Firstly , it provides financial incenti ves for benefit recipients to participate incontinuing education and training courses which lead to a vocational qualification.Secondly , it simplifies access to funding opportunities, so that more people can benefitfrom them.The Act to Strengthen the Promotion of Vocational Training and Skills (Aus - undWeiterbildungsgesetz) , passed in the summer of 2023 , has also developed and expandedlabour -market funding instruments for employees and people seeking training . Itintroduces a training guarantee i n order to give all young people without vocationalqualifications access to fully qualifying vocational training and, if possible, in -companyvocational training. In addition, it increase s financial support for companies and theiremployees during training co urses, in particular for small and medium -sizedenterprises and companies affected by structural change.Skills development, particularly for digital skills, should continue beyond individuals’participation in the labour market. It is pivotal for fostering societal engagement andenabling active and healthy ageing after retirement. Consequently, the FederalGovernment is continuing the Digital Pact for Old er People (DigitalPakt Alter) toenhance digital skills and ensure full access to digital services for older adults as well .The Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains (Lieferkettengesetz)entered into force in 2023. Since 2024 it has applie d to companies with 1000 or moreemployees. The Act makes it mandatory for companies to implement human rights andenvironmental due diligence throughout their supply chains. This covers the prohibitionof child labour, slavery and forced labour ; occupational safety and health obligatio ns;adequate wages ; the right to form trade unions ; access to food and water ; and genderequality. Germany will adapt the law to the new requirements of the EU’s CorporateSustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) by 2026.The Federal Government has put in place a number of leg islative and sub -legislativemeasures to promote the labour -market integration of migrants. These include acomprehensive range of German language courses offered on a legal basis (sections 43to 45a of the Residence Act – Aufenthaltsgesetz ). Building on the integration courses ,the vocational language courses continue language acquisition at a higher level andparticularly aim at improving opportunities on the labour market. In addition, theESF Plus funding programme “MY TURN – Women with migration experience getstarted” accompanies (formally) low -skilled women with increased support needs ontheir path to training, qualification and regular employment (with social securitycoverage) . Furthermore, the Federal Ministry of L abour and Social Affairs funds advicefor foreigners in Germany on gaining qualifications or having existing qualificationsrecognised, through the ESF Plus funding programme IQ ─ Integration throughQualification . The federal programme Our Work: Our Diver sity. Initiative forWorkplace Democra tic Competence addresses racist discrimination, right -wingextremism and conspiracy narratives in the workplace , especially in small and mediumenterprises ( SMEs ).The Basic Law (constitution) of the Federal Republic of Germany stipulates that no onemay be discriminated against – inter alia – due to a disability. One of the tasks of theFederal Government is to establish equality of opportunity for persons with disabilitiesand make it possible for them to participate as equals in society and the workplace. TheAct on Equal Opportunities for Persons with DisabilitiesGermany Page 656 (Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz) , the General Act on Equal Treatment (AllgemeinesGleichbehandlungsgesetz) , the Ninth Boo k of the Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch IX)and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities(UNCRPD) provide the framework for this policy at national and international level.With the federal programme Live Democracy!, the Federal Mi nistry for Family Affairs,Senior Citizens, Women and Youth funds measures at municipal, Land (federal state )and federal level that develop new approaches to promoting democracy, shapingdiversity and preventing extremism. For the third funding period (2025 to 2032) theFederal Ministry has further developed the programme, readjusting objectives andstructures a nd focusing more strongly on current social challenges. As in previousyears, a total of 182 million euro has been earmarked for the programme in the draftfederal budget for 2025.Promoting gender equality and overcoming gender -based discrimination is a t oppolitical priority for the Federal Government . There is a solid national legal frameworkand the Federal Government has made gender equality an overarching guidingprinciple, while also being committed to gender mainstreaming internationally.5. Strength en social resilience: Reiterate the continued importance ofstrengthening social resilience in the Baltic Sea Region by fostering resiliencethrough cultural activities, acknowledge and support in this regard the successfulstart of the Baltic Sea Cultural Pearls awarding procedure and the first awardedcities and encourage and promote the development of a long -term operatingconcept and further annual implementation of the award after the end of theInterreg projects lifetime in December 2025.While culture falls within the remit of the Länder (federal states ), the FederalGovernment takes note of this recommendation.6. Protect vulnerable groups: Protect the rights and ensure the safety ofrefugees, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, women, children, t he elderly andother vulnerable groups who are particularly at risk in times of war andthreatened by intolerant attitudes.The identification of vulnerable persons is a key element in the German asylumprocedure. In 2022, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees , which is responsiblefor this proc edure, updated its policy for identifying vulnerable persons (DieIdentifizierung vulnerabler Personen im Asylverfahren) .One important element is the role of special representatives (Sonderbeauftra gte), whohelp to systemati se the identification of vulnerable persons by supporting case-worker swith relevant knowledge on the subject. Furthermore, in particularly complex cases ,special representative s may themselves be responsible for decid ing whether asylum willbe granted . Special representatives also establish networks with NGOs and other bodies(e.g. immigration authorities, the Federal Criminal Police Office ) in order to synthesi sefindings and methods for dealing with vulnerabilities.The Länder (federal states) “shall be required to set up and maintain reception centresnecessary to accommodate persons requesting asylum and to provide the necessarynumber of places in the reception centres for newly arrived persons requesting asylumper month al located to them on the basis of their respective admission quotas ”(section 44 (1) of the Asylum Act – Asylgesetz ). The Länder are to take appropriatemeasures to ensure the protection of women and vulnerable persons whenGermany Page 667 accommodating asylum seekers in ac cordance with this requirement . Legislat ionstipulates that women and vulnerable persons have to be provided with particularprotection . Moreover, in the Second Act to Improve the Enforcement of the Obligationto Leave the Country (Geordnete- Rückkehr -Geset z) in 2019, the legislature introduceda new legal provision to take into account vulnerability (section 44 (2a) of the AsylumAct, intended in particular to protect minors ; disabled, elderly, pregnant andLGBTIQA* people; single parents with minor children ; victims of human trafficking ;applicants with severe physical/ mental illnesses ; and applicants who have beentortured, raped or subjected to other forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence– for instance gender -based violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage).7. Defend sexual and reproductive autonomy: Defend sexual and reproductiveautonomy and respect the right to reproductive health.The following are key activities that German y’s Federal Ministry of Health and FederalMinistry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth implement through theFederal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) and in close collaboration with the Länder(federal states ).In cooperation with family counse lling facilities, the BZgA develops and implementsnationwide measures, strategies and information materials for sexuality education andfamily planning. Its core tenet is that sexuality is a basic , existential human need and acentral component of identity and personality development. Sexuality education andfamily planning are therefore not limited to merely imparting information andknowledge about biological processes such as procreation and pregnancy, but alsoaddress interpersonal relationships. Family planning is understood as an integral partof overall life planning. The aim is to enable people to deal with sexuality in a way thattakes responsib ility for their own health and that of their partners. In the context ofsexual health and HIV, the focus is on protecting human dignity and safeguarding andpromoting sexual and reproductive rights, especially for vulnerable and key populationsand for groups at increased risk. The BZgA provides comprehensive information on itswebsite : https://www.bzga.de/home/key -topics/sex -education -and-family -planning/ .As part of comprehensive sexuality education, the BZgA has developed an interactivelearning tool for schools : LIEBESL EBEN – Das Mitmach -Projekt (LOVE LIFE – TheJoin-In Project). The project was launched in February 2020 and involves workshopsheld in secondary schools in Germany for students between the ages of 13 and 18. Itsfocus lies on applying interactive learning methods to address issues around HIV andother sexually transmitted infections ( STIs), protection and safer sex, the body andfeelings, sexuality and media, diversity, respect, friendship and relationship s. The re aresix interactive modules with learning materials and teaching instructions , eachaddressing a specific topic. The goal of the project is to empower young people , in anage-appropriate and interactive manner, to adopt safer behavio ur through imp rovedknowledge and skills and to thereby minimi se unwanted pregnancies or the risks of STItransmission for themselves and others. Since February 2020, workshops have beenheld in more than 62 schools in all 16 Länder . Four Länder have integrated the Join -in-Project as part of their education curriculum and seven more Länder are in theexploratory phase.The Federal Government has implemented various measures to strengthen reproductiveand sexual rights and health. New regulations on the advertisement of abortions wereadopted in June 2022. Doctors and hospitals are now allowed to state that they provideGermany Page 678 abortions on their website. Furthermore, an independent interdisciplinary commissionof experts in reproductive autonomy and medicine was appointed to examine optionsfor regulating abortion outside of the criminal code , as well as options for legali singegg donation and altruistic surrogacy. The commission’s final report was presented on15 April 2024. It has been published on the relevant ministries ’ websites and can beused to inform further scientific, social and political debate .Furthermore, the Bundestag ( German parliament ) has passed a law to prevent streetharassment by abortion opponents in the immediate vicinity of abortion clinic s andcounselling centres for pregnant women (Zweites Gesetz zur Änderung desSchwangerschaftskonfliktgesetzes ). The law aims to protect women effectively from thisunacceptable harassment, which is becoming increasingly common in Germany , and toensure th at pregnant women can freely take advantage of counse lling services andaccess facilities that carry out abortions. It came into force on 13 November 2024.8. Support Ukraine: Encourage continued and expanded support for Ukraine,referencing past legislative aid packages and reconstruction assistanceinitiatives. Advocate for comprehensive programmes that include economicsupport, infrastructure rebuilding, and assistance in strengthening democraticinstitutions.Since Russia’s full -scale invasion on 24 February 2022, the Federal Government hasprovided bilateral assistance to Ukraine worth 37 billion euro in total, making Germanythe second -largest provider of assistance for Ukraine. German support includesassistance for refugees from Ukraine, military assistance , financial assistance to bolsterthe Ukrainian state, and civilian support in the areas of energy, the economy,healthcare, education, justice, development, disaster relief and humanitarianassistance , as well as support for the reconstruction o f Ukraine. Germany is therebyalso support ing Ukraine on its path to EU accession. In addition, Germany iscontributing to the support for Ukraine provided by the EU and internationalorgani sations. Germany will continue to support Ukraine for as long as n ecessary.9. Combat Disinformation: Request governments to enhance the legislativeframeworks and administrative measures that have shown effectiveness incountering disinformation campaigns, particularly those spearheaded by theRussian Federation. Promote the expansion of public awareness campaigns,digital literacy programs, and robust media education to combat misinformation.Prohibit personal profiling based on mass data collection, as long as these profilesallow targeted advertisement for disinformatio n campaigns (BSPYF).Shortly after the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the FederalGovernment set up an interdepartmental and inter -agency task force againstdisinformation within the Open Joint Federal and State W orking Group on HybridThreats (BLo AG Hybrid) . This is where the findings of the various ministries andsecurity authorities come together.The Länder (federal states ), including their municipalities , have a key role to play inidentifying and countering hybrid threats and are informed about and involved in theseefforts via BLoAG Hybrid . Only by working closely together can we develop concretemeasures to adequately counter hybrid threats including d isinformation, at all politicallevels .Germany Page 689 Since June 2024, the Federal Government has been setting up an early detection unit toidentify foreign manipulation and influence campaigns (Central Office for the Detectionof Foreign Information Manipulation – ZEAM ). This is our response to the increasingnumber of coordinated influence campaigns by some autocratic states.The unit focus es exclusively on foreign accounts and analy ses their behaviour in termsof how they attempt to gain disproporti onate attention or credibility. The unit will thusmake a decisive contribution to increasing our ability to act against foreignmanipulati on and bolstering the resilience of our democracy .10. Promote Regional Digital Cooperation: Advocate for further enhancementand harmonisation of digital markets and infrastructure across the Baltic SeaRegion. Highlight successful national and regional measures from the past yearto bolster cybersecurity and ethical digital practices and call f or cooperativeefforts to scale these successes region -wide. Enhance digital resilience, with theparliaments in the Baltic Sea Region striving towards manifesting their leadingrole in digital literacy education for all age groups, focusing on 1) raisingawareness on the importance of data privacy and 2) supporting innovations totackle disinformation.With the new European Parliament and European Commission , we are entering a newstrategic cycle within the European Union.In the Budapest Declaration on the New European Competitiveness Deal of 8 November2024, European Union leaders expressed their determination to ensure commoneconomic prosperity and boost the EU’s competitiveness, making it the world’s firstclimate -neutral continent and ensuring its sovereignty, security, resilience and globalinfluence. They intend to make the Union more competitive, productive, innovative andsustainable.This includes strengthening the EU’s technological capabilities, accelerating the digitaltransformation in all industrial sectors, seizing the opportunities of the data economywhile ensuring privacy and security, and promoting the development of innovativetechnologies. The European Commission is to submit proposals to this end by June2025. In the view of the Fed eral Government, more emphasis should be placed onresearch and innovation as well as investments in innovative technologies. In addition,the internal market might be further deepened by removing obstacles, ambitious lyreducing bureaucracy with a focus on SMEs , further develop ing competition law andadvanc ing the digital transformation, in particular cybersecurity and the spread of AI .At the same time, the Federal Government supports the goals of Europe’s DigitalDecade and will continue to work intensively on implement ing them by 2030 , includingobjectives to improve digital education. The Digital Decade is closely linked to ournational Digital Strategy; the two go hand in hand.11. Enhance Maritime Ecosystem Protection: Strongly urge governments toenhance efforts to combat eutrophication by systematically implementing therevised HELCOM Action Plan and nutrient input reduction schemes. Encouragethe adaptation and the necessary prioritization on innovative, sustainableagricultural practices and the promotion of nutrient recycling strategies, ensuringthat these measures are integrated into national and regional policies tosignificantly reduce nutrient runoff into the Baltic Sea without decreasing foodproduction. Emphas ise the need for coordinated efforts to protect the Baltic Sea'sGermany Page 6910 biodiversity and improve water quality through updated legislative measures andtargeted investments.In October 2021, the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan for 2021 to 2030 was adopted byHELC OM under the German chairmanship . The plan comprehensively addresses all ofthe challenges and pressures affecting the Baltic marine ecosystem , with the aim ofachieving a good ecological status for the Baltic Sea and its environment by the end ofthis dec ade. A detailed implementation plan was drawn up in cooperation with all BalticSea countries as a result of intensive discussions and negotiations. The issue of climatechange as a global challenge is an integral part of the plan, in which, for the first time,specific measures are dedicated to the ocean -climate nexus. Climate action andadaptation will be benchmarks for all future HELCOM decisions. The focus is onactivities to combat pollution in the Baltic Sea, particularly eutrophication caused byover-fertilisation. Progress on implementation is regularly analysed and reported toHELCOM. Germany supports the swift and systematic implementation of the measures.The medium - to long -term goal is a clean, healthy Baltic Sea with stable, resilientmarine and coastal ecosystems.Due to the cross -border nature of marine protection and in view of the specialhydrological features and sensitive environmental assets of the Baltic Sea, Germany istaking and supporting ambitious measures in cooperation with other countries atinternational, regional and national level to address the impacts of climate change,biodiversity loss and pollution in the Baltic Sea. Although some progress has alreadybeen possible, further efforts must be rigorously pursued. In particular , eutrophication,as one of the major pressures on the marine environment of the Baltic Sea , must befurther reduced in order to attain a good ecological status. Major discharges ofnutrients causing eutrophication are made via waterways.The updated Baltic Sea Action Plan sets new quantitative nutrient reductionrequirements for the HELCOM Contracting Parties and contains a comprehensiveportfolio of measures to meet these requirements . Among other things, noncompl iancewith good agricultural practice can lead to excessively high nutrient inputs related toagricultural fertiliser use , which mainly enter the Baltic Sea via groundwater andrivers. This results in increased algae growth, which deprives marine life andunderwater plants of the oxygen they need. The measures for complying with nutrientreduction targets need to be implemented by 2027 at the latest. Due to the specialnatural conditions of the Baltic Sea ( an inland sea with little water exchange and deepbasins), eutrophication due to excessive nutrient inputs from agricultural, urban andpoint sources is a particular problem for Baltic Sea ecosystems.Furthermore, a n ambitious nutrient recycling strategy based on innovative technologieshas been adopted. A three -year project funded by Interreg Baltic Sea Region wasinitiated in November 2023, headed by Sweden and including 25 partners from eightHELCOM Contracting Parties . In the coming years, the aim is to establish sustainablenutrient management and min imise nutrient input into the Baltic Sea through efficientuse of nutrients. These measures are extremely important for marine protection and arebeing energetically pursued independently of the EU Marine Strategy FrameworkDirective (MSFD) . In addition, t he HELCOM monitoring programme is being reviewedregularly in line with the requirements of the MSFD .Under the EU Nitrates Directive , German fertili ser legislation has been amended inrecent years with the aim of reconciling the fertili sation of agricultural crops with thechallenges of water protection. Since the amendment to the Fertili ser Ordinance(Düngeverordnung) in 2020, additional strict regulations apply in designated nitrate -Germany Page 7011 polluted and eutrophicated areas for the better protec tion of waters. Furtheramendments to German fertili ser legislation are in preparation. Meanwhile , livestockpopulations and sales of mineral fertili sers are decreasing, while the storage capacityfor organic fertili sers is increasing and more modern appli cation technologies arebeing used. Germany’s nitrogen balance has decreased since 2017.12. Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Call for the continuation andexpansion of legislative actions that have successfully created new MPAs andimproved management s trategies. Urge governments to increase transboundarycooperation to protect vulnerable habitats, enhance biodiversity, and mitigatethe impacts of climate change.The Federal Ministry for the Environment , Nat ure Conservation, Nuclear Safety andConsumer Protection has already initiated and implemented significant measures toexpand MPAs with a view to enhancing the conservation of marine ecosystems andmitigating the impacts of climate change. Extensive protected areas have already beendesignated in Germ any’s seas. Around 36% of Germany’s total marine area is part ofthe Natura 2000 network. This means that Germany has already exceeded the global,regional and European target of protecting 30% of its marine area by 2030. Althoughthe quantitative target has been exceeded, there are still qualit ative deficiencies in thedesignated areas. Germany is continuing to work with the HELCOM ContractingParties to remedy these .The effective implementation of t he new EU Nature Restoration Law will play a key rolein achieving this goal. The Law aims to restore 30% of marine habitats in poor conditionby 2030, with the goal of achieving a favourable conservation status for 100% of thereference areas by 2050. Res toration measures will have high priority, especially in theNatura 2000 sites. Overall, Germany is pursuing a clear strategy to expand and improvethe protection of marine ecosystems in order to foster biodiversity, promote climateaction and strengthen e cosystem resilience against the impacts of climate change.13. Promote Sustainable Blue Economy Initiatives: Foster public and privateinvestments in innovative marine and maritime sectors to support thedevelopment and implementation of sustainable blue economy initiatives whilstunderlining Article 1 Para 3 of the EU Maritime Strategy Framework Directive(MSFD ). Highlight the importance of balancing economic activities such asoffshore wind energy and aquaculture with marine environmental protection byapplying an ecosystem approach. Call for incorporating scientific research andstakeholder input in planning a nd executing these initiatives to ensure that theystrive for ecological sustainability whilst contributing to economic growth.German y’s Site Development Plan (Flächenentwicklungsplan) sets out technicalplanning specifications for the exclusive economic zone. It defines the locations of areasfor offshore wind energy and the applicable timeframes . Relevant stakeholders areinvited to participate in the consultation process for amendments and updates to thePlan , including states, authorities and associations involved with environmentalprotection. Furthermore, the Site Development Plan includes environmental reports forthe North Sea and Baltic Sea , which give close consideration to scientific research .There are also seve ral projects underway , such as Anemoi, which aims to providegeneral information on chemical emissions from offshore wind farms and present ideasto reduce those emissions. Another example is the Northern European Sea Basinsproject in the North Sea and Ba ltic Sea, which amongst other things deals with theGermany Page 7112 energy transition and biodiversity in maritime spatial planning . In particular at twowind farms in the Baltic Sea, bird collision monitoring is being coordinated and plannedand will soon be implemented .14. Support Maritime Transport Sustainability: Advocate for the transition tolow-sulfur fuels and alternative energy sources and promote digitalisation andautomation in logistics to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.The Federal Governmen t strongly supports the transition to zero -emission fuels andalternative , renewable energies as well as the promotion of digitalisation andautomation in logistics to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.15. Enhance Port Security and Infrastructure: Invest in port infrastructureimprovements focusing on security and sustainability, such as shore -sideelectricity and waste management, and enhance connectivity with hinterlandtransport networks.As a result of Germany’s federal system, the Länder (federal states ) and localauthorities hold administrative and legislative jurisdiction over Germany’s ports. Dueto this and provisions in our constitution , the Länder are as a rule responsible forfunding and implementing port infrastructure i mprovements. The Federal Governmentis responsible for hinterland transport connections from port areas .16. Strengthening Maritime Safety: Ensure safe, efficient and obstacle -freeshipping routes. Implement and enforce advanced navigational aids, improvedVessel Traffic Services (VTS), and stringent safety regulations to enhancemaritime safety amidst the region's dense traffic and challenging weatherconditions. An increased use of Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS) in areas withsensitive infrastructure are o f essence.Germany has implemented a whole range of preventive and respon sive measures on thebasis of the cross -measure maritime traffic safety system concept . At national level andin cooperation with the Baltic Sea states and IMO partners , a coherent and cross -seaarea system of traffic routing measures has been established and equipped with modernvisual and radio navigation aids to ensure safe and efficient shipping traffic. Theestablishment of TSS is the sole responsibility of the IMO. Germany will continue topursue the designation of further TSS in cooperation with IMO partners insofar as thisis appropriate and necessary in the interests of maritime safety.Additionally, Germany has set up modern VTS systems with the traffic centres inTravemünde and Warnemünde, which monitor traffic in German Baltic Sea waters andadjacent coastal areas around the clock with navigators with STCW license and moderntechnology. In the future, there are plans to expand the VTS radar chains along theisland of Rügen. In the area of maritime emergency preparedness, Germany ha sestablished the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies (CCME) , which providesa quick and efficient maritime emergency response. Furthermore, Germany hasdeveloped an emergency towing plan (Notschleppkonzept) . Several powerfulemergency tugs are kept at suitable positions in the Baltic Sea for rapid deployment atany time in the event of shipping accidents and to assist drifting vessels.17. Support Technological Innovations in Engines: Invest in the research anddevelopment of hybrid propulsion systems, new fuels, and electrificationGermany Page 7213 technologies to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions, ensuringvessels meet evolving regulatory requirements.The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action provid es funding via itsMaritime Research Program me for a range of research and innovation projectstargeting emission reduction in shipping. To intensify these effort s, we have establisheda new funding priority for c limate -neutral ship ping, with an additional budget of18 million euro.18. Address the threats by the Russian "Shadow Fleet": Prioritise addressingthe threats posed by the Russian "shadow fleet" by enhancing maritimesurveillance, intelligence sharing, regulatory enforcement, and collaborativeefforts to mitigate environmental and security risks, including advocating forinternational sanctions, as long as it is necessary.In the context of NATO, Germany is committed to further enhanc ing situat ionalawareness of critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea Region and the HighNorth.The EU has activated its Hybrid Toolbox in response to Russia’s continued hybridactivities against the EU and its member states, including in the Baltic Sea Region. InOctober , the EU adopted a new sanctions framework to address Russia’s destabili singactivities.The EU has already imposed sanctions on parts of the “shadow fleet ” and Germanywill actively support further vessel listings going forward, including by fielding targetproposals and carrying out outreach missions to flag states.19. Continue to Address the Issue of Sea -Dumped Munitions: Encouragegovernments to prioritise and coordinate coo peration on the comprehensivemapping and safe removal of sea -dumped munitions, leveraging the EuropeanCommission's ongoing projects and funding initiatives such as Horizon Europe aswell as developing further joint efforts of HELCOM, CBSS and the EU in t his field.Advocate for the application of environmentally friendly technologies andmethodologies to mitigate the risks posed by submerged munitions, ensuringthat these efforts are integrated into national and regional security andenvironmental agendas and implemented as soon as possible.At the end of 2022, in order to effectively address the growing pressures on theenvironment, health and safety due to legacy munitions on the floor of the North andBaltic Seas, primarily dumped there after the Second World War, German y’s FederalEnvironment Ministry launched an immediate action programme on dumped munitions(Sofortprogramm Munitionsaltlasten) with budget funds of 100 million euro.From August to November 2024, methods for mapping and recovering legacy munitionswere piloted in selected munition dumping areas in the Bay of Lübeck . Detection andrecovery technology already available on the market was used in previously identifieddump ing areas to test its suitability and develop it further. The pilot testing consideredaspects such as technical functionality, efficiency and scalability, but also potentialimpacts on the marine environment. This process yielded valuable findings with re gardto munition types, condition and distribution and gave indications of challenges relatedto eligibility for official authorisation. Another mapping and recovery pilot project willbe carried out in the Bay of Mecklenburg in 2025. This specific project , which wasoriginally set to be carried out with the Bay of Lübeck activities, had to be paused inGermany Page 7314 2024 due to a lack of acceptable bids during the tender procedure. The re -started tenderprocedure r an until 3 December 2024.The EU announcement of the inn ovation partnership to build and develop a recoveryplatform was published on the EU tenders portal on 23 September 2024. The deadlineto submit a bid ended on 19 November 2024. Bid acceptance and the start of thedefinition phase is planned for the third quarter of 2025.This makes Germany the first country globally to address the issue of munitionsrecovery from the sea, in both policy and practice . Germany stands by the pledge madeat the Council of the Baltic Sea State s Summit in 2023 to share its findings andexperience in the Baltic Sea Region.Regarding Energy Supply security and Interconnectivity toImprove Energy Security and Self -sustainability20. given the current geopolitical challenges, prioritise and support projects aimedat improving energy security in the Baltic Sea region; (WG)21. while building new or transforming the already existing energy infrastructure,take strongly into account the reg ional needs, resilience considerations, andsustainability goals, as well as social and economic welfare; (WG)22. facilitate more interconnections in the Baltic Sea region; (WG)23. unite in setting up a common interconnection execution in regional politica linitiatives and strongly involve the EU Funds in order to succeed in regionalrenewable energy market development; (WG)24. regularly exchange experience and best practices concerning the implementationof onshore and offshore wind projects in the Baltic S ea region; (WG)Calls to action no. 20 -24 are answered together:Regional needs, sustainability, social and economic welfare, and resilienceconsiderations are important aspects of new electricity interconnection and hydrogeninfrastructure projects. The assessment of projects in the national development plan andat European level in the Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP ) is based onsocial and economic welfare and takes into consider ation sustainability issues andregional needs .Germany is intere sted in new electricity interconnection projects in the Baltic SeaRegion , and therefore engages in and supports discussions within the Baltic EnergyMarket Interconnection Plan (BEMIP ) regional group . This includ es the Offshore WindEnergy Working Group , which regularly brings together the competent authorities todiscuss offshore electricity grid development, integrated offshore electricity, andhydrogen grid development and the associated interconnectors in the Baltic Sea andneighbouring waters f or transporting electricity from offshore renewable energysources to centres of consumption and storage or increas ing cross -border renewableGermany Page 7415 energy exchange. Germany also politically support s concrete projects such as theBornholm Energy Island and hybrid offshore wind cooperation projects with the BalticSea s tates .The BEMIP member states have mandated transmission system operators to conduct asystemic analysis of the possibilities for expanding regional offshore interconnectionand cooperation. EU funds are to be utilised, if relevant for project implementation.Germany supports these efforts , for example through its participation in the BEMIPOffshore Wind Energy Working Group .During procedures to amend and update the Site Development Plan, relevantstakeholders including states and associations participate in the consultation process.Furthermore, German and Polish authorities hold discussions on a yearly basis underthe Espoo Convent ion.Improve Transport25. increase the funding for improving infrastructure and start discussions on a newstrategy to enhance military mobility capabilities and civil transport in the region;(WG)The transport budget in the 2024 federal budget is the Federal Government’s largestinvestment budget. Around 26.4 billion euro were made available for investments intransport infrastructure in 2024, compared to around 18.9 billion euro in 2023. Ourfocus is on increasing investment in rail and the maint enanc e of transportinfrastructure. All federal transport routes are equally available for civil ian andmilitary transport. Thus, in principle, all investments made in federal transport routesfrom the transport budget are important for military transport.26. develop and execute plans to further improve maritime and railway transportconnectivity in the Baltic Sea region and ensure connectivity with the Europeancontinent; (WG)The federal railways will be expanded according to the procurement plan (Annex to theFederal Railway Infrastructure Upgrading Act – (Bundesschienenwegeausbaugesetz(BSWAG) ) on the basis of expected future usage. H interland transport from seaports isalso taken into account.27. significantly improve coordination of activities and regular cooperation of thedemocratic Baltic Sea countries in protecting maritime infrastructure in the BalticSea region; (WG)The Federal Government aims to further improve regional cooperation on thesurveillance and protection of maritime infrastructure in the Baltic Sea Region. See alsothe answer to no. 37.28. create a plan for addressing shipping insurance challenges in the region that candisrupt trade routes, leading to delays and increased costs for businesses; (WG)Germany Page 7516 The Federal Government is aware of the significance of shipping insurance challengesin the region and is in close contact with the governments of the democratic Baltic Seastates regarding the various aspects of this i ssue.29. jointly discuss the implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to address challenges in the Baltic Sea, in particular, the protection of criticalinfrastructure and the coordination between coastal States in the Baltic Sea;The implem entation of UNCLOS is a cross -cutting task which must be taken intoaccount in all calls for action.Enhance Digital Connectivity30. commence negotiations between the members of the BSPC on enhancingcooperation in the area of cybersecurity; (WG)Germany already engage s in regular dialogue on cybersecurity issues with all non -suspended members of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference . This dialogue takesplace bilaterally as well as within multilateral organi sations such as the EU, NATO, theUN and the OSCE. We will continue to use th ese for ums to further strengthencooperation on cybersecurity.31. develop incentives and support for str engthening underwater communicationinfrastructure in the Baltic Sea, including expanding connections and ensuringthe resilience of the existing ones; (WG)32. cooperate and exchange practices on increasing universal coverage and servicefor Internet connec tivity in the Baltic Sea region; (WG)Calls to action no. 31 and 32 are answered together :Germany liaises constantly with EU member states and the European Commissionregarding views on the strengthening of underwater communication infrastructure inthe Baltic Sea. Germany supports the EU funding programme CEF Digital and inparticular the last call for proposals for backbone infrastructure , which started inOctober 2024. This funding programme also supports connectivity with countri esoutside the EU.Facilitate Cross -border projects33. raise awareness and search for solutions to facilitate the implementation oflargescale cross -border projects of regional importance; (WG)By taking part in the BEMIP High -Level Group and offshore meetings , we are standingbehind efforts to facilitate the development of cross -border renewable energy projectsand encouraging discussion concerning the benefits of such projects , like hybridoffshore cooperation projects and interconnectors. To ensure energy security andGermany Page 7617 security of su pply, we support the identification of further electricity and hydrogeninfrastructure projects as well as further cooperation within the BEMIP group .34. explore joint cross -border renewable energy projects and to identifyinfrastructure needs in order to en able the integration of renewable energy whileensuring and improving the security of supply and access to affordable energy;35. coordinate corporation to rapidly stimulate the installation of needed computingcapacity in the Baltic Sea region, in light of the rapid development of AI softwareand services demanding green and sufficient energy and abundant computingpower, Baltic Sea renewable energy market growth, and interconnectivitydevelopment serving as a basis for supercomputer implementation and usage ;(WG)Calls to action no. 34 and 35 are answered together:Germany stresses the importance of having sufficient computing capacity in light ofongoing AI developments and therefore welcomes a discussion on th is topic.Efforts relating to computing capac ity can be roughly divided into three areas:• supercomputers / high-performance computing (HPC) primarily used forresearch in AI and other domains ,• facilitating access to AI computing capacities (for the development and trainingof AI models) , and• cloud computing capacities (for “everyday” digitali sation).In the first area , the European Commission and the EU m ember states have set up theEuroHPC Joint Undertaking (JU) , which promotes the development of high -performance computing. Almost all members of the BSPC are also eligible to apply.Scientists and industrial users from the member state s are eligible for gaining access tocompute time in a transparent peer -review p rocess.In the second area , the European Commission has launched the new AI Factoriesprogramme . This is based on the EuroHPC JU and combines three main elements: theacquisition and operation of AI -optimi sed supercomputers, support for theestablishment o f dedicated AI data centr es, and additional service structures for usersfrom academia and industry (especially SMEs and start-ups). The first call for theestablishment of an AI Factory has already closed. Applications were received fromSweden, Germany a nd a consortium led by Finland with the participation of the CzechRepublic , Denmark, Estonia, Norway and Poland. Almost all members of the BSPC areeligible to apply for this programme, too .In addition, the new European Commission is also planning to pr esent an EU Cloudand AI Development Act to create a comprehensive financial framework in order toexpan d computing capacities, in particular the EuroHPC JU, to network computernodes and to improve access to computing capacities for start -ups and SMEs.Regarding Defence to36. Coordinate the Approach to Threats : Agree on a coordinated approach toaddress the lack of information exchange, threa t control centres, threa tGermany Page 7718 mitigation policy as well as effective communication against the spread oftargeted fake news and propaganda, considering multiple recent and potentialhybrid threats towards critical energy and communication infrastructure in theBaltic Sea region. (WG)There are various channels and structures through which information is exchanged andshared situational awareness is developed on a governmental level. Especially throughEU channels , joint statements and common language have been developed in responseto hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns. Coordination at federal level inGermany is managed through the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community .Shortly after the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the FederalGovernment se t up an interdepartmental and inter -agency task force againstdisinformation within the Open Joint Federal and State W orking Group on HybridThreats (BLoAG Hybrid) . This task force enables close coordination on counteringdisinformation and other hybrid th reats.37. Use examples of good practice as a blueprint: Some countries bordering theNorth Sea have signed the "Joint Declaration on Cooperation for the Protectionof Infrastructure in the North Sea"; this initiative could serve as a model for closersecuri ty cooperation in the Baltic Sea as well.Germany has joined the JDI and has been participating in its working groups throughthe various relevant ministries . The JDI, and particularly the structure of its workinggroups, is still at a developmental stage. At this time, it would be advantageous to waitfor the JDI to further mature before assessing the feasibility of its duplication in theBaltic Sea Region .38. Realise an Integrated NATO Defence Area: Commit to realising the potentialof the Baltic Sea region to become an integrated NATO defence area with strongregional cooperation in coastal, maritime, and air defence. (WG)Regional cooperation among NATO memb er states in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) hasincreased significantly in recent years. S weden and Finland have joined NATO,Commander Task Force Baltic (CTF -B) has been established in Rostock , Germany, andprojects to enhance NATO ’s awareness of critical underwater infrastructure (CUI) arewell underway under the lead of Allied Maritime Command ( MARCOM) . From NATO ’sperspective the BSR is already an integrated defence area, but interoperability incoastal, maritime and air defence matters should be further improved. The same appliesto transport capacity for the Sea Lines of Communication in the BSR, which are of theutmost importance for all Baltic Sea states .39. Strengthen Surveillance and Response Coordination through NATO:Increase integration of maritime infrastructure surveillance and response effortswithin NATO frameworks, particularly with Finland's and Sweden 's accession.Promote the development of cooperative governance measures and jointsurveillance initiatives to enhance NATO's capabilities in monitoring andprotecting critical maritime infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region.The integration of maritime infrastructure surveillance is part of the already establishedand developing NATO Critical Undersea Infrastructure (CUI) work strand. Based on aGerman -Norwegian initiative, NATO has established a CUI Coordination Cell at itsHQ in Brussels and the NATO Maritime Centr e for Security of Critical Under waterGermany Page 7819 Infrastructure (NMCSCUI) at the maritime HQ MARCOM in Northwood . While theCUI Coordination Cell is aimed at develop ing possible responses and coordinat ing withcivilian stakeholders, NMCSCUI is establishing a permanent maritime surveillancepicture , including selected maritime infrastructure. In addition, NATO has set up a corenetwork of national points of contact (PoC) to coordinate information exchange a nd awider network where information is exchanged with civilian stakeholders.Germany is particular ly committed to strengthen ing efforts in the Baltic Sea Region andis currently exploring options for further cooperation on enhancing maritimesurveillance together with Allies .40. Raising situational awareness and increasing societal resilience : Payparticular attention to raising situational awareness and increasing societalresilience to respond to hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea region. (WG)Shortly after the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the FederalGovernment set up an interdepartmental and inter -agency task force againstdisinformation and hybrid threats at federal level. This is where the findings of thevarious ministries and security authorities come together , thus ensur ing sharedsituational awareness .The Federal Government also worked closely with civil society in two model projects in2024. In cooperation with a large civil foundation , a citizen ’s council wa s formed inorder to develop policy recommendations for dealing with disinformation. The secondproject aimed at enhancing media literacy in adolescents and young adults in particularthrough various interactive formats.The Federal Government has stepped up its efforts to develop civic education resources(both online and offline) for different target groups . One aim is to build resilienceagainst disinformation through critical and political media skills.Please also see the answer to no . 9.41. Enhance Maritime Infrastructure Governance and Legislative Alignment:Harmonise national definitions and legislative frameworks for critical maritimeinfrastructure across the Baltic Sea region. Establish a cohesive governancestructure to oversee the prot ection of maritime infrastructure, ensuringconsistent and coordinated legislative measures to enhance security andresilience against threats.The CER (Critical Entities Resilience) Directive provides for a minimum harmoni sationof the resilience of crit ical facilities in the member states of the European Union.Germany is implementing the Directive with the CRITIS Umbrella Act (KRITIS -Dachgesetz ), which was adopted by the government on 6 November 2024 and is now inthe parliamentary process.42. Invest in A dvanced Surveillance and Early Detection Systems: Invest inadvanced surveillance technologies, such as sensors, hydroacoustic systems, andunmanned subsea drones, for real -time monitoring of maritime infrastructure.Promote the integration of these techno logies into new and existing infrastructureto establish a comprehensive early warning and rapid response system,minimising the risk and impact of grey zone attacks.Germany Page 7920 Germany supports different projects to develop analysis systems that can be used toimprove the creation of underwater images by collecting and evaluating a wide varietyof data. One research project in this domain will begin in the second quarter of 2025 .43. Foster Public -Private Partnerships for Maritime Security: Advocate for theestablishment of robust public -private partnerships to enhance cooperation andinformation sharing between governments and private sector stakeholdersinvolved in maritime infrast ructure. Develop joint security protocols andinvestment strategies to incentivise private companies to implement advancedsecurity measures, ensuring mutual benefits and enhanced protection of criticalinfrastructure.Please refer to the answer to no. 44.44. Develop Regional Contingency and Rapid Repair Capabilities: Encouragethe further development of regional contingency plans and rapid repaircapabilities for maritime infrastructure. Invest in dedicated repair ships andcoordinated response strategies across the members of the BSPC to ensure swiftrestoration of d amaged infrastructure, reducing the effectiveness and appeal ofhybrid grey zone attacks.Recent events such as GPS interference, the removal of buoys in border areas, anddamage to subsea cables possibly caused by ships dragging their anchors clearlydemonstrate the importance of strengthening the resilience of our critical infrastructureagainst such threats .Germany recommends us ing regional initiatives to develop regional contingency plans(see also the answer to call to action no . 27).Regarding Climate Change to45. Implement HELCOM’s Climate Change -related Recommendations:Emphasise the urgency of enhancing climate resilience through the continuedimplementation of HELCOM’s Climate Change Fact Sheet recommendations andthe Baltic Sea A ction Plan’s climate -related actions.As a global challenge, climate change is an integral part of the Baltic Sea Action Planadopted by HELCOM in October 2021. HELCOM has also created its first specificmeasures on the ocean -climate nexus. Climate action and adaptation will bebenchmarks for all HELCOM decisions in future. The HELCOM Climate Change in theBaltic Sea Fact Sheet drawn up in 2021 compiled the most recent and prominentscientific findings on climate change and its impact on the Baltic Sea fro m variousauthors. The Fact Sheet has the status of a supporting document to the Baltic Sea ActionPlan and is intended to provide scientific support for political decision -making. Thefindings are regularly integrated in to discussions on implementing the measurescontained in the Action Plan. An update to the Fact Sheet is envisaged to reflect newknowledge that becomes available.46. Promote Renewable Energy Development : Support the deployment ofoffshore renewables and decarbonised fuels, such as renewable hydrogen - withstrong regard for the biodiversity of the sea -, and set ambitious targets forGermany Page 8021 renewable energy capacity to drive the clean transition and contribute to globalclimate goals.Please refer to the answer s to no. 24 and 33 .47. Develop Coastal Management Plans: Urge the implementation and updatingof comprehensive coastal management plans, building on effective measuresobserved in the past year that protect and restore coastal ecosystems. Highlightthe importance of protecting these areas as carbon sinks and bu ffer zones againstsea-level rise.The Federal Environment Ministry has launched various initiatives to protect andrestore coastal ecosystems in Germany, with the goal of strengthening the role playedby these areas as carbon sinks and buffers against ri sing sea levels. Under the FederalAction Plan on Nature -based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity (ANK), field ofaction 3 “Seas and coasts ”, projects are supported that focus on the preservation andrestoration of salt marshes and seagrass meadows, am ong other objectives.A notable example is the SeaStore project, which is being implemented in cooperationwith the Federal Ministry of Education and Research . The aim of the project is todevelop guidelines for the protection and restoration of seagrass m eadows in thesouthern Baltic Sea. This project is also intended to serve as a model for further coastalprotection projects in other Länder (federal states ). In addition, other ANK projectsaimed at the restoration of salt marshes along the coasts are currently in thepreparatory phase.The intergovernmental multilateral cooperation forum for spatial planning anddevelopment VASAB (Vision and Strategies Around the Baltic Sea) , of wh ich theFederal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building is a member , isworking on an update of the Common Recommendations for Spatial Planning of theCoastal Zone in the Baltic Sea Region . These were adopted by the ministers responsiblefor spatial planning and development from the participating countries on VASAB’sCommittee on Spatial Development in the Baltic Sea Region in 1996 . A first onlineseminar on the subject of the update was held on 20 November 2024.48. Implement the Raised Calls for Action: Rigorously continue to implement thefar-reaching calls for action of the 32nd BSPC resolution regarding climate changeand biodiversity.The calls for action align with the international commitment to tripling renewables,doubling efficiency and transitioning away from fossil fuels, which was agreed with theGlobal Stocktake at COP28 in Dubai in 2023. This is key to keep ing the 1.5°C goalwithin reach, as agreed in Paris in 2015.Creating the necessar y infrastructure, such as sufficient and resilient grids, storage ,and sustainable, resilient supply chains for those technologies , is key in order tosuccessfully implement the climate targets.Germany has taken action with numerous energy -related decisi ons adopted in 2022.The EU, too, has agreed far -reaching measures with its Fit for 55 package .Each country has to find its own path to climate neutrality, dependent on its startingsituation and potential . At the same time, it is essential to be united and as ambitious aspossible .Germany Page 8122 See also the answers to calls to action no. 12 and 47.Furthermore, the Conference Decides to49. welcome with gratitude the kind offer by the Parliament of Åland to host the 34thBaltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Mariehamn on 24 -26 August 2025.HAMBURGHamburg Page 831StatementBy the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of HamburgResolution of the 33rd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (August 202 4)The Senate welcomes the goals formulated in the Resolution. To the extent that the pointslisted fall within the remit of the Senate, they are in many respects already current practice.In the following statement, the Senate takes a position on the measures that are standardadministrative practice in Hamburg and are in line with the concerns of the Baltic SeaParliamentary Conference .Para PositionRegarding cooperation in the Baltic Sea region1 Strengthe ning democratic resilienceThe close cooperation between the democratic states bordering the Baltic Sea hasbecome increasingly important since the beginning of the Russian war of aggressionagainst Ukraine and in view of the very difficult security situation in the region. TheFree and Hanse atic City of Hamburg (hereafter FHH) maintains close political,social, economic and cultural connections to all the Baltic states. These take placeat a bilateral and a multilateral level. Greater cooperation with the democratic Balticstates reinforces resilience and cohesion in the region. A number of the cooperationactivities run by or supported by the city are directly targeted at strengtheningdemocracy, the rule of law, equality and human rights in the Baltic Sea region . Forinstance, the Senate promotes civil society cooperation such as the “RainbowExchange” between the Hamburg LSVD+ (Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany)and Russian LGBT QI+ representatives now in exile in the Baltic states.2 Promot ing peaceful cooperation among Baltic Sea states to addressenvironmental challenges while respecting international law and territorialintegrityHamburg is active in a variety of ways in peaceful multilateral Baltic Sea cooperation,which focuses on addressing environmental challenges among other things. Forinstance, “Save the Sea” is one of the three overarching goals of the EU Strategyfor the Baltic Sea region .Additionally there are many examples of successful cooperation in the Baltic Searegion to jointly address environmental chall enges (inter alia interlinking the WaddenSea protected areas, exchanges on the topic of energy supply/security,development of a transnational hydrogen network). For details, see comments onthe individual paragraphs.3 Streng thening citizen engagement , education about democracy , and civilprotection while facilitating citizen participationThe FHH has established instruments of direct democracy in the form of popularlegislation and public petitions /referenda. The involvement of young people hasbeen facilitated by reducing the minimum voting age to 16 . In addition, transparencyHamburg Page 842Para Positionand citizen participation are constitutionally enshrined in the new version of Art. 56of the Hamburg constitution.In 2012, the voting age for first -time voters in municipal and district elections, popularinitiatives, public petitions and referenda in the FHH was lowered to 16. Accordingto the evaluations, young people in Hamburg achieved a higher voter turnout thanthe immediately higher age group. Voter turnout among young people at the 2020elections to the Hamburg Parliament was 63.2%, slightly higher than the overallvoter turnout of 63% . This could be seen as proof that the materials provided toschools by the Hamburg Parliament, the work of the Hamburg Centre for PoliticalEducation and the topics covered in politics lessons have had a positive effect.In the coalition agreement, it was agreed to evaluate the lowering of the voting ageto 16 with the aim of determining implications for political participation by youngpeople, such as a Youth Participation Act.The Constitution and Districts Committee of the Hamburg Parliament has dealtextensively with the issues of citizen and political participation in particular as wellas the democratic education of young people (see report in Publication 22/16064).Since the current legislative period is coming to an end, it remains to be seen howthings will develop in the new legislative period.As a result of changing geopolitical conditions and threats on the one hand and newcrisis scenarios on the other, the demands on state crisis management and civilprotection capabilities have increased significantly. The turning point in securitypolicy and the increased occurrence of longer -lasting, complex and multidimensionalcrises are also in Hamburg necessitating specific adjustments to the securityarchitecture of the Ministry of the Interior and Sport and further steps to change thedisaster and civil defence architecture of the ministries and public bodies.Hamburg Fire Service is a cooperating organisation in disaster response, activelycontributing practical expertise to the steering group of the SECURE policy area ofthe EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region . The work follows a comprehensiveapproach to the security of society . Cooperation ranges from disaster responseor adaptation to the climate emergency to dealing with dumped munitions on thesea bed.4 Social sustainability and the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Youth ForumThe Hamburg Senate strengthens social cohesion, civic engagement, democraticstructures, the recognition of diversity and the prevention and combating ofextremism with various interconnected strategies for action. The followingprogrammes, strategies and concepts provide the basis for this ongoing task:• State programme for promoting demo cratic culture, and preventing andcombating right-wing extremis m – “Hamburg – Stadt mit Courage ” (seePublication 20/9849 ) and its 2019 continuation (Publication 21/18643 )• Senate concept “ Taking e ffective measures against violent Salafism andreligious extremism” (Publication 20/13460 ) and its continuation (Publication21/5039 )• Concept for a dual strategy of preventing and combating left- wing militancy andnon-politically motivated acts of violence by minors and young adults within thecontext of protests (Publication 21/19404 )• Hamburg engagement strategy – Engagement for all (Publication 21/19311 )• Continuation of the Hamburg anti -discrimination strategy “Equal rights, equalopportunities” (Publication 22/17041 )Additionally, since 2013 the FHH has been joint coordinator of the education policyarea of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region , which includes labour marketpolicy among other areas. The technical work takes place via transnational co -Hamburg Page 853Para Positionoperation platforms, so -called flagships, in which the relevant institutions from theBaltic Sea region are involved. One focus is on lifelong learning , continuingeducation and retraining and on integrating migrants into the labour market. Politicaleducation will be given greater consideration in the activities of the policy area infuture as part of the revision of the EU Baltic Sea Strategy action plan.5 Strengthening social resilience and cultural activities in the Baltic Sea regionHamburg supports strengthening international cultural exchanges with the BalticSea region and welcomes the awarding of the Baltic Sea Cultural Pearls title as arealistic alternative to the European Capital of Culture for small and medium -sizedcities.6 Rights and safety of vulnerable groupsThe Hamburg Senate is committed to protecting the rights of people affected bydiscrimination and to actively eliminating adverse treatment. For many years therehave been programmes and strat egies that address individual categories ofdiscrimination. Additionally, in December 2024 the Se nate adopted an overarchinganti-discrimination strategy ( Publication 22/17041). This forms the basis forimplementing anti-discrimination cross -departmentally as an interdisciplinary task.The goals of the strategy include supporting those affected, and increasing anti -discrimination awareness and expertise in the administration and in civil society . TheSenate also intends to improve counselling and complaints structures so that thoseaffected are better able to assert their right to non -discrimination. The Senatecontinues to fund civil society -organised anti-discrimination advice centres thatprovide legal and psychosocial counselling and develop strategies for combatingdiscrimination together with those affected.In times of increasing discrimination against queer people and of worldwide conflicts,Hamburg is intensifying its efforts and becoming more targeted in its measures topromote the acceptance of gender and sexual diversity than in previous years. Thisis reflected in the 2023 action plan, “Hamburg l(i)ebt vielfältig” (Hamburg lives/lovesdiversely – Publication 22/11506), whose focus is on an intersectional approach toqueer life realities. The visibility of the LGBTQI+ community is promoted through 150measures in all areas of life. Additionally, Hamburg is committed to legal equality,equal participation and empowerment of queer people.The Third Gender Equality Policy Framework Programme (GPR) agreed by theHamburg Senate in 2023 states: “Women are more likely than men to fleeaccompanied by children and run the risk of experiencing sexual violence orbecoming victims of human trafficking during their flight.” This is a lso a reason whythe GPR stresses the importance of safety and protection for female refugees inaccommodation.On 2 July 2024, the Senate adopted the action plan Age -friendly City – for an age -friendly Hamburg. The action plan lists more than 100 measures for promot ingdiversity -sensitive images of ageing , discrimination -free participation and enablingautonomous ageing in the neighbourhood (see Publication 22/15703).The Senate combats anti -Semitism and protects Jewish life in Hamburg. InNovember 2024 it adopted the Hamburg state strategy for combating anti -Semitismand promoting Jewish life with measures in the areas of education, social work,advice, security , justice and research. Important principles are the activation of thewhole of society, the anti -Semitic development of institutions and the strengtheningof Jewish perspectives (Publication 22/16878).On the basis of the violence pr event ion concept for the implementation of theIstanbul Convention (Publication 22/15828 ), Hamburg funds a diversity of violenceHamburg Page 864Para Positionprevention , support, protection and advice services for all those affected by violence,irrespective of their residency status, gender identity or sexual orientation .Since 2016, protection concepts must be provided in all public accommodationfacilities for refugees that also take into account the needs of the children living there.For refugees affected by violence, there are also other protected accommodationoptions in public accommodation centres. Refugees from the LGBTQ communitywho are threatened or affected by vio lence due to their sexual orientation or identityin public accommodation can be placed in private accommodation via the Senate -funded Abrigo project.7 Sexual and reproductive autonomy; right to reproductive healthSexual and reproductive autonomy is an expression of a comprehensive personalright. Everyone has the right to control their own body. In April 2024, the FederalGovernment received the re port of the Commission on Reproductive Autonomy andReproductive Medicine, which it set up. In September 2024, the Committee forEquality and Anti -Discrimination of the Hamburg Parliament held a self -referral onthe topic of Reproductive Justice on the basis of the above -mentioned report. Thehearing revealed that the current regulation in the C riminal Code (Section 218) isessentially discriminatory and contradicts international and European human rightsstandards.Therefore, independently of developments at the federal level, Hamburg is lookingat current needs in the areas of education, advice and care in order to realisereproductive rights . It is important to reinforce the structure of services for the futureand to expand access to advice and education services so that those seeking advicecan exercise their right to reproductive health unrestricted.Strengthening sexual and reproductive autonomy is a significant goal of the work ofthe Social Affairs Ministry and is a guiding principle for numerous fields of activity,since knowledge of one’s own body and one’s own boundaries protects againstunwanted pregnancy and sexual abuse. Concrete examples can be found, forexample, in the promotion of sexual education services from childhood on byindependent providers such as “pro familia”, pregnancy advice and basicgynaecological care for vulnerable groups, (multilingual) pregnancy conflictcounselling for those with limited German language skills, and covering the costs ofcontraception for women on low incomes.In its strategy for the acceptance of gender and sexual diversity, the FHH observesfive basic principles: recognition, non -discrimination, autonomy and fair participation,self-acceptance and visibility, overall responsibility of society and the state. Th eseare also reflected in the updated action plan “Hamburg l(i)ebt vielfältig” (Hamburglives/loves diversely – Publication 22/11506) and the 150 measures formulated in it.8 Support for UkraineThe Pact for Solidarity and Future is the chief framework governing cooperationbetween the City of Hamburg and Ukraine. Hamburg and K yiv concluded the Pactfor Solidarity and Future on 24 April 2022, two months after the beginning of theRussian attack on Ukraine in violation of international law. The two mayors, Dr PeterTschentscher and Dr Vitali Klitschko, thus established a strategic partnership toprovide assistance in crises and strengthen economic, cultural and social relations.The initial focus was, and continues to be, on acute emergency aid for the K yivmetropolitan area, which is jointly coordinated by the City of Hamburg and itspartners #WeAreAllUkrainians, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and HanseaticHelp. At the same time, medium -term cooperative relationships are increasinglyHamburg Page 875Para Positionbeing initiated between the two cities, with the intention of continuing them beyondthe war.Aid to date comprises the dispatch of 330 palettes of relief supplies donated byHamburg citizens and companies. A donation account has also been set up. Todate, over €300,000 has been received and used in particular for winter -proofingbuildings, a day care centre for traumatised children in Kyiv and for generators. Inaddition, items from Hamburg’s supplies, including ambulances, buses, helmets andmedical products worth around €1 million, were shipped to Kyiv. Using federalfunding, Hamburg was able to procure supplies to the value of €250,000 for Kyiv ,including medical first -aid kits, 8 generators, 3 minibuses and solar panels. All in all,the FHH has so far mobilised aid to the value of more than €2 million for Kyiv.The day care centre for children in Kyiv, which opened at the end of May 2023, offerspsychological and educational support. An operator partnership between HamburgWasser and Kyiv Vodokanal was initiated to improve water treatment. Amemorandum of understanding on cooperation in the area of traffic planning wassigned on 5 February 2024 . Since 2023 there has been cooperation on youthwelfare, with concrete measures in preparation. Cooperation between hospitals inKyiv and Hamburg is currently being developed.9 Combating disinformationDisinformation can be used in a targeted fashion to influence political processes,manipulate elections and exacerbate social conflicts. This represents a seriousthreat to the democratic order, because it undermines public trust in the media, ingovernment institutions and in democracy as a whole.To counter this threat, the City of Hamburg has recognised the necessity of acoordinated and comprehensive response. The newly created Department A3 in theMinistry of the Interior and Sport, which began work on 1 January 202 5, will in futuredeal inter alia with the topic of hybrid threats through Unit A33 (KRI -TIS/Cybersecurity) and consequently intensively tackle the mechanisms and effectsof disinformation and develop strategies for strengthening social resilience inHamburg.A focus will be on cooperation with the State Media Authority for Schleswig -Holstein/Hamburg to strengthen educational initiatives to promote media literacy.The goal should be to e nable citizens to critically interrogate information and toforearm them against manipulative content . Dialogue with the Education Ministry isalso planned in order to implement training programmes for teachers and promotemedia literacy among young people.Additionally the cooperation between the police and the State Office for theProtection of the Constitution will be further intensified to en sure a coordinatedreaction to disinformation. The talks already held with other security authorities atfederal and state level are to be further intensified.In addition, the Ministry of the Interior and Sport will be actively involved in inter- statecommittees, such as BLOAG Hybrid, as well as participating in conferences andcongresses to promote the exchange of best practice and develop joint strategies todefend against hybrid threats.10 Promoting regional digital cooperationThe FHH promotes ethically responsible behaviour in digital spaces. It does this inparticular with regard to the treatment of digital data and the use of AI technologiesin the administration . As part of its “data ethics” data governance field of activity, theSenate Chancellery has developed two templates and two model canvases for FHHdepartments and holdings as a basis for the collaborative data -ethical classificationHamburg Page 886Para Positionof projects, programmes and technologies. These will be trialled and furtherdeveloped in workshops using specific application scenarios. Moreover, in 2024 theFHH adopted common “Hamburg AI and Data Guidelines” that express ourunderstanding of how we deal with AI and data and, together with the legalframework (i nter alia the AI Act) , will form the basis for future AI governance inHamburg , which is currently at the development stage . These will be used to ensurethe evaluation and regulation of ethically and legally acceptable applications of AItechnologies in administration.Due to the EU’s responsibility for the internal market and the underlying regulationof the market for digital infrastructure in the areas of mobile communications andbroadband in Europe, the FHH’s influence with regard to the further harmonisationof the regulatory framework in the Baltic Sea region is largely restricted toparticipation in national bodies such as the Bundesrat, where Hamburg plays a rolein relevant initiatives.EU initiatives to further harmonise the regulation of markets for digital infrastructurein Europe and thus also in the Baltic Sea region , such as the Gigabit InfrastructureAct, which has already come into force, and the planned Digital Networks Act, arewelcomed by the FHH, provided they take sufficient account of specific nationalcircumstances.In addition, the EU Commission provides the “Connecting Europe Facility – Digital”to support investments in digital connectivity infrastructures of common Europeaninterest, which has already supported projects to strengthen backbone network andsubmarine cable infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region , from which Hamburg canalso benefit in the long term.11 Maritime ecosystem protectionNo remit12 Expanding marine protected areasGermany’s major reserves are networked via the umbrella organisation “NationaleNaturlandschaften e.V.”. The Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park/BiosphereReserve Administration is in regular dialogue with the large Baltic Sea reserves(Vorpommersche Boddenla ndschaft National Park Administration, JasmundNational Park Administration and South -east Rügen Biosphere ReserveAdministration).13 Promoting sustainable blue economy initiativesPromoting a sustainable blue economy is of great importance to Hamburg. Inaddition to the economic sectors listed in this paragraph, the blue economy alsoincludes sectors central to Hamburg such as maritime transport and shipbuilding.The call to incorporate s cientific research input is welcome. After all, the blueeconomy is facing the major challenge of simultaneously making both green anddigital transitions. Hamburg is an important centre of marine and maritime research.Research into m aritime logistics and sustainable future shipping is carried out bothat TUHH and at Fraunhofer CML and the Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA). AtHelmholtz -Zentrum Hereon, the focus is on both marine research and materialsresearch. The transfer to industry of insights gained there will play a central role inensuring that the future blue economy is characterised both by sustainability and bygrowth.14 Supporting maritime transport sustainabilityThe Senate supports digitalisation and automation in logistics , with regard not onlyto economic efficiency but also to sustainability. This is one of the main focuses ofHamburg Page 897Para Positionthe current port development plan. One example is support for automation of thecontainer terminal, for instance through funding relev ant training and continuingeducation opportunities with the training provider ma -co.The electrification of HHLA’s horizontal container handling at two terminals withbattery- electric Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) was completed in 2023 at theContainer Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) and started at the Container TerminalBurchardkai (CTB). Charging of the AGVs also serves to stabilise the electricity gridat the CTA and allows surplus power from renewable energy to be used. Thisrepresents an important step towards sustainable container handling.The promotion of alternative propulsion technologies in port transport is also one ofthe focal points of the port development plan and is being pursued with specificmeasures.The use of alternative and renewable fuels is of fundamental importance with regardto mitigating climate change in the shipping industry. In addition, many of the newfuels also result in reduced emissions of air pollutants. Ships in the Port of Hamburgcan already be bunkered with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and methanol.As a measure to promote digitalisation and automation in the logistics sector, theFHH offers the ERDF funding programme “Sustainable Logistics” for small andmedium -sized enterprises. The goal of the measure is to fund projects suited toreducing emissions in the logistics branch with the aid of digital solutions. Thedecisive factor is the actual application of digital solutions by logistics companies intheir day -to-day work .15 Enhancing port security and infrastructureMain taining and expanding port infrastructure is of particular concern to the Senate .An example is the extensive renovation work at Salzgitterkai and Steinwerde rkai thatis about to start. The Steinwerderkai project in particular also has national andEuropean security relevance. The modernisation of the quay wall is a prerequisitefor naval projects in the shipyard based there.Numerous infrastructure facilities and installations in the Port of Hamburg also countas critical infrastructure. Maintaining and expanding them is one of the Senate’smost important priorities. This is true not only of physical infrastructure but also forensuring cybersecurity. Here too the port development plan is the central guideline.The decision on the landmark project of a new Köhlbrand Bridge also contributesdirectly to the future viability of the port.In addition, the impact of the port on the city population is to be reduced. To this end,shoreside power plants for container vessels and cruise ships are being built in thePort of Hamburg so that they can be provided with electricity from renewable sourceswhile they are in port . This will considerably reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide andother harmful chemicals in the port. At the same time, the reduction in greenhousegases will contribute to combating climate change.Hamburg is taking on a pioneering role in Europe in the expansion of shoresidepower systems: Shoreside power plants have already been built at the Tollerort(CTT) and Eurogate (CTH) container terminals as well as the cruise terminals atAltona (CC2) and Steinwerder (CC3) . Further plants for container ships at theAltenwerder (CTA) and Burchardkai (CTB) terminals and for cruise ships atHafenCity (CC1) terminal will follow in 2025 or 2026. Shoreside power supply forinland vessels is also being expanded further. This makes Hamburg the first majorseaport in Europe to offer shoreside power both to container vessels and to cruiseships while they are in port .Hamburg Page 908Para PositionAn ammonia import terminal is currently being planned in the Port of Hamburg thatwill further upgrade the port infrastructure and be a part of the hydrogeninfrastructure. The purpose of the planned ammonia import te rminal is the storageof energy, since ammonia acts as a hydrogen carrier (in this case, green hydrogen ).The public emission s control approval procedure for the construction and operationof the terminal is currently being reviewed by BUKEA (Ministry of the Environment ,Climate, Energy and Agriculture) and the specialist departments involved.A further approval procedure in accordance with the Federal Emission Control Act(BlmSc hG) is pending for a plant to split the ammonia to obtain the hydrogen it iscarrying. This hydrogen will be fed into a gas grid that is currently in the planningapproval process.16 Strengthening maritime safetyAll measures that serve to improve maritime safety are fundamentally of interest toHamburg as a maritime location. However, the measures mentioned here are largelywithin the remit of the Federal Government or, in some cases, the States ofSchleswig -Holstein and Mecklenburg -West Pomerania as regions bordering theBaltic Sea.17 Supporting technological innovations in engines; developing hybridpropulsion systemsHamburg Port Authority supports technological innovations in engines through theimplementation of the zero emissions strategy of its subsidiary Flotte HamburgGmbH und Co. KG . To date, Flotte Hamburg already operates 5 vessels withbattery- buffered diesel -electric hybrid drives (plug -in hybrids). This enable s thevessels to operate for up to 120 minutes fully electrically and without emissions. 2fully electric vessels are under construction.In addition, Flotte Hamburg has developed concepts for hydrogen -poweredlaunches. For existing vessels, refitting to run on climate -neutral fuel is beingprepared. Flotte Hamburg is also involved in several international projects whosegoal is to develop emissions -free sea-going ships.18 Addressing the threats by the Russian “shadow fleet”No remitRegarding energy supply security and interconnectivity19 Sea-dumped munitionsThe Senate is involved in the federal/state project “ Immediate action programme forsea-dumped munitions in the North and Baltic Seas ”.20 Improving energy supply security in the Baltic Sea regionHamburg sees the promotion of diversified and resilient energy supply in the BalticSea region as a central task. The expansion of renewable energy, especiallyoffshore wind energy, plays a key rol e in this. The FHH supports cross -bordercooperation on the use and further development of infrastructure projects such asLNG terminals and pipelines. In parallel, the switch to sustainable energy systemsis being advance d in order to combin e security supply and climate action. TheSenate welcomes the coordinated planning across the Baltic Sea region to ensurestable energy flow s and reduce geopolitical dependencies.Hamburg Page 919Para Position21 Regionally adapted planning of energy infrastructure taking into accountresilience, sustainability and social welfareThe FHH emphasises the necessity of integrative and regionally differentiatedplanning of energy infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region . Hamburg supportsapproaches that str engthen resilience to climate -related and geopolitical risks whi lealso promoting social justice and sustainability. Conflicts between regional and widergoals need to be identified at an early stage and a just reconciliation found.22 Facilitating more interconnections in the Baltic Sea regionGreater connectivity in the Baltic Sea region should be supported. A particular rolehere falls to the transport infrastructure for renewable energy. In this regard , theestablishment of a German hydrogen core network with transfer points to Polandand Denmark is welcomed. The wind parks in the Baltic Sea also offer potential forfurther inter connecti vity between Baltic Sea states.23 Promotion of a shared alliance for developing a regional market for renewableenerg yThe Senat e regards the fostering of cross- border energy interconnections to be adecisive step towards guaranteeing energy independence and promoting renewableenergy. Hamburg supports measures to develop efficient netw orks for integratingoffshore wind energy and the expansion of transmission and storage in frastructure .These networks not only contribute to energy security, they also create the basis forfair energy exchange between Baltic Sea states.24 Exchanging best practic e concerning the implementation of onshore andoffshore wind projects in the Baltic Sea region.The FHH participates in events by the Offshore Wind Energy Foundation. TheFoundation was set up by the federal environment ministry and campaigns foroffshore energy to play a stronger role in the energy mix in Germany and Europe.Regular dialogue takes place within this framework.25 Increasing funding for infrastructure and developing a strategy to enhancemilitary mobility and civil transportIn order to maintain a secure and resilient Europe and to fulfil the Federal Republicof Germany ’s commitment to its allies, the support of the Länder (the German federalstates) is required in matters relating to civil support for military mobility, includingcivil defence matters in the area of transport, in order to ensure Bundeswehr andallied transport nationwide.At the Conference of the Economics and Transport Ministries of the North GermanCoastal States (KüWiVerMinKo) on 14 November 2024 in Oldenburg, the respectiveheads of department from Bremen, Mecklenburg -West Pomerania , Lower Saxony,Schleswig -Holstein and Hamburg resolved to strengthen cooperation on issue sincluding German and allied military transport. Clear demands for the transportsector should be made to the Federal Government at an early stage (before thecoalition agreement is drawn up). A working group commissioned by the northGerman ministers is currently compiling a corresponding catalogue of demands onthe Federal Government . A central demand on the Federal Government will be forcorresponding financial support to enable the states to make their contributions toan agreed national basic network o f military roads (MSGN) for transporting troopsand materiel . The same applies to the planned main civil road network (HZGN) forthe population and potential refugee flows .Hamburg Page 9210Para PositionThe European Commission supports measures to strengthen military mobility withfunding instruments such as the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and theEuropean Defence Fund , in order to enable European armed forces to react rapidlyto crises. In addition to strengthen ing cooperation with NATO and protection fromcyber attacks, the plan especially includes measures for identifying infrastructuregaps with the goal of improving existing infrastructure, removing bottlenecks andstrengthen ing European defence overall.In CEF (Transport), €11.2 billion of a total of €25.807 billion was reserved for militarymobility for the years 2021 to 2027. An increase in the budget is to be expected.26 Improving maritime and railway connectivity in the Baltic Sea region andconnectivity with the European continentHamburg fundamentally welcomes the initiatives to improve the connectivity ofmaritime and railway transport in the Baltic Sea region, as these measures areimportant in order to strengthen the competitiveness of maritime industry and topromote sustainable logistics.Once the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link opens, Scandinavia and parts of the Baltic Searegion will be much better connected to Germany and central and southern Europe.The journey time between Copenhagen and Hamburg will be halved to approx. 2.5hours . Goods traffic will also profit from greater capacity and sho rter transport times.This unifying, major European project will strengthen both societal interaction andeconomic cooperation with northern Europe (see also the state treaty between theFederal Republic of Germany and Denmark on the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link –Federal Law Gazette Part 2, No. 25 ; moreover, implementation of the current TEN -T Regulation 2024/1679 by the Member States).27 Improved coordination of activities by democratic Baltic Sea countries inprotecting maritime infrastructure in the Baltic Sea regionNo remit28 Developing a plan for addressing shipping insurance challenges to avoiddisruption to trade and increased costsNo remit29 Joint discussions on implementing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,in particular regarding the protection of critical infrastructureNo remit30 Enhance d cooperation between BSPC members in the area of cybersecurityCybersecurity is regarded in Hamburg as a priority topic and is assigned to domesticsecurity. We recognise an increased threat from criminal actors from cyberspace,both against the IT infrastructure and in the context of political and social influence,to be part of the hybrid threat.The tasks and challenges faced by the public administration and the interiorministries respectively are considerably more complex than up until a few years ago.The various legislati ve measures and initiatives on cybersecurity from the EuropeanUnion and, relatedly, also from the German Federal Government involve the Länderin particular.Responsib ility in the FHH lies with the Senate Chancellery, the IT DigitalisationOffice, IT Infrastructure and, for handling IT security breaches, CERT -Nord(Computer Emergency Response Team).Hamburg Page 9311Para PositionIn the Ministry of the Interior , the topic of cybersecurity is largely viewed as part ofprevention. The following areas of responsibility are to be handled in future:• Expansion of cooperation with all administrative stakeholders with in the FHH(emergency and disaster response bodies, police, protection of the constitution,aid organisations, etc.) as well as with other Länder and federal authorities• Expansion of cooperation with all academic stakeholders (schools, universities,etc.)• Expansion of cooperation with all business stakeholders (especially KRITIS , butalso small and medium -sized enterprises)• Development of a cybersecurity situation report• Active participation in cross -state committees, such as the State Working Groupon Cyber security of the Conference of Interior Ministers• Active support for and participation in cyber conferences and fairs nationwide31 Incentives and support for strengthening underwater communicationinfrastructure in the Baltic SeaNo remit32 Cooperation on increasing universal coverage and service for internetconnectivity in the Baltic Sea regionIn the broadband and mobile communications digital infrastructure in Europe, themarkets for internet retail supply are predominantly national ly or regionally delimited.Concrete cooperation on improving internet coverage is thus largely restricted to thisframework. Concerning regulatory issues affecting broadband and mobilecommunications coverage , the FHH cooperates closely at a technical level withother responsible ministries, e.g. in Schleswig -Holstein, Mecklenburg -WestPomerania and Bremen. In addition, the FHH is represented on numerous federaland national committees on the subject of digital infrastructure , and internetcoverage and service. The north German states are also in dialogue on this topic ata policy level via the Conference of the Economics and Transport Ministries of theNorth German Coastal States (KüWiVerMinKo) . The overarching responsibility forregulating these markets, organised in a market economy, lies with the FederalGovernment and the EU.The FHH promotes the improvement of universal internet coverage for thepopulation via various measures, such as participation in a regionaltelecommunications company (see Publication 22/15833), the completedimplementation of a broadband funding project and procedural simplificati ons in theapproval process.In line with the Federal Government ’s gigabit strategy, FHH is pursuing the goal ofestablishing nationwide fibre optic coverage in the course of this decade. With a fibreoptic quota of more than 72% of households and businesses (status 06/24),Hamburg is on the path to universal coverage and thus occupies a leading positionin fibre optic provision compared to other Länder .In the area of the overarching backbone (core infrastructure of the network, in whichsupraregional fibre optic connections enable data traffic between smaller networks),fibre optic connections are also implemented across national boundaries. TheHamburg site is an important hub for internet connections in Northern Europe. Inaddition, Global Connect G mbH, a telecommunications company operating in theBaltic Sea region, has its German headquarters in Hamburg and realises backboneinternet connections and submarine cable projects in the Baltic Sea region fromHamburg Page 9412Para Positionhere. Close cooperation in the BSPC to further increase backbone connectivity andstrengthen internet service in the Baltic Sea region is welcomed.In the current coalition agreement, the Senate has specified that a nationwide fibreoptic network is to be built in Hamburg in the current decade. This goal is in line withthe Federal Government’s gigabit strategy , which sets out to drive forward theexpansion of a powerful fibre optic network so as to guarantee universal fib re opticcoverage in Germany by 2030.To assist in achieving the Senate target, the Fibre Optic Expansion CoordinationOffice (KG) was set up in July 2023, thus implementing a measure from theTelecommunications Act (TKG) (see Section 127 (5) clause 4 TKG). Since it wasestablished, t he KG has made an important contribution to digital infrastructuredevelopment in Hamburg through support, mediation and demonstratingopportunities for action. In this, the KG acts as a central contact point fortelecommunications companies, ministries and the pub lic. The KG not only wor kswith the relevant ministries and telecommunications companies, it also maintainsdialogue with similar bodies in other Länder , e.g. the Schleswig -Holstein BroadbandExpertise Centre or the Berlin Gigabit Expertise Team . This networking contributesto continuing improvement s in fibre optic expansion. At a European level, there isinterest in closer cooperation, though the focus is currently on the national level. TheKG is open to the possibility of transnational dialogue formats, for example as a bestpractice approach, or discussion of the challenges of fibre optic expansion.33 Raising awareness and searching f or solutions to facilitate theimplementation of large -scale cross -border projects of regional importanceHamburg’s transport policy has always been characterised by thinking and planningacross borders, i.e. over long -distance routes. The multimodal core networkcorridors of the Trans- European Transport Networks (TEN -T) are a good reflectionof this tradition. Three of the nine TEN -T corridors cross northern Germany.Hamburg represent s a core TEN -T network hub and is well connected to the BalticSea region via the Scandinavia n-Mediterranean corridor. A significant project on thiscorridor is the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link (FBFL) including its rail feeder connections.Once the FBFL is complete and the hinterland connections on both sides of the Belthave been expanded , the so -called “Vogelfluglinie” – the shortest connectionbetween Scandinavia and continental Europe – will close the last major gap innorthern Europe’s cross -border transport network. By expanding the railwayinfrastructure, investments in transport are visibly channelled to where they have thegreatest (economic and ecological) benefit.The FBFL rail connection on the German side concerns the section between Lübeckand Puttgarden and thus is the responsibility of the state of Schleswig -Holstein. Theconnection is divided into ten planning sections , of which one section is underconstruction. The remaining sections are at various stages of the planning andapproval phases. All sections are subject to a risk of legal action due to the widerange of local impacts. However, completion in 2029 is still the target. Constructionof the Fehmarn Sound Tunnel could result in considerable delays, since it was onlyapproved in 2020 and is still at an early planning stage. Temporary use of theexisting Fehmarn Sound Bridge , with temporary electrification for rail freighttransport , has been rejected by federal politicians. Moreover, the maintenance costsfor the Fehmarn Sound Bridge, whi ch is in need of re novation , have not beenclarified. The local district is l egally responsible but cannot afford it. The federal andSchleswig -Holstein governments are in discussions.The challenges described primarily concern local and federal political stakeholdersin implementing the necessary planning and authorisation procedures and not EUregulations. This means that there is also no basis for the EU to provide furthersupport. For future projects, it is conceivable that an EU project could be set up toHamburg Page 9513Para Positiondraw up guidelines with best practice from countries such as Denmark or Austria,which carry out successful and speedy planning processes for cross -bordertransport infrastructure within the same EU legal framework.In the energy field, Hyperlink 3 is a powerful transport infrastructure connecting theGerman and Danish hydrogen networks, enabling the import of green hydrogenproduced in Denmark (see para 22). The German network operator Gasunie hassigned a cooperation agreement with the Danish network operator Energinet forrapid development. Hamburg and Schleswig -Holstein are in regular contact withGasunie and jointly support this project , which will realise the conversion of existingnatural gas infrastructure to hydrogen transport and will be supplemented by thenew construction of necessary pipeline sections.34 Exploring joint cross -border renewable energy projects and identifylinginfrastructure needsSee para 33. Beyond this, there are no known additional cross -border projects in theenergy sector involving Hamburg.35 Coordinating cooperation to rapidly install computing capacity in the BalticSea region in light of the growing demand from AI developmentThe FHH promotes quantum technology developments with a focus on quantumcomputing (QT/QC) in the Hamburg M etropolitan Region. Through the HamburgQuantum Innovation Capital (hqic) initiative, a central, interdisciplinary point ofcontact, coordinator and ecosystem builder for quantum technology activities hasbeen created , which works together with all relevant stakeholders to develop thequantum technology ecosystem in the Metropolitan Region with a prime focus onquantum computing. hqic coordinates and connects research, business and society,supports knowledge and technology transfer, and creates partnerships and visibilityfor an optimum QT/QC location. Implementation is by the Artificial IntelligenceCenter Hamburg (ARIC), in close cooperation with the Ministry for Economics andInnovation, the Ministry for Science, Research, Equalities and Districts and theHamburg Senate Chancellery. As the Hamburg AI centre of excellence, ARIC worksdaily to help companies, universities, appl ied research institutes and theadministrations of the city and the Metropolitan Region to connect with one anotherand generate profitable cooperation, develop concrete use cases and thus keep upto speed with technological progress.In addition, Dataport, the IT service provider for Hamburg’s public administration, isinternationally connected through various collaborations and dialogue formats withother public IT service providers, e.g. as a member of euritas (European Associationof Public IT Providers).Regarding the expansion of renewable energy, see also para 46.Regarding defence36–40 Defence (paras 36–40): no remit at the Hamburg levelRegarding climate change41 Enhancing maritime infrastructure governance and legislative alignmentNo remit42 Invest ment in advanced surveillance and early detection systemsThe FHH is not currently directly affected by maritime critical infrastructure, but afailure would have a significant impact in Hamburg. For this reason, the FHH/BISHamburg Page 9614Para Position(Ministry of the Interior and Sport) will support the establishment of an analysis unitat the Maritime Safety and Security Centre (MS SC), including with personnel.The MSSC steering group in Cuxhaven , in which the FHH is represented throughBIS, reacted to the attack on Nord Stream and the Federal Chancellor ’s call toprotect pipelines in the North Sea by deciding to reinforce the M SSC to improve theprotection of maritime infrastructure.In this context, an analysis unit in the Joint Emergency Reporting and AssessmentCentre Sea at MSSC is to be permanently established. The future use of advancedsurveillance technology will be taken into consideration.43 Fostering public -private partnerships for maritime securityWith the Safe Port of Hamburg Alliance, the Senate has launched an initiative thatbrings together various public bodies with the private sector players andassociations in the port sector . As part of this initiative, a number of concrete stepshave already been taken – including the creation of a port security centre, and anawareness campaign for workers in the port, etc. – which focus primarily on the issueof drug smuggling, but also impr ove security in the port as a whole.44 Developing regional contingency and rapid repair capabilitiesNo remit45 Implement ing HELCOM ’s climate change -related recommendationsNo remit46 Promoting renewable energy developmentThe potential for expanding renewables in a city state is limited. Yet Hamburg wishesto exploit it as far as possible. Work is progressing at speed to designate areas forwind energy generation. A strategy for expanding photovoltaics is in preparation.Hamburg’s aim is to promote carbon -free energy carriers and become a leadinghydrogen hub. To this end, Hamburg is investing considerable sums in newhydrogen infrastructure. In 2024, the first two IPCEI hydrogen funding decisionswere announced: for the HH -WIN hydrogen industrial network and the HamburgGreen Hydrogen Hub (HGHH), which includes a 100 MW electrolyser at theMoorburg site. This represents an important milestone on the way to decarbonisingindustry.In addition to the intended climate -neutral transformation, Hamburg will be animportant hydrogen player for the Baltic Sea region in the future, both in the(pipeline -bound) import and export of hydrogen as well as in the research,development and applica tion of the energy source. For example, players in Hamburgare cooperating with their partners in the Baltic Sea region within EU projects(Interreg) in order to test and expand the technology. Furthermore, Hamburg will beextremely well integrated and net worked into the future EU -wide hydrogen networkvia the European Commission ’s European Hydrogen Backbone initiative, inparticular with Schleswig -Holstein and Denmark via Hyperlink 3.By 2030 at the latest, Hamburg will halt heat generation from hard coal completely.The share of district heating from coal will shrink from about 64% today to 0% . Thecoal phase -out is made possible by a generation concept that relies on a modularsystem – with many different heat generators and a high proportion of climate -neutral heat sources. The coal phase -out will be in two stages: The commissioningof the port energy park is due to begin at the end of 2025 and will replace the heatand power cogeneration plant in Wedel. The replacement of the cogeneration plantHamburg Page 9715Para Positionat Tiefstack will follow by 2030 . The idea behind the concept of the po rt energy parkis to bring together diverse external heat supplies in a collabo ration.47 Development of coastal management plansThe FHH is involved in the Federal Government ’s Action Plan on Nature -basedSolutions for Climate and Biodiversity with the “Wattenmeer ” project. This includesthe two projects “KlimaSalzwiese ” (identification, conservation and promotion of thenatural potential for carbon storage capacity of salt marshes in the HamburgWadden Sea National Park) and “KlimaWatt ” (carbon inputs and sequestration inmudflats: assessment of the contribution of mudflats to nature -based climatesolutions).LATVIALatvia Page 991Answers to the Questions regarding the Implementation of the Resolution ofthe 3 3rd Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceWhich measures, projects or actions have been:a) planned,b) initiated, andc) implemented in support of the 33rd BSPC Resolution, especially regarding the calls foraction?/also including the additional information on implementation of the corresponding calls foraction – the initiatives and measures - made with in the past two years. /Answers provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs1. Strengthen Democratic Resilience: Call on governments to further enhance democracy,the rule of law, equality, and human rights, building on successful collaboration and sharingbest practices among democratic stakeholders in the region .Latvia continues to provide experience and expertise in facilitating Ukraine's EU accession.This includes supporting good governance, including e -governance and administrative capacity,rule of law and justice, the fight against corruption, decentralizati on and strengthening of civilsociety as well as promotion of gender equality.To advance Ukraine’s integration into the EU, the Baltic and Nordic countries have establisheda high -level expert group to provide support to the Ukrainian government. Latvia is representedin this group by former EU Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.In implementing its development cooperation policy, Latvia contributes to internationalstability and sustainable development around the world with a geographic focus on EU’sEastern Neighbourhood, Central Asia, and Africa. In 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs co -funded 40 projects with a particular focus on Ukraine (15 projects). Latvia continued toimplement projects in African countries: Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Namibia, South Africa,Rwanda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (8 projects in total). Another 8 proje cts were implemented inCentral Asia, especially in Uzbekistan. The foreign service ensured the alignment of Latvia’sbilateral actions with projects implemented by other countries to enhance the sustainability,effectiveness, and visibility of Latvia’s co ntributions, especially in the area of good governance.From a thematic perspective, the majority of MFA’s allocated funding – approximately 40%was directed towards good governance, 30% for sustainable economic development, 15% forgender equality, and 10 % for climate action. Approximately one third of funding was allocatedfor projects with a component of digitalisation.In November 2024, the Latvian Development Cooperation Agency CFCA (Central Finance andContracting Agency) obtained accreditation from the E uropean Commission (EC) , enabling theagency as the only institution in Latvia to act as the lead partner in EC development cooperationprojects under Indirect Management. In 2024, CFCA in collaboration with the Germandevelopment cooperation agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit(GIZ) , launched an EC - funded project in Uzbekistan aimed at implementing anti -corruptionmeasures. Additionally, in collaboration with the French development cooperation agencyExpertise France - an EC -funded regional project o n digital connectivity in Central Asia.Furthermore, the CFCA continued to strengthen administrative capacity in Uzbekistan withinGIZ’s project.In support to the civil society of Belarus, Latvia also financially supported the InternationalHumanitarian fund for Belarusian political prisoners (25 000 EUR ) and the AccountabilityPlatform for Belarus (30 000 EUR ) which is collecting evidences on human rights violations ofLatvia Page 1002the Belarus regime.The three Baltic States, as a part of Core of Core group, closely coordinate their positions withinthe Core Group on the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression againstUkraine. Since Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ba ltic States have been steadfast andvocal supporters of creating such a tribunal to address the accountability gap for the crime ofaggression, given that the International Criminal Court lacks jurisdiction to prosecute Russia’sleadership for this crime./For further efforts made please also refer to answers provided by the Ministry of Justice andMinistry of Health. /2. Promote Peaceful Cooperation: Emphasise the importance of peaceful cooperation anddialogue among Baltic Sea states to address shared environmental challenges whilerespecting international law and territorial integrity.Within the EUSBSR the work on updating the Action Plan 2021 is continued in order tofacilitate collaboration and advance impactful actions in the region towards the three mainobjectives: saving the Sea, connecting the region and increasing prosperity. During itspresidency from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 Latvia initiated and the NCG commenced therevision (update) of the 2021 Action Plan, aiming to transform it into a realistic and well -definedstrategy with concrete tasks that address the region’s curre nt needs and geopoliticaldevelopments. The work is being continued under the Polish Presidency.The current geopolitical changes necessitate the CBSS to adapt to the emerging challenges andregional priorities. On 14 of June 2024 the CBSS Foreign Ministers initiated a review of theorganization’s role and future direction , led by high -level wise persons and supported by taskforce of the CBSS Member States. The recommendations will be presented for discussion anddecision -taking at the CBSS Ministerial Meeting on 16 May 2025 in Vihula, Estonia./For answers on points 3., 4. and 5. of the Resolution please refer to the information providedby the Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Interior, Ministry ofSmart Administration and Development, Ministry of Health , Ministry of Welfare below . /6. Protect vulnerable groups: Protect the rights and ensure the safety of refugees, ethnicminorities, LGBTQ people, women, children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups whoare particularly at risk in times of war and threatened by intolerant attitude s.The Ministry of Culture developed the Action Plan for the reduction of racism and anti -Semitism for 2023 and the assessment of the implementation of the plan has been conducted.When assessing it was recommended to continue and expand support for initiativ es aimed to(1) raise awareness of controversial issues in Latvian history and develop a unifying culture ofremembrance (collective memory), (2) raise awareness of discrimination and hate speech, and(3) monitor hate speech in society. A new plan for the period until 2027 is now pending theGovernment approval.Two advisory bodies within the Ministry of Culture provides support to minority NGOs in civicparticipation and cultural identity, and oversees Roma inclusion per EU guidelines. The 2021 –2027 Cohesive Society Guidelines were developed through public consul tations in Latvia.The Society Integration Foundation (SIF) runs projects like 'Promoting Diversity' to fostertolerance and programme Preventing and Combating Intolerance in Latvia (CALDER) to trainlaw enforcement on combating intolerance.In 2023, four CALDER training sessions have been held and 11 prosecutors have participated.The programme is implemented by the University of Latvia, SIF , the Court Administration, thePublic Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Latvia, and the State Police.Latvia Page 1013In 2024, SIF financed nine projects with a total allocation of 75,000 EUR to promote socialcohesion, foster mutual cooperation, and reduce prejudice against and among ethnic groups.According to the Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers No 325 (4 June 2024) On the procedurefor accreditation of general education and vocational education institutions and the assessmentof professional performance of the heads of educational institutio ns, within its regularevaluations State Education Quality Service (SEQS) assesses various criteria on compliancewith objectives, qualitative learning, inclusive environment and good governance, which interalia include equality and inclusion, as well as security and psychological well -being. SEQSinvestigates education -related discrimination complaints, including racism and LGBT Q rights.Complaints can be submitted orally or in writing. Schools must conduct annual self -evaluations,assessing discrimination and intolerance. These measures help monitor violations in education.The above -mentioned measures provide a system that allow s to monitor discriminationviolations in educational institutions, including those on racism and against LGBT Q people.In 2024, the Istanbul Convention (Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatingviolence against women and domestic violence) entered into force in Latvia. To implement theIstanbul Convention, the Plan for Preventing and Combating Violence Agai nst Women andDomestic Violence for the period until 2029 was approved in the Government in December2024. Furthermore, in March 2025 Latvia has prepared and submitted its Baseline Reportpursuant to Article 68(1) of the Istanbul Convention to GREVIO, the body of independentexperts responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Istanbul Convention.Moreover, Latvia continues to implement the UN “Women, Peace and Security” agendathrough its National Action Plan from 2020 until 2025. In May of 2025, the Ministry of ForeignAffairs, together with the Asia -Europe Foundation (ASEF), and Latvian NGO “Wome n forSecurity” will organise a capacity -building training on the “Women, Peace and Security”agenda, in Riga, bringing together diplomats, state institution representatives, and NGOrepresentatives from Asian and European countries. The continuation of th e implementation ofthe UN “Women, Peace and Security” agenda is envisaged through the adoption of a newNational Action Plan after the current plan ends in 2025.Latvia remains actively engaged in the International Coalition of States for the Return ofUkrainian children, supporting efforts to ensure the safe return of Ukrainian children unlawfullydeported or forcibly transferred by Russia. In October 2024, Latvia participated in theMinisterial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10 -Point Peace Formula inMontréal , Canada, which focused on the return of prisoners of war, detained civilians andunlawfully transferred and deported children./For further information please also refer to answers provided by the Ministry of Justice ,Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Welfare. /8. Support Ukraine: Encourage continued and expanded support for Ukraine, referencingpast legislative aid packages and reconstruction assistance initiatives. Advocate forcomprehensive programmes that include economic support, infrastructure rebuilding, andassistance in strengthening democratic institutions.By the end of 2024, the support provided by the Latvian state and society to Ukraine has reachedat least nearly EUR 860 million, amounting to 0.7% of GDP. Reconstruction of Ukraine cannotwait until the end of the war, therefore Latvia is taking part in r econstruction of Ukraine sincemid-2022. Based on the agreement on long term support and bilateral security commitmentssigned by Latvia and Ukraine in April 2024, Latvia has earmarked EUR 15 million forreconstruction from 2024 to 2026. Latvia is focusing its efforts on Chernihiv region by takingpart in reconstruction of social infrastructure objects (educational and health facilities) andhousing, psychological support for women, digitalization and knowledge sharing about the EU.Latvia Page 1024Ukraine is the main priority in the field of development cooperation policy of Latvia. In orderto strengthen Ukraine’s democracy and enhance its further integration in the EU, we have beensupporting development cooperation projects in areas like agricult ure, SMEs, EU policies, goodgovernance, rehabilitation, support to women and many more.In April 2024 Latvia and Ukraine signed an agreement on long -term support and securitycommitments. Latvia has committed to provide Ukraine with military assistance amounting to0.25% of GDP and EUR 15 million for reconstruction from 2024 to 2026.Within the United Nations (UN), the Nordic -Baltic Eight (NB8) countries actively participatein both the UN General Assembly meetings and Security Council open debates in New York todeliver joint statements and voice strong support for Ukraine. The Baltic States (B3) remain avery important and active platform to raise this issue. At every possibility, B3 coordinate strongUN Security Council statements, condemning Russia’s aggression, emphasizing the blatantviolations of international law and the UN Char ter, and keeping the issue high on the UNSCagenda. B3 also join other initiatives and statements to aid this cause. Furthermore, B3 countriesare among the most active ones when joint outreach efforts are needed to garner support toinitiatives concernin g Ukraine, including voting for UN General Assembly resolutions andcountering harmful narratives. The UN General Assembly has adopted nine resolutionsaddressing Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine, last being the Ukraine and EU lead 24February 2025 r esolution, aimed at advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace inUkraine. The Baltic States have supported all resolutions and done extensive outreach to garnerwidespread support to these initiatives. Significant efforts have been made to isolate Russia andBelarus within international organizations, particularly concerning elections to variousstructures of the UN system.In the Human Rights Council (HRC), joint NB8 statements are delivered at every session (in2024 in total 96 NB8 statements have been delivered during UN HRC sessions). In order toattract more attention to this common priority – statements in support of Ukraine (as well ascondemning actions of Russia and Belarus against Ukraine and against their own civil societyin their own countries) are delivered on the highest political – ministerial – level.There is also an excellent NB8 cooperation in the Third Committee (Human Rights) of the UNGeneral Assembly. During the last session in 2024, 15 joint statements have been delivered onissues such as human rights violations committed by Russia in Ukraine, oppressions of civilsociety in Russia and Belarus, freedom of expression and association, gender equality andothers./For further information on the provided support also refer to the Ministry of Justice , Ministryof Economic s, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Culture, also Ministry ofAgriculture.9. Combat Disinformation: Request governments to enhance the legislative frameworks andadministrative measures that have shown effectiveness in countering disinformationcampaigns, particularly those spearheaded by the Russian Federation. Promote theexpansion of public awareness campaigns, digital literacy programs, and robust mediaeducation to combat misinformation. Prohibit personal profiling based on mass datacollection, as long as these profiles allow targeted advertisement for disinformationcampai gns (BSPYF).In 2024, Latvia criminalised slanderous use of deepfakes to influence elections and mandateddisclosure of use of AI in election campaigns /please refer information provided by the StateChancellery /.Latvia Page 1035Latvia established the Digital Service Coordinator to ensure the implementation of therequirements of the Digital Services Act in Latvia.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia has organised several high -level international eventson information integrity and Artificial intelligence to raise awareness of the issue globally.According to the information provided by the State Chancellery of the Republic of Latvia:Latvia has implemented changes to the laws and regulations in 2024 – Criminal Law and Pre -election campaigning Law in relation to the need to specify pre -election campaigning materialcreated by AI and regarding the prohibition to act as other persons, as per point 3 of theamendment to the Pre -election campaigning Law: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/356149 -grozijumi -prieksvelesanu -agitacijas -likuma and with the additional amendment to point 90 of the CriminalLaw:https://titania.saeima.lv/LIVS14/saeimalivs14.nsf/0/E17F0D9EC11F9C02C2258AD20025AC51?OpenDocumentAccording to the OECD, only nine countries (Australia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal,Spain, the Netherlands, Italy and the United States) have developed a strategy document on howto tackle disinformation and strengthen the integrity of information within the country. Latviais among these countries with the document National Strategic Communication and InformationSpace Security Concept 2023 -2027 approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in January 2023 |Cabinet of Ministers (mk.gov.lv).OECD countries also produce manuals and guides on understanding disinformation and itsthreats. These are distributed on countries' official websites and in print format for schools andpublic libraries. For example, in 2022, the Latvian State Chancellery published a digitalpublication entitled "Guide to Disinformation: Recognise and Counter".With regard to coordination mechanisms between national authorities, the responses receivedfrom OECD countries and the public resources available suggest that countries have generallydeveloped a legal framework defining the rules under which these mechan isms can operate.Legal provisions are particularly important to clarify the functioning of the coordinationmechanism, to define internal control and reporting procedures for the mechanism, and tomitigate the risk of misuse of nationally determined arran gements. To this end, in May 2023,Latvia approved the statutes of the National Information Space Security Coordination Group.The document contains legally binding obligations and establishes the StrategicCommunication Coordination Department of the Stat e Chancellery as the responsible body./For further information please also refer to answers provided by the Ministry of Justice andMinistry of Health. /18. Address the threats by the Russian "Shadow Fleet": Prioritise addressing the threatsposed by the Russian "shadow fleet" by enhancing maritime surveillance, intelligencesharing, regulatory enforcement, and collaborative efforts to mitigate environment al andsecurity risks, including advocating for international sanctions, as long as it is necessary.Concerning that Russia’s “Shadow -fleet” is used not only to avoid sanctions, but cause seriousrisks to maritime security and the environment, and can be used for hybrid operations, the matterof Russia’s “Shadow fleet” is addressed at the EU working group s and on NB8+ level workinggroup, where Latvia’s experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport,Latvia’s environmental service and Latvia’s coast guard actively participates. Latvia alsocontinues to call for stronger EU sanctions ag ainst Russia, including sanctions against “Shadowfleet” vessels. Additionally, Latvia supports the European Union's Sanctions Envoy and EEASoutreach activities to flag states with the aim to limit Russia’s “shadow -fleet”./For further information please refer to answers provided by the Ministry of Defence andMinistry of Transport. /Latvia Page 104629. jointly discuss the implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to addresschallenges in the Baltic Sea, in particular, the protection of critical infrastructure and thecoordination between coastal States in the Baltic Sea.On multiple occasions Latvia (together with Lithuania and Estonia ) has participated in jointdiscussions within several formats among Legal Advisers, including NATO Baltic Sea Allies,NB8, EU, on the implementation and interpretation of UNCLOS in relation to addressing threatsposed by so called Russian shadow fleet to the critical undersea infrastructure.Answers provided by the Ministry of Agriculture8. Support Ukraine: Encourage continued and expanded support for Ukraine, referencingpast legislative aid packages and reconstruction assistance initiatives. Advocate forcomprehensive programmes that include economic support, infrastructure rebuilding, a ndassistance in strengthening democratic institutions.On support for Ukraine, t he Baltic S tates regularly coordinate national opinions, statements andsupport activities to Ukraine. It is very important to note, that Baltic States are united in theirintentions to continue its support to Ukraine.Once a month, before the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, experts from the agricultureand/or fisheries sectors from the Baltic and 3 Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Sweden)meet to agree on a common position on the topical issues on the agenda, t he situation in Ukraineremains highly important and is being addressed during these meetings continuously.The Baltic Agriculture Ministers also meet regularly to exchange views and experiences oncurrent issues on the agricultural sector and EU agenda.11. Enhance Maritime Ecosystem Protection: Strongly urge governments to enhance effortsto combat eutrophication by systematically implementing the revised HELCOM Action Planand nutrient input reduction schemes. Encourage the adaptation and the necessaryprioritization on innovative, sustainable a gricultural practices and the promotion of nutrientrecycling strategies, ensuring that these measures are integrated into national and regionalpolicies to significantly reduce nutrient runoff into the Baltic Sea without decreasing foodproduction. Emphasise the need for coordinated efforts to protect the Baltic Sea's biodiversityand improve water quality through updated legislative measures and targeted investments.Latvia is represented in several organizations related to Baltic Sea governance (BALTFISH,BSAC, HELCOM), which helps to improve coordination and cooperation between Baltic Seamember states.Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea remains one of the most significant environmental challenges,caused by excessive nutrient inflows, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, into the water.Agriculture is one of the main sources of this pollution, prompting t he Baltic States toimplement various measures to reduce nutrient runoff from agricultural land.In Latvia , several measures have been introduced to improve nutrient management, including:➢ Implementation of the Nitrates Directive, which regulates the use of fertilizers andmanure storage requirements.➢ The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023 –2027, which includeseco-schemes, agri -environmental, and investment measures. These initiatives promoteefficient nutrient management, improved manure handling, precision farmingtechnologies, permanent grassland maintenance, and the cultivation of nitrogen -fixingcrops and cover crops to reduce fertilizer dependency.Latvia Page 1057➢ LIFE GOODWATER IP project , which introduces innovative solutions such asartificial wetlands, bioreactors, and sedimentation basins to minimize nutrient inflowinto water bodies.➢ Modernization of drainage systems, which helps regulate water flow and reducenutrient leaching.These measures contribute to reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution from agriculture,improving water quality not only in local rivers and lakes but also in the Baltic Sea.12. Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Call for the continuation and expansion oflegislative actions that have successfully created new MPAs and improved managementstrategies. Urge governments to increase transboundary cooperation to protect vulnerablehabitats, enhance biodiversity, and miti gate the impacts of climate change.The Baltic States actively collaborate to implement sustainable agricultural practices thatsupport marine conservation goals. This cooperation includes both EU -level policies andregional projects.➢ One of the most significant international plans is the HELCOM Baltic Sea ActionPlan , which coordinates efforts to reduce eutrophication. This plan includes measuressuch as phosphorus input reduction, the use of alternative fertilizer sources, andimproved soil management practices, including liming and gypsum application, whichhelp sta bilize soil structure and minimize nutrient leakage.➢ The Baltic S tates also cooperate within the framework of the EU Strategy for the BalticSea Region , which promotes the adoption of circular economy principles in agriculture,particularly regarding nutrient recycling and more efficient fertilizer use.➢ The GreenAgri Project was one of the most successful joint initiatives implemented inLatvia and Estonia to reduce agricultural pollution. It developed new methods fororganic fertilizer management and tested technologies that reduced nutrient runoff.➢ The CiNURGi Project focuses on sustainable nutrient recycling and promotes the useof wastewater sludge in agriculture, helping to reduce dependence on syntheticfertilizers and nutrient losses. The project involves 25 partners from various countries.48. Implement the Raised Calls for Action: Rigorously continue to implement the far -reaching calls for action of the 32nd BSPC resolution regarding climate change andbiodiversity.In the area of climate , in 2024, Policy areas Bioeconomy Coordinators worked together tostrengthen the role and importance of the bioeconomy, to promote sustainability, productivityand climate change adaptation, including ecosystem resilience to climate change.Cooperation between the Baltic States also takes place in INTERREG, EC Life Programmeand Horizon Europe projects focusing on climate change mitigation, biodiversity andsustainable resource management.Answers provided by the Ministry of Climate and Energy20. given the current geopolitical challenges, prioritise and support projects aimed atimproving energy security in the Baltic Sea region. (WG)21. while building new or transforming the already existing energy infrastructure, takestrongly into account the regional needs, resilience considerations, and sustainability goals,as well as social and economic welfare. (WG)22. facilitate more interconnections in the Baltic Sea region. (WG)Latvia Page 1068Information on improvements of energy security and self -sustainabilityIn line with the resolution of the 33rd Parliamentary Conference of the Baltic Assembly heldon 27 August 2024, the Ministry of Climate and Energy has prepared the following informationon the following topicalities and launched projects to promote energy independence andcooperation of the Baltic States.• Synchronisation of Baltic countries with Continental Europe Synchronous AreaOn 9 February 2025 Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have successfully synchronised theirelectricity systems with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area. This is a key milestone forthe Baltic States and for Europe strengthening the energy resilience and in dependence acrossthe region. The synchronisation enables the Baltic States to manage their electricity grids inclose cooperation with all other Continental European countries, with stable and reliablefrequency control, significantly enhancing regional e nergy security. Previously relying on theRussian IPS/UPS system for frequency management, the Baltic States have now joined thesynchronous grid of Continental Europe, serving over 400 million customers. All electricityinterconnections with Russia and Be larus have been permanently disconnected. This processfollows years of meticulous preparation and collaboration among the Baltic States transmissionsystem operators (TSOs): Elering (Estonia), Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST, Latvia), Litgrid(Lithuania), and t heir counterparts in Continental Europe Synchronous Area. A particularlyimportant role of PSE in Poland was the overall coordination and project management, as adirect neighbour and the system which physically connects the Baltic States’ systems toConti nental Europe. Extensive infrastructure upgrades in the Baltic States and Poland wereinstrumental in enabling this achievement. In recent years, together with Lithuanian andEstonian grid operators and with significant funding from the European Union, Bal tic TSOshave upgraded and rebuilt more than 500 kilometres of high -voltage transmission lines inLatvia, installed synchronous compensators and high -capacity battery systems. It must be notedthat, despite limited transmission capacity of interconnection between Baltic countries andFinland in relation with “Estlink -2” undersea cable incident, the energy systems of Balticcountries after the synchronisation with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area have notexperienced any related technical disruptions. Until February 2025, Estonia, Latvia, andLithuania operated in the IPS/UPS system, in which the electricity frequency is centrallycontrolled by Russia. Meanwhile synchronisation with Continental Europe Synchronous Areaallows for independent, stable and reliable freque ncy control of the Baltic States electricity gridsand will increase energy security in the region, which will be further enhanced after installationof planned auxiliary equipment – synchronous compensators and battery energy storagesyste ms.• Launching of the Baltic balancing capacity marketIn February 2025 the Baltic States electricity transmission system operators have jointlylaunched the Baltic balancing capacity market. The new market ensures reserve capacity neededfor system balancing and frequency management after Baltic States power systemsdisconnected from Russia controlled IPS/UPS system and synchronise with ContinentalEurope. Balancing capacities are a service purchased by the TSOs to ensure the guaranteedavailability of balancing resources. The auctions take every d ay, in which the operators orderbalancing capacities for the next 24 -hour period from the offers submitted by balancing serviceproviders. If necessary, the TSOs use the ordered balancing capacities for frequency deviationmanagement. These orders take place in the b alancing energy market. The total market demandfor balancing capacity in the Baltic States will reach approximately 1,500 MW in 2025. It ispredicted that the demand for balancing capacity will increase with the growth of renewableenergy production and t he increase in the number of generating consumers.Latvia Page 1079While taking next steps, Latvian TSO has announced its readiness to start tests with theEuropean automatic frequency restoration reserves (aFRR) energy platform "PICASSO" andplans to join the PICASSO platform on April 10 , 2025, and, as soon as all Baltic TSOs havejoined the PICASSO platform, AST, together with other Baltic TSOs, plans to start procurementof aFRR capacity in the Baltic balancing capacity market starting on April 15, for the deliveryday of April 16. Start ing from April 16, aFRR energy ex change between the Finnish TSO andthe Baltic TSOs on the Estonian -Finnish border is also expected to begin.• Development of new interconnection between Latvia and LithuaniaIn February 2025 Latvian TSO has started work on the project "Construction of the 330 kVpower transmission line Ventspils – Brocēni – Varduva in the territory of Latvia" (hereinafter– the Project). The project plans to construct 110 kV power transmission lines as a combined110/330 kV line in the section from Ventspils to Baltaiskrogs in Zaņa parish of Saldusmunicipality. A new 330 kV line will be built from Baltaiskroga to the state border in thedirection of Varduva (Lithuania).The new 330kV power transmission line "Ventspils (LV) – Brocēni (LV) – Telši/Varduva (LT)is planned to be built mainly in the corridors of the existing 110 kV power transmission line"Ventspils – Kuldiga – Brocēni" and partially the line "Brocēni – Prieku le" and "Ventspils –Alsunga". These lines were built in the last century in accordance with the electricityconsumption and generation needs of that time and should be completely replaced by a new,high-throughput line in order to ensure a higher total fl ow of electricity in the Baltic region. Thereconstruction of existing lines in the territory of Latvia and further construction of a newLatvian -Lithuanian interconnection will strengthen the Latvian and all -Baltic electricitytransmission network and all ow to connect a larger amount of RES, reducing the price ofelectricity in Latvia in the future.In relation to the Working Group on Energy Security, Self -sustainability, Resilience andConnectivity , the Ministry of Climate and Energy informs that during 4th quarter of 2024, therepresentatives Ministry has not directly participated in activities of this Working Group,however, it highly appreciates the discussion initiated by the Working Group in relation to thepressing matter of recent sabotage acts involving critical infrastructure, including the powersupply infrastructure, which was specifically addressed during the Working Group’s meetingin November 2024.23. unite in setting up a common interconnection execution in regional political initiativesand strongly involve the EU Funds in order to succeed in regional renewable energy marketdevelopment . (WG)24. regularly exchange experience and best practices concerning the implementation ofonshore and offshore wind projects in the Baltic Sea region.31. develop incentives and support for strengthening underwater communicationinfrastructure in the Baltic Sea, including expanding connections and ensuring the resilienceof the existing ones . (WG)Currently the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP) High -Level group remainsone of the most significant platform to discuss regional development and cooperation plans,review initiatives with impact on the energy market, as well as to facilita te harmoniousdevelopment of renewable energy across the Baltic region. To highlight some of the mostimportant topics of these regional, the Ministry of Climate and Energy would like to stressdiscussions on the impact of the offshore wind power plants on the national security, whichwere initiated by Sweden, and potential updates about political developments in such countriesas Denmark and Germany in relation to potential subsidies to offshore wind energy and relatedLatvia Page 10810hydrogen projects, as well as technical discussions about the cooperation in protection ofoffshore power system infrastructure, and especially undersea cables, with an aim to alsofacilitate creation of measures which would shorten time necessary for repa irs of such underseacables. Such cooperation potential could include maintaining of necessary stock of spares andrelated equipment for regional needs and would involve both producers of equipment as well ascontractors of repair and maintenance works. Me mbers of BEMIP High -Level group havespecifically underlined that such initiative can be seen as feasible only under condition of closecooperation among countries in the region. It is important to underline that during the exchangeof experience, current developments and opinions, especially on potentially significantinitiatives with impact on market function, is crucially important for regional countries topotentially harmonize their approach in facilitating development of wind energy projects andpoten tial subsidies or other support measures of such projects.34. explore joint cross -border renewable energy projects and to identify infrastructure needsin order to enable the integration of renewable energy while ensuring and improving thesecurity of supply and access to affordable energy.Currently Latvia together with Estonia continues to explore two potential cross -borderrenewable energy projects, including the offshore “Elwind” wind energy project anddevelopment of the relevant offshore electricity transmission infrastructure, as well as “Lode -Penuja” wind farm is a cross -border onshore wind farm in development stage with a totalplanned capacity of up to 200 MW, which will be located in the border areas of Estonia andLatvia near the villages of Lode in Valmiera county (L atvia ) and Pen uja, Mulgi Parish, ViljandiCounty ( Estonia ). The wind park is intended as a joint cross -border development with a singlegrid connection point. The layout of the wind park consists of 33 turbine locations (19 in Latviaand 14 in Estonia). Starting from 2028 it is expected to produce up to 600 GWh of renewableenergy per annum. Implementation of these projects will create a significant blueprint andexperience for development of similar cross -border projects among all regional countries.45. Implement HELCOM’s Climate Change -related Recommendations: Emphasise theurgency of enhancing climate resilience through the continued implementation ofHELCOM’s Climate Change Fact Sheet recommendations and the Baltic Sea Action Plan’sclimate -related actions.46. Promote Renewable Energy Development: Support the deployment of offshorerenewables and decarbonised fuels, such as renewable hydrogen - with strong regard for thebiodiversity of the sea -, and set ambitious targets for renewable energy capacity to dr ive theclean transition and contribute to global climate goals.48. Implement the Raised Calls for Action: Rigorously continue to implement the far -reaching calls for action of the 32nd BSPC resolution regarding climate change andbiodiversity.The Baltic Sea is under increasing impact from the triple planetary crisis of climate change,biodiversity loss and pollution. To move towards more resilient ecosystems and builtenvironment, Latvia has been working on implementation of Latvian National Plan forAdaptation to Climate Change until 2030. The principal objective of the plan is to reduce thevulnerabilities of the population, national economy, infrastructure, buildings, and nature toclimate change impacts within the country but also to promote the use of op portunities derivedfrom climate change. It includes a strategic objective to ensure that Latvia’s natural values havebeen preserved and the negative impact of climate change thereupon has been reduced.To keep the track of changes caused by climate change and accordingly to adjust relevantpolicies, Latvia has developed several research projects. For example, in order to adjust coastalplanning, the latest data on coastal erosion in Latvia were obtained, and the most appropriateLatvia Page 10911solutions to prevent coastal erosion development were chosen.Latvia also considers how to better adapt and has initiated risk and vulnerability assessments inthe most affected sectors of the economy.To respond to emerging climate change mitigation needs Latvia has updated it National Energyand Climate plan 2021 -2030 and has started work on updating its Strategy of Latvia for theAchievement of Climate Neutrality by 2050.HELCOM/Baltic Earth Expert Network on Climate Change (IC EN CLIME) is leading astocktaking assessment of ocean acidification in the Baltic Sea, as part of the HELCOMstrategic approach to ocean acidification. The CLIME is considering extending information onthe impact of climate change on extremes of direct parameters as part of the upcoming fullupdate of the Climate Change Fact Sheet, as well as additional climate change parameters whichcould be included in the Climate Change Fact Sheet. The latest ses sion of CLIME ( on March18th, 2025) discussed also the future collaboration between OSPAR WG COCOA andHELCOM/Baltic Earth EN Clime.19. Continue to Address the Issue of Sea -Dumped Munitions: Encourage governments toprioritise and coordinate cooperation on the comprehensive mapping and safe removal ofsea-dumped munitions, leveraging the European Commission's ongoing projects andfundi ng initiatives such as Horizon Europe as well as developing further joint efforts ofHELCOM, CBSS and the EU in this field. Advocate for the application of environmentallyfriendly technologies and methodologies to mitigate the risks posed by submerged mun itions,ensuring that these efforts are integrated into national and regional security andenvironmental agendas and implemented as soon as possible.HELCOM (Contracting Parties being also the EU Member States and the Secretariat) isinvolved in several projects:MUNI -RISK – Mitigation of risks related to submerged munitions to the sustainabledevelopment of the Baltic Sea (co -funded by the EU) is an international cross -sectoralmultidisciplinary project, which addresses environmental and safety concerns related tosubmerge d munitions in the Baltic Sea. The main goal of the MUNI -RISK is to conclusivelyestablish the risks posed by submerged munitions to better protect the Baltic Sea environmentand support the maritime industry, ensure sustainable development of the blue economy andintroduce green energy practices offshore.MUNIMAP - Baltic Sea Munitions Remediation Roadmap (funded by Interreg Baltic SeaRegion). The vision of the MUNIMAP project is a Baltic Sea in which submerged munitionsare a controlled threat, managed with precaution and removed according to needs in acoordina ted, safe and environmentally friendly way.The overarching aim of the project is to assist the authorities responsible for the managementof marine areas with the build -up of legal and administrative know -how base allowing to startremediating submerged munitions in the Baltic Sea area. Latvian Ins titute of Aquatic Ecologyis a Project Partner.MMinE -SwEEPER project - Marine Munitions in Europe – Solutions with Economic andEcological Profits for Efficient Remediation (funded by EU HORIZON Research andInnovation Actions). The project’s main objectives are: a) Compile existing knowledge acrossEurope, identify techni cal and regulations gaps, and provide feasible managementrecommendations based on the various stakeholder ́s needs; b) Advance robotic applications,3D imaging and AI -supported data analyses to detect, classify, inspect, assess and neu tralizeUXO; c) Improve transnational cooperation in UXO management; d) Strengthen cooperationbetween public (government authorities at various levels) and private (marine -based economicLatvia Page 11012sector) partnerships to promote sustainable and cost -effective remediation methods; e) Enhanceknowledge sharing between the government authorities and other stakeholders. HELCOM leadsthe engagement and dialog with a multi -sector stakeholder community and will create asummary of regulations and authorities involved in marine munitions remediation.A new project Safe Actions for Environment – Baltic Solutions to Black Sea (SAFE BS2B)is under planning in the context of the CBSS Project Support Facility (PSF). As mentionedbefore, HELCOM is actively involved in the MUNI -RISK, MUNIMAP and MMinE -SwEEPERprojects. This entails ensuring that the lessons learned in the Baltic Sea Region can be replicatedand transferred to other regional seas in Europe, particularly the Black Sea, in collaborationwith the Black Sea Commission (BSC). The goal of the SAFE BS 2B project is to transfer andimplement the most effective and safe techniques used in the Baltic Sea for managingunderwater munitions in the Black Sea region, with a strong focus on environmental securityand the sustainability of marine ecosystems, espe cially in protected areas. HELCOM isproposed as lead partner, as requested by the three munitions projects (MUNI -RISK,MUNIMAP and MMinE -SwEEPER). Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology plans to participateas a Co -partner. Given the status of Ukraine as an observer to CBSS, enables Ukrainian entitiesto engage in CBSS PSF projects as co -partners. The project will provide a substantial input forachieving the HELCOM BSAP action S34, while ensuring cross -sectoral and multi -disciplinaryoutreach as well as tra nsfer of knowledge to the Black Sea region and Ukraine in particular.Answers provided by the Ministry of Culture5. Strengthen social resilience: Reiterate the continued importance of strengthening socialresilience in the Baltic Sea Region by fostering resilience through cultural activities,acknowledge and support in this regard the successful start of the Baltic Sea Cultural Pearlsawarding procedure and the first awarded cities and encourage and promote the developmentof a long -term operating concept and further annual implementation of the award after theend of the Interreg projects lifetime in December 2025.In February 2025 the Ministry of Culture of Latvia has met with the BSR Cultural Pearls projectteam from Latvia to discuss possible solutions for the continuation of the project. As a result ofthe discussions, considering the international nature of the project, Latvia already requested toinclude this issue on the agenda of the EUSBSR PA Culture steering group upcoming meeting,to foster the other stakeholder’s interest and to find possible alternatives for the continuation ofthe project.4. Focus on Social Sustainability: Stress the need to extend and build upon recent successfulinitiatives addressing social sustainability, including those aimed at addressing challengesregarding an ageing population by upskilling and reskilling, integrating migrants andvulnerable groups into the labour market, and promoting gender equality. Encouragegovernments to ensure these initiatives are well -funded and effectively implemented. Developand implement civic education programmes and civil society initiatives for both young peopleand adults alike to raise awareness of the dangers posed by all forms of extremism todemocracy, including recruitment strategies of ex tremist groups (BSPYF). Encourage cross -border exchange programmes for citizens of all ages and diverse backgrounds, focused onbridging societal division and combating extremism (BSPYF). Guarantee inclusivegovernance by including citizens in the formatio n of policies and establish mechanisms forparticipatory budgeting for equitable resource distribution and community empowerment.Encourage workers to join unions by promoting awareness and involvement by puttingspecial emphasis on strengthening and secur ing the institutional framework of the workers'unions (BSPYF).Latvia Page 111136. Protect vulnerable groups: Protect the rights and ensure the safety of refugees, ethnicminorities, LGBTQ people, women, children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups whoare particularly at risk in times of war and threatened by intolerant attitudes.The Ministry of Culture of Latvia is delegated institution by the Asylum, migration andintegration Fund (AMIF) and implements Latvian language courses and integration courses forthird -country nationals and beneficiaries of international protection.In 2024, the implementation of projects continued under the AMIF activity “13.3. Integrationmeasures for third -country nationals that promote the inclusion of the target group into society”.The objective of the activity is to provide third -country nation als with an introductory courseon life in Latvia tailored to their needs, by organizing theoretical and practical knowledgeacquisition training courses that promote the inclusion of the target group into society, promoteaccess to the labour market, furt her education, as well as improve civic, cultural and everydaylife skills, thus increasing their abilities to successfully include in Latvian society and reducingrisks of intolerant attitudes towards them.By 30.09.2024, the following indicators have been achieved:- the number of unique target group individuals who have been provided with anintroductory course of at least 30 hours – 534;- the number of target group representatives who indicate that the activity was useful fortheir integration – 510.In 2024, the implementation of projects continued under the AMIF activity “13.2. Inclusion ofthird -country nationals in the local society, promoting opportunities for the use and acquisitionof the Latvian language”. The objective of the activity is to pr ovide Latvian language coursesand conversational language clubs to third -country nationals, expanding the availability ofLatvian language acquisition opportunities and adapting them to the needs of various groups.Until 30.09.2024. The following indicators have been achieved:- the number of unique target group individuals who have been provided with a Latvianlanguage course of at least 120 hours – 678;- target group representatives who, after completing Latvian language courses, haveimproved their Latvian language skills by at least one level – 769.8. Support Ukraine: Encourage continued and expanded support for Ukraine, referencingpast legislative aid packages and reconstruction assistance initiatives. Advocate forcomprehensive programmes that include economic support, infrastructure rebuilding, a ndassistance in strengthening democratic institutions.Since 2022 the Ministry of Culture of Latvia and Society Integration Foundation has ensuredLatvian language courses for Ukrainian citizens and since 2023 also civic and culturalorientation courses.In 2024, 6 114 Ukrainian citizens have participated in Latvian language courses, as well as civicand cultural orientation courses were available both for adults and children who are Ukrainiancitizens.9. Combat Disinformation: Request governments to enhance the legislative frameworks andadministrative measures that have shown effectiveness in countering disinformationcampaigns, particularly those spearheaded by the Russian Federation. Promote theexpansion of public awareness campaigns, digital literacy programs, and robust mediaeducation to combat misinformation. Prohibit personal profiling based on mass datacollection, as long as these profiles allow targeted advertisement for disinformationcampaigns (BSPYF ).Latvia Page 11214On 1 October 2024, the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers adopted the Media Policy Guidelines for2024–2027 (hereinafter the Guidelines), developed by the Ministry of Culture in closecollaboration with media industry professionals. The main directions of media policy actionare:1. Strong Latvian media environment and information space,2. Safe media environment,3. Independent media environment,4. High- quality media environment.Various activities were implemented within the Guidelines to achieve the goals of media policydirections, e.g.:In 2024, a project aimed to promote media literacy among seniors was implemented in regionsof Latvia. As part of this initiative, 37 in -person sessions were conducted across Kurzeme,Latgale, Zemgale, Vidzeme, Riga, and the Riga region, reaching a total o f 846 seniors. Theproject focused on reducing the risks of disinformation and fostering a critical and responsibleapproach to publicly available information.Another project focused on enhancing media and information literacy among young people wasimplemented within the Guidelines. The educational sessions covered disinformation,information security, new technologies and innovations, algorithms, and other relevant topics.The program t argeted students in education institutions across Latvia. In total, 84 schools werevisited —30 in 2023 and 54 in 2024 —reaching over 3,700 students.To ensure media safety, and quality the Media Support Fund was established with the aim tosupport media in creating socially significant, informative, and educational content,strengthening the national cultural space in Latvian. It promotes non -commercia l journalismthat upholds constitutional values, national identity, critical thinking, and media accountability,while fostering social cohesion through the Latvian language. In 2024 Media Support Fundallocated 4.1 million to the media.Latvia Page 11319Answers provided by the Ministry of Economics8. Support Ukraine: Encourage continued and expanded support for Ukraine, referencingpast legislative aid packages and reconstruction assistance initiatives. Advocate forcomprehensive programmes that include economic support, infrastructure rebuilding, a ndassistance in strengthening democratic institutions.In 2023, the Ministry of Economics of Latvia provided support to Ukraine, specifically to theChernihiv region, by supplying modular houses, playground equipment, furniture forpreschools, and diesel generators for educational institutions. For 2024, the a llocated funds willbe used to purchase furniture to furnish previously renovated residential houses as part ofLatvia's reconstruction support. Furthermore, heating boilers will be provided to equipeducational institutions in the Chernihiv region. Future plans include offering loans to Latvianbusinesses to establish and grow companies in Ukraine, promoting investment, job creation,and citizens' welfare.Additionally, AS Latvenergo has donated an 11/110 kV transformer, organized summer campsfor the integration of Ukrainian children in Latvia and carried out several employee -ledinitiatives. These include regular fundraisers, which have resulted in the pur chase of mobilecharging batteries, a drone with night vision and a thermal camera, and equipment for soldiers.These donations were delivered to Ukraine with assistance from the Ukrainian Embassy inLatvia and other charitable organizations.24. regularly exchange experience and best practices concerning the implementation ofonshore and offshore wind projects in the Baltic Sea region. (WG)ELWIND: is a joint Estonian -Latvian state -run cross -border offshore wind project aiming toraise energy independence in the region by increasing production of green energy andimproving interstate electricity connectivity. The aim is to pre -develop an offshore wi nd farmwith hybrid grid connections (including interconnection) by the two states to improve thesecurity of supply. The project serves as a proof of concept for a hybrid asset consisting of dual -use -a transmission network and offshore wind park. The siz e of the project is between 1 -2 GW.The plan is to build two offshore wind parks, one in Estonian and one in Latvian waters, eachone with a capacity of up to 1 GW, but the final setup will be decided after the environmentalimpact assessment and conductin g all the needed studies for pre -development. In order tocomplete pre -development studies of the ELWIND project, both countries attracted co -fundingin the amount of 18,7 million euros from the EU funding programme Connecting EuropeFacility. The investig ation phase is planned to be completed in 2028.The interconnection of 1000 MW is an integral part of the concept. The TSOs of both countries,Elering in Estonia and AST in Latvia, propose the interconnector route from Saaremaa toVentspils as the most feasible route. Both TSOs started the interconnecto r planning activitiesin 2024. The project's main goals and benefits are a hybrid solution and interconnectedelectricity markets.Answers provided by the Ministry of Education and Science3. Empower Citizen Engagement: Facilitate citizen participation in political decision -making, create more platforms for citizens with decision -making power with a particularfocus on the young generation, and promote youth civic engagement through increasedpolitical literacy, notably b y improving education about democracy and the school curriculaand educational programmes (BSPYF). Promote the exchange of experience on building anefficient civil protection system that takes into account the potential repr esented by civilsociety organisations in mobilising human resources and responding to emergencies .Latvia Page 114204. Focus on Social Sustainability: Stress the need to extend and build upon recent successfulinitiatives addressing social sustainability, including those aimed at addressing challengesregarding an ageing population by upskilling and reskilling, integrating migrants andvulnerable groups into the labour market, and promoting gender equality. Encouragegovernments to ensure these initiatives are well -funded and effec tively implemented. Developand implement civic education programmes and civil society initiatives for both young peopleand adults alike to raise awareness of the dangers posed by all forms of extremism todemocracy, including recruitment strategies of ex tremist groups (BSPYF). Encourage cross -border exchange programmes for citizens of all ages and diverse backgrounds, focused onbridging societal division and combating extremism (BSPYF). Guarantee inclusivegovernance by including citizens in the formatio n of policies and establish mechanisms forparticipatory budgeting for equitable resource distribution and community empowerment.Encourage workers to join unions by promoting awareness and involvement by puttingspecial emphasis on strengthening and secur ing the institutional framework of the workers'unions (BSPYF).In general education Latvia has fully implemented new curriculum in 2023. The aim of the newcurriculum reform was to constitute a result -oriented and competency -based learning approach.With this reform Latvia pursues to develop a competent learner who is aware of personalcapacities and interests, is willing to deepen knowledge, understanding, and skills, andcontinues to strengthen values and virtues according to his or her own future objectives and incontext of today’s global security challenges. Speci al attention in the curriculum is paid to theissues of critical thinking, problem solving, civic participation, cyber security and medialiteracy, which are an essential part of the learning content created in the competence approachat all levels of educ ation. It is important to build the learner's understanding of informationsecurity, privacy protection and reliable use of e -services.In addition, as of this school year, in secondary education level in the subject of Social andCivic Studies, curriculum has been amended and two separate courses were introduced:“History” and “Social Sciences”. Both courses provide more systematic approa ch to theacquisition of both core courses, promoting pupils’ understanding of the processes andregularities of both history and economics and social sciences. It will provide in depthknowledge of history that is also an aspect of national security and d evelopment, as well asenable pupils to acquire analytical methods appropriate for each field.In cooperation with Ministry of Defence (in particular with Youth Guard Centre), a mandatory“National Defence Course” has been introduced this academic year for secondary school leveland students of vocational education institutions. “National Defence Co urse” as one of the basiccourses in the field of Health, Safety and Physical Activity offers a module dedicated to civicactivity in the context of national security. The civic participation also includes the role of civicparticipation in protecting free dom and democracy, fostering patriotism, and developingleadership and cohesion. The training is practical and forms an active, mobile and capablemember of society who wants and is able to defend themselves, their fellow citizens and Latviain the event o f a crisis.In addition, youth NGOs contribute of to the creation of a patriotic, civically active, inclusiveand democratic society in the development of understanding of the state, national defence, andcivic values.13. Promote Sustainable Blue Economy Initiatives: Foster public and private investments ininnovative marine and maritime sectors to support the development and implementation ofsustainable blue economy initiatives whilst underlining Article 1 Para 3 of the EU MaritimeStrategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Highlight the importance of balancing economicactivities such as offshore wind energy and aquaculture with marine environmentalLatvia Page 11521protection by applying an ecosystem approach. Call for incorporating scientific research andstakeholder input in planning and executing these initiatives to ensure that they strive forecological sustainability whilst contributing to economic growth.Latvian Council of Science participates in the Horizon Europe European Partnership“Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership”. 600 000 euros are being invested virtually in itscompetitions. Two projects with Latvian participants were submitted to the competition, butnone of them were supported. This year, the partnership opens another project competition.Latvia cooperates with the Baltic Sea Region countries in the following Horizon EuropeProgramme projects:1. MarTe: Marine technology excellence hub for sustainable blue economy in Baltics ;2. BlueMissionBANOS – supporting the Mission Ocean Lighthouse in the Baltic andNorth Sea basins .17. Support Technological Innovations in Engines: Invest in the research and developmentof hybrid propulsion systems, new fuels, and electrification technologies to enhance energyefficiency and reduce emissions, ensuring vessels meet evolving regulatory requirements .Latvia Cooperates with the Baltic Sea Region countries in the following Horizon EuropeProgramme project: Coastal Fishing Vessels Powered by Zero Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cell.Answers provided by the Ministry of Health1. Strengthen Democratic Resilience: Call on governments to further enhance democracy,the rule of law, equality, and human rights, building on successful collaboration and sharingbest practices among democratic stakeholders in the region .Several amendments have been made to the Patient Rights Law. These amendmentssignificantly improve the protection of patient rights in healthcare.From July 1, 2024, regulations legalizing the institution of "partnerships" (a partnership can beconcluded by two adults, certifying that they have close personal relationships, a jointhousehold, and the intention to care for and support each other, rega rdless of gender) come intoforce. Therefore, amendments were also made to the Patient Rights Law to define the rights ofa partner (alongside a spouse) to receive information about the patient in cases where the patienthas discontinued treatment and left the medical institution, if the patient is a person who, due totheir health condition or age, is unable to take care of themselves, make decisions about consentto treatment in general or the method used in treatment, or refusal of treatment in general o r themethod used in treatment, and the right to consent to the patient's involvement in clinicalresearch.On July 12, 2024, amendments to the Patient Rights Law came into force:1. It requires inpatient medical institutions and multi -profile outpatient institutions todevelop and ensure the implementation of a patient rights plan to provide a systematicset of tasks in medical institutions .2. The patient's spouse, partner, closest relative, or authorized person (hereinafter referredto as the person representing the patient), when making decisions about treatment orrefusal of it, must follow the patient's previously expressed will regarding tr eatment.3. It stipulates that the patient has the right to the participation and presence of a supportperson in treatment, provided it does not interfere with the treatment and is permissible.4. It ensures that the patient can receive healthcare in critical situations, i.e., in cases wheredelay threatens the patient's life and it is not possible to obtain the consent of the patientLatvia Page 11622or the person representing the patient, the medical professional, within their competence,takes urgent measures - examination, treatment, including surgical or other invasiveintervention. In such cases, the examination and treatment plan is approved, and thedecision is made by a medical council, except in cases where first or emergency medicalassistance is provided.The medical institution and the attending physician are obliged to immediately provide thepatient with information about an unforeseen treatment outcome, explaining the reasons and thefurther course of action. The patient is provided with information abo ut the available legalremedies in the given situation.It strengthens the rights of minor patients (they have the right to be heard and, according to theirage and maturity, participate in decision -making related to treatment, the right to the constantpresence of a legal representative, and the medical instit ution ensures educational opportunitiesduring treatment). The medical institution ensures the physical and mental well -being of theminor patient during treatment, the right to education, creativity, and leisure activities accordingto age as far as possi ble. The medical institution provides an appropriate environment and takesnecessary measures to implement these rights.Future amendments are planned to introduce a mechanism that allows the patient to expresstheir will in advance regarding the non -initiation or discontinuation of futile treatment in certainsituations when the patient is no longer able to make decisions a bout their treatment. This orderwill be binding on medical professionals and will be included in the unified electronicinformation system of the health sector. The patient will be able to amend or revoke this orderat any time by informing the medical pr ofessional.To promote mutual cooperation and understanding of the importance of human experience inhealthcare, a Cooperation Memorandum was signed between the Ministry of Health and theLatvian Patient Experience Association in 2024.3. Empower Citizen Engagement: Facilitate citizen participation in political decision -making, create more platforms for citizens with decision -making power with a particularfocus on the young generation, and promote youth civic engagement through increasedpolitical literacy, notably by improving education about democracy and the school curriculaand educational programmes (BSPYF). Promote the exchange of experience on building anefficient civil protection system that takes into account the potential represented by c ivilsociety organisations in mobilising human resources and responding to emergencies .Military medicine at RSU is taught to 4th -year students of the Faculty of Medicine (i.e. futureyoung doctors). From the 2025/2026 academic year, it is planned that the training will be anadvanced elective course for all medical students (i.e. future youn g doctors), which is plannedto be implemented within the framework of the professional study program Medicine (7 LKI)under the title “Military Medicine (MILMED II)”.In order to improve the preparedness of the State Emergency Medical Service (hereinafter - theService) and hospitals for emergency situations and business continuity, in 2024 the Service, incooperation with the Ministry of Health (hereinafter - the Minis try), the Ministry of Economicsand the National Guard, organized a seminar on current events in disaster medical systemplanning for hospitals included in the critical infrastructure package, as well as specializedhospitals providing emergency medical as sistance and level 1 hospitals, including issues onensuring business continuity, crisis management strategy, medical support tasks in medicalinstitutions of National Guard units, organization of fuel supply in crisis situations, the NationalEconomy Mobi lization Plan and its planned changes, and fuel storage in enterprises and in theterritories of institutions.Latvia Page 11723Similarly, the issue of preparedness and business continuity planning in cases of national threatsand emergency situations was discussed at a seminar organized by the Service for the Ministryand institutions subordinate to the Ministry.The Service has organized seminars for hospitals on civil -military cooperation in the field ofdisaster medicine within the regional framework, with the participation of representatives of theService and the Medical Department of the relevant region of th e National Guard, discussingissues regarding:1) civil and military medical cooperation in the field of disaster medicine ;2) the experience of Ukraine ;3) the role of the Service and hospitals in the event of a national threat ;4) civil-military cooperation of the National Guard Medical Department in the fieldof medicine ;5) current issues in the development of hospital disaster plans ;6) the role of the Inpatient Medical Institutions Resource Information System(SAIRIS) in preparedness planning and action in emergency situations,resources for ensuring business continuity ;7) the process of organizing training and participation in performing practical taskswith a scenario play for activating the hospital disaster medicine plan.Additionally, participation has been taken in training organized by other sectors.6. Protect vulnerable groups: Protect the rights and ensure the safety of refugees, ethnicminorities, LGBTQ people, women, children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups whoare particularly at risk in times of war and threatened by intolerant attitudes.According to Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians every civilian of Ukraine (within themeaning of this Law, Ukrainian civilians are citizens of Ukraine and their family members, andalso the persons who have received a permanent residence permit in Uk raine and cannot returnto the country of their citizenship, the status of a stateless person, or the status of internationalprotection in Ukraine and their family members) who arrives in Latvia or is already here andcannot return home due to the war is granted health care services in the same manner and to thesame extent as they are provided to the rest of the Latvian population. This means State fundedemergency medical care, primary, secondary and inpatient health care.WHO’s interim guidance on vaccination for mpox recommended the priority groups whoshould receive primary preventive vaccination: those at high risk of exposure, including peoplewho self -identify as gay or bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Thu s, the Ministryof Health and the Latvian LGBT organization “Mozaīka” together formulated a new vaccinepathway to respond to concerns that fears of stigma were affecting uptake of vaccination. As aresult of multi -stakeholder cooperation between a LGBT co mmunity -based organization andthe Ministry of Health there was a reduced stigma and increased access to mpox vaccination forthose most at risk.Law on the Support of Ukrainian Civilians, Article 14 and Article 17(https://likumi.lv/ta/id/330546#p16 ), defines the procedure for granting permission toUkrainian medical professionals to provide short -term professional services in Latvia. Thepermit is issued for five years.Ukrainian medical personnel (except nurses, nurse assistants, and dental assistants) must workunder the supervision of a certified specialist, with at least five years of experience. Nurses andnurse assistants work under the supervision of a registered n urse, while dental assistants workunder a registered dental assistant with at least five years of experience.Latvia Page 11824To ensure successful integration of Ukrainian pharmacists, pharmacist assistants and medicalprofessionals into the Latvian healthcare system and improved communication with patientsand colleagues, within three years of receiving a temporary permit to pro vide professionalservices, they must receive a certificate of Latvian language skills at least at the B1 level.National Disaster Medicine Plan has the annex "Readiness and Action in the Event of War,Military Invasion or Threat thereof” (restricted access information), which determines theactions of health sector institutions and cooperation with institutions invo lved in other sectorsin the event of a threat of war and the declaration of war, in order to reduce the devastatingimpact on the health of the population and victims.At the same time, in order to ensure the provision of health care services to the entire society,including vulnerable groups, the Ministry of Health has initiated the development of a regionaldrug supply plan in the event of war, military invasion or thr eat thereof, as well as takingmeasures to improve the resilience and continuity of operations of critical infrastructure.7. Defend sexual and reproductive autonomy: Defend sexual and reproductive autonomy andrespect the right to reproductive health .A pilot project was launched on January 1, 2023, to provide state-funded contraception towomen at social risk. Since January 1, 2024, state -funded contraception services have beenextended to:1) women under the age of 19 who have given birth;2) women with intellectual disabilities;3) women with alcohol and drug dependencies;4) women who are incarcerated or have been released from prison.In 2023, 6 patients received subdermal contraceptive implants, and in 2024, 12 patients receivedthem, 7 of whom were under the age of 18. Intrauterine systems were provided to 36 patients in2023, while 18 patients have received them in 2024.To improve healthcare for pregnant women, including those at high risk, and newborns, clinicalalgorithms, clinical pathways, and quality indicators for perinatal care were developed andpublished in 2023 as part of the project No. 9.2.3.0/15/I/001 “Develo pment of Health NetworkGuidelines and Quality Assurance System Implementation in Priority Health Areas.” This wascarried out within the scope of the Ministry of Health's procurement “Development of ClinicalAlgorithms, Clinical Pathways, and Quality Indi cators in the Perinatal Care Sector.” The projectalso included the standardization of disease diagnoses for identifying high -risk pregnancies.Starting from January 1, 2024, young people (including adults), with the decision of a medicalboard, are provided the opportunity to undergo state -funded collection, freezing, and storage ofgametes (eggs or sperm) for up to 10 years if the patient requir es chemotherapy during theirtreatment, which may significantly affect fertility. This ensures that patients have the option touse the stored material in the future if needed.On May 10, 2023, amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers regulations "Vaccination Rules"came into force, stipulating that, in the future, boys will also be vaccinated against humanpapillomavirus (HPV) up to the age of 18, thus raising the previous age thr eshold of 14 andensuring vaccination for all adolescents, regardless of gender. Previously, state -fundedvaccination against HPV was provided for girls aged 12 to 18, but since 2022, it has also beenavailable for boys aged 12 to 14.The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Latvia is currently developing the national program“The Maternal and Child Health Improvement Plan 2025 –2027” to enhance maternal and childhealth while reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. As part of thi s initiative, access tostate-funded contraceptives will be ensured for women from the most disadvantaged groups andLatvia Page 11925young individuals. Furthermore, there are plans to amend Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No.611 of July 25, 2006, titled “Procedures for Assistance with Deliveries” to expand the range ofhealthcare services provided during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.8. Support Ukraine: Encourage continued and expanded support for Ukraine, referencingpast legislative aid packages and reconstruction assistance initiatives. Advocate forcomprehensive programmes that include economic support, infrastructure rebuilding, andassistance in str engthening democratic institutions .According to Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians every civilian of Ukraine (within themeaning of this Law, Ukrainian civilians are citizens of Ukraine and their family members, andalso the persons who have received a permanent residence permit in Uk raine and cannot returnto the country of their citizenship, the status of a stateless person, or the status of internationalprotection in Ukraine and their family members) who arrives in Latvia or is already here andcannot return home due to the war is granted health care services in the same manner and to thesame extent as they are provided to the rest of the Latvian population. This means State fundedemergency medical care, primary, secondary and inpatient health care.Within the framework of an international assistance project, persons injured in hostilities inUkraine have been provided with the opportunity to receive the necessary and State fundedtreatment, including medical rehabilitation, in Latvian hospitals. The project was launched in2022 and within its framework assistance has already been provided to almost 450 personsinjured in hostilities (240 persons are planned to be admitted in 2025).1) By the Cabinet of Ministers Order No. 520 of June 25, 2024 "On the transfer of state movableproperty to Ukraine free of charge", 36 artificial lung ventilation devices and 12 patient vitalparameter monitors were transferred to Ukraine (the Chernihiv R egional Children's Hospitalunder the Chernihiv Regional Council) free of charge.2) By the Cabinet of Ministers Order No. 629 of July 28, 2024 "On the provision ofhumanitarian assistance to Ukraine",the state material reserve resources of the health sector (medicines, medical devices and goods)were transferred to Ukraine.3) By the Cabinet of Ministers Order No. 10 of December 2024 1089 "On the transfer of statemovable property to Ukraine free of charge" 8 medical vehicles were transferred to Ukraine(military units of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, as well as the Chernihiv region regionalbase of special medical goods (government institutions of Ukraine)) free of charge.4) By the order of the Cabinet of Ministers of February 19, 2025 No. 98 "On the provision ofhumanitarian assistance to Ukraine", the resources of the state material reserves of the healthsector (medicines, medical devices and goods) were transferred to Ukra ine.9. Combat Disinformation: Request governments to enhance the legislative frameworks andadministrative measures that have shown effectiveness in countering disinformationcampaigns, particularly those spearheaded by the Russian Federation. Promote theexpansion of public awareness campaigns, digital literacy programs, and robust mediaeducation to combat misinformation. Prohibit personal profiling based on mass datacollection, as long as these profiles allow targeted advertisement for disinformationcampai gns (BSPYF ).Researchers from the Social Sciences Research Center of Riga Stradins University, asubordinate institution of the Ministry of Health, are working in an international team toimprove the capabilities of artificial intelligence to detect disinformation and related narrativesin the digital environment. As a result, large language models will be improved and aLatvia Page 12026disinformation narrative monitoring system will be offered. More information is available athttps://disinfo -prompt.eu/10. Promote Regional Digital Cooperation: Advocate for further enhancement andharmonisation of digital markets and infrastructure across the Baltic Sea Region. Highlightsuccessful national and regional measures from the past year to bolster cybersecurity andethical digital practices and call for cooperative efforts to scale these successes region -wide.Enhance digital resilience, with the parliaments in the Baltic Sea Region striving towardsmanifesting their leading role in digital literacy education for all age groups, focusing on 1)raising awareness on t he importance of data privacy and 2) supporting innovations to tackledisinformation .Since March 4, 2024, cross -border e -Health services have been implemented, allowing residentsto purchase e -prescribed medications in Lithuania, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Spain.Likewise, citizens of these countries can obtain their prescribed m edications in Latvianpharmacies, ensuring convenient and fast access to medicines regardless of their location withinthe EU.In addition, the exchange of patient summaries (including diagnoses, surgeries, allergies, andprescribed medications) is enabled with Portugal, Estonia, Lithuania, Spain, Poland and France.In MyHealth@EU Monitoring Framework (KPIs)” website visualizes information on healthdata exchange between countries.https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/77f459be23e545b48f46a79cfaf19423/page/1_3/At the end of 2023, the National Health Service signed an agreement with the European Healthand Digital Executive Agency (HADEA) for the implementation of the project “Latvian PatientLaboratory Data Exchange (LPLDE)” under the EU4Health grant call EU4H -2022- DGA -MS-IBA-03: Direct grants to Member States’ authorities: expansion of MyHealth@EU DigitalService Infrastructure (eHDSI) with new services and to more Member States (AWP Ref: DI -g-22-21.01). The project aims to develop a solution that will allow:• Healthcare professionals in other EU Member States to access Latvian residents’laboratory examinations data.• Latvian healthcare professionals to access laboratory examinations data of residentsfrom other EU countries.33. raise awareness and search for solutions to facilitate the implementation of large - scalecross -border projects of regional importance. (WG)The National Health Service (NHS) has signed a contract with Valga Hospital (Estonia) toimprove access to healthcare for Valka residents. The contract runs until 30 June 2026 andcovers the provision of X -ray and ultrasonography services.In 2024, the NHS has signed a contract to participate in the Interreg project "Cross -border healthinnovation: data integration and cooperation for the Val ka-Valga region/health data exchange".The project partners are the hospitals of Valga (Estonia), Valka (Latvia) and Valmiera (Latvia) ,the NHS and the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa). The development of a jointstrategy and a joint action plan is one of the objectives of the project. Participation in the projectwill facilitate cross -border cooperation in the field of heal thcare to ensure equal and effectiveaccess to healthcare for people living in border regions. Participation in the project willcontribute to the implementation of the EU Healthcare Directive, improve data interoperabilityand address regional health inequalities. Patients and doctors in Latvia will be able to see theresults of examinations carried out at the Valga hospital in eHealth.Latvia Page 1212734. explore joint cross -border renewable energy projects and to identify infrastructure needsin order to enable the integration of renewable energy while ensuring and improving thesecurity of supply and access to affordable energy.In 2024, the Ministry of Climate and Energy established an inter -agency commission to assessthe preparedness of inpatient medical institutions for the risks of power outages and foroperation in conditions of power outages. Within the aforementioned frame work, the situationwith the existence and operational capacity of alternative power supply equipment (generators)in inpatient medical institutions was assessed, as well as the provision of the fuel reserve volumenecessary for their operation.Answers provided by the Ministry of Interior3. Empower Citizen Engagement: Facilitate citizen participation in political decision -making, create more platforms for citizens with decision -making power with a particularfocus on the young generation, and promote youth civic engagement through increasedpolitical literacy, notably by improving education about democracy and the school curriculaand educational programmes (BSPYF). Promote the exchange of experience on building anefficient civil protection system that takes into account the potential repr esented by civilsociety organisations in mobilising human resources and responding to emergencies.In accordance with the task given by the 3B informal working group on civil protection andcrisis preparedness during the 28 -29 February 2024 meeting, Subject matter experts from theMinistries of Interior and Fire and Rescue Services of the Baltic States held a meeting in Riga,Latvia on 27 August 2024 to discuss current practices in planning mass evacuation, exchangeinformation on future planning activities and discuss expert -level (operational -level)coordination and information exchange, as well as to prepare for the Regional Civil ProtectionForum, 6 September, Vilnius, Lithuania. During the initial meeting, Latvian representativesinvited Estonian and Lithuanian partners to delegate representatives to participate in theupcoming Civil Protection Opera tional Command Centre training (30 September -2 October);Estonian and Lithuanian representatives agreed to delegate a representative.In a follow- up meeting on 6 November, the results of information exchange during the CP OCCexercise were compared and discussed, with suggestions for improving the informationexchange algorithm and the scope of information to be exchanged. It was also ag reed to inviteother countries to participate, namely Poland.To further formalize cooperation and information exchange efforts in mass evacuationsituations, a 3B + Poland Working Group for Civil Protection is planned on 20 -21 March 2025,during which a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strengthening region al civilprotection in the Baltics will be reviewed. The MoU aims to foster regional cooperation in themanagement of internal and cross -border evacuation, facilitating the development of a jointmass evacuation plan and information exchange when addressin g cross border challenges in theBaltic States and Poland.Currently Latvia is looking into ways to improve societal participation in the civil protectionsystem through a project supported by the State Chancellery that will include representativesfrom state institutions, municipal institutions and NGOs.Regional preparedness priorities had been discussed within the meetings of Latvia - Lithuaniaand Latvia – Estonia Intergovernmental Commissions for Cross Border Cooperation.On 22 -29 May 2024 Baltic States hosted Union Civil Protection Mechanism Advisory missionto evaluate procedures on mass evacuation in Baltic State, including in each individual state, aswell as on the regional and EU level. There is ongoing work on the pr eparation of mission reportLatvia Page 12228which will include assessment and recommendations, and will be used to strengthen readinesson mass evacuation procedures.Initial Advisory Mission findings, as well as topics of civil protection were discussed within themeeting of the Directors -General of the Baltic States Fire and Rescue Services on 2 -4 December2024, in Palanga, Lithuania.Weekly online meetings are taking place between Fire and Rescue Services of Baltic Statescivil protection experts to exchange knowledge, current work done within the area and potentialcommon work to be done.Under development is application of the Interreg Latvia – Lithuania cross border cooperationproject on mass movement of population and civil protection. It is supposed to start the projecton July 2025.A number of the issues listed in the Baltic Assembly recommendations are also addressed withinthe framework of international organizations:- The Regional Conference on Civil Protection took place on 5 -6 September 2024 inVilnius, Lithuania, where was discussed issues related to public awareness/Alertsystems and Preparedness; Establishment of a network of shelters; Mass evacuation inthe cross -border dimension;- Nordic -Baltic meeting on disability policies and practices took place on 18 September,2024 in Estonia, Tallinn. Countries discussed disability policies and practices for crisispreparedness and crisis communication, focusing on the situation of people wit hdisabilities in these processes;- CBSS Civil Protection and Disaster Management seminar on 23 -24 October 2024 inTallinn, Estonia;- Conference on Joint Crisis Communication in the Baltic Sea Region took place on 12 -13 November 2024 in Tallinn;- The public awareness -raising seminar took place on 8 -10 October 2024 in Tallinn,Estonia where issues related to individual preparedness for survival for at least 1 weekwas addressed;- Exchange of experience seminar on medical evacuation, hospital evacuation and civil -military cooperation issues was organized on 14 -16 October 2024 in Tallinn Estonia;- Issues of evacuation was also addressed within the CBSS Seminar on mass evacuationon 21 – 23 January 2025 in Tallin, Estonia. There was discuss practices, experiencesand challenges in the field of large -scale evacuation and opportunities for involvingvolunteers in the large -scale evacuation process;- Involvement and preparedness of non -governmental organizations are addressed by theUCPM project “Baltic Civil Protection Cooperation for complex emergencies”, wherethe project partner from Latvia is the Latvian Red cross, but experts are also involvedfrom the SFRS. Kick -off meeting of the project was organized on 28 -29 January 2025in Vilnius, Lithuania;- Issues of child participation in disaster risk reduction was addressed by CBSS projectSecure Kids. Aims of project are to explore innovative instruments for integrating ofchild participation in disaster risk reduction (DRR), resilience measures and effec tivecommunication with children in crisis situations.8. Support Ukraine: Encourage continued and expanded support for Ukraine, referencingpast legislative aid packages and reconstruction assistance initiatives. Advocate forcomprehensive programmes that include economic support, infrastructure rebuilding, andassistance in strengthening democratic institutions .Work is ongoing on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on criticalLatvia Page 12329infrastructure (CI) protection with the competent authority of Ukraine.The text of the MoU is aligned with each other and is currently being technically updated onthe side of Ukraine.The purpose of this memorandum is to establish and define areas of cooperation between theparticipants in the field of critical infrastructure protection, for instance:- exchange of experience in CI protection planning;- scientific and methodological cooperation in the field of CI protection planning andresilience enhancement;- joint seminars and trainings;- support in the development of legislative and regulatory acts.40. Raising situational awareness and increasing societal resilience: Pay particular attentionto raising situational awareness and increasing societal resilience to respond to hybrid threatsin the Baltic Sea region. (WG )In Latvia many institutions have implemented educational campaigns on social media andelsewhere to educate society on how to act in different kinds of crisis and how to prepare incase of disaster. These campaigns serve as support to the idea “to be infor med is to beforearmed”, as they endeavour to inspire correct decision -making and a minimal level ofpreparedness for all of society, in other words building societal resilience through knowledgecan have effects across a broad spectrum of crises and threa ts.To encourage safety culture, the State Fire and Rescue Service has many informative campaignsand lectures on safety tips for society, and also participates in the implemented human safetycourses, provided to children and students throughout their educati on. These courses are run ingrades 3, 6, 9 and 12, and students of higher education must complete credits in a general civilprotection course in order to receive their degree or diploma. The app “112 Latvija” is also atool for safety information, which improves the knowledge of the whole population andprovides advice and facts on how to react in various emergency situations.In accordance with the 2023 survey on societal resilience and knowledge how to act inemergencies, the self -assessment of residents is 6.8 (out of 10).Answers provided by the Ministry of Justice1. Strengthen Democratic Resilience: Call on governments to further enhance democracy,the rule of law, equality, and human rights, building on successful collaboration and sharingbest practices among democratic stakeholders in the region .Courts in Latvia are recognized as an effective means of protecting national rights, as they areavailable to every person. Guidelines for court communication are being developed so that, byensuring effective communication between courts and the public, public trust in the judicialsystem would be promoted, as well as a positive image of the court and understanding of thework of the courts and the decisions it makes would be strengthened.Quality and EfficiencyWork was continued in 2024 on the implementation of a case -weighting model to equalize theworkload among judges.Amendments have been made to the Law "On State Secret", stipulating that only judges,investigators and prosecutors who have been granted access (classified information) to statesecrets may work on cases involving state secrets. Only in exceptional cases if this is necessaryto comply with the principle of procedural economy and ensure the completion of the processwithin a reasonable time, a judge, prosecutor or investigator who does not have access to stateLatvia Page 12430secrets may work on cases involving state secrets, using the option to sign a warning to confirmtheir assumption of responsibility for the unlawful disclosure of state secrets. The amendmentshave entered into force on 01.01.2025.An additional 925,406 euros have been allocated in next year's court budget to strengthen thecompetitiveness of judicial assistants in the labour market and ensure competitive remunerationfor court employees, to reduce employee turnover and promote work efficiency.Implementing the task of the working group for strengthening judicial efficiency established byJudicial Council, guidelines for drafting court judgments in both administrative offense casesand criminal cases for courts of first instance and appeal instan ce were developed.Amendments have been developed to the Law "On State Compensation to Victims", providingthat the circle of victims to whom state compensation is payable will be expanded, as thesignificance of the harm and impact of criminal offenses committed due to negl igence onvictims will also be assessed. The amendments have entered into force on January 1, 2025.Judicial TrainingIn 2024 work on the reform of the judicial training system and establishing a unite trainingcentre for judges and prosecutors – the Academy of Justice – was continued. Regarding theregulatory framework, in 2024 the Law on the Academy of Justice was adop ted, the aim ofwhich is to ensure a sustainable and effective training system for the qualitative performance ofjudicial and prosecutorial functions by establishing the Academy of Justice. The Academy ofJustice began its work on January 1, 2025.DigitalizationDuring 2024 advancements were made to enhance the functionality, accessibility, andefficiency of the E -case portal. Key achievements include:- The circulation of data within the e -case platform has been improved, and access toinformation on the e -case portal has been enhanced by ensuring more secure logins,facilitating access to case materials in specific case categories, and increasing themaximum allowable file size on the e -case portal.- Improvements have been implemented in the lawyer's workspace, making it easier touse the case materials and enhancing the functionality of the lawyer's calendar.- The e -form system has been improved, and a new e -form has been introduced, allowingapplications to be submitted online to any court.Regarding technical equipment in 2024, technical work was carried out to ensure the continuousoperation and modernization of court infrastructure. The Court Administration manages over8,500 technical units, with an annual replacement rate of up to 10% to maintain operationalcontinuity.Courts have their own information system - the Court Information System. Work towards thetransfer of processes to a new and modernized the Court Information System platform iscontinuing, for example, the enhanced record -keeping module was put into produc tion in 2024.Process was implemented in close cooperation with the courts.ADR and Legal AidIn 2024, the Council of Certified Mediators in cooperation with the Ministry of Justicecontinued to implement the program “Mediation in Family Disputes”, within the framework ofwhich the state subsidizes the resolution of disputes involving a child throu gh mediation.This program could be applied in various cases of disputes related to a child, for example, inLatvia Page 12531matters of daily care, upbringing and education of a child, in the event of a divorce of parents,when there is a dispute about the child’s place of residence, access rights and/or the amount ofalimony. Moreover, it was possible to apply the programme in both situations e.g. if the disputehad not yet reached court or in the event of already initiated legal proceedings.Since June 2024, the Court Administration has been implementing a project co -financed by theEuropean Social Fund Plus, titled "Access to Justice." As part of this project, efforts will bemade to integrate mediation into the legal aid system to enable eff ective and cost -efficientdispute resolution outside of court proceedings. Additionally, the project will includeawareness -raising activities regarding state -provided legal aid, including mediation, acrossvarious case categories. The project also aims to promote broader public awareness, extendingbeyond the primary target groups to ensure that information about legal aid and mediationreaches a wide audience.Changes in the amount of deductionsAmendments to the Civil Procedure Law were developed with the aim of reviewing theprocedure and amount of deductions from wages and similar payments specified in the law inthe enforcement process, in order to promote the motivation of debtors to earn inc ome andprevent the interest in receiving part of their income unofficially. These amendmentsstandardize the deduction amounts from debtors' wages across all types of recovery cases. Now,deductions are only applied to income exceeding the minimum amount retained by the debtor,which is set at 50% of the minimum monthly salary plus an additional 15% per dependent minorchild (in total no more than 50% of the minimum monthly salary). Furthermore, deductions arecapped at 30% for single recovery cases and 40 % for multiple recovery cases, ensuring debtorsretain a larger portion of their income. The amendments entered into force on October 1, 2024.In the framework of the Norwegian Grants programme "Correctional Services", the project ofthe Latvian Prison Administration "Establishment of Training centre infrastructure and modelprison blocks for training opportunities in the Olaine Prison territory" was implemented in 2024.Within the framework of this project a new training centre of the Prison Administration wasbuilt in accordance with modern requirements, and extensive training of correctional officersand specific content for the Training Centre and other initiatives of the Prison Administrationwere developed. While the project has not directly aimed at strengthening the resilience ofdemocracy, it has indirectly strengthened democratic processes in Latvia by improving theeducational process and knowledge of correctional officers.Since June 2024, the Court Administration has been implementing the European Social FundPlus project "Access to Justice". Two exchange visits were organised to Reykjavik - theCompensation Committee of the Ministry of Justice of Iceland and the Family Leg al Aid Centre(Bjarkarhlíð), and to Helsinki - the Ministry of Justice of Finland, the Legal Aid Office inHelsinki, the Mediation Centre and the Victim Support Centre (RIKU). The visit facilitated theexchange of best practices between the Latvian and Fin nish justice systems, providing an insightinto the organisation of an effective legal aid, mediation and victim support system.In September 2024, representatives of the Court Administration visited the Stockholm DistrictCourt and the Swedish National Court Administration as part of a Nordic -Baltic MobilityProgramme project. During the visit, they exchanged views on the implement ation and use ofinformation technology and human resources management systems, technology integration, aswell as human resources management strategies in courts.The objectives of the aforementioned projects are partially compliant with the main objectiveof the BSPC Resolution for the programming period 2021 -2027 - to strengthen democraticresilience, promote social inclusion, equal treatment, rule of law.Latvia Page 126326. Protect vulnerable groups: Protect the rights and ensure the safety of refugees, ethnicminorities, LGBTQ people, women, children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups whoare particularly at risk in times of war and threatened by intolerant attitudes.On July 1, 2024, registered partnerships were introduced in the Latvian legal system providingcertain economic and social support measures for couples, including same -sex couples. Forexample, a partner has the right to make decisions regarding the other partner's medicaltreatment if that partner is unable to express its will, obtain social guarantees, includingreceiving pension amounts calculated for the partner that were not disbursed before their death,as well as receive income tax relief benefits fo r mutual gifts and loans.Latvia is in the process of amending the Civil Procedure Law regarding provisional protectionagainst violence. One of the provisional remedies against violence is the obligation for thedefendant to complete a social rehabilitation course aimed at reducin g violent behaviour . Thecurrent requirement for the defendant to complete this course within one year will be changedto six months. A shorter deadline for completing the social rehabilitation course will be set, andindividuals will be encouraged to fini sh the course sooner with only 10% co -payment if theystart within three months. Certain financial consequences will apply if the number of absencesfrom the course exceeds the permissible limit. Additionally, filling out the application form tobe submitt ed to the court will be made easier for the victim.At the beginning of year 2025, Latvia created an informational resource focused on thesafeguarding of LGBTQ individuals, drawing upon the insights from the European Court ofHuman Rights in the case of Hanovs v. Latvia . This initiative aimed to foster a deeperunderstanding among law enforcement personnel of hate crimes, to encourage the efficientimplementation of the law, and to facilitate the prosecution of offenders in a fair and justmanner.On July 4, 2024, the Law “Amendments to the Criminal Law” entered into force, which includesa new Section 174.1, which provides for criminal liability for cruelty or violence against a personwith whom the perpetrator of the criminal offense is in the first or vice versa degree of kinship,or against a spouse or former person in a relationship, or against a person with whom theperpetrator of the criminal offense has a joint (undivided) household, if physical or mentalsuffering was caused to the said pers on and the consequences of this action were not thoseprovided for in Sections 125, 126 or 130 of the Criminal Law.In addition, on December 10, 2024, amendments to the Administrative Penalties for Offencesin the Field of Administration, Public Order, and Use of the Official Language came into forceand new Section 11.2 was included, which provides for administrative liability for sexualharassment, that is, for an unwanted physical, oral or written act of a sexual nature directed at aperson, which is aimed at violating the dignity of a person and which has placed them inintimidating, hostile, humiliating, degrading o r offensive conditions, a fine of up to one hundredand forty fine units is applied.To promote understanding of the needs of victims of violence, the Court Administration, incooperation with the association "Centrs MARTA," organized training sessions for judges,prosecutors, and investigators within the framework of the project "the Acad emy of Justice"(No. 6.2.1.3.i.0/1/22/I/TM/001) from 2024 to 2026. The training focused on a victim -centredapproach in the justice system. The estimated number of participants over the three years isapproximately 100.Additionally, the following training programs have taken place:• The Council of Europe HELP e -course on Combating Violence against Women andDomestic Violence. The course started in October 2023 and concluded in April 2024,Latvia Page 12733attended by 18 judges and 19 prosecutors. The course is also planned for 2025.• In the fall of 2024, the Court Administration, in cooperation with the Latvian JudicialTraining Centre, will organize training sessions for judges within the framework of the"the Academy of Justice" project (No. 6.2.1.3.i.0/1/22/I/TM/001). These sessions willaddress qualification issues related to violent crimes, incitement to hatred, theenforcement of protection orders against violence, and relevant judicial practice.8. Support Ukraine: Encourage continued and expanded support for Ukraine, referencingpast legislative aid packages and reconstruction assistance initiatives. Advocate forcomprehensive programmes that include economic support, infrastructure rebuilding, a ndassistance in strengthening democratic institutions.The Ministry of Justice and its subordinate institutions continue to be active and involvedsupporters of Ukraine.In 2024, the State Forensic Science Bureau continued its project supporting experts from theKharkiv Institute of Forensic Science in documenting possible war crimes committed by theRussian Federation. This support included providing necessary equipment a nd materials,organizing experience exchange visits, and assisting in the development and validation of newforensic examination methods.The Court Administration is participating in a Deutsche Gesellschaft für InternationaleZusammenarbeit (GIZ) financed project “Creating and managing an expert platform for theharmonization of EU legislation for Ukraine in the field of rule of law, focusing on chapters 23and 24 of the EU communautaire .” Currently, the Court Administration is evaluating possibleexperts in the field of anti -corruption training for judges and in the field of gender equality.The State Language Centre is cooperating with the Ukrainian Office of European and Eur -Atlantic Integration, providing answers to various questions and advising on the translation ofEU legal acts.The Ministry of Justice is actively participating in NB8 formats, including the NB8 JusticeMinisters’ meetings. During the meeting held on May 27 –28, 2024, the Minister of Justice,I.Lībiņa -Egnere, stressed the need to continue isolating Russia in interna tional formats andinformed other ministers about Latvia’s support measures for Ukraine, aiming to bettercoordinate NB8 support and future actions. As a result, the Ministry of Justice alongside theMinistry of Justice of the Republic of Finland is organi sing an NB8 + Ukraine expert -levelconference on how to better coordinate support for Ukraine, which is set to take place in May2025.Concerning restrictive measures against Russia, the Ministry of Justice informs that Latvia isactively involved in multiple cases before the EU General Court, in which decisions of the EUto include supporters of the Russian regime in the sanctions list a re being challenged.Additionally, the Ministry of Justice has raised the issue of ensuring Russia’s accountability inother international forums, such as the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law(hereinafter – UNIDROIT). On March 11, 2024, Latvia led a c oalition of like -minded countriesto exclude Russia from the UNIDROIT Finance Committee. Furthermore, on December 12,2024, the Vice -Minister, L. Paegļkalna, participated in the 84th session of the UNIDROITGeneral Assembly, where she emphasized that Russi a cannot serve as a good practice examplein private law as long as it continues its war of aggression against Ukraine. She also highlightedthat UNIDROIT should follow the example of other international organizations and isolate theaggressor state.Furthermore, on October 30 –31, 2024, a ministerial -level meeting dedicated to the humanitariandimension of Ukraine’s Peace Initiative was held in Montreal, with representatives from moreLatvia Page 12834than 70 countries in attendance. The goal of this thematic meeting was to develop concrete andpractical proposals for the return of Ukrainian children, civilians, and prisoners of war toUkraine. During this meeting, Latvia also expressed its readiness to assess the possibility ofserving as a transit country for returning children to Ukraine.Finally, in EU formats such as the formal and informal meetings of Justice and Home AffairsMinisters, the Ministry of Justice has emphasized the need for the issue of Ukraine to remainon the EU agenda in all areas.10. Promote Regional Digital Cooperation: Advocate for further enhancement andharmonisation of digital markets and infrastructure across the Baltic Sea Region. Highlightsuccessful national and regional measures from the past year to bolster cybersecurity andethical digital practices and call for cooperative efforts to scale these successes region -wide.Enhance digital resilience, with the parliaments in the Baltic Sea Region striving towardsmanifesting their leading role in digital literacy education fo r all age groups, focusing on 1)raising awareness on the importance of data privacy and 2) supporting innovations to tackledisinformation.On 17 November 2021, the Council of Europe adopted and opened for signature the SecondAdditional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on enhanced cooperation and disclosureof electronic evidence (hereinafter - Second Additional Protocol). During the past year, theMinistry of Justice continued reviewing the compliance of this Second Additional Protocol withthe national legislative acts of Latvia. At the same time, the law on ratification has been preparedand awaiting the signing of the Second Additi onal Protocol prior to the submission of theratification law to the Parliament. Moreover, in the year 2024 the Ministry of Justice started andwill continue this year reviewing of the national legislative acts for implementation ofRegulation (EU) 2023/15 43 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2023 onEuropean Production Orders and European Preservation Orders for electronic evidence incriminal proceedings and for the execution of custodial sentences following criminalproceedings, as well as coordination of transposition of Directive (EU) 2023/1544 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2023 laying down harmonized rules on thedesignation of designated establishments and the appointment of legal representatives for th epurpose of gathering electronic evidence in criminal proceedings.In response to the request to share achieved progress on a longer reporting period, t he aboveinformation provided by the Ministry of Justice aligns with the calls of action made within thelast two years , as well as t he Ministry of Justice also informs of further support to Ukraine:In the Statements of the governments in the Baltic Sea Region to the 31st BSPC Resolution, theMinistry of Justice provided information concerning Latvia’s support to the InternationalCriminal Court (ICC) in the investigation of the possible war crimes co mmitted by the RussianFederation and Latvia’s participation in the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on Ukraine.Concerning the national experts Latvia seconded to the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC in2022, it should be noted that one expert has completed their secondment and returned to Latvia,while the other has had their secondment extended twice. The exper t will end their secondmentto the ICC by end of March 2025.Concerning financial support to the ICC, in 2024 the Ministry of Justice planned to make acontribution of 50 000 euros to the ICC Trust Fund for Victims (TFV). However, on December3, 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Ministry of Justice’s proposal to reallocate fundsand increase the contribution to the TFV to 150 000 euros. The payment made by Latvia willbe directed towards a special support programme for Ukraine, which still requires approval fromthe ICC Pre -Trial Chamber. The payment was ex ecuted on January 10, 2025.Latvia Page 12935Furthermore, Latvia has continued to advocate for Russian accountability and support forUkraine in the ICC. During the 23rd session of the ICC General Assembly, Vice -MinisterL.Paegļkalna emphasised that Russia’s war of aggression poses a serious threat t o internationalorder and that the responsible individuals must be held accountable for their committedinternational crimes.Finally, Latvia has continued its activities as a member of the JIT Ukraine, as well as a memberof the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine(ICPA).Answers provided by the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development3. Empower Citizen Engagement: Facilitate citizen participation in political decision -making, create more platforms for citizens with decision -making power with a particularfocus on the young generation, and promote youth civic engagement through increasedpolitical literacy, notably by improving education about democracy and the school curriculaand educational programmes (BSPYF). Prom ote the exchange of experience on building anefficient civil protection system that takes into account the potential represented by civilsociety organisations in mobilising human resources and responding to emergencies .Since 1 January 2023, when the Local Government Law came into force, there have beensignificant changes related to instruments that promote public participation in local governmentactivities.To promote more active public participation in decision -making and to provide more effectivetools for obtaining and assessing public views on issues relevant to the functioning of localgovernment, as well as to foster a sense of belonging, the Local Gove rnment Law providesseveral instruments that are being put into practice, with varying levels of activity. The mostimportant innovations in terms of citizen involvement are:1. Inhabitants' councils. To ensure the representation of the interests of the inhabitants of localcommunities and the development of the territory of the local government by promotingcooperation and coordinated action of the inhabitants for the common good, advisory localgover nment authorities may be established in the local government —inhabitant councils.The inhabitant council shall examine matters arising from the functions of the localgovernment specified in Local Government Law Section 4, Paragraph o ne, Clauses 2 (takingcare of improvements and sanitary cleanliness of the administrative territory and laying downthe requirements for the maintenance of territories and structures, insofar as they are relatedto public safety; maintenance of sanitary cl eanliness, and preservation of the urbanlandscape), 5 (providing a culturally diverse offer to inhabitants and the opportunity to takepart in cultural life, to contribute to the preservation of the cultural heritage in the territoryof the local governme nt, and to support cultural activities), and 12 (facilitating andsupporting economic activity in the administrative territory) of this Law, which affect theinterests of the inhabitants of the territory of operation of the inhabitant council, and shallsubmit draft decisions for examination by the council. The council has the obligation toascertain the opinion of the inhabitant council before taking a decision on changes in theprocedures for the performance of above -mentioned functions which can affect t he interestsof the inhabitants of the territory of operation of the inhabitant council.2. Participatory budgets . The council shall allocate financing for the participatory budget inthe local government's annual budget for the year 2025, with at least 0.1 percent of theaverage actual revenue from personal income tax and immovable property tax of the localgovernme nt over the last three years. The participatory budgets shall be used to promote theparticipation of the inhabitants of the administrative territory of the local government inLatvia Page 13036decisions regarding the development of the territory. The inhabitants of the administrativeterritory of the local government shall decide on the use of the participatory budget.3. Collective submissions. Citizens of the Republic of Latvia who, on the date of submittingthe submission, have attained 16 years of age and whose place of residence has been declaredin the administrative territory of the local government or who, in this territory, ownimmovable property registered in accordance with the procedures laid down in law, areentitled to submit a collective submission to the local government on matters falling withinits competence. Upon receipt of a collective submission, the lo cal government shall, withinseven working days, assess its conformity with the requirements of the Law. If thesubmission meets the requirements, the chairperson of the council shall ensure its inclusionon the agenda of the next council meeting and its e xamination. The natural person authorizedto represent the submitters of the collective submission and representatives of the authoritiesaffected by the request included in the collective submission shall be invited to the relevantcouncil meeting. The mi nimum amount of submitters necessary depends on the number ofinhabitants registered in the administrative territory of the local government according to thecurrent data from the Register of Natural Persons on 1 January of the respective year: a) upto 15,000 inhabitants - 100 submitters; b) from 15,000 up to 30,000 inhabitants - 200submitters; c) more than 30,000 inhabitants - 300 submitters; d) in the city government,except for the Riga city government - 300 submitters; e) in the Riga city government - 2,000submitters.4. Public discussions. To promote the involvement of inhabitants in decision -making onmatters of local importance and to respect the interests of the inhabitants, a local governmentshall organize a public discussion on matters falling within its autonomous competence. Apubli c discussion shall be held on the initiative of the inhabitants of the administrativeterritory of the local government, the inhabitant council, the council, or the chairperson ofthe council and on the basis of a decision by the council . If the public discussion is initiatedby the inhabitants, the local government may determine the minimum number of inhabitantsrequired for such a discussion. The duration of the public discussion shall be at least 30 days.The local government shall pre pare a notice for a public discussion by specifying the matterto be discussed, the justification, and the discussion period, and shall send the notice forpublication in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis no later than three working days beforethe start of the public discussion. The local government has the obligation to summarize theopinions expressed and to prepare a summary of the results of a public discussion, includingthe reasons for the rejection of the opinions not taken into account.5. Wider rights for young people aged 16 and over: to participate in the submission of acollective submission; to be a member of the inhabitant council; to elect members of theinhabitant council; to submit territorial development projects financed by the participatorybudget; to participate in voting for territorial development projects.6. Local referendums. A local government is entitled to organize a local governmentreferendum in accordance with the procedures laid down in law. The issues on which a localgovernment referendum may be initiated and organized, the source of financing for the localgovernment referendum, and the procedures for initiating and organizing the localgovernment referendum and for announcing its results are prescribed by the LocalGovernment Referendum Law. Inhabitants may propose a local government referendum onthe following issues: a) the sustainable development strategy of the local government oramendments thereto and a council decision by which the local government has initiated theconstruction of a new building - either a public building or an object subject to theenvironmental impact assessment procedure (construction) - as outlined in Section 4,Paragraph one, Clause 1 of the On Environmental Impact Assessment Law (not less than 10Latvia Page 13137percent in the capital city Riga, not less than 15 percent of the number of inhabitants in otherlocal governments who were included in the electoral rolls of the relevant electoral districton the election day of the last council elections); b) dismissal of the council (not less than 30percent of the number of inhabitants who were included in the electoral rolls of the relevantelectoral district on the election day of the last council elections.7. Ascertaining public opinion on local government’s binding regulation. The draft bindingregulations and the explanatory memorandum attached thereto shall be published on theofficial website of the local government in accordance with the procedures laid down in thelocal government by -law for the purpose of ascertaining pub lic opinion by providing a timelimit of not less than two weeks. The local government shall summarize the opinions receivedon the draft binding regulations and reflect them in the expla natory memorandum to the draftregulations.10. Promote Regional Digital Cooperation: Advocate for further enhancement andharmonisation of digital markets and infrastructure across the Baltic Sea Region. Highlightsuccessful national and regional measures from the past year to bolster cybersecurity andethical digital practices and call for cooperative efforts to scale these successes region -wide.Enhance digital resilience, with the parliaments in the Baltic Sea Region striving towardsmanifesting their leading role in digital literacy education for all age groups, focusing on 1)raising awareness on the importance of data privacy and 2) supporting innovations to tackledisinformation .The Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – are part of the Nordic -Baltic eID ProjectNOBID - a collaborative platform focusing on enabling secure and seamless digitalidentification and authentication across the region, and thus driving innovation , synchronizationand collaboration in this area.Furthermore, as the EU advances the Digital Identity Wallet under eIDAS 2.0, Latvia developsits national prototype within the NOBID consortium, while Lithuania and Estonia contributethrough POTENTIAL. United in purpose, the Baltic States reaffirm their commitment tostrengt hening and harmonizing digital markets and infrastructure across the region.12. Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Call for the continuation and expansion oflegislative actions that have successfully created new MPAs and improved managementstrategies. Urge governments to increase transboundary cooperation to protect vulnerablehabitats, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.The expansion and effective management of Marine Protected Areas (hereinafter – MPAs) iscrucial for safeguarding marine biodiversity, protecting vulnerable habitats, and mitigating theimpacts of climate change. In this context, the LIFE19 NAT/LV/000973 R EEF project“Research of marine protected habitats in EEZ and determination of the necessary conservationstatus in Latvia” (hereinafter - the REEF project) contributes significantly to achieving thesegoals by defining a justified conservation status for protected habitats and strengthening thecomprehensive management system of MPAs in Latvia.A major component of the REEF project is the identification of potential marine protected sitesand the development of proposals for new MPAs within the Natura 2000 Network. Theeffectiveness of the existing MPA network, including newly assessed areas, is also beingevaluated to ensure its long -term success in biodiversity conservation. To enhance MPAmanagement, the project is developing a dedicated management plan for marine protected sitesand assessing the ecosystem services provided by key benthic habi tats (1170 and 1110). Inresponse to emerging challenges, the REEF project is working on an action plan to limit invasivemarine species and implement mitigation measures to reduce seabird and marine mammalbycatch in coastal fisheries.Latvia Page 13238Recognizing the importance of international collaboration, the project actively fostersexperience exchange within the broader biogeographical region. This transboundary approachpromotes a shared understanding of MPA conservation challenges and best pract ices, aligningwith the broader call for increased international cooperation to protect marine ecosystemseffectively.12. Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Call for the continuation and expansion oflegislative actions that have successfully created new MPAs and improved managementstrategies. Urge governments to increase transboundary cooperation to protect vulnerablehabitats, enhance biodiversity, and miti gate the impacts of climate change.13. Promote Sustainable Blue Economy Initiatives: Foster public and private investments ininnovative marine and maritime sectors to support the development and implementation ofsustainable blue economy initiatives whilst underlining Article 1 Para 3 of the EU MaritimeStrategy Framework Directive (MSFD) . Highlight the importance of balancing economicactivities such as offshore wind energy and aquaculture with marine environmentalprotection by applying an ecosystem approach. Call for incorporating scient ific research andstakeholder input in planning and executing these initiatives to ensure that they strive forecological sustainability whilst contributing to economic growth.41. Enhance Maritime Infrastructure Governance and Legislative Alignment: Harmonisenational definitions and legislative frameworks for critical maritime infrastructure across theBaltic Sea region. Establish a cohesive governance structure to oversee the protection ofmaritime infrastructure, ensuring consistent and coordinated legislative measures toenhance security and resilience against threats .An interim assessment report on the implementation of the Latvian Maritime Spatial Plan(hereinafter - the Report) was developed in 2023 and approved following discussions on 1October 2024. The Report was prepared in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministe rs’ Order No.232 of 21 May 2019. It provides an overview of sectoral developments and regulatory changesconcerning the use of marine space, analyses the administration and licensing processes foractivities in the sea, and assesses the progress of the im plementation of the action plan andrelated indicators. The sectors covered in the report include biodiversity, ecosystem services,marine traffic, the energy sector, national defence, fisheries, marine aquaculture, mineralresources, and tourism.According to the Report's findings and proposals, the revision of Latvian Maritime Spatial Planshould begin by October 2025. This revision will incorporate the latest research, includingresults from the LIFE REEF project, and will involve broad stakehold er participation. Therevision process will focus on reviewing sectoral co -existence, defining clear priorities, andupdating the plan's graphical components to ensure a harmonious use of maritime space andprevent conflicts between biodiversity protection and renewable energy development. In linewith the Report's proposals, Latvian Maritime Spatial Plan should be updated by 31 December2027.33. raise awareness and search for solutions to facilitate the implementation of large -scalecross -border projects of regional importance.The Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development of Latvia activelyparticipates in the EU founded projects related to maritime and coastal planning.MSP -GREEN project was completed in 2024. It was funded by the European Maritime Fisheriesand Aquaculture Fund and contributed to align maritime spatial plans to the ambition of theLatvia Page 13339European Green Deal (hereinafter - EDG) by creating a framework for plans as marine enablersof the EGD. The framework provided a cross -cutting approach to the EGD key topics relevantfor marine environment and sustainable transition of blue economy: clima te change, circularblue economy, marine biodiversity, marine renewable energies, sustainable food provision.Recommendations on how to strengthen the EGD ambition of EU Maritime Spatial Planning(hereinafter - MSP) plans were prepared. The sea basins’ dim ension was outlined byconsidering environmental, socio -economic, and cultural specificities also, via dedicated OceanLiteracy driven communication.Ongoing projects are:• SELINA - Science for Evidence -based and Sustainable Decisions about Natural Capital(funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme).The goal of the project is to harness the power of transdisciplinary knowledge -sharingand provide guidance for the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of environm ent,in Latvian case focusing on implementation of Coastal Plan and Maritime Spatial plan.• Baltic Sea2Land - Fostering integrated governance for the joint sustainable use ofhuman and natural capital in the near shore zone (funded by Interreg Baltic Sea RegionProgramme 2021 -2027). Project works on creating publicly accessible online guidanceand spatial data platform – Sea2Land Navigator – which offers the Multi -levelGovernance Tool for coastal and MSP by supporting integrated planning, more effectivecollaboration among planners, competent authorities and stakeholders. Sea2LandNavigator aims to gather the best available knowledge and works towards harmonizingrelevant spatial data sets essential for balancing interests of the sectors of sustainableblue economy, local communities and preservation of coastal ecosystems. Altogether,the platform provides support for large -scale cross border collaborations during variousplanning stages.35. coordinate corporation to rapidly stimulate the installation of needed computing capacityin the Baltic Sea region, in light of the rapid development of AI software and servicesdemanding green and sufficient energy and abundant computing power, Baltic Searenewable energy market growth, and interconnectivity development serving as a basis forsupercomputer implementation and usage .In order to better utilize technological opportunities in Latvia the Thematic Committee onDigital Modernization has been established in 2023. This committee is supervised by theMinister of Smart Administration and Regional Cooperation. With the view to t he next term,Latvia plans to participate in the project (AI project Latvia) aiming to increase the industry’stechnological capacity as well as a capacity of public administration, particularly in the field ofartificial intelligence.47. Develop Coastal Management Plans: Urge the implementation and updating ofcomprehensive coastal management plans, building on effective measures observed in thepast year that protect and restore coastal ecosystems. Highlight the importance of protectingthese areas as carbon sinks and buf fer zones against sea -level rise .To ensure effective integrated coastal zone management in Latvian coastal waters, the NationalLong -term Thematic Plan for Public Infrastructure Development in the Coastal Area of Latvia(hereinafter - Coastal Plan), approved in 2016, serves as a key guide line for national coastaldevelopment.In 2024, the second interim report on the progress of the Coastal Plan's implementation wasprepared. The report focuses on identification of implementation challenges, investmentinitiatives and the exploration of new thematic areas for integrated coastal managementdevelopment and land -sea interactions, taking in consideration the periodic evaluation ofLatvia Page 13440anthropogenic pressures on coastal areas. These areas include blue economy, mobility,landscapes and ecosystem services, nature protection, environmental matters, and sustainablelivelihoods for local coastal communities. The Maritime and Coastal Spatial P lanningCoordination Group (hereinafter – the Coordination Group) played a crucial role in discussingthe proposed themes.The Coordination Group was established by the Minister for Smart Administration andRegional Development of Latvia in 2022. It consists of various stakeholders representing cross -sectoral interests and ensuring all governance levels (national, regional, lo cal, non -governmental). The Coordination Group serves as a main governance instrument forimplementation of Maritime Spatial Plan and Coastal Plan, ensuring space for cross -sectoraldiscussions and proposing new solutions for better coastal and marine plan ning andmanagement.The main conclusions from the Report highlight the need for integrated planning in futurecoastal development management, taking in consideration MSP, multi -level governance, andcollaboration across various sectors. In Latvia, the interim assessment resul ts of the CoastalPlan are expected to be integrated with the Maritime Spatial Plan after 2030.19. Continue to Address the Issue of Sea -Dumped Munitions: Encourage governments toprioritise and coordinate cooperation on the comprehensive mapping and safe removal ofsea-dumped munitions, leveraging the European Commission's ongoing projects andfundi ng initiatives such as Horizon Europe as well as developing further joint efforts ofHELCOM, CBSS and the EU in this field. Advocate for the application of environmentallyfriendly technologies and methodologies to mitigate the risks posed by submerged mun itions,ensuring that these efforts are integrated into national and regional security andenvironmental agendas and implemented as soon as possible.Daugavpils University Agency “Institute of Aquatic Ecology” is a partner from Latvia in theInterreg Baltic Sea Region project “MUNIMAP: Baltic Sea Munition Remediation Roadmap”(01.03.2024 – 28.02.2027). The project supports implementation of the appropri ate actions ofthe BSAP2021 and the Our Baltic commitment.Answers provided by the Ministry of TransportThe Ministry of Transport emphasizes that the security issues in Europe especially in the BalticSea region are becoming increasingly critical particularly in connection with the recentinfrastructure incidents in the region. Therefore, special attention and work by the Ministry ofTransport is addres sed to the strengthening of maritime traffic security, as well as to the portinfrastructure enhancement and by providing further support to the maritime transportsustainability. In the field of digital cooperation and regional digital connectivity ongoin gprojects are being continued. The Ministry also emphasizes that with regard to the transportinfrastructure projects the military mobility remains a priority. CEF funding has contributed totransformative infrastructure projects by enhancing railway, avi ation sector and ports in Latvia.For more detailed information please refer below.10. Promote Regional Digital Cooperation: Advocate for further enhancement andharmonisation of digital markets and infrastructure across the Baltic Sea Region. Highlightsuccessful national and regional measures from the past year to bolster cybersecurity andethical digital practices and call fo r cooperative efforts to scale these successes region -wide.Enhance digital resilience, with the parliaments in the Baltic Sea Region striving towardsmanifesting their leading role in digital literacy education fo r all age groups, focusing on 1)raising awareness on the importance of data privacy and 2) supporting innovations to tackledisinformation .Latvia Page 1354127. significantly improve coordination of activities and regular cooperation of the democraticBaltic Sea countries in protecting maritime infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region. (WG)32. cooperate and exchange practices on increasing universal coverage and service forInternet connectivity in the Baltic Sea region . (WG)One of the projects to promote digital cooperation and enhance regional digital connectivityacross Baltic Sea region is the “Baltic Ring” project 1 (01.06.2024.- 30.06.2025.) , approved bythe European Commission in year 2023. The objective of this project is to connect Sweden andFinland via a new fibre -based network route through the Baltic countries to Europe via Warsaw,based on terrestrial Fibre from Tallinn via Riga and Kaunas, and offers a new, un ique anddiverse path to connect with global cloud, digital services and interconnection hubs in Europeand globally. This project includes 6 EU Member countries (Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia,Lithuania and Poland).The route intermeshes the Nordic countries with European and Global connectivity gatewayswhile creating additional resiliency by avoiding chokepoints in Denmark/Germany and betterutilization of diverse Baltic Sea cables. The key specific here is therefor e adding networkredundancy to a critical, geopolitically challenged region by avoiding the vulnerable Baltic Seaand the German/Danish passage.The project would also further improve the overall objective of making EU a digital singlemarket with fair market prices and robust competition. The project will not only furthereconomic growth in the region, but also add resiliency to keep businesses, g overnments andpublic sectors maintain operations in the event of disruptions. Adding redundancy to a critical,geopolitically challenged region Intermeshing backbone connectivity to major European andglobal hubs with instant access to protected services via IP/MPLS backbone. Parties involvedin this project : Arelion Sweden AB (coordinator), Arelion Estonia OÜ, Arelion Poland SP ZOO,Arelion Lithuania UAB, Arelion Finland OY, Arelion Latvia SIA.Another projects’ “Uninterrupted 5G Coverage Across Via Baltica Corridor - 5G-BALTICS”2 primary objective is to ensure uninterrupted 5G coverage across the entire663.2 km Via Baltica corridor (01.01.2025. – 31.12.2027.) approved by the EuropeanCommission in year 2024. The to ensure uninterrupted 5G coverage across the entire 663.2 kmVia Baltica corridor. This will be achieved by constructing both active and passive 5Ginfrastructure, with strategic focus on cross -border connectivity between Estonia, Latvia, andLithuania. By providing seamless 5G network availability along this critical European transportroute, the project contributes to the broader goals of the EU’s Gigabit Society Strategy and theSustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. The project builds on previous successful studies andaims to enhance connectivity across the Baltic region, addressing the increasing demand forfaster, more reliable digital communication services. Coordi nator: Tallin University ofTechnology. Beneficiaries: “Via Lietuva” PLLC; “Estonian Broadband DevelopmentFoundation”; “Elisa Eesti” AS; “Tet” SIA; “Tele2 Eesti Aktsiaselts”; “Tele2” SIA; “TeliaEesti” AS; “Telia Lietuva” AB, “Tele2” UAB.14. Support Maritime Transport Sustainability: Advocate for the transition to low -sulfur fuelsand alternative energy sources and promote digitalisation and automation in logistics toimprove efficiency and reduce environmental impact.To support maritime transport sustainability and advocate for the transition to low -sulfurfuels and alternative energy sources and promote digitalisation and automation in logistics toϭhttps://ec.europa.eu/info/funding -tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/projects -details/43251567/101132463/CEF20272https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding -tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how -to-participate/org -details/887962736/project/101181148/program/43251567/detailsLatvia Page 13642improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact various projects in ports of Latvia areunderway.Currently, ports are obliged under the Article 9 “Targets for shore -side electricity supply inmaritime ports” of the Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 of the European Parliament and of theCouncil of 13 September 2023 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, andrepealing Directive 2014/94/EU3 (Text with EEA relevance) to provide a minimum shore -side electricity supply for seagoing container vessels and seagoing passenger ships in Latvianmajor ports by 31 December 2029.In alignment with the AFIR strategy of the Ministry of Transport, onshore power supply (OPS)projects have been identified in Latvia's major ports to ensure the implementation of theobjectives outlined in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 on the depl oyment of alternativefuels infrastructure. The key objective is to provide a minimum shore -side electricity supply forseagoing container ships and seagoing passenger ships in Latvian TEN -T maritime ports, suchas Riga, Ventspils, and LiepājaThe Freeport of Ventspils Authority intends to implement the electrification of 16 piers by April2027The Liepāja Special Economic Zone Authority plans to implement the shore -side electricityconnection project "Reconstruction of Liepāja Port Pier 46" by 2027 and will carry out the shorepower supply within the framework of the Connecting Europe Facility ( hereinafter - CEF)project "Providing Safe Berthing of Ro -Ro Ferries in the Port of Liepāja.By the end of 2029, 11 shore power supply connection points for container and passengervessels are planned for installation in the Port of Riga.Port infrastructure is continuously maintained and modernized to meet demand. Channel depths,piers, and road and rail connections are maintained and reconstructed, and the industrial zone isdeveloping. Numerous projects are underway in the fields of digi talization and environmentalprotection.15. Enhance Port Security and Infrastructure: Invest in port infrastructure improvementsfocusing on security and sustainability, such as shore -side electricity and waste management,and enhance connectivity with hinterland transport networks.44. Develop Regional Contingency and Rapid Repair Capabilities: Encourage the furtherdevelopment of regional contingency plans and rapid repair capabilities for maritimeinfrastructure. Invest in dedicated repair ships and coordinated response strategies acrossthe members of the BSPC to ensure swift restoration of damaged infrastructure, reducing theeffectiveness and appeal of hybrid grey zone attacks.To enhance port security and infrastructure , projects to renew Vessel Navigation and TrafficService centers in the ports of Ventspils and Liepāja are currently underway.The projects "Renovation of the Vessel Navigation and Traffic Service of the Port of Liepāja"and "Renovation of the Vessel Navigation and Traffic Service of the Freeport of Ventspils andElectrification of Berths" will renovate and modernize the ports' sh ip traffic managementsystems and navigation aids, including software.The Port of Riga is currently implementing several large -scale digitalization projects. Amongthe most significant are the digitization and equipping of the port's access points with biometricand machine vision solutions, as well as the development of a n ew multimodal logistics platformin collaboration with other major ports. This platform will ensure digital integration between3 https://eur -lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1804/oj/engLatvia Page 13743port users, cargo carriers, and the port authority. A digital access and pass system for bothfreight and visitors are already operational in the Port of Riga. Furthermore, underwater dronetechnology manufactured in Latvia is being tested to monitor the technical condition ofunderwater infrastructure .16. Strengthening Maritime Safety: Ensure safe, efficient and obstacle -free shipping routes.Implement and enforce advanced navigational aids, improved Vessel Traffic Services (VTS),and stringent safety regulations to enhance maritime safety amidst the region's dense trafficand challengin g weather conditions. An increased use of Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS)in areas with sensitive infrastructure are of essence.To strengthen maritime safety, the Maritime Administration of Latvia remains activelyengaged in the Baltic Sea e -Nav project4 (11.2023 - 10.2026) and will continue othercooperation with other Baltic Sea States. The Interreg -funded project Baltic Sea e -Nav isdeveloping the next generation of navigation products and services that align with newinternational standards, enabling public authorities and other maritime organizations to ensuresafer, more harmonized and environmentally friendly navigation in the Baltic Sea. The EstonianTransport Administration is also a participant in this project .18. Address the threats by the Russian "Shadow Fleet": Prioritise addressing the threatsposed by the Russian "shadow fleet" by enhancing maritime surveillance, intelligencesharing, regulatory enforcement, and collaborative efforts to mitigate environmental andsecurity risks, including advocating for interna tional sanctions, as long as it is necessary.28. create a plan for addressing shipping insurance challenges in the region that can disrupttrade routes, leading to delays and increased costs for businesses.To address the threat posed by Russia's "shadow fleet" and to implementcountermeasures , a representative from the Ministry of Transport, alongside representativesfrom the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Environmental Service, participates in expertmeetings within the NB8+ format regarding the Shadow Fleet. The NB8+ states, situated nearthe Baltic and North Seas, will now require proof of insurance for suspicious vessels transitingthe English Channel, Danish Straits, Øresund (strait between Denmark and Swede n), and theGulf of Finland.Latvia is providing support for the following activities : development of a sanctions package,ship monitoring and information processing utilizing various maritime information systems,such as the European Maritime Safety Agency's (EMSA) SafeSeaNet, and monitoring of marineenvironmental pollution. Latvia has e ndorsed the announcement concerning the shadow fleet,which tasks the respective maritime authorities with requesting relevant proof of insurance fromsuspected shadow vessels.25. increase the funding for improving infrastructure and start discussions on a new strategyto enhance military mobility capabilities and civil transport in the region. (WG)26. develop and execute plans to further improve maritime and railway transport connectivityin the Baltic Sea region and ensure connectivity with the European continent. (WG)Regarding infrastructure improvement and the facilitation of military mobility , CEFfunding has contributed to transformative projects in Latvia, enhancing connectivity andpromoting trade and mobility.Latvia actively pursues Connecting Europe Facility ( CEF) funding for projects across varioustransport modes. To date, CEF funding has been secured for rail, air, port, and alternative fuelcharging infrastructure development projects within the TEN -T network, totaling 105 million4 https://interreg -baltic.eu/project/baltic -sea-e-nav/Latvia Page 13844euros (excluding CEF funding for the Rail Baltica project). However, despite the progressachieved, substantial investment remains necessary to further develop the TEN -T network andto advance the green transformation of the transport sector.Latvia strongly advocates for prioritizing the ReArm Europe plan and, crucially, ensuring thatphysical dual -use transport infrastructure is an integral component thereof. Furthermore, Latviaurges the mobilization of efforts to launch a new Military Mobil ity call under the existing CEFsystem this year.Latvia is a strong supporter for maintaining CEF or an equivalent, centrally managed instrumentin the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to address the cross -border missinglinks.Additionally, a dedicated program specifically addressing the Military Mobility component oftransport infrastructure is considered vital .43. Foster Public -Private Partnerships for Maritime Security: Advocate for the establishmentof robust public -private partnerships to enhance cooperation and information sharingbetween governments and private sector stakeholders involved in maritime infrastructure.Develop joint security protocols and investment str ategies to incentivise private companies toimplement advanced security measures, ensuring mutual benefits and enhanced protectionof critical infrastructure.Regarding the recommendations of the Resolution to foster Public- Private Partnerships inMaritime Security , please be informed that public -private partnerships have been establishedto enhance cooperation and information exchange among public and private stakeholdersinvolved in maritime infrastructure. The maritime cable operator is prepared to implementadva nced security measures, ensuring mutual benefit and strengthening the protection of criticalinfrastructure.Answers provided by the Ministry of Welfare1. Strengthen Democratic Resilience: Call on governments to further enhance democracy,the rule of law, equality, and human rights, building on successful legislative andadministrative measures from the past year by intensifying collaboration and sharing bestpractices among democratic stakeholders in the region.Enhancing equality in collaboration with democratic stakeholders in the regionLatvia has extensive and successful collaboration experience with Nordic and Baltic countriesaimed at promoting and ensuring equality between women and men and equal opportunities forpersons with disabilities. This cooperation includes regular experience and good practiceexchange in study visits, meetings, and conferences as well as mutual projects with the supportof the Nordic Council of Ministers.On 27 November 2024, Nordic and Baltic gender equality ministers met in Stockholm, Sweden,to discuss issues related to gender- based violence. The Latvian Minister for Welfare participatedin the ministerial meeting, sharing adopted and planned national me asures aimed at preventingand eliminating violence against women.Latvia cooperates closely with partners in the Nordic and Baltic countries also to strengthenequal opportunities and ensure the rights of persons with disabilities through exchanging goodpractices and improving national policies in the interests of perso ns with disabilities. Thiscooperation focuses on the exchange of views and vision of the Governmental and non -governmental sectors on how to fully ensure the involvement of people with disabilities invarious social processes, considering mutual challenge s and international actions.Latvia Page 139454. Focus on Social Sustainability: Stress the need to extend and build upon recent successfulinitiatives addressing social sustainability, including those aimed at addressing challengesregarding an ageing population by upskilling and reskilling, integrat ing migrants andvulnerable groups into the labour market, and promoting gender equality. Encouragegovernments to ensure these initiatives are well -funded and effectively implemented. Developand implement civic education programmes and civil society init iatives for both young peopleand adults alike to raise awareness of the dangers posed by all forms of extremism todemocracy, including recruitment strategies of extremist groups. Encourage cross -borderexchange programmes for citizens of all ages and div erse backgrounds, focused on bridgingsocietal division and combating extremism (BSPYF). Guarantee inclusive governance byincluding citizens in the formation of policies and establish mechanisms for participatorybudgeting for equitable resource distribut ion and community empowerment. Encourageworkers to join unions by promoting awareness and involvement by putting special emphasison strengthening and securing the institutional framework of the workers’ unions (BSPYF).Labour market inclusionThe labour market in Latvia has improved in recent years with wage increases and lower levelsof unemployment. In the third quarter of 2024, the employment rate of 77.6% among 20 -64-year-olds was finally above its level before the COVID -19 pandemic and hig her than the EUaverage of 75.9%. Over the medium to longer term, an ageing and declining populationunderscores the importance of supporting the available workforce to sustain growth in theLatvian economy. This challenge requires ensuring that skills sup ply meets changing skilldemands in the context of the digital and green transitions, enabling access to good quality jobsfor groups that currently fare worse on the labour market, such as people with disabilities, youth,older workers, women and people l iving in remote areas.The State Employment Agency, Latvia’s public employment service (PES), is crucial inconnecting unemployed persons and persons at risk of unemployment with good quality jobs.PES implements measures similar to those in other EU countries, such as reskillin g andupskilling programmes based on profiling and additional support measures, including regionalmobility support, career guidance, etc. PES initiatives are also adapted in response to changesin the economy, helping to overcome barriers to entering the labour market by providingpsychological support and the most accessible information on job vacancies and industrieswhere employers need additional workforce.Employment conditions are an important aspect when discussing labour shortages. Theminimum wage was increased to 740 EUR in 2025. Projects to support occupational safety andhealth are also ongoing, and activities to support longer and better working live s (e.g.,workplace adjustment, awareness -raising activities) will be implemented.Within Latvia’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, EUR 28 million have been allocatedfor upskilling of PES clients. Investment in skills was prioritised with an accompanyingmonitoring and evaluation system to ensure that the investment is effective a nd to makecorrections where needed. The training results for 2024 show that more than 22,000 individualsparticipated in PES -provided training. There was a relatively high demand for courses on onlinecourse platforms and non -formal education programmes i n computer science up to theDigComp intermediate level. Additionally, the PES continues to provide reskillingopportunities, with social care vocational training remaining the most in -demand vocationaltraining programme.The European Union is undergoing a major demographic change with increased life expectancyand decreased birth rates in all Member States. In Latvia, the labour market age structure haschanged considerably compared to 10 years ago – with those in higher age groups continuingLatvia Page 14046to contribute to the economy. Ageing and depopulation trends in Latvia stress the importanceof efficiently using the existing labour force potential.Considering labour market challenges related to ageing, it is necessary to support olderindividuals by promoting longer working lives with a focus both on the employed and theunemployed. Also, employers play an essential role in the promotion of active a geing. Olderemployees are often more loyal and reliable than younger employees. They are changing jobsless, thus reducing employee variability and the associated costs of recruiting and training newemployees. Still, older workers face significant challe nges, including gender disparities, ageismand the ongoing need for upskilling in the labour market.Although older people in Latvia are characterised by relatively high participation in the labourmarket, there are still challenges to be addressed, such as lower mobility regarding job changesand re -entering the labour market, stereotypes from employers, education and health issues, andcaregiving responsibilities.Promoting gender equalityIn June 2024, the Government of Latvia adopted a new Plan for the Promotion of Equal Rightsand Opportunities for Women and Men (2024 -2027). The Plan was developed in closecooperation with other line ministries and NGOs, and it aims to provide an integrat ed andtargeted gender equality policy that promotes the implementation of equal rights andopportunities for all. To achieve this goal, the Plan has three main directions of action:- Promotion of equal rights and opportunities in the labour market and education;- Reduction of harmful gender -based stereotypes;- Integration of gender -mainstreaming in the policy planning process.6. Protect Vulnerable Groups: Protect the rights and ensure the safety of refugees, ethnicminorities, LGBTQ people, women, children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups whoare particularly at risk in times of war and threatened by intolerant attitudes.Support to Ukrainian civiliansLatvia has continued offering support measures to Ukrainian civilians. Since 2022, s everalmeasures have been implemented to promote the employment of Ukrainian civilians, both byapplying various relaxed conditions for employers (no labour market test, no salary threshold,liberalised rules in specific professions, eased language require ments, etc.) and byimplementing practical measures to provide support, mainly through the State EmploymentAgency (PES).A total of 32 570 Ukrainian civilians were registered with PES from 7 March 2022 to 3 March2025; 10 773 of them were granted the status of an unemployed or job -seeker. About 4.9thousand Ukrainian civilians registered with PES have participated in the offered active labourmarket measures. Ukrainian civilians often use the opportunity to receive career counselling,participate in e -career self -tests, non -formal education (most often - the Latvian languagecourses), PES information days, summer employment f or students, etc. In 2024, 5 570Ukrainian civilians were registered with PES, the status of an unemployed or job -seeker wasgranted to 2 575 persons, and 1 556 Ukrainian civilians found jobs with PES support.Ukrainian civilians are entitled to a one -off payment (benefit) when starting employment orself-employment in Latvia . The benefit was 500 EUR in 2022, 620 EUR in 2023, 700 EUR in2024, and 740 EUR in 2025. By the beginning of March 2025, PES had received 17,748applications for the payment of the benefit when starting employment and 679 applications –when starting self -employment.Latvia Page 14147According to the State Revenue Service data, on 31 December 2024, 3 305 employers haddeclared employment legal relations with 9 582 Ukrainian civilians for 10 125 workplaces;additionally, 1 052 Ukrainian civilians – self-employed – were staying in Latvia at the end of2024. At the beginning of 2024, the employment rate of Ukrainian civilians living in Latvia (theproportion of employed people in the working age population (15 -64 years) in total) was 48%.Support to refugees and persons with alternative statusPES has also continued providing support to refugees and persons with alternative status(subsidiary protection) for integration into the Latvian labour market by implementing variousactive labour market measures, including career counselling, Latvian lan guage training, e -careerself-tests, informative days, measures to increase competitiveness, etc. Since the COVID -19pandemic, PES has continued providing consultations face -to-face and remotely by e -mail,telephone and video conference. According to PES d ata, 156 persons with refugee or alternativestatus were registered with PES, and 41 persons found jobs in 2024.Preventing violence against women and domestic violenceIn December 2024, the Government of Latvia adopted a Plan for Prevention and CombatingViolence against Women and Domestic Violence (2024 -2029). The Plan was developed in closecooperation with other line ministries and NGOs, and it has four main directions of action:- Preventive measures through education, training, information;- Protection and support measures for victims of violence;- Strengthening perpetrator accountability, support and rehabilitation services;- Further development of integrated and coordinated policy and legal framework.LITHUANIALithuania Page 143Statements and positions of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on theimplementation of calls for action in the Resolution adopted at 33 Baltic SeaParliamentary conference held on 26 -27 August 2024 in Helsingor, Denmark.Regarding cooperation in the Baltic Sea region to1.Strengthen Democratic Resilience: Call on governments to further enhancedemocracy, the rule of law, equality, and human rights, building on successfullegislative and administrative measures from the past year by intensifyingcollaboration and sharing best practices among democratic stakeholders in theregion.The general education curriculum is based on competencies. One of the competencies is civiccompetence, which encompasses values, attitudes, and practical action skills that enable thedevelopment of a civic identity and the strengthening of civic power, t o creatively and sociallyresponsibly build a democratic society together with others, and to strengthen Lithuania's statehoodin the international community. From the 2023 school year, a new lesson – life skills – was introducedin schools, with the main goal being to develop students' social and emotional literacy. The generallife skills program integrates many important topics: social and emotional development, bullying andviolence prevention, first aid, sexuality education, mental health strengthening , gender equality, thecreation of respectful relationships, human rights, and more. Currently, the Ministry of Education,Science and Sport is working to ensure that previously initiated reforms are implemented as smoothlyas possible in practice. All the mentioned initiatives are being continued, and where a need isidentified, legislation is adjusted and methodological support is provided to representatives ofmunicipalities and schools.Support for People with Disabilities : The introduction of a new disability policy that focuses onindividual needs and reduces bureaucracy by implementing a one -stop-shop principle. This includesthe provision of personalized assistance plans, coordination of necessary support, and monitorin g ofthe implementation of these plans. For example, nearly 7,000 assistance plans were created in 2024,leading to increased independence for people with disabilities. Positions in 58 municipalities wereestablished to coordinate the social integration po licy and rights of persons with disabilities.Deinstitutionalization of care for people with disabilities is being implemented to ensure their legalcapacity, restore restricted capacity, and prevent capacity restrictions. This includes meetingindividual needs and providing necessary community support. Social workshops aim to increaseemployment opportunities in the open labour market and develop relevant skills.Promotion of Gender Equality :- The 2023 -2025 action plan for equal opportunities for women and men, adopted on January 30,2023, aims to promote gender equality, eliminate status differences between women and men, informthe public about measures to promote equal opportunities, and strengthen inter -institutionalcooperation. It includes objectives such as improving gender equality statistics in positions of power,Lithuania Page 144like the number of women in diplomacy. A new action plan for 2026 -2028 is being prepared, focusingon increasing labour market equality, promoting proportional participation in decision -making,improving the situation of vulnerable women and girls, sharing unpaid care work, encouraging healthcare, empowering women, addressing global geopolitical challenges, combating gender stereotypes,and integrating the gender principle into various policy areas.- The establishment of the National Information Centre o n Sexual Violence ("Prabilk"), whichprovides information and support to victims of sexual violence. This initiative is part of a broadereffort to combat gender -based violence and promote gender equality.Empowering Citizen Engagement :MiCenter Platform : The launch of the MiCenter platform, which provides comprehensiveinformation and support to foreigners living in Lithuania. The platform includes an information basecovering topics such as job and housing searches, taxes, and legal residency documentat ion. It alsooffers free services, including legal, integration, and psychological consultations, as well ascommunity events.Support for NGOs : The government provides significant funding and support to non -governmentalorganizations (NGOs) to enhance their capacity and promote citizen engagement. In 2024, theMinistry of Social Security and Labour announced 36 funding competitions to support NG Os inproviding services to families, people with disabilities, youth, and the elderly.Focus on Social Sustainability :Employment Programs for Vulnerable Groups : The implementation of employment programs thatprovide comprehensive support to individuals facing barriers to employment, such as social skillsdeficits, addictions, and financial difficulties. These programs include case management andcollaboration wi th various local institutions and organizations to address individual needs.Community Strengthening Projects : The allocation of over 2 million euros for communitystrengthening projects in 2025. These projects aim to enhance social cohesion and support vulnerablepopulations, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and migrants. The projects also promot ecivic engagement and the development of social enterprises.Protecting Vulnerable Groups :Reception and Integration Agency : The transformation of the Refugee Reception Centre into theReception and Integration Agency, which provides various services to refugees and other vulnerablegroups. This includes legal assistance, accommodation, and social integration support, ensuring theirsafety and protection.Supporting Ukraine :Humanitarian Aid and Social Support : Lithuania's commitment to supporting Ukraine throughhumanitarian aid, social assistance, and integration programs for Ukrainian refugees. Lithuania hasprovided over 15 million euros in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including essential items and supportfor vulnerable children and pregnant women.Lithuania Page 145Political Support: Lithuania has been a vocal advocate for the rights of Ukrainians, especiallywomen and children. As a member of the Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine, Lithuaniais committed to upholding human rights and protecting children by ensuring that Ukrainian childrenreceive the care, prote ction, and support they need. We contribute to the broader efforts of the Councilof Europe in addressing the humanitarian crisis.More details about the establishment of the National Information Centre on Sexual Violence("Prabilk"):1. Purpose and Objectives :o Information and Support : The centre aims to provide comprehensive informationand support to individuals who have experienced or are at risk of sexual violence. Thisincludes victims, their families, and professionals working with affected individuals.o Raising Awareness : The centre seeks to raise awareness about sexual violence andthe available support mechanisms, helping to prevent and address such incidentseffectively.2. Services Provided :o Information Dissemination : "Prabilk" offers detailed information about the types ofsupport available to victims of sexual violence, including legal, psychological, andsocial services.o Methodological Support : The centre provides methodological support toprofessionals working with victims of sexual violence, ensuring they have thenecessary tools and knowledge to offer effective assistance.o Consultations : Victims and their families can receive consultations to understandtheir rights and the support options available to them.3. Funding and Support :o Financial Support : The centre is funded by the Ministry of Social Security andLabour, with an annual budget of 100,000 euros allocated for its operations.o Project Initiation : The establishment of "Prabilk" was part of a broader initiative tostrengthen the support system for victims of sexual violence, ensuring they receivetimely and effective assistance.4. Impact and Importance:o Enhancing Support Systems : By providing centralized information and support,"Prabilk" enhances the overall support system for victims of sexual violence, makingit easier for them to access the help they need.o Promoting Gender Equality : The centre’s efforts contribute to promoting genderequality by addressing one of the critical issues affecting women and other vulnerablegroups.Lithuania Page 1465. Future Goals :o Expanding Services : The centre aims to expand its services to reach more victimsand provide even more comprehensive support.o Collaborating with Other Organizations : "Prabilk" plans to collaborate with otherorganizations and institutions to strengthen the network of support for victims ofsexual violence.The establishment of the National Information Centre on Sexual Violence ("Prabilk") represents asignificant step towards improving the support system for victims of sexual violence in Lithuania,ensuring they receive the necessary assistance and protectio n.The MiCenter platform is designed to provide comprehensive information and support to foreignersliving in Lithuania. Here are more details about the platform:1. Purpose and Functionality :o Information Hub : MiCenter serves as a one -stop information hub for foreigners,offering essential information on various topics such as job and housing searches,taxes, and legal residency documentation.o Support Services : The platform provides free services, including legalconsultations, integration support, psychological counselling, and community events.These services aim to facilitate the integration of foreigners into Lithuanian society.2. Structure and Content :o Informational Sections : The platform is divided into two main sections:▪ Information Base : This section covers 12 topics relevant to foreigners, suchas employment, housing, taxes, and legal residency. The information ispresented clearly and includes links to official state institutions.▪ Services for Migrants : This section lists free services available to migrants,including legal, integration, and psychological consultations, as well astraining and community events.3. Accessibility :o Multilingual Support : Information on the platform is available in three languages:Lithuanian, English, and Russian. This ensures that a wide range of users can accessthe information they need.o User -Friendly Features : The platform includes features such as Live Chat for real -time assistance and the ability to register for consultations either in person or online.Lithuania Page 1474. Expansion Plans :o Language Learning : The platform plans to add a section dedicated to learning theLithuanian language. This will include information about language courses,exercises, and preparation for the Lithuanian language exam.o Compliance with Language Requirements : Starting January 2026, foreignersworking directly with clients will be required to have at least a basic level ofLithuanian language proficiency. The platform will provide resources to help usersmeet this requirement.5. Responsible Institution :o Implementing Organization : The MiCenter platform is implemented by theInternational Organization for Migration (IOM) Lithuania.o Funding : The platform is partially funded by European Union (EU) funds, whichsupport its development and operation.MiCenter aims to be a primary resource for foreigners in Lithuania, providing them with theinformation and support they need to integrate successfully into society.More details on the Employment Programs for Vulnerable Groups:1. Program Overview :o Objective : The employment programs aim to provide comprehensive support toindividuals facing barriers to employment, such as social skills deficits, addictions,financial difficulties, and other life challenges. The goal is to help these individuals’overcome obst acles and achieve stable employment.2. Case Management Approach :o Individualized Support : The programs use a case management approach, whichinvolves personalized assistance tailored to each individual's specific needs. Casemanagers work closely with participants to identify their challenges and develop aplan to address them.o Collaboration with Local Institutions : Case managers collaborate with variouslocal institutions, including the Employment Service, public health bureaus, libraries,non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other entities. This collaborationensures that participants receive a wide range of services and support.3. Types of Support Provided :o Addiction Treatment : Participants with addiction issues receive support to accesstreatment and rehabilitation services. For example, Jurga, a participant fromDruskininkai, received assistance to register for psychiatric consultations andtreatment in a rehabilitation commu nity.Lithuania Page 148o Financial Assistance : Participants facing financial difficulties receive help tomanage their debts and improve their financial literacy. For instance, Benas fromŠiauliai received individual legal consultations that helped reduce his financialobligations and motivated him t o find employment.o Social Skills Development : Participants lacking social skills and motivation to workreceive psychological counselling and other support services. For example, Auksėfrom Druskininkai received psychological counselling and transportation services,which helped her become more open and motivated to work.o Transportation Services : Participants who have difficulty accessing transportationreceive assistance to ensure they can attend appointments and job interviews. Thissupport is crucial for individuals living in remote areas or facing mobility challenges.4. Impact and Results :o Increased Employment : The programs have successfully increased the number ofparticipants who find and retain employment. Data shows that participants whoreceived comprehensive services were more likely to be employed six months afterparticipating in the program.o Growing Demand : The demand for these services is increasing, with 4,500individuals receiving support in the first 10 months of the year, matching the totalnumber of participants from the previous year.These employment programs demonstrate a holistic approach to supporting vulnerable individuals,helping them overcome barriers and achieve stable employment, thereby improving their overallquality of life.More details about the transformation of the Refugee Reception Centre into the Reception andIntegration Agency:1. Transformation Overview :o Date of Transformation : The transformation took place on January 1, 2025.o New Name and Structure : The Refugee Reception Centre was renamed theReception and Integration Agency. The organizational form was also changed,making it an institution under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour.2. Leadership :o New Director: Gediminas Pocius, who has been working in the field of refugeereception since 2021 and previously served as the Deputy Director of the RefugeeReception Centre, was appointed as the Director of the new agency.3. Objectives and Functions :o Preparedness for Emergencies : One of the primary goals of the new agency is toprepare for emergency situations, ensuring a swift and effective response.Lithuania Page 149o Provision of Legal and Translation Services : The agency is tasked with providinglegal assistance and translation services to refugees and other foreigners.o Strengthening Team Competencies : The agency aims to enhance the skills andcompetencies of its staff to better serve the needs of refugees and other vulnerablegroups.o Collaboration with Municipalities and Organizations : The agency seeks toincrease cooperation with municipalities and other organizations to improve theintegration process.4. Services Provided :o Accommodation and Social Services : The agency offers accommodation andvarious social services to unaccompanied minors, asylum seekers, irregular migrants,victims of human trafficking, relocated individuals, and asylum recipients.o Legal Assistance : The agency ensures state -guaranteed legal assistance for asylumseekers and other foreigners.o Assessment of Vulnerability : The agency is responsible for assessing thevulnerability of newly arrived individuals to provide appropriate support.5. Capacity and Reach :o Accommodation Capacity : The agency can accommodate up to 1,400 foreigners inits temporary accommodation facilities.o Geographical Coverage : The agency operates in multiple locations, includingVilnius, Rukla, Girionys, and Pabradė.o Support for Integration : In 2024, the agency provided integration support to 924asylum recipients in various municipalities, including Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda,Jonava, Šiauliai, Visaginas, and Panevėzys. Additionally, 183 relocated individualsof Lithuanian descent from Ukrai ne and Venezuela received support.6. Future Goals :o Implementation of EU Migration and Asylum Pact : The agency aims toimplement the requirements of the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact.o Competence Centre : The agency aspires to become a competence centre, assistingvarious institutions and organizations in ensuring the integration of foreigners.This transformation reflects a comprehensive approach to improving the reception and integrationof refugees and other vulnerable groups, ensuring their rights and safety are protected.Combating Disinformation and Hybrid Threats : Lithuania was one of the first countries to activelycombat Russia's disinformation campaign. Special structures such as the National Cybersecurity andInformation Security Services were established to ensure the security of the information space andLithuania Page 150fight fake news. The Ministry of National Defence has set up the Total Defence and CrisisManagement Group.Strengthening Civil Society : Lithuania actively invests in strengthening civil society and education,encouraging people to be active defenders of the country's democracy. Notably, efforts are focusedon enhancing civic and political education among the youth, so they are better pre pared to addresschallenges and critically evaluate political and social issues.Plans for the Future :Expanding the Fight against Disinformation : Since disinformation and hybrid threats are aconstant threat to democracy, Lithuania plans to strengthen the fight against disinformation andimprove the legal framework and technological tools to respond more quickly to fake information.Civic Society Development : More attention will be given to promoting civic education and activismto ensure strong democratic participation among all citizens.Proposals for Strengthening Democratic Resilience :Promoting Political and Civic Education : It is important to further develop civic education startingfrom kindergarten and universities so that young people understand the value and importance ofdemocracy. This would help not only ensure active citizen participation but also strengthen resilie nceagainst authoritarian and populist movements.Promoting Transatlantic Cooperation : Lithuania should continue to strengthen its ties with otherdemocratic countries and international organizations such as NATO and the EU, to create resiliencenetworks that can protect democracy from external threats.To strengthen democratic resilience, the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania, incooperation with the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local andRegional Authorities ( The Council of Europe ), organized an international conference titled "Multi -Level Governance for Ensuring Democracy and Strengthening Resilience" . The event took place on25 September 2024 in Vilnius.The conference aimed to promote the Reykjavik Principles of Democracy, share best practices inmultilevel governance to bolster resilience and democratic institutions, and develop national modelsof multilevel governance and resilience for testing and refineme nt.Multilevel governance (MLG) was defined as a cooperative model involving various levels ofauthority —including supranational institutions —and engaging multiple actors, such as civil society.This understanding reflects the principles outlined in CM/Rec(202 3)5 on good democraticgovernance.Participants acknowledged MLG as a promising tool to counter populism and societal polarization,thanks to its inclusive and participatory approach. The conference also underscored the importanceof piloting and continuously improving national models for multilevel governance and resilience.Lithuania Page 1512. Promote Peaceful Cooperation: Emphasise the importance of peacefulcooperation and dialogue among Baltic Sea states to address sharedenvironmental challenges while respecting international law and territorialintegrity.3. Empower Citizen Engagement: Facilitate citizen participation in politicaldecision -making, create more platforms for citizens with decision -making powerwith a particular focus on the young generation, and promote youth civicengagement through increased political literacy, notably by improving educationabout democracy and the school curricula and educational programmes(BSPYF). Promote the exchange of experience on building an efficient civilprotection system that takes into account the potential represented by civil societyorganisations in mobilising human resources and responding to emergencies.Lithuania actively promotes youth civic engagement and enhances political literacy through variouseducational initiatives and programs:1. Democratic Education Practices : The "Democratic Education -Based Practices inLithuanian Schools" project aims to implement democratic principles within schools. Byengaging students in real decision -making processes, the project seeks to cultivate activeparticipation and a sense of co mmunity. Practices include class meetings and justicecommittees, allowing students to experience democracy firsthand.2. Citizenship Education Integration : Civic education is integrated into Lithuania's schoolcurricula through dedicated courses and social activities for grades 5 -10. This approachemphasizes social cognition, community participation, and the development of socialconnections, aiming to equi p students with the knowledge and skills necessary for active andresponsible citizenship.3. Active Citizenship Programs : Organizations like the Psychological Support andCounselling Centre have developed programs such as "Citizenship Education for the Youth –BeACTIVE," which includes training for specialists, creative workshops for youth, and thecreation of online platfo rms to encourage civic participation. These initiatives aim to addresslow civic engagement and promote active involvement in public and political processesamong young people in Lithuanian regions.Through these efforts, Lithuania is enhancing political literacy and fostering a culture of active civicparticipation among its youth.The Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania(hereinafter referred to as the Fire and Rescue Department of Lithuania) has established cooperationagreements with several non -governmental organizations (NGOs ), including the Lithuanian RedCross Society and the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union – both of which have a significant number ofvolunteers, including many young people.The Fire and Rescue Department of Lithuania collaboratesLithuania Page 152with these NGOs by developing plans and regulations for joint activities. NGO volunteers contributeto civil protection education, take part in interinstitutional exercises and training sessions, and engagein various initiatives aimed at the exchange of b est practices.This cooperation takes place at both national and municipal levels.More information on NGOs in cases of emergencies available on:https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiZDBmM2FmOTMtZGE5Ny00ODFkLTg3ODctZjQ5MzBhZTJjODU3IiwidCI6IjYwNjJjOGEyLWQzNTMtNDZjMi05MmQ4LTBkZDc1ZDFmNGI2MyIsImMiOjl94. Focus on Social Sustainability: Stress the need to extend and build uponrecent successful initiatives addressing social sustainability, including thoseaimed at addressing challenges regarding an ageing population by upskilling andreskilling, integrating migrants and vulnerable groups into the labour market andpromoting gender equality. Encourage governments to ensure theseinitiatives are well -funded and effectively implemented. Develop and implementcivic education programmes and civil society initiatives for both young peopleand adults alike to raise awareness of the dangers posed by all forms ofextremism to democracy, including recruitment strategies of extremist groups(BSPYF). Encourage cross -border exchange programmes for citizens of all agesand diverse backgrounds, focused on bridging societal division and combatingextremism (BSPYF). Guarantee inclusive governance by including citizens in theformation of policies and establish mechanisms for participatory budgeting forequitable resource distribution and community empowerment. Encourageworkers to join unions by promoting awareness and involvement by puttingspecial emphasis on strengthening and securing the institutional framework ofthe workers’ unions (BSPYF).• In 2025 a project supported by Swiss funds aimed at increasing the accessibility of vocationaltraining for third -country nationals was launched. The project's goal is to enhance theinclusiveness and quality of vocational training services for third -count ry nationals, helpingthem integrate successfully into the labor market. Due to recent geopolitical and migrationchanges, it became clear that Lithuania's vocational training system needs to adapt to bettermeet the needs of these individuals.The project will develop and test new methodological and practical tools for vocationaltraining, ensuring institutions can provide high -quality services to third -country nationals. Itwill also offer training programs to improve the skills of vocational t eachers and staff, andadapt non -formal vocational training programs to be more inclusive.The target group includes vocational training institutions, policy planning organizations,third -country nationals, employers, and associated employer structures. Key outcomes includethe creation of a methodological guide, qualification improvement programs, and the trainingof vocational teachers and staff.• System of Individual learning accounts (ILA) is a unified lifelong learning system whichenables individuals to use career guidance services, to find information about lifelongLithuania Page 153learning, to choose training, access funding, or learn at their own expense. Trainingentitlements are provided to a certain priority group. ILA credit (500 EUR) is open toindividuals, who meet all the following criteria: 18 -65 age, Lithuanian citizens or holders ofa residence permit in Lithuania; acquired a vocational education training (VET) qualificationor a higher education (HE) degree; employed (according to the Employment Law of theRepublic of Lithuania). A person chooses a learning programme in https://kursuok.lt/ , signsa learning agreement and if a person meets a criterion for ILA credit, price of learning iscovered directly to the learning provider. Eligible person is allowed to use ILA credit of 500EUR once in 5 years period.• "Improving learning opportunities for senior citizens" is a project that aims not only to engagesenior learners in non -formal education but also to strengthen Universities of Third Age andother non- formal adult education providers as hubs that bring olde r adults together for sharededucational experiences. As part of the initiative, research will be conducted to tailor trainingat the Universities of Third Age more effectively, public consultations will be held to identifyemerging challenges and discuss them openly, and efforts will be made to meet learners'expectations. Planned activities will take place until the project's completion in September,2029.• Participatory budgeting (PB) initiatives have rapidly expanded across Lithuanianmunicipalities in recent years. As of 2024, 56 out of 60 municipalities are implementing PB,and more plan to do so soon. Since the first implementation of PB in 2018, citizen s havecollectively decided to allocate 14.4 million Eur.• In 2024, municipalities have invited citizens to submit project ideas with budgets rangingfrom 5,000 to 180,000 Eur distributing nearly €6 million Eur. Around 158,000 citizens in 56municipalities submitted 727 project proposals, of which 172 were selecte d forimplementation through voting. On average, each municipality received 14 ideas.• Most of the selected projects focused on environmental improvements (65 projects),construction of playgrounds and sports fields (53), enhancement of public lighting (14),development of pedestrian paths (8), and creation of public art and spaces (9).• Additionally, 28 municipalities indicated that they involve school students in decision -makingprocesses by implementing PB in schools, three times more than in previous years.• These figures reflect the rapid growth of participatory budgeting in Lithuania and increasedcitizens' involvement in democratic decision -making5. Strengthen social resilience: Reiterate the continued importance ofstrengthening social resilience in the Baltic Sea Region by fostering resiliencethrough cultural activities, acknowledge and support in this regard the successfulstart of the Baltic Sea Cultural Pearls awarding procedure and the first awardedcities and encourage and promote the development of a long -term operatingconcept and further annual implementation of the award after the end of theInterreg projects lifetime in December 2025Lithuania Page 1546. Protect vulnerable groups: Protect the rights and ensure the safety ofrefugees, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, women, children, the elderlyandother vulnerable groups who are particularly at risk in times of war andthreatened by intolerant attitudes.7. Defend sexual and reproductive autonomy: Defend sexual and reproductiveautonomy and respect the right to reproductive health.8. Support Ukraine: Encourage continued and expanded support for Ukraine,referencing past legislative aid packages and reconstruction assistanceinitiatives. Advocate for comprehensive programmes that include economicsupport, infrastructure rebuilding, and assistance in strengthening democraticinstitutions.Last year’s LTU military aid amounted to 0.28 % of national GDP or €210.5 million (and € 773,5mln. since full scale invasion). This year, again, we will aim to increase our military support and gobeyond our annual commitment of 0.3% of GDP. An €80 million support package for Ukraine hasbeen approved.Lithuania is leading demining coalition (LT+ISL in lead, 22 countries participate). With contributionsfrom LTU, ISL, SWE, DK and DEU the Fund has secured 49 million euros for 2025 – half therequired annual target.In the context of the war in Ukraine, Lithuania continues to offer support and to integrate Ukrainianteachers as well. Teachers of general education subjects, as well as vocational teachers, class teachers,special pedagogues, language therapists, social pedagogues, and school psychologists who have comefrom Ukraine are being employed in Lithuanian schools. Teachers who have come from Ukraine andintend to work in Lithuania are not required to speak Lithuanian for 3 years.These political decisions aim to facilitate the continued integration of Ukrainian refugees into theLithuanian labor market, particularly in professions such as teaching, by providing them with moretime to learn the Lithuanian language while maintaining employment.Children refugees from Ukraine have the same rights to attend schools and pre -school educationalinstitutions as Lithuanian children. Students are provided with the necessary educational, learning,and psychological support.9. Combat Disinformation: Request governments to enhance the legislativeframeworks and administrative measures that have shown effectiveness incountering disinformation campaigns, particularly those spearheaded by theRussian Federation. Promote the expansion of public awareness campaigns,Lithuania Page 155digital literacy programs, and robust media education to combatmisinformation. Prohibit personal profiling based on mass data collection, aslong as these profile allow targeted advertisement for disinformation campaigns(BSPYF).1. ALL DIGITAL Weeks Campaign : In 2024, Lithuania participated in the pan -EuropeanALL DIGITAL Weeks campaign, coordinated by the association Langas į ateitį. Thisinitiative focused on cybersecurity, digital skills development, and the integration of artificialintelligence in educat ion. Activities included webinars, educational events in public librariesand schools, quizzes, and film screenings on human rights, reaching over 40,000 citizens.2. Disinformation Literacy Exam : In May 2024, the Lithuanian government, in collaborationwith Debunk.org, introduced the first -ever disinformation literacy exam for schools. Nearly2,000 students from 33 cities participated, engaging in discussions on disinformation, artificialintelli gence, and social media algorithms. This initiative aimed to foster critical evaluation ofinformation among students.Media Education Initiatives : The Lithuanian government integrates media literacy into the nationalcurriculum, ensuring that students receive comprehensive education on discerning disinformation andunderstanding media narratives. This approach aims to equip the younger generation with criticalthinking skills essential for navigating the modern information landscapeIn regards to resolution No. 9, specifically on the expansion of public awareness campaigns anddigital literacy programs, Lithuanian National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has developed a freeof charge interactive learning platform broadly available on th e NCSC website. The platform hasmultiple trainings accessible to the public on: proper cyber hygiene for employees and separately formanagers; cyber hygiene training for working from home; cyber hygiene training for students andteachers. The platform is planned to expand in the near future, with multiple higher -level trainings oncybersecurity already in the making. Even though this is not the primary goal of this resolution, theplatform is contributing to the overall digital literacy and awareness of t he general public.10. Promote Regional Digital Cooperation: Advocate for further enhancementand harmonisation of digital markets and infrastructure across the Baltic SeaRegion. Highlight successful national and regional measures from the past yearto bolster cybersecurity and ethical digital practices and call for cooperativeefforts to scale these successes region -wide. Enhance digital resilience, with theparliaments in the Baltic Sea Region striving towards manifesting their leadingrole in digital literacy education for all age groups, focusing on 1) raisingawareness on the importance of data privacy and 2) supporting innovations totackle disinformation.The Republic of Lithuania fully supports the objectives outlined in the 33rd Baltic Sea ParliamentaryConference Resolution, recognizing the importance of fostering innovation, enhancing digitaltransformation, and promoting sustainability across the Baltic Sea Region. The proposed actions alignLithuania Page 156with Lithuania’s national priorities, particularly in strengthening regional innovation ecosystems,advancing green and digital transitions, and fostering cross -border cooperation.Lithuania has been actively strengthening its innovation ecosystem through policy measures thatfocus on research commercialization, digital transformation, and green technology development.Given the importance of regional collaboration, Lithuania sees si gnificant opportunities for deeperengagement with Baltic Sea Region (BSR) countries to foster cross -border innovation, knowledgeexchange, and joint R&D initiatives. Increased R&D investment through national and EU funds,including Horizon Europe and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, with an emphasis on deep -techstartups and public -private partnerships.By participating in joint Baltic Sea Region countries initiatives, Lithuania aims to contribute totackling shared challenges such as promote security in the region, economic resilience anddevelopment, digital disparities. In the field of innovation polic y, it is essential to reduce digital andinnovation disparities between regions, promote business and research collaboration, and enhancelocal innovation ecosystems. Additionally, better utilization of EU financial instruments and ensuringgreater partici pation of country businesses in macro -regional projects are crucial. Furthermore,Lithuania endorses the emphasis on closer collaboration with non -EU countries, particularly Ukraine,as a means of reinforcing regional stability and innovation capacity.The Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania sees such opportunitiesfor cooperation in Baltic Sea Region in these fields:• Joint R&D Programs: Lithuania aims to expand cross -border innovation projects, especially inbiotech, artificial intelligence (AI), and clean technologies.• Knowledge and Technology Transfer: Strengthening cooperation between research institutionsand industries across the Baltic Sea Region.• Harmonization of Policies: Aligning innovation policies, reducing regulatory barriers, andpromoting open data initiatives within the region.• Funding Synergies: Exploring opportunities for coordinated EU and national funding to supportlarge -scale innovation initiatives across BSR countries.Lithuania has continued to grow and mature our cyber threat analysis platform – Regional CyberDefence Centre (RCDC under NCSC). RCDC is a multinational collaboration platform with expertsfrom Lithuania, the U.S., Ukraine, Georgia and Poland. RCDC analyse s and shares cyber threatintelligence (CTI) with its partners and critical infrastructure entities, which could also benefit fromefforts in strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure. We are regularly inviting our like -minded partners to joi n the RCDC initiative and have briefed BSPC participants such as Latvia,Finland and Germany on RCDC activities. The Regional Cyber Defence Centre has already producedthe following reports: “Cyber threats to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea regio n”, “How torecognize China cyber threats”, “Report on cyber lessons learned during the war in Ukraine”.11. Enhance Maritime Ecosystem Protection: Strongly urge governments toenhance efforts to combat eutrophication by systematically implementing therevised HELCOM Action Plan and nutrient input reduction schemes. Encouragethe adaptation and the necessary prioritization on innovative, sustainableagricultural practices and the promotion of nutrient recycling strategies, ensuringthat these measures are integrated into national and regional policies toLithuania Page 157significantly reduce nutrient runoff into the Baltic Sea without decreasing foodproduction. Emphasise the need for coordinated efforts to protect the Baltic Sea'sbiodiversity and improve water quality through updated legislative measures andtargeted investments.In recent years, Lithuania has implemented a functioning fertilizer declaration system, which helpsfarmers declare fertilizer use at field level. A free, user -friendly fertilization planning tool is nowavailable and actively used by farmers to prepare ba lanced fertilization plans, reducing the risk ofnutrient runoff into water bodies.Farmers are regularly trained on how to prepare fertilization plans, and awareness is increasing onthe importance of sustainable fertilization practices. In parallel, legal acts related to fertilizationplanning are being reviewed and improved to ensure e ffective implementation and environmentalprotection.To support nutrient recycling strategies, the regulatory framework for the use of digestate from biogasplants has been simplified. This contributes to both reduced mineral fertilizers use and the promotionof circular economy principles in agriculture.Based on scientific study recommendations, environmental rules for manure and slurry managementwere amended to introduce requirements for manure composting. This is expected to promote the useof organic fertilizers and partially replace chemical fertiliz ers, contributing to more sustainablenutrient management.Implementation of food waste prevention measures, approved in the State Waste Prevention andManagement Plan: for 2021 –2027 is also one of the solutions to reduce the input to the Baltic Sea.By minimizing food waste, these measures could help lower the f ood waste, which in turn reducesnutrient runoff into water bodies. This approach not only contributes to more sustainable resource usebut also plays a significant role in protecting the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.12. Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Call for the continuation and expansion of legislativeactions that have successfully created new MPAs and improved management strategies. Urgegovernments to increase transboundary cooperation to protect vulnerabl e habitats, enhancebiodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.Of all the Baltic Sea countries, Lithuania has the smallest marine area, which is made up of 6,512km2, but the coverage of Lithuanian marine protected areas is relatively high. Our marine protectedareas cover 18.2 % (approx. 1190 km2) of Lithuania's Balt ic Sea waters. This exceeds the globaltarget set for 2020 by the Strategic plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which aimed forprotection of marine and coastal areas.Lithuania has established several MPAs that focus on conserving habitats such as reefs, estuaries, aswell as various bird species. All Lithuanian marine protected areas are also of internationalimportance - either included in the Natura 2000 network or p rotected under the Helsinki (HELCOM)Convention.Besides the international level, Lithuania participates in regional initiatives aimed at enhancing MPAmanagement. One of the biggest ones is the Protect Baltic project that seeks to improve spatialenvironmental protection of the Baltic Sea's ecosystem. T his project is under the EU's Horizon EuropeLithuania Page 158program, running from August 2023 to August 2028. Coordinated by the HELCOM Secretariat, itsprimary goal is to enhance and expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Baltic Sea to ensureeffective conservation and restoration of marine biodiversity.Currently, Lithuania is actively creating the National nature restoration plan under the EU NatureRestoration Law (NRL) that has direct and transformative impact in shaping the future of Lithuania'sMarine Protected Areas (MPAs) by setting restoration tar gets and integrating the Baltic Sea intonational planning and policy. The National nature restoration plan will focus on restoration on marinehabitats in and outside Natura 2000 network. Identification of areas falling under regulation and theirconditio n (good, not good or unknown) is one of the first main steps. However, monitoring of marineareas, is a major challenge due to the need for special and expensive equipment (ships, aircraft,underwater cameras, etc.) and highly skilled personnel.12. Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Call for the continuation andexpansion of legislative actions that have successfully created new MPAs andimproved management strategies. Urge governments to increase transboundarycooperation to protect vulnerable habitats, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate theimpacts of climate change.13. Promote Sustainable Blue Economy Initiatives: Foster public and privateinvestments in innovative marine and maritime sectors to support thedevelopment and implementation of sustainable blue economy initiatives whilstunderlining Article 1 Para 3 of the EU Maritime Strategy Framework Directive(MSFD). Highlight the importance of balancing economic activities such asoffshore wind energy and aquaculture with marine environmental protection byapplying an ecosystem approach. Call for incorporating scientific research andstakeholder input in planning and executing these initiatives to ensure that theystrive for ecological sustainability whilst contributing to economic growth.The blue economy of the Baltic Sea is an economy based on environmentally friendly technologiesand renewable energy, promoting circularity, restoring the ecosystems of the Baltic Sea andincreasing their resilience, and educating the public about the bala nce between the economy and theenvironment, in which important modernisation and diversification steps have recently been taken.Actions contributing to good environmental status: The designation of the Baltic Sea as a control areafor pollution by sulphur and nitrogen oxides from ships, decisions taken to reduce the amount ofplastic waste generated, business is encouraged to apply the principles of the circular economy, topreserve the species and habitats of the Natura 2000 protected area, and to make Klaipėda StateSeaport a ‘green port’ that integrates environmental objectives in its activities.However, accelerating the development of green energy should not be at odds with relations betweenbiodiversity and with neighbouring countries. This issue is therefore at the heart of the EnvironmentalImpact Assessment (EIA) in permit -granting procedures , as well as in close cooperation and acrossborders.Lithuania Page 159Lithuania has adopted detailed criteria for determining significant negative impacts of wind turbineson bird and bat species. Attention shall be paid to post -construction monitoring of birds and bats inorder to make a realistic assessment of whether thes e animals are affected by wind turbines that havealready been built. A list of the most sensitive bird species to wind turbines has been compiled andthe distance from their breeding sites at which wind turbines can be installed has been established.This is an important contribution to EIA decision -making.Lithuania's General Territorial Plan includes specific areas for the development of offshore renewableenergy facilities. Environmental impact assessment procedures and biodiversity impact assessmentsare mandatory due to applicable conventions such as ESP OO and HELCOM, the EU NatureDirective.The recent projects of offshore renewable wind farms illustrate the process of public and privatesectors’ co -development. Detailed plans for the development of two designated areas were carriedout. The first territory is in the design process and the second territory is open for public procurements.In order to achieve compact and coherent marine development , Lithuania is activ ely engage d in theformulation of ecosystem based ap proach in MSP, multiuse and cumulative impact asses smentformulation of recommendations. These activities take place in the intergovernmental Helcom -Vasabworking group. Still, stronger integration among marine sectors and scientific institutions is projectedin the future.14. Support Maritime Transport Sustainability: Advocate for the transition tolow-sulfur fuels and alternative energy sources and promote digitalisation andautomation in logistics to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.In the Baltic Sea, a sulfur oxides emission control area (SECA) has been established to minimizeairborne emissions from ships as defined by Annex VI to the MARPOL Convention. Since 2015, theuse of marine fuel with a sulfur content of more than 0.1% by ma ss has been prohibited in this area.The requirement must be complied with by all ships flying the flag of the State of Lithuania or theflag of any other country while they are in the territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, internal watersof the sea ar ea of the Republic of Lithuania, including ships whose voyage began outside theEuropean Union. A control system has been established to assess fuel compliance with therequirements.15. Enhance Port Security and Infrastructure: Invest in port infrastructureimprovements focusing on security and sustainability, such as shore -sideelectricity and waste management, and enhance connectivity with hinterlandtransport networks.16. Strengthening Maritime Safety: Ensure safe, efficient and obstacle -freeshipping routes. Implement and enforce advanced navigational aids, improvedVessel Traffic Services (VTS), and stringent safety regulations to enhancemaritime safety amidst the region's dense traffic and challenging weatherconditions. An increased use of Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS) in areas withLithuania Page 160sensitive infrastructure are of essence.17. Support Technological Innovations in Engines: Invest in the research anddevelopment of hybrid propulsion systems, new fuels, and electrificationtechnologies to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions, ensuringvessels meet evolving regulatory requirements.18. Address the threats by the Russian "Shadow Fleet": Prioritise addressingthe threats posed by the Russian "shadow fleet" by enhancing maritimesurveillance, intelligence sharing, regulatory enforcement, and collaborativeefforts to mitigate environmental and security risks, including advocating forinternational sanctions, as long as it is necessary.Sabotage of critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea is a serious threat to our security. Weneed to ensure effective interaction between our national, regional, NATO and EU efforts.Lithuania supports NATO’s activities in the Baltic Sea – we emphasise the need for a sustainedand enhanced NATO presence in the Baltic Sea.NATO forces maintain presence in the Baltic Sea, regularly conducting patrols and joint exercisesto enhance military readiness. Allied warships, submarines and aircraft, supported by advancedmaritime surveillance technology, monitor waters throughout the regi on and beyond.Since January 2025, NATO has increased its military presence in the Baltic Sea and is conductingthe enhanced Vigilance Activity, Baltic Sentry, aimed at deterring threats to critical underseainfrastructure. Baltic Sentry includes naval and air patrols, and covers the area from the Gulf ofFinland to the Danish Straits. NATO Standing Naval Forces and the capabilities of Baltic SeaAllies contribute to this activity.The NATO Maritime Centre for Security of Critical Underwater Infrastructure assists in makingdecisions and coordinating actions relating to critical undersea infrastructure protection andresponse. NATO has launched a pilot project to enhance surveillance of the Baltic Sea with thesupport of drones, equipped with the Artificial Intelligence tools. JEF conducts the OperationNORDIC WARDEN in support of NATO’s Baltic Sentry to monitor activities of vessels on theEU sanctions list and on Russia’s shadow fle et list, and to share warnings on suspicious activitieswith partners.Lithuania is strengthening our national intergovernmental response measures, including exercises andpotential response plans. This involves different institutions and private sector aiming to improvewhole of government coordination and response algorithm .At the national level, Lithuania identifies two key components of critical energy infrastructure: the"NordBalt" undersea power cable connecting Lithuania and Sweden, and the "LitPolLink" connectionto Poland. The Government of the Republic of Lithuania ha s mandated that the Public SecurityService ensure the protection of both interconnections.On January 13, 2025, the Lithuanian Armed Forces and LITGRID, the Lithuanian electricitytransmission system operator, signed the cooperation agreement to enhance the security of criticalBaltic Sea infrastructure, including the “NordBalt” connection, and other vital ene rgy andtelecommunications infrastructure. The agreement aims to implement technical and practicalLithuania Page 161measures, and facilitate the exchange of information between the Lithuanian Armed Forces andLITGRID. Cooperation with LITGRID will also contribute to strengthening defence mechanisms,ensuring the protection of undersea infrastructure from potential external threats.Improving maritime surveillance:The Baltic States are developing a regional Maritime Situational Awareness (MSA) system. Thedevelopment of a regional MSA capability significantly enhances maritime surveillance capabilitiesand provides excellent conditions for indications and warnings.The system can exchange UNCLASSIFIED data in real time and move towards the exchange ofclassified data as well. It is necessary to start thinking about the further development of MSA with afocus on underwater surveillance. The starting point could be to define the level of ambition atnational level.The Baltic States should also discuss and define common cooperation possibilities with the countriesof the Baltic Sea region within the Maritime Situational Awareness project, inviting Finland andSweden to join.19. Continue to Address the Issue of Sea -Dumped Munitions: Encouragegovernments to prioritise and coordinate cooperation on the comprehensivemapping and safe removal of sea -dumped munitions, leveraging the EuropeanCommission's ongoing projects and funding initiatives such as Horizon Europe aswell as developing further joint efforts of HELCOM, CBSS and the EU in thisfield.Advocate for the application of environmentally friendly technologies andmethodologies to mitigate the risks posed by submerged munitions, ensuring thatthese efforts are integrated into national and regional security and environmentalagendas and implemented as soon as possible. Regarding Energy Supply securityand Interconnectivity to Improve Energy Security and Self -sustainabilityAs already reported about the possible actions to implement the Resolution adopted by the 32nd BalticSea Parliamentary Conference, currently Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is participating inthe international Interreg Baltic Sea Region project "Ba ltic Sea Munitions Remediation Roadmap"(MUNIMAP) (2024 –2027).Although significant research has been conducted in the Baltic Sea region over the past decade,national authorities responsible for managing marine territories face numerous challenges inaddressing the removal of munitions dumped at sea. The MUNIMAP proj ect aims to accelerate andcoordinate national processes by developing modular and adaptable guidelines for munitions removalin the Baltic Sea. The project will strive to create and evaluate various components of munitionsremediation guidelines, such as political recommendations, IT solutions for site prioritization,monitoring strategies, and innovative, cost -effective, and environmentally friendly removal methods.MUNIMAP pilot activities will demonstrate different stages of the munitions remediation pr ocess –from site detection and identification, risk assessment, site prioritization, removal, and monitoring tothe utilization and evaluation of results.The EPA will contribute by reviewing monitoring methods for munitions sites. The last studies inchemical weapons dumping sites were conducted more than ten years ago, making it essential toLithuania Page 162gather current data to assess potential risks before making decisions or drafting remediation plans.The sampling expedition is planned for the summer 2025.By now the project partners have collected the information and are preparing the overview of existinglegal documents which address the dumped munitions issues in the countries around the Baltic Sea,including the lists of institutions that participate in decision making processes at different levels. Thefirst results of this overview will be presented during the MUNIMAP Policy workshop for Lithuanianstakeholders, which will be held on the 21 of May in the Ministry of Environment in Vilniu s.20. given the current geopolitical challenges, prioritise and support projectsaimed at improving energy security in the Baltic Sea region;21. while building new or transforming the already existing energy infrastructure,take strongly into account the regional needs, resilience considerations, andsustainability goals, as well as social and economic welfare;22. facilitate more interconnections in the Baltic Sea region;23. unite in setting up a common interconnection execution in regional initiativesand strongly involve the EU Funds in order to succeed in regional renewableenergy market development;24. regularly exchange experience and best practices concerning theimplementation of onshore and offshore wind projects in the Baltic Sea region;Improve Transport25. increase the funding for improving infrastructure and start discussions on anew strategy to enhance military mobility capabilities and civil transport in theregion;In order to improve Lithuania's military mobility situation, the Ministry of National Defence, togetherwith the Ministry of Transport and Communications, has identified dual -purpose infrastructure thatneeds to be adapted for military use. The list of tra nsport infrastructure includes the development ofroads, railways, maritime and airports. We are participating in the EU DG MOVE project to identifyEU military mobility corridors. We are preparing to participate in the EU CEF Military Mobility NewCall fo r Dual Purpose Infrastructure for the adaptation of infrastructure facilities to military needs.Lithuania Page 16326. develop and execute plans to further improve maritime and railway transportconnectivity in the Baltic Sea region and ensure connectivity with the Europeancontinent;27. significantly improve coordination of activities and regular cooperation of thedemocratic Baltic Sea countries in protecting maritime infrastructure in theBaltic Sea region;28. create a plan for addressing shipping insurance challenges in the region thatcan disrupt trade routes, leading to delays and increased costs for businesses;29. jointly discuss the implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of theSea to address challenges in the Baltic Sea, in particular, the protection ofinfrastructure and the coordination between coastal States in the Baltic Sea;Enhance Digital Connectivity30. commence negotiations between the members of the BSPC on enhancingcooperation in the area of cybersecurity;Lithuanian lead initiative of PESCO Cyber Rapid Response Teams (CRRT), which Latvia, Estonia,Poland and Denmark are members of, has been widely successful in its operations (vulnerabilityassessments in EU partner country and support to an EU military mis sion) since the 33rd BSPCresolution. Lithuania has been regularly inviting and encouraging BSPC participants to join CRRT(Finland, Sweden, Norway and Germany already being observers of this initiative). The CRRTinitiative provides a good example of how should cyber rapid response teams be structured and itsoperational capabilities developed on a national scale as well. The purpose of this initiative is tobolster cyber security by preventative measures and enhance cyber threat response by request of oneof the CRRT member states, EU member states, EU institutions, bodies or agencies, EU partner statesor EU military missions. In addition, Lithuania has joined the Nordic Baltic initiative (otherparticipants are Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Iceland) for security operations centre (SOC)collaboration, which will contribute to the enhanced regional situational awareness of cyber threats.31. develop incentives and support for strengthening underwater communicationinfrastructure in the Baltic Sea, including expanding connections and ensuringthe resilience of the existing ones;32. cooperate and exchange practices on increasing universal coverage andservice for Internet connectivity in the Baltic Sea region;Lithuania Page 164Facilitate Cross -border projects33. raise awareness and search for solutions to facilitate the implementation oflarge - scale cross -border projects of regional importance;34. explore joint cross -border renewable energy projects and to identifyinfrastructure needs in order to enable the integration of renewable energy whileensuring and improving the security of supply and access to affordable energy;35. coordinate corporation to rapidly stimulate the installation of neededcomputing capacity in the Baltic Sea region, in light of the rapid development ofAI software and services demanding green and sufficient energy and abundantcomputing power, Baltic Sea renewable energy market growth, andinterconnectivity development serving as a basis for supercomputerimplementation and usage;Regarding Defence to36. Coordinate the Approach to Threats: Agree on a coordinated approach toaddress the lack of information exchange, thread control centres, threadmitigation policy as well as effective communication against the spread oftargeted fake news and propaganda, considering multiple recent and potentialhybrid threats towards critical energy and communication infrastructure in theBaltic Sea region.In regards to resolution No. 36, on a coordinated approach to threats, and as mentioned in regards toresolution No. 10, the RCDC under NCSC along with its partners has produced and published acomprehensive report titled „Cyber Threats to Critical Infrast ructure in the Baltic Sea Region“ inSeptember of 2024. Recognizing the urgency in protecting Baltic Sea region, the purpose of this studywas to provide critical infrastructure stakeholders with valuable insights into the current state of theBaltic Sea r egion critical infrastructure cyber security, main attack vectors, vulnerabilities and threatactors.37. Use examples of good practice as a blueprint: Some countries bordering theNorth Sea have signed the "Joint Declaration on Cooperation for the ProtectionLithuania Page 165of Infrastructure in the North Sea"; this initiative could serve as a model forcloser security cooperation in the Baltic Sea as well .38. Realise an Integrated NATO Defence Area: Commit to realising the potentialof the Baltic Sea region to become an integrated NATO defence area with strongregional cooperation in coastal, maritime, and air defence.39. Strengthen Surveillance and Response Coordination through NATO:Increase integration of maritime infrastructure surveillance and response effortswithin NATO frameworks, particularly with Finland's and Sweden's accession.Promote the development of cooperative governance measures and jointsurveillance initiatives to enhance NATO's capabilities in monitoring andprotecting critical maritime infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region.NATO is currently conducting enhanced Vigilance Activity “Baltic Sentry” to strengthen theprotection of critical maritime infrastructure and enhance surveillance in the Baltic Sea. Lithuania isparticipating in this activity with its capabilities (Navy vessel, Air force helicopter and other).Lithuania is also exchanging maritime surveillance information with NATO Allied MaritimeCommand (MARCOM ).40. Raising situational awareness and increasing societal resilience: Payparticular attention to raising situational awareness and increasing societalresilience to respond to hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea region.Enhancing situational awareness and community resilience is essential in responding effectively tohybrid threats in the Baltic Sea region:Lithuania has established a national crisis management system that encompasses various institutions,including the Government, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of the Interior, and other responsibleentities. This allows for a quick and effective resp onse to various challenges, including militaryconflicts, natural disasters, or health crises.Increasing national resilience: Lithuania has invested in its national security and resilience to variousthreats. This includes both strengthening the defense forces and information security, disconnectionfrom BRELL, and independent operation of the Lith uanian liquefied gas terminal. Since 2014,Lithuania has been actively participating in NATO's collective security defense structures, which helpimprove resilience to external threats.Training and exercises: Lithuania regularly organizes training and exercises for both civil servantsand the public. This includes both civil protection training and emergency preparedness, such asLithuania Page 166major natural disasters or pandemics. For example, Lithuania conducts exercises on the protection ofthe population and behavior in emergency situations.Recognizing and Managing Hybrid Threats: Current geopolitical conditions in Lithuania placeparticular emphasis on managing divisive hybrid threats, such as information warfare, cyberattacks,and increased social tension. Lithuanian institutions are workin g to improve their ability to recognizeand respond to these threats, as well as to strengthen cybersecurity and information resilience.Crisis Communication: There is now a lot of attention being paid to crisis communication and howgovernment institutions communicate with the public in critical situations. Lithuania is strengtheningits communication infrastructure to ensure fast and clea r information to people during various crisissituations, including combating disinformation.The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is one of the main institutions in Lithuania responsiblefor cybersecurity at the state level. The NCSC operates as a separate unit under the LithuanianMinistry of the Interior. Its purpose is to monitor and analyse cyber incidents, provide assistance togovernment institutions and critical infrastructure, as well as organize cybersecurity training andinform the public about threats.CERT.LT is a cyber -incident response team operating in Lithuania, part of the National CyberSecurity Centre . It provides assistance to government institutions, businesses, and citizens when cyberincidents occur .National risk analysis 2024 was recently published by the Government of Lithuania. In making ofnational risk analysis majority of Government bodies such as ministries, State Security Department,and other institutions provided up to date information regar ding risks that are facing Lithuania.National risk analysis is completely public and may be considered as one of the tools that helpsincrease societal resilience to respond to hybrid threats. It is important to mention that national riskanalysis provide s recommendations for society what actions should be taken if any of risks wereencountered.Furthermore, every year Lithuanian intelligence services – the State Security Department and theSecond Investigation Department under the Ministry of National Defence provide the public with ajoint assessment of threats to national security. National thr eat assessments provide a greatopportunity to get to know what threats Lithuania is facing, how State actors behave and whatobjectives they might have.Yet for society to be resilient it is important that it trust government institutions, first responders andother organisations. Ministry of the Interior and Police Department under the Ministry of the Interiorstrive for society to have high trust in Law enforcement agencies and first responders. It is worth tomention that 82% of Lithuanians trust in Police and 88,7% trust in Fire and Rescue Department ofLithuania .41. Enhance Maritime Infrastructure Governance and LegislativeAlignment:Harmonise national definitions and legislative frameworks for criticalmaritime infrastructure across the Baltic Sea region. Establish a cohesivegovernancestructure to oversee the protection of maritime infrastructure,ensuringconsistent and coordinated legislative measures to enhance security andresilience against threats.Lithuania Page 167Lithuania prepared and disseminated among NATO Allies the Concept note (attached) on applicationand interpretation of international law in order to enhance the protection of Critical underseainfrastructure (CUI). LTU concept note indicates 3 main areas:1) First, we invite you to consider establishing a safety zones around underwater criticalinfrastructure, including in exclusive economic zones. Such safety zones could include obligation orrecommendation for vessels to refrain from certain actions, like anchoring.2) Second, we should work together to assemble a list of strong preventive actions, which are lawfulunder the current maritime law. We could build on the example of Baltic Sentry tasks.3) Third, we must prepare to take a decisive action in case of imminent threat or actual damage to ourundersea critical infrastructure. We have to be able to board and seize vessels in case of necessity.Concept note is discussed in ongoing dialog within the NATO Allies at expert level, where Alliesaim to identify means for better protection of CUI, including harmonizing legislative frameworks forcritical underwater infrastructure across the Baltic Sea r egion. Meetings held online, in Berlin andTallinn, in January, February, March and April 2025. A good progress is made in discussing variousoptions. This effort will be continued seeking to harmonize legal frameworks and coordinate othermeasures for pro tection of critical undersea infrastructure.42. Invest in Advanced Surveillance and Early Detection Systems: Invest inadvanced surveillance technologies, such as sensors, hydroacoustic systems,and unmanned subsea drones, for real -time monitoring of maritimeinfrastructure. Promote the integration of these technologies into new andexisting infrastructure to establish a comprehensive early warning and rapidresponse system, minimising the risk and impact of grey zone attacks.The Public Security Service under the Ministry of the Interior is continuously working to enhancesurveillance and early detection systems for critical infrastructure. In 2025, it is expected to launch acentralized surveillance system that will monitor th e majority of critical infrastructure facilities underits protection.43. Foster Public -Private Partnerships for Maritime Security: Advocate for theestablishment of robust public -private partnerships to enhance cooperation andinformation sharing between governments and private sector stakeholdersinvolved in maritime infrastructure. Develop joint security protocols andinvestment strategies to incentivise private companies to implement advancedsecurity measures, ensuring mutual benefits and enhanced protection of criticalinfrastructureLithuania’s Navy is closely cooperating with the developer of future offshore wind power plant,which is planned in the Baltic Sea (in Lithuania’s Exclusive Economic Zone). It is planned that windtowers will be equipped with sophisticated surveillance too ls (both civilian and military) andintegrated into joint surveillance system. This would help with both – protection of the power plantand maritime surveillance.Lithuania Page 168Lithuanian Armed Forces also consulted private operator of the undersea power cable “NordBalt” oninstalling sensors along the cable that will provide additional awareness of overpassing vessel traffic.Additionally, in Lithuania operators of critical infrastructure (including maritime) have to complywith stricter cyber security and physical security requirements that are compulsory to them by thelaw.In February, Lithuanian Government confirmed an algorithm for responding to underwaterinfrastructure damage in the Baltic Sea. According to this algorithm the Border Guard Service incooperation with Armed Forces react to the incident in territorial sea o r in Exclusive Economic Zone.The algorithm defines procedures, such as ship boarding, detention or arrest, and indicates concreteactions to be taken and coordination required in case of damaged infrastructure. The operators ofcritical maritime infrastru cture were also involved in the drafting of the algorithm. They have a dutyto report the suspect infrastructure damage to the relevant authorities as soon as possible.44. Develop Regional Contingency and Rapid Repair Capabilities: Encouragethe further development of regional contingency plans and rapid repaircapabilities for maritime infrastructure. Invest in dedicated repair ships andcoordinated response strategies across the members of the BSPC to ensure swiftrestoration of damaged infrastructure, reducing the effectiveness and appeal ofhybrid grey zone attacks.Regarding Climate Change to45. Implement HELCOM’s Climate Change -related Recommendations:Emphasise the urgency of enhancing climate resilience through the continuedimplementation of HELCOM’s Climate Change Fact Sheet recommendationsand the Baltic Sea Action Plan’s climate -related actions.In Lithuania’s National Climate Change Management Agenda, the indicative overall 2040 GHGemission reduction target of 85% target and legally binding commitments to reach climate neutralcircular economy by 2050 are set. At present we emphasize the full im plementation of the targets of‘Fit for 55’ legislative package, as economy -wide, encompassing the contribution of all sectors byimplementing measures of the National Energy and Climate Plan.Lithuania’s main priority is to reduce fossil fuel imports from third countries and achieve nationaland energy security by ensuring competitive and stable energy prices for industry and consumers. By2030, Lithuania’s national electricity grid is expected to turn green, with the share of electricity fromrenewable energy sources reaching 100 percent and 55 percent in final energy consumption. Our totalinstalled solar and wind power, having more than quadrupled since 2020, is expected to more thandouble by 2026. Share of renewable energy in our heating sector will also reach 100 percent by 2050.Also, we set commitment to increase at least 1.2 percent annually energy efficiency and intend tobecome exporter of energy and high -value energy products, as gree n hydrogen, bio -methane, etc.Lithuania Page 169In order to prepare for the smooth implementation of the Emission Trading System for buildings androad transport (ETS2) and provide a signal for the fuel suppliers, Lithuania introduced the CO2component in excise duty tax on fossil fuels in 2024. The ba se of excise duty tax for different fossilfuels as well as its augmentation are determined according to emission factors of fossil fuels.Additionally fossil fuels subsidies were review and new excise tax was introduced for peat (for it notto become an a lternative to coal).Aiming to mitigate the socio -economic impact of the ETS2, Lithuania is developing National SocialClimate Plan with assistance of the Commission capacity building project. In combination withNational Social Climate Plan measures (incentives, subsidies and investments) and the investmentsfrom allowances revenues funds (Climate Change Program and Modernization Fund), as well as theEU financial instruments such as the RRF, we intend to support building modernization andrenewable energy deployment, etc. Pro viding these public incentives the priority is given tovulnerable energy users, low -income households, and vulnerable transport users to reduce thenegative socio -economic impact of ETS2.Lithuania acknowledges that enhancing the resilience of the Baltic Sea region to climate changeimpacts is a crucial part of climate adaptation and requires coordinated action across whole Balticregion. Extreme events are becoming the new reality: in the past year alone, Lithuanian coastal regionexperienced 4 meteorological and 7 hydrological disasters, accounting for nearly a third of allrecorded extreme weather events nationwide. In response, Lithuania has approved the NationalClimate Change Adaptatio n Plan, setting a strategic framework for resilience across all economicsectors. Municipal adaptation plans and emergency management recommendations are also beingdeveloped, alongside targeted coastal management programme to address rising climate risks.To increase climate resilience in coastal and maritime region, significant investments need to bemade. However, currently, there is still no system in place to quantify the damage and effects ofhydrometeorological hazards. To bridge this gap, 8 million E UR is allocated from the 2021 –2027 EUFunds with a particular focus on the coastal and Curonian Lagoon regions. In addition, €6.3 millionwill be allocated to increase the resilience of the Baltic Sea coastline: funds will be allocated toreplenish beach s ediments with sand and to implement coastal strip management measures on theCuronian Spit section of the Lithuanian Baltic Sea coastline. Additionally, €34 million has beendesignated for flood prevention projects, supporting municipalities in safeguardin g residents,infrastructure, and property from increasingly frequent and severe flooding events.However, we also need to set up financial mechanisms and increase public and private cooperationto unlock the necessary investment to close the finance gap for large -scale projects. By de -riskinginvestments through public funding or guarantees, we can at tract private capital for Baltic Sea regionresilience projects. It is important to ensure that the investment flows are aligned with climateadaptation priorities and strengthening resilience.46. Promote Renewable Energy Development: Support the deployment ofoffshore renewables and decarbonised fuels, such as renewable hydrogen - withstrong regard for the biodiversity of the sea -, and set ambitious targets forrenewable energy capacity to drive the clean transition and contribute to globalclimate goals.Lithuania Page 17047. Develop Coastal Management Plans: Urge the implementation and updatingof comprehensive coastal management plans, building on effective measuresobserved in the past year that protect and restore coastal ecosystems. Highlightthe importance of protecting these areas as carbon sinks and buffer zonesagainst sea -level rise.Coastal ecosystems play a crucial role in mitigating climate change impacts, acting as both carbonsinks and buffer zones against sea -level rise. To safeguard and restore these vital ecosystems,effective coastal management plans are essential. In Lithuani a, the Coastal Zone Law, in force since2002 and subsequently amended, governs land and sea use conditions, as well as economic activitieswithin the coastal zone. The law mandates that measures for preserving or restoring significant coastalfeatures be o utlined in the Coastal Zone Management Programme. This programme, initiated in 2003,is prepared by the Ministry of the Environment and approved by the Minister of the Environment.The Coastal Zone Management Programme is regularly updated to reflect new e nvironmentalchallenges and scientific findings. The current programme covers the period from 2023 to 2032. Theprogramme is updated based on current monitoring results, ensuring that the latest data and scientificassessments are incorporated into managem ent strategies. Lithuania fosters strong inter -institutionalcollaboration, particularly with scientific organizations. These partnerships facilitate research,assessment of dune conditions, and evaluation of potential threats posed by severe storms, flood s, andclimate change. Recent advancements include the integration of marine spatial planning (MSP) intothe national master plan, which aims to create favourable conditions for managing sea uses, fosteringthe blue economy, and securing the good environme ntal status of marine areas. This comprehensiveapproach ensures that coastal and marine ecosystems are managed sustainably, balancing economicdevelopment with environmental protection. By implementing robust coastal management plans, wecan protect these valuable ecosystems and enhance our resilience in the face of environmentalchallenges.48. Implement the Raised Calls for Action: Rigorously continue to implementthe far-reaching calls for action of the 32nd BSPC resolution regarding climatechange and biodiversity.MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERNMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 1721STATEMENTby the State Government of Mecklenburg -VorpommernRegarding the Implementation of th e Resolution Adopted by the 33rd Baltic SeaParliamentary Conference(Helsingør /Denmark, 25 –27 August 2024 )In the following statement, the State Government of Mecklenburg -Vorpommern reports on theimplementation status of the resolution adopted by the 33rd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Co nference,which took place on 25– 27 August 2024 in Helsingør/ Denmark .Herewith the State Government fulfils the request of the State Parliament to submit the re spectivereport by 31 March 2025 .1The statement only covers those areas, which are within the competence of the State Governmentor are viewed to possess overriding importance for Mecklenburg -Vorpommern.1 See Landtagsdrucksache 8/4382 from 27 November 2024 in conjunction with Landtagsdrucksache 6/4498 from 15September 2015. STATE PARLIAMENT OF MECKLENBURG -VORPOMMERN8th electoral term Printed matter 8/47764 April 2025Unofficial translationForwarded together with the letter from the Head of the Sta te Chancellery from 4 April 2025 .The Ministry of Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs is the lead ministry.MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 1732In their resolution, the participants of the 33rd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)call on the Governments in the Baltic Sea Region, the CBSS and the EU,Regarding cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region toItemNo. Resolution Text Statement by the State Government ofMecklenburg -Vorpommern1 Strengthen Democratic Resilience:Call on governments to further enhancedemocracy, the rule of law, equality, andhuman rights, building on successfullegislative and administrative measuresfrom the past year by intensifyingcollaboration and sharing best practicesamong de mocratic stakeholders in theregion. Fostering European integration andpromoting cross -border cooperation,particularly in the Baltic Sea region, areenshrined as state goals in the C onstitutionof the state of Mecklenburg -Vorpommern.The sustainable transformation of theeconomy and society, the protection of theBaltic Sea, the management ofdemographic development and thesafeguarding of services of general interestin rural areas a re common challenges ofour time. Mecklenburg -Vorpommern isintensifying its cooperation with variouspartner s in the democratic Baltic Searegion to tackle these challenges.The Strategy of the State Government ofMecklenburg -Vorpommern for cooperationin the Baltic Sea region adopted on 16January 2024 (MV Baltic Sea Strategy)provides the basis .The state programme “ Strengtheningdemocracy and tolerance together!” wasadopted for the first time in 2006 on across -party basis and has been repeatedlyupdated and adapted since then. Theimplementation strategy for the stateprogramme currently comprises around200 measures to support and advise civilsociety, citizens and institutions. Thisprogramme has a very broad thematicfocus. It is based on a holistic approach tostrengthening democracy , includingmeasures in the areas of prevention,integrati on and repression (resilientdemocracy).It aims to strengthen an open andpluralistic society and cohesion.Strengthening democracy and combatingextremism are essential core elements .Objectives of the state programme:MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 1743• knowledge about democraticstructures and behaviour is impartedand key skills are strengthened,• participation in social processes isexpanded,• administrations and public institutionsare strengthened in their responsibilityand are aware of the impact of theiractions on the democratic community,• protection against discrimination,threats and violence as well aseffective support for those affected isensured,• the democratic, open and diversesociety is defended and anti -democratic influences and activitiesare consistently countered.2 Promote Peaceful Cooperation :Emphasise the importance of peacefulcooperation and dialogue among Balt icSea states to address sharedenvironmental challenges whilerespecting in ternational law andterritorial integrity. Safeg uarding territorial integrity liesprimarily within the responsibility of theFederal Government. The StateGovernment of Mecklenburg -Vorpommernsupports the fo reign policy activities of theFederal G overnment through bilateralregional co -operation. The regiona lpartnerships with the Polish V oivodeshipsof West Pomerania and Pomerania as wellas the Southwest Finland region are ofcentral importance for the Baltic Searegion. At the same time, the state isinvolved in various formats, such as theHelsinki Commission (HELCOM) or theConference of Peripheral MaritimeRegions (CPMR), the Baltic SeaCommission (BSC), the Baltic SeaParliamentary Conference (BSPC) and theSouth Baltic Parliamentary Forum, in orderto further shape the democratic Baltic Searegion.Existing Interreg projects (Europeanterritorial co operation), such as the “ Crisismanag ement in the river of Oder borderregion” project, between the state ofMecklenburg -Vorpommern (Mecklenburg -Vorpommern State Water Police Office -LWSPA MV) and the Republic of Pola nd(Voivodship Police Headquarters inSzczecin , KWP Szczecin – KomendaWojewodzka Policji w Szczecinie)strengthen peaceful cooperation anddialogue. Within the framework of theseprojects, t he LWSPA MV has signed apartnership agreement as a projectMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 1754partner . Furthermore, the MaritimeUniversity of Szczecin (Akademia Morskaw Szczecinie ) acts as an associatedpartner during the project period. Theproject work fosters friendly contactsbetween the participating partners . Theyalso promote the implementation of theGerman -Polish police treaty.3 Empower Citizen Engagement :Facilitate citizen participation in politicaldecision- making, create more platformsfor citi zens with decision -making powerwith a particular focus on the younggenerat ion, and promote youth civicengagement through increased politicalliteracy, not ably by improving educationabout democracy and the schoolcurricula and educ ational programmes(BSPYF). Promote the exchange ofexperience on building an efficient civilprotection system that takes into accountthe potential r eprese nted by civil societyorganisations in mobilising humanresources and responding toemergencies. The State G overnment has alreadyachieved extensive improvements byamending the municipal constitution(Kommunalverfassung für das LandMecklenburg -Vorpommern , KV MV). Forexample, local authorities can decide , ontheir own responsibility and regardless ofthe pandemic emergency situation,whether members of the representativebody, committees and neighbourhoodcouncils may participate in meetings ofthese bodies using video conferencingtechnology. This new type of participationoption is int ended in particular to helpimprove the compatibility of local politicalmandates and offices with family andcareer, thereby strengthening andincreasing the attractiveness of voluntarywork as a whole.Furthermore, the power to form advisorycouncils has been standardised for the firsttime taking into account the specialinterests o f individual population groups –such as children and young people – in therelevant regulation of local communityaffairs. In addition, binding participationopportunities and rights of advisory board sare directly regulated and local authoritiesare granted their own regulatory po wers inthe main statutes. L ocal authorities havebeen granted the greates t possiblefreedom of decision – both with regard tothe use of video conferencing technologyand with regard to the formation of advisoryboards and their participation rights.Many cities and municipalities are nowmaking use of these options by amendingtheir main statutes. It is not necessary toamend the municipal constitution’sregulations, which have already beencompre hensively revised in 2024 .In addition, the municipalities inMecklenburg -Vorpommern can alsoMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 1765strengthen civic engagement on the basisof the current law by intr oducing aparticipatory budget – in particu lar in theform of a so -called “ citizens’ budget” . Therole model is the town of Bützow, which, ispart of a project consortiu m funded by theEU and consisting of 16 partners from sixBaltic Sea states. The project hasdeveloped framework conditions for theestablishment of a so -called “citizens’budget” with the participation of theUniversity of Rostock and implemented it inthe town of Bützow. Irrespective of the factthat it is a lready possible to establish acitizens’ budget based on the example ofthe town of Bützow, the Ministry of theInterior, Building and Digitalisation(hereinafter: Ministry of the Interior) willsupport interested municipalities withguidelines in accordance with Section 466of the coalition agreement.The state also participates in the InterregVI A2 programme together with theVoivodship Police Headquarters inSzczecin . Project partners carry out j ointexercises and implement extensions to thetechnical equipment for dealing with crisisand disaster situations in the assisted area(including Baltic Sea regions). Measuresalso include public relations andprevention, especially for the youngergeneration.In the area of schools, the following keymeasures in particular are planned or inprogress:• implementation of the holistic ‘three -pillar model’ of democracy educationin schools as an overarching measure,• expansion of subject -specific politicaleducation with the aim of providingconsistent political education in allyear groups, including an earlier startto the subject of politicaleducation/social studies from year 7and a pilot scheme for the subject ofsocial sciences in years 5 and 6,• strengthening historical -politicaleducation in line with t he stateparliament resolution “ Strengtheningthe democratic culture of2 Cooperation programme Interreg VI A Mecklenburg -Vorpommern / Brandenburg / Polska 2021 -2027MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 1776remembran ce in schools” (StateParliament Printed M atter 8/1755),• modernisation of the subjectframework plans by focusing oncompetence orientation,• implementation of the principle of‘democratic schools’ through curricularanchoring in teacher training,counselling and further training offersas well as the provision of supportingmaterials,• promotion of the ‘learning throughengagement’ form of teaching andlearning, in particular through thecompetence centre of the same name(located at the Regional Centre forEducation, Integration and DemocracyMecklenburg -Vorpommern e. V. –RAA Mecklenburg -Vorpommern e.V.)These measures are essentially alreadyset out in paragraphs 287, 289, 291, 340and 341 of the coalition agreement. Furtherindividual mea sures are outlined in the“Political Ed ucation and D emocracyEducation” concept.Reference is also made to the stateprogra mme “ Strengthening De mocracyand Tolerance T ogether!” (see section 1).In addition, programmes and organisationsthat provide comprehensive politicaleducation in schools and support thestrengthening of democracy and theprevention of extremism should behighlighted here in particular.In addition, the regional centre s fordemocratic culture are responsible forstrengthening democracy in eachadministrative district and the independentcities in the respective region. They worklocally to strengthen and develop ademocratic society through counsellingand networking. They support, empowerand enc ourage various actors in theirregions. Such centres include regularinstitutions such as day -care centres,schools and family counselling services aswell as clubs, associations and committedindividuals.MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 1787Extracurricular political education in thestate is significantly shaped by the StateCentre for Political Education(Landeszentrale für politische Bildung ,LpB) as well as a diverse landscape ofproviders of political education, memorialand historical political education work andmedia education projects.Various offers (including publications,seminars, a “democracy bus ”, politicaleducation and media literacy projects,multiple online offers) of the LpB contributeto the improvement of political awareness .Volunteering lies at the centre of societalcohesion. For this reason, the StateGovernment is currently working on thedevelopment of a statewide volunteeringstrategy to strengthen civic engagementand social participation. Particularattention is to be paid to recruitingvolunteers, improving the frameworkconditions and increasing recognition andappreciation for voluntary work. Thevolunteering strategy is to be presented tothe cabinet by the end of 2025.4 Focus on Social Sustainability :Stress th e need to extend and buildupon recent successful initiativesaddressing social sustainability,including those aimed at addressingchallenges regarding an ageingpopulation by upskilling and reskilling,integrating migrants and vulnerablegroups into the labour market, andpromoting gender equality. Encouragegovernments to ensure theseinitiatives are well -funded andeffectively impleme nted. Develop andimplement civic educationprogrammes and civil society initia tivesfor both young people and adults ali keto raise awareness of the da ngersposed by all forms of extremism todemocracy, including recruitmentstrategies of extremist groups(BSPYF). Encourage cross -borderexchange programm es for citizens ofall ages and diverse backgrounds,focused on bridging soci etal divisionand combating extremism (BSPYF). Gender equality is an important theme forthe State G overnment, as enshrined inArticle 3 (2) of the Basic Law and Article 13of the State Constitution of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Against this background, theState G overnment has agreed uponvarious measures in the coalitionagreement. T he core element of thesemeasures is the development of a cross -departmental equality policy frameworkprogramme, which is intended to furtherstrengthen equality between women andmen. Mentoring programmes in science,busine ss, the arts and creative industriesas well as in administration will becontinued. A new mentoring programmehas been launched to increase the numberof female managers in the justice sector. Inaddition, as part of the MV Baltic SeaStrategy, measures are being consideredfor a cross -state exchange on women’sand gender equality policies in the BalticSea region. For example , the internationalconference “From the Ballot Box toGovernment: Political Participation ofWomen in the Baltic Sea Region” tookMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 1798Guarantee inclusive governance b yincluding citizens in the formation ofpolicies and establish mechanisms forparticipatory budgeting for equitableresource distribution and commu nityempowerment. Encourage workers tojoin unions by promoting awarenessand invol vement by putting specialemphasis on strengthening andsecuring the institutional framework ofthe workers’ unions (BSPYF).place on 19 –20 March 2025 as part of theMV Baltic Sea Strategy in cooperation withthe Institute of Political and AdministrativeSciences at the University of Rostock andthe Mecklenburg AnStiftung. Theconference was attended by academicsfrom eight countries border ing the BalticSea.The early integration of people with a nimmigration history into the labour marketis an essential building block of integ ration.The Mecklenburg -Vorpommern welcomeportal (“Welcome to MV” ), which ismanaged by the Ministry of Social Affairs,Health and Sport s (hereinafter: Ministry ofSocial Affairs) in cooperation with thedistrict of Ludwigslust -Parchim, providescomprehensive information on the topics ofwork, training and careers. The interactivemap in the Welcome Portal MV also offersthe option of accessing vocationalcounselling services.Language barrier is one of the biggestobstacles to the successful andsustainable integration of migrants into thelabour market. The Ministry of SocialAffairs supplements the inte grationcourses offered by the FederalGovernment with starter courses for initiallanguage acquisition and orientation in thestate of Mecklenburg -Vorpommern.As part of the Qualification Directive,around 9.6 million euros from theEuropean Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus) willbe available to companies for the purposeof vocational training for their employees inthe period 2021 –2027. This measure isintended to support the maintenance andexpansion of professi onal skills andqualifications – and thus in particular theadaptation of companies and theiremployees to technical, economic anddemographic change. In this context,grants have so far been awarded to around3,000 applicants .In addition, the Ministry of Economic s,Infrastructure, Tourism and Labour(hereinafter: Ministry of Economic s) isusing around 3 million euros from the ESFPlus to operate the online further educationMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 1809database ‘ weiterbildung in mv’. Thisdatabase offers neutral, clearly organisedand transparent offers of vocational,general and political education. In addition,those interested in further education canfind a wealth of additional information onthe subject of further education, helpfultools, link lists and counselling services. Atpeak times, the further education databasewebsite receives up to 14,000 visits permonth.Reference is again made to the stateprogramme ‘Strengthening Democracyand Tolerance T ogether!’ (see section 1).For many years now, the state programmeand the State Centre for Political Educationhave been offering a comprehensive rangeof democratic and political educationcourses for specific target groups.In addition to the above -mentionedregional centres for democratic culture,there are state -wide advisory services thatmake a targeted contribution tostrengthening democracy and preventingextremism:• counselling centres for victims of right-wing extremist violence – LOBBI,• company counselling team againstxenophobia and intolerance in theworkplace – BBT,• exit and distancing work andprevention of involvement in right -wingextremism – JUMP,• counselling and educational servicesas well as exit and dissociation supportin the context of r eligiously motivatedextremism – Bidaya specialist unit.Various projects are also offered,particularly in schools, to help strengthendemocracy and prevent extremism.Examples include the following:• Netzwerk Demokratie und Courage“und weiter geht‘s“ (NetworkDemocracy and Courage (NDC MV):organisation of project days on topicsrelated to strengthening democracy atschools, vocational schools,educational institutions,• “Co-determination, work, future’(vocational schools) (Dau wat (DGBMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 18110Nord): organisation of project days onthe topics of democracy and co -determination at vocational schools .In the area of media literacy, the StateCentre for Political Education supportsnumerous projects that promote mediaeducation and media literacy. All of theseprojects contribute to raising awarenessand building resilience to disinformationand false reports.The ‘democracy bus ’ has been travellingthroughout Mecklenburg -Vorpommernsince May 2008. Citizens are given theopportunity to find out about politics andhistory and to engage in dialogue. Inaddition, p roject days on topics such aspolitical education and strengtheningdemocracy are offered at schoolsthroughout the state.5 Strengthen social resilience : Reiteratethe continued importance ofstrengthening social resilience in theBaltic Sea Re gion by fostering resiliencethrough cultural activities, acknowledgeand support in this regard the successfulstart of the Baltic Sea Cultural Pearlsawarding procedure and the firstawarded cities and encourage andpromote the developme nt of a long -termoperating concept and further annualimplementation of the award after theend of the Interreg projects lifetime inDecember 2025. The State G overnment considers itimportant to strengthen social re silience –for example by promoting cultural activitiesby and in cities and municipalities. TheState G overnment therefore supports theBaltic Sea Cultural Pearls awardinginitiative . It encourages municipalities fromMecklenburg -Vorpommern to take part inthe upcoming application rounds.6 Protect vulnerable groups : Protect therights and ensure the safety of refugees,ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people,wom en, children, the elderly and othervulnerable groups who are particularly atrisk in times of war and threatened byintolerant attitudes. Mecklenburg -Vorpommern is providingrapid support to the German Federal Policein foreign missions in the Mediterranean(Frontex [European Border and CoastGuard Agency] – border protectionoperation Poseidon). This primarilyconcerns the rescue of refugees from thewater and the protection of their rights inthe context of international sea rescue.The Conference of Gender Equality andWomen's Affairs Ministers and Senators ofthe Federal States ( Konferenz derGleichstellungs - und Frauenministerinnenund -minister, -senator innen und -senatoren der Länder, GFMK), in whichMecklenburg -Vorpommern participates,has on several occasions addressed theMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 18211topics of hate speech and intolerantattitudes in the digital space and theprotection of women in particular.The anti- discrimination centre'sdevelopment team at the Ministry ofJustice, Gender Equality and ConsumerProtection has already assumed its workand cooperates closely with the anti -discrimination structures in the state. Astate anti -discrimination law is currentlybeing drafted.The Mecklenburg -Vorpommern advice andsupport network for domestic andsexualised violence offers protection andadvice to those affected, regardless oforigin or gender. The third state action planto combat domestic and sexualisedviolence in Mecklenburg -Vorpommern(Landesaktionsplan zur Bekämpfung vonhäusli cher und sexuali -sierter Gewalt, LAPDiversity) against women and children iscurrently being developed into a statestrategy to implement the IstanbulConvention for victims of domestic andsexualise d violence.The Integration and Participation Act (InTGMV), which came into force on 2 April2024, aims to increase the participation ofpeople with a history of immigration inMecklenburg -Vorpommern and strengthenthe protection of diversity in social life,including vulnerable groups. As part of theproject funding, support is provided to theintegration and protection of migrants. Atthe same time, the project promotes equalsocial coexistence between people ofdifferent origins and backgrounds.It is considered necessary to add “peoplewith disabilities” to the vulnerable groupslisted in item 6 of the resolution; subsumingthese g roups under the term “... othervulnerable groups ...” does not do justice tothe interests of those affected and isimperative for their (explicit)acknowledgement .With the adoption of the LAP Diversity, alarge number of measures have beenidentified that not only serve to protectqueer people, but are also intended toMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 18312increase social tolerance and improve theliving situation of LGBTIQ* people insociety.Around 80 measures are to beimplemented in eight thematic areas overthe next five years. The focal points includemeasures to strengthen acceptance in theareas of family education, child and youthwelfare and sport s. In addition, the LAPDiversity emphasises the areas of health,care, assistance for the elderly andmigration. New projects are also planned inthe areas of police and justice.Furthermore, new measures have beendeveloped for the areas of child day careand schools. Special personneldevelo pment and training concepts areplanned for employees of the stateadministration.Reference is aga in made to the stateprogramme “ Strengthening De mocracyand Tolerance Together!” (see section 1).One explicit aim of the state programme isto protect against discrimination, threatsand violence and to provide effectivesupport for those affected. Variouscounselling projects are offered in the statefor this purpose, e.g. counselling centresfor vic tims of right- wing extremist violence(LOBBI ), or the company counselling teamagainst xenophobia and intolerance in theworkplace ( BBT).A project that ran until the end of 2024 andwas funded as part of the state programme“BAEM!” , aimed to anchor queereducation, anti -discrimination andempowerment work in local structures inVorpommern .Another project – MIGRANET MV – hasbeen training democracy coaches forseveral years as part of a modular t rainingprogramme. Following this training, theeducated coaches offered advice on howto deal with discriminatory and anti -democratic behaviour. They develop andimplement programmes to strengthendemocracy and political education, as wellas participation -oriented instruments. Thestate supports the formation of migrantMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 18413councils and intercultural centres as wellas increasing their visibility in society. Theproject will be continued in 2025 and issupports diversity and democracy andagainst discrimination.7 Defend sexual and reproductiveautonomy : Def end sexual andreproductive autonomy and respect theright to reproductive health. The 34th Conference of Gender Equalityand Women's Affairs Ministers andSenators of the Fe deral States (GFMK) in2024 adopted a resolution titled “Only yesmeans yes – Strengthening the sexu al self -determination of women*” , with the state ofMecklenburg -Vorpommern acting as co -sponsor . The core of the re solution is therequest to the Federal G overnment toconsider c hanging the criminal law norm§177 of the Criminal Code to a consensualwordingfor in which silence is not to beunderstood as consent to a sexual act.Every person has the right to bodilyautonomy . This means that the individualsexual and reproductive autonomy cannotbe called into question. Self -determinationis enshrined in Article 2 of the Germ anBasic Law. Accordingly, the StateGovernment is committed to the right ofevery person to protect and preserve theirreproductive health.8 Support Ukraine : Encourage continuedand expanded s upport for Ukraine,referencing past legislative aid packagesand reconstruction assistance initiatives.Advocate for comprehensiveprogrammes that include economicsupport, infrastructure rebuilding, andassista nce in strengthening democraticinstitutions. The state has maintained a partnershipwith the Ukrainian region of Chernihivsince 17 January 2024. As part of thispartnership, a holiday camp for childrenfrom Chernihiv was organised inMecklenburg -Vorpommern in 2024.Another one is planned for 2025. Inaddition, the state is supporting theChernihiv region in creating shelters inschools and in financingpsychotherapeutic services for medicalstaff as part of the cooperation between theUniversity of Greifswald and hospitals inChernihiv. A digital net working meetingbetween the universities in MV andChernihiv took place on 28 November2024. The meeting focussed on jointresearch projects, lecturer and studentexchanges. The state is also supportingthe partner region with a project tosafeguard cultur al assets.The state has developed and establishedeconomic contacts between the chambersand business associations ofMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 18514Mecklenburg -Vorpommern and theChernihiv region on the topics of “Businesscontacts”, “ Women in lea dershippositions”, “ Cooperation between businessand science through technology transferinstitutions at univers ities and researchinstitutions” and “ Integration of Ukrainianrefugee s into the German labour market”.The first virtual meeting took place on 15November 2024 and further talks arecurrently being planned.The State G overnment organised twodelegation trips to Chernihiv. In addition,two delegations from Chernihiv m et withrepresentatives of the State G overnment inBerlin and MV to intensify support.In close coordination with the partnerregion, projects to revitalise the regionalpartnership at eye level – within theframework of the available budget funds –were drawn up for 2026 .As part of the Ukraine labour marketprogramme, 3 million euros from statefunds were available for open -sectorawareness- raising/consulting forcompanies on hiring refugees and foroutreach information/consulting forrefugees in the workplace . Six projectswere funded across the country for 24months from 1 J uly 2022 .They aimed at the fair integration ofUkrainian refugees into the labour marketin Mecklenburg -Vorpommern.There was close cooperation with the jobcentres in the state.At least 70 companies and 100 refugeeswere to receive active counselling perproject and year.The gross employer expendit ure(employee gross plus 23 per cent lump sumfor social security expenses) for amaximum of five f ull-time equivalents and30 per cent of the personnel expenses as aresidual lump sum for material expenseswere eligible for funding.Free language courses were offered tocomplement counselling services. Budget:maximum 1.3 million euros for two courseMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 18615phases (1 April 2023 – 31 December 2023/ 1 January 2024 – 30 September 2024).Project res ults (as of 31 October 2024):• 4,015 participants,• 2,350 actively counselled participants,• 512 participants placed in jobs (thiscorresponds to an average employmentrate of 21.79%)• 1,216 companies informed andconsulted ,• 114 German courses offered,• over 1,500 participants were able tostart learning German or improve theirGerman language skills,• 365 job advertisements were placed inUkrainian on mv4you Ukraine.9 Combat Disinformation : Requestgovernments to enhance the legislativeframeworks and administrativemeasures that have shown effectivenessin countering disinformation campaigns,particularly those spearheaded by theRussian Federation. Promote theexpansion of public awarenes scampaigns, digital literacy programs, androbust media education to combatmisinformation. Prohibit personalprofiling based on mass data collection,as long as these profiles allow targetedadvertisement for disinformationcampaigns (BSPYF ). The “MV -Forum Hybrid” takes placequarterly since January 2024. Participantsinclude all supreme state authorities,districts and independent cities as well asthe Association of Towns andMunicipalities. The Single Point of Contactfor Hybrid Threats (SP OC-Hybrid) is incharge of organising the “MV -ForumHybrid” . It was set up specifically tocoordinate, advise, prevent and raiseawareness in the context of increasinghybrid attacks (including disinformationcampaigns).In view of the development of the mediasystem, political media education is nowmore than ever an indispensablecomponent of political education. It shouldenable people to critically reflect on mediaand their content and is therefore afundamental prerequisite for formingpolitical judgements in general.In addition to appropriate reactivemeasures, in particular the correction offalse information, prevention andsensitisation of the public on the topic ofdisinformation as well as stronger supportfor citizens to critically review informationand sources, especially in social networks,are necessary. To this end, news,information and media skills should bespecifically promoted and developed in allage groups and in all social groups.MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 18716Mecklenbur g-Vorpommern's stateprogramme “ Strengthening De mocracyand Tolerance Together!” is a suitableinstrument that bundles the activities ofstate and non -state actors and allows themto work together. Combattingdisinformation is already part of a widerange of measures and counselling workwithin this framework.The State Centre for Political E ducation(LpB) will develop and implement projectsagainst disinformation in the future. TheCentre is already supporting numerousprojects in the area of media literacy thatserve to educate and teach media literacy.All of these projects contribute to raisingawareness and building resilience todisinform ation and false reporting . Inparticular, the strengthened offer of thenationwide network of various act ors in thefield of journalism “Journalismus machtSchule” (“Journalism Goes to School”) isdedicated to the topic of news literacy and‘fake news’.The nationwide “School Newspaper”project follows similar aims and worksspecifically on research, authorship,copyright and other substantial areas indealing with news and media. Togetherwith civil society partners, the “SchoolCinema Week” offers targeted eventsdedicated to the power of the media andthus media education.The LpB is also involved in the Medienaktivnetwork together with the StateCommissioner for Data Protection(Landesbeauftragten für Datenschutz,LfDI), the Mecklenburg -VorpommernMedia Authority ( MedienanstaltMecklenburg -Vorpommern, MMV), theState Office of Criminal Investigation MV(Landeskriminalamt MV, LKA), theIQMV, the State Youth Council and otherstakeholders to offer a wide range ofextracurricular media education projectsfor all age and target groups. Theseinclude the training of media scouts (youngpeople aged 14 and above ) and mediaguides (parents of pupils), who arefamiliarised with media and its effects.MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 18817The LKA and LpB's “Heroes not Trolls”project as a school and extracurriculareducation programme for dealing with fakenews and hate speech will be continuedand, where possible, e xpanded and furthersupported.10 Promote Regional DigitalCooperation : Advo cate for furtherenhancement and harmonisation ofdigital markets and infrastr ucture acrossthe Baltic Sea Region. Highlightsuccessful national and regionalmeasures from the past year to bolstercybersecurity and ethical digital practic esand call for cooperative efforts to scalethese successes region -wide. Enhancedigital resilience, with the parliaments inthe Baltic Sea Region striving toward smanifesting their leading role in digitalliteracy education for all age gr oups,focusing on 1) raising awareness on theimportance of da ta privacy and 2)supporting innovations to tackledisinformation. Mecklenburg -Vorpommern is involved inthe realisation of a modern digital shipreporting information system NEW (SMIS -neo). It is carried out together with thewaterway police of the federal states underthe leadership of the Hamburg WaterwayPolice.The State G overnment is activelycommitted to further improving the state'sdigital infrastructure. For example, asubsidised expansion of fibre opt icinfrastructure in undersupplied areas isbeing carrie d out in co -financing with theFederal G overnment. The state -ownedradio mast infrastructure company (FMI) isbuilding passive mast infrastructure inundersupplied areas for leasing to mobilenetwork operators.For further information, please refer toitems 9 and 30.11 Enhance Maritime EcosystemProtection : Strongly urge governmentsto enhance efforts to combateutrophication by sys tematicallyimplementing the revised HELCOMAction Plan and nutrient input r eductionschemes. Encourage the adaptation andthe necessary prioritization oninnovative, sustainable agriculturalpractices and the promotion of nutrientrecycling strategies, ensuring that thesemeasures are integrated into nation aland regional policies to significantlyreduce nutrient runoff into the Baltic Seawithout decreasing food production.Emphasise the need for coordinatedefforts to protect the Baltic Sea'sbiodiversity and improve water qualitythrough updat ed legislative measuresand targeted investments. The necessary reduction of nutrient inputsinto the Baltic Sea is already almostachieved in the state through theconsistent implementation of fertiliserlegislation in accordance with the EUNitrates Directive and the EU WaterFramework Directive. Modern agriculturalpractice measures also contribute to thisgoal. There are still deficits in nitrogeninputs via the air from the entire catchmentarea of the Baltic Sea (fossil fuels, roadtraffic, agriculture). However, these areaslie within the competence of the FederalGovernment.The implementation of the correspondingmeasures from existing managementplans for the coastal and purely marineNatura 2000 areas contributes to theprotection of biodiversity. It is necessary toconsistently implement both the requiredconservation, res toration and improvementmeasures within the existing protectedareas and those measures outside theprotected areas that have a direct orMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 18918indirect impact on the protected areas.Further specific measures will also have tobe defined and implemented as part of theimplementation of the EU RestorationRegulation.12 Expand Marine Protected Areas(MPAs) : Call for the continuation andexpansion of legislative actions that havesucce ssfully created new MPAs andimproved management strategies. Urgegovernment s to increase transboundarycooperation to protect vulnerablehabitats, enhance biodiversity, andmitigate the impacts of climate change. In Mecklenburg -Vorpommern , almost 50percent of coastal waters have alreadybeen designated as protected areas undernature conservation legislation. The re iscurrently no need for further significantexpansion. It seems more important toconsistently implement the necessaryconservation, restoration and improvementmeasures within the protected areas aswell as measures outside the protectedareas that have a direct or indirect impacton them. As part of the implementation ofthe EU Restoration Regulation, furtherspecific measures will also need to bedefined and implemented.13 Promote Sustainable Blue EconomyInitiatives : Foster public and privateinvestments in innovative marine andmaritime sectors to support thedevelopment and implementation ofsustainable blu e economy initiativeswhilst underlining Article 1 Para 3 of theEU Maritime Strate gy FrameworkDirective (MSFD). Highlight theimportance of balancing economicactivities such as offshore wind energyand aquaculture with marineenvironmental protection by applying anecosystem approach. Call forincorporating scientific rese arch andstakeholder input in planning andexecuting these init iatives to ensure thatthey strive for ecological sustainabilitywhilst contributing to economic growth. As part of the financial budgets from theEuropean Maritime, Fisheries andAquaculture Fund (EMFAF), the StateGovernment supports local developmentprojects with a particular focus on fisheries -linked blue economy projects by public andprivate organisations in participatingfishing areas as well as specific individualprojects relating to fisheries andaquaculture, especially of an innovativenature.The ecosystem approach, embedded inthe three pillars of sustainability, isbecoming increasingly relevant in thecontext of science -based strategies andprojects for fisheries and aquaculture incoastal waters. The Baltic Sea FisheriesGuiding Principles Commission continuesto intensively address these issues withinthe framework of and across the board ofthe Fisheries Future Commission of theFederal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.The funding guideline “InnovativeShipbuilding Secures Competitive Jobs”from 24 June 2024 supports the federalgovernment's call to work with the coastalstates to drive forward the developmentand implementation of initiatives for asustainable blue economy in shipbuilding.MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 19019For further information on the blueeconomy, please refer to items 14-18, 21,24 and 46.14 Support Maritime TransportSustainability : Adv ocate for thetransition to low-sulfur fuels andalternative energy sources and promotedigitalisation and automation in logisticsto improve efficiency and reduceenvironmental impact. As part of its shipping police measures, theState G overnment enforces complianc ewith the rules set out in MAR POL Annex VI(Air Pollution from Seagoing Ships in theConvention for the Preve ntion of Pollutionfrom Ships from 2 November 1973) and theEU Sulphur Directive as part of theprosecution of administrative offences andinspections on seagoing ships that areindependent of the port of call.Internationally applicable environmentalregulations are of crucial importance forglobal mar itime shipping. As part of the “Fitfor 55” package, the EuropeanCommission has set binding requirementsfor the use of shore power for containerand passenger ships with more than 5,000GT (gross tonnage as a measure of thecalculated overall size of a ship). By theend of 2026, the European Comm issionwill review the inclusion of smaller shipsizes and extension to other ship types,which could result in new requirements.The regulation on the development ofinfrastructure for alternative fuels (AFIR)requires the core and comprehensivenetwork ports (TEN -T) to ensure a largepart of the electricity requirements from2030 if a certain number of calls isexceeded. Correspond ingly, the regulationon the use of renewable and low -carbonfuels in maritime transport (FuelEUMaritime) stipulates, among other things, ageneral shipside utilisation obligation atberth in a TEN- T (from 2030) and other EUports (from 2035). In addition , steadilyincreasing GHG limits for ship energyconsumption will apply from 2025, whichwill contribute to the increased use ofenvironmentally friendly fuels.Since 2024, maritime transport has beenpart of the European emissions tradingscheme, the revenue from which willbenefit projects to improve water qualityand promote alternative propulsiontechnology.In addition, the revision of the EnergyTaxation Directive provides for theMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 19120cancellation of tax benefits for conventionalfuels.There is no competence at state level inthis area .15 Enhance Port Security andInfrastructure : In vest in portinfrastructure improvements focusing onsecurity and sustain ability, such asshore -side electricity and wastemanagement, and enhance c onnectivitywith hinterland transport networks. The state of Mecklenburg -Vorpommerncarries out CTU inspections (containertrolleys as lorry loads) with the State Officefor the Environment, Nature Conservationand Geology of Mecklenburg -Vorpommernat ports, including cross -border wasteshipments based on the existingcooperation principles. These measuresincrease safety in harbours. In addition,seagoing vessels are inspected in port forcompliance with international conventions,including the use of technical equipmentand its condition on board in ac cordancewith regulations.The state police cooperate on aninstitutionalised basis with the DesignatedAuthority (DA – security authority for portsand port facilities) in the MV Ministry ofEconomic Affairs, Infrastructure, Tourismand Labour.The Ministry of Economic Affairs grantssubsidies for investments to improvebusiness- related infrastructure and toreduce CO 2 and pollutant emissions inports. In 2024, around 37 million euroswere committed through grants andassurances, including for two projects forthe construction of shore power facilities.For some time n ow, the coastal states andthe Federal G overnment have beenexchanging views on increasing the federalfinancial contribution in line with therequirements or creating an adequatealternative for financing port infrastructure.The available f ederal funds do notadequately reflect the overall economicimportance and role of the seaports asdrivers of the energy transition.16 Strengthening Maritime Safety :Ensure sa fe, efficient and obstacle -freeshipping routes. Implement and enforceadvanced navigational aids, improvedVessel Traffic Services (VTS), andstringent safety regulations to enhancemaritime safety amidst the region's As part of the enforcement of shippingpolice regulations, ship inspections arecarried out to ensure the safety and easeof shipping traffic.The State Water Police Office (LWSPAMV) is also permanently represented in theWSP control centre of the Joint MaritimeMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 19221dense traf fic and challenging weatherconditions.An increased use of Traffic Separat ionSchemes (TSS) in areas with sensitiveinfrastructure are of essence. Situation Centre (GLZ -See) in Cuxhavenand is therefore part of the Germanmaritime safety architecture for monitoringthe Baltic Sea area.Mecklenburg -Vorpommern regularlyparticipates in cross -state inspections, e.g.in the nationwide water and environmentalprotection action days.The Federal Ministry for Digital andTransport (BMDV) and its subordinateauthorities are responsible for themaintenance and development of federalwaterways and the resulting legalrequirements for shipping. In addition, theFederal G overnment representsGermany's interests in the InternationalMaritime Organisation. There is nocompetence at state level in this area.17 Support Technological Innovations inEngines : Invest in the research anddevelopment of hybrid propulsionsystems, new f uels, and electrificationtechnologies to enhance energyefficiency and reduce emissions,ensuring vessels meet evolvingregulatory requirements. As part of the overall Hydrogen ResearchFactory project, the Fraunhofer Institute forLarge Structures in ProductionEngineering (IGP), the Leibniz Institute forCatalysis (LI -KAT) and the Leibniz Institutefor Plasma Science and Technology (INP)are developing technological approachesfor a hydrogen economy of the future.To this end, a business -orientatedresearch infrastructure with investmentstotalling approx. 52.5 million eu ros is to becreated in Rostock. It will be largelyfinanced from the Federal G overnment'sstructural aid for the hard coal locations,from state funds and ERDF funds. Theinitial focus will be on developing conceptsand solutions for low -emission or emission -free shipping.The products and technologies developedwill later be produced and commercialisedby local economic actors . In order toensure that the research is orientatedtowards industry and that the technologiesare suitable for actual use in industry, thestate's local companies are to be activelyinvolved in the project of the three researchinstitutes (IGP, LIKAT and INP).The functional samples resulting from thepractice- orientated research are to befurther developed into prototypes in jointprojects with regional companies at a laterstage. The hydrogen research factory isMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 19322also intended to generate skilled labour forthe economy.18 Address the threats by the Russian"Shadow Fleet" : Prioritise addressingthe threats posed by the Russian"shadow f leet" by enhancing maritimesurveillance, intelligence sharing,regulatory enf orcement, andcollaborative efforts to mitigateenvironmental and security ris ks,including advocating for internationalsanctions, as long as it is necessary. The state of MV carries out measures toprotect maritime critical infrastructure, inparticular with a maritime reconnaissancemission. The se police measures to securemaritime critical infrastructure (marKRITIS)are carried out around the clock at sea inaccordance with the existing KRITISconcept of the State Water Police Office(LWSPA MV ).Mecklenburg -Vorpommern is in regulardialogue with the GLZ -See (Point ofContact) and is constantly activelygathering information. The LWSPA MVand the waterway police of the coastalstates of the Federal Republic of Germanyact to monitor maritime traffic with regardto compliance with the InternationalConvention for the Safety of Life at Sea(Chapter XI -2 ISPS Code for the Defenceagainst External Dangers at SeaInternational Ship and Port Facility SecurityCode). This is a comprehensive packageof measures to increase the security ofships and port facilities.Inspections are carried out on 1 percent ofall seagoing vessels calling at the ports ofMecklenburg -Vorpommern based onadministrative agreements andinstructions.The state cooperates and exchangesinformation on a situational basis with theback office (Maritime Crisis SituationCentre) at the Cuxhaven Maritime SafetyCentre (MSZ Cuxhaven).The Minister for Climate Protection,Agriculture, Rural Areas and theEnvironment has called on the responsibleFederal Minister of Transport on variousoccasions (Ministerial Letter, MaritimeEmergency Preparedness Board UMK) toaddress the issue at the European andinternational level s. There is noresponsibility at federal state level here.19 Continue to Address the Issue of Sea -Dumped Munitions : Encouragegovernments to prioritise and coordinatecooperation on the comprehensive Among other things , the Joint SituationCentre Sea (GLZ -See) deals withnavigational data on sea-dumpedmunitions from the world wars. The state isMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 19423mapping and safe removal of sea -dumped munitio ns, leveraging theEuropean Commission's ongoingprojects and funding initiative s such asHorizon Europe as well as developingfurther joint efforts of HELCOM, CBS Sand the EU in this field. Advocate for theapplication of environmentall y friendlytechnologies and methodologies tomitigate the risks posed by su bmergedmunitions, ensuring that these efforts areintegrated into nationa l and regionalsecurity and environmental agendas andimplemented as soon as possible. permanently represented in the GLZ -Seeand is part of Germany's maritime securityarchitecture.The Ministry for Climate Protection,Agriculture, Rural Areas and theEnvironment (hereinafter: Ministry ofAgriculture) is actively involved in thenegotiations on the implementation of theFederal Government's immediate actionprogramme and on the continuation ofmunitions recovery in relation toenvironmental concerns under theleade rship of the Federal Ministry for theEnvironment, Nature Conservation,Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection(BMUV).In a pilot project in the Bay of Lübeck, anenvironmentally friendly trial salvageoperation is to be carried out in the area ofthe outer Wismar Bay from spring 2025 inorder to gather experience. In the area ofmarine environmental protection, theMinist ry of Agriculture is coordinating theplanned establishment of a “ FederalCompet ence Centre for Old Ammunition”as part of the MV Baltic Sea Strategy(Federal G overnment reservation).Appropriate personnel have beenassigned to the Ministry of Agriculture forthis purpose.Regarding Energy Supply security and Interconnectivity to :ItemNo. Resolution Text Statement by the State Government ofMecklenburg -VorpommernImprove Energy Security and Self -sustainability20 given the current geopolitical challenges,prioritis e and support projects aimed atimproving energy security in the BalticSea region; (WG)3 Mecklenburg -Vorpommern helps toensure the security of energy supply bymaintaining a presence and taking securitymeasures at sea within the 12 nautical milezone and in the areas of the energylanding points in the ports (in particular the3 The abbreviation “WG” stands for “Working Group” . The demands labelled accordingly were drawn upby the current BSPC Working Group on Energy Security and Self -sustainability, Resilience andConnectivity and included in the resolution.MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 19524oil port of Rostock and the German Balt icSea LNG terminal in Mukran), therebycontributing to an uninterrupted energysupply for the Federal Republic ofGermany.As a coastal state, MV has a specialresponsibility to strengthen cooperationwith its neighbours in the Baltic Sea regionand to promote sustainable, r esilientenergy solutions. The State G overnmenttherefore actively supports existing andplanned initiatives to expand energyproduction and infrastructure, particularlyon the part of grid operators.The planning and realisation of cross -border transmission lines, such as theHansaPowerBridge to Sweden or theKotek line to Denmark, are being closelymonitored by the Ministry of Economics,Infrastructure, Tourism and Labour in anadvisory capacity. In the coming years,numerous authorisation procedures forsubmarine cables will be prepared andimplemented. The existing options forspeeding up the process will be utilisedconsistently. In addition, furtherimprovements to the legal situation will beinitiated at the level of the Federal Council .For further details, please refer to item 18.21 while building new or transforming thealready exis ting energy infrastructure,take strongly into account the regionalneeds, res ilience considerations, andsustainability goals, as well as social andeconomic welfare; (WG) The State G overnment is in close dialoguewith distribution grid operators in order totake into account the regional needs for aneconomical and socially acceptable gridexpansion. Individual projects for theconstruction and expansion of the gridinfrastructure must be designed inaccordance with social and economicsustainability and prioritised in terms oftheir planning and approval. Of particularimportance here is the eliminatio n of gridbottlenecks in order to avoid congestionand reduce grid fees.22 facilitate more interconnections in theBaltic Sea region; (WG) The aforementioned projects also includemore comprehensive projects for meshingthe grids in the Baltic Sea region, such asthe German -Danish offshore cooperationproject “Bornholm Energy Island” . Th isproject has the status of a “Project ofCommon Interest” (PCI), which gives it thehighest priority at the European level andmakes it eligible for funding from EuropeanMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 19625funds. The coordination required for theapproval of PCI projects between theMinistry of Economic Affairs and theFederal Network Agency has alreadybegun. The Ministry of Economic Affairshas also set up a regular meeting with50Hertz, the project sponso r responsibleon the German side, to monitor theplanning and prepare the application forapproval, which is expected in 2026.23 unite in setting up a commoninterconnection exec ution in regionalpolitical initiatives and strongly involvethe EU Funds in order to succeed inregional renewable energy marketdevelopment; (WG) The State G overnment welcomes strongerregional networking in the Baltic Searegion and is continuously exploringopportunities for cooperation with partnersfrom business, science and administration.Interreg projects promoting cross -borderexchange and the deve lopment ofinnovative solutions also play a particularlyimportant role in this regard .24 regularly exchange experience and bestpractices co ncerning the implementationof onshore and offshore wind projects inthe Baltic Sea region; (WG) The Ministry of Economics, Infrastructure,Tourism and Labour is involved in dialoguewith relevant players from the Baltic Searegion in order to strengthen regionalcooperation and promote joint energyindustry projects. This dialogue takesplace, for example, with partners such asthe aforementioned Bornholm EnergyIsland or the Baltic Hydrogen Collector. Inaddition, there is regular participati on inconferences and specialised events thatserve as a platform for knowledge transferand networking. Experience is alsoexchanged in the context of delegationtrips, e.g. to Sweden.Improve Transport25 increase the funding for improvinginfrastructure and start discussions on anew strategy to enhance military mobilitycapabilities and ci vil transport in theregion; (WG) In October 2024, the Conference ofTransport Ministers of the federal statesspoke out in favour of setting up atransport infrastructure fund (withinfrastructure chapters for specific modesof transport). Such a fund is intended toensure the secure fina ncing of multi -yearprojects by de coupling them from theannual budget framework. The FederalGovernment is responsible for theimplementation.To improve military mobility, the Ministry ofEconomics is in close dialogue with theMinistry of the Interior and theBundeswehr. An administrative agreementMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 19726between the Road ConstructionAdministration and the Bundeswehr on theuse of the roads of the “Military BasicNetwork” (MSGN) will be signed shortly.Coordination is also underway betweenthe parties involved regarding theprecautionary authorisation of large andheavy military transports.26 develop and execute plans to furtherimprove maritime and railway trans portconnectivity in the Baltic Sea region andensure con nectivity with the Europeancontinent; (WG) With the MV Baltic Sea Strategy adoptedat the beginning of 2024, the state hascommitted to continued close cooperationwith players from the democratic BalticSea region in a number of different fieldsof action, including the expansion ofeconomic relat ions and cooperation onenergy issues.Intra-Baltic maritime transport isrepresented by the ferry and RoRo sectorwith strong intramodal competition, whichis also in general competition with roadand rail -based land transport. Dependingon the economic analyses, the start,frequency and discontinuation of linerservices in the maritime shipping sectorshow a dynamic development.The long-term effects of the newgeostrategic conditions and the associatedrequirements of military logistics for civilianmaritime shipping, such as thesafeguarding of strategic transport, remainto be seen.27 significantly improve coordination ofactivities and regular cooperation of thedemocratic Baltic Sea countries inprotecting maritime infrastr ucture in theBaltic Sea region; (WG) Mecklenburg -Vorpommern is permanentlyrepresented in the joint control centre ofthe water police in Cuxhaven. It is part ofthe Joint Situation Centre Sea (GLZ -See)and thus of the maritim e infrastructure.The GLZ- See enjoys permanent andextensively connections with Baltic Seaneighbouring states.The interior ministries of MV andSchleswig -Holstein are engaged in anexchange on possible needs for action andproposals for necessary measu res by thefederal states, the Federal G overnmentand in the European context on the topicof security in the Baltic Sea region.On the part of the State Water PoliceOffice (LWSPA MV ), permanentcoordination takes place at managementMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 19827and working level with the waterway policeof the other coastal states as well as withthe Federal Police Sea (BPOLSee) andthe German Navy.As part of Operation Baltic Sentry, whichwas announced on 14 January 2025, theprotection of critical infrastructure byNATO countries bordering the Baltic Seawill be strengthened. To this end, theGerman Navy's “ Commander Task ForceBaltic” staff, which was established inRostock in October 2024, will be deployedwith international participation. A keyaspect of this operation is the coordinationof operations in the Baltic Sea region.There is no competence at the state levelin this area .28 create a plan for addressing shippinginsurance challe nges in the region thatcan disrupt trade routes, leading todelays and increased costs forbusinesses; (WG) Reference is made to the commentarystatement under item 29.There is no responsibility at state level.29 jointly discuss the implementation of theUN Conve ntion on the Law of the Sea toaddress challenges in the Baltic Sea, inparticular, the protection of critical 289infrastructure and the coordinationbetween coastal States in the Baltic Sea; The United Nations Convention on theLaw of the Sea guarantees ships the rightof innocent passage and the associatedfreedom of navigation in coastal waters,straits and exclusive economic zones. Forinternational waters, deviations to thiseffect can only be implemented at the levelof the International Maritime Organisation(IMO). The same applies to anyadjustments to the 1992 InternationalConvention on Civil Liability for OilPollution Damage.The Federal Government is in closedialogue with the IMO, the Oil PriceCoalition and the EU in order to developsuitable measures and expand existinginstruments.Please also refer to item 18.Enhance Digital Connectivity30 commence negotiations between thememb ers of the BSPC on enhancingcooperation in the area of cybersecurity;(WG) The State G overnment welcomes theende avours to establish acommittee/ working group for increasedcooperation in the area of cyber security.MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 19928In view of the daily challenges in thissensitive area, joint and networked actionis both necess ary and sensible. However,the State G overnment expresslyemphasises that cyber security is a cross -sectional task that must be tackled incooperation between the state, research,business and society as a whole.Mecklenburg -Vorpommern is involved inthe realisation of a modern digital shipreporting information system NEW(SMISneo). It is being carried out jointlywith the waterway police of the federalstates under the leadership of theHamburg Waterway Police.31 develop incentives and support forstrengthen ing underwatercommunication infrastructure in theBaltic Sea, including expandi ngconnections and ensuring the resilienceof the existing ones; (WG) The State G overnment emphasises theimportance of protecting underwatercommunications infrastructure. The co -operation of the Baltic Seaparliamentarians is important for thefurther expansion and protection ofunderwater communication infrastructure.There is no competence at state level inthis area .32 cooperate and exchange practices onincreasing un iversal coverage andservice for Internet connectivity in theBaltic Sea region; (WG) The State G overnment is helping toimprove nationwide Internet access in theBaltic Sea region by subsidising theexpansion of broadband and mobilecommunications.In the area of broadband expansion, asubsidised expansion of under suppliedlocations is taking place in co -financingwith the Federal G overnment. Since thestart of the funding programme in 2015,the State G overnment has focusedexclusively on the expansion with future -proof fibre optic infrastructure. In thecurrent funding call, the so -called darkgrey spots, i.e. addresses that are not yetreliably supplied with bandwidths of 200Mbit/s symmetrically or 50 0 Mbit/s indownload, are eligible for funding.In 2020, the State G overnment foundedthe Funkmasten -InfrastrukturgesellschaftMecklenburg -Vorpommern mbH (FMI –Radio mast infrastructure companyMecklenburg -Vorpommern ) to promotemobile communications infrastructure.FMI's mission is to build passive mastMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 20029infrastructure with state funds inunsupplied areas with the aim ofsubsequently leasing it to mobile networkoperators. Two radio masts have alreadybeen completed, and rental contracts havealready been signed with the mobilenetwork operators for another 19 sites.Facilitate Cross -border projects33 raise awareness and search forsolutions to facilitate the implementationof large -scale cross -border projects ofregional importance; (WG) International co -operation in the field ofresearch and development should begiven greater support in order to promotethe international business activities ofregional small and medium- sizedenterprises in Mecklenburg -Vorpommern.By opening up internationalisation in thedirective on the granting of subsidies topromote research, development andinnovation, research institutions basedoutside the state or small and medium -sized enterprises that have a permanentestablishment or bra nch outsideMecklenburg -Vorpommern can alsoreceive a subsidy in particularly justifiedindividual cases. The focus is oncooperation with neighbouring countriesand regions in the Baltic Sea region and inEurope. These include close EU marketssuch as the neighbouring countries ofPoland, Denmark and the Netherlands aswell as the rest of the democratic BalticSea region with Sweden, Finland and theBaltic States.34 explore joint cross -border renewableenergy projects and to identifyinfrastructure needs in order to enablethe integratio n of renewable energywhile ensuring and improving thesecurity of supply and access toaffordable energy; The Ministry of Economics, Infrastructure,Tourism and Labour is also coordinatingthe Interreg B project Green IndustrialAreas (GIA) with a total of six partners fromthe Baltic Sea region. The aim is todevelop a transnational certificationstandard and a toolbox to promote energytransition in commercial and indu strialareas in the Baltic Sea region.35 coordinate corporation to rapidlystimulate the inst allation of neededcomputing capacity in the Baltic Searegion, in light of the rapid developmentof AI software and services demandinggreen and sufficient en ergy andabundant computing power, Baltic Searenewable energy market gr owth, and Among other things, the Ministry ofEconomics is in contact with grid operatorsin order to optimise the system and grid -friendly integration of data centres, large -scale battery storage systems andelectrolysers and thus the efficient use ofrenewable energies for them. The currentenquiries in the country are focussing inMECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 20130interconnectivity development serving asa basis for supercompute rimplementation and usage; (WG) particular on the integration of storagefacilities and electrolysers. Initial talks arenot only touching upon technical andeconomic potential, but also the need forcoordinating bodies and platforms forbetter harmonisation.Regarding Defence toItemNo. Resolution Text Statement by the State Government ofMecklenburg -Vorpommern36 Coordinate the Approach toThreats : Agree o n a coordinatedapproach to address the lack ofinformation exchange, thr ead controlcentres, thread mitigation policy aswell as effective communic ationagainst the spread of targeted fakenews and propaganda, consideringmultiple recent and potential hybridthreats towards critical energy andcommunic ation infrastructure in theBaltic Sea region. (WG) Mecklenburg -Vorpommern is part of theBundeswehr's planning for the OperationalPlan Germany and is actively involved in theOPLAN DEU working group. Regularmeetings are held for this purpose.Please also refer to items 9 and 18.37 Use examples of good practice as ablueprint : Some countries borderingthe North Sea have signed the "JointDeclaration on Coo peration for theProtection of Infrastructure in theNorth Sea"; this initiative could serveas a model for closer securitycooperation in the Baltic Sea as well. Mecklenburg -Vorpommern plays aninstitutionalised and active role in cooperationto protect critical infrastructure.The State G overnment expressly supports ajoint declaration by the countries borderingthe Baltic Sea, analogous to the North Seaarea.38 Realise an Integrated NATODefence Area : Commit to realisingthe potential of the Baltic Sea regionto become an integrated NA TOdefence area with strong regionalcooperation in coastal, maritime, andair defence. (WG) This de mand is primarily aimed at the FederalGovernment. The opening of the CommandTask Force (CTF) Baltic in Rostock inDecember 2024 has significantlystrengthened regional cooperation in coastal,sea and air defence.39 Strengthen Surveillance andResponse Coordination throughNATO: Increase integration ofmaritime infrastructure survei llanceand response efforts within NATOframeworks, particularly with Finland'sand Sweden's accession. Promote thedevelopment of cooperativegovernance measures and jointsurveillance initiatives to enhance This de mand is primarily aimed at the FederalGovernment. The Commander Task ForceBaltic (CTF Baltic), which opened in Rostockin December 2024, is a national tacticalheadquarters with multinational participationthat will monitor the Baltic Sea region with theinvolvement of Finland and Sweden andfurther strengthen cooperation between allpartner armed forces in the Baltic Sea.MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 20231NATO's cap abilities in monitoring andprotecting critical maritimeinfrastructure in the Baltic Sea region. There is no competence at the state level inthis area .40 Raising situational awareness andincreasing societal resilience : Payparticular attention to raisingsituational awaren ess and increasingsocietal resilience to respond to hybridthreats in the Baltic Sea region. (WG) This deman d is primarily directed at theFederal G overnment, whose a ctivities aresupported by the State G overnment withinthe scope of its responsibilities . Since theactivation of the Gas Emergency Plan by theFederal Government in 2022, the StateGovernment has taken numerous measuresto increase social awareness and theresilience of society in the event of failures inenergy, heating and telecommunicationsinfrastructure.Mecklenburg -Vorpommern plays aninstitutionalised and active role in cooperationto protect critical infrastr ucture. The stategovernment expressly supports a jointdeclaration by the countries bordering theBaltic Sea, analogous to the North Searegion.The federal state is part of the Bundeswehr'splanning for the Operational Plan Germanyand is actively involved in the OPLAN DEUworking group. Regular meetings are held forthis purpose.Since January 2024, the “MV -Forum Hybrid”has been taking place quarterly. Participantsinclude all supreme state authorities, alldistricts and independent cities as well as theAssociation of Towns and Municipalities. The“MV-Forum Hybrid” is organised by the SinglePoint of Contact for Hybrid Threats (SPOC -Hybrid). It was set up specifically tocoordinate, advise, prevent and raiseawareness in the context of increasing hybridattacks (including disinformation campaigns).41 Enhance Maritime InfrastructureGovernance and LegislativeAlignment : Harmonise nationaldefinitions and legislative frame worksfor critical maritime infrastructureacross the Baltic Sea region. Esta blisha cohesive governance structure tooversee the protection of mariti meinfrastructure, ensuring consistent andcoordinated legislative measu res toenhance security and resilienceagainst threats. The State G overnment suggests determiningand announcing which central office willstructurally record incidents and attacks,including hybrid threats, and bring them to theattention of the authorities (holistic picture ofthe situation involving the State Office ofCriminal Investigation (LKA), the FederalCriminal Police Office (BKA) and the MaritimeSecurity Centre (MSZ ).There is no competence at the state level inthis area .MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 2033242 Invest in Advanced Surveillanceand Early Detection Systems : Investin advanced surveillancetechnologies, such as sen sors,hydroacoustic systems, andunmanned subsea drones, for real -time monitoring of maritime 361infrastructure. Promote the integrationof thes e technologies into new andexisting infrastructure to establish acomprehen sive early warning andrapid response system, minimising therisk and impact of grey zone attacks. Against this background, budget funds mustbe made available and a correspondingimplementation initiated in cooperation withthe waterway police of the coastal states andthe Federal Maritime Police.43 Foster Public -Private Partnershipsfor Maritime Security : Advocate forthe establishment of robust public -private partnerships to enhancecooperation and information sharingbetween governments and privatesector stakeholders involved inmaritime infrastructure. Develop j ointsecurity protocols and investmentstrategies to incentivise privatecomp anies to implement advancedsecurity measures, ensuring mutualbenefits and enh anced protection ofcritical infrastructure. There is no competence at state level in thisarea.44 Develop Regional Contingency andRapid Repair Capabilities :Encourage the further development ofregional conting ency plans and rapidrepair capabilities for maritimeinfrastructure. Invest in dedicatedrepair ships and coordinated responsestrategies across the members of theBSPC to ensure swift restoration ofdamaged infrastructure, reducing theeffectiveness and appeal of hybridgrey zone attacks. The State G overnment is planning measuresand planning decisions for crisis resilienceand resilience in the event of shortages.Brownout and blackout scenarios areconsidered holistically, conceptually planned,coordinated with relevant authorities andconstantly updated against the backdrop ofthe plans already in place for the crisisresilience of the state police.Furthermore, the federal state’sadministrations are taking precautions in theevent of a gas or electricity supply failure inorder to maintain core or vital processes.The state also provides for the establishmentof heat islands to ensure a minimum supplyof heat for the population in the ev ent of awidespread failure of heat supply.Furthermore, the state is setting up anemergency supply of fuel for emergencyservices at state level and definingrequirements for supplementary planning atdistrict and urban district level.MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 20433Please also refer to item 18.Regarding Climate Change toItemNo. Resolution Text Statement by the State Government ofMecklenburg -Vorpommern45 Implement HELCOM’s ClimateChange -related Recommendations :Emphasise the urgency of enhancingclimate resilience through thecontinued implementation ofHELCOM’s Climate Change Fac tSheet recommendations and theBaltic Sea Action Plan’s climate -related actions. The State G overnment is currentlydeveloping a climate adaptation strategy forMecklenburg -Vorpommern. All relevantdepartments are involved.46 Promote Renewable EnergyDevelopment : Support thedeployment of offshore renewablesand decarbonised fuels, such asrenewable hydro gen - with strongregard for the biodiversity of the sea -, an d set ambitious targets forrenewable energy capacity to drivethe clean transit ion and contribute toglobal climate goals. The sustainable protection of ecosystemsand biodiversity is taken into consideration inthe corresponding authorisation proceduresfor the expansion of renewable energies atsea.As part of climate protection funding , the stateactively supports relevant projects .The State G overnment is strongly committedto the expansion of offshore energy andhydrogen infrastructure in the Baltic Searegion. It thus supports the ambitious goals ofthe Federal G overnment, in particular bypromoting the necessary harbourinfrastructure. This is essential for therealisation of offshore wind energy and greenhydrogen projects.47 Develop Coastal ManagementPlans : Urge the implementation andupdating of comprehensive coastalmanagement plans, building oneffective measures observed in thepast year that protect and restorecoastal ecosystems. Highlight theimportance of protecting these areasas c arbon sinks and buffer zonesagainst sea -level rise. The implementation of the correspondingmeasures from existing management plansfor coastal and marine Natura 2000 areascontributes to the prot ection of biodiversityand thus also covers partial aspects ofcoastal management plans. It is necessary toconsistently implement the neededconservation, restoration and improvementmeasures within the existing protected areas(Natura 2000, national parks, biospherereserves, nature conservation areas) as wellas measures outside the protected areas thathave a di rect or indirect impact on theprotected areas.MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Page 2053448 Implement the Raised Calls forAction : Rigorously continue toimplement the far -reaching calls foraction of the 32nd BSPC resolutionregarding climate change andbiodiversity. Since August 2024, the EU RestorationRegulation has laid down specific legalobligations to achieve good conservationstatus for a wide range of protected species.The necessary measures for the nationalrecovery plan must be defined by the relevantdepar tments by August 2026. Measures mustbe implemented to the extent outlinedquantitatively and qualitatively by the datesspecified in the ordinance.N O RWAYNorway Page 207UtenriksministerenStortingsrepresentant Himanshu GulatiStortingetOslo , 25.04.202 5Jeg viser til ditt brev av 23. januar d.å. om resolusjonen fra den 33. parlamentariskeøstersjøkonferansen (BSPC) , avholdt i Helsingør 25.–27. august 202 4.Norge tillegger som tidligere samarbeidet i Østersjøregionen stor betydning. Russlandskrig mot Ukraina er vår tids største sikkerhetspolitiske utfordring. Samarbeidet mellomlandene i Østersjøregionen for å forsvare felles verdier, styrke vår motstandsdyktighetog sikkerhet og bidra i den grønne og digital e omstilling er derfor særlig viktig .Vektlegginge ne i resolusjon en fra den 33. parlamentariske østersjøkonferansen i august2024 samsvarer godt med norske syn og prioriteringer . Vedlagt følger en kortfattetrapport om Norges oppfølging av saker som omtales i resolusjonen.Med vennlig hilsenEspen Barth EideNorway Page 208Minister for Foreign AffairsCourtesy TranslationMember of Parliament Himanshu GulatiParliamentOslo, 25 April 2025I have the honour to refer to your letter of 23 Jan uary regarding the resolution of the 33rdBaltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC), held in Elsinore on 25-27 August 2024.As before, Norway attaches great importance to cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.Russia's war against Ukraine is the greatest securi ty challenge of our time. Cooperationbetween the countries in the Baltic Sea region to d efend common values, strengthenour resilience and security, and contribute to the green and digital transition is,therefore, particularly important.The emphases in the 33rd Baltic Sea Parliamentary C onference resolution in August2024 correspond well with Norwegian views and prior ities. Attached is a brief report onNorway's follow-up of the issues referred to in the resolution.Yours sincerelyEspen Barth EideNorway Page 209Resoluon adopted by the 33rd Balc Sea Parliamenta ry Conference (BSPC) on 27 August 2024Comments from NorwayGeneral commentsNorway is strongly committed to cooperation among t he countries of the Baltic Sea Region. Theregion’s security and sustainable development are c rucial also for our national security andsustainability.Russia's war on Ukraine is the biggest security thr eat of our time. Ukraine's defence against Russia'saggression is also a struggle for democratic values and security in our region. We stand firmly togetherwith our allies and partners in response to Russia’ s war.Norway remains resolute in its unwavering support f or Ukraine and its citizens. Through the NansenProgramme for Ukraine, which has been extended to 2 030, Norway provides military and civiliansupport, based on Ukraine's needs.The Norwegian Government welcomes interparliamentary cooperation in various formats, includingthe Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference. The Govern ment appreciates the opportunity to commentom the resolutions that are adopted annually. Comme nts on specific topics covered in the resolutionadopted by the 33rd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Confer ence (BSPC) on 27 August 2024 follow below.1. Support to Ukraine (resolution point 8)Norway provides full support to Ukraine in its stru ggle to remain as a free, sovereign and independentstate, in line with the rules and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for Ukraine’s territ orialintegrity and internationally recognized borders.Norway remains fully aligned with the EU’s sanction s. It is crucial not to lift sanctions on Russia be forereal and lasting conditions that will hold the peac e are met.A strong European voice is important when Ukraine’s future is being discussed. The US, Europe andUkraine must work closely together to achieve a las ting and just peace. Norway will remain activelyengaged in support of relevant processes.Norway is committed to the Nansen Programme, a multi-year support programme for Ukraine for theperiod 2023-2030. Norway has recently increased its support to Ukraine to EUR 7.3 billion in 2025. Weaim to quickly gear up our support for artillery am munition, drone capacity, investment in Ukraine’sown defense industry and for financial and humanita rian support.2. Russian Shadow Fleet (resolution point 18)Norway cooperates closely with allies and likeminde d countries to address the shadow fleet. Norwayparticipated in the establishment of the NB8+ Exper t Group on the Shadow Fleet in 2024 and hostedthe second meeting in the group. Norway staunchly s upports and aligns with the EU sanctions againstthe shadow fleet. Norway monitors shadow fleet vess els in Norwegian waters and shares informationNorway Page 210with other countries about the fleet to sharpen the sanctions against the shadow fleet. Norway hasraised its concerns about the shadow fleet with flag and harbour states – both bilaterally and withinIMO.3. Combatting Disinformation (resolution points 9, 36, 40)Disinformation campaigns are frequently used as too ls in hybrid warfare to influence democraticprocesses, fuel polarization, and undermine trust i n elected authorities. Russia uses disinformation a sone of several tools to undermine Western support f or Ukraine.To counter the malign impacts of disinformation, No rway is in process of becoming member of theNATO Strategic Communication Center of Excellence in Riga, Latvia. The Centre’s strategiccommunication on the political and military objecti ves of NATO has become increasingly important inrecent years.”4. Strengthen Democratic Resilience (resolution point 1)Enhancing democrac resilience lays the foundaon f or both just and stable sociees – and peacefulcoexistence between states. In April 2025, the Norw egian Government presented a White Paper toParliament on how to strengthen the promoon of dem ocracy, rule of law and human rights throughthe Council of Europe. Norway's work in the Council of Europe is supported by significant aid funds andEEA funds. The aim of the White Paper is to improve internaonal cooperaon to effecvely protectand enhance standards for democracy, human rights, and the principles of the rule of law.Through the EEA and Norway Grants, Norway contribut es to reduce social and economic disparies in15 EU member states, including Poland and the Balc States. A strengthening of bilateral relaons is akey feature of the Grants. An agreement for a fourt h funding period (2021-2028) was signed by the EUCommission and the donor countries Iceland, Liechte nstein and Norway last year. The total budget is3.268 billion euro. Focus is on green transion, de mocracy, rule of law and human rights, as well associal inclusion and resilience.The MOU with Poland was the first to be signed in April this year. Negoaons with the remainingbeneficiary states will hopefully be concluded this year. The EEA and Norway Grants are an importanttool for addressing common challenges and strengthe ning our European community based ondemocrac values and principles of good governance. In response to the new geopolical realies,crisis prevenon and preparedness have gained more importance for the Grants, while support to civilsociety has been strengthened. Dedicated funds to m igate the impact of the war in Ukraine in thebeneficiary states has also been included.5. Protection of Vulnerable Groups (resolution point 6 )Norway remains fully committed to ensure that our e fforts are in line with our human rightsobligations, including the protection of vulnerable groups. Recently, the Norwegian Government hasdecided to propose to Parliament the incorporation of the Convention on the Rights of People withDisabilities (CRPD) in our Human Rights Act. In the context of the Global Disability Summit 2025,Norway has joined the Amman-Berlin declaration on G lobal Disability Inclusion and presented fiveNorway Page 211n a t i o n a l c o m m i t m e n t s . O n e o f t h e s e i s t o p r o m o t e a d aption for and inclusion of persons withdisabilities and their organizations in humanitaria n ef forts. A n oth er c o m mit men t is t o in cr ease th eshare of aid that has inclusion of persons with dis abilities as a main or significant target.6. Sexual and reproductive autonomy (resolution point 7)Protecting women’s and girl’s rights to make choice s about their own bodies is a key priority inNorway’s foreign and development policy. We are com mitted to strengthening sexual andreproductive health and rights globally, both financially and politically. The right to bodily autonom y isone of six priorities in our development policy, an d one of five goals in “A just world is an equal wo rld.Action Plan for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in Norway’s Foreign and Development Policy(2023-2030)”.7. Integrated NATO Defence Area (resolution point 38)The Balc Sea and High North are now geographically connected through Finland and Sweden asNATO’s area of responsibility. This entails enhance d cooperaon between Nordic and Balc Allies tostrengthen allied deterrence and defence in our region. In doing so, we cooperate closely on theimplementaon of NATO plans and command structure. Furthermore, we coordinate contribuonsfrom Nordic allies to NATO’s forward land forces on the eastern flank and air policing and air defencethrough Balc Air Policing and Air Rotaonal Model.Throughout the last years there has been an increas ed number of incidents affecng crical underseainfrastructure in the Balc Sea. The NB8 format has worked closely on this by sharing informaon andlessons idenfied, in addion to bolstering NATO’s c apabilies to handle such incidents.8. Strengthened Surveillance and Response Coordination through NATO (resolution point 39)Norway is strongly commied to increasing our joint marime infrastructure surveillance and responseopon within NATO. We have pushed for a stronger ro le for NATO in the protecon of crical underseainfrastructure, first and foremost through NATO’s Ma rime Centre for the Security of Crical UnderseaInfrastructure within NATO’s Marime Command (MARCO M). Norway has also supported Balc Sentry.We will connue to bring the private sector into di scussions at NATO to improve informaon sharingand exchange best pracces, in order to beer prote ct our shared undersea infrastructure.9. Energy Supply Security (resolution points 20-24)The new geopolitical situation in Europe necessitat es increased focus on energy security measures.W e s e e a n u m b e r o f i n i t i a t i v e s r e l a t e d t o t h i s , b o t h bilaterally and in and EU and NATO contexts.Security of energy supply is an absolute priority, and Norway supports initiatives to strengthen energ ysecurity in the Baltic Sea Region, including the pr oposed MOU on the protection of critical underseainfrastructure. Physical protection of infrastructu re is crucial to ensure energy security, butdiversification of energy sources is also important . Development of onshore and offshore wind projectsin the Baltic Sea region can contribute, in additio n to more interconnections in the region.Norway Page 21210. Military and Civilian Transport (resolution points 25-26)Both the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Defence are engaged in transport cooperationwithin the Nordic framework (N5). An MOU on Nordic Transport Preparedness Cooperation (NTPC)has been signed by the main entities in the transpo rt sector. The objective is to improve resiliencewithin the transport system and enable better coordination of regional and sectoral preparednesswork. A Joint Transport System Strategy and plan is under development, including civil and militaryneeds. Improved military mobility is a key enabler for deterrence and defence of the Nordic area, andis addressed through multinational cooperation in t he NORDEFCO, EU and NATO frameworks.11. Digital cooperation and connectivity (resolution po ints 10 and 30-32)The Norwegian Government is dedicated to protecting consumers, especially children, online and willcontinue the dialogue with big tech companies to ho ld them accountable for users’ data protection.The Norwegian Government is cooperating closely wit h the other countries in the Nordic Baltic eIDProject (NOBID) to provide citizens with an electro nic ID giving access to digital services across bor dersin the region.12. Blue Economy and Maritime Transport Sustainability (resolution points 13-14)Strengthening the research base and improving ocean observation is a necessary stepping stone form o s t p o l i c y a r e a s i n v o l v e d i n p r o m o t i n g a h e a l t h y a nd productive Baltic Sea. Norway invests inresearch, mapping and monitoring related to the oce an.Norway manages large ocean areas. Ensuring sustaina ble management of our ocean areas andensuring co-existence between different ocean indus tries and between ocean industries and themarine environment are key objectives.The EU Maritime Strategy Framework Directive is not EEA relevant, and Norway is not bound by thisdirective.Cutting emissions from shipping is a key part of No rwegian maritime policy. Norway supports stricterinternational regulations for cutting climate gas e missions from shipping, which helps to build a globalmarket for low and zero emission solutions.The emphasis on strengthening maritime safety and e nsuring safe, efficient and obstacle-free shippingroutes is in line with Norwegian priorities. Advanc ed navigational aids, improved Vessel Traffic Servicesand Traffic Separation Schemes have been successful ly implemented in Norwegian waters, improvingmaritime safety along our coast.13. Port Security and Infrastructure (resolution point 15)Norway Page 213In the current security landscape, Norway emphasize s port security and aims at reducing the scope forsecurity-threatening activities directed towards ma ritime transport and ports. In order to facilitatemilitary mobility, connectivity with hinterland transport networks is important.14. Sea-Dumped Munitions (resolution point 19)Norway supports BSPCs attention to the issue of sea -dumped munitions, and the application ofenvironmentally friendly technologies and methodolo gies to mitigate the risks posed by suchmunitions.15. Maritime Ecosystem Protection and Coastal Management Plans (resolution points 11, 12 og 47)Norway applies and promotes ecosystem-based and int egrated management of marine areas. Wedevelop integrated management plans for all Norwegi an sea areas, providing a framework for valuecreation through the sustainable use of marine natural resources and ecosystem services, while at thesame time maintaining the structure, functioning, productivity and diversity of the ecosystem.Norway uses marine protected areas as a tool to con serve marine areas of particular importance forbiodiversity and ecosystem functions and services. A bill intended to provide the legal basis for theestablishment of marine protected areas in areas un der Norwegian jurisdiction beyond Norwegianterritorial waters has been submitted to Parliament for adoption. Further, a bill on the conservationand sustainable use of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction has been submitted for adoption, bythe Parliament, aimed to ensure the ratification an d implementation into Norwegian law of theAgreement under the United Nations Convention on the L a w o f t h e S e a o n t h e C o n s e r v a t i o n a n dSustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of A reas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), ahead ofthe United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in June in Nice.N o r w a y i s w o r k i n g f o r U N O C 3 t o p r o m o t e c o m m i t m e n t s by all ocean nations toward sustainablymanaging 100% of the ocean area under their jurisdi ction, based on sustainable ocean plans, and tosign and ratify the BBNJ Agreement.The EU Water Framework Direcve has been implemente d in Norwegian law through the WaterManagement Regulaons. Through Norway’s River Basin Management Plans and Programmes ofMeasures, Norway takes acon to protect coastal eco systems. Furthermore, Norway has implementedan ambious acon plan to restore the Osloord.POLANDPoland Page 2151Information on activities carried out by Polish institutionsin order to implement Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) Resolutionadopted by the 3 3rd BSPC on 27 August 2024 in HelsingørMinistry of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentIn reference to the provisions of the resolution, in particular in the scope of point 11. Strengthening theprotection of the marine ecosystem , which encourages the use of sustainable agricultural practices contributingto the reduction of the runoff of nu trients into the Baltic Sea without the need to reduce production, it shouldbe pointed out that within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy for 2023 -2027 (PS 2023 -2027)a number of actions are being implemented to help reduce the phenomenon of eutrophication of waterssupplying the Baltic Sea.These include practices aimed at reducing water pollution with nitrates from agricultural sources andpreventing their further pollution, which are in line with the specific objective of the CAP - Objectiv e 5.Supporting sustainable development and effective management of natural resources, such as water, soil andair, including by reducing dependence on chemical products. As part of the Strategic Plan of the CommonAgricultural Policy 2023 -2027, increasing the efficiency of fertilization and reducing the leaching of nutrientsinto surface waters is implemented, among others, within the direct payment system, through area eco -schemes, such as: Carbon farming and nutrient management, Biological cultivation, I ntegrated PlantProduction, Land excluded from production.In addition, agri -environmental -climate payments are also implemented, such as: Protection of valuablehabitats and endangered species in Natura 2000 areas, as well as outside Natura 2000 areas, Ex tensive useof meadows and pastures in Natura 2000 areas, Preservation of orchards of traditional fruit tree varieties,Biodiversity on arable land, as well as Sustainable agriculture, which contribute to reducing the negativeimpact of fertilization and t he penetration of nutrients into surface waters.Ministry of Climate and EnvironmentItem 8Within the framework of the PRES PL, the MoCE is responsible for organising meetings of the EUMinisters for Energy, as well as the EU Ministers for Climate and En vironment.On 17 March this year, we held a meeting of the EU Energy Council, during which we discussed, amongother things, the energy situation in Ukraine.On 13 May, meanwhile, we held an informal meeting of EU Energy Ministers in Warsaw. Among thetopics discussed were the reconstruction of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the preparations of Ukraineand the Republic of Moldova for the next winter season, and the alignment of the laws of Ukraine andthe Republic of Moldova with the acquis communauta ire. We also initiated a discussion on strengtheningenergy security by increasing access to key decarbonisation technologies.During the Warsaw meeting, there was a clear consensus among Member States on the need toconsistently support Ukraine and the Re public of Moldova in transforming their energy systems -towards greater resilience, sustainability and integration into the EU market. Our discussions will helpguide further work on concrete solutions and tools in this regard.We have one more meeting of the EU Energy Council ahead of us, on 16 June in Luxembourg. Duringthis meeting we plan to adopt conclusions on energy security. These will be an expression of the commonwill of Member States and a signpost for further EU action towards greater energy r esilience andindependence.In addition on 6 May, upon the calls by PL PRES and many Member States, the European Commissionpublished the RePowerEU Roadmap setting out a clear timetable for the elimination of Russian fossil fuelimports from the European U nion energy market - from now until their complete cessation in 2027. Thelegislation announced by the EC containing legal and commercial instruments to implement the RePowerobjective will be published in June this year. This will be an excellent summary of the intensive activitiesof the Polish Presidency.Poland Page 2162On 27 March this year, meanwhile, a meeting of the EU Environment Council was held. Among the issuesdiscussed was the environmental impact of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The UkrainianMini ster of Environment and Natural Resources highlighted the destruction of forest areas and animalhabitats, toxic pollution, lack of access to drinking water, as well as greenhouse gas emissions related tothe hostilities.Item 9The agenda of the informal meeting of environment and climate ministers on 29 April 2025 included adebate on combating disinformation targeting climate, energy and environmental policies. The discussionshowed that disinformation is not only a factor hindering the implemen tation of climate, environmentaland climate policies, but also hits the competitiveness and security of the EU and undermines trust inpublic institutions. In the face of increasing geopolitical challenges, the fight against disinformationshould be seen as part of a comprehensive security approach.Item 11The Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection participates indirectly by conducting StateEnvironmental Monitoring (State Environmental Monitoring) in the field of eutrophication of marinewaters in P olish maritime areas (POM). In accordance with the provisions of Article 349 (1)(2) of theWater Law Act, the purpose of marine water monitoring is to obtain information on the state of themarine water environment for the purposes of planning in water man agement and assessment of theachievement of environmental objectives for marine waters, as well as ongoing assessment of the stateof the marine water environment. Each year we report the data for the previous year to the ministerresponsible for water ma nagement, who is responsible for the procedure of all the documents that makeup the marine strategy.The Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection performs monitoring in the following scope: ofnutrients: nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, total nitrogen ( total nitrogen), phosphates, total phosphorus (totalphosphorus), silica (silicates); chlorophyll -a concentration, concentration and oxygen saturation in thesurface layer, oxygen concentration near the bottom; macrophytes, macroalgae, zoobenthos. In eachyear, an assessment of the environmental status of the deep -sea zone is carried out on the basis of datafrom the previous year against data from the previous 10 -year period. In transitional and coastal waters,a classification of water quality indicators is performed each year.The assessment of the state of transitional and coastal waters is performed periodically, with thefrequency resulting from par. 15 of the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 25 June 2021 onthe classification of ecologi cal status, ecological potential and chemical status and the method ofclassification of the state of surface water bodies, as well as environmental quality standards for prioritysubstances. The eutrophication assessment is carried out in accordance with Article 111 (2) of the WaterAct.Items 11-13Since the adoption of the Resolution the Polish side has not taken official legislative actions to createnew Marine Protected Areas as part of the implementation of its provisions. However, establishment oftwo new nature reserves in marine areas is being currently considered. In accordance with Polish law,this type of form of nature protection includes areas preserved in their natural or slightly changed state,ecosystems, refuges and natural habitats, as wel l as plant, animal and fungi habitats and inanimate natureformations and components that are distinguished by special natural, scientific, cultural or landscapevalues.In light of the loss of biodiversity in the Baltic Sea, as evidenced by HELCOM HOLAS3, Poland recognisesthe pressing need for the consistent implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan. Action B8, whichrelates to identifying threats to the harbour porpoise, is one of the actions being implemented.An important instrument to ensure a sus tainable use of the Baltic Sea and its ecosystems is the strategicenvironmental assessment (SEA) conducted for Maritime Spatial Plans (MSP). SEA as regulatory planningtool helps countries prevent costly mistakes that arise from neglecting environmental a nd health effectsby providing early warning signals about environmentally unsustainable development options also withregard to offshore wind farms and other renewable energy infrastructure. SEA contributes to maintainparticularly valuable areas by direc ting marine activities away from places where they can significantlynegatively impact and cause environmental damage. It reduces the risk of costly remediation of harm orPoland Page 2173corrective actions, such as relocating or redesigning facilities. The UNECE Protocol on StrategicEnvironmental Assessment to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a TransboundaryContext (Kyiv, 2003) establishes a legal requirement to carry out an SEA. The General Director forEnvironmental Protection is an authority co -ordinating SEA procedure in transboundary context for theMSP.Within the framework of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, a seminar of the Baltic Statesunder the Espoo Convention will be held to promote the SEA for MSPs with a focus on cumulati ve impactassessment, as an important tool to maintain development of OWF with biodiversity conservation of theBaltic Sea, especially with regard to migratory species such as birds, marine mammals and bats. Theseminar will be organized by GDEP on 4 -6 of June 2025 in Gdańsk.The General Director for Environmental Protection has released publication: the “Guidelines forEnvironmental Impact Assessment of Offshore Wind Farms”. This document introduces the mostimportant issues related to the environmental im pact assessment of offshore wind farms, which shouldbe reflected in the planning, implementation and operation of offshore wind farms. The guidelines areintended to facilitate the preparation of documentation necessary to obtain a decision on environment alconditions.Item 24A regular exchange of experiences and best practices regarding the implementation of offshore windprojects in the Baltic Sea region takes place through the work of the BEMIP Offshore wind workinggroup. In 2024, the BEMIP OW WG's wo rk mainly focused on monitoring the progress of offshore windprojects and exchanging information on countries' ambitions and targets for offshore renewable energyproduction, as well as on auction schedules and legislative developments in the area of offs hore windenergy. Technical meetings covered topics such as activities carried out within the framework of energycooperation in the North Sea, ENTSO -E's conclusions from the creation of the Offshore NetworkDevelopment Plan (ONDP), the progress of the BOG I group investigating the potential of hybrid projectsin the Baltic Sea, and the protection of critical infrastructure for offshore projects.Representatives of the Ministry of Climate and Environment regularly participate in plenary meetings ofThe Conce rted Action on the renewable energy directive (RES Directive 2018/2001/EC and itsamendments) which include all EU member states including the Baltic Sea region. The purpose of thesemeetings is to share the knowledge and best practices on the transpositio n and implementation of theRES Directive and to get support from the European Commission. This includes also experience and bestpractices regarding the implementation of wind projects, especially when it comes to environmental andfinancial aspects (e.g. Power Purchase Agreements) of these projects.Last meeting, held in May 2025 in Warsaw, was the 7th Plenary Meeting of the 4th round of CA -RES.More than 100 representatives of ministries and agencies from the EU and EEA took part and sharedtheir knowled ge and expertise.Items 2, 20 -24, 33 -34, 46Polish entities have been involved in the implementation of infrastructure projects related to the a/mobjectives.CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage)ECO2CEERegarding the relevant points of the 33rd BSPC Resolution, the ECO2CEE project stands out as a modelcross -border initiative that directly addresses several Conference priorities —including the promotion ofpeaceful cooperation (item 2), energy security and self -sufficiency (items 20 –21), and facilitati on of majorcross -border projects (item 33). Recognising its strategic value, the Polish Ministry of Climate andEnvironment has issued a Letter of Support for ECO2CEE’s application under the 2nd PCI/PMI 2024 call.The project’s core aim is to establish an open -access CO 2 terminal in Gda ńsk and create transportinfrastructure linking industrial emitters in Poland and Lithuania.In 2023, Poland and Lithuania signed a formal cooperation agreement (Memorandum of Understanding)to jointly develop cross -border C O2 transport and storage, demonstrating their commitment to regionalintegration and climate action. ECO2CEE bridges a significant infrastructure gap in the region —facilitating the transfer of CO 2 to permanent storage, mainly via maritime transport to the North Sea andPoland Page 2184potentially the Baltic Sea. Phased implementation will see Stage 1 (2027 –2030) handle up to 3 milliontonnes of CO 2 annually, expanding to 9 million tonnes from 2030 onwards. Already included on the EU’s5th PCI list and supported by CEF, ECO 2CEE exemplifies how cross -border cooperation, energy security,and climate action can be integrated in the Baltic Sea Region.Go4ECOPlanetIn the same context, the Go4ECOPlanet project at the Kujawy cement plant led by Holcim Polska andsupported by a €22 8 million EU Innovation Fund grant is one of Europe’s first full -scale CCS initiatives.The project aims to establish a full CCS value chain from capture at Kujawy, through transport, topermanent storage in the North Sea or at licensed Danish sites, direc tly supporting decarbonisation ofthe cement sector. Go4ECOPlanet is not only a technical milestone but also a strong example of cross -border cooperation, harmonised permitting, and integration between Polish and Danish authorities. Itssuccess would creat e a blueprint for future CCS projects and reinforce regional climate leadership.HydrogenNordic -Baltic Hydrogen CorridorThe Nordic -Baltic Hydrogen Corridor (NBHC) is a strategic initiative aimed at building a cross -borderhydrogen transmission infrastruc ture across Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Germany. Ledby national gas transmission operators, including Poland’s GAZ -SYSTEM, the project supports the EU’sRePowerEU plan and climate neutrality goals. The corridor will span approximately 2,500 kilometres andis designed to transport up to 2.7 million tons of renewable hydrogen annually by 2040. It will include a48-inch pipeline and compressor stations, enabling the flow of green hydrogen from the Nordic andBaltic regions to industrial c entres in Central Europe.A pre- feasibility study completed in 2024 confirmed the project's technical and economic viability. It alsohighlighted the region’s potential to produce over 27 million tons of renewable hydrogen by 2040, mainlyfrom wind and solar energy. Recognized as a Project of Common Interest (PCI) by the EuropeanCommission, the NBHC is a key part of the EU’s future hydrogen infrastructure. It aims to decarbonizeindustry, enhance energy security, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, w hile fostering regionalcooperation and market development.Ministry of Culture and National HeritageProje ct „BSR Cultural Pearls for More Resilient Cities and RegionsBSR Cultural Pearls is an initiative designed to enhance social resilience in smaller towns, cities, andmunicipalities within the Baltic Sea Region through cultural engagement. This project supports awardedcommunities in utilising culture to foster stronger, more resilient societies by involving citizens,improving quality of life, and nurturing a sense of belonging and trust.Countries in the Baltic Sea Region vary in size, historical background, and cultural heritage, but they allface common challenges such as climate change, urbanisation, economic downturns, segregation, agein gpopulations, and political tensions. These issues impact our daily lives and require immediate collectiveaction. Addressing these challenges together is crucial, and social resilience —the ability of communitiesto adapt and thrive amidst adversity —is ke y. Therefore, developing a shared understanding of theimportance of social resilience and working collaboratively to strengthen it across the region is essential.To adapt to the challenges and demands of a rapidly changing world and make our neighbourho ods morelivable, decision -makers must not only make good decisions but also involve and engage their citizens.We need to solve today's problems, reverse negative trends, and prepare for the unexpected in the future— all together.This can be achieved th rough a variety of strategies, such as building strong social networks andrelationships, investing in education and training, promoting economic diversity, and fostering a sense ofcommunity ownership and participation. Cultural activities such as music, dance, theatre, and visual artsplay a vital role in this process by bringing people together, fostering a sense of belonging, and creatingsocial connections that help individuals and communities weather difficult times.Poland Page 2195The BSR Cultural Pearls project l everages culture and creativity to enhance social resilience, particularlyin smaller municipalities that often feel overlooked. It promotes community cohesion and collaboration,empowering communities to better handle adversity. To demonstrate that all mu nicipalities canstrengthen social resilience through culture, we annually invite local authorities from the region —especially those from less central areas — to join this transformative journey. Through a meticulousselection process, we award four muni cipalities with outstanding and impactful culture -driven socialresilience plans the BSR Cultural Pearls title, bringing visibility and momentum to their efforts.The journey to becoming a BSR Cultural Pearl unfolds in stages. Initially, a selection based on motivationand concept identifies eligible candidates. These candidates then enter a phase of action plandevelopment, creating Culture and Resilience Action Plans with access to specialised tools, webinars, andindividual mentorship. An international jury then selects the best plans to award the BSR Cultural Pearltitle. This two -stage process ensures that motivated towns and cities receive the necessary support andknowledge, even before being awarded the title.In December 2023, it were awarded the first BSR Cultural Pearls titles for 2024 to four municipalities:Svendborg in Denmark, Kiel in Germany, Jakobstad in Finland, and R ūjiena in Latvia. Each of thesemunicipalities presented unique visions for their Culture and Resilience Plans. Jakobstad ai med totransform a historic fire station into a community hub. Kiel focused on empowering youth throughcultural learning. Svendborg addressed challenges posed by an ageing population and youth discontentby fostering youth participation in social communit ies. Rūjiena sought to build an open, civically activesociety, leveraging its status as a "seniors' town" to facilitate intergenerational dialogue and cross -bordercooperation with Estonia. Additionally, we have seen a surge in interest, with eighteen app lications forthe second call, demonstrating growing recognition of this approach.Currently, the four award recipients embark on a one -year programme of action plan implementation,supported by local mentors and experts, as well as through webinars, conf erences, and study visits. Thisincludes seed money for external support and collaboration with local cultural and creative sectors.Showcased across the region, the BSR Cultural Pearls recipients highlight the power of community andculture. Both awardees and the other participating municipalities join the BSR Cultural Pearls network,gaining international exposure and continuing to enhance their community’s resilience.Interreg has been pivotal in contributing to the project's vision and success. Their f inancial support andguidance have been crucial in implementing the BSR Cultural Pearls project, enabling us to form a diverseconsortium from across the Baltic Sea Region. This collaboration has been essential for the project'ssuccess and acceptance. Wit hout Interreg, this cross -border initiative might not have been feasible.Ministry of Development Funds and Regional PolicyOperational Programme European Funds for Social Development 2021 –2027 (FERS)The FERS 2021– 2027 programme is directly linked to the thematic areas of the resolution, such asinitiatives addressing social sustainability, including those aimed at tackling challenges related to anageing population by upskilling and reskilling, integrating migrants and vulnerable groups into the labou rmarket, promoting gender equality, fostering resilience through cultural activities.Within Priority Axis I Skills, Measure 1.1 – Transnational Cooperation, FERS shows potentialcomplementarity with the provisions of the resolution, particularly in the f ields of social policy andinclusion, education, entrepreneurship, and healthcare. Supporting projects that contribute to buildingand developing cooper ation among participants of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference is also ofsignificant importance.Projects implemented under transnational cooperation and financed by FERS may focus on issues suchas ensuring labour market access for all, leveraging resources arising from increased life expectancy,initiatives for active and healthy ageing, as well as a ctions aimed at addressing demographic challenges,support for migrant workers, or protecting vulnerable groups.An example is the FERS call for proposals FERS.01.01 -IP.02-002/24, carried out in 2024, which aimedto support local governments in creating ne w services for the elderly, based on the experiences oftransnational partners. The call`s rules provided additional points for those projects that established apartnership with at least one entity from countries implementing the EU Strategy for the Balti c SeaRegion. As a result of the call, funding was granted to six projects, including the “StillActive” project,Poland Page 2206implemented in a Polish -Finnish -Greek partnership, and the project “Support 60plus. An innovativemodel of personalized services for dependent persons,” which will be carried out in a Polish -Lithuanianpartnership.The provisions of the resolution are also consistent with the cohesion policy funds objectives for theperiod 2021 -2027 in the following areas:• "A more competitive and intelligent E urope" that supports the development of innovation,digitalisation and education, which is in line with the resolution's postulates regarding increasingdigital resilience, fighting disinformation and promoting civic and digital education.• "A more environm entally friendly, low -emission Europe" that supports actions aimed atbiodiversity protection, development of renewable energy sources and combatting climatechange. These actions are among the key areas raised in the resolution.• "A more connected Europe" that enables the development of transport and energyinfrastructure, which responds to the resolution's calls for improved connectivity, port securityand critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region.• “Europe with a stronger social dimension” that su pports social integration, equality and accessto public services, which is in line with the resolution’s postulate regarding protection ofvulnerable groups, promotion of gender equality and strengthening social cohesion.• “Europe closer to citizens” - enables the implementation of local and cross -border projects,strengthening citizens’ engagement and the development of civil society, which is in line withthe spirit of regional cooperation and democratic resilience indicated by the resolution.The above -mentioned objectives are implemented through national and regional cohesion policyprogrammes, set out in the Partnership Agreement for 2021 -2027. The priorities planned in theprogrammes are consistent with the provisions set out in the resolution o f the 33rd Baltic SeaParliamentary Conference. In particular, they respond to challenges related to security, social issues,energy and environmental protection.Ministry of Digital AffairsCombat Disinformation“Electoral Umbrella” is an election protect ion program launched by the Ministry of Digital Affairstogether with the Ministry of Interior and Administration, with particular emphasis on theparticipation of the Internal Security Agency:• It is a response to anticipated attempts by external actors to influence the electoral proces;• It includes both cyberspace and real -world activities;• It’s based on close cooperation between and other institutions responsible for election security.Activity of Polish Research Institute NASK covers monitoring Internet content, educational activities,preparing reports and cooperation with social media platforms and relevant services:• Detecting disinformation in the Polish information sphere/space – monitoring the Polishinformation sphere for disinformation through the Disinformation Analysis Center (OAD)operating at NASK. The Polish information space is subject to constant observation, butadditional actions are taken in the pre -election period due to the expected increase in theamount of ha rmful content;• Analysis of social media platforms – social media is the main channel for the spread ofdisinformation content. Hence, their monitoring is a key task in the protection of the electoralprocess. OAD conducts constant observation of social networks;• Reporting content – OAD has developed special paths and channels for contact with socialplatforms. They are used to quickly and effectively report undesirable content, which allows forlimiting its reach and potential harmfulness;• Educational and training activities: In the pre -election context, OAD organizes, among others,roundtable meetings with journalists, non -governmental organizations and influencers. NASKalso trains Electoral Committees. The website bezpieczewybory.pl launched by NASK is acompendium of knowledge about the electoral process. There you can find tips on how to vote,an election calendar, and articles and analyses about the electoral process and the threat ofdisinformation. The website also allows to report disinformation co ntent;• Campaigns on reporting disinformation content – TV spots drawing attention to the topic ofdisinformation are broadcasted;Poland Page 2217• Handling reports from citizens – NASK handles reports from citizens, including from thewebsite bezpieczewybory.pl;• Moje.cer t.pl – not only OAD is involved in protecting the electoral process. Experts from CERTPolska have created a tool, that allows to check the security of Internet domains. This tool can beparticularly useful for electoral committees.Promote Regional Digital Cooperation and enhance digital connectivity (commence negotiationsbetween the members of the BSPC on enhancing cooperation in the area of cybersecurity; developincentives and support for strengthening underwater communication infrastructure in the Baltic Sea,including expanding connections and ensuring the resilience of the existing ones; cooperate andexchange practices on increasing universal coverage and service for Internet connectivity in theBaltic Sea region)A lot of a ctivities of the Polish presidency in the EU Council in I semester of 2025 were orientedtowards enhancement of cybersecurity in the EU, including Baltic Sea region. The most important werefollowing events:Informal meeting of EU ministers for cybersecu rity (5 March 2025, Warsaw)• was devoted to three topics:• Enhancing readiness for cyber crises – in the context of revision of the CybersecurityBlueprint;• Enhancing civilian- military cooperation in the cyber domain;• Investments in cybersecurity;• was conclu ded by adoption of the Warsaw Call on cybersecurity challenges . The documentidentifies six key areas on which EU actions should focus:• Strengthening crisis management through the efficient adoption of the Cybersecurity Blueprintand conducting exercises t esting its operation, increasing and better coordinating efforts toprotect submarine cable infrastructure;• Strengthening civil -military cooperation in the area of cybersecurity, including EU -NATO, andstrengthening information exchange between Member States;• Adopting a roadmap for new technologies and strengthening EU expertise in strategiccybersecurity foresight, and harmonising cybersecurity investment efforts;• Strengthening the horizontal relevance of the NIS 2 Directive, focusing on harmonised andinnovation -friendly implementation and simplification and burden reduction, and developing EUcybersecurity risk assessments;• Increasing efforts to combat the shortage of cybersecurity specialists in the EU;• Cyber diplomacy - strategic use of all means within the cybersecurity diplomacy toolbox.SECURE International Summit (3 -4 April 2025, Bydgoszcz)• was a conference aimed to further foster cooperation in the area of cybersecurity within EU. Itprovided an opportunity for a multilateral d iscussion among national and international expertsabout initiatives, innovative projects, best practices and trends in this area. Topics of theconference included:• Responding to large -scale cyber security incidents and crises - Blueprint update;• Counteri ng disinformation;• Strengthening civil -military cooperation in cyber security;• How to make it easier for businesses to meet cyber security regulatory requirements;• Artificial intelligence security;• Supply chain security and certification in cyber security;• Sectoral challenges: cyber security in the health sector;• Strategic approaches to cyber security at international and national levels;• Investing in cyber security;A part of the Digital Summit - final high-level event of the Polish presidency in Gdańsk (16 -18 June)will be Baltic Digital Security Forum, devoted mainly to cybersecurity, in particuar - digital infrastructuresecurity - in the Baltic Sea region.Poland Page 2228Also numerous workshops and exercises regarding strenghtening EU cybersecurit y regarded indirectlyBaltic Sea region.Ministry of Economic Development and TechnologyThe activities carried out by the Ministry contributed to fulfilling provisions of the Baltic SeaParliamentary Conference Resolution in the following way:• Ministry of Economic Development and Technology together with the Polish Agency for trade andInvestment launched the recruitment of Polish companies interested in resuming exports andparticipating in the reconstruction of Ukraine. Currently, over 3,000 c ompanies are registered. Theprogram includes free conferences, webinars, trainings, consultations for companies and missions toUkraine.• In September 2024, the PAIH Foreign Trade Office in Lviv began its operations. It provides supportfor entrepreneurs together with the office in Kiev.• BGK takes part in the EC competition for funds from Ukraine Facility - an application has beensubmitted to the EC for guarantee instruments and to support Ukrainian local governments.• In June 2022, the Export Credit In surance Corporation resumed the possibility of insuring receivablesin export contracts with Ukrainian contractors (short -term insurance and guarantees), and since theend of September 2023, KUKE has had a comprehensive system of support for Polish entrepr eneurson the Ukrainian market, which consists of three pillars: trade insurance with Ukraine, support forinvestments by Polish companies (implemented in Poland for the needs of export to Ukraine, as wellas implemented in Ukraine), support for the develo pment of Ukraine (securing financing forinvestment projects implemented by Polish or foreign entrepreneurs for investors from Ukraine andfor foreign investors). We work to launch another insurance instrument, i.e. reinsurance of transportinsurance to/from Ukraine provided by commercial insurers.• Currently, Polish entrepreneurs can also use a new financial instrument launched by BGK andMinistry of Funds and Regional Policy: Loans for participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine. Thisis a new form of financial support with preferential terms for the implementation of projects relatedto the reconstruction of Ukraine by Polish entrepreneurs.• We also encourage entrepreneurs to participate in tenders of international organizations. Weimplement an intensi ve program of training and workshops on how to participate in publicprocurement of international organizations.Ministry of FinanceNewly established road Border Crossing Point in Malhowice -Nizankowice using ONE -STOP clearancesystem:On December 21, 2024, a ceremonial opening of the new road border crossing in Malhowice, located inthe Podkarpackie Voivodeship, took place. The newly opened border crossing introduces a modernclearance system with joint customs and border control services of Poland and Ukraine, fully located onthe Polish side of the border. The innovative infrastructure of the crossing point, which includesintegrated control stations, expanded clearance zones and facilities for handling passenger and coachtraffic, will contribute to streamlining border procedures, relieving the neighbouring Medyka bordercrossing, and improving the fluidity and security of cross -bord er movement. In the long term, a passengerrail line is also planned to be launched at the Malhowice border crossing, which will further enhancepassenger traffic between Poland and Ukraine.At the Malhowice border crossing clearances are carried out at a shared One Stop location, in facilitieslocated entirely on the Polish side of the border.One Stop clearance at road border crossings between Poland and Ukraine is a step toward increasing theefficiency of border traffic and enhancing international coop eration. While this model presents certainchallenges, the benefits — such as streamlined trade, reduced queues, and improved security — aresignificant.The One Stop clearance system involves carrying out customs and border control procedures by bothcountries' services at a single border crossing, fully located on the Polish side. This allows UkrainianPoland Page 2239border services to operate on Polish territory. This model differs from the traditional approach, whereclearances are conducted separately on each side o f the border, often several hundred meters apart.A major advantage of the One Stop system is that passengers and transport operators undergo controlwithin a single border facility, without additional waiting in the inter -border area (the so -called neutra lzone). Officers from both countries work in the same building or area, which simplifies and speeds up theentire process.As of today, the One Stop clearance system is in operation at the following border crossings:• Krościenko /Smolnica (Podkarpackie Vo ivodeship) ;• Malhowice / Niżankowice (Podkarpackie Voivodeship) ;• Budomierz / Hruszew (Podkarpackie Voivodeship) ;• Dołhobyczów / Urhynów (Lubelskie Voivodeship) ;• Zosin / Ustiług (Lubelskie Voivodeship) .Ministry of Foreign AffairsPolish presidency of the Council of the EU(1. Strengthen Democratic Resilience , 8. Support Ukraine, 9. Combat Disinformation)Polish presidency of the Council of the EU is committed to supporting EU -Council of Europe cooperationfor a stronger democracy as well as the enhanced cooperation of the CoE with both regional andinternational organisations . Stable democracies and resilient societies are as needed at home, as in ourneighborhood.• Supporting Ukraine, strengthening democracy and civil society at home and in our neighborhoodand combating FIMI are prerequisites for stability and peace in Europe.• At the Council of Europe forum Poland strives to maintain support for Ukraine as the CoE’s toppriority following the Russian Federation’s full -scale invasion in February 2022. We continue toemphasize that Ukraine still needs our support . We support t he CoE’s Action Plan for Ukraine, whichaligns with Kyiv’s European aspirations. Poland continues to participate in building a mechanism tocompensate for the damage caused by Russia .• As we are convinced that the future of democracy depends on willingness to defend its foundationsagainst threats and we see FIMI being used to undermine democratic stability and our security, weexpressed our readiness to share the experience of PL model of Resilience Council, whichunderscores civil society's key role in building resilience against FIMI .PL PRES priorities (human rights and democracy):• Poland during its ongoing Presidency in the Council of the European Union pays particular attentionto reinforcing democratic institutions and countering the negative impact of disinformation onhuman rights and democracy .• The main Polish Presidency’s motto is “Security, Europe!” It is not only about military security but alsothe resilience to disinformation and hybrid threats . We must admit the truth - only strongdemocracies will be able to face up to external danger.• Those issues were addressed during the COHOM Informal meeting held on April 24 -25, 2025 inWarsaw .Polish presidency in the Community of Democracies 2025 r.• During this presidency we pay particular attention to (1) countering the negative impact o fdisinformation on human rights and democracy, (2) reinforcing democratic values and buildingresilience, (3) supporting Human Rights Defenders as guardians of democratic values.• We are glad to cooperate in the Community of Democracies with some Baltic Se e states such asEstonia, Finland, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden .Poland's activities at the Human Rights Council - good governance in promoting and protecting humanrights• Poland has traditionally promoted, as a member of a core group, the elaboration and adoption of aHuman Rights Council resolutions on the role of good governance in the promotion and protectionof human rights.Poland Page 22410• The main topic of the last resolution in this area, adopted during the 58th session of the Human RightsCouncil, related the issue of artificial intelligence. The resolution also requested the Human RightsCouncil Advisory Committee to prepare, by June 2026, a study on the impact of artificial intelligencesystems on good governance.Poland's activities at the Human Rights Council - Ukraine• One of the overarching goals o f Poland’s foreign policy is to keep the issue of the Russian aggressionand human rights in Ukraine high on the international agenda. At the UN we are active in debates anddialogues, we support many initiatives – including resolutions (such as resolution establishingCommission of Inquiry on Ukraine, resolution on cooperation with and assistance to Ukraine), jointstatements and side -events;• We also support our priorities financially - we have made contributions to the OHCHR, among others,to the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.Combat Disinformation• PL emphasizes the importance of building societal resilience on foreign disinformation, in particularbased on whole -of-government and whole -of-society approach. We coordinate our efforts oncountering FIMI with other governmental bodies, civil society and private sector representatives.• In line with those approaches, Poland has established two separate bodies to deal with FIMI threats.• First, based on the whole -of-government approach with MFA as a coordinator. The InterministerialCounter -FIMI Team , which is as an advisory body to the Council of Ministers with representatives ofMinistries of: Digital, Culture, Defense, Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs, security agencies, NASK andPM’s Office. Its main focus is to evaluate threats to information security, identify and analyse hostileforeign entities, develop counter FIMI strategies, strengthen information space resilience and providesystemic recommendations.• Second, the Resilience Council - forum for cooperation and exchange of ideas between the NGOs,business and academia. Despite enhancing societal resilience to FIMI, the Resilience Council analyseand assess information threats, develops actionable recommendations, foster multi -sectorcollaboration and promotes public education and awareness. The Resili ence Council is a reflection ofthe concept of whole -of-society approach on nationalRussian "Shadow Fleet"• Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Critical Undersea Infrastructure Protection inthe Baltic Sea on the occasion of the Ministerial session of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, 16May 2025, Estonia. The Foreign Minister of Poland, Mr. Radosław Sikorski, signed the MoU also onbehalf of the EU.• Participation in the national and international discussions, conferences and round tables on theshadow fleet and the protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.• Participation in the NB8+ format, cooperating with other Member States, EU institutions and like -minded countries, including in the development of evidence on ships in order to cover them with EUsanctions, in the scope of outreach to flag states and exchange of information.• The fight against Shadow Fleet activity and the dis cussion on combating it are regularly raised inbilateral and multilateral talks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.• At the technical level, Poland was the first country in the NB8+ group to decide to demand thepresentation of insurance certificates by all ships transiting in our maritime area.EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Presidency (EUSBSR)In recent years, Poland has been actively working to strengthen cooperation in the region in the broadlyunderstood area of security. Strengthening security and resilience in the Baltic Sea region remain oneof the main priorities of the Polish presidency and the EUSBSR (01.07.2024 -30.06.2025). We put highlyon the agenda also the increase Ukraine’s involvement in actions imple mented under the Strategy,searching for various forms of support for this country. So far, cooperation with Ukraine has beenfocused on the working level within the individual priority areas of the strategy, but discussions areunderway on a non -paper tha t would allow for a more formal treatment of these issues and confirm thecommitment of the countries of the region to continue supporting Kyiv.EUSBSR National Coordinators Group is working on updating the strategy's Action Plan, which will takeinto acc ount the challenges resulting from the full -scale aggression of Russia against Ukraine and thegeopolitical changes that have occurred recently. The aim of the strategy members is to furtherPoland Page 22511strengthen cooperation and focus on the most urgent needs of the region, which can be implemented inparticular at the expert, regional and local level.Pomorskie Voivodeship and The Council of the Baltic Sea States Secretariat (CBSS) are co -organizers ofEUSBSR Annual Forum which will take place in October 2025 and will focus on the regional security inits broadest sense with the main theme : Securing the Future: Stronger together – Building Stability in timesof Uncertainty . During this one of the largest pan -Baltic cooperation event and the most importantEUSBRS’s stakeholders meeting, several hundred people involved in cooperation in the region, includinghigh-level guests, will dis cuss the challenges and future of the region.Council of the Baltic Sea StatesThe cooperation is focused on three main priorities of the organization: Regional Identity, Sustainable andProsperous Region, and Safe and Secure Region. Poland is active memb er of alee the main bodies of CBSS:Civil Protection Network, Expert Group on children at Risk, Expert Group on sustainable Maritime Economyand Task Force Against Trafficking in Human Beings. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently preparing fora one -year presidency, which will begin on July 1, 2025. Security, resilience and Ukraine will remain ourpriorities also during that presidency in the most important political organization in the region.Ministry of IndustryGiven the current geopolitical challenges, prioritise and support projects aimed at improving energysecurity in the Baltic Sea region.The Nuclear Energy Department of the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Poland is responsible forcoordinating the implemention of the Polish Nuclear Power Programme (PNPP). The Programme aims tobuild 6 -9 GWe of nuclear capacity based on large, pr oven pressurized water reactors (PWRs). Theseassumptions were also confirmed in the adopted Energy Policy of Poland until 2040.The Resolution of the Council of Ministers of November 2, 2022 on the construction of large -scalenuclear power plants states that Poland's first nuclear power pla nt under the PNPP will be built basedon US AP1000 reactor technology.One of the thre e pillars on which the Programme is based is energy s ecurity. Introducing nuclear to thePolish energy mix will significantly contribute to the energy securi ty of the country, diversifying the fuelbase and the directions of supply of primary energy source s.In reference to international engagement with the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference member states,Poland maintains good cooperation with Finland – which has an extensive nuclear infrastructure andknow -how in the field of nuclear power and s pent fuel and radioactive waste management.Poland sees an opportunity to deepen cooperation with Sweden, as we observe the intensification of theSwedish government’s activities aimed at the expansion of it s nuclear capacity and Sweden’s pro-nuclearvoice within the EU forum. In November 2024, a Stra tegic Partnership was signed by the Prime Ministersof Poland and Sweden which states, i.a., that both sides will develop cooperation and exchange ofinformation between relevant institutions in the field of nuc lear newbuild project s and nuclear wastemanagement. In our opinion, the activities described above contribute to the im provement of energysecurity in the Baltic Sea region.Ministry of InfrastructureIt is estimated that shipping is responsible for the global transfer of over 10 billion tons of ballast waterannually, as a result of which approximately 10,000 marine species are transported in ballast water everyday. An example of Poland's cooperation to prevent the introduction and spread of new invasive alienspecies in the Baltic Sea region may be the fact that from 2020 Poland is a party to the InternationalConvention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWMConvention). This is the first international convention that introduces legal and technical instrumentsregarding the risks arising from the movement of organisms in ballast water. The purpose of the BWMConvention is to prevent, reduce and, where possible, eliminate the transmission of alien organisms andpathogens through the control and management of ships' ballast water and sediments. Poland, incompliance with the requirements of the Convention, ensures that in designated ports and terminalswhere cleaning or repair of ballast tanks takes place, there are appropriate facilities for receivingsediments. At the Port of Gdańsk, it is possible to dispose of ballast water that does not meet therequirements of the Convention using specialized devices. Poland is an active member at theInternational Maritime Organization contributing to the work to ensure that international shippingPoland Page 22612remains safe, environmentally sound, energy efficient and secure. Poland implemented recentamendments to the BWM Convention, to t he form of the Ballast Water Record Book (MEPC.369(80)).Poland acts decisively towards a clean, healthy and productive Baltic Sea, with resilient marine andcoastal ecosystems, including e.g. by applying a ban on throwing plastic waste into the sea. In ad dition,in Poland it is prohibited to load waste or other substances intended for dumping in the Baltic Sea onships. Only the disposal of dredging material into the sea is permitted if it was carried out in accordancewith the provisions of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic SeaArea, 1992 - provided that an appropriate permit is obtained. Moreover, organotin compounds which actas biocides (in particular tributyltin - TBT) are not allowed on ships flying the Polish fl ag. Poland prohibitsthe use of hazardous substances, such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its derivatives (DDEand DDD), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs), as well as hazardoussubstances as pesticides (e. g. aldrin) in the Baltic Sea and its catchment area.Acidic precipitation resulting from the reaction of water with gases absorbed from the air, such as sulphuroxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), contributes to the acidification of the sea and oceanenvironment. This is just one of many manifestations of the negative impact of these chemicalcompounds on the environment. Poland's actions for a clean and healthy Baltic Sea are also reflected incompliance with strict regulations regarding emissions of s ulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides from thecombustion of marine fuels.Activities within the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area(Helsinki Convention / HELCOM)Poland actively participates in the activities carried out by HELCOM, thus fulfilling its legal obligations inthe field of protection of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea. HELCOM's work was carried outwithin 8 working groups and many expert groups in order to fully use the experts' potential and focus onthe overriding goal, which is to achieve good environmental status of the Baltic Sea by 2030.HELCOM's main work focused on continuing efforts to implement the 2021 updated Baltic Sea ActionPlan (BSAP), officially adopted together w ith the accompanying Ministerial Declaration at the MinisterialConference on 20 October 2021 in Lübeck, Germany. It is expected that individual activities under theupdated BSAP will be implemented at the HELCOM level or by individual Parties to the Conve ntion(national level). Monitoring and implementation of these activities by the Parties to the Convention hasbeen entrusted to individual HELCOM working formations (working groups and expert groups).In addition, HELCOM has completed work on the third HE LCOM holistic assessment (HOLAS 3) whichprovides a comprehensive overview of the ecosystem health of the Baltic Sea, covering the assessmentperiod of 2016 –2021. Furthermore, five thematic assessments were released, covering the topics ofeconomic and soc ial analyses; spatial distribution of pressures and impacts; hazardous substances,marine litter, underwater noise and non -indigenous species; biodiversity and eutrophication.The last HELCOM ministerial meeting was held in Riga (Latvia) on 25 April 2024. The meeting wasattended by the ministers and high -level representatives of the Ministries of the Environment,respectively of Climate, of Infrastructure and of Maritime Affairs of eight Baltic Sea coastal states andthe European Union. The participants re affirmed their strong commitment to continued joint efforts toreach a healthy Baltic marine environment. A Ministerial Declaration (Riga Declaration), as well as astatement on the geopolitical situation , are the outputs of the meeting.The Riga Ministerial Declaration recognizes the intercon nectedness of environmental health andeconomic prosperity and the importance of stressing the economic benefits of preserving the Baltic Seaecosystem. As shown by the latest Holistic Assessment of the Baltic Sea (HOLAS 3), achieving goodenvironmental st atus by the year 2040 can yield economic benefits of 5.6 million euro per year for peoplearound the Baltic Sea.The ministerial debate focused on better targeting and prioritizing efforts to implement the 2021 BalticSea Action Plan, based on the new insi ghts gained from HOLAS 3 and on continuing to successfullyimplement the HELCOM goals against the background of the challenging geopolitical situation in theBaltic Sea region.a) The Maritime Working Group (Maritime WG)The HELCOM Maritime Working Group ( WG Maritime) works to prevent any pollution from ships –including deliberate operational discharges as well as accidental pollution.Poland participates in the activities of the Maritime WG, which mainly discussed the implementation ofthe updated BSAP c oncerning air pollution from ships, non -indigenous species, biofouling, anti -foulingsystems (AFS), regional implementation of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, sewagefrom ships and port reception facilities (PRF) and safety of navigation.Poland Page 22713Moreover, Poland participates in the works of subordinated experts groups: Expert Group for MutualExchange and Deliveries of AIS & Data (EG AIS EWG), Expert Group on Safety of Navigation (EG SAFENAV), Sub -group on Green Technology and Alternative Fuels fo r Shipping (GREN TEAM), the JointHELCOM/OSPAR Task Group on Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) and Biofouling (JTGBALLAST & BIOFOULING) and Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilities (CP PRF) - the resultsof the work of these expert group s were presented and discussed at the last session of the Maritime WGwhich was held on 22 -24 October 2024.As part of the work of WG MARITIME, HELCOM parties, including Poland, are preparing to implementactivities S16 and S22 of the Baltic Sea Action Pl an (BSAP).Action S16 of the BSAP is ,, Carry out a study and impact assessment by 2026 to estimate and evaluate thevolumes and impact of discharges of residues of noxious liquid substances contained in cargo tank washingwaters under the International Co nvention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) ConventionAnnex II into the Baltic Sea. Based on the results, take relevant action by 2028 on whether and how to furtherlimit discharges of residues of noxious liquid substances contained in ca rgo tank washing waters underMARPOL Annex II into the Baltic Sea ”, and Action S22 of BSAP is: ,, Develop a Roadmap by 2025 to reducethe input of pollutants from Exhaust Gas Cleaning System discharge waters, as a minimum in line with existinglegislation, taking into consideration the precautionary principle and the outcome of the work of theInternational Maritime Organization (IMO) ”.b) The Working Group on Reduction of Pressures from Sea -based sources (HELCOM WG Sea -based pressures)The Working Group on Reduction of Pressures from Sea -based sources (WG Sea -based pressures) worksto reduce the input, impacts, and risks posed by litter, disturbance, and loss of the seabed, submergedhazardous objects, non -indigenous species (NIS), and the level of impulsive and continuous underwaternoise in the Baltic Sea. It is also tasked with monitoring the status of the Baltic Sea related to thesepressures, as well as implementing relevant mitigation measures.The Working Group operates at the interface of science and policy, ensuring that sufficient technicalexpertise and information are available to support national and regional decision -making andimplementation processes,Poland participates in the activities of WG Sea -based Pressures, which mainly deals with theimplementation of the updated BSAP concerning marine litter, underwater noise, physical damage to thesea floor, hotspots (discussion on the designation of new hotspots related to marine litter and submergedhazardous objects) and follow up on HOLAS 3 in re lation to the work of the group.Moreover, discussions were continued in relation to the need for developing harmonized thresholdvalues for substances in dredged sediments, as well as on carbon capture and storage (CCS) and thescope of the Helsinki Conv ention related to CCS under the seabed.Moreover, Poland participates in the works of subordinated experts groups, inter alia in the Expert Groupon Environmental Risks of Submerged Objects (EG SUBMERGED). The group contributes to theregionally coordinat ed actions regarding dumped munitions and explosives as well as other sunkenpotentially dangerous objects in terms of their impact on the marine environment of the Baltic Sea. In2024 the group continued working on a report on wrecks lying at the bottom of the Baltic Sea.c) Response Working Group (Response WG)The Response WG deals with all spill response issues, ensuring that the Baltic Sea region is prepared torespond to various oil and chemical spill incidents.Poland participates in the work of WG Response, which examines the following topics: risk assess mentand safety of navigation, recent anti -pollution operations, national and regional anti -pollution capacity atsea and on the seashore, wrecks and other dangerous submerged objects, aviation surveillance andpollution detection, recommendations and upda tes HELCOM Response Manual, scope of tasks of theWILDLIFE expert group, conclusions from the annual BALEX DELTA spill response exercises and plansfor the future - in 2025 these exercises will take place from 26 to 28 August in Świnoujscie in themaritime areas of the Republic of Poland.Currently, the work of WG RESPONSE also focuses on BRISK II project which is a long -term risk analysisfor oil and hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) pollution from shipping accidents to the marineenvironment in the B altic Sea. The project will identify future risks due to changed conditions in the BalticSea and analyse them with respect to their causal relations.The project’s main objectives are:1) Disaster Risk management support to develop the preparedness to match the changed risk pattern inBaltic Sea; and2) Facilitating dialogue between Baltic Sea EU Member States on enhancing the common preparedness.Poland Page 22814d) Joint HELCOM -VASAB Maritime Spatial Planning Working Group (HELCOM -VASAB MSP WG)The Working Group was established to ensure cooperation among the Baltic Sea Region countries forcoherent regional Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) processes in the Baltic Sea.Poland participates in the work of HELCOM -VASAB MSP WG, which deals with implementing theRegional M SP Roadmap via the workplan of the group for 2022 -2024 and the MSP relevant actions inthe 2021 BSAP especially on the actions that are shared with other HELCOM groups e.g. related to birdand fish migration, climate change and economic and social analyses .e) HELCOM Working Group on Biodiversity, Protection and Restoration (WG BioDiv)WG BioDiv covers monitoring and assessment functions as well as issues related to nature conservationand biodiversity protection in HELCOM. A major aim of the WG BioDiv is to work across the monitoring -indicators -assessment chain in order to provide a str onger basis for coordinated development of theHELCOM thematic assessment tools and a coherent holistic assessment of the ecosystems health,including Baltic Sea Pressure Index and Impact Index.Poland participates in the work of subordinated experts grou ps: Expert Group on Marine Protected Areas(EG MPA) and HELCOM Network for Marine Protected Area Management (MPA MaNet). EG MPAcontributes to the development and implementation of a consistent region -wide protection frameworkfor the Baltic Sea covering b oth marine protected areas (MPA) and other effective area -basedconservation measures (OECMs), as well as the implementation of the relevant actions under the BalticSea Action Plan (BSAP). The overall scope of the MPA MaNet is to enhance the management of BalticSea Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), on an individual, national, and regional level, accounting for boththe management of individual areas and the network.Hazardous materials dumped in the Baltic SeaHaving regard to the protection of the marine e nvironment, Poland appreciates and supports all effortscarried out in regional and international forums, including the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) andthe Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM), in the field of hazardous mate rialsdumped in the sea. It should be emphasized that this is an issue that requires common, internationalsolutions, both in terms of management and ensuring a dedicated source of funding for research andneutralization, including possible extraction of d umped hazardous materials.The Inter -Ministerial Committee on Hazardous Materials Deposited in the Maritime Areas of theRepublic of Poland that was appointed on the basis of the Order No. 345 of the Prime Minister of 20October 2022 and continued to carry out the tasks assigned by Prime Minister earlier. In particular, ittook an active part in developing new national regulations on submerged hazardous materials.A new chapter dedicated to submerged hazardous materials was introduced to the Act on Maritime Areasof the Republic of Poland and Maritime Administration. The provisions in this chapter specify the rulesfor dealing with this type of materials. The provisions specify what types of materials dumped in Polishmaritime areas constitute “submerged haz ardous materials”, including: ammunition, weapons (includingchemical weapons), explosives and some wrecks. Each case of suspected detection or identification ofsubmerged hazardous materials shall be reported to the Hydrographic Office of the Polish Navy, whichwill keep a register of submerged hazardous materials. Moreover, any activities, carried out with the aimto neutralize submerged hazardous materials, will be required to obtain a permission, issued by theterritorially competent Director of the Mar itime Office.Rail Baltica projectRail Baltica is the largest railway infrastructure project in the history of the Baltic States. It will create anelectrified double -track high- speed railway of European standard. It will connect Warsaw, Kaunas,Vilnius, Panevėzys, Riga, P ärnu and Tallinn. The total length of the Rail Baltica line in the Baltic States is870 km: 392 km in Lithuania, 265 km in Latvia and 213 km in Estonia.Poland is consistently and in line with its commitment to carry out further tasks on the Rail Baltica route,bringing the route up to the required standards of the TEN -T network. The modernisation of the E75Rail Baltica line is one of the most important railway investments carried out by the manager of thenational railway networ k, i.e. the company PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A.Thanks to the implementation of the investment on the Rail Baltica route, the speed of passenger trainshas been increased to 160 km/h on the section Warsaw Rembertów -Sadowne and Sadowne -Czyżew(with futu re expansion to 200 km/h).On the Czyżew -Białystok and Białystok -Ełk sections, the infrastructure will be adapted to speeds of 200km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for goods trains.Poland Page 22915Extensive modernisation of the Ełk -Trakiszki section is also planne d, the timing of which will depend onthe progress of construction in the Baltic States. The speed of goods trains will be increased to 120 km/h.The technical parameters of the line will be adapted to the requirements of the TEN -T network.It is currentl y envisaged that the Polish section of the line will be operational by 2030, with theinstallation of ERTMS possible after this date.The design speed of the Baltic section of the route connecting Tallinn, Parnava, Riga, Panev ėzys, Kaunas,Vilnius and Wars aw is 249km/h for passenger transport and 120km/h for goods trains. It has a wheelbaseof 1435mm, 2x25kV AC power supply, a maximum axle load of 25 tonnes, ERTMS level 2 and a maximumlength for goods trains of 1050m.Basis for the implementation of the in vestment: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1723 of26 October 2018 on the Rail Baltica cross -border project within the North Sea -Baltic Sea Core NetworkCorridor.Section: Białystok - Ełk - 100 kmStatus: In August 2021. PKP Polskie Linie Kolejow e S.A. signed a contract for the reconstruction of Ełkstation and the railway network in the city. Construction works were completed in September 2024. Thefinal acceptance protocol was signed on 29.10.2024.As part of Phase I of the project, design docum entation is being developed for the entire Białystok - Ełksection. It is planned to obtain all administrative decisions in the first quarter of 2026. A tender for theexecution of the works was announced in January 2025.Planned works on the Białystok - Elk section for 2025 -2028.Estimated value according to SPR: PLN 6,692.4 millionSpeed: passenger up to 200 km/h, freight 120 km/hTrain length: 740 m; Permissible axle load: 221 kNWorks on the E75 line on the section state border), phase I section Białys tok - Ełk, phase II are plannedfor implementation in the years 2025 - 2028. Due to limited funding, a division into three projects wasmade. Funding was granted for the sections: Osowiec - Ełk and Białystok - Knyszyn. In January 2025, anapplication for C EF2 co -financing was submitted for the Knyszyn - Osowiec section.Via Baltica projectVia Baltica on Polish territory runs along the S8 expressway from Warsaw to Ostrów Mazowiecka andfurther along the S61 expressway from Ostrów Mazowiecka to the state border in Budzisko.On 30 September 2024, the Via Baltica road route became fully passable on Polish territory, with finalcompletion expected in the second half of 2025.In Lithuania, the course of Via Baltica is marked by the European road E67, wh ich runs from the borderwith Polandin Budzisko via Kaunas and Panev ėzys to the border with Latvia in Pasvalys. Its route consists of theroads:1) A5 Kaunas - Marijampole (built) - PL/LT border,2) A1 around Kaunas - Juodoniai,3. A8 from Juodoniai to P anevėzys,4) A17 - Panevėzys bypass,5) A10 to the border with Latvia.The widening of the Lithuanian section of Via Baltica from Mauriuciai (end of Kaunas bypass) toMarijampole (40 km) to motorway standard (2X2 cross -section) took place in 2018. The reconstructionof the more than 40 -kilometre section from Marijampole to the Polish -Lithuanian border is planned tobe completed in the second half of 2025. It will then meet international speed and safety standards, andthe driving speed will be increased to 130 km per hour. At a later stage, the Lithuanian side will undertakeconstruction work towards the Lithuanian -Latvian border.Investment to strengthen military mobility (dual -use infrastructure)EU co -financed national as well as regional investment programmes have noticeably improved the stateof the national infrastructure. However, there are still a number of challenges which reduce the efficiencyof the entire transport system. Among the chall enges, it is worth noting in particular the insufficientPoland Page 23016coverage of transport infrastructure, the occurrence of the phenomenon of infrastructural bottlenecksand, finally, the lack of adequate coordination between the various modes of land transport.All these areas of intervention require appropriate investment projects, the value of which significantlyexceeds the financial possibilities of both central and local governments. For this reason, funds from theEuropean Union play such an important role in reducing the infrastructure gap that is still identified. Inparticular, the most important sources of funding for transport infrastructure projects remain:Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), structural funds and the Cohesion Fund.Due to the territorial di versity of transport needs, as well as the current and future economic potentialof individual Polish regions, it seems justified to carry out analyses concerning the implementation ofEFSI funds for the financing of infrastructure projects. Apart from the direct economic effect on amicroeconomic scale, these investments lay the foundations for sources of long -term growth.Building a coalition of the countries of our region, in the context of the ong oing discussions within theEU I nstitutions about the new financial perspective after 2027, will support the process of furthernegotiations of the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028 -2034. It has been announced that theproposal of the European Commission for the MFF 2028 -2034 will appear in July 2025 and it will be adifficult process of negotiations and working out a compromise between the EU countries.CEF 2014 -2020 (CEF 1):The CEF 1 budget in the transport sector is approximately EUR 23.3 billion, including a pool of fundstransferred from the Cohesio n Fund (cohesion pool) of approximately EUR 11.1 billion.Under CEF1 competitions, Poland finally obtained CEF co -financing for 68 projects, for which the totaleligible costs amounted to approximately EUR 6.031 billion and the total CEF co -financing toapproximately EUR 4.33 billion (18.8% of the total CEF1 budget utilisation).CEF 2021 -2027 (CEF 2):The budget for the Facility in the transport sector in the 2021 -2027 perspective is approximately €25.8billion, of which:- cohesion pool - approximately € 11.3 billion,- general pool - €12.8 billion,- military mobility component - €1.7 billion.Within the framework of the already concluded CEF Transport 2021 -2027 competitions, the use offunds in the individual pools is as follows:• the cohesion pool at E U level was used to the tune of €9,362 million, of which Poland received€2,279 million (24.34%);• the general pool at EU level was used to the amount of EUR 10 575 million, of which Polandreceived EUR 640.3 million (6%);• the military mobility pool at EU level was used to the tune of EUR 1,747 million, of which Polandreceived EUR 222.8 million (12.7%).Poland is the leader in the use of CEF2 Transport funds compared to other EU countries. So far, it hasreceived nearly €3 .1bn under the 2021 -2027 perspective, for a total of 59 projects in the rail, road,maritime, alternative fuels sectors, including 14 projects in the military mobility component (2nd in theEU after DE).The last CEF Transport competition in the 2021 -2027 financial perspective is probably currentlyunderway.The budget for the competition (call) is €2.5 billion. The amount is available in two application poolsdiffering in the level of possible support - the Cohesion Fund pool (cohesion pool; up to 85%), the generalpool (up to 50%).The deadline for applications is 21 January 2025.The Ministry of Infrastructure's analysis shows that theestimated requested CEF funding value for projects identified as priorities is 1.66 billion, while the EUfunding value of all projects identified by the MI for this competition is just over 2.22 billion euros. Thiscontinues to show the scale of the need for transport infrastructure investment in Poland.Ministry of the Interior and AdministrationAd. 3. Empower Citizen Engagement:The project called SECURE KIDS aims to support sustainable and inclusive mechanisms for children’sparticipation in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of national and local efforts to buildPoland Page 23117resilient societies. Societies that are capable of effectively and timely preventing the impacts of hazards,absorbing them, adapting to them, transforming, and rebuilding — including by maintaining and restoringessential structures and functions.Ad. 5. Strengthen social resilienceAlgorithm of psychological assistance for firefighters, their families and psychologists in pre -war, war andpost -war conditions, mapping - pilot project.A pilot project based on the need to update the knowledge and psychological support provided tofirefighters, their families, and psychologists in order to meet the demands of operating in extremeconditions. The pilot project aims to map psychological needs, currently used solutions, and systemic andlegislative changes in the psychological support system, based on the experience of the war in Ukraine.This will be done in cooperation with psychologists from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU)and in collaboration with the Norwegian DSB. Based on this, the next project is planned to develop apsychological training/support algorithm, enabling regular delivery of such support to the mentionedgroups both in peacetime and during wartime. The goal is to better prepare individuals psychologicallyfor wartime and related situations, as well as for crisis -related reactions, and to maximize the mentalhealth and well -being of these groups. .Ad. 6 Protection of vulnerable groupsThe Head of the Office, within the scope of implementation of point 6 of t he attached resolution,guarantees the protection of foreigners requiring international protection, including persons exposed topersecution due to their nationality, gender, age or membership in the LGBTQ community, by grantingthem refugee status due to their nationality or membership in a specific social group after carrying outthe procedure for granting international protectionThe Office for Foreigners (UdSC), as the central authority responsible for the reception of applicants forinternational prote ction in Poland, ensures that the rights and safety of vulnerable groups — in particularminors, persons with disabilities, elderly people, pregnant women, single parents, victims of humantrafficking, bedridden persons, persons with mental disorders, pers ons subjected to torture, victims ofpsychological, physical, and sexual violence, including LGBTQ individuals — are fully respectedthroughout the reception process.The Office ensures the identification of persons with special reception needs through mul tiple channels,including medical screenings, psychological assessments, and observations by trained staff. Individualsidentified as requiring special treatment may benefit from adapted accommodation (e.g. for persons withdisabilities or single women wit h children), individualized care (e.g. dietary or psychological), placementin specialized facilities (e.g. nursing facilities), or individual accommodation in single room/receiving cashbenefits for living outside the accommodation center in order to ensu re safety (e.g. victims ofpsychological, physical, and sexual violence, LGBTQ individuals).All reception centres implement the Policy on the Protection of Children from Abuse, which outlinesprotocols to safeguard minors from harm. Minors are accommodated with their parents or legal guardianswhen this is in their best interest, and unaccompanied minors are placed in professional foster careinstitutions. Their access to education, health care, and psychosocial support is guaranteed and finance dby the state. A recently introduced questionnaire allows children to express their views on their livingand educational conditions, further ensuring their best interests are met.Among facilities ran by the Office there is one in Dębak which is specific ally adapted to host singlewomen and mothers with children. All reception staff are trained to detect and respond to the needs ofvictims of gender -based violence, torture, and human trafficking. While sensitive health informationremains confidential, al l necessary psychological or psychiatric support is provided.To build institutional capacity, the Office for Foreigners regularly conducts mandatory training forpersonnel on topics including child protection, ethics, anti -trafficking, and working with v ictims oftrauma. These are complemented by e -learning modules. Audits of reception centres are used to identifygaps —such as insufficient accessibility for persons with disabilities —which inform future infrastructureupgrades.Additionally, orientation courses, mobile apps (e.g. Refugeebook), multilingual brochures, and legal aidservices ensure that all applicants —especially the most vulnerable —are informed of their rights andentitlements.Ad. 9. Combat DisinformationPoland Page 23218The aim of the “Commun ication in BSR” project was to build a long -term network for joint crisiscommunication in the Baltic Sea region, to exchange experiences and good practices and to be able toprepare joint actions in a situation of real danger.Ad.11 i 16Enhance Maritime Ecosystem ProtectionStrengthening Maritime SafetyAs part of fulfilling the HELCOM postulates, joint patrols are carried out using vessels of the MaritimeUnit of the Border Guard, with the participation of inspectors from the relevant Regional Inspect oratesfor Environmental Protection and Maritime Offices. The purpose of these operations is to monitorcompliance with marine environmental protection regulations, as well as to conduct research As part offulfilling HELCOM's demands, joint patrols are ca rried out using vessels of the Maritime Branch of theBorder Guard, with the participation of inspectors from the locally competent Provincial EnvironmentalInspectorates and Maritime Offices. The purpose of these undertakings is to control compliance withregulations on the protection of the marine environment, as well as to conduct research on the qualityof this environment, observe and evaluate its condition and the changes taking place in it;The Maritime Border Guard Unit actively promotes the protection of EU maritime security through thesurveillance of Polish maritime areas and the protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.Ongoing surveillance of offshore installations locate d in Polish maritime areas is carried out usingmaritime surveillance systems , patrols using vessels and aircraft.In addition, it is planned to establish a Maritime Security Center in Gdansk, which has the potential tobecome a key element of the system e nsuring stability and security in the area of responsibility of Polandand the Baltic Sea region. The task of the Center will be to coordinate activities for the protection ofcritical infrastructure, to ensure the safety of navigation and to respond to a variety of threats, —including those to internal state security — of migratory, military, environmental, and hybrid nature. Itwill also coordinate cooperation at both the national and international levels in the above -mentionedareas.The Polish services are carrying out joint control activities in the field of illegal cross -border transport ofwaste using seaports. These activities are conducted throughout the country, especially in the Balticprovinces (Pomeranian, West Pomeranian).In addition, officer s participate in training courses to improve their competencies in the field ofenvironmental regulations and recognition of environmental crimes and dedicated to combating cross -border waste shipment crime.The Polish Police is also coordinating national activities under the EMPACT 2024 -2025 OAPEnvironmental Crime priority targeting, among other things, the prevention of illegal transboundarymovement of waste by sea, land and air. The Polish Police also participates in international operationstargeting environmental crime.Ministry of JusticeWith respect to Point 1 of the Resolution, which refers to further strengthening democracy, the rule oflaw, equality, and human rights, I inform you that, as part of legislative amendments aimed at restoringthe rule of law, the Act of 12 July 2024 amending the Act on the National Council of the Judiciary wasadopted. The purpose of the Act is to restore the content of the provisions governing the selection ofjudges to the National Council of the Ju diciary to be in compliance with the Constitution of the Republicof Poland and to eliminate the negative consequences of the flawed legal solution that has been in forcesince 2018. The Act also aims to align statutory provisions with the standards set by the rulings of theCourt of Justice of the European Union, the European Court of Human Rights, as well as judgments ofthe Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court concerning guarantees of the independenceand autonomy of the judiciary from othe r branches of state power, including ensuring the independenceof the National Council of the Judiciary from the legislative and executive authorities in the judicialappointment process. At the same time, I note that on 1 August 2024, the President of th e Republic ofPoland subm itted the aforementioned Act to the Constitutional Tribunal for preventive review. To date,the Tribunal has not adjudicated the matter.Furthermore, I the Act of 6 March 2025 amending the Act – Law on the Structure of Common Court sand the Act – Law on the Structure of Military Courts (Journal of Laws, item 526) introducedmodifications to the existing model of so -called judicial secondments, in particular by introducing moreexplicit criteria for secondment, requiring the Minister of Justice to justify any revocation of aPoland Page 23319secondment, ensuring transparency in secondment proceedings through the public disclosure of thereasons for each secondment and revocation, as well as redefining the rules for granting salarysupplements related to secondment.Moreover, a draft Act amending the Act – Law on the Structure of Common Courts and certain otheracts (reference no. UD 206) is currently under review in light of comments received during theinterministerial consultations, public consultati ons, and opinion- gathering process. The aim of the draftlegislation is to restore order in the broadly understood justice system in matters concerning judicialindependence and the disciplinary liability of judges, to increase the self -governance of the j udiciary,democratize its functioning, and to introduce changes regarding the organization of disciplinary courtsand the institution of disciplinary officers.Additionally, legislative work is underway to introduce legal solutions regarding the status of judgesappointed between 2018 and 2025 through competitions conducted before a defectively constitutedNational Council of the Judiciary. On 24 April 2025, the Minister of Justice presented the VeniceCommission (European Commission for Democracy through L aw) with the general principles and keyregulations of a draft act intended to restore the right to an independent and impartial tribunalestablished by law in Poland and to regulate the legal effects of the resolutions of the improperlyconstituted Nation al Council of the Judiciary as mentioned above. The Venice Commission is currentlyanalyzing the proposed legal solutions.With regard to the matters covered by Points 6 and 7 of the Resolution it should be noted that the Actof 6 March 2025 amending the Penal Code (Sejm print no. 876 and subsequent), which provides forenhanced criminal protection against discriminatory crime -motivated behavior, was submitted by thePresident of the Republic of Poland to the Constitutional Tribunal for preven tive review on 16 April2025.Ministry of National DefenceEnhancing Maritime Security and Underwater InfrastructurePoland has been actively engaged in the protection of strategic maritime infrastructure in response togrowing hybrid threats in the Balti c Sea region:• "Baltic Sentry": Poland is actively supporting the establishment and operation of the Baltic Sentrymission. Its main objective is to ensure the security of critical underwater infrastructure.• Poland continues to contribute to the Baltic Air Policing . On March 31, 2025, t he XIII rotation of thePolish Military Contingent ORLIK started the mission of securing the airspace over Lithuania, Latviaand Estonia• Naval Fleet Reinforcement: There are plans to procure three additional mine countermeasure vessels(MCMVs). This move i s intended to boost the operational capabilities of the Polish Navy and reinforceits presence in the Baltic Sea, particularly in light of emerging underwater threats.• Response to Hybrid Threats: Poland undertook a military intervention following the detec tion ofsuspicious manoeuvres by a vessel from the Russian shadow fleet near an undersea cable in the Baltic.Defence Cooperation and Strengthening Regional ResiliencePoland is actively expanding cooperation with regional partners, contributing to collec tive resilienceagainst security threats:• Poland, together with Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden, decided toadopt Joint Declaration Concerning Baltic Sea Security to support efforts and to address challengesin particular Russia’s threats against Member States of the EU and NATO. Joint declaration has beensuccessfully coordinated and is planned to be signed during NATO DMM in Brussels on 5 June.• Strategic Partnership with Sweden: It includes enhanced military cooperation, joint initiatives indefence industry development, and a detailed action plan for the ministries of defence for the years2026 –2027 that is being prepared.• Air Security Operation: A new air security operation over the Baltic region has been launched,invol ving the deployment of additional aircraft and helicopters to northern Poland. The operationaims to reinforce air patrols in response to provocations from the Russian Federation.• Poland continues to work on the implementation of the Eastern Shield , while Lithuania, Latvia andEstonia are building the Baltic Defense Line (BDL) . Both the Eastern Shield and the BDL have similargoals, including preventing or hindering unauthorized intrusion by an aggressor into the territories ofsovereign states.Poland Page 23420Development of Defence CapabilitiesThe MoND is investing in modern technologies and capabilities to improve security and situationalawareness across the region:• Earth Observation Satellite System (MikroSAR): Poland has signed a contract for the delivery of anEarth observation satellite system under the MikroSAR program. This investment aims to enhancereconnaissance capabilities and situational awareness, which are critical for effective monitoring andrespo nse to threats in the Baltic Sea basin.• Poland remained committed to the efforts aimed at strengthening the security of the Baltic Searegion. Increasing the military potential through the growing number of Polish Armed Forcespersonnel, modernization and growing operational capabilities, Poland has secured critical elementsof the Baltic region defence. Pr otecting the Suwałki corridor, mitigating risks that may come fromKrólewiecki District and sealing the border with Belarus.• We support ed and is practically engaged in all the NATO initiatives in this area .− We contributed to the NATO Forward Land Forces in Latvia (up to 260 soldiers). Our contingentconsisted of: a LEOPARD tank company and an CBRN platoon with elements of logistic suppor t,as well as personnel assigned to the brigade command.− We continued our engagement in Baltic Air Policing. Polish Air Force is currently carrying outthe 13th duty in the Baltic Air Policing mission, sending 4 aircraft (F -16) with a 150 -personcontingent to the Lithuanian base in Šiauliai.− We participated in the Baltic Sentry. We aligned air and maritime assets to the mission to monitorforeign ship activity around the southern Baltic region and thus defend our critical underseainfrastructure.− We significantly contribute to Commander Task Force Baltic (CTF Baltic) with a purpose tocoordinate naval activities in the Baltic Sea region with Allies.• Poland fort ifies its border with Russia and Belarus to prevent and unable a military attack. The EastShield in Poland should form a coherent chain with the Baltic Defence Line and fortifications createdby Ukraine.• Poland has undertaken m easures aimed at increasing resilience to hybrid warfare, deploying a PolishArmed Forces Task Force to support Police and Border Guard to ensure security of the Polish -Belarussian border. Preventing weaponization of illegal migration and diversion. Poland heavilyinvest in the cyber security increasing the potential of Cyberspace Defense Forces .• Poland continues the military aid to Ukraine. We deliver 46th package of military aid and preparefollowing ones. We are committed to all instruments regarding support of Ukraine: UDCG,capabilities coalitions, NSATU, EUMAM, Coalition of the Willing .Ministry of National EducationThe activities carried out by the Polish Ministry of National Education contributed to fulfilling provisionsof the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference Resolution.Empower Citizen EngagementThe Ministry of National Education supports actions aimed at promoting youth civic engagement andfacilitating their participation in political decision -making. Young people should have a real influence onshaping policies that affect their future. Thus, th ere is a consensus and strong political will to activelyengage people, with special emphasis on young in decision -making processes to stimulate their trust inEU institutions.The importance of the participation of young people in public debate was reflected in the two documentsnegotiated during the Polish Presidency and adopted at the meeting of the Council of the EuropeanUnion for Education, Youth, Culture andSport in Brussels on 12 -13 May 2025, namely:− Conclusions on a community of young peop le in Europe based on European values for a commonand secure Europe, and the− Resolution on the revision of the guidelines for the governance of the EU Youth Dialogue .The above -mentioned Council documents propose expanding the youth dialogue, enabling y oung peopleto have a greater representation in negotiations on EU youth policy and policies related to digitalization,education and online safety. An emphasis was put on the importance of common values that build acommon European identity. Building a Eu ropean identity among young people is crucial in the contextof contemporary challenges such as different levels of trust towards UE project,Poland Page 23521cyber threats and disinformation. It is important for young people to understand that European values –such as so lidarity, democracy and equality – are the foundations of a common, safe Europe. Actions atthe EU level, such as developing educational initiatives based on these values, can be an effectiveresponse to the growing sense of exclusion and lack of trust in European institutions.The „Young citizens" is an example of a supporting program implemented by the Ministry NationalEducation in the field of Empower Citizen Engagement . The program aims at supporting implementationof actions supporting education syste m through financing projects covering such spheres as:− creating and implementing interactive teaching materials on citizenship education− organizing educational events and extracurricular activities for students(visits in public institutions, meetings with experts, social and economic leaders) to stimulate their socialand civic activity− organizing educational activities to broaden knowledge on civic knowledge, civil rights andresponsibilities, and knowledge of the European Union.The program aims to achieve the following objectives1. Students' active participation in society, through involvement in civic activities, shaping their prosocialattitudes and raising awareness of citizens' rights and responsibilities.2. Supporting the education system by creating teaching materials and implementing innovativeeducational solutions.3. Shaping pro -social attitudes by encouraging students to implement and participate in projects thatrespond to the specific needs of the local community, including charity and volunteering.4. Enhancing civic and democratic education through the organization of extracurricular activities on thefunctioning of the democratic system, the role of the citizen in the modern state and its impact on theenvironment.5. Unde rstanding the role of Poland in the European Union by organizing debates, political simulationsand activities to broaden knowledge about the EU, in particular taking into account the Polish Presidencyof the EU.6. Transfer fundamental knowledge on econom y and development of entrepreneurship and students’preparation for the labour market through education in this field.7. Development of argumentation and critical thinking skills and improvement of rhetorical skills andpublic speaking.8. Tackling disinf ormation, as well as strengthening resilience to fake news in media content, which willcontribute to building a more responsible and informed citizen.Focus on Social Sustainability:In terms of developing and implementing civic education programmes and civil society initiatives, thePolish educational system implements these programs under the framework of:a. dedicated subjects – knowledge of society in primary school and knowledge of society in secondaryschools (to be replaced by “civic education” since the school year 2025/2026), andb. other subjects such as: history, geography, nature, Polish language.All the above -mentioned subjects are mandatory. The assessment of effectiveness of teaching civic andcitizenship education (as well a s other subjects) lies within the competence of the school where a studentattends.Combat Disinformation:The Ministry of National Education undertake actions to enhance resilience, combat disinformation andprepare students for a variety of cyber threats and information warfare. Teaching media literacy, digitalskills, critical thinking are the main tools to combat disinformation and manipulation. In the Polisheducational system, the core curriculum provides a legal framework on how to achieve these educ ationalobjectives. The Ministry sets the “what” (policy, curriculum), while the schools'headmasters and schools' pedagogical boards running the schools decide “how” to implement it.The media education is included in the core curriculum from the primary school.Students learn how to assess the credibility of sources, what fake news, clickbait, deepfake are, how todistinguish information from opinions and manipulation.To enhance this skillset, the Ministry support development of STEM competences (science , technology,engineering, mathematics) to provide students with competences like digital literacy, includingmanagement of information overload, promote computing education and good knowledge andunderstanding of dataintensive technologies, such as AI.Poland Page 23622Ministry of State AssetsIn the area of the postal services market , efficient delivery of goods is a necessary condition for thefunctioning of e -commerce. Postal and courier services are crucial especially for the functioning of micro,small and medium -sized enterprises, providing them with access to markets and competitiveness. On theother hand, the development of digital services and electronic communication and ensuring effectivepostal services - in parallel with the development of services provided i n digital form - are essential inthe economic, social and security policy aspects.Postal services are subject to intensive digitization, while remaining the basic channel of communicationfor people who do not want or cannot use digital services.Posta l infrastructure is treated as one of the basic critical resources , especially important in times ofcrises caused by warfare, natural disasters or mass cyberattacks. The above factors make this market notcompetitive, but complementary to the digital serv ices market.Poczta Polska S.A. supervised by MAP cooper ates with all designated postal operators of the Baltic Seacountries – with the exception of the designated postal operator of the Russian Federation (RussianPost), with which postal exchange was suspended as a result of the aggression against Ukraine.Cooperation takes place both in the operational and institutional areas, within The Universal PostalUnion (UPU) and PostEurop (A ssociation of European Designated Postal Operators) in the scope ofproviding international services - universal and nonuniversal. Activities between operators proceedwithout disruptions, and direct postal exchange, provided on the basis of UPU Acts, maintains a stablelevel of volumes. However, Poczta Polska S.A. is open to the development of cooperation in internationalexchange. The UPU carries out its tasks through its statutory bodies, which are: Congress, theAdministrative Council (CA) and the Postal Operations Council (P OC). The Polish delegation to the UPUdeliberations consists of representatives of MAP - during the CA deliberations - and Poczta Polska S.A.in POC (status designated operator ). The purpose of Poland's participation in the wo rk of the UPU is,among others , to ensure favourable legal regulations in the b roadly understood international postaltrade.The POC work programme aims to help Pos t Offices modernise and improve their products and services.This body also i ssues recommendations to member countries on standards of technological, operationalor other processes within its competence, where uniform practices are necessary. Poczta Polska S.A. willbe a candidate in the elections to the POC membership, which will take place during the next UPUCongress in 20 25.Since Poland has been a member of the CA for the last two consecutive terms, it currently plays only anobserver role, but is a c andidate for the Council in the next cycle until 2029 (elections during thi s year'sCongress in Dubai in September).In the framework of PostEurop , Poczta Polsk a S.A. as one of the 55 members of the Association, itcooperates with these ope rators in the field of exchange of experiences, analysis of European marketsand customer e xpectations, introduction of new technologies, improvements, common positionsand regulatory arrangements (e.g. to the Euro pean Commission as part of work on the implementationand development of t he ICS2 security control system for postal items with goods received from outsidethe EU) and the quality of postal services.Ministry of HealthDefend sexual and reproductive autonomyThe Ministry of Health expresses its will to strongly respect and treat patients' rights as apriority in its current activities.According to the declarations expressed in the exposé of the Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, theintention of the current Council of Ministers is that every woman feels safe in the context ofpregnancy, motherhood and safe abortion, in a situation that requires it.In the area of women's health security, the issues in which actions will be taken to fully respectpatients' rights, including the right to services and the right to information, is broadlyunderstood reproductive health and perinatal c are. The health safety of patients in this areaincludes, among others, the availability of abortion procedures. In this field, first of all, emphasiswas placed on compliance by all participants of the health care system with applicableregulations.Poland Page 23723In Ma y 2024 Minister Izabela Leszczyna appointed the Team for Improving Women’s HealthSafety. The team’s work will focus on reproductive health and perinatal care.In April 2024 entered into force the Regulation of the Minister of Health on the PilotProgramme for Pharmacist’s Services on Reproductive Health, enabling the availability ofemergency contraception for persons from the age of 15 on the basis of a pharmaceuticalprescription.On May 30, 2024, an amendment to the provisions of the Regulation of the Minister of Healthon the general terms and conditions of contracts for the provision of healthcare services cameinto force. As a result, currently a service provider performing a contract with the NationalHealth Fund such as hospital treatment in the fi eld of obstetrics and gynecology, in cases wheretermination of pregnancy is permitted by generally applicable law, is obliged to perform servicesto terminate pregnancy at the place of provision of services, regardless of the doctor'sinvocation of the so -called "conscience clause". Failure to fulfill this obligation results in acontractual penalty of up to 2% of the amount of the obligation resulting from the contract foreach identified violation. Regardless of this, in the event of a violation of the a forementionedobligation, the President of the Fund or the director of the provincial branch of the Fund mayalso terminate the contract in part or in whole, without observing the notice period.Polish Ministry of Health launches in vitro programme. The ma in goal of the programme is equalaccess to IVF for couples facing infertility, as well as the protection of reproductive material ofpeople needing to undergo oncology treatment, which can take away their ability to havechildren.Promote regional digita l cooperationThe Ministry of Health regularly conducts information activities on cyber threats, both for theMinistry’s employees and for entities of the health care sector, including operators of keyservices. These activities consist primarily of commun icating about the risks associated withdisinformation campaigns, with particular reference to the information campaign conductedby the Russian Federation.In order to provide support to health sector entities, including operators of key services,in remo ving the effects of cybersecurity incidents, the Minister of Health appointed a sector -specific CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Teams) for health care in September2023.The Ministry of Health, together with the Ministry of Digital Affairs and t he Research andAcademic Computer Network, regularly organizes cybersecurity training courses for medicalstaff in primary healthcare facilities, taking into account the specifics of the activities of entitiesproviding healthcare services.With regard to increasing security and resilience to cyber threats, the Ministry of Health,in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Affairs and the National Health Fund, implementedsolutions aimed at increasing the level of security of systems supporting the provisi on of healthcare services. Healthcare providers receive funding to finance the construction of cybersecurityinfrastructure, backup systems and infrastructure restoration after a possible cybersecurityfailure or attack.In addition, the Ministry of Healt h regularly takes measures aimed at improving the security ofauthorization in health care systems, e.g. double authentication in the login process.In the process of planning the implementation of projects by the Ministry of Health, thefollowing results are taken into account:•implementing mechanisms and measures to increase resilience to cyber -attacks;• implementing or updating information security management systems;• development of risk assessment methodology;• raising the level of knowledge and competence of staff;• conducting cybersecurity audits aimed at verifying the level of resilience to cyber threats;• compliance with new legal regulations coming into force.Poland Page 23824Suppor t UkraineThe Ministry of Health of Poland is involved in providing assistance to Ukrainian patients underthe EU Civil Protection Mechanism. It supported the continued operation of MEDEVAC HUBJASIONKA, which aims to provide medical assistance to Ukrainian patients who are transferredfrom the hub for further sp ecialist treatment to other European countries.Institutions under the Ministry of Health have also been involved in cooperation with Ukrainianpartners aimed at aligning national legislation with EU regulations. The exchange of informationand the sharin g of good practices concerned, in particular, the establishment of an authority inUkraine responsible for regulating the system of medical products and medical devices.Poland, in 2024 and as part of its Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first h alf of 2025,organised a number of meetings, both bilateral and multilateral, which actively promotedUkraine's integration into the EU, supported regulatory cooperation, drug safety,epidemiological safety, and medical evacuation of patients.SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEINSchleswig-Holstein Page 2401Report on the Status of Implementation of the Resolution of the33rd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference o f August 27, 2024Schleswig-Holstein Page 2412By Resolution of the State Parliament of 30.01.2025, the State Government wasinstructed to provide a report in writing on the implementation of the Resolution of the33rd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference of 27.08.2024 ( Official Records 20/2833).The State Government will fulfil this reporting mandate within the scope of its responsibilities.Reporting will be carried out section by section and in some cases grouped by topic (seereference to points ).Chapter: Regarding Сooperation in the Baltic Sea Region to1. Strengthen Democratic ResilienceThe State Government supports the strengthening of democratic resilience and peacefulcooperation in the Baltic Sea Region in numerous political networks, committees,collaborations and projects.The state's Baltic Sea Policy operates within a strategic framework that sets out the keyobjectives and milestones. The cross -departmental Baltic Sea Cooperation 2030 ActionPlan, which describes the key topics and plans for future Baltic Sea cooperation wasdeveloped by spring 2022. The objectives listed there were confirmed by the signing ofthe Kiel Declaration of August 2022 in which all ministries committed to implementingspecific projects as part of the Baltic Sea Policy by 2030.Implementation prog ress is being monitored within the framework of the Interdepartmental BalticSea Cooperation Working Group .A major milestone in the state's Baltic Sea cooperation is the chairmanship of the BalticSea States Subregional Co -operation (BSSSC) network for 2024/2025. Schleswig -Holstein is setting important political priorities here and is using the networks to deve lopnew collaborations in such areas as the recovery of old munitions, the expansion ofoffshore wind energy, transnational hydrogen projects, digitalization and AI, also incooperation with Ukrainian regions.Since 2013, t he state has also been actively i nvolved in the implementation of the EUStrategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), coordinating the policy area of culture,one of 14 priority areas of the strategy, together with Adam Mickiewicz Institute inPoland .Schleswig -Holstein works closely with the central bodies and institutions in the BalticSea Region, both in projects and through regular coordination between the northernGerman states and the Federal Foreign Office. Many joint activities are linked , inparticular , with the Council of the Bal tic Sea States (CBSS).Project -related cooperation in the Baltic Sea region is also of central importance , e.g.via the Interreg Baltic Sea Program, which gives partners from Schleswig -Holstein theopportunity to work specifically on important transnationa l issues .Schleswig-Holstein Page 2423Numerous Interreg Baltic Sea Region projects with Schleswig -Holstein's participation inthe areas of social resilience and quality of life, protection of the Baltic Sea, climateneutrality and the economy underline the stat e's active role in the Baltic Sea Region.A total of 107 projects have now been approved in four calls for project proposals.Schleswig -Holstein is involved in 16 of these projects together with 31 project partners(4 of which are so -called lead partners). To date , a total of approx imately 5.9 millionEUR in the ERDF funding has been attracted to Schleswig -Holstein in this INTERREGfunding period.In addition to advising applicants from all over northern Germany as the Interreg BalticSea Program National Contact Point, Schleswig -Holstein ( The Ministry of Agriculture,Rural Areas, European Affairs and Consumer Protection (MLLEV) ) also acts as theregional representative on the international Monitoring Committee and is thereforedirectly involved in the deci sion-making process for the projects.An important component of Schleswig -Holstein's Baltic Sea Policy is also the youthcooperation in the Baltic Sea Region explained with reference to point 5, whichcontributes significantly to the peace policy geared to wards the future. The sameapplies to the Baltic Sea Cultural Pearls project and the Fehmarn Belt Days (seeresponse to point 5). On the basis of the guideline for the promotion of internationalyouth exchange, the state of Schleswig -Holstein is particular ly committed to supportinginternational youth exchanges and international measures with youth welfareprofessionals. An annual amount of 73,000 EUR is available for this purpose.International youth exchange is a vital area of learning and experience in y outh work, inwhich encounters and the joint engagement of young people from different countriescontribute to understanding and cooperation across borders. The exchange promotesthe European unification process and strengthens the European awareness of youngpeople .Overall, Schleswig -Holstein contributes to the peaceful development of the Baltic SeaRegion through a wide range of activities. A central political demand in the recent yearshas been the resumption of meetings of heads of government ( last held in 2012) toemphasize the current political importance of the region. At the invitation of Finland andEstonia, such a meeting took place spontaneously on 14 .01.2025 in Helsinki to findjoint solutions to the acts of sabotage in the Baltic Sea and how to deal with theRussian "shadow fleet". It would be desirable to have such meetings within theframework of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), for example , to ensurecontinuous policy development.2. Promote Peaceful CooperationPlease refer to the response to point 1.3. Empower Citizen E ngagementThe State Government is committed to strengthening the citizen engagement in theBaltic Sea Region.Schleswig-Holstein Page 2434The next Fehmarn Belt Days will take place on 14-16.06. 2025 in Lübeck under themotto "Living Democracy and the German -Scandinavian Friendship". Along with thespecialist conference , a two -day community festival is also planned this year. Thefestival will be organized by the City of Lübeck in cooperation with Lübeck -Travemünde -Marketing and the MLLEV. Experts from politics, business, science and culture areinvited to speak on topics related to the UN Sustainable Development Objecti ves at theglobal and regional level. This will give citizens the chance to get involved indiscussions on the future of the Fehmarn Belt region and help shape them. Theobjective is to bring the spirit of the Scandinavian democracy festivals to Germany.In addition to the music and discussion stages, the heart of the event will be the "Yo uthStage", with a program of performances by youth groups and schoolchildren.The State Government is also promoting youth cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region inparticular through its BSSSC chairmanship and support of the Baltic Sea Region YouthForum (BSRYF).For example, the BSSSC Annual Conference, which took place in Kiel in September2024, was once again accompanied by the BSSSC Youth Event, which took placebefore the conference. The event included the development of a position paper and theparticipation of 24 young people in the two -day conference.The second state -funded Baltic Sea Region (BSR) Hackathon for young people aged18 to 25 took place in 2024 u nder the motto "Bridging borders, shaping the future" . TheHackathon is a form of cooperation between the state of Schleswig -Holstein, LübeckTechnical University of Applied Sciences (TH) and the BSRYF and will be held for thethird time in 2025. The BSR Hackat hon has successfully established a format thatinspires new target groups for the Baltic Sea youth cooperation.School partnerships are also an integral part of Schleswig -Holstein's educationallandscape. Schools organize their own partnerships. For the Ba ltic Sea Region inparticular, a total of 121 (125 in 2022 ) school partnerships were reported to Schleswig -Holstein’s Ministry of General Education and Vocational Training, Science, Researchand Culture (MBWFK ) for 2024. As school partnerships are not reco rded statistically,only the school partnerships for which travel grants for teachers are expected to beapplied for as part of a reciprocal visit are included (max imum two funded schoolpartnerships per school). For more information on this and other acti vities, see also theState Government's Baltic Sea Report 2024 ( Official Records 20/2206).Particularly noteworthy is the UNESCO Baltic Sea Project (BSP), an international schoolnetwork active in the Baltic Sea Region and a flagship project of the global UNESCOschool project (UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) ), which receive sfinancial and personnel support from the MBWFK. The BSP is an international Educationfor Sustainable Development (ESD) project founded in Finland in 1 989 by the ninecountries bordering the Baltic Sea , with a total of around 180 member schools, whoseschool cooperation is supported and promoted by Schleswig -Holstein. The BSP supportsand promotes cooperation between students , teachers and other educatio nal partners inthe Baltic Sea countries . The objective of the BSP is the further development of theEducation for SustainableSchleswig-Holstein Page 2445Development project in the Baltic Sea Region with a particular emphasis onenvironmental sustainability and intercultural cooperation. The participatin g schools forman international cross -border network of schools of all types in cooperation with therespective education authorities and the national UNESCO Commissions in the BalticSea count ries. Schleswig -Holstein has 10 of the 13 schools currently active in theGerman BSP. Since 2022, the general coordination of the project has been sharedbetween Denmark and Germany for a total of six years. Schleswig -Holstein iscontributing to this initiative by allocating half a position.The objective s of the Danish -German General Coordination 2022 -2028 are theexemplary implementation and realization of a Whole Institution Approach and thedeepening of cooperation between the stakeholders (national coo rdinat ion, teachers,students , non-school actors , e.g. NGOs). In 2024, two international BSP camps wereheld in Finland (Hailuoto, April 2024, and Vaasa, August 2024) with Germanparticipation in terms of organization and content, and a four -day internatio nalworkshop of the German -Danish BSP General Coordination was held in cooperationwith UNESCO Latvia in Riga, Latvia (November 2024). All events were attended bynumerous participants from many BSP schools (teachers, students , parentrepresentatives) and other educational stakeholders from Germany, especially fromSchleswig -Holstein . The first international Baltic Sea Day took place during the camp inVaasa. This should always include a central event at a UNESCO World Heritage site.In 2024, this was the Kvarken Archipelago in Finland and Sweden . In 2025, it will behosted by the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Christiansfeld, Denmark. In addition, theBSP maintains an extensive digital international cooperation on the ESD in the BalticSea Region. All inter national and all German BSP events take place in the W holeInstitution Approach format, i.e. they are open to the participation of teachers, students ,parents and other educational partners from all BSP countries.In August 2024, the BSP launched Cold Matt ers, a new project that will run until mid -2026 addressing the consequences of climate change in Northern Europe and thesignificance of cold temperatures. The Baltic Sea Region will serve as a referencepoint . Further projects, international camps and con ferences as well as a jointconference of BSP schools and Schools of the Future in Schleswig -Holstein areplanned for 2025 and will be announced on the BSP website https://b -s-p.org.The European schools, whose work is also supported by the MBWFK in terms ofpersonnel and funding, also have a wide range of contacts in the Baltic Sea Region.Active participation of the European schools in the Fehmarn Belt Days in June isplanned for 2025.The European Competence Certificate course is no longer aimed solely at teachers inSchleswig -Holstein schools, but also explicitly at those in other European countries.Teachers from Denmark and Poland took part in the course in Rendsburg in October2024.With regard to civil protection , the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (U CPM) wasestablished by the European Commission in October 2001 with t he aim of enhancingcooperation between the EU countries and ten participating states in the field of civilprotection in order to improve disaster prevention, prepar edness and response. T hemechanism is designed to coordinate and optimize cooperationSchleswig-Holstein Page 2456among the participating countries , ensuring efficient assistance and provid ing thepopulation with rapid and effective aid in the event of a disaster. Th e overarching aim ofthis mechanism is enhancing international civil protection by pooling capacities to bebetter prepared for disasters and able to respond more quickly and efficiently.The state also supports the Interreg DanGer 112 project which focuse s on the regionalcross -border civil protection cooperation .4. Focus on Social SustainabilityThe labor market integration of people with a refugee background is a central concern ofthe State Government and a focus of the State Government's Strategy for Integrationand Participation in Schleswig -Holstein that was adopted on July 23, 2024. Building onthis strategy, the State Government also agreed on a concept of measures for labormarket integration in its Resolution of 09.12.2024 and provided additional funding, whichessentially includes three pillars:• Pillar 1: In particular, qualitative expansion and consolidation of t he pilot project onbasic skill screening at the State Office for Immigration and Refugees and linking itwith existing ( original ) integration offers and structures in order to initiate thenecessary steps for labor market integration as early as the initial reception phase(led by the M inistry for Social Affairs, Youth, Family, Senior Citizens, Integration andEquality ).• Pillar 2: Im proving the foreign professional qualification recognition processesunder the leadership of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.• Pillar 3: Targeted recruitment of skilled workers in order to attract people seekingasylum to the labor market in Schleswig -Holstein and integrat e them sustainably(Wel-come@work, led by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Labor,Technology and Tourism).5. Strengthen Social ResilienceThe State Government of Schleswig -Holstein is committed to the strengthening of socialresilience in the Baltic Sea Region . This objective is being pursued by providing supportto the Interreg BSR Cultural Pearls project . The MLLEV has been participating in theimplementation as a project partner since early 2023. The BSR Cultural Pearls projectaims to assist small and medium -sized cities in the Baltic Sea Region in enhancing theirsocial resilience through cultural activities. Cities can apply for the title of "Baltic SeaRegion Cultural Pearl " as part of the project .In the first round, the city of Kiel, together with three other cities in the Baltic Sea Region(Jakobstad -Pietarsaari (FI), Svendborg (DK), and Rujiena (LV)), received recognition from theinternational jury. In 2024, with support from theSchleswig-Holstein Page 2467project , they successfully implemented their cultural action plan s. In the second call forproposals, six cultural pearls of the Baltic Sea Region were selected (Alytus (LT),Helsingborg (SE), Płock (PL) , Smiltene (LV), Kaskinen (FI ) and Peipsiääre (EE)), whichwill implement their action plans in 2025. There will also be a call for proposals for 2026,so that at least another three cities will be able to implement their action plan s ascultural pearls.The network resulting from the exchange between the project partners , cultural pearlsand stakeholders provides the basis for in -depth cooperation that will continue evenbeyond the project duration. In order to establish this network in the long term, thecultural pearls were already made visible in September 2024 in Kiel as part of theBSSSC Annual Conference. Further network activities such as mee tings in Helsingbor g(SE) and Płock (PL) and the Culture for Resilience Forum in Varde (DK) will bring theactors together again and promote mutual exchange and learning from each other.The Department of Culture at the MBWFK is ambitiously and sustainably pr omotingGerman -Danish cultural projects. An important partner here is the Department of Cultureat Padborg R egional Council in Sønderjylland -Schleswig region with the Interregprogram and the German -Danish Cultural Agreement, both of which it is responsible for.Both of t hese multi -year measures impact numerous people across all age groups onboth sides of the German -Danish border.In addition to the numerous projects funded and implemented via the Interreg projectand the German -Danish Cultural Agreement, other cross -border projects in the areasof music, cultural education for children and young people and the applied and visualarts receive direct funding from the MBWFK's Department of Culture . Music and filmfestivals that have gained high international recognition have been successfully held inSchleswig -Holstein for several years.6. Protect Vulnerable GroupsTo protect vulnerable groups of people in the refugee accommodation facilities in thestate of Schleswig -Holstein, the protection concept in place since 2017 wassignificantly revised and structurally realigned in 2023.The protection concept is currently being implemented and aims to ensure safeaccommodation for all refugees in the state accommodation facilities. However, thefocus here is on particularly vulnera ble groups as defined in Art icle 21 of the EUReception Conditions Directive. The objective is to communicate the existence of a needfor protection and identify suitable options for help and support .8. Support UkraineSchleswig -Holstein has stood firmly by Ukraine's side since the outbreak of the war. Thesolidarity partnership between the state of Schleswig -Holstein and Kherson Region inUkraine has been in p lace since Septem ber 2023. The partnership promotescooperati on between Kherson and Schleswig -Holstein in many different areas.Schleswig-Holstein Page 2478In addition to the mutual exchange in the area of administration, the focus is also on thecooperation between business and science as well as in the areas of sport a nd culture.A sustainable long-term partnership can only be achieved through exchanges andencounters between citizens. Through the partnership, the State Government has alsogiven a clear signal of support for Ukraine in the attack by the Russian Federati on,which violates international law .On 20.02.2024, as part of the Cabinet meeting, an exchange took place with the Headof Kherson Region Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, and the Consul Generalof Ukraine in Hamburg, Dr. Iryna Tybinka, on the occasion of the anniversary of theattack on Ukraine by the Russian Federation. On 28.11.2024, the head of KhersonRegion M ilitary Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin , visited Schleswig -Holstein for thefirst time with a delegation. In this context, the State Government pledge further supportfor the partner region of Kherson. In view of the dramatic deterioration in the localenergy supply, half a million euros has be en secured for the procurement of solarmodules and their transportation to Ukraine in January 2025. An Inter-MinisterialWorking Group (IMAG) has been set up under of the leadership of the MLLEV to furtherspecify and identify opportunities to support the people in Kherson Region and ensure acoordinated approach within the State Government.9. Combat DisinformationSince 2025, the Schleswig -Holstein State Democracy Centre at the Police Departmentof the Ministry of the Interior, Municipal Affairs, Housing and Sport, has been funding anewly established Education and Information Centre for Media Literacy within thefederal "Live Democracy!" program i mplemented by the German Border Association .The Education and Information Centre provides young people , in particular , withsupport in enhancing their media skills through content on media studies, criticism anduse as well as active media design .Since 2025, funds from the federal "Live Democracy!" program and funds from the stateprogram to promote democr acy and combat right -wing extremism will be also used tosupport an Advice and Prevention Centre to address such phenomena asdisinformation, conspiracy narratives and the Reichsbürger movement . The project, titledVidere , is being implemented by KAST e.V. On the one hand, Videre serves as apreventative program for adolescents and young adults as well as for educationalprofessionals, who are sensitized in workshops and training courses on how to debunkand deal with disinformation and conspiracy ideological interpretation patterns. On theother hand, Videre also serves as an e xit and distancing program for individuals whobelieve in conspiracy theories or for their relatives who are exposed to disinformation .The objective is to increase awareness and resilience when dealing with the media andnews so that disinformation and co nspiracy ideologies are recognized as such and arenot reproduced and disseminated.Schleswig-Holstein Page 2489The Schleswig -Holstein Office for the Protection of the Constitution (LfV SH) takesaction when there are specific indications of disinformation orig inating in/affectingSchleswig -Holstein.To this end, the Schleswig -Holstein Office for the Protection of the Constitution isinvolved in official measures to detect disinformation campaigns. The correspondingessential processing capacities are maintained and further developed at the federallevel (BMI: ZEAM = Central Office for the Detection of Foreign InformationManipulation, established on 01.06.2024; Federal Office for the Protection of theConstitution ((BfV) ).The important topic of media disinforma tion, how it works and how it can be detectedhas also been addressed by Baltic Sea Region Hackathon (#b_hack). The #b_hack is acollaborative event organized by the state of Schleswig -Holstein, TH Lübeck and theBSRYF (see also response to question 3). In 2023 and 2024, such technologies as AI,Deep Fakes and Large Language Models were addressed by the participants from apractical perspective. For instance , the groups developed their own chatbots or a "GoodNews AI" and learned to both process and scrutin ize information in the digital space.The aim of the event was to encourage the engagement of young, informed individualsin the Baltic Sea Region and empower them to combat disinformation .10. Promote Regional Digital CooperationThe State Government is also paying increased attention to the digital transformation ofpublic administration at the European level. The focus here is on cross -bordercooperation with the municipal level of the Danish border region and cooperation in theBaltic Sea Region, inclu ding with Estonia.In collaboration with the Föhr -Amrum District Office , the State Government is initiatingdiscussions with Tønder Municipality on the utilization of cross -border digitaladministrative services. The objective is to identify areas for acti on and optimizehandling of cross -border connection matters by digitizing administrative processes.Simultaneously , the state will benefit from the experience of Danish municipaladministration in the area of e -government, incorporating this expertise into its ownapproach .The state is also expanding its cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region. Schleswig -Holsteinis aiming to partner with the Nordic Institute for Interoperability Soluti ons (NIIS), thusjoining a network and cooperation platform. This collaboration aims at facilitating thedevelopment of IT solutions in the common interest of the members and partners. Thefocus is on practical cooperation, the exchange of experience and the promotion ofinnovations for the public sector. The Institute s teers the development and ensures thestrategic management of digital solutions for the public sector, such as X -Road. TheState Government anticipates significant benefit s from the solutions developed withinthis ecosystem for the digital transformation o f public administration.Another topic with a European focus is the area of digital sovereignty , which aims toenable open government and administrative action and reduce dependencies through adiverse provider landscape and open source solutions in public IT. Software developedfor the state willSchleswig-Holstein Page 24910also be published under the EU Public License (EUPL, https://eupl.eu/1.2/de).Regional digital cooperation is also being promoted through the establishment of over30 digital hubs to educate people in many areas of life in Schleswig -Holstein and thusenhance digital competence.11. Enhance Maritime Ecosystem ProtectionThe State Government of Schleswig -Holstein has adopted the Baltic Sea Protection ActionPlan to improve the protection of the Baltic Sea .1 In this co ntext, the State Governmenthas a target agreement with the agricultural sector to further reduce land -based nutrientinputs .2 The agreement is aimed at establish ing five Baltic Sea Advisory Councils andmodel regions along Schleswig -Holstein's Baltic Sea coast in order to further reduceeutrophication. The Baltic Sea Advisory Councils were established accordingly in Februaryand commenced operation . The Ministry for Energy Transition, Climate Protection,Environment and Nature ( MEKUN) is actively involved in HELCOM and theimplementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP). The State Government'sBaltic Sea Protection Action Plan and the implementation of the EU Marine StrategyFramework Directive (MSFD) within the framework o f the North Sea and Baltic SeaWorking Group (BLANO) contribute to the implementation of the revised HELCOM BSAP.12. Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)As part of the Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan (see point 11), three new marine naturereserves will be designated and the management of existing protected areas of theEuropean Natura 2000 network will be enhanced . A total of 12.5 % of Schleswig -Holstei nBaltic Sea will be placed under strict protection. Among other things, this serves to protectendangered habitats and species and promote biodiversity. By preserving and restoringseagrass meadows, for example, a contribution is made to biological climat e protection inorder to limit the effects of climate change .13. Promote Sustainable Blue Economy InitiativesArticle 1(3) of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the ecosystemapproach required therein are applied in the development of the German marine strategiesunder the leadershi p of BLANO. MEKUN has chaired BLANO for the last two years untilApril 2025. An example of the involvement of the scientific community are the projects ofthe Natural Climate Protection Action Plan in the area o f marine and coastal action, whichMEKUN and the Bavarian Environment Agency ( LfU) are implementing together withmarine science institutes in Schleswig -Holstein, e.g.1 https://www.schleswig -holstein.de/DE/landesregierung/themen/kueste -wasser -meer/aktionsplan -ost- sea-protection/consultation -process -ostsee_node2 https://www.schleswig -holstein.de/DE/landesregierung/ministerien -behoerden/IX/_startseite/Arti -kel2024/IV/241217_Zielvereinbarung/download_Zielvereinbarung.pdf? _blob=publicationFile&v=2Schleswig-Holstein Page 25011GEOMAR and Kiel University ( CAU ), in the Baltic Sea. With regard to the initiatives onmunitions in the sea, refer to the response to point 19.14. Support Maritime Transport SustainabilityIn the Baltic Sea, low -sulfur fuels (ECA Baltic Sea) with a sul fur limit of 1.0 % have already beenintroduced from 2010 and low-sulfur fuels with a sulfur limit of 0.1 % from January 2015. Theuse of alternative energy sources is on the rise, with a view to improving efficiency and reducingenvironmental impact.15. Enhance Port Security and Infrastr uctureShore -side power facilities have already been and are being built and used in the TEN -Tports in Schleswig -Holstein in particular. Waste management is well developed inaccordance with PRF Directive (EU) 2019/883 (Official Journal L 151/116).16. Strengthening Maritime SafetyThis is a federal matter. The state is merely a participating authority and welcomes theproposals.17. Support Technological Innovations in EnginesThe German Aerospace Center’s ( DLR) Institute of Maritime Energy Systems wasestablished in Schleswig -Holstein in 2020, making the first DLR research facility inSchleswig -Holstein. At the Geesthacht site and the branch office in Kiel, scientists areworking on innovative technologies to decarbonize shipping , i.e. to move away fromconventional energy based on carbon -containing fossil fuels in maritime transport andreduce emissions. Among other things, efficient technologies such as ship fuel cellsystems or possible uses and storage options for alternative fuels at sea and on landare being developed. Large -scale research and testing facilities are planned, includingstorage facilities for alternative fuels, hybrid drives, fuel cell and battery test stands aswell as special measuring and testing stands. Scientists will be able to developemission -reducing systems and components under laboratory conditions andcontinuously adapt them to future conditions before testing them on the research vesseland then integrat ing into ship and port operations. These facilities will also enableindustrial companies , in particular , to test the feasibility of new systems andtechnologies at an early stage and at low cost.The Guidelines of the state of Schleswig -Holstein on granting subsidies to promotebusiness innovation (BIF Guidelines) are used to support companies. The applicationand approv al authority is WTSH (Wirt schaftsförderung und TechnologietransferSchleswig -Holstein GmbH) in Kiel.Schleswig-Holstein Page 2511218. Address the Threats from the Russian " Shadow Fleet "The North Sea and the Baltic Sea are among the busiest sea areas in the world.Transport volumes have been increasing steadily over recent years. In the aftermath ofRussia's unlawful war of aggression against Ukraine, there again has been a substantialincrease in shipping traffic. S hips of the so -called shadow fleet pose a particular risk ofaccidents. A recent example of this was the Eventin , a tanker that becameunmaneuverable off the island of Rügen. Thanks to the excellent work of the CentralCommand for Maritime Emergencies, the ship was towed to an anchorage in thecoastal waters off the port of Sassnitz without oil leakage . At the most recentConference of Environment Ministers in the autumn of 2024, Schleswig -Holsteinsubmitted a proposed resolution entitled " Decisively Opposing Shadow Tankers toProtect Our Seas".However, it is best if such incidents would not happen in the first instance .Consequently, t ogether with the federal government, we need to develop solutions thatcan also be implement ed internationally.The Maritime Security Center ( MSC ) is the maritime competence center of theoperational forces of the federal government and the coastal states and is based inCuxhaven. All the relevant security authorities responsible for maritime security areunited here i n a powerful network.This joint institution of the federal government and five coastal states (Bremen,Hamburg, Mecklenburg -Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony and Schleswig -Holstein)comprises the following entities :o Federal Police,o Customs,o Federal Office for Agriculture and Food,o Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration,o German Navy,o Water police of the five coastal states , ando Central Command for Maritime Emergencies .In the interests of national and international shipping and safety off the German coast,the technical expertise of the partners represented in the network is pooled in the JointMaritime Situation Center (GLZ -See). From there, the work of all partners on ensur ingmaritime saf ety ("Safety" and "Security") is coordinated and operated 24/7.Schleswig-Holstein Page 25213The pooling of expertise in the GLZ -See and the retention of the responsibilities of allpartners facilitates an optimal information flow and ensures maximum flexibility. Thisensures optimum monitoring of shipping along the entire German coast and approachesto the ports.The federal government and the coastal state partners represented in the MSC performtasks relating to general police security, criminal and administrative offense prosecution,maritime emergency preparedness, major maritime emergenc y response , maritimepolice enforcement, border police protection, customs surveillance, fisheries protectionand maritime security surve illance.The management of operational measure s, in both day -to-day operations and specialsituations, is the responsibility of the relevant local authorities . In situations of aparticularly grave operational nature, special organizational structures are activated andpolice tactics are employed . Complex emergency situations are handled by the taskforce of the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies .Schleswig-Holstein Page 25314The MSC has recently been upgraded with a Maritime Security Analys is Unit within theGLZ-See to monitor and supervise shipping traffic via particularly important supply andcommunication links. Their personnel are responsible for the provision of supportingsituation assessment and reporting, the recording of anomalies i n particularly affectedsea areas, and the assurance of ongoing exchange of information . These activitiespertain to critical maritime infrastructure in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Thepartners in the MSC have equal representation.Furthermore, the MSC has cultivated close and trusting relationships with the coastguard centres situated along the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts .The exchange of intelligence information is already in place within the Federal Officefor the Protection of the Constitut ion within the framework of constitutional protectionregulations (Section 6 of the Federal Constitutional Protection Act (BVerfSchG),Section 17 of the Regional Constitutional Protection Act ( LVerfSchG )). Internationalexchange are generally the responsib ility of the Federal Office for the Protection ofthe Constitution (Section 5 (5) of BVerfSchG).19. Continue to Address the Issue of Sea-Dumpe d MunitionsSince October 2024, the MminE -SwEEPER project has been part of the EuropeanCommission's funding initiative (Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society; HORIZON -CL3-2023- BM-01; REA Grant Agreement No. 101167839). The project involves 20international partners who are developing safe and innovative strategies for the recoveryof munitions at sea. MminE -SwEEPER will be funded over a period of three and a halfyears until 31 .03.2028 with around six million EUR to address th is environmentalproblem.A further series of measures initiated by HELCOM inc lude the MUNI -RISK and MUNIMAPprojects launched in 2024. The MUNI -RISK project aims to combine the findings from existingcooperation networks (CBSS, HELCOM) with the results from research projects (e.g. DAIMAONI & II, JPI -O, BASTA, CONMAR, North Sea Wre cks, REMARCO) in order to assess the risk andhazard potential of dumped munitions for the environment and ensure the sustainabledevelopment of the maritime economy.The aim of the MUNIMAP project is to identify the various regulatory responsibilities fordealing with munitions recovery in the Baltic Sea on the basis of existing legal andadministrative conditions.Munitions dumps in the sea are a global problem. Work at the regional level is animportant building block for addressing the problem in a targeted manner in the future.MEKUN supports the demands mentioned under point 19 for addressing the problemof sea-dumped munitions.Schleswig-Holstein Page 25415Chapter: Regard ing Supply S ecurity and Interconnectivity to20 – 24. Improve Energy Security and Self-SustainabilityGiven the geopolitical challenges in Schleswig -Holstein, the issue of energy supply security isaccorded a high priority . Security authorities, grid operators and energy regulators have beensensitized to this.The responsibility for building new or transforming the already existing energyinfrastructure for long -distance lines (electricity and H 2) lies with the federal authorities ornationwide grid operators. Taking into account the regional needs, resilienceconsiderations, and sustai nability objective s, as well as social and economic welfare isdetermined by the national and European framework. The state of Schleswig -Holsteinsupports the new electricity and hydrogen infrastructure recognized as necessary by thefederal government. The implementation of cross -border infrastructure is alwaysdependent on the progress of work on the other side of the border.The electricity trading areas are currently being reviewed by the Agency for theCooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), also with a particular focus on regionalmarkets and the division of the German electricity price zone. Cross -border electricitytrading markets e.g. Denmark or Poland, are not currently under discussion .The Fe deral Maritime and Hydrological Agency is responsible for the proceduresrelating to the implementation of offshore wind power projects in the Baltic Sea Region.The exchange of experience in this regard must take place with this federal authority.25 – 29. Improve TransportIn accordance with the International Convention on the Law of the Sea, the term "sea"encompasses internal waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) andthe high seas. The respective responsibilities result in different tasks. In the North Sea,an operational area of 1,380 km2 of territorial sea and a further 29,070 km2 of EEZ m ustbe monitored along the 417 km long maritime border with a 1,760 km coastline. In theBaltic Sea, an operational area of 10,630 km2 of territorial sea and a further 4,470 km2 ofEEZ must be monitored along the 471 km long maritime border with a 1,489 kmcoastline .In addition to the tasks of the federal authorities in the EEZ, the water police of thecoastal states perform the water police (enforcement) duties within the German territorialsea (12 nautical m ile zone) and in inland waters , inland waterw ays and po rts. Asubstantial number of coastal (patrol) boats, patrol boats and police helicopters can beutilized to carry out t hese tasks. The long-standing cooperation among the participatingcountries has been in existence for many years. For instance , an agreement has beensigned for the North Sea and the Baltic Sea on executing water police duties in theterritorial sea, irrespective of national borders. The presence in the operational area isensured, among other things, by the alternating performan ce of tasks. The operation ofthe Schleswig -Holstein Water Police ( WSP ) control center in the MSC (see point 18)also contributes to a targeted exchange of positions and information.Schleswig-Holstein Page 25516In the context of current developments, the protec tion of critical maritime infrastructurehas been increasingly important. In response to this increased importance, t he waterpolice in the coastal states are adapting their deployment, including as part of theirpresence duties.The development and implementation of overarching and joint procedures in connectionwith critical maritime infrastructure has currently been given a particular focus and isbeing driven forward with appropriate commitment.Please also refer to the responses to points 18 and 35.Furthermore, the task of improving transport, particularly with a focus on military mobilityand civil transport, maritime and rail transport, maritime insurance issues and theimplementation of the UN Convention on the Law o f the Sea, is a federal matter that canonly be meaningfully resolved at federal level. The federal government, the state and theKingdom of Denmark collaborate within the Transport Commission to ensure effectivecross -border coordination.30 – 32. Enhance Digital ConnectivityIn direct cooperation with the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), additionalsupport and awareness- raising formats are planned for the administration, companies andcitizens. Schleswig -Holstein has long relied on open, federated, and transparent tools forsocial media, such as a state -run Mastodon instance, as an alternative to opaque platformalgorithms and disinformation .33 – 35. Facilitate Cross -Border ProjectsPlease also refer to the responses to points 21 and 30– 32.Chapter: Regard ing D efence36. Coordinate the Approach to T hreatsIn addition to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the State Office ofCriminal Investigation, WSP Schleswig -Holstein is also dealing with the current hybridthreat situation and possible consequences for the critical maritime infrastructure in itsarea of responsibility. With the framework concept for the surveillance and protection ofcritical maritime infrastructure in the area of responsibility of WSP SH as part of theGeneral Organizational Structure (AAO), the departments and task forces have beensensitized accordingly.The first step towards improving the performance of tasks in this segment is t heprocurement of n ew high -performance patrol boats.Schleswig-Holstein Page 25617Work is currently under way to optimize the WSP's equipment for this task.As an urgent task for all maritime security authorities, including the German Navy, animproved underwater situational aware ness must be developed in the short term .The partner authorities in the MSC are in close and constant contact on this issue.Coordinated patrol and presence plans at sea and close coordination during operationsare already in place. Surveillance measures, including with the use of drones bothabove and below water, are the subject of inspections, particularly by the federalauthorities and the German Navy. There is also regular coordination with the NATOCOE CSW, including joint exercises on the subject.37. Use Examples of Good Practice as a BlueprintThe threat to subsea infrastructure is a real danger against the backdrop of recurr entincidents.In the light of these considerations , the Joint Declaration on Cooperation RegardingProtection of Infrastructure in the North Sea is fundamentally to be welcomed. Sixcountries bordering the North Sea have agreed to work together to protect subseainfrastructure. Germany, Belgium, the UK, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlandssigned a joint declaration to this effect. The objective is to facilitate a better exchange ofinformation in order to ward off possible Russian attacks, among other things.In view of the escalating threat in the Baltic Sea Region , at a meeting in Helsinki onJanuary 14, 2025 as part of the Joint Declaration of the NATO Summit of Allies in theBaltic Sea Region the NATO Allies agreed to increase surveillance of the Baltic SeaRegion3. In this context, please also refer to the answers to points 38 and 39.For the Baltic Sea Region , the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the StateOffice of Criminal Investigation and the Schleswig -Holstein Water Police (WSP) are alsodealing with the current hybrid threat situation and possi ble consequences for the criticalmaritime infrastructure in their area of responsibility. With the framework concept for thesurveillance and protection of critical maritime infrastructure in the area of responsibilityof WSP SH as part of the General Organizational Structure (AAO), the departments andtask forces have been sensitized accordingly.The first step towards improving the performance of tasks in this segment is theprocurement of new high -performance patrol boats.Work is currently under way t o optimize the WSP's equipment for this task.3 2025-01 -14-gemeinsame -erklaerung -nato-gipfel -der-verbuendeten -im-ostseeraum -data.pdfSchleswig-Holstein Page 25718The ports are closely integrated into government security concepts and measuresthrough the security regime of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code(ISPS).However, the latest repo rt on the resilience of critical infrastructure published by theFederal Office for the Protection of the Constitution makes it clear that somegovernment measures, such as comprehensive transparency in the context of approvalprocedures, must be questioned from the point of view of the vulnerability ofinfrastructure . This applies in principle to all infrastructure , including maritimeinfrastructure. This issue must be addressed in general under the leadership of thesecurity authorities.With a draft umbr ella law on the Critical Entities Resilience (KRITIS.DachG), theFederal Government is complying with the implementation of the EU Critical EntitiesResilience (CER) Directive (EU) 2022/2557, which came into force on January 16,2023 and is intended to create a uniform European legal framework to strengthen theresilience of critical infrastructure (KRITIS) against threats in at least eleven sectors,including those outside of IT pr otection in the domestic market. The aim of the Directiveis to define uniform minimum obligations for critical facilities and guarantee theirimplementation through coherent, targeted support and supervisory measures.The current draft takes into account the special protection requirements of maritimeinfrastructure when preparing national risk analyses and risk assessments. The FederalMaritime and Hydrographic Agency and the Federal Network Agency are to exchangeinformation relating to mar itime infrastructure in the exclusive economic zone and worktogether to strengthen the resilience of critical facility operators in the area of maritimeinfrastructure in the exclusive economic zone .Due to the early dissolution of the federal government, the KRITIS -DachG could nolonger be passed in the current legislative period and will have to be enacted by thefuture federal government.International cooperation in this field can certainly be expanded and intensified. The headsof government of Denmar k, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden andGermany have recently issued a joint statement in Helsinki on the situation. In this context,NATO has currently launched the Baltic Sentry operation to increase surveillance anddeterrence in the Baltic Sea, in which the German Armed Forces will also participate withaircraft and ships.However, it should also be noted that operators are responsible for protecting their ownfacilities. In the future, new construction regulations for laying underwat er pipelines andcable routes may also have to be considered. Deep burial of the structures in the seabedin the sea areas normally used by shipping up to a certain depth and in shallower watersclose to the coast should be examined. Increased costs for in stallation and maintenancecould be subsidized by the state.Protective barriers (against anchor drag) are naturally difficult to erect under water andwould have to span considerable distances .Schleswig-Holstein Page 25819A distinction must be made here betwee n monitoring in the 12 nautical mile zone, theexclusive economic zone and the high seas. In the latter, the states have no legalauthority to take measures against private parties outside of the protected areas of fixedstructures, such as converter stati ons. In the event of a sovereign attack, the conditionsunder which such attacks would be considered acts of war under international law arecurrently under discussion . However, the legal situation here is unclear. In practice, themain problem is also lik ely to lie in attributing intentional damage to individualperpetrators. The most effective protection is therefore likely to lie in improved monitoringof installations. This task is carried out by the police authorities and the navy and shouldbe strengt hened.The BfV maintains continuous communication with its European partner services. Thisalso applies to threats from the Russian shadow fleet and threats to criticalinfrastructure. In the event of acute threat situations, a short -term exchange with thepartners is also facilitated within this framework .The BfV's Counterintelligence Agency is also in constant contact with national andinternational partners , including on maritime matters . Here, too, it is possible toestablish contact at short notice vi a established channels so that the findings could betransmitted promptly.38. Realize an Integrated NATO Defense AreaIn view of the growing threat in the Baltic Sea, the NATO allies agreed to strengthensurveillance of the Baltic Sea Region at a meeting in Helsinki on January 14, 2025 aspart of a Joint Declaration of the NATO Summit of Allies in the Baltic Sea Region4. NATOSecretary General Mark Rutte has announced the Baltic Sentry mission to deter anyhostile activities in the region . It includes warships, submarines, reconnaissance aircraft,satellites and drones. The operations of all allies are to be coordinated from theheadquarters of the Commander Task Force Baltic in Rostock.The Centre of Excellence for Operations in Confined and Shallow Waters (COE CSW)based in Kiel should also be mentioned in this context. The COE CSW is aninternational military organization accredited by NATO. The geographical focus of theCenter of Excel lence is the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, the coastal seas and themilitary port facilities there. The operational focus of the COE CSW is on maritimereconnaissance and the development of operational capabilities for the Alliance and itspartners . The CO E CSW is currently comprised of ten participating members of theAlliance. Previously , there were discussions with Finland regarding its potentialpartnership. The German component of the Center of Excellence collaborates with theFederal Ministry of Constitutional Affairs ( BMVG ), the naval command, the federal policeand the state police.The COE CSW and the State Government of Schleswig -Holstein are engaged in regularselective consultation s on a range of security -related topics.4 2025- 01-14 -gemeinsame -erklaerung -nato-gipfel -der-verbuendeten -im-ostseeraum -data.pdfSchleswig-Holstein Page 25920This includes national and cross -border exercises, port protection and civil -militarycooperation.39. Strengthen Surveillance and Response Coordination through NATOPlease refer to the response to point 38 and the Joint Declaration of the NATO Summitof Allies in the Baltic Sea Region of January 14, 20255.Among other things, the Declaration reaffirms the importance of enhancing security inthe Baltic Sea and its critical subsea infrastructure , recognizing these as sharedpriorities for both the NATO Alliance and the EU . The j oint measures outlined in theDeclaration aim at protect ing and securing critical subsea infrastructure , whilestrengthening NATO's collective efforts.In principle, however, th e operators are responsible for protecting their own facilities.With their task of operational hazard prevention, they are an essential interface betweenprivate and public safety. There is a particular need for action in the event of specifichazards or as part of police investigation . It is also necessary to involve the authorities ofneighboring countries as subsea infrastructure also extends a cross borders.The spatial expansion of the maritime operational area and the often difficult conditionsat sea require a significantly more intensive cooperative approach by all authorities andthe operators involved in order to fulfill this protection mandate. This goe s hand in handwith any expansion of capabilities in the performance of official tasks and an expansionof information relationships across national borders. In particular, hazard preventionmeasures must be effective both above and below the water surface .A working group of the foreign ministries of the coastal states will discuss the legal measuresthat can be taken against ships that cause damage. If necessary, additional measures will alsobe taken within the EU and national legislation6.40. Raising situational awareness and increasing societal resilienceThe adoption of the German Resilience Strategy on July 13, 2022 laid the foundation fora holistic approach to risk and crisi s management and fostered enhanced cooperation.The National Contact Poin t (NCP) for the German Resilience Strategy and the SendaiFramework at the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) wereresponsible for developing the strategy. The BBK ’s contribut ion to the implementationplan included over 70 measures , clearly demonstrating the significant impact of civilprotection in enhancing disaster resilience.5 025-01-14-gemeinsame -erklaerung -nato-gipfel -der-verbuendeten -im-ostseeraum -data.pdf6 https://www.bundeskanzler.de/bk -de/aktuelles/bk -statement -nato-treffen- 2330154Schleswig-Holstein Page 26021Examples of this include self -protection and self -help, t he federal government's riskanalysis in civil protection, the further development of the civil defense concept and theinter-state and interdepartmental crisis management exercise LÜKEX, participation inthe Joint Civil Protection Competence Centre and th e procurement of emergencyvehicles as part of supplementary equipment.The integration of civil protection and civil defense with the risk and crisis managementacross all departments also creates an important prerequisite for the development of asustainable and robust society.Due to the increase in hybrid threats (illegitimate influence of foreign stat es, in particularthrough cyber attacks, sabotage and disinformation, with the objective of destabilization),Schleswig -Holstein established a central coordination and contact point (Single Point ofContact, SPoC) for the topic of hybrid threats in 2024.The Point of Contact is responsib le for the coordination and management of hybridthreat information, including disinformation, within and across ministries, as well asfacilitating the exchange of information between the federal and state government s.However, the SPoC has a strategic co ordinati on focus and is not intended to replace thedirect exchange of information between security authorities on operational matters in thearea of hybrid threats.In addition, the Central Point of Contact will be responsible for the cross -departmentalcoordinati on of the measures for the Joint Federal and State Action Plan againstDisinformation and for a Resilient Democracy . This nationwide action plan, which iscurrently being developed, will contain a wide range of measures to raise awareness o nthe issue of hybrid threats, including measures for building comprehensive socialresilience as part of programs to promote democracy, prevent extremism and informationcampaigns against disinformation.41. Enhance Maritime Infrastructure Management and Legislative AlignmentThere is significant potential to expand and intensify international cooperation in thisarea. The heads of government of Denmark , Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,Sweden and Germany have recently issued in Helsinki a join t statement on the situation(see Annex). In this context, N ATO has currently launched the Baltic Sentry operation toincrease surveillance and deterrence in the Baltic Sea, in which the German ArmedForces will also participate with aircraft and ships.However, it should also be noted that operators are responsible for protecting their ownfacilities. In the future, new construction regulations for laying subsea pipelines and cableroutes may also have to be considered. Deep burial of structures in the sea bed in thesea areas normally used by shipping up to a certain depth and in shallower waters closeto the coast should be examined.Schleswig-Holstein Page 26122Protective barriers (against anchor drag) are naturally difficult to erect under water andwould have to span considerable distances .With a draft umbrella law on the Critical Entities Resilience (KRITIS.DachG), theFederal Government is complying with the implementation of the EU Critical EntitiesResilience (CER) Directive (EU) 2022/2557, which came int o force on January 16,2023 and is intended to create a uniform European legal framework to strengthen theresilience of critical infrastructure (KRITIS) against threats in at least eleven sectors,including those outside of IT protection in the domestic m arket. The aim of the Directiveis to define uniform minimum obligations for critical facilities and guarantee theirimplementation through coherent, targeted support and supervisory measures.The current draft takes into account the special protection req uirements of maritimeinfrastructure when preparing national risk analyses and risk assessments. The FederalMaritime and Hydrographic Agency and the Federal Network Agency are to exchangeinformation relating to maritime infrastructure in the exclusive ec onomic zone and worktogether to strengthen the resilience of critical facility operators in the area of maritimeinfrastructure in the exclusive economic zone.Due to the early dissolution of the federal government, the KRITIS -DachG could nolonger be passed in the current legislative period and will have to be enacted by thefuture federal government.42. Invest in Advanced Surveillance and Early Detection SystemsIn addition to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the State Office of CriminalInvestigation, WSP Schleswig -Holstein is also dealing with the current hybrid threat situationand possible consequences for the critical maritime infrastruct ure in its area of responsibility.With the framework concept for the surveillance and protection of critical maritimeinfrastructure in the area of responsibility of WSP SH as part of the General OrganizationalStructure (AAO), the departments and task fo rces have been sensitized accordingly.The first step towards improving the performance of tasks in this segment is theprocurement of new high -performance patrol boats. Work is currently under way to optimizethe WSP's equipment for this task.As an urgen t task for all maritime security authorities, including the German Navy, animproved underwater situational awareness must be developed in the short term.43. Foster Public -Private Partnerships for Maritime SecurityThe State Office of Criminal Investigation supports the increase in the cyber securitylevels, primarily through prevention presentations and events for companies, providinginformation on current threats in the area of cybercrime, any security gaps and possiblepreventive measures. These eventsSchleswig-Holstein Page 26223often take place as part of the security partnership between the Schleswig -HolsteinChamber of Industry and Commerce ( IHK), the Alliance for Business Security, DIWISH(Digital Economy Schleswig -Holstein ) and the Schleswig -Holstein Ministry of the Interior,Municipal Affairs, Housing and Sport. A crisis management exercise was last performedas part of this partnership in December 2024. Here, entrepreneurs were able to putthemselves in the shoes of an en crypted company and work out the necessary follow -upmeasures, especially in coordination with police involvement . The nextSecurityPartnership Schleswig -Holstein event will be held in March 2025 in the form ofthe Schleswig -Holstein IT Security Forum. If there is a need for advice or acorresponding incident has occurred, the Central Cybercrime Contact Point (ZAC) isavailable as the first point of contact for companies, authorities and other institutions inSchleswig -Holstein on all matters relating to cybercrime.The ZAC is also responsible for managing alerts in a way that is appropriate for thetarget group and accompanies them with corresponding prevention instructions as theybecome more specific .44. Develop Regional Contingency and Rapid Repair CapabilitiesPlease refer to the answers to points 36 to 43.Chapter: Regarding Climate Change45. Implement HELCOM ’s Climate Change -related RecommendationsThe HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan is being implemented in Germany in particular viathe program of measures under the EU MSFD7. Climate change and climate adaptationare becoming increasingly important issues . The contribution of the Baltic Sea and itshabitats as natural marine carbon sinks is being investigated in Schleswig -Holstein inseveral joint p rojects with marine science institutes, e.g. GEOMAR and CAU Kiel. Theclimate protection function is being specifically strengthened, for example, by projects forthe reintroduction of seagrass meadows.As part of the Natural Climate Protection Action Plan , the Federal Ministry for theEnvironment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection ( BMUV ),for example, is funding the ZOBLUC8 project in the Schleswig -Holstein area of the BalticSea with a total budget of 6 million EUR and a duration of five years. The project aims atrecording and model ling the storage of organic carbon in seagrass meadows andsecur ing their future under changing environmental conditions. Seagrass meadows inthe Baltic Sea play a pivotal role in capturing CO 2 from the atmosphere , thereby makinga significant contribution to combat ing climate change.7 Maßnahmenprogramm (Art. 13) - Mitglieder Verwaltung - Meeresschutz8schleswig -holstein.de - Medieninformationen - Aktionsprogramm Natürlicher Klimaschutz (ANK) derBundesregierung: Schleswig -Holstein erhält Fördermittel in Höhe von knapp sechs Millionen EuroSchleswig-Holstein Page 263Official Translation from German into English---------------------------------24 46. Promote Renewable Energy DevelopmentThe state of Schleswig -Holstein indeed ha s ambitious targets with regard to renewableenergy electricity generation capacity (see the Energy Transition and Climate ProtectionAct (EWKG )). In principle, the expansion of r enewable energ y takes place within theenergy law framework of the federal Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and WindPower Act (WindPLG).The state also promotes the use of hydrogen from renewable energy sources with theallocation of state funds . The Development of a Sustainable Hydrogen EconomyGuideline expired at the end of 2023 and is currently being updated. It is to be reissuedin the first quarter of 2025 with the adoption of the 2025 budget. During the term of theGuideline (initially limited unt il 30.06.2027), several calls for funding are planned from apool of different funding objects. In the initial call for proposals , funding will be allocatedexclusively to projects that focus on sustainable production by electrolysis and storageof renewab le hydrogen .47. Develop Coastal Management PlansAs an example of plans with effective measures for the protection and restoration ofcoastal ecosystems and the importance of these areas as carbon sinks, reference ismade to the State Government's Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan (see the response topoints 11 and 12) and the projects on the natural climate protection (see the response topoint 45).48. Implement the Raised Calls for ActionBuilding on the Roadmap for Schleswig -Holstein - Adaptation to Climate Change (2017),a climate adaptation strategy is being developed as a publicly visible, political actionplan. It is intended to identify the climate risks and the measures required for successfulclima te adaptation in Schleswig -Holstein for such fields of action as Biodiversity andEducation.Schleswig-Holstein Page 264Schleswig-Holstein Page 265Bericht über den Stand der Umsetzung der Resolution der 33. Ostseeparlamentarierkonferenz vom 27. August 20 24 Schleswig-Holstein Page 266 greifend wurde bis zum Frühjahr 2022 das „Handlungskonzept Ostseekooperation2030“ erarbeitet, welches die zentralen Themenfelder und Planungen für di e kdie Unterzeichnung der „Kieler Erklärung“ im August 2022, in der sich alle Ressorts Schleswig-Holstein Page 267 gung am Projekt „Baltic Sea Cultural Pearls“ und die „Fehmarnbeltdays“ (s. Antworthilfe. Hierfür stehen jährlich 73 T€ zur Verfügung. Internationaler Jugendau stausch eakte in der Ostsee und den Umgang mit der russischen „Schattenflotte“ zu Schleswig-Holstein Page 268 Motto „Gelebte Demokratie und die deutsch skandinavische Freundschaft“ statt und Diskussionsbühnen die „JungeBühne“ sein, bei deren Programm Auftritte von Jugendgruppen und Unter dem Motto „Bridging borders, shaping the future“ fand 2024 der zweite vom gegründetes internationales „ (BNE)“ Schleswig-Holstein Page 269 Schleswig-Holstein Page 270 Darüber hinaus unterstützt das Land auch im Interregprojekt „DanGer 112“, das eine• Säule 1: • Säule 2: Verbesserung der Anerkennungsprozesse ausländischer Berufsab-• Säule 3: Gezielte Fachkräftesicherung, um Schutzsuchende für den Arbeitsmarkt Holstein zu gewinnen und dort nachhaltig zu integrieren („Wel-come@work“, Federführung Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr, Ar Projekts „Baltic Sea Region Cultural Pearls“ (Kulturperlentes auf den Titel „Kulturperle der Ostseeregion“ bewerben. Schleswig-Holstein Page 271borg (SE), Płock (PL), Smiltene (LV), Kaskinen (FI), Peipsiääre (EE), die ihre Akti-Netzwerkaktivitäten wie Treffen in Helsingborg (SE) und Płock (PL) sowie das „Cul-ture for Resilience Forum“ in Varde (DK) bringen die Akteur Schleswig-Holstein Page 272 aus Mitteln aus dem Bundesprogramm „Demokratie leben!“ gefördert und vom Deut- Ebenfalls ab 2025 wird aus Mitteln des Bundesprogramms „Demokratie leben!“ sowie „Videre“ wird durch den Träger KAST e.V. umgesetzt. „Videre“ fungiert ei-Schleswig-Holstein Page 273 „Deep Fakes“ und „Large Language Models“ aufgegriffen, denen sich die Teiln eh-eigene Chatbots oder eine „Good News AI“ und lern Schleswig-Holstein Page 274 Schleswig-Holstein Page 275 – – Schleswig-Holstein Page 276die Bedrohungen durch die russische „Schattenflotte“ abzuwehren Tanker „Eventin“, der vor Rügen manövrierunfähig wurde. Dank der guten Arbeit des „ “ entsprechend die Arbeit aller Partner zur Gewährleistung der maritimen Sicherheit („Safety“ und„Security“) auf See Schleswig-Holstein Page 277 Schleswig-Holstein Page 278 „ “ innerhalb des GLZ See ertüchtigt worden. Die Mitarbei- Schleswig-Holstein Page 279– –Nach dem Internationalen Seerechtsübereinkommen umfasst der Begriff „See“ die Schleswig-Holstein Page 280 – – Schleswig-Holstein Page 281 Schleswig-Holstein Page 282 hang aktuell mit der Aktion „Baltic Sentry“ Maßnahmen zur Erhöhung der Überwachung Schleswig-Holstein Page 283 – – Schleswig-Holstein Page 284 – – Schleswig-Holstein Page 285 Koordinierung der Abstimmung über die Maßnahmen zum „Gemeinsamen Aktionspla nvon Bund und Ländern gegen Desinformation und für eine wehrhafte Demokratie“ diesem Zusammenhang aktuell mit der Aktion „Baltic Sentry“ Maßnahmen zur Schleswig-Holstein Page 286 Schleswig-Holstein Page 287 Ostsee mit einem Gesamtbudget von 6 Mio. € und einer Laufzeit von fünf Jah ren. – Schleswig-Holstein Page 288Richtlinie „Aufbau einer nachhaltigen Wasserstoffwirtschaft“ ist Ende 2023 ausgelau- Aufbauend auf dem „Fahrplan für Schleswig –wandel“ (2017) wird eine lungsfelder „Biodiversität“ und „Bildung“ die Klimarisiken und die für eine erfolgreicheSWEDENSweden Page 2902025 -04-15/UtrikesdepartementetUppföljning av rekommendationer antagna på den 3 3:eparlamentariska Östersjökonferensen (BSPC) 202 4Nedan följer Regeringskansliets samlade återkoppling pårekommendationer antagna på den parlamentariskaÖstersjökonferensen (BSPC) i Helsingör den 2 5 - 27augusti 202 4.Regarding cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region to1. Strengthe n Democratic Resilience: Call on governments to furtherenhance democracy, the rule of law, equality, and human rights, buildingon successful legislative and administrative measures from the past yearby intensifying collaboration and sharing best practice s amongdemocratic stakeholders in the region ;Sweden remains deeply committed to protecting and promoting democracy,human rights, and the rule of law, globally, regionally, and nationally. Swedencontinues to be a strong political and financial supporter of the multilateralsystem. Democracy is being challenged both globally and regionally. This makesit all the more important for the strong democracies in the Baltic Sea RegionSweden Page 2912 (64)to act together in the effort to defend our values. Sweden welcomes andsuppor ts efforts in this direction made within the European Union but alsowithin a reformed Council of the Baltic Sea States.2. Promote Peaceful Cooperation: Emphasise the importance of peacefulcooperation and dialogue among Baltic Sea states to address shar edenvironmental challenges while respecting international law andterritorial integrity ;Sweden continually cooperates with Baltic Sea states in a variety of internationalfora, including on how to best address the shared environmental challenges ofthe Baltic Sea, for example through HELCOM.3. Empower Citizen Engagement: Facilitate citizen participation inpolitical decision -making, create more platforms for citizens withdecision -making power with a particular focus on the young generation,and promot e youth civic engagement through increased political literacy,notably by improving education about democracy and the schoolcurricula and educational programmes (BSPYF). Promote the exchangeof experience on building an efficient civil protection system t hat takesinto account the potential represented by civil society organisations inmobilising human resources and responding to emergencies ;Sweden supports and actively participates in the involvement of young peoplein key areas. One notable example is through the CBSS. Through the Baltic SeaRegion Youth Forum, Youth Working Groups, Youth Ministerial, YouthSweden Page 2923 (64)Dialogue, Youth Camps, Children an d Youth Advisory Board on childtrafficking, Hackathon, Baltic Sea Parliamentary Youth Forum , and other youthformats, CBSS ensures that young people’s perspectives have an impact onpolicymaking in the Baltic Sea region.Sweden Page 2934 (64)4. Focus on Social Sustainabilit y: Stress the need to extend and buildupon recent successful initiatives addressing social sustainability,including those aimed at addressing challenges regarding an ageingpopulation by upskilling and reskilling, integrating migrants andvulnerable grou ps into the labour market, and promoting genderequality. Encourage governments to ensure these initiatives are well -funded and effectively implemented. Develop and implement civiceducation programmes and civil society initiatives for both young peopleand adults alike to raise awareness of the dangers posed by all forms ofextremism to democracy, including recruitment strategies of extremistgroups (BSPYF). Encourage cross -border exchange programmes forcitizens of all ages and diverse backgrounds, focuse d on bridging societaldivision and combating extremism (BSPYF). Guarantee inclusivegovernance by including citizens in the formation of policies andestablish mechanisms for participatory budgeting for equitable resourcedistribution and community empowe rment. Encourage workers to joinunions by promoting awareness and involvement by putting specialemphasis on strengthening and securing the institutional framework ofthe workers’ unions (BSPYF) ;The Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM )As the Chair of NCM in 2024, Sweden has organized and led approximately 100meetings and conferences throughout the year. During this year, a Nordic -Balticcooperation program for the coming years in health and social policy, wasdeveloped in several prioritized areas. This p rogram forms the core of theSweden Page 2945 (64)sector's cooperation strategy, which will guide activities during the period 2025 –2030.The Secretariat of the NCM has tasked the NCM Office in Latvia withdeveloping a new project, “Nordic Baltic Cooperation on Social and Health2025- 2027”, and implementing the project in close cooperation with the NCMSecretariat, the NCM Offices in Estonia and Lithuania, the Nordic WelfareCentre, Nordic expert networks, national Baltic ministries for social and healthaffairs, and other Nordic and Baltic public institutions and non -governmentalorganizations.The purpose of the project is to strengthen and maintain Nordic -Balticcooperation and knowledge exchange in the social and health sector withinprioritized themes, and to support th e actors involved in making welfareservices in the Nordic -Baltic region sustainable, of high quality, safe for bothpatients and care recipients, and accessible to all. The goals of the project are to(1) organize forums for cross -border, intersectoral, a nd interinstitutionalNordic -Baltic knowledge exchange between public officials (national, regional,and local levels), researchers, and non -governmental actors in the form of studyvisits, seminars, workshops, and conferences; (2) strengthen existing netw orksand create new Nordic -Baltic expert networks; and (3) disseminate the projectresults in targeted ways in the Nordic and Baltic countries.To address current challenges in the health and social sectors, Nordic Councilof Ministers for Health and Socia l Affairs (MR-S) has agreed that Nordicactions should contribute to the following goals and sub -goals: The first goal isthat the Nordic welfare systems should be sustainable, of high quality, andaccessible to all. The second goal is that the Nordic regi on should promoteSweden Page 2956 (64)good physical and mental health, well -being, and quality of life for all. The thirdgoal is that Nordic societies should be inclusive and embrace everyone. Theprinciples of the welfare society in the Nordic region are based on ensuringequal opportunities for all citizens, as well as social solidarity and security foreveryone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, belief, disability, age, or sexualorientation. MR -S emphasizes the importance of cross -sectoral cooperation ona wide range of welfare issues.Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well -being (NDPHS)Concerning work within the area of social sustainability, the NDPHS is a keypartner in the “Solutions for Age -Friendly Employer (SAFE)” project, whichbegan on 1 April 2024. This project directly addresses the problem of the agingpopulation by aiming to strengthen and improve employment opportunities foremployees aged 55+ in Estonia, Finland, and Sweden, specifically focusing onthe health and wellness sectors. The project will last 3 years and culminate in the“SAFE” model, a toolkit for employers to implement age -appropriate workpractices.In addition, the NDPHS was also the project coordinator for the past projectcalled “Economy of Wellbeing of Peop le,” which ran between September 2023and September 2024. This initiative aimed to foster cohesion toward sustainableworking life and aging by identifying and bringing together stakeholders in theBaltic Sea Region to tackle health, education, and work -life challenges. The goalwas to advocate for an inclusive growth and well -being agenda across differentpolicy areas.Sweden Page 2967 (64)5. Strengthen social resilience: Reiterate the continued importance ofstrengthening social resilience in the Baltic Sea Region by fosteri ngresilience through cultural activities, acknowledge and support in thisregard the successful start of the Baltic Sea Cultural Pearls awardingprocedure and the first awarded cities and encourage and promote thedevelopment of a long -term operating conc ept and further annualimplementation of the award after the end of the Interreg projectslifetime in December 2025 ;NDPHSSweden is applying multiple joint efforts together with the other BSR countriesto improve inclusion, prosperity, public health and social cohesion. By being anactive and committed member of the NDPHS, Sweden and Swedish experts areactively involved in t he work of the NDPHS Expert Groups and plays animportant role in exchanging experiences with other BSR countries.Regarding Social Resilience, the NDPHS is a partner in the “Arts onPrescription in the Baltic Sea Region” project, which began on 1 January 2023and will continue until 31 December 2025. The aim is to promote mental well -being through cultural activities by developing a model program in coordinationwith medical professionals that can be implemented by each partner countryand adapted to thei r local conditions and public health systems. The idea is thatindividuals with or who are at risk of developing mental health conditions, suchas depression, stress, and anxiety, condition (e.g., due to loneliness), can receivea referral to participate i n cultural activities within a group setting, to providethem with regular social interactions. The NDPHS’s role in this project is tocontribute expertise, develop recommendations, facilitate communication, andSweden Page 2978 (64)support knowledge transfers between partner countries. The project will be oneof the key themes to be discussed during this year's Partnership’s AnnualConference.This concept will be also transferred to Norway, where the NDPHS is a keypartner in the “Arts on Prescription in Norway” project, whic h started inAugust 2024 and is scheduled to end in July 2025. This project will explore theadaptation and integration of the Arts on Prescription concept within theNorwegian healthcare system, drawing on experiences from the Baltic SeaRegion project an d Sweden.Furthermore, the NDPHS is also involved as a project partner together withSunderby Folk High School, Kolomiya City Council in Ukraine, theWestpomeranian Region in Poland, Region Norrbotten in Sweden in theupcoming “ArtWell Net” Initiative. Eve n though the project application wassubmitted just this March, the actual collaboration was already established backin 2024 and is slated to run from 1 September 2025 until 31 August 2027. Theproject aims to establish a network for joint learning of “Ar t on Prescription”(AoP) practices. It intends to ensure that knowledge and expertise areeffectively disseminated to key partners and stakeholders in the Baltic SeaRegion, Nordic countries, and Ukraine in meaningful knowledge exchange.Launched in August 2023 and running until July 2025, the“MentalHealthMatters” project counts the NDPHS as its lead partner. Thisproject aims to enhance the mental resilience of the workforce in the Baltic SeaRegion by addressing psychosocial risks within the workpl ace. This is done byassessing current policies and practices and proposing measures to better equipOccupational Safety and Health (OSH) systems and professionals to enhanceSweden Page 2989 (64)the mental resilience of the workforce. Moreover, the project aims to develop a“first-aid kit” for Small to Medium Enterprises that don’t have access to OSHprofessionals.Furthermore, the NDPHS is a partner in the “SchoolChanger” project, which isslated to begin in March 2025 and conclude in February 2028. This projectfocuses on f ostering mental well -being in schools by developing a cooperationmodel involving students, teachers, and school management to redesign schoolspaces to support students' mental health.6. Protect vulnerable groups: Protect the rights and ensure the safet y ofrefugees, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, women, children, the elderlyand other vulnerable groups who are particularly at risk in times of warand threatened by intolerant attitudes ;Council of the Baltic Sea States ( CBSS )Sweden have continued to b e engaged in the work by CBSS. In 2024, until June,Finland held the presidency of the CBSS. The CBSS Expert Group on Childrenat Risk (CAR) aims to ensure that children in the Baltic Sea Region enjoy theirrights as recognized in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Theoverarching CAR goal for the Finnish presidency has been to combat humantrafficking and violence against children.From July 2024, Estonia took over the presidency, where a new strategy for theupcoming period has been developed. The work began in September and willSweden Page 29910 (64)be decided in the spring of 2025. Parallel to the strategy work, CAR organizesvarious events related to trafficking and human trafficking. In May, work beganon developing a new strategy for the period 2025 –2029, where CAR proposes avision:“The vision of CBSS Expert Group on Children at Risk for the Baltic SeaRegion is to provide equal opportunities for all children, especially those at riskof harm, to grow, develop and thrive free from all forms of violence, as de finedin UNCRC article 19. Achieving this vision requires concerted efforts to buildinclusive, resilient, and efficient national systems dedicated to the protectionand support of children at risk. We envision a Baltic Sea Region where everychild is give n opportunities for participation and active engagement in creating asustainable, safe, and secure society.”Barents Euro -Arctic CouncilThe Barents Euro -Arctic Council has a Working Group on Health and RelatedSocial Issues (WGHS) that has adopted a co -operation sub -programme‘Children and Youth at Risk’ (CYAR). The purpose of the CYAR programme isto increase co -operation efforts aiming t o improve life conditions for the mostvulnerable group of the child population in the Barents region. The work hascontinued since 2008, and during 2024, a decision was made to adopt a new‘term of reference’ linked to the WGHS new strategy. The overall a im is topromote access to and confidence in social and health services. This includesprioritizing the prevention of discrimination and social exclusion, promotingaccess to and trust in social and health services, particularly mental healthservices. Add itionally, it focuses on increasing and improving youthSweden Page 30011 (64)participation and strengthening children’s rights in accordance with theConvention on the Rights of the Child .Throughout the year, thematic lectures have been held where participants fromlocal, re gional, and national levels have attended our coordination meetings.The thematic themes for the activities have been: “Youth voices”, “Regional co -operation on the rights of the child”, “We asked - they answered - NorthKarelian Youth -project”, and “Sami Children and Youth: Rights and LivingConditions”.NDPHSWhile no specific projects in NDPHS have been dedicated to the protection ofminorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, or children as distinct groups havebeen initiated within the last year, the prev iously mentioned SAFE project aimsto address ageism in the workplace and the AoP addresses mental health ofvarious population groups, including the minorities.Furthermore, the NDPHS is currently leading the “Latent TuberculosisInfections Inventory (LTB I)” project, which started in January 2024 and ranuntil December 2024. Whilst the primary goal was to examine and compareapproaches to LTBI management in the Nordic -Baltic countries and Ukraine toalign it with WHO and ECDC guidelines, the project also c ontributed toprotecting vulnerable groups that may be disproportionately affected by TB.Other projects in this policy area include “Effectively Prepared in Crisis”(EPIC), of which the NDPHS is the lead partner. The project runs from AugustSweden Page 30112 (64)2024 to July 2026 and aims to strengthen cooperation in health -related crisispreparedness and response between Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Sweden.7. Defend sexual and reproductive autonomy: Defend sexual andreproductive autonomy and respect the right to reprod uctive health ;Sweden has a steady and ongoing work in the field of sexual and reproductivehealth and rights. The overall objective is to achieve good, fair, and equal sexualand reproductive health in the entire population. Therefore, Sweden appreciatesthe decision from BSPC of further defending sexual and reproductiveautonomy. The Public Health Agency of Sweden has on behalf of the Swedishgovernment, developed a national SRHR strategy, including an action plan(2023 –2033) to guide and coordinate the n ational SRHR work. The action planwill contribute to the strengthening and developing of the national work withsexual and reproductive health and rights. The action plan constitutes a jointplatform for these efforts and will be in force for 10 years.The action plan is based on the national strategy presented in 2020 by theSwedish Public Health Agency and has six prioritised areas: to develop andfurther integrate SRHR in public health policy, strengthen health promotionand preventative efforts, incr ease the public knowledge about SRHR, promoteequal access to care, support, and treatment, increased coordination andcooperation and lastly, to strengthen the production of knowledge as well asassessment and evaluation.Sweden Page 30213 (64)The action plan contains actions on national, regional and local level andincludes a broad variety of actors such as civil society, academia, nationalauthorities, decisionmakers and relevant professions. Contributing to a goodhealth and health care for women and girls is prioritized by the Swedishgovernment. Therefore, the National board of health and welfare have beenassigned several missions in the field . For example, one to carry out efforts toachieve a more equal healthcare focusing on diseases that mainly affect womenand girls and one to nationally coordinate, support and follow up the work tostrengthen maternal health care, obstetric care, health care for girls' andwomen's health and care for victims of sexual violence . By appointing aninquiry, the Swedish government has als o taken steps to modernise theabortion legislation so that it is adapted to medical developments in the fieldand meet the needs of pregnant women. The Health and Social CareInspectorate have also been assigned a mission to strengthen the inspection ofthe maternal health care in Sweden from 2023 to 2025.8. Support Ukraine: Encourage continued and expanded support forUkraine, referencing past legislative aid packages and reconstructionassistance initiatives. Advocate for comprehensive programmes thatinclude economic support, infrastructure rebuilding, and assistance instrengthening democratic institutions ;Supporting Ukraine is Sweden’s primary foreign policy priority. Since Russia’sfull-scale invasion, Sweden has provided more than 92,8 billion SE K (8,4 billionSweden Page 30314 (64)EUR) in military, civilian and humanitarian support. This includes nineteenmilitary support packages.The military packages provided under 2024 and 2025 are a part of Sweden’smulti -year commitment for military support to Ukraine. This commitmentencompasses 75 billion SEK over three years 2024 -2026.Sweden has also made a multi -year announcement for civilian support toUkraine, in the amount of at least 5,6 billion SEK annually for 2025 -2028.During 2025, the civilian support to Ukraine is expected to encompass 7,8billion SEK, which corresponds to 14% of the total foreign aid budget for 2025.As part of Sweden’s long -term commitment for civilian support to Ukraine, thevolume of the strategy for reconstruction and reform cooperation with Ukrainewas increased from 6 billion SEK to 9 billion SEK for 2024 -2026.During autumn 2024 and sp ring 2025, Sweden has continued to prioritiseeconomic support for reconstruction efforts, in particular within the energysector. During 2024, Sweden contributed over 2 billion SEK to Ukraine’senergy sector. One such delivery consisted of financing for t he procurement oftwo gas turbines, which have the capacity to generate electricity for 370 000Ukrainians. In spring 2025, Sweden provided 1 billion SEK through the EU’sUkraine Facility as part of our largest civilian support package to Ukraine todate. The financial aid is channelled through the facility’s third pillar and will beused to meet recovery and reconstruction needs, including infrastructurerebuilding and additional support to the energy sector.Given that private sector engagement is instrum ental for the resilience andreconstruction of Ukraine, Sweden has continued to improve instruments andSweden Page 30415 (64)levers for supporting the private sector in Ukraine. One such instrument is theexport credit guarantees for Ukraine, which were introduced in 2024 andimproved in 2025. The guarantees alleviate some of the risk Swedish companiesface when exporting to Ukraine, and by increasing export to Ukraine,companies contribute to continued economic development.Sweden’s reform cooperation with Ukraine continues, with the overarching goalof promoting Ukraine’s EU -accession. In April 2024, Sweden launched a high -level advisory group with advisors from the Nordic and Baltic countries as apart of Sweden’s NB8 presidency. The group provides advice and assistance toUkrainian counterparts in relation to EU -accession negations. Additionally,Sweden provides assistance in strengthening democratic institutions by, amongother examples, supporting Ukraine’s decentralisation reform, promotingUkrainian civil society and ta ckling corruption. This is all part of the SwedishEU-accession support and to this date the support adds up to Swedishinvolvement in 28 out of 35 EU -accession chapters.In order to optimise international support and donor funds to Ukraine, Swedenis a me mber in the Ukraine Donor Platform. This body plays an important rolein supporting Ukraine to navigate among the support measures, conditionalitiesand reform requirements presented by bilateral donors and multilateral partners.Sweden Page 30516 (64)9. Combat Disinformatio n: Request governments to enhance thelegislative frameworks and administrative measures that have showneffectiveness in countering disinformation campaigns, particularly thosespearheaded by the Russian Federation. Promote the expansion of publicawarene ss campaigns, digital literacy programs, and robust mediaeducation to combat misinformation. Prohibit personal profiling basedon mass data collection, as long as these profiles allow targetedadvertisement for disinformation campaigns (BSPYF) ;The Swedis h Psychological Defence Agency, established in 2022, identifies,analyses and provides support in countering malign information influence andother misleading information that is directed at Sweden or Swedish interests byantagonistic foreign powers. In 20 24, ahead of the EP -elections, the Agencycarried out a nationwide public awareness campaign entitled “Don’t be fooled”(Don’t be fooled ) aimed at raising awareness concerning foreign informationmanipulation and in terference (FIMI).Moreover, the Swedish Government tasked the Swedish Agency for the Mediawith conducting a broad and long -term national initiative in 2024 and 2025 tostrengthen the public's media and information literacy (MIL). This initiative willbe carried out with the help of the wide -reaching national MIL Network. Theinitiative will help to increase the basic ability to understand and evaluatedifferent types of information and to build trust in credible senders. Theinitiative will also raise pub lic awareness of how artificial intelligence (AI) can beused in the flow of information, and therefore contribute to strengtheningsociety's resilience to disinformation and malicious manipulation ofinformation, among other things.Sweden Page 30617 (64)Further, the Swedish Government is preparing a proposal (Government Bill)for a complementary law to ensure the effective application of the Regulationon the transparency and targeting of political advertising that should be appliedin October 2025 in all Member State s of the EU.10. Promote Regional Digital Cooperation: Advocate for furtherenhancement and harmonisation of digital markets and infrastructureacross the Baltic Sea Region. Highlight successful national and regionalmeasures from the past year to bolster cybersecurity and ethical digitalpractices and call for cooperative efforts to scale these successes region -wide. Enhance digital resilience, with the parliaments in the Baltic SeaRegion striving towards manifesting their leading role in digital literac yeducation for all age groups, focusing on 1) raising awareness on theimportance of data privacy and 2) supporting innovations to tackledisinformation;During the Swedish presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers the Nordicand Baltic Ministers of D igitalisation (Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands,Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, Åland) emphasised in a jointstatement the importance of enhanced cooperation concerning underwaterinfrastructure for electronic communication. With this statement the ministersalso expressed the countries support for the New York Joint Statement on theSecurity and Resilience of Undersea Cables in a Globally Digitalized World.The Swedish government has during 2024 presented a bill to formalize a forumfor public -private cooperation (NTSG) on matters of preparedness in theSweden Page 30718 (64)telecommunications sector. This facilitates involving private actorsin preparedness planning and strengthens as such the work on cybersecurity.The Government has decided on a new national strat egy for cyber security, forthe years 2025 –2029. The strategy points out the Government's direction forthe work on Sweden's cyber security for the coming years. The nationalcybersecurity strategy is based on national needs and the NIS 2 Directive and itsall-risk perspective to address a range of challenges such as cyber threats, skillsshortages, complex regulations, vulnerable supply chains and lack of systematiccybersecurity work. The strategy consists of three pillars that contain a numberof goals a imed at meeting the threats and vulnerabilities described in thestrategy: Pillar A: Systematic and effective cybersecurity work Pillar B: Developknowledge and skills in cybersecurity Pillar C: Ability to prevent and managecybersecurity incidents. The go vernment has also decided on an action planwith activities for the goals that the strategy aims to achieve.Sweden is developing our National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). FromNovember 2024 NCSC is a part of National Defence Radio Establishment(FRA). T he NCSC ́s task is to develop and strengthen Sweden's overall abilityto prevent, detect and handle antagonistic cyber threats and other IT incidents.The NCSC shall constitute a national platform for collaboration andinformation exchange between both priv ate and public actors.Sweden Page 30819 (64)11. Enhance Maritime Ecosystem Protection: Strongly urge governmentsto enhance efforts to combat eutrophication by systematicallyimplementing the revised HELCOM Action Plan and nutrient inputreduction schemes. Encourage the ada ptation and the necessaryprioritization on innovative, sustainable agricultural practices and thepromotion of nutrient recycling strategies, ensuring that these measuresare integrated into national and regional policies to significantly reducenutrient runoff into the Baltic Sea without decreasing food production.Emphasise the need for coordinated efforts to protect the Baltic Sea'sbiodiversity and improve water quality through updated legislativemeasures and targeted investments ;Sweden continues the work on reduction of nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea andto implement the measures in the Baltic Sea action plan. To improve theassessment of the efforts made to reach the national input ceilings and nutrientreductions the Swedish government decided 20 24 on a follow up mechanismwith interim targets for the objective zero eutrophication in the Swedishnational environmental objectives system. The interim target states that with anannual follow -up, it will be ensured that the nitrogen and phosphorus dis chargeto water decreases in accordance with the commitments in the Baltic Sea ActionPlan and that the reductions are achieved within set time frames. The interimtarget also includes a milestone to 2030 declaring that manure should be used ina resource -efficient way so that the losses of nitrogen to air and water as well asthe losses of phosphorus to water steadily decreases over time. In addition, theinterim target for zero eutrophication comprises a mechanism for follow -up ofammonia emissions to air , so that it is reduced in accordance with theSweden Page 30920 (64)commitments in the ceiling directive and that this reduction is reached withinset time frames.In June 2024, the government also decided on the bill A Living Sea includingproposals for reduced eutrophication. The bill was approved in the Parliamentin November 2024. There are several proposals in the bill related to the workwith reduction of nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea and alleviation ofeutrophication. The proposals include improved worki ng methods, proposalsfor increased recovery of phosphorus and nitrogen, regulatory measures inagriculture, assessment of interventions within the strategic plans in the nextprogram period in the Common Agricultural Policy, and improved follow -upand eva luation of measures against eutrophication to increase the effectivenessof the work.To reduce ammonia emissions from agriculture, the Swedish Government hasintroduced new measures such as a national investment support scheme. Theinvestment support can for example be used for incorporation equipment formanure application, covers on manure facilities, acidification of manure, anduse of nitrogen sensors in distribution of fertilisers and manure. All contributingto reduce ammonia emissions.Sweden Page 31021 (64)12. Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Call for the continuationand expansion of legislative actions that have successfully created newMPAs and improved management strategies. Urge governments toincrease transboundary cooperation to protect vulnerable ha bitats,enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change ;The Swedish government's bill, A living sea - Increased protection, reducedeutrophication and sustainable fishing was adopted by the Swedish Parliamentin November 2024. Expanding the protection of marine areas is one of theproposals in the bill. Sweden will expand and strengthen the protection ofmarine areas to contribute to achieving the international goal of 30% protectedmarine areas, of which one -third, equivalent to 10%, wil l be strictly protected by2030, as adopted within the EU's biodiversity strategy, the regional seacommissions Helcom and Ospar, and the Kunming -Montreal GlobalBiodiversity Framework. The Swedish Agency for Marine and WaterManagement has been tasked wit h continuing to work on the issue.Additionally, in March 2025 the Swedish Parliament adopted the government ́sbill on the Nämdö archipelago National Park, a new national park that entailsexpanded and strengthened protection of the marine environment andbiodiversity in the area. The national park is expected to contribute tosustainable local and regional development. Nämdö Archipelago National Parkwill become Sweden's first marine national park in the Baltic Sea.Moreover, Sweden actively participates i n the Helcom expert work on MPA:s,which increase transboundary cooperation to protect biodiversity. Helcom givehigh priority to connect leading scientists with expertise on the direct andSweden Page 31122 (64)indirect effects of climate change on the Baltic Sea environment. Swedenactively follows this work.13. Promote Sustainable Blue Economy Initiatives: Foster public andprivate investments in innovative marine and maritime sectors to supportthe development and implementation of sustainable blue economyinitiatives whilst underlining Article 1 Para 3 of the E U Maritime StrategyFramework Directive (MSFD). Highlight the importance of balancingeconomic activities such as offshore wind energy and aquaculture withmarine environmental protection by applying an ecosystem approach.Call for incorporating scientific research and stakeholder input inplanning and executing these initiatives to ensure that they strive forecological sustainability whilst contributing to economic growth ;The Swedish government's bill, A living sea - Increased protection, reducedeutrop hication and sustainable fishing was adopted by the Swedish Parliamentin November 2024. One of the key proposals of the Bill is to strengthenecosystem -based management, namely that marine environmental managementshould be more strongly and clearly integ rated with the management of othersectors in order to achieve a stronger ecosystem -based management that canaddress both today's and tomorrow's challenges.In the development of the EU Ocean Pact, to be launched by the EUCommission in 2025, the Swedish government has submitted written commentsin the pen Call for evidence consultation process. One of the key topicsunderlined by the Swedish government in its submission was the importance ofSweden Page 31223 (64)holism and integration of EU maritime policy, identifying the n eed for furtherinitiatives strengthening the implementation of the ecosystem -based approachin policies. A healthy marine environment is a basis for a long term prosperousand competitive blue economy.14. Support Maritime Transport Sustainability: Advoc ate for thetransition to low -sulfur fuels and alternative energy sources and promotedigitalisation and automation in logistics to improve efficiency andreduce environmental impact ;Sweden works actively with promoting the transition to low sulphur fuels . Oneof the most significant actions is the ban on releasing discharge from shipscrubbers decided in early 2025, which are used to clean ship exhaust gases.From July 1, 2025, discharge from open -loop scrubbers will be prohibited inSwedish territorial w aters. The ban is expected to disincentivise the use of highsulphur fuels.Sweden also actively promotes the transition to alternative energy sources forthe maritime sector. Sweden has a public support scheme (the Climate Leap)where shipping companies can receive grants for innovative solutions thatreduce emissions. For example, investments in charging infrastructure in portsare eligible to apply for support. Another example is bunkering facilities forbiofuels, who are also eligible for support from this scheme. In addition, theSwedish government in January 2025 tasked the Swedish Energy Agency toanalyse and propose new support measures to promote the transition of themaritime sector to fossil free solutions.Sweden Page 31324 (64)There is also ongoing work on promotin g digital and automated solutions forthe maritime sector. One example is a program managed by The SwedishMaritime Authority (Sjöfartsverket) which collaborates with maritime actors tocreate more efficient port calls through digitalization. The program i s plannedto be in operation until at least 2027. In May 2024, The Swedish TrafficAuthority (Trafikverket) published an extensive report containing proposals ondigitalisation for the maritime sector, answering to a request from thegovernment for input t o the upcoming National Plan for TransportInfrastructure.15. Enhance Port Security and Infrastructure: Invest in port infrastructureimprovements focusing on security and sustainability, such as shore -sideelectricity and waste management, and enhance connectivity withhinterland transport networks ;Shipping is of g reat importance for the Swedish import and export of goods.Approximately 85 –90 per cent of goods is transported on ships during somepart of the transport chain. Together with the connected roads and railways,ports play a vital role in ensuring access to essential goods. Swedish ports areprivate owned and about half of the ports are fully owned by municipalities.Swedish ports are continuously investing to enhance the port security and toreduce its environmental impact. To promote the use of shore side electricitySweden applies a reduced rate of taxation to electricity directly provided toships at berth in a port, in accordance with Article 19 of Directive 2003/96/EC.Last year 13 Swedish ports provided shore -side electricity to ships while someSweden Page 31425 (64)of these ports also provided recharging facilities to electric and hybrid vessels.In addition, investments in recharging infrastructure and shore -side electricity inports are eligible to apply for grants from a public support scheme.Sweden has implemented D irective (EU) 2019/883 of the European Parliamentand of the Council on port reception facilities for the delivery of waste fromships. The national legislation entered into force 1 May 2023.16. Strengthening Maritime Safety: Ensure safe, efficient and obstacle -free shipping routes. Implement and enforce advanced navigational aids,improved Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), and stringent safety regulationsto enhance maritime safety amidst the region's dense traffic andchallenging weather conditions. An i ncreased use of Traffic SeparationSchemes (TSS) in areas with sensitive infrastructure are of essence ;Sweden is continuously monitoring areas with important shipping routes toimprove safety of navigation, improved efficiency of traffic flow and theprotection of the marine environment. Sweden has therefore implementedfourteen (14) Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS) as well as several Deep -Waterroutes (DW -routes), Areas to be avoided, Precautionary areas andRecommended routes in accordance with IMO p rovisions around the Swedishcoastline. All these routeing measures have been prepared and implemented inclose cooperation with our neighbouring countries in the Baltic Sea, e.g.Denmark, Finland, Poland, Germany as well as Norway. The latest TSSSweden Page 31526 (64)implemen tations were made in Kattegat in 2020 together with Denmark. Asalways there are many different criteria to be considered when implementing aTSS e.g. the type and size of the vessels, traffic patterns, aids to navigationneeded and natural or man -made obs tacles that may need to be taken intoaccount for a smooth and safe passage.Sweden has also nine VTS areas and one Ship Reporting System (SRS) in theSound. The operational procedures of these areas have been tightened up andthere is also increased collaboration with the Swedish Coast Guard and theArmed Forces to monitor suspicious activities, e.g. when the AIS (AutomaticIdentification System) is being turned off. The VTS/SRS operators are nowmore vigilant and alert immediately if any vessel is deviat ing from the norm.Sweden also continues to actively monitor the TSS:s where violations of rule 10of the Convention on the international regulations for preventing collisions atsea (COLREG) have increased.Sweden actively participates in developing rules and procedures within EU,IMO, HELCOM and IALA (International Organization for Marine Aids toNavigation) in order to improve safety and efficiency of navigation, contributeto the safety of life at sea and support the protection of the environment. Inaddition, the Swedish Transport Agency and the Swedish MaritimeAdministration are also active in a regional cooperation in the Baltic Sea areabetween VTS and SRS authorities and providers, through the Harmoni zationWorking Group (HWG).Sweden Page 31627 (64)The Swedish Maritime Administration has ongoing pilot projects which aim toimprove maritime safety, make fairway operations more effective as well assaving CO2:• Aids to navigation (buoys etc.) that lights up brighter when AIS fromcertain ships comes within a specific range.• Auto monitored spar buoys equipped with GPS and radio transpondersto report their position and raise alarms if they deviate.• Development of procedures for utilizing virtual AIS for markingtemporary dan gers.17. Support Technological Innovations in Engines: Invest in the researchand development of hybrid propulsion systems, new fuels, andelectrification technologies to enhance energy efficiency and reduceemissions, ensuring vessels meet evolving regu latory requirements ;Support technological innovations in the field of ship propulsion.The Swedish Transport Administration's Maritime Portfolio has for severalyears approved funds to invest in research and development of hybrid systems,new fuels and e lectrification technologies to improve energy efficiency andreduce emissions, so that ships comply with increasingly stringent regulations.Within the shipping portfolio, the propulsion/fuel issue is a commonlyaddressed area. The shipping portfolio contains projects in the wind area,ammonia, hydrogen, electrification and fuel in general. It can have differentSweden Page 31728 (64)angles where technology is of course one such, but it can also be aboutregulatory, behavioral or logistical perspectives. The port as an energy hub, forexample, is also an angle on projects that occur.In many cases, the projects are collaborations with the business community tosome extent. Most often, however, the research is led by one of the universitiesKTH Royal Institute of Te chnology and Chalmers University of Technology(especially in the wind field, close collaboration between these academies can benoted) or the research institutes RISE and VTI (T he Swedish National Roadand Transport Research Institute). The Swedish Transp ort Administration alsohas active Nordic collaboration with the Nordic Energy Research Board.Recently completed and ongoing projectsItalics are projects under the Sustainable Shipping industry program, several ofthem are feasibility studies. Project le ading organization is listed after the title.- Fuel in general Social relations influence over choices of alternativemaritime fuels, Rise. Control instruments to promote production of renewable fuelsfor shipping. Renewable fuels in the right place , Uppsa la University- Wind Area Digital aerodynamic prediction and stability assurance tostrengthen wing sail integrity during dynamic ship motions (SafeWinds),Chalmers. Improved wing sail performance through active flow control,Chalmers. Wind propulsion: Business models for increased applicationin shipping (WIND -UPTAKE), Chalmers. Underwater propulsionsystems for wind -assisted ships: from flow physics to propulsionfactors, Chalmers. Wind -spotter - Trimming wing sails using Lidar, Rise.- Ammonia Safety of amm onia on board, RISE- Hydrogen Developing a system for large -scale hydrogen refueling.Hydrogen blending into marine LNG/LBG fuels.Sweden Page 31829 (64)- Electrification ELÄTTRA – Utilization of high -strength steel for weightreduction of large electric ships , Rise- Hull/driveline and port Propeller -Hull Interaction Effects in Waves,Chalmers. Port as an energy hub, VTI.18. Address the threats by the Russian "Shadow Fleet": Prioritiseaddressing the threats posed by the Russian "shadow fleet" byenhancing maritime surveillance, intelligence sharing, regulatoryenforcement, and collaborative efforts to mitigate environmental a ndsecurity risks, including advocating for international sanctions, as long asit is necessary ;In 2024, the Government has assigned the Coast Guard to be the nationaloperational contact point for NATO's Critical Undersea Infrastructure Network(CUIN) in close cooperation with the Swedish Armed Forces. The sameassignment also includes coordinating the national implementation of the EU'sMaritime Security Strategy, EUMSS, with its associated action plan, andparticipating in the EU's common platform for i nformation sharing, theCommon Information Sharing Environment, the CISE cooperation.The Government has also recently assigned the Swedish Armed Forces and theCoast Guard to strengthen their operational cooperation for an increasedcollective capability for maritime surveillance in both peace and crisis, as well asduring high alert and in the event of war. The authorities are to develop a jointaction plan with measures for improved resource utilization within theframework of the authorities' regular as signments regarding maritimesurveillance.Sweden Page 31930 (64)The Government supports an initiative to establish a voluntary reportingmechanism on insurance information that was launched in connection with theJoint Expeditionary Force meeting in December 2024. The initiati ve is underpreparation within the Government Offices.Sweden is working together with international partners to address the threatsposed by the Russian “shadow fleet”. Sweden has continued to contribute to,and advocate for the EU to adopt further sancti ons aimed at the Russian“shadow fleet”, including measures targeting circumvention of the oil price cap.Additional sanctions have been adopted by the EU and we are now pushing forfurther sanctions to be adopted as soon as possible.Sweden, together wit h other coastal states surrounding the Baltic Sea and theNorth Sea, are working closely in order to coordinate our collective efforts toconstrain the fleet’s ability to operate. The work is being conducted in the so -called Shadow Fleet Expert Group consi sting of 14 states. The groupcoordinates issues relating to restrictive measures, information sharing andoutreach to relevant flag states to ensure compliance by the vessels withinternational law.Active work is underway to develop measures that can be taken against theshadow fleet that are in accordance with international law. Sweden togetherwith Nordic and Baltic states , has urged the Commission to push for a loweredoil price cap ceiling in discussions with the G7.Sweden Page 32031 (64)19. Continue to Address the Issue of Sea -Dumped Munitions: Encouragegovernments to prioritise and coordinate cooperation on thecomprehensive mapping and safe removal of sea -dumped munitions,leveraging the European Commission's ongoing projects and fundinginitiatives such as H orizon Europe as well as developing further jointefforts of HELCOM, CBSS and the EU in this field. Advocate for theapplication of environmentally friendly technologies and methodologiesto mitigate the risks posed by submerged munitions, ensuring that th eseefforts are integrated into national and regional security andenvironmental agendas and implemented as soon as possible ;The Swedish government is committed to work within HELCOM and otherfora to support and take necessary steps to manage existing po llution risks.Sweden has identified about 30 wrecks as the most urgent existing pollution riskregarding dumped munitions and wrecks and are presently working through amultiyear plan to eliminate risks in relation to these wrecks.Sweden Page 32132 (64)Regarding Energy Supply security andInterconnectivity toImprove Energy Security and Self -sustainability20. Given the current geopolitical challenges, prioritise and supportprojects aimed at improving energy security in the Baltic Sea region;(WG) ;Energy securi ty is a key priority for the Swedish government. In the Baltic Searegion, Sweden actively contributes to enhancing energy security through itsparticipation in the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP).Established through a memorandum of unde rstanding between the EuropeanCommission and eight EU member states (Denmark, Estonia, Finland,Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden), BEMIP aims to integrate theelectricity and gas markets across the region. Sweden has and continues toprovide regional energy security by high interconnection levels in gas andelectricity which significantly reduces isolation in the Baltic energy market.21. While building new or transforming the already existing energyinfrastructure, take strongly into accoun t the regional needs, resilienceconsiderations, and sustainability goals, as well as social and economicwelfare; (WG) ;Sweden plays a key role in supporting energy security while providing fossil -freeenergy in the Baltic and broader European region. As one of EU:s largest netSweden Page 32233 (64)exporters of electricity, Sweden contributes to reducing greenhouse gasemissions and Europe’s reliance on Russian gas and oil by exporting fossil -freeelectricity to neighbouring countries and beyond.In addition, during its chairmanship of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Swedenfurther strengthened Nordic electricity market cooperation. In autumn 2024, aconference on electricity market design and electrification brought togetherNordic governments and industry leaders. The event focused on aligningclimate goals with industrial transformation, covering topics such as futureinvestments in fossil -free energy and how electricity infrastructure and flexibilityservices can ensure a sustainable and secure energy supply for the r egion.22. Facilitate more interconnections in the Baltic Sea region; (WG) ;Svenska Kraftnät, the authority responsible for Sweden's transmission systemfor electricity, is currently working on projects to increase interconnectioncapacity with Denmark and Finland. While Sweden supports regionalcooperation, the current priority is that addressing bottlenecks within MemberStates should take precedence over expanding interconnections between them.Sweden Page 32334 (64)23. Unite in setting up a common interconnecti on execution in regionalpolitical initiatives and strongly involve the EU Funds in order tosucceed in regional renewable energy market development; (WG) ;Sweden is one of Europe’s largest net exporters of electricity and has almost afossil -free electric ity mix thanks to its high share of renewables and nuclearpower. The Nordic energy market is already integrated and including highshares of renewables.24. Regularly exchange experience and best practices concerning theimplementation of onshore and of fshore wind projects in the Baltic Searegion; (WG) ;Sweden enhances Baltic Sea energy cooperation through e.g. the Baltic EnergyMarket Interconnection Plan (BEMIP), which integrates regional electricity andgas markets. Within BEMIP, Sweden has supported the creation of a dedicatedworking group in 2020 to foster cooperation in offshore wind energydevelopment in the Baltic Sea. In addition, Sweden maintains bilateraldiscussions with countries like Finland and Estonia on similar topics.Sweden Page 32435 (64)Improve Transport25. Increase the funding for improving infrastructure and startdiscussions on a new strategy to enhance military mobility capabilitiesand civil transport in the region;(WG) ;The Swedish Government will continue to work together with other neigh boursand allies to strengthen the deterrence and defence of the Alliance, includingresilience and crisis preparedness of our societies. The joint objective is thatNATO’s planning and structure will provide support to security in NorthernEurope, from th e Baltic Sea to the Arctic region. Planning will take into accountthe importance of the Baltic Sea in securing access to vital transport linksbetween Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Baltic states must be guaranteed, asthis benefits security, trade and s ecurity of supply. The Swedish governmenthas, in close cooperation with the European Commission and other MemberStates, contributed to the mapping and prioritizing of strategic corridors forMilitary Mobility.In its National Plan for Military Mobility, which was decided on 1 August 2024,the Swedish Government stated that Sweden will actively work on promotingmilitary mobility in the EU and NATO. Based on a thorough needs andbenefits analysis, Sweden must influence the priorities in Connecting EuropeFacility (CEF) work program and calls for proposals, as well as actively applyfor co -financing from the CEF with relevant projects. Sweden must alsoactively participate in possible revisions of the technical standards in CEF.Sweden has applied with rele vant and successful projects to CEF during 2021 -2023, in order to reach the milestones for 2030, 2040 and 2050.Sweden Page 32536 (64)26. Develop and execute plans to further improve maritime and railwaytransport connectivity in the Baltic Sea region and ensure connectivitywith the European continent; (WG) ;Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 of the European Parliament and the Council of 13June 2024 on the Union guidelines for the development of the trans -Europeantransport network (TEN -T) was adopted in 2024, and the transportinfrastructure requirements imposed on Member States must be met by thetarget dates of 2030, 2040, and 2050.In October 2024, the Swedish Transport Administration was tasked withanalyzing the requirements of the TEN -T regulation, and the agency hasexamined S weden’s status in relation to the requirements that have not yet beenmet. These requirements partly concern Sweden’s railway infrastructure, and theSwedish Transport Administration has proposed and recommended how theseissues should be addressed going f orward. The agency has also been assigned topresent a new national plan for the state transport infrastructure for the period2026–2037.Sweden Page 32637 (64)27. Significantly improve coordination of activities and regularcooperation of the democratic Baltic Sea countries in protectingmaritime infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region; (WG) ;The Swedish government, along with NATO and the EU, considers threats tounderwater infrastructure to be a serious security issue. Disruptions or sabotage,whether through cybe rattacks, physical impact, or accidents, can havesignificant consequences, potentially paralyzing the entire financial system,threatening energy supply, or cutting off communication. Internationalcooperation, as well as information sharing and gathering , is crucial incountering threats to underwater infrastructure.Sweden is working closely together with international partners, in particularNATO and EU, to increase resilience on critical underwater infrastructure,including in the Baltic Sea.Therefore , the Swedish government has tasked the Swedish Coast Guard toenhance Sweden's participation in international collaborations within theagency's area of operation. This mandate includes serving as the operationalcontact point for NATO's network for the p rotection of critical underwaterinfrastructure (CUI network), coordinating the national implementation of theEU's maritime security strategy (EUMSS) and its associated action plan,connecting Sweden to the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE)network, and serving as the operational contact point in the cooperation for theprotection of infrastructure in the North Sea (Joint Declaration on CooperationRegarding Protection of Infrastructure in the North Sea).Sweden Page 32738 (64)Together with Finland, Sweden has taken the initiative to utilise the Council ofthe Baltic Sea States (CBSS) for security policy dialogue. Former President ofEstonia Toomas Ilves and former Lithuanian Minister of Foreign AffairsGabrielius Landsbergis will present a report ahead of the minist erial meeting inMay. We want to see the CBSS as a regional security policy format that alsoincludes Poland and Germany .28. Create a plan for addressing shipping insurance challenges in theregion that can disrupt trade routes, leading to delays and in creased costsfor businesses; (WG) ;In a joint statement by the Nordic Baltic 8++ countries (Denmark, Estonia,Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland,Sweden and the United Kingdom), announced that their respective ma ritimeauthorities will request relevant proof of insurance from vessels operatingwithin the so called “shadow fleet” passing through the Sound betweenDenmark and Sweden, as well as other key areas. Information collected,including details on vessels tha t fail to respond to such requests, will be assessedand addressed in collaboration with international partners.Additionally, the European Commission has proposed a delegated directive toamend Annex I to Directive 2002/59/EC. Its aim is to enhance maritime safetyand environmental protection by requiring ships, including those sailing alongEU Member States' coasts but not entering ports, to provide proof of insurancecertificates and financial guarantees. This practice will improve the monitoringSweden Page 32839 (64)and, when necessary, facilitate investigation of uninsured and unsafe vessels,especially those carrying oil and other h azardous cargo.29. Jointly discuss the implementation of the UN Convention on the Lawof the Sea to address challenges in the Baltic Sea, in particular, theprotection of critical infrastructure and the coordination between coastalStates in the Baltic Sea;International law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, is acornerstone of Sweden’s foreign and security policy .As declared in the Joint Statement of the Baltic Sea NATO Allies Summit on 14January 2025, we will identify further measur es in accordance with internationallaw of the sea, including the freedom of navigation, to prevent and effectivelyrespond to wilful damaging of critical undersea infrastructure or irresponsiblebehaviour. Such behaviour interferes, inter alia, with the f reedom to lay cablesand pipelines and poses a significant risk to the marine environment. We willalso take actions for accountability and stronger enforcement against thoseresponsible for damaging undersea infrastructure, including compensation fordama ge.Sweden Page 32940 (64)Enhance Digital Connectivity30. Commence negotiations between the members of the BSPC onenhancing cooperation in the area of cybersecurity; (WG) ;Sweden is currently working together with international partners to enhancecybersecurity cooperation. Within the EU, various legislative and non -legislativeinitiatives are negotiated in order to establish the necessary institutional setupand forms of co llaboration in the cyber domain, to encompass a strong androbust framework in this area and increasing the overall cyber resilience. TheEU Commission has also published several new initiatives in the cybersecurityarea, for example The White paper on Def ence, the Preparedness UnionStrateg y and the European Internal security Strategy.During the Swedish presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers the Nordicand Baltic Ministers of Digitalisation (Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands,Finland, Latvia, Lithuan ia, Norway, Sweden, Åland) emphasised in a jointstatement the importance of enhanced cooperation concerning underwaterinfrastructure for electronic communication. With this statement the ministersalso expressed the countries support for the New York Joi nt Statement on theSecurity and Resilience of Undersea Cables in a Globally Digitalized World.Sweden Page 33041 (64)31. Develop incentives and support for strengthening underwatercommunication infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, including expandingconnections and ensuring the resilience of the existing ones; (WG) ;During the Swedish presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers the Nordicand Baltic Ministers of Digitalisation (Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands,Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, Åland) emphasised in a jointstatement the importance of enhanc ed cooperation concerning underwaterinfrastructure for electronic communication. With this statement the ministersalso expressed the countries support for the New York Joint Statement on theSecurity and Resilience of Undersea Cables in a Globally Digita lized World.Sweden has during 2024 given support to 11 Swedish and 2 Finnish projectswithin the frames of the CEF Digital programme; projects aiming atstrengthening the digital infrastructure (5G and subsea communication cables)in the wider Baltic Sea region. Out of the Swedish projects five were grantedEU-funding whereby three concerned underwater communicationsinfrastructure. These subsea communications cables, once in place, willstrengthen connectivity from Sweden to Estonia, Denmark and Poland bu t alsoglobal connectivity by connecting Northern Europe to the Indo -pacific regionand North America.The Swedish government is currently in the process of developing adigitalisation strategy which will express the government’s joint goals within thisfield. The section dedicated to connectivity infrastructure, will among othersemphasise strengthen the focus on secure connectivity including cross -borderinfrastructure such as subsea communication cables.Sweden Page 33142 (64)EU has launched the Action plan on Cable Security , and it addresses in acomprehensive approach the common effort to support the protection ofunderwater infrastructure. SE is positive to the approach in the action plan thatwe should increase our joint capabilities, within the EU and together withNATO, to protect our critical underwater infrastructure. The starting point forSE is that the EU and NATO complement and stren gthen each other'sinitiatives. Several initiatives are already underway in the Baltic Sea and SEencourages coordination between the institutions.Since the beginning of 2025, MSB, together with Finnish and Estonianauthorities, has been discussing a join t project between the countries regardingjoint equipment and capacity to repair submarine cables in the Baltic Sea.32. Cooperate and exchange practices on increasing universal coverageand service for Internet connectivity in the Baltic Sea region; (WG) ;Sweden participates in forum for Nordic and Baltic countries to exchange bestpractices, gather insights and discuss various digital connectivity topics.Examples on such discussions concern 5G connectivity issues in the Nordic -Baltic 5G Expert Group as well as challenges and strategies for safeguardingconnectivity infrastructure from political, legal, and technical dimensions inNordregio.The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) is in contact and cooperateswith its’ Nordic counterparts in matters concerning connectivity.Sweden Page 33243 (64)The Swedish government is currently in the process of developing adigitalisation strategy which will express the government’s joint goals within thisfield. The section dedicated to connectivity infrastructure, will among othersemphasise the importance of cross -border cooperation.Facilitate Cross -border projects33. Raise awareness and search for solutions to facilitate theimplementation of large -scale cross -border projects of regionalimportance; (WG) ;Sweden is actively working to implement several cross -border regional projectsof various kinds. As part of EU's Cohesion Policy, Sweden participates in 12different cooperation programmes (Interreg). The programmes are financed bythe European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and focus on Nordiccross - regional cooperation and cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. AsInterreg NEXT programmes with Russia are suspended, the programme area ofInterreg Aurora and Interreg Central Baltic have expanded to include regionsbordering Russia. Furthermore, ERDF Funds have been reallocated fromInterreg NEXT programmes with Russia to Interreg Aurora and InterregCentral Baltic.The transnational Baltic Sea Region (BSR) programme has via an initiative bythe Swedish Institute wit hin the framework of the Baltic Sea Strategy, openedfor projects with organisations in Ukraine. Under the "Sustainable waters"Sweden Page 33344 (64)priority, the BSR programme also finances a project that develops systems forfinding dumped ammunition in the Baltic Sea.Furth ermore, The Swedish Government and Government Agencies are activein implementing the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), whichaims to meet the challenges common to the countries in the Baltic Sea Regiontoday. The Strategy has three main obje ctives: saving the sea, connecting theregion, and increasing prosperity. During the latest Swedish Presidency of theEUSBSR 2022 -2023, the focus was on strengthening and developingimplementation of the Strategy and its action plan, including by developin g newforms of cooperation; spreading knowledge of how the Strategy contributes tosocietal development; and creating the conditions that enable more people totake part in cooperation within the Strategy.In the period 2024 -2025, the Nordic Baltic Marine Spatial Management Toolenters its second phase. The project aims to build a tool allowing forharmonized authoritative live data and information exchange across borders ona sea basin level. The tool enables visualization of natural resources togetherwith human activities to check for environmental challenges, creating a dynamicknowledge base that can be used for creation of national MSP’s that enablecross -sectoral and co -located activities at sea as well as more effectiveprotection of natural resource s across national borders. The tool will bedeveloped using open source and will utilize open data. By showing what can bedone when data is harmonized, interoperable and shared, this project isdelivering on MR DIGITALs goals on facilitating the digital g reen transition.Sweden Page 33445 (64)34. Explore joint cross -border renewable energy projects and to identifyinfrastructure needs in order to enable the integration of renewableenergy while ensuring and improving the security of supply and access toaffordable energy;Sweden has liberalized the electricity market and is one of Europe’s largest netexporters of electricity. Also, Sweden has almost a fossil -free electricity mixthanks to its high share of renewables and nuclear power. In this way, Swedenensures security of supply and access to affordable energy for both Sweden andits neighbours.Sweden Page 33546 (64)35. Coordinate corporation to rapidly stimulate the installation of neededcomputing capacity in the Baltic Sea region, in light of the rapiddevelopment of AI software and se rvices demanding green and sufficientenergy and abundant computing power, Baltic Sea renewable energymarket growth, and interconnectivity development serving as a basis forsupercomputer implementation and usage;(WG) ;Several ongoing investments in AI – both nationally and internationally. Alldepend on access to data and a key aspect of this is the ability to connect datarepositories, computing resources and users in an efficient, reliable, and secureway. This is essential both for developing new AI models, applying AI in moreareas and for using AI as a tool for knowledge production. There is therefore aclear link between connectivity and AI.National AI Initiatives in SwedenThe Wallenberg Autonomous Systems and Software Program ( WASP) isSweden’s largest coordinated AI initiative. Led by Linköping University, itinvolves several Swedish universities and private sector partners, aiming to buildworld -leading AI competence in both fundamental research and applications.AI Sweden is the national center for applied AI, hosted by Lindholmen SciencePark. It supports broad collaboration between public and private actors and actsas a catalyst for AI implementation across sectors.RISE operates a center for applied AI focused on innovatio n, knowledgetransfer, and collaboration across industries, academia, and the public sector.Sweden Page 33647 (64)Major applied AI initiatives include the development of a Swedish LargeLanguage Model by the National Library, and a national initiative by SciLifeLabto strength en the use of AI in life sciences.Sweden has invested in two AI -optimized computing systems: Berzelius atLinköping University, supporting WASP -related research, and Alvis at ChalmersUniversity, available through the national infrastructure NAISS.The ro admap from the Swedish AI Commission proposes the establishment ofan AI -workshop for the public sector, potentially hosted by the Swedish TaxAgency or the Social Insurance Agency.There are numerous smaller AI -related research and innovation projects acr ossacademia, the public sector, and private industry, many of which are supportedby the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova.In the private sector, Sweden is home to more than 1,000 AI startups.Additionally, the Swedish data center industry has shown g rowing interest ininvesting in large -scale AI capacity.International AI InitiativesThe European Commission is making significant investments in AI through theDIGITAL Europe Programme and Horizon Europe, aiming to positionEurope as an “AI Continent.” An EU AI Office has been established tocoordinate efforts, and initiatives are closely tied to digital strategies and thedevelopment of data spaces.Sweden Page 33748 (64)In the autumn of 2024, the EU launched initiatives for AI Factories under theEuroHPC partner ship, with Swedish participation through the MIMERinitiative. These efforts are co -funded by EuroHPC, Vinnova, and the SwedishResearch Council.EuroHPC is also investing in hyperconnectivity to enable real -time access todata for AI development, along wi th new AI labs and advanced computinginfrastructure.Within Horizon Europe, there is strong support for the European OpenScience Cloud (EOSC), which serves as a data space for the researchcommunity and could become a key foundation for AI development.At the Nordic level, investments are also being made in AI, including throughNordForsk’s program on the responsible use of AI and Nordic Innovation’swork on establishing a Nordic -Baltic AI Center.Sweden Page 33849 (64)Regarding Defence to36. Coordinate the Approach to Thr eats: Agree on a coordinatedapproach to address the lack of information exchange, thread controlcentres, thread mitigation policy as well as effective communicationagainst the spread of targeted fake news and propaganda, consideringmultiple recent and potential hybrid threats towards critical energy andcommunication infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region. (WG) ;Within the framework of the EU and NATO, we are strengthening ourresilience against hybrid attacks: antagonistic actions aimed at destabilisi ng oursocieties, such as cyberattacks, disinformation and the sabotage of criticalinfrastructure.Sweden is a driving force in EU efforts to develop a specific strategy to addressRussia’s hybrid activities. We are also working to ensure that NATOstrengthens its deterrence of hybrid attacks.In recognition of the increasing importance of cyber and digital issues, theGovernment has adopted a specific strategy on these issues within foreign andsecurity policy. The Government has also decided on a n ew national strategy forcyber security, for the years 2025 –2029.Sweden Page 33950 (64)37. Use examples of good practice as a blueprint: Some countriesbordering the North Sea have signed the "Joint Declaration onCooperation for the Protection of Infrastructure in the North Sea"; thisinitiative could serve as a model for closer security cooper ation in theBaltic Sea as well ;Following the Baltic Sea NATO Allies Summit in Helsinki on Tuesday 14January 2025 this work is being taken forward and a specific MoU on CriticalInfrastructure Protection in the region is being developed.At the Baltic Sea NATO Allies Summit in Helsinki , the heads of governmentexpressed a desire to strengthen the protection of critical underwaterinfrastructure in the Baltic Sea. In order to achieve closer cooperation, it wasstated that the countries would sign a memorandum of understanding. Estoniahas subsequently circulated a draft to the participating countries, with the aim ofthe agreement to being signed later this spring.38. Realise an Integrated NATO Defence Area: Commit to realising thepotential of t he Baltic Sea region to become an integrated NATO defencearea with strong regional cooperation in coastal, maritime, and airdefence. (WG);The ongoing Baltic Sentry has the task to enhance NATO’s military presence inthe Baltic Sea and improve Allies’ ab ility to respond to destabilizing acts.Probably we will see even more of NATO military presence in the Baltic Sea inSweden Page 34051 (64)the future. There is also a strong regional cooperation between democraticBaltic Sea countries regarding the maritime and air defence do main.39. Strengthen Surveillance and Response Coordination through NATO:Increase integration of maritime infrastructure surveillance and responseefforts within NATO frameworks, particularly with Finland's andSweden's accession. Promote the developmen t of cooperative governancemeasures and joint surveillance initiatives to enhance NATO'scapabilities in monitoring and protecting critical maritime infrastructurein the Baltic Sea region ;Within the framework of the EU and NATO, we are strengthening ourresilience against hybrid attacks: antagonistic actions aimed at destabilising oursocieties, such as cyberattacks, disinformation and the sabotage of criticalinfrastructure. NATO’s enhanced activities following the recent damage tounderwater cables in the Baltic Sea region are a testament to the Alliance’scohesion, speed and strength. We are also working to ensure that NATOstrengthens its deterrence of hybrid attacks. Security cooperation in ourneighbourhood should be intensified further .In March 2025 , the Government assigned the Coast Guard to be the nationaloperational contact point for NATO's Critical Undersea Infrastructure Network(CUIN) in close cooperation with the Swedish Armed Forces. The sameassignment also includes coordinating t he national implementation of the EU'sMaritime Security Strategy, EUMSS, with its associated action plan, andSweden Page 34152 (64)participating in the EU's common platform for information sharing, theCommon Information Sharing Environment, the CISE cooperation.The Government has recently assigned the Swedish Armed Forces and theCoast Guard to strengthen their operational cooperation for an increasedcollective capability for maritime surveillance in both peace and crisis, as well asduring high alert and in the event of war. The authorities are to develop a jointaction plan with measures for improved resource utilization within theframework of the authorities' regular assignments regarding maritimesurveillance.Sweden Page 34253 (64)40. Raising situational awareness and increasing societal resilience: Payparticular attention to raising situational awareness and increasingsocietal resilience to respond to hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea region.(WG) ;Recent events concerning critical underwater infrastructure (CUI) in t he BalticSea have heightened situational awareness both in Sweden and across the BSRregion. This has fostered a shared sense of urgency and underscored theimportance of ongoing efforts to strengthen societal resilience and withstandhybrid threats withi n NATO as well as through other multilateral cooperations(Haga, Nordefco, NB8) and bilateral agreements.41. Enhance Maritime Infrastructure Governance and LegislativeAlignment: Harmonise national definitions and legislative frameworksfor critical maritime infrastructure across the Baltic Sea region. Establisha cohesive governance structure to oversee the prot ection of maritimeinfrastructure, ensuring consistent and coordinated legislative measuresto enhance security and resilience against threats ;At the time of writing, the integration of highly relevant EU -legislation om thismatter into Swedish legislatio n is being investigated. The CER and NIS2directives are of great importance in this field, and their implementation isfollowed closely in order to detect any potential need for further legislation inthis field. New legislation must, however, follow from a thorough analysis andneeds assessment.Sweden Page 34354 (64)NATO remains vigilant in case there is need for additional measures tostrengthen allied security, including in the Baltic Sea. The Alliance will also workto deploy innovative solutions and develop new technolo gies for surveillanceand undersea monitoring. NATO has recently launched “Task Force X”, aninitiative focusing on delivering high -tech maritime systems to detect and trackthreats and safeguard undersea infrastructure. Task Force X will initially deployto the Baltic Sea (although over time the initiative is designed to be applicableand scalable across regions).In addition to increased surveillance and presence in the Baltic Sea, Sweden istaking measures to increase both deterrence and resilience when it comes tounderwater infrastructure, together with our allied neighbouring countries.Measures to increase the security in the region involve several actors, bothnationally and internationally, such as several authorities in several countries and– not least – the private sector. A main task is to strengthen the cooperationbetween those actors. Further work is needed to strengthen our situationalawareness, our crisis management capacity, and our redundancy and repaircapacity. An important step is to create clearer points of contact at strategic andoperational levels. The EU preparedness strategy proposes among other thingsto define on the EU level the vital societal and governmental functions and thedevelopment of EU level minimum preparedness req uirements.The Critical Entities Resilience Directive lays the foundation for identifyingresilience in socially important activities. Intensive work is underway in memberstates to implement the CER directive. EU preparedness requirements can haveadded value compared to NATO in protection of critical infras tructure.Sweden Page 34455 (64)EU has several work strands, and one is the EU's maritime security strategy.The issue of protecting maritime infrastructure is a priority in the EUMSS,including through information exchange between competent national systems.The platform for this information exchange is CISE, Common InformationSharing Environment.The CISE system processes information for customs and border control,fisheries surveillance, environmental protection and, for current reasons,protection of critical maritime infrastructure and the shadow fleet. CISE is alsoalready a network for civil -military cooperation, since participating authoritieswith respective maritime surveillance systems come from both civilian andmilitary authorities in the Member State s. Cooperation between civilian andmilitary authorities is one of the cornerstones of the EU's maritime securitystrategy. In particular, the connection between the military cooperation withinMaritime Surveillance, MARSUR and CISE is a stated deliverable in the actionplan.NATO has established a network, the Critical Undersea Infrastructure Network(CUIN), to improve the security of underwater infrastructure such as cables andpipelines. The network focuses on sharing information and raising awareness ofpotential threats. The network is divided into two parts, strategic andoperational. A centre (Maritime Centre for Security of Critical UnderseaInfrastructure) located at NATO Maritime Command (MARCOM) inNorthwood, UK, acts as a hub to coordinate effort s and monitor the security ofunderwater infrastructure.The BSRBCC (Baltic Sea Region Border Control Cooperation) is anotherregional cooperation that deals with maritime security, including protection ofSweden Page 34556 (64)critical maritime infrastructure. BSRBCC is regard ed as a flexible regional toolfor daily inter -agency interaction to combat primarily cross border crime andenvironmental protection of the maritime areas. BSRBCC also produce anannual threat assessment (ATA) for the Baltic Sea Region.Through the estab lishment of EU Hybrid Rapid Response, a supportmechanism that can adapt to different hybrid threats and draw on relevantsector -specific civilian and military expertise can be mobilised.Both EU and NATO can mobilise support beyond the national capabilit ies.Since the beginning of the year, NATO has strengthened maritime surveillancein the Baltic Sea through Operation Baltic Sentry. The operation is areinforcement of the military presence in the Baltic Sea area that aims tocontribute to a better situa tional picture and deter hostile activities from a stateor non -state actor. Sweden has provided contributions since the operationbegan with corvettes, various types of support vessels and a radarreconnaissance aircraft. The Swedish incident fighter has also been prepared toassist if needed. The operation also represents a clear signal of the alliance'sability to react quickly to this type of event.Exchange of information for the purpose of dealing with threats and otherchallenges in the maritime do main is in place today.Therefore, the Swedish government has tasked the Swedish Coast Guard toenhance Sweden's participation in international collaborations within theagency's area of operation. This mandate includes serving as the operationalcontact point for NATO's network for the protection of critical underwaterSweden Page 34657 (64)infrastructure (CUI network), coordinating the national implementation of theEU's maritime security strategy (EUMSS) and its associated action plan,connecting Sweden to the Common Informa tion Sharing Environment (CISE)network, and serving as the operational contact point in the cooperation for theprotection of infrastructure in the North Sea (Joint Declaration on CooperationRegarding Protection of Infrastructure in the North Sea).The G overnment has tasked the Swedish Armed Forces and the Coast Guardto strengthen their operational cooperation for an increased collective capabilityfor maritime surveillance both in peacetime and at high alert and in the event ofwar.42. Invest in Advan ced Surveillance and Early Detection Systems: Investin advanced surveillance technologies, such as sensors, hydroacousticsystems, and unmanned subsea drones, for real -time monitoring ofmaritime infrastructure. Promote the integration of these technologi esinto new and existing infrastructure to establish a comprehensive earlywarning and rapid response system, minimising the risk and impact ofgrey zone attacks ;Linked to the paragraphs 27, 40, 42 and the several cable incidents in the BalticSea recent years the ability for, what we in Sweden call the Civil Defence, tomeet hybrid threats is high on the agenda. Action is being taken in several areasand at differ ent levels.Sweden Page 34758 (64)Sweden welcomes and supports initiatives to deploy technologies forsurveillance and early warning detection systems. Sweden views the deploymentof naval drones as a vital component for enhancing surveillance capabilities andcountering poten tial threats. Force X (TF -X), an initiative to develop anoperational autonomous task force that will provide an enhanced, visible andpersistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability that,alongside conventional forces, will help detect, disrupt, and deter maliciousactivities/threats43. Foster Public -Private Partnerships for Maritime Security: Advocatefor the establishment of robust public -private partnerships to enhancecooperation and information sharing between governments and privatesector stakeholders involved in maritime infrastructure. Develop jointsecurity protocols and investment strategies to incentivise privatecompanies to implement advanced security measures, ensuring mutualbenefits and enhanced protection of cr itical infrastructure ;In the Swedish telecommunications sector, there is a well-established forum forpublic -private partnership in preparedness planning. On May 1st 2025 a law thatmade collaboration in the group mandatory entered into force. The group i schaired by the Swedish Post - and telecom authority (PTS). PTS alsocollaborates and funds robustness measures for privately owned infrastructurein the sector, i.e. underwater infrastructure.Sweden Page 34859 (64)44. Develop Regional Contingency and Rapid Repair Capabilities:Encourage the further development of regional contingency plans andrapid repair capabilities for maritime infrastructure. Invest in dedicatedrepair ships and coordinated response strategies acro ss the members ofthe BSPC to ensure swift restoration of damaged infrastructure, reducingthe effectiveness and appeal of hybrid grey zone attacks ;At present the repair capabilities in Northern Europe is a bottleneck. Sweden isinterested in exploring th e possibility for increased cooperation within this field.NATO’s concept of resilience recognizes the need for a whole of governmentapproach in matters of preparedness. This is also in line with the Swedishconcept of Total defence, that recognizes civil capabilities as crucial forresilience. It is important that EU and NATO efforts in this area arecomplementary.Sweden is currently exploring options for a heavy climate -neutral polar researchvessel for the toughest possible ice conditions, including fo r supporting repairand cable -laying operations. This work aims to present possible solutions foracquisition, financing and operation of such a vessel by April 2025.Sweden Page 34960 (64)Regarding Climate Change to45. Implement HELCOM’s Climate Change -related Recommendations:Emphasise the urgency of enhancing climate resilience through thecontinued implementation of HELCOM’s Climate Change Fact Sheetrecommendations and the Baltic Sea Action Plan’s climate -relatedactions;Sweden is actively working together with other parties to Helcom to implementthe general climate related measures HT1 -5. Increased climate resilience as wellas securing natural mitigation by the ecosystem will be achieved throughimproving the general status of the Baltic Sea ecosystem. The Swedishgovernment has tas ked the Swedish water and marine authority to coordinatethe implementation of the 2021 BSAP nationally but all relevant authorities areinvolved in this work. The Swedish government has also presented a marine billon the governance of the marine environm ent that after approvement of theparliament is being implemented. Both of these initiatives will contribute.Sweden Page 35061 (64)46. Promote Renewable Energy Development: Support the deployment ofoffshore renewables and decarbonised fuels, such as renewable hydrogen- with strong regard for the biodiversity of the sea -, and set ambitioustargets for renewable energy capacity to drive the clean transition andcontribute to global climate goals ;Sweden has an almost fossil -free electricity mix thanks to its high share ofrenewables and nuclear power and already meets the renewable energy targetsset by the EU:s Renewable Energy Directive.Additionally, Sweden actively participates in Nordic energy researchcooperation through institutions like Nordic Energy Research (NEF),NordForsk, and the Nordic Innovation Center (NICe). Through itsparticipation in NEF, Sweden has contributed to strengthening Nordic energyresearch by establishing new programs in collaboration with other researchfunders, focusing on areas such as hydrog en clusters, fossil -free shipping,researcher mobility and solutions to major energy challenges.Sweden Page 35162 (64)47. Develop Coastal Management Plans: Urge the implementation andupdating of comprehensive coastal management plans, building oneffective measures observe d in the past year that protect and restorecoastal ecosystems. Highlight the importance of protecting these areasas carbon sinks and buffer zones against sea -level rise ;In the Swedish government ́s National strategy and the government's actionplan for climate adaptation, adopted in 2024, the government underline theimportance of increasing the resilience of the seas, strengthening conditions forviable ecosystems with great diversity and sustainable development of the blueeconomy. Sweden work towa rds expanding and strengthening the protection ofmarine areas to contribute to achieving the goal of 30 percent marine areaprotection by 2030, with the aim of forming a representative, ecologicallycoherent, and functional network. Marine spatial plannin g plays a guiding role inhow the sea is utilized and needs to account for a changing climate, forexample, by considering the need for climate refuges to protect individualspecies. The government also identify the need for Increased attention for thecreation of green infrastructure in coastal zones. The government assesses thatimproved knowledge about the impact of climate change on marine and waterenvironments is central to increasing preparedness and further developingadaptive management from source to sea.Sweden Page 35263 (64)48. Implement the Raised Calls for Action: Rigorously continue toimplement the far -reaching calls for action of the 32nd BSPC resolutionregarding climate change and biodiversity ;Sweden remains committed to the calls for action outlined in th e 32nd BSPCresolution regarding climate change and biodiversity. Sweden is implementing awide variety of measures to promote the transition to fossil free solutions forthe maritime sector, including through government support schemes such asthe Climate Leap, and supporting research and development.In addition, in 2024, the Swedish government adopted a revised nationalstrategy and action plan for climate adaptation. It outlines measures to reducevulnerability to climate change and promote a structured and coordinatedclimate adaptation effort at the national, regional and municipal levels.In the Swedish government ́s National strategy and the government's actionplan for climate adaptation, adopted in 2024, the government underline theimportance of i ncreasing the resilience of the seas, strengthening conditions forviable ecosystems with great diversity and sustainable development of the blueeconomy. Sweden work towards expanding and strengthening the protection ofmarine areas to contribute to achie ving the goal of 30 percent marine areaprotection by 2030, with the aim of forming a representative, ecologicallycoherent, and functional network. Marine spatial planning plays a guiding role inhow the sea is utilized and needs to account for a changing climate, forexample, by considering the need for climate refuges to protect individualspecies. The government also identify the need for Increased attention for thecreation of green infrastructure in coastal zones. The government assesses thatimproved knowledge about the impact of climate change on marine and waterSweden Page 35364 (64)environments is central to increasing preparedness and further developingadaptive management from source to sea.Furthermore, the Conference Decides to49. welcome with gratitude the kind offer by the Parliament of Åland tohost the 34th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Mariehamn on 24 -26 August 2025 ;-