Protection of critical infrastructure on the agenda at this year’s Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference
Published:
The 34th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) took place in Mariehamn, Åland on 24-26 August. The title of this year’s conference was “The Baltic Sea - Our Lifeline”.
Some 60 parliamentarians representing national parliaments, regional parliaments and parliamentary organisations participated in the conference. In addition, it was attended by ministers, government representatives, youth representatives, experts, observers and invited guests from the Baltic Sea region. The Swedish delegation to the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference was represented by Staffan Eklöf (Sweden Democrats), Chair, Hanna Westerén (Social Democratic Party), Deputy Chair and Emma Nohrén (Green Party).
The President of Finland opened the conference
The conference was opened by President of Finland Alexander Stubb who, in his speech, highlighted the changed security situation in the region as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Other guest speakers included Yulia Navalnaja, widow of the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, former President of Estonia Egils Levits and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Pekka Haavisto.
In connection with the conference, a youth forum was held where young people from the region drew up a number of recommendations that were then presented to the parliamentarians during the BSPC.
A resolution was adopted
The conference focused on four themes: youth engagement, a sustainable Baltic Sea, protection of critical infrastructure and democracy and stability. During the debate on youth engagement in Baltic Sea cooperation, Staffan Eklöf (Sweden Democrats) made a contribution. Emma Nohrén (Green Party) made a contribution to the debate on sustainable marine ecosystems and fisheries. The conference ended with a general debate on the BSPC’s challenges and future, to which Staffan Eklöf (Sweden Democrats) contributed.
In connection with the conference, a resolution was adopted with a number of recommendations directed at the parliamentarians’ respective governments. The Conference also took a decision to establish a two-year working group to strengthen cybersecurity and resilience to disinformation in order to promote democracy.
Members
Members of the Swedish BSPC delegation who participated in the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference:
All members of the delegation:
Members of the Swedish delegation to the BSPC
Further information
The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference takes place once a year and gathers parliamentarians from ten national parliaments, seven regional parliaments and five interparliamentary organisations around the Baltic Sea. The first Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference was held in Helsinki in 1991.
The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)
Contact person for the media
Johanna Billing, International Adviser, International Department of the Riksdag, telephone: 076 117 49 19, email: johanna.billing@riksdagen.se.