Press release: Finland takes over the presidency of the CBSS, prioritising comprehensive security, crisis preparedness and resilience

Finland has assumed the presidency of the CBSS, taking over from Germany. Under its presidency, Finland will notably focus on strengthening both the political dimension and the practical cooperation of the CBSS. The cross-cutting themes of the presidency will be comprehensive security, crisis preparedness and resilience.

On 1 July 2023, Finland has assumed the presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) for one year, to 30 June 2024. Taking over from Germany, Finland is committed to completing and implementing the reforms agreed upon during the previous presidency to ensure the CBSS can effectively address the evolving circumstances in the region.

During its tenure, Finland aims to strengthen both the political dimension and the practical cooperation of the CBSS. Comprehensive security, crisis preparedness, and resilience will serve as the cross-cutting themes of Finland’s presidency, with the ultimate goal of increasing stability, cohesion, and cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region.

Recognising the CBSS as a valuable platform for agile political discussions on current issues, Finland will utilise this forum to promote practical cooperation based on the three long-term priorities of the CBSS: Safe and Secure Region, Sustainable and Prosperous Region, and Regional Identity.

With a keen understanding of the challenges posed by significant crises in the Baltic Sea Region, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, climate change, and biodiversity loss, Finland will emphasise security-related issues.

Further details about the Finnish Presidency of the CBSS and its priorities can be found in the official presidency programme.


Resources: 


CBSS media contacts: 
Dominik Littfass 
Email: [email protected] 
Tel: +46 76 116 67 53 


Note to editors: 

  1. About the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS): Consisting of 11 members – the 10 Member States (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden) and  the European Union –, the CBSS supports a global perspective on regional problems. These include politically and practically translating the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement, the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction, the Palermo Protocol and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, into regional actions on the ground. The CBSS functions as a coordinator of a multitude of regional actors in the areas of its three long-term priorities: Regional Identity, Sustainable & Prosperous Region, Safe & Secure Region. Read more about our priorities and work: https://cbss.org/priorities/  
  2. About the CBSS Presidency: The Presidency of the Council rotates between the Member States on an annual basis and lasts from 1 July to 30 June. Each Presidency is led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country that is holding it. The Foreign Minister chairing the Presidency is the main speaker for the organisation. Each Presidency usually identifies a set of strategic priorities to be focussed on by the Council under its tenure. On 1 July 2023, Finland has replaced Germany as Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States. The Finnish Presidency is led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms. Elina Valtonen.