Tentative outline for the Stakeholder Conference on the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan in connection to HELCOM 27/2006

Schedule:        Tuesday, 7 March 2006 prior to HELCOM 27/2006

                           Starting at 10:00 a.m. until 16:00

Place:  Marina Congress Center, Katajanokanlaituri 6, FI-00160 Helsinki, Finland

Aim:

-           To inform on the foreseen activities to be covered by the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan

-           To present information on the status of the Baltic Sea environment and the related Ecological Objectives proposed within main areas of concern

-           To discuss the desired status of the Baltic to be achieved by coordinated action by all relevant stakeholders

-           To get commitments at local, national and regional levels as well as from the private sector to the development of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan

Chairman:       Mr. Arturas Daubaras, Chairman of HELCOM

Programme

Introduction (20 min)

General presentation of the aim and timing of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and its relation to the work on Ecological Objectives and associated indicators as cornerstones of the plan. Short introduction to the state of the marine environment within the four main environmental issues, identified through HELCOM’s monitoring and assessment programmes.

Thematic sessions

Eutrophication (50 min) Proposed objectives and indicators based on the HELCOM assessment on eutrophication. Examples of sub-regional targets, required load reductions and most cost-effective measures

-          Session Moderator: Swedish EPA, Mr. Lars-Erik Liljelund

-          Introduction to the issue: HELCOM Secretariat (10 min)

-          Stakeholder opinion/reply: BFFE, Mr. Esa Härmälä; CCB, Mr. Gunnar Norén (20 min)

-          Discussion

Biodiversity (50 min) Proposed objectives, indicators and targets based on the HELCOM assessment on biodiversity.

-           Session Moderator: BMB, Ms. Pauli Snoeijs

-           Introduction: HELCOM Secretariat (10 min)

-           Stakeholder opinion/reply: Science community, Mr. Sergej Olenin

 -          Discussion

Shipping (50 min) Proposed objectives, indicators and management targets based on the HELCOM assessment on shipping.

-           Session moderator: Mr. Peter Ehlers

-           Introduction: HELCOM Secretariat

-           Stakeholder opinion/reply: BIMCO, Mr. Carsten Melchiors, INTERTANKO, Mr. Tim Wilkins (20 min)

-           Discussion

Hazardous substances (20 min)

Proposed objectives, indicators and targets based on trends in inputs and concentrations in the marine environment.

-           Moderator: Finnish Marine Research Institute, Ms. Eeva-Liisa Poutanen

-           Introduction: HELCOM Secretariat

-           Stakeholder opinion/reply: WWF, Mr. Lasse Gustavsson

-           Discussion

HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan: General comments

Presentation by a high level politician

-           Presentation by Mr. Stefan Wallin, State Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Finland

-           Presentation by a representative of the private sector, Ms. Marjukka Porvari, the John Nurminen Foundation

-           Presentation by Mr. Peter Gammeltoft, European Commission

-           Presentation by a representative of International Financial Institutions, Senior Vice President of NIB, Mr. Harro Pitkänen

-           Presentation by Mr. Kornelius Sigmundsson, CBSS/CSO Chairman

Closing of the Conference

Mr. Arturas Daubaras, Chairman of HELCOM (10 min)