German Presidency 2022-2023

On 1 July 2022, Germany took over the presidency of the CBSS from Norway. Under its presidency, Germany notably focused on offshore wind energy, dumped munitions and youth in the Baltic Sea region. The German Presidency was led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms. Annalena Baerbock.

On 1 July 2022, Germany has assumed the presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) for one year, taking over from Norway. Under its presidency, Germany will notably focus on offshore wind energy, dumped munitions and youth in the Baltic Sea region.

Three German priorities: offshore wind energy, dumped munitions and youth

1. Offshore wind energy

In a bid to support the shared regional goal of attaining climate neutrality by 2050 while, at the same time, addressing the issue of energy security, Germany has identified the promotion of offshore wind energy as the first priority under its presidency of the CBSS. In close cooperation with the energy ministers of the Baltic Sea region countries, Germany wishes to use the CBSS as a platform for initiating more concrete forms of regional cooperation regarding offshore wind.

2. Dumped munitions

The second German priority is on dumped munitions in the Baltic Sea, which pose a risk to public health, maritime activities and the marine environment. A legacy of the second world war, up to 400,000 tonnes of conventional explosives and around 40,000 tonnes of chemical weapons are currently littering the Baltic’s seafloor. Germany therefore intends to use the CBSS as a platform for promoting a common regional understanding of the impacts and challenges associated with munitions dumped in the sea.

3. Youth

Since young people are impacted by many of the issues currently addressed in the various formats of Baltic Sea cooperation, youth is the third German priority. Germany intends to give young people a voice when it comes to finding responses to the challenges facing the region. Germany is furthermore committed to strengthening and expanding personal encounters between young people from various countries in the Baltic Sea region. In general, youth is a cross-cutting issue in CBSS.

“I firmly believe that all democratic Baltic Sea states must stand together – now more than ever. <…> This region is strategically important and holds enormous potential, for example in terms of our energy supply”

Annalena Baerbock, the German Minister of Foreign AffairS


In addition, Germany will also lend its support to the work undertaken in the CBSS’s three priority areas – Regional Identity, Safe & Secure Region, and Sustainable & Prosperous Region, further building on the achievements of the previous presidency of Norway.

More information about the German presidency of the CBSS and its priorities can be found in the work programme:

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On 1 July 2023, after a year at the helm, Germany passed the Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States on to Finland who will coordinate the Council’s work for the next 12 months. The official review of the German Presidency and its accomplishments is available here.

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