Towards a sea unaffected by hazardous substances: The ‘One Baltic’ approach
HELCOM Stakeholder Conference 2025 is a one-day online event focusing on hazardous substances, taking place on 31 March 2025 at 10:00 to 16:00 EEST (Helsinki time).
Hazardous substances (chemical contaminants/pollution) frequently enter the Baltic Sea, placing immense pressure on its ecosystems. Over 100,000 chemicals are commercially available across Europe, most of which are rarely monitored in the marine environment, and many of which have unknown toxicity or transformation products. Although several legacy chemicals have been banned and EU regulations have improved the management framework, the ongoing release of many compounds remains a significant threat to the Baltic Sea ecosystem.
The conference will review the latest advancements in applying a new holistic approach to managing hazardous substances, to ensure the health of the Baltic Sea through the ‘One Baltic’ approach. Building on existing knowledge, it will identify ways a broad stakeholder community can support key actions toward the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) goal ‘a Baltic Sea unaffected by hazardous substances’. The event is open to everyone, subject to pre-registration.
The conference will discuss the implementation of the BSAP actions on hazardous substances and the provisional actions of the Regional Action Plan on Hazardous Substances (RAP HAZ, to be finalised in 2025) to achieve HELCOM’s vision of a healthy Baltic Sea.
Programme (provisional)
All times are in EEST
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Welcome |
| 10:15 – 10:45 | Session 1: Hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea region – where do we stand now? o What is the current status of hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea? o The ’One Baltic’ approach – applying a strategic approach for hazardous substances management in the Baltic Sea |
| 10:45-12:00 | Session 2: Latest developments – what are the pressing issues? o What substances have been identified as worrisome in the region, and why? o The ripple effect: How recent PFAS regulations shape our view of Baltic Sea contamination o Pharmaceuticals in the Baltic Sea: Importance and risks o Cocktail effects of hazardous substances: The need for a holistic regional view |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lunch break |
| 13:00-15:45 | Session 3: How can we jointly achieve a healthy Baltic Sea? o Actions for a healthy Baltic Sea: Towards a common goal o Pitch presentations covering different themes, sectors or stakeholder groups o Building a ‘One Baltic’ vision. Breakout sessions and interactive stakeholder group discussions |
| 15:45-16:00 | Wrap up and next steps |
Contact
Eeva Nyyssönen
Communication Secretary, HELCOM
eeva.nyyssonen@helcom.fi
