The Process of the Baltic Agenda 21 : Past and Future - IV Baltic NGO Forum, Pärnu, 16./17.04.04 Wolfgang Günther Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) Baltic 21 Working Group on Policy and Strategy www.ccb.se

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

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

… 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.

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.

Limited enthusiasm - CCB has some reservations: Very vague Concrete actions are missing Still no implementation plan No definitions for “Lighthouse-Projects”

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

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.

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.

Thank you! 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!