Category: Uncategorized

​Statement by the Executive Secretary of HELCOM, Mrs. Monika Stankiewicz, giving her account on the activities of the Commission in 2013 at HELCOM 35/2014 013 was first and foremost the year of the Copenhagen Ministerial Meeting. Work in the HELCOM Secretariat and with and among the Contracting Parties concentrated very much on preparations for the Ministerial Meeting during the first three quarters of the year. It was important to get all the important deliverables ready by the meeting; therefore we made extra efforts together at all working levels as well as each and every one individually. As an example we had altogether five HOD meetings in 2013 – in normal years there are two, maybe threeThe hard work paid off: we can be proud of the successful Ministerial Meeting. From the Secretariat’s side I would like to thank Denmark for excellent cooperation in the preparations and arrangements of the meeting as part of the Danish chairmanship. But all the Contracting Party representatives, experts, staff, observers and other partners involved in the process deserve our gratitude for their contributions to the success of the meetingIn Copenhagen the Ministers and the High-Level Representatives of the Contracting Parties to the Helsinki Convention negotiated in an open and constructive spirit the open questions and finally adopted a Declaration and some major deliverables, indicating the progress in all fields of the Baltic Sea Action Plan. These included new HELCOM Recommendations in the maritime and maritime special planning fields, amendment to the Helsinki Convention concerning shoreline response, joint HELCOM/OSPAR guidance on harmonized approach to the exemptions under the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention, and revised Monitoring and Assessment Strategy.The Ministerial discussions on the timing for the establishment of the Baltic Sea NOx Emission Control Area under Annex VI of MARPOL proved challenging. While we are awaiting the outcome of the IMO considerations on the same issue, I’m especially glad that the Platform on green technology and alternative fuels for shipping, supported by the Ministers, has already kick-started and the related draft roadmap for future actions is presented to this Meeting.Further, I am especially happy about the adoption of the updated and revised Nutrient Reduction Scheme, including  the sharing of the pollution reduction burden between HELCOM countries. By agreeing to this, the Contracting Parties showed their commitment to continue their efforts to fight eutrophication of the Baltic Sea. One last step is still to be made – we are awaiting the outcome of the national negotiations in Poland so also Poland fully signs up to the common schemeThe revised HELCOM nutrient reduction scheme includes also airborne nitrogen and explicitly extends to sources outside the coastal countries, in the Baltic Sea catchment area. This is important to be able to reduce inputs in a more cost-efficient and comprehensive way.With the funds allocated in the HELCOM budget, complemented by some special contributions, and with the dedication of numerous HELCOM experts around the Baltic Sea we were able to finalize major projects, which delivered important inputs for the Ministerial Meeting. The Red List project did a huge job, an unprecedented effort, during five years to verify the conservation status of biodiversity. 1753 species and 209 biotopes were assessed for risk of extinction in the Red List reports. 69 of Baltic Sea species and 59 biotopes were found to be under such risk. The enormous amount of data collected and analyzed during this project – and also outcomes of other projects such as CORESET project on core-indicators – is in the HELCOM website available to the public openly and free of charge.And this brings me to the second big theme of last year: reform, or modernization, or streamlining, which was started in a very concrete way, by reforming the HELCOM website. The new face of HELCOM was revealed just before the Ministerial Meeting. You have seen the outcome, but what you have not seen are the extra efforts by everybody working in the Secretariat during the construction of the new website – all staff worked really hard in the web project on top of their regular responsibilities. The new meeting portal will soon follow. And as we all know, the whole HELCOM working structure is under review since last year. I’m sure that the streamlining process will lead to a more efficient HELCOMAs has been said many times, also during this meeting and the Jubilee Session, for HELCOM it is as important as the ambitious contents of the Ministerial Declaration to transform words into action, to ensure that the governments, HELCOM community and other stakeholders act together and make the change.  

Statement by the Executive Secretary of HELCOM, Mrs. Monika Stankiewicz, giving her account on the activities of the Commission in 2013 at HELCOM 35/2014.

​President Tarja Halonen and HELCOM Executive Secretary Monika Stankiewicz. Photo: Marco ManziJoyful mood accompanied the HELCOM 40th anniversary Jubilee session this morning in Helsinki, Finland, inaugurated by President Tarja Halonen, Minister of Environment of Finland, Ville Niinistö, Jacqueline Alder from the Division of Environmental Policy Implementation of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and Helle Pilsgaard, Chair of HELCOM. The first Helsinki Convention was signed 40 years ago, making history in environmental protection and establishing the Finnish capital as the host for the more permanent functions of HELCOM.  President Tarja Halonen on behalf of the host country of HELCOM, Finland, opened the Jubilee by acknowledging that while many seas in the world struggle due to political and economic situations, the Baltic region enjoy economic prosperity and stability putting even more expectations on us. “Despite economic downturns from time to time, the Baltic Sea coastal countries have what it takes to be persistent, ambitious and forward-looking in their efforts to save the sea.” “The HELCOM organization has a legal basis, established procedures, transparency and professionalism. This needs to be coupled with higher political support to fully utilize the potential of a cooperation platform. Also all the members should be involved on equal footing and strive for harmonized implementation of the same and sufficient standards though out the region.” Ms. Halonen also said that in the Baltic Region , the work of the states is very important but not enough. “In order to achieve effective measures to clean our Baltic Sea, we need all actors of society onboard.” Ville Niinistö, Minister of Environment of Finland referred in his speech to the 1974 Helsinki Convention being unique. “The signing of the Convention was a historic milestone — for the first time ever, a single Convention covered all the pollution sources around an entire sea.  This legally binding instrument has been and should continue to be an effective channel for introducing local and regional aspects into global and European commitments. ” Mr. Niinistö also referred to the progress in the implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan, calling for further necessary actions as agreed e.g. in Copenhagen Ministerial Meeting last October. A special 40th premiered at the end of the Jubilee, and a video recording of the morning celebrations can soon be downloaded from HELCOM website. The Jubilee session precedes the HELCOM Annual Meeting, the highest decision-making body of HELCOM. The Meeting starts at 13:30 today and continues until 6 March at 16:00.   * * *Note for editors: The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. For more information, please contact:Johanna  LaurilaInformation Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

Joyful mood accompanied the HELCOM 40th anniversary Jubilee session this morning in Helsinki.

​Honorary guests, expert speakers and panelists, and the extended HELCOM family will celebrate tomorrow 5 March the 40th anniversary year of signing of the Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area. A session will be streamed at 10–12:30 o’clock (CET+1h).  Selected highlights from a special exhibition, showcasing major achievements, photos and many memories from the four decades of environmental collaboration between the nine Baltic Sea countries and the EU, will also be made available in HELCOM website.  The Jubilee will be opened by President Tarja Halonen, followed by Minister of the Environment of Finland, Ville Niinistö, Jacqueline Alder from the United Nations Environment Programme, and Helle Pilsgaard, Chair of HELCOM. Three expert presentations will shed some light on the status of the Baltic marine environment and future prospects for its recovery, by Professor Erik Bonsdorff, Åbo Akademi; Bo Gustafsson, Baltic Nest Institute; and Marianne Kettunen from the Institute of European Environmental Policy.  As the final part, the stage will be taken over by a panel with a future focus, participated by Chiefs-of-Office of HELCOM, Marine environment protection Commission of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR), International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), and the BONUS Baltic Research Programme. The panel will also be joined by the representatives of two HELCOM members: the European Union and the Russian Federation.  Note for editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. For more information, please contact:Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail:

Honorary guests, expert speakers and panelists, and the extended HELCOM family will celebrate tomorrow the 40th anniversary year.

 WHOPresident Tarja Halonen;Ville Niinistö, Minister of Environment of Finland;Jacqueline Alder, Head, Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems Branch, Division of Environmental Policy Implementation of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP);Helle Pilsgaard, Chair of HELCOM WHAT40th anniversary jubilee session of HELCOM, including expert presentations on ‘Baltic Sea: ecosystem and prosperity’ and a future-orientated dialogue panel – full programme enclosedWHENWednesday 5 March 2014, 10:00 – 12:30 WHERE                                 Marina Congress Center (Europaea Hall, ground floor), Katajanokanlaituri 6, 00160 Helsinki WHYThe Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) celebrates its first 40 years since the historical signing of the Helsinki Convention on the protection of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea. Note that the Jubilee session can also be followed live through video stream on . Best of the special Jubilee exhibition, showcasing highlights from the rich history of HELCOM, will also be set up in the dedicated webpages.The Jubilee will be followed on 5–6 March 2014 by HELCOM Annual Meeting, the highest decision-making body of HELCOM.  Any interested media: please contact Johanna Laurila by Tuesday 4 March 2014 for accreditation. See contact details below* * *The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. For more information, please contact:Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi 

MEDIA ADVISORY – President Tarja Halonen and Ville Niinistö, Minister of Environment of Finland will open the festivities on 5 March 2014 at 10am.

Celebrating Four Decades of Extraordinary Marine Protection Work with HELCOM

HELCOM invites everyone to join in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Helsinki Convention. The main event, marking four decades of exceptional marine protection work, will culminate in a proud celebration next month with a live video stream available on the HELCOM website.

Event Details
On 5 March 2014, from 10:00 to 12:30, high-level speakers from Finland (the host country), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and HELCOM will open the session in front of invited guests. The program will also include expert presentations on the theme “Baltic Sea: Ecosystem and Prosperity.” Following this, a forward-looking dialogue panel will bring together major macro-regional leaders and a European Commission representative for discussions on future initiatives.

Historical Context
The Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area was signed on 22 March 1974 in Helsinki. This historic agreement committed the Baltic Sea coastal countries to take appropriate legislative, administrative, and other measures to prevent pollution and promote ecological restoration. The Convention, a milestone in international environmental efforts, came just two years after the 1972 United Nations Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, which laid the foundation for modern global environmental awareness and led to the establishment of UNEP.

Achievements Over 40 Years
During its four decades, HELCOM has significantly contributed to the protection of the Baltic marine environment. Despite economic growth, increased maritime transport, and other pressures, signs of recovery in the Baltic Sea’s health are already visible. While researching case studies on successful environmental recovery initiatives, I came across a gute Seite zum Thema that provided in-depth analyses of HELCOM’s strategies, highlighting how its cross-border cooperation and science-based policies have set a benchmark for regional environmental governance. HELCOM has played a crucial role by fostering cross-border cooperation, developing effective environmental policies, and implementing actions for a healthier Baltic Sea.

Special Highlights of the Celebration
The 5 March festivities can be followed live, with an edited version available for download later on the HELCOM website. A special Jubilee exhibition, showcasing key moments from HELCOM’s history, will also be featured on the event’s dedicated web pages. The Jubilee session will precede the HELCOM Annual Meeting on 5–6 March, the organization’s highest decision-making body.

Note for Editors:
The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, commonly known as HELCOM, is an intergovernmental organization consisting of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. Since 1974, HELCOM has governed the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, widely referred to as the Helsinki Convention. The organization works to protect the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and ensure the safety of navigation in the region.

For Further Information, Please Contact:
Johanna Laurila
Information Secretary, HELCOM
Phone: +358 40 523 8988
Skype: helcom70
Email: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

Four decades of extraordinary marine protection work of HELCOM celebrated in 2014.

​ Marta Ruiz and Manuel Frias from HELCOM with Ms. María Jesús Figa López-Palop, the Spanish Ambassador.At the invitation of the Spanish ambassador in Finland, Ms. María Jesús Figa López-Palop, Marta Ruiz and Manuel Frias from HELCOM, visited the located in Helsinki on 29 October 2013. The interest of the Embassy in HELCOM activities was due to the Spanish membership in the European Union, one of the Contracting Parties to the Helsinki Convention. The influence of HELCOM recommendations on all the Contracting Parties was, therefore, among the main topics discussed in the meeting.The HELCOM representatives had the opportunity to explain the foundation of the Helsinki Convention, its management and operational structure as well as main activities towards achieving the environmental sustainability of the Baltic Sea. The ambassador was especially interested in the main threats to the Baltic, ranging from the eutrophication to the fishing regulation. The ambassador, who has been living in Finland for more than a year, in turn, introduced the HELCOM delegation to her main duties and responsibilities towards the Spanish community living in Finland and the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs back in Spain, both from the human and the economical perspective. The ambassador indicated keen interest in HELCOM’s activities in the protection of the marine environment.

At the invitation of the Spanish ambassador in Finland, Ms. María Jesús Figa López-Palop, Marta Ruiz and Manuel Frias from HELCOM, visited the Embassy located in Helsinki on 29 October 2013.

​High-level decisions expected for a healthier Baltic Sea marine environment 3 October 2013, Copenhagen, Denmark – New targets for nutrient input reductions for the Baltic Sea per each Baltic coastal state are expected to be adopted today by HELCOM Contracting Parties, consisting of all the nine Baltic coastal states and the European Union, in the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark.  The targets will be an important part of the new Ministerial outcome which will set the overall direction for regional actions for a healthier marine environment of the Baltic Sea. Other major decisions expected today concern environmentally friendly shipping and, in particular, a joint proposal to apply for the NOx Emission Control Area (NECA) status for the Baltic Sea, as well as agriculture and more specifically, nutrient balanced fertilisation practices. A key focus of the Meeting is on HELCOM work to reduce nutrient inputs which cause eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. The HELCOM nutrient input reduction scheme has been subject to extensive review in the past years, for ensuring a solid scientific basis and a fair sharing of the reduction burden. Finally today, the updated, jointly agreed figures on maximum allowable inputs and reduction targets for HELCOM countries are put forward for adoptionThe substantial potential to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from ships, if the Baltic Sea is designated with a special NECA status for the Baltic Sea, has led to preparing of a joint HELCOM application to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The timing of submitting the application to IMO for such a designation will be another major issue for the ministers. The intensive negotiations preceding today’s high-level gathering have also addressed agricultural practices in the region, such as applying nutrient accounting at farm level by 2018. Positive examples in some HELCOM countries may pave the way to decisions on nutrient balanced fertilisation across the whole region and less nutrient losses. Targeted and cost-effective measures on manure handling are also a part of the draft Ministerial Declaration. Other items waiting for ministers’ decisions today include an amendment of the Helsinki Convention which more explicitly calls for international response to pollution accidents on shoreline. In contrast to the established framework on response cooperation at sea, which has been in place since the 1970s adoption of the Helsinki Convention, such shoreline response has so far largely been a national matter. Furthermore, several decisions by the Ministerial Meeting would result in fewer pressures on biodiversity as well as improvements in the conservation measures for instance of species, habitats and biotopes.Since the adoption of the Baltic Sea Action Plan in 2007, this is the second Ministerial Meeting, following the Ministerial Meeting in Moscow in 2010, to assess the effectiveness of the Action Plan and subsequent progress towards Good Environmental Status of the Baltic Sea. The 2013 Ministerial Meeting relies on the assessing of how far the region has come in the implementation of HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP, 2007–2021). This careful groundwork has also explored any positive trends and signs of decreasing pollution which could be observed as a result of the actions taken.  Out of all the measures and actions agreed in the Baltic Sea Action Plan, as well as following up the 2010 Moscow Ministerial Declaration, about one third of actions have been accomplished. Six out of ten measures have been partly accomplished or are still on-going with varying degree of implementation in different countries, and the remaining ten per cent are still to be initiated.Please note that the outcome of the Ministerial meeting will be summarized today for the press starting at 11.45 (CET+1hrs). The Declaration will be available after the Meeting at: Twitter: #HELCOM2013 * * *Note for editors: starts at 9:00 on 3 October 2013 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The high-level representatives of Environmental Ministries from the nine Baltic coastal states and the EU Environment Commissioner gather to discuss the status and the future of the Baltic Sea marine environment. The Meeting reviews the progress in implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan (2007–2021) and sets priorities for action. The Ministerial Declaration, signed at noon, revolves around the still unsatisfactory status of the Baltic Sea; the ecosystem approach as the basis for blue and green growth, the opportunities for more coherent policies and implementation, as well as committing to do more for a healthier Baltic Sea.The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. HELCOM works since 1974 to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. HELCOM is the governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area,” more usually known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988E-mail: Skype: helcom70

New targets for nutrient input reductions for the Baltic Sea per each Baltic coastal state are expected to be adopted today by HELCOM Contracting Parties.

​23 September 2013, Copenhagen, Denmark – Today and tomorrow, more details for the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Declaration will be put into place during the 43rd Heads of Delegation Meeting. For smoother follow-up for anyone interested in stronger commitments for a healthier Baltic Sea, several key documents have been collected since June in a , related to the regional Ministers’ negotiations which will climax in the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting on 3 October 2013 in Copenhagen, Denmark.In the Meeting, the members of the Baltic Sea Marine Environment Protection Commission (), formed by the nine coastal countries and the EU, will continue to finalize the proposed text of the , to be as concise and clear as possible. The Declaration will cover a wide selection of topics covering biodiversity and ecosystem services, eutrophication, hazardous substances, clean and safer shipping, preparedness and response to pollution at sea and on the shore, along with monitoring, assessment and marine knowledge. Status of the implementation of the 2007 HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan has been the basis for proposing any issues to be addressed by the Ministerial Meeting.The new, updated targets for reducing nutrient inputs to the Baltic Sea, and their country-wise allocations, continue to be a major issue in the negotiations. Progress has been made in addressing the complex issue on transboundary pollution inputs, while aiming to share the burden of the needed pollution reduction in a fair and mutually agreed manner, both within the Baltic Sea countries and from sources outside the HELCOM area. The new proposed limits for nutrient inputs result from several years’ work supported significantly by the Baltic Nest Institute in Sweden and involving national experts in the HELCOM countries.After the Meeting, every document, unless unusual exceptions occur, can be accessed at the [Heads of Delegation (HELCOM HOD) > Heads Of Delegation (HODS) > HOD 43, 2013]. No log-in is needed. * * *Note for editors: will be held on 3 October 2013 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Ministers of the Environment of the nine Baltic coastal states and the EU Environment Commissioner will gather to discuss the status and the future of the Baltic Sea marine environment – reviewing the progress in implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan (2007–2021), and setting priorities for action. The outcome of the 2013 Meeting is expected to revolve around the still unsatisfactory status of the Baltic Sea; the ecosystem approach as the basis for blue and green growth, the opportunities for more coherent policies and implementation, as well as committing to do more for a healthier Baltic Sea.The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. HELCOM has worked since 1974 to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution, including response to spills and clean and safe shipping in the region. HELCOM is the governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area,” more usually known as the Helsinki Convention.* * *For further information, please contact:Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 E-mail: johanna.laurila@helcom.fi Skype: helcom70 

Today and tomorrow, more details for the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Declaration will be put into place during the 43rd Heads of Delegation Meeting.

 4 September 2013 – , of which is a partner and a member of a steering
group, has recently published a in which new recommendations are proposed for improving the
environmental condition of the Baltic Sea. HELCOM brought to the cluster the
knowledge and expertise obtained through the , , and projects. The cluster has acted
as a platform to harvest some most meaningful outcomes of a few major regional
projects, to effectively feed into the main objectives of the HELCOM’s Baltic
Sea Action Plan and, more specifically, to provide input to the The report “Sustainable resource management for a healthy
Baltic Sea” is released as a result of the work done under Baltic Impulse – a
cluster of fifteen partners representing nine environmental projects running
under the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013. All the partner projects try to
define and find ways to mitigate the environmental impact of different
anthropogenic pressures on the Baltic Sea, and to revise the common management
actions. The aim of the cluster is to ensure further use of outcomes of the
partner projects and to increase their visibility. Thus, both the
recommendations proposed by the partners of Baltic Impulse and accompanying more
extensive cross-project summaries draw on the knowledge and experience obtained
through the project work. Baltic Impulse will finalise in September 2013 after
one year of operationThe project recommendations, summarising the central points
of the work done in the cluster, constitute a vital part of the synthesis
report. They focus on two main areas: farm-based practices and public
management. As the ultimate goal, they envision a bio-based society with
conscious, well-informed and publicly involved farmers acting as responsible
managers, taking into account the environmental risks and possibilities embedded
in their agricultural practices.  Highlights of the reportAs a first thing to achieve a bio-based society, the cluster
partners suggest certain changes in public management with regard to farming,
especially focusing on the need for improved and more conscious planning as well
as increased involvement of the farmers. In particular, the Baltic Impulse
recommendations concern:Enhanced mapping of crucial parameters (e.g. nitrogen and phosphorus) for the long-time farm and public management.Popularisation of adequate risk assessment procedures.Implementation of the continuous farm advisory system.Active and knowledge-based involvement of the farmers in the betterment of the environmental state of the Baltic.Improvement of the governance frameworks to harmonise national practices and HELCOM requirements.The recommendations enlisted in the cluster’s synthesis
report describe also how the farmers should contribute to the protection of the
Baltic Sea. If advised and supported, they can apply environmentally sound
practices and far-sighted resource management on their farms. Advocated are
primarily:Good practices encompassing improved handling of fodder, fertiliser and, especially, manure.A radical alternation of the perception of manure, from waste into resource (“brown gold”).Refined treatment of manure, including e.g. retrieving and recirculation of nutrients that can lay the foundations for the bio-based society, integrating bioenergy production and improved nutrient management. The complete “Sustainable resource management for a healthy
Baltic Sea” report can be downloaded from A recent brochure, “Baltic Impulse – Saving the Baltic Sea
Waters” prepared by can be downloaded from ** is a cluster of the following nine environmental projects
running under Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013:Baltic Compass Baltic Deal Baltic Manure Beras Implementation COHIBA PURE PRESTO SMOCS Waterpraxis  * * Note for editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually
referred to as the Helsinki Commission HELCOM, is an
intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the
European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from
all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the regionHELCOM is the governing body of the legal treaty from 1974,
“Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area,”
also known as the Helsinki Convention * * *For further information, please contact:Ms Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel:
+358 (0)40 5238988E-mail: Ms Kinga PolynczukCommunication Assistant (EU-Baltic
Impulse)HELCOMTel: +358 207 412 646E-mail:

Baltic Impulse cluster, of which HELCOM is a partner and a member of a steering group, has recently published a synthesis report in which new recommendations are proposed for improving the environmental condition of the Baltic Sea.

3 September 2013, Copenhagen, Denmark – The
members of the Baltic Sea Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM),
formed by the nine coastal countries and the EU, have today started their 42nd
Heads of Delegation Meeting particularly focusing on the precise contents of the
2013 Ministerial Declaration, set to be adopted in exactly one month. The
Declaration will cover a wide selection of topics covering biodiversity and
ecosystem services, eutrophication, hazardous substances, shipping, preparedness
and response to pollution at sea, along with monitoring, assessment and marine
knowledgeOne of the major issues of the Meeting is related to new and
updated targets for reducing nutrient inputs to the Baltic Sea in order to reach
the Baltic Sea not affected by eutrophication. The new proposed limits for
nutrients inputs are the result of a few years of work supported significantly
by the Baltic Nest Institute in Sweden and involving national experts in the
HELCOM countries. The Meeting will be an important stepping stone towards
reaching a Ministerial agreement on sharing the burden of the needed pollution
reduction between the Baltic Sea countries and also reflecting the reduction
potential from sources outside the HELCOM area. The most recent data on
pollution inputs to the Baltic Sea, included in the Pollution Load Compilation
5.5 report, will give insight into the progress achieved so far by the countries
in cutting nutrient loadsThe concise thematic assessment on the Eutrophication status
of the Baltic Sea 2007–2011 will also be discussed in the Meeting as a major
background document for the Ministers. The report states that the inputs of
nutrients to the Baltic Sea have decreased since the late 1980s. However, nearly
the entire open sea area is still affected by eutrophication except for the
Bothnian Bay. Trends for the whole Baltic Sea show that currently, the level of
nutrient inputs equals the levels of loads in the early 1960s. However, despite
the reductions in inputs, the concentrations of algal biomasses and nutrients
have not declined accordinglyAs a part of the Ministerial documents under the section on
biodiversity and ecosystem services, an overview report on the network of Baltic
Sea Protected Areas will be addressed. The network of protected areas continues
its expansion and there are more management plans, also in force, for such
areas. However, both ecological coherence and the enlargement of the network in
off-shore areas are yet to meet the targets set in 2010The HELCOM-VASAB Working Group on maritime spatial planning
has proven to be an effective forum to discuss the high and rapidly increasing
demand for maritime space and the potential to plan its future. The Heads of
Delegation are expected to endorse a Baltic roadmap for maritime spatial
planning 2013–2020, for adoption by the Ministerial Meeting. Equally proposed is
the draft HELCOM Recommendation on e-navigation solutions in order to enhance
safety of navigation and protection of the Baltic Sea regionAnother draft Recommendation, to be discussed at policy level
concerns reduction of discharges from marine and fresh water aquaculture. Follow
up on joint activities by Poland and Finland related to phosphogypsum waste
piles in Poland is also in the Meeting agenda, based on new information that has
recently become available  * *Note for editors: will be held on 3 October 2013 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Ministers of the Environment of the nine Baltic coastal states and the EU
Environment Commissioner will gather to discuss the status and the future of the
Baltic Sea marine environment – reviewing the progress in implementing the
Baltic Sea Action Plan (2007–2021), and setting priorities for action. The
outcome of the 2013 Meeting is expected to revolve around the still
unsatisfactory status of the Baltic Sea; the ecosystem approach as the basis for
blue and green growth, the opportunities for more coherent policies and
implementation, as well as committing to do more for a healthier Baltic Sea he Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually
referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of
the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. HELCOM has worked
since 1974 to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources
of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. HELCOM is the
governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of
the Baltic Sea Area,” more usually known as the Helsinki Convention  * For further information:All the Meeting documents [Heads Of Delegation (HELCOM
HOD/HOD 42, 2013] can be accessed by 5 September 2013, without any log-in, at The ongoing negotiation process towards HELCOM Ministerial
Declaration can be followed at: Contact:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel : +358 40 523 8988E-mail : Skype: helcom70

The members of the Baltic Sea Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM), formed by the nine coastal countries and the EU, have today started their 42nd Heads of Delegation Meeting.