Riga to host a forum for a safe and sustainable Baltic Sea Region

RIGA - On October 4-5, 2023, Latvia will host the 14th Annual Forum of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), “Safe and Sustainable Baltic Sea Region for Future Generations”, LETA learned from the Foreign Ministry. 

Its thematic focus will be placed on green energy, climate issues, and youth engagement.

On October 5, the opening session of the forum will be addressed by the Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins; Climate and Energy Minister Kaspars Melnis; the Deputy Director General for Implementation in the Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission, Normunds Popens; the State Secretary and Plenipotentiary of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg to the Federation, the European Union, and for foreign affairs, Almut Moller; and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Latvia, Anatolii Kutsevol.

On October 4, ahead of the opening, the participants of the forum will actively contribute to themed workshops on subjects such as sustainable development in the Baltic Sea region, addressing climate challenges, a sustainable blue economy, strengthening of cooperation with Ukraine, the brain drain among young people, and political and civil society engagement.

Since 2010, the forum has been the most visible EUSBSR event involving officials from the countries of the region, experts, academics, the representatives of the central and local governments, businesses and NGOs in discussions on the topics of importance for the prosperity of the region with a view to jointly implementing projects relevant to the region.

Latvia is holding the presidency of the EUSBSR from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

The event is organized jointly by the Foreign Ministry, the Riga City Council, the Union of the Baltic Cities, and the Vision and Strategies Around the Baltic Sea (VASAB).