The Process of the Baltic Agenda 21 : Past and Future -

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The Process of the Baltic Agenda 21 Past and
Future -

IV Baltic NGO Forum, Pärnu, 16./17.04.04 Wolfgan
g Günther Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) Baltic 21
Working Group on Policy and Strategy www.ccb.se
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Baltic 21 a promising start-

• The Baltic 21
• got its mandate from the Governments of
  all Baltic Sea States in 1998
• introduced a forum for cross-sectoral
  multi stakeholder co-operation
• created a network of GOs and NGOs on equal
  footing
• committed itself to the implementation of a
  comprehensive action programme
• realised several successful sector activities

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Baltic 21 succeeded in -

• realising several successful sector activities
  
• preparing a comprehensive stocktaking on
  sustainable development in the Baltic Sea
  Region (see Baltic 21 Triannual Report)

lobbying international and national
bodies improving the information
exchange on sustainable development in the
Baltic Sea Region
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but it had-

• Limited support of sector ministries,
• A Lack of motivated and active
  stakeholders and adequate resources,
• No clear responsibilities, defined time
  schedule and measurable targets for the
  implementation of the action programme,
• Limited level of participation, recognition,
  commitment,
• Limited production of added value and
  progress towards sustainability.

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New mandate

• 2002 Baltic 21 started a strategy process
• Outcome Draft new mandate to be adopted by the
  the 5th Baltic Sea States Summit, 21 June
  2004

• Vision Eco-Region (stands for Economy, Ecology
  strongly integrating the Social Dimension)
• Baltic 21 will support the CBSS in the pursuit of
  Sust. Dev.
• Baltic 21 Sectors and Spatial Planning will
  strengthen cross-sectorial work to achieve agreed
  goals and visions.
• Baltic 21 adopts and acts as the umbrella for a
  focused set of "Lighthouse Projects" designed to
  demonstrate sustainable development in action.
• Baltic 21 identifies funding sources to support
  the Lighthouse Projects and other region-level
  sustainable development initiatives.

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Limited enthusiasm-

• CCB has some reservations
• Very vague
• Concrete actions are missing
• Still no implementation plan
• No definitions for Lighthouse-Projects

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Concrete actions and decisions needed (1)-

• clearly confirm Agenda 21 from 1998 and
  continue to implement the Baltic 21 Action
  Programme
• evaluate the implementation of the Baltic 21
  Action Programme action by action
• identify existing barriers and to decide on
  appropriate measures to overcome them,
• organise meeting points between the economic
  sectors and environment sector to develop
  action plans on sustainable development for
  each economic sector

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Concrete actions and decisions needed (2)-

• act as an early warning system for
  unsustainable developments and projects,
• define measurable criteria and indicators for
  the adoption of Lighthouse-Projects
• adopt a yearly updated and continuously
  evaluated Baltic 21 implementation plan with
• O fixed time schedules,
• O responsibilities and
• O the allocation of an appropriate budget.

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Baltic 21 back on track?-
Perhaps There is a chance to revitalize and
strengthen the Baltic 21 process in the new
mandate period

• But Without such tangible measures the
  Baltic 21 is in danger
• to get lost in insignificancy,
• to fail as a driving force for sustainable
  development in the Baltic Sea Region and even
• to loose the confidence and support of the NGO
  community.

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Lets stick to the Baltic 21... ... but only as
long as we can see a chance for more
sustainability through the Baltic 21 process
Thank you!