24.09.2021
Baltic Sea Commission celebrates 25 years
Jari Leathernen, Member of the Regional Board of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, Hanna Honkamäkilä, Manager of International Affairs, Pauli Harju, Regional Director, Ritva Isomäki, Senior Specialist (natural resources, bioeconomy, circular economy and climate Affairs), Tiina Rajala, Development Director, Erika Kylmänen, Environmental Manager, Lyly Rajala, 1st Vice-Chair, and Lauri Romppainen, Regional Engineer, attended the 25th anniversary meeting of the Baltic Sea Commission.
The 25th Anniversary of the Baltic Sea Commission sought solutions for the state of the Baltic Sea in a variety of ways
The CPMR Baltic Sea Commission celebrated its 25th anniversary on Thursday this week. From the point of view of the protection of the Baltic Sea, the ability to act against the effects of climate change and to halt the rise in global temperatures are a key issue today. The regions of the Baltic Sea basin face the effects of climate change in many ways.
In his ceremonial speech Alexander Stubb three historical developments affecting the Baltic Sea. These are development related to the state of the environment, the economy and security policy. Stubb is currently studying and teaching at the European University Institute in Florence.
Jari Leathernen of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region chaired the festive meeting
The meeting was chaired by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region Jari Leathernen. In the opening speech of the meeting, Jari Leathernen thanked the Regional Assembly of Uusimaa and its Chairman of the Board Markku Markkula, which served as the host region of the meeting.
Annika Annerby-Jansson, who also chaired the CPMR, wondered what role the Baltic Sea Commission could play in the future. He highlighted the strengths of the region: an industry ready to invest to rebuild its production towards climate neutrality, research and development intensity, a strong foundation of the welfare state and entrepreneurship. He also raised the issue of young people who can change if we give them the opportunity to do so.
Annerby- Jansson saw the Baltic Sea region as a potential leader in future green technologies and painted a picture of an eco-silicon valley that fits in in cooperation with the development of the European semiconductor ecosystem mentioned by Commission President Ursula von der Layen in her State of the Union address a week ago. Applying low carbon to this industrial sector can be done in Europe, and why not in the Baltic Sea region.
CPMR is the European Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions. The Baltic Sea Region Commission was established 25 years ago by Silja Symphony, a ship operating between Helsinki and Stockholm. Today, the Commission celebrated its 15th century of health and safety in the Internet sector.
The Baltic Sea Commission was established in 1996 in a mood still coloured by the tearing down of the Iron Curtain that divided Europe. The atmosphere in the development of regional cooperation was very positive politically and economically and there did not seem to be any dividing lines at all.
Now we are celebrating in the shadow of a public health-hazardous pandemic that prevents us from physically meeting and has exceptionally closed borders in Europe. However, the event was very warm and the participants interacted a lot on the topics to be discussed.
The meeting was attended by Jari Leathernen, Member of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region; Hanna Honkamäkilä, Manager of International Affairs; Pauli Harju, Regional Director; Ritva Isomäki, Senior Specialist (natural resources, bioeconomy, circular economy and climate Affairs); Tiina Rajala, Development Director; Erika Kylmänen, Environmental Manager; Lyly Rajala, 1st Vice-Chair; and Lauri Romppainen, Regional Engineer.
More information on the Baltic Sea Commission.
The 25th anniversary album can be found here.
