CBSS Co-organises Key Workshops at the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2023 in Riga
At the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2023 in Riga, the CBSS will co-organise five key workshops, delving into pressing issues ranging from societal security and resilience to climate adaptation and youth, underscoring its continued commitment to shaping regional discussions.
The 14th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) is set to convene in Riga, Latvia on 4-5 October 2023 under the theme “Safe and Sustainable Baltic Sea Region for Future Generations”. The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) will play a central role in shaping this year’s discussions, being actively involved in five of the nine planned workshops.
The CBSS is co-organising the following workshops:
- All Hands on Deck: Safe and Secure Baltic Sea Region – An practical session on the whole-of-society approach to building a resilient Baltic Sea Region (BSR), exploring societal responses to various threats, and highlighting the value of preparedness and communal responsibility.
- Driving Collaborative Decarbonization and Climate Adaptation – A dive into the EUSBSR-facilitated cross-sectoral decarbonization innovations at the city or regional level.
- Strengthening Cooperation with Ukraine for Sustainable Rebuilding – A platform to assess and expand the collaborative ties between the Baltic Sea Region and Ukraine, with an environmental focus aligned with the EUSBSR’s Save the Sea objective.
- Submerged Munitions in the Baltic Sea – A critical panel discussion on the environmental and security challenges presented by dumped munitions in the Baltic Sea.
- Youth and Culture Driving Resilient Communities – An exploration of the interplay between social resilience, community revitalisation, cultural assets, youth engagement, and sustainable tourism.
Furthermore, the CBSS will be present in the Forum’s networking village, offering insights into its ongoing regional initiatives and projects.
The CBSS has played an active role in the EUSBSR since its inception in 2009, having actively contributed to guiding and implementing the strategy.
Alongside the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), the CBSS currently coordinates the EUSBSR’s Policy Area Secure (PA Secure). This area focuses on natural and man-made disasters and organised crime, aiming to establish a common BSR-wide societal security culture and to strengthen mechanisms for joint strategic and operational actions.
As a platform for cross-border and cross-sectoral cooperation on societal security, PA Secure facilitates better coordination of activities centred on prevention and preparedness against both natural and man-made threats. It also promotes the development of methods to respond to security risks posed by climate change.