Stakeholder Conference on the Development of the

HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan

Helsinki, 7 March 2006

Mr. Arturas Daubaras

Chairman

HELCOM

Chairman's concluding remarks

After today’s extensive deliberations I neither want to prolong the discussions nor do I intend to make an extensive summary of what we have discussed.

But I would like to make some observations:

-         of course, I understand that this is only a start - a good start - I understand also that many of you would have wanted to give extensive comments on the given presentations and for that reason I warmly welcome you to submit your comments to the HELCOM Secretariat on proposed ecological objectives, indicators and actions to be taken;

-         during the time from now until the expected adoption of the HELOM Baltic Sea Action Plan in late 2007 HELCOM will devote its time for the further development of the Plan. This will be done by thematic meetings and within an ad hoc task force which will ensure the linkage of science and policy-making - your comments will thus feed in to an on-going process;

Having said this I would also like to explicitly point out that:

-        communication with and involvement of the various groups of stakeholders is an indispensable part of the development – and finally successful implementation - of the Baltic Sea Action Plan;

-        the application of the ecosystem approach, through the use of ecological objectives and performance indicators, is for the first time providing a common starting point when assessing the ecological quality of the Baltic marine environment;

-        this makes it possible for us to base management decisions on the requirements of the marine environment;

-       and by this to develop an efficient plan based on environmental targets, to guide our work both at national and international level.

I would, especially, like to thank those persons who dedicated their time to chairing and those making presentations during this conference. As a token of our appreciation we would like to give to you a still “warm” edition, right from the printing house, of HELCOM’s – and the regions first ever, we believe – book describing and displaying the variety of life in our sea.

As a concluding remark I would like to stress that today’s conference has given a substantial input and real kick-off for the continued successful elaboration of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan. All of which we will, during the next two days in the annual meeting of the Helsinki Commission further discuss.

Thank you.