Latvia, as the presiding country in the governing organization of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Region, the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), will host ministers responsible for the protection of the Baltic Sea environment from the European Union Member States in late April, as well as the 50th Anniversary of the Helsinki Convention at a special session.
Within the framework of the Latvian Presidency of HELCOM, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (MoEPRD), as the responsible authority for coordinating the Presidency, will organise a meeting of ministers responsible for the protection of the Baltic Sea environment from 23 to 25 April, as well as an international celebratory session to mark the signing of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Region on 22 March 1974. Ministers will discuss progress in implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP2021), endorse the updated Marine State Assessment 2023 and adopt a declaration at the end. A press conference will take place at the end of the ministerial meeting, which will be open to journalists. More information is expected soon.
The Convention is an instrument to ensure peaceful cooperation between the Baltic Sea coastal states to protect the marine environment in a spirit of mutual understanding. On 22 March 1974 in Helsinki, all the Baltic Sea coastal States signed the first Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Region to address the growing environmental crisis caused by industrialisation and other forms of human activity. The agreement between the Baltic Sea States was the first of its kind in the world: the first comprehensive convention for the protection of the marine environment, covering the prevention of marine pollution from land and air, as well as prohibiting pollution from ships and calling for cooperation in the clean-up of oil and other harmful pollution. A new, updated and modernised Convention was signed at the Diplomatic Conference in Helsinki in 1992 and has been in force since 17 January 2000.
Latvia holds the chairmanship of the Baltic Sea Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment (HELCOM) from 1st July 2022. The two-year chairmanship will end on 30 June this year, when Lithuania will take over.
Ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of HELCOM to achieve the objectives of the Convention, including in situations of force majeure, taking into account the current geopolitical situation, has been identified as one of the main priorities of the Latvian Presidency. The efficient and rational functioning of the HELCOM structure and the implementation of the updated (BSAP2021) were also priorities. Particular attention was paid to the establishment of a coherent and coherent network of marine protected areas in the Baltic Sea and an ecosystem-based approach to sustainable use of the sea, integrating environmental and socio-economic aspects.
During its Presidency, Latvia prepared and chaired meetings of HELCOM governing bodies, ensured administrative decision-making for HELCOM activities and promoted the implementation of BSAP2021 in accordance with its deadlines and implementation plan.
