Baltic Marine Environment
Protection Commission

 

Baltic Marine Environment
Protection Commission

    Baltic Sea Day 2019

    The XX Anniversary International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day”(BSD 2019) will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia from 21 to 22 March 2019. It will look back on 20 years of its existence, notably celebrating HELCOM-supported achievements towards improving the environment of the Baltic Sea during that period.

    The Forum traditionally aligns with the current HELCOM work, with a central emphasis on the Baltic Sea Action Plan themes, as well as regional cooperation on Baltic Sea environmental matters. 

    For this special 20thanniversary edition of the Baltic Sea Day Forum, particular attention will be given to the HELCOM-supported initiatives that have been realized within the twenty years of the Forum’s existence. HELCOM has been a partner of the Forum since its beginnings. To mark the occasion, an anniversary booklet will be published, and an award ceremony will be held to honour the long-time partners of the Baltic Sea Day Forum.

    The agenda of the Baltic Sea Day Forum 2019

    The agenda of the 2019 Forum will, among other themes, address the issue of sustainable development for the Baltic Sea, the Baltic Sea Action Plan and its update, as well as contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. 

    Nutrient recycling will also feature high on the agenda of the BSD 2019. This in line with the commitments made at the 2018 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting on elaborating, by 2020, a Baltic Sea Regional Nutrient Recycling Strategy to reduce nutrient inputs to and eutrophication of the Baltic Sea. At BSD 2019, the Baltic Sea Regional Nutrient Recycling Strategy will be specifically addressed in panel discussions. 

    Moreover, other topics such as biodiversity conservation, fisheries in the Baltic Sea, environmental consequences of physical damage to the sea floor, marine litter will also be included in programmes of round table sessions during the Forum. The latest version of the programmes of plenary and expert sessions are available on the Forum website.

    Announced at the 54thMeeting of the HELCOM Heads of Delegation (HELCOM HOD 54-2018), the Baltic Sea Day Forum was included in the HELCOM meeting list.

    About the Baltic Sea Day Forum

    The Baltic Sea Day Forum has been held since 2000 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. During its 20-year history, it has become a key platform for the environmental dialogue at the regional and global level. Since its beginnings, the Baltic Sea Day Forum has attracted participants from all sectors and with a wide range of backgrounds from all over the Baltic Sea region and beyond, supporting a continuous and fruitful cooperation for a healthy Baltic Sea. In the best tradition of sharing experiences, raising awareness, fostering discussion, and presenting achievements and future plans, the Forum has actively contributed towards the ambitious goals for the conservation and protection of the Baltic Sea environment.

    Coordination

    The Forum is coordinated by the Government of St. Petersburg and the State Company “Mineral”, with support from HELCOM, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Russian Federation, and the Committee for Nature Use, Environmental Protection and Ecological Safety of St. Petersburg.

    About Mineral

    The state company “Mineral” has been officially designated as the national coordinator of the HELCOM activities in the Russian Federation by the Ministry of natural resources and environment of the Russian Federation in May 2017. One of the tasks to be fulfilled is the organization of the annual International Environmental Forum Baltic Sea Day.

    Registration

    Registration for the Forum-2019 is open until 28 February 2019 on the Forum website.  

    Proposals, requests and contacts

    Requests can be sent to the Organizing Committee located at State Company Mineral via e-mail: