Transcript Coalition Clean Baltic about B21

The Process of the
Baltic Agenda 21 :
Past and Future
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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
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Baltic 21
– a promising start
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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
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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
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… but it had:
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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.
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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)
1. Baltic 21 will support the CBSS in the pursuit of Sust. Dev.
2. Baltic 21 Sectors and Spatial Planning will strengthen
cross-sectorial work to achieve agreed goals and visions.
3. Baltic 21 adopts and acts as the umbrella for a focused set of
"Lighthouse Projects" designed to demonstrate sustainable
development in action.
4. Baltic 21 identifies funding sources to support the
Lighthouse Projects and other region-level sustainable
development initiatives.
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Limited enthusiasm
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CCB has some reservations:
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Very vague
Concrete actions are missing
Still no implementation plan
No definitions for “Lighthouse-Projects”
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Concrete actions and
decisions needed (1)
-
1.
clearly confirm Agenda 21 from 1998 and
continue to implement the Baltic 21 Action
Programme
2.
evaluate the implementation of the Baltic 21
Action Programme action by action
3.
identify existing barriers and to decide on
appropriate measures to overcome them,
4.
organise meeting points between the economic
sectors and environment sector to develop action
plans on sustainable development for each
economic sector
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Concrete actions and
decisions needed (2)
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5.
act as an early warning system for
unsustainable developments and projects,
6.
define measurable criteria and indicators for the
adoption of “Lighthouse-Projects”
7.
adopt a yearly updated and continuously
evaluated Baltic 21 implementation plan with
O
fixed time schedules,
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responsibilities and
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the allocation of an appropriate budget.
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Baltic 21 back
on track?
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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.
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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!
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