Baltic 21 statement
to the Ministerial Session during the 24^th Meeting of the Helsinki Commission

Bremen, Germany, 25 June 2003

Madam Chair,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Baltic 21 is honoured to participate in this meeting and to deliver this statement on behalf of several Intergovernmental Organisations that enjoy an observer status with the Helsinki Commission.

Let me start by congratulating HELCOM on progress in its efforts to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea area. Equally commendable is HELCOM's continually broadening approach to this demanding task by increasingly addressing the three dimensions of sustainable development. We all know that sustainable development is not yet a reality in our region and that much remains to be done before it is achieved. This is a demanding challenge that requires, inter alia, involvement of all actors having competence in this area. The Baltic Sea Region is known for its rich regional co-operation on many different levels, ranging from the Prime ministers' level down to the grass-root level. Within this broad spectrum, governments play an imperative role, not least through various intergovernmental organisations such as HELCOM and its IGO-observers. Regarding the latter, considering that Baltic 21 has been given the privilege to make a statement as the only IGO-observer, I would like to acknowledge the work being done by some observers from this group ⁽¹⁾:

⁽¹⁾ The information originates from the respective organisations

• The Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas (UNEP/ASCOBANS) spares no effort to achieve a favourable conservation status for the highly endangered harbour porpoises in the Baltic. The ASCOBANS Recovery Plan for Harbour Porpoises in the Baltic Sea, known as the Jastarnia Plan, may offer the last chance to save these animals from extinction. The adoption of the plan by ASCOBANS Parties at their meeting in August of this year will be an important milestone on the road to conserving the only cetacean species native to the Baltic. The elaboration of this plan, in which ASCOBANS took the lead with HELCOM lending valuable support, clearly illustrates the benefits to be derived from co-operation and division of labour between international organisations operating in the Baltic region. ASCOBANS looks forward to continued and enhanced co-operation with HELCOM and other regional players for the benefit of small cetaceans and the environment of the Baltic Sea area as a whole;

• The Baltic Sea Fishery Commission (IBSFC), the Lead Party for the Baltic 21 Fisheries Sector, is continuing its efforts to improve the state of fish stocks in the Baltic Sea. The IBSFC Salmon Action Plan 1997-2010 has already significantly contributed to the improvement of most of the wild salmon stocks in the Baltic. The IBSFC is also focusing its efforts on the recovery of the cod stocks, as they have been in a poor state for many years. It is worth noting that UNEP in its 2001 world-wide review on Ecosystem Based Management of Fisheries referred to the pioneering work of the IBSFC;

• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is also a Baltic 21 member, has been extensively involved through its UNEP/GRID-Arendal Office in monitoring and assessment in the Baltic Sea Region. While recognising HELCOM's efforts in this field, UNEP is eagerly awaiting on-going revisions of reporting procedures to meet the demands of decision makers, international institutions and the public at large;

• The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference focuses its attention on maritime safety in the Baltic Sea area. It is particularly interested in: (I) establishing a model for auditing flag states, (ii) having some areas of the Baltic Sea designated as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA), (iii) swiftly and uniformly improving the safety level of Baltic Sea ports, (iv) implementing as quickly as possible Directive 2000/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27^th November 2000 on port reception facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues, (v) developing regional plans within the respective national territorial waters, and (vi) the introduction of joint regional planning strategies in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) countries bordering the Baltic Sea.

Last, but not least, I would like to mention Baltic 21. Our network consists of almost forty members, among them the Helsinki Commission, who have chosen to collectively work for sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region by focusing on eight sectors, spatial planning and several cross-sectoral areas. There are several sectors addressed by Baltic 21 that have immediate relevance to the HELCOM work and where HELCOM can contribute its expertise. Let me mention, for example, an ongoing project named “New Hansa of Sustainable Ports and Cities”, where the Baltic 21 Transport sector and city interests meet together. This is a joint endeavour of 15 ports and port cities - members of the Union of the Baltic Cities - aimed at improved environmental policies and sustainable development at all ports of the Baltic Sea. The project concentrates on harmonising and strengthening policies and practices to reduce air emissions, wastewater discharges and the amount of solid waste generated by vessels, and on improving reception practices of ship-generated waste at ports. On a strategic level the most important outcome of the project will be a joint policy document - the Baltic Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Ports.

Finally, let me mention the “Baltic 21 Report 2000 - 2002: Towards Sustainable Development in the Baltic Sea Region”, which you have before you. Monitoring and assessing the region's progress towards sustainable development is one important task for Baltic 21, and this report is the most recent product of our work in this field. Based on the lessons learned from the implementation of the Baltic 21 Action Programme, this report endeavours to point out the main challenges for the Baltic 21 process as well as to identify the prerequisites and warranted actions for guaranteeing increased momentum of this process.

Madam Chair,

The last decade witnessed a spectacular mushrooming of organisations and networks in the Baltic Sea Region. This present decade will witness an unprecedented enlargement of the European Union, which calls for consideration of better prioritisation, streamlining and co-ordination of regional co-operation. It is clear that the ability of our region to reach sustainability depends largely on the active participation of all actors involved, be it at the national, regional or local level, among the business community, or among civil society in general. An improved policy dialogue of the respective international organisations and networks would be an essential factor here, which should lead to strengthened partnership around a shared set of priorities and objectives, and raising sustainable development goals to the top of their agendas. Ultimately, these priorities and objectives should be effectively integrated into the implementation processes that are run by these organisations and networks, thereby ensuring greater coherence and consistence of regional efforts. One important role for HELCOM in this effort is curbing environmental pressures and preserving natural resources within the framework of sustainable development policies, as without this economic and social development will never be sustainable in the long run. Baltic 21 recognises and appreciates HELCOM's contribution to achieving the goal of sustainable development in our region and looks forward to HELCOM's continued efforts, not least in co-operation with other Baltic 21 members.

Thank you for your attention.