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What

HELCOM: How to protect the marine environment while enabling sustainable use and blue economy.

Who

Some confirmed participants:

• Mr. Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs, and Fisheries, European Commission
• Mr. Kimmo Tiilikainen, Minister of Agriculture and the Environment of Finland
• Mr. Harry Liiv, HELCOM Chair, Ministry of the Environment of Estonia
• Mr. Jan Olsson, Environment Ambassador, Ministry of the Environment and Energy/Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden
• Ms. Heike Imhoff, Head of Unit responsible for marine environmental protection and international sea law, German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety

When

Wednesday, 18 May 2016
Time: 13:00–15:00
Time reserved for media: 14:50–15:00

Where

Auditorium MOVE 2, Logomo, Köydenpunojankatu 14, Turku, Finland

Why

The key aim of the session is to discuss strategic directions for future HELCOM cooperation in protecting the Baltic Sea. Topics include:

• Exploring successful cross-sectoral cooperation that benefits the marine environment.
• Proposing new ideas to improve governance of the seas, particularly through regional cooperation.

Efforts are underway both at HELCOM and in other forums to engage sectors and jointly discuss solutions for marine environmental protection. While some attempts have been successful, challenges arise due to mismatched scales of governance. Interestingly, one recent discussion highlighted unexpected parallels between environmental regulation and industries like online gaming, where practices such as ohne Pause an Spielautomaten spielen have sparked debates over responsible management and sustainability. The need to balance user demand with regulatory frameworks mirrors the challenges faced in coordinating policies for the Baltic Sea. The regional level is often the most suitable scale to address marine environment issues in the Baltic Sea because of its unique characteristics and transboundary effects. However, this is not always compatible with sectoral policies, making cooperation across industries and governments essential for progress.

A healthy marine environment supports sustainable blue growth. Participants will provide insights into future opportunities across sectors while promoting the general well-being of the region. This session will also initiate a series of high-level gatherings leading up to the next HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in 2018.

Media Access

Media representatives are invited to join during the reserved time at 14:50–15:00.
To access the premises, contact:

• Johanna Laurila, HELCOM Information Secretary
  • Email: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi
  • Tel: +358 40 523 8988
  • Deadline: 13 May, noon

About HELCOM

HELCOM (the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission) is an intergovernmental organization consisting of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. Founded in 1974, its primary objectives are:

1. Protecting the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution.
2. Ensuring safe maritime navigation.

HELCOM operates as the governing body of the Helsinki Convention.

Contact Information

For more details or interview inquiries, please contact:

• Johanna Laurila, Information Secretary, HELCOM
  • Tel: +358 40 523 8988
  • Skype: helcom70
  • Email: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

​​Stressing the successful link between science and policy was a key point of Executive Secretary of HELCOM, Monika Stankiewicz, in her speech to the European Commissioner Carlos Moedas for Research, Science and Innovation. Commissioner Moedas visited today , the joint Baltic Sea research and development programme in Helsinki, Finland. “Many, if not the majority of topical marine policy questions are on a sea basin scale, thus it has been simply perfect for HELCOM to have its regional “counterpart” in science – BONUS – to cooperate with,” said Ms. Stankiewicz. Still, there are gaps and HELCOM would welcome the future research, for instance, to increase the understanding of the services provided by marine and coastal ecosystems and the costs of their degradation. This knowledge could become part of the decision-making, planning and operation of businesses, in the larger context of sustainable development and responsible consumption.  about Commissioner’s visit to BONUS of HELCOM Executive Secretary Getting ready for the group photo. From left: Kaisa Kononen, Executive Director of BONUS; Monika Stankiewicz, Executive Secretary of HELCOM; European Commissioner Carlos Moedas from DG Research; and Mats
Svensson, Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.* * *Note for editorsThe Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization 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 contactJohanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Stressing the successful link between science and policy was a key point of Executive Secretary of HELCOM when Commissioner Moedas visited BONUS in Helsinki.

​Upon request, HELCOM contributes an update each year to the report of the United Nations Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea. The HELCOM from 30 June 2015 provides an overview of HELCOM activities in 2014-15, with the more specific angle to report on the implementation to the previous UN General Assembly Resolution dated on 29 December 2014. The next full report will be considered by the General Assembly in its 70th session in September 2015. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) has been an observer of HELCOM since 1980 and has expressed a wish to keep informed about HELCOM work. On the other hand, HELCOM and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have reciprocal observership and has collaborated for instance in issue related to marine litter, marine biodiversity, and actions to address land-based sources.> > > * * * Note for editors​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 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.

HELCOM contribution from 30 June 2015 provides an overview of HELCOM activities in 2014-15, with the more specific angle to report on the implementation to the previous UN General Assembly Resolution dated on 29 December 2014.

Photo: CharlesHammarsten/The Royal Court, Sweden​​Her Royal Highness Crown Princess​ Victoria of Sweden opened the VI Annual Forum of EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) in Jurmala, Latvia, casting her greatest concern on the “deterioration of the water we share”. “It is my sincere wish that you all will use this opportunity to find constructive and innovative ways to move forward in our joint effort to make the Baltic Region prosper and to save our treasured Baltic Sea, the water that we share, the water that unites us”, she concluded, to a raving applaud. “Seven out of the ten largest marine dead zones in the world are to be found in the Baltic Sea. [–] The fish we love to eat are prevented from consuming due to the dioxins and PCB’s accumulated in it,” Her Royal Highness reminded the high-level participants of the Opening Session of the Forum. In the Forum, HELCOM was presenting its extensive data and map service in the Networking Village as well as showcasing latest digital tools for communication in the Parallel Workshop. The materials will be made available at the .Read the Crown Princess full speech .   * * *Note for editors: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 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 SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi​

The engaging opening speech of Princess Victoria of Sweden at the VI Annual Forum of EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region in Jurmala, Latvia.

​The HELCOM-supported which started today in St. Petersburg, Russia is a popular forum for regional environmental dialogue arranged for 15 consecutive years. The participants include high level representatives from ministries and managers from administration of the Baltic Sea countries and beyond, the EU, as well as regional cooperation organizations and financial institutions. Members of the event, organized by the non-governmental organization Ecology and Business, cover many sectors of the Baltic society – science, business, governance, NGOs and the mass media. Natalia Tretiakova, HELCOM Head of Delegation of Russia, receives the award for personal contributions to the development of Baltic cooperation.HELCOM Head of Delegation, Ms. Natalia Tretiakova from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment of the Russian Federation, received the main award for personal contributions to the development of Baltic cooperation. There were five recipients in total for the award from the V. I. Vernadskiy Ecological Fund, among them Mr. Jaakko Henttonen from European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).HELCOM Chair Harry Liiv focused in his speech at the plenary on the current priorities of Estonian Chairmanship of HELCOM, with particular attention on nutrient removal and recycling as well as marine litter. The latter is a particularly current issue – and a topic of one of the afternoon sessions – as the Regional action plan for marine litter was adopted just two weeks ago as a new HELCOM Recommendation.  “HELCOM has a long tradition of cooperation in organizing the Baltic Sea Day as HELCOM’s work can benefit from the discussions held in the roundtables and from the networks of experts, scientists and managers who continue gathering every year to debate about the marine environment protection”, HELCOM Executive Secretary Monika Stankiewicz said in the opening plenary.”The Forum reminds us of the value of cooperation in HELCOM – all members of our family, the nine riparian countries and the European Union continue working together around one table as the marine environment unites us all. This has proved to be true in the past and is also the spirit of cooperation now, and I’m sure will be in the future.”There will be six different round table sessions rolling out in the afternoon. The topics range from marine and coastal protected areas to biodiversity, environmentally friendly farming, sustainable sewage sludge handling, marine litter and the results of 2014 Gulf of Finland Year, among others. Tomorrow Friday the areas of environmental education as well as journalism are covered in their respective sessions.Full programme is available in the of the Forum organizer, Ecology and Business NGO, St. Petersburg, Russia.  * * *Note for editorsThe Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization 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

The HELCOM-supported Baltic Sea Day started today in St. Petersburg, Russia. The popular Forum has been organized for 15 consecutive years.

Statement by monika stankiewicz, Helcom executive secretary

Dear Colleagues,2014 was the year of the 40th
anniversary and the modernization of HELCOM. The jubilee celebrations were
pleasant and joyful – a moment of reflection on our grand past and a look into
the desirable future. It was also an opportunity to show appreciation to all
involved in the common mission.Modernization sounds less joyful,
although it shouldn’t be, otherwise we would not be doing the right job. The
streamlining of HELCOM has now been concluded. Time will show how successful we
will be – the Contracting Parties and the Secretariat in delivering what has
been promised – with clearer priorities and more structured planning, a new
working structure, improved work flows and more effective communication. Also,
hopefully, HELCOM will not be an isolated case but all major organizations and processes
in the Baltic Sea region will follow suit to secure synergies and integration. We can already prove increased
synergies, which was in the heart of HELCOM’s modernization. HELCOM and OSPAR
are working together on core indicators to assess the status of the marine
environment and on the harmonized implementation of the BWMC. The HELCOM
monitoring manual was prepared and published last autumn for the countries’ use
in their reporting under other international obligations. Next holistic
assessment of the Baltic ecosystem health has been agreed to serve as “roof
report” to be reported in 2018 by the HELCOM EU countries under MSFD.Coordinating work and assessments,
yes, this has progressed well. But importantly, new measures in the region
continue to be coordinated to effectively implement HELCOM acquis (the
requirements of the Helsinki Convention, HELCOM Recommendations), also taking
into account the requirements of the MSFD and relevant legislation in the
Russian Federation. After all, taking all appropriate measures to prevent and
eliminate pollution is the basic requirement of the Helsinki Convention, and it
is only through concrete measures that we can improve the status of the Baltic
Sea.My last point also concerns
measures, in the maritime field. Since its beginning HELCOM has been
the regional platform to discuss and agree among the riparian countries on
harmonized implementation of IMO conventions and, if and when proved necessary,
on additional and stricter requirements to be applied by ships operating in the
sensitive area of the Baltic Sea. The discussions have not always been easy and
processes fast, but nevertheless we could say with confidence that in our
region pollution from ships has been addressed adequately. The maritime field
has been one of the most successful areas of cooperation in HELCOM.Also last year a lot of efforts were
invested in working out solutions for green shipping and regarding ballast
water, sewage from passenger ships, emissions of pollutants and use of
alternative fuels. There is both a willingness among the administrations and a
clear need for such solutions. Shipping industry and other stakeholders are
actively engaged. One could say we have all it takes to propose and then agree
on workable solutions on these important issues, for the benefit of the Baltic
marine environment. Yet, the agreements that are needed
to conclude the processes on time have recently proved to be difficult to make.
We are running a risk and are very close to a situation, when it will no longer
be possible to state that shipping is the most environmentally friendly mode of
transport, at least not in the Baltic, as the controls over land-based
pollution sources tighten. This would not be good for the region, for the
marine environment nor the industry itself. I realize the difficulties and
challenges, the issue of competences and legal complexity, varying expert or
scientific opinions, economic concerns. But it is possible for us to overcome
these, with phased-in implementation schemes, suitable timetables, and
appropriate legal and other solutions, as long as political will is there. After the jubilee year the
streamlined HELCOM is ready to face any future challenges. HELCOM’s strength is
cooperation, which is based on trust and equality between Contracting
Parties.  Let’s build on the successful
past and ensure that HELCOM delivers also in the future.* * *For more information, please contact:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Annual statement on the work of the HELCOM Secretariat in 2014, including comments and evaluation of the work of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies.

​Energy efficiency, marine litter, agriculture and sewage sludge are among the key topics in the XVI International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day”, held on 18-20 March 2015 in St. Petersburg, Russia.The Forum, arranged for 15 consecutive years, has traditionally been a popular platform for regional environmental dialogue. The participants represent many sectors of the Baltic society – administration, science, business, NGOs and the mass media.Key plenary topicsHELCOM priorities during the presidency of EstoniaResults of the 2014 Year of the Gulf of Finland Global Dialogue on Water security and Sustainable Growth (Global Water Partnership)St. Petersburg Initiative – interim resultsNord Stream: Results and data of the environmental monitoring programme of the pipeline “Nord Stream” in 2014Marine and coastal protected areas of Russia: Status and prospectsRound tablesEnergy efficiencyGreen agricultureMarine litterSustainable sewage sludge handlingBest practices of environmental education other key environmental topicsFor a smoother Visa process, any willing participant is encouraged to approach the organizers soonest (contact: Ms. Natalia Bobyleva, bobyleva@helcom.ru).Full programme is available in the of the Forum organizer, Ecology and Business NGO, St. Petersburg, Russia.  * * * For more information, please contact:Ekaterina Vorobyeva Ecology and Business Tel: +7 81 2982 9437 Skype: ekaterina_vorobyeva E-mail: vorobyeva(at)helcom.ruJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Energy efficiency, marine litter, agriculture and sewage sludge are among the key topics in the XVI International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day”, 18-20 March 2015.

The many concrete measures and actions for reaching the good
environmental status for the Baltic Sea require determined and effective
regional coordination, again a key topic of HELCOM
group
starting today in Berlin, Germany. The 2-day session will continue to outline
regional coordination of Programme of Measures needed to achieve a healthy
Baltic Sea, as agreed in the HELCOM Baltic Sea as well as the
EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Maritime Doctrine of the Russian
Federation. HELCOM Gear group works towards
region-wide cooperation on all elements of national marine strategies. Photo: Ulf Bergström.Another agenda point is a plan for improving regional
coherence in implementation of marine policies. The HELCOM Plan, among others,
lays out issues on which further steps and activities on regional level are
needed in the short (2015/2016), mid- (2018), and long-term (beyond 2018), to
reach the goal of the good environmental status by 2021 he Gear group, formed of managers from environmental administration,
will also start planning for development of additional environmental targets
for pressures on the Baltic Sea environment. For each Baltic coastal country,
environmental targets for reducing nutrient inputs in the Baltic Sea have already
been agreed through the HELCOM nutrient reduction scheme. These targets form
the basis for development of measures to reduce nutrient input, and having common
targets for also other pressures would enable better coordinated mitigation
efforts. ne timely item in the meeting agenda are synergies with EU for the Baltic Sea
Region, as the new Action Plan for the Strategy is under development. HELCOM
seeks to institutionalize the shared scope of work, as this would save
resources and add to the efficiency in reaching the mutual goals he ninth Meeting of the Group for the Implementation of the
Ecosystem Approach (GEAR 9-2015) will be chaired by Chair of GEAR, Ms. Heike
Imhoff  . All the files will be public after the meeting * * *Note for editorsThe HELCOM Group for the Implementation of the Ecosystem
Approach Gear oversees
region-wide co-operation on marine strategies, covering both legal basis and
agreed measures. The group is the main instrument, for EU members, in
implementing the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and within HELCOM, it
guards inter-group coherence in implementing the ecosystem approach 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 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:Ulla Li ZweifelProfessional SecretaryHELCOMTel. +358 46 850 9198Skype: helcom64E-mail: ullali.zweifel(at)helcom.f ohanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.f 

​

The many concrete measures and actions for improving the status of the Baltic Sea require determined regional coordination, a key topic of Gear group meeting now starting in Berlin.

​​​ on the current status of significant sources of pollution to the Baltic Sea in Russia, or ‘hot spots’, has been released by the HELCOM BASE project. Out of the twelve remaining Russian sites identified in the Baltic Sea catchment, one third could be removed from the original list as the necessary measures to meet the requirements have been introduced. Six hot spots are either implementing or planning for improvements, the study concludes, while two sites remain with lower levels of mitigation efforts. Since the report was written, further progress has been made. Russia submitted a proposal to HELCOM to delete Sub-Hot Spot No. 18.1 “Construction of new sewer connections” (Saint-Petersburg). complements the final outcome of HELCOM’s Baltic Sea Joint Comprehensive Environmental Action Programme (JCP, 1992–2013), created as large international environmental management framework to reduce pollution loads into the Baltic Sea. Identifying and cleaning up pollution hot spots has been an important part of this work. Originally 17 exclusively Russian sites were in the hot spot list, having in total 162 sites covering the whole region mainly from industrial and municipal, but also diffuse sources such as agricultural areas (see map).According to the new report, among the most progressed former hot spots is the municipal sewage treatment in St. Petersburg, reaching a nearly 98% of urban sewage water treatment. In addition, the environmental hazards from three pulp and paper producers in Kaliningrad region have reduced significantly. Municipal waste water treatment in Kaliningrad remains a serious concern.The challenge of mitigating pollution from agriculture shows also positive signs, according to the study.  Livestock farming in Leningrad region is a well-developed economic sector whose share in the gross regional product has increased in recent years. The predominance of a large-scale commercial production sector coupled with a high degree of poor storage facilities for storing manure exacerbates the problem of excessive harmful inputs to the Baltic Sea. The expected introduction of technological regulations will result in a significant decrease of nutrient load and the ultimate removal of the region’s agricultural sector from HELCOM’s list of hot spotsSince the original framework of HELCOM hot spots has reached its official end, the remaining work to tackle pollution sites has been incorporated to the regular HELCOM work more flexibly. The dedicated group () is prepared to address any issue when needs arise, covering the Baltic Sea region as agreed by all the Contracting Parties to the Helsinki Convention: all the coastal Baltic states and the European Union.   * *Note for editors: (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan () in Russia.  BASE addresses altogether three priority areas of the HELCOM BSAP: eutrophication, hazardous substances, and biodiversity and nature protection. Within BASE, monitoring activities to support and measure the progress within the abovementioned segments are also being carried out. The pilot projects (See: components) are implemented by experts from Russia with the support of EU experts, while the overall Project, funded by EU, is managed by the HELCOM Secretariat and St. Petersburg Public Organization “Ecology and Business”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 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 further information, please contact:Marta PlichtProject ResearcheHELCOM BASTel: +358 40 669 3090Skype: helcom5E-mail: marta.plichta(at)helcom.fJohanna LaurilInformation SecretarHELCOTel: +358 40 523 898Skype: helcom7E-mail: Johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

A report on the current status of ‘hot spots’ in Russia, released by the HELCOM BASE project, shows that reductions have been made.

Estonia has released its for the 2-year of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, also known as Helsinki Commission or , which officially began one week ago. The main components addressed in the new Chairmanship priorities are pollution management; planning, management and marine protected areas; as well as assessment of environmental status and information. The nominated new Chairman is Harry Liiv, the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of the Environment of Estonia.  Improved plans in water management and rural development for more effective        nutrient reduction, as well as reducing the impact of hazardous substances are parts of the overall first priority of pollution management.  Moreover, drawing up a joint regional action plan on reducing marine litter in 2015 at the latest, as was agreed by the region’s countries in the 2013 Ministerial Declaration, is listed as a priority.  Other priorities for the next two years include the use, conservation and protection of the Baltic Sea regional coastal and marine areas; further work for well arranged network of marine protected areas; as well as developing of ecosystem based management principles for fish stock and other environmental resources. Monitoring of high standards, reliable data and indicator work form the third pillar of the Estonian priorities, as well as the implementation of HELCOM communication strategy adopted last spring. “I am looking forward to the labour-intensive season of fully putting into practice the plentiful Ministerial commitments from October 2013, in the path of reaching a Baltic Sea in good environmental status. There are important deadlines ahead especially concerning HELCOM monitoring programme and guidelines, as well as the major effort to describe the status of the entire Baltic Sea in the 2nd HELCOM holistic assessment”, says the new HELCOM Chairman, Mr. Harry Liiv.   “In general terms, 2014 is a major year for Estonia with regards to regional cooperation thus providing concrete opportunities for even deeper synergies. In addition to the HELCOM Chairmanship, this month Estonia has assumed the yearly presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea. For the whole calendar year Estonia is leading the Nordic-Baltic cooperation (NB8), the Baltic Council of Ministers as well as the Baltic Assembly”, says Harry Liiv.   Mr. Harry Liiv has succeeded Ms. Helle Pilsgaard of Denmark, who chaired the Helsinki Commission in 2012–2014. The Chairmanship of HELCOM rotates between the Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union according to the alphabetical order every two years. Mr. Liiv will lead, as the Chairman, the work of HELCOM up until 30 June 2016.  the document HELCOM priorities during the Estonian Chairmanship. * * *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.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, from 1974. * * *For further information, please contact:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988E-mail:  Pille RõivasPublic Relations CouncellorMinistry of the Environment of EstoniaTel: +372 626 2811, +372 506 4608E-mail:

Estonian priorities for the 2-year HELCOM Chairmanship also cover pollution management, improving the network of marine protected areas and data reliability, among others.