Happy Holidays!

Having held this post for over 6 years, I can’t recommend it highly enough. A cause that is more relevant than ever in our times of polycrisis, a broad range of fascinating tasks, the best team imaginable and a highly attrative duty station. What more can you ask? @helcominfo.bsky.social

We warmly welcome the HELCOM Heads of Delegation and Observers to the Eight Informal Consultation Session of the Heads of Delegation (IC HOD 8-2025). During this meeting, the session will review and discuss various documents, offering guidance and recommendations to advance HELCOM's work.

Who is your Baltic Sea hero? Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Baltic Sea Awards! @helcominfo.bsky.social gansub.com/t/v/3_ODM0NT...

Ho Ho Hope you all have a good new week! @helcominfo.bsky.social

Hyvää #itsenäisyyspäivää! Glad #självständighetsdag! Happy Finnish Independence Day! 🇫🇮 #Suomi #Finland

Thank you very much for visiting us and for your interest in @helcominfo.bsky.social !

Thank you, Jamie Jenkins, for the opportunity to share the @helcominfo.bsky.social perspective and contribute to your educational video!

Thank you, Minister Goldschmidt, for visting us and for the extensive conversation about issues of common interest and concern! @helcominfo.bsky.social

This week, reps. from various sectors met at #SIPRI to discuss wetland restoration as a nature-based approach to security+resilience building. Wetlands, part of the #SourceToSea continuum, are relevant in protecting the #BalticSea. Thanks, SIPRI and #WWF, for inviting me! @helcominfo.bsky.social

Thank you, Embassy of Lithuania, for another taste of #Lithuania’ s rich and varied culture! Tonight’s concert, traditional Lithuanian polyphonic song folk melodies and zither in perfect harmony with contemporary improvisation, rhythm and electronics was an absolute highlight! #Lietuva

#Helsinki, 4:30 PM today. One day, I think I might publish a book entitled “Helsinki Skies”… #Helsingfors #Suomi #Finland

The #EUSBSR AF 2025 kicks off w. reflections on the vulnerability of the #BalticSea region and the pivotal role of multilat. coop. for a resilient BSR. A thriving BS environment is indispensable to regional resilience, underscoring the relevance of cooperation in @helcominfo.bsky.social

Identifying key challenges of regional security, high-level panelists at today’s #BSSSC conference stressed the need for a comprehensive and wholistic concept of security and a multilevel approach involving all levels of governance, with regional coop as vital elements. @helcominfo.bsky.social

Delighted to be back in #Sopot, 🇵🇱, for 3 days of inspiring meetings. #BalticSea Region #security will top the agenda at this week’s back-to-back #BSSSC Day of Cities and Regions and #EUSBSR Annual Forum 2025. @helcominfo.bsky.social

Informed debate based on reliable information is a cornerstone of any healthy democracy. False or distorted information online can spread faster than ever, shaping opinions and undermining trust.

The “Guarding the Baltic Sea” project fosters dialog and exchange between artists, environmental policy makers and the public at large, offering new insights and perspectives - for the benefit of the #BalticSea. Watch the trailer and/or the documentary to find out more! @helcominfo.bsky.social

For the #BalticSea, #MSP is key in working to reconcile the objectives of sustainable use and env. protection. It was great to see the European MSP community converge in #Helsinki, for an exciting week of mutual exchange and learning and to host some of the events at @helcominfo.bsky.social

Shaken, not stirred…

I was very pleased to participate in this week’s online knowledge exchange event organized by the Swedish Agency of Marine and Water Management in cooperation with the #NairobiConvention Secretariat and @unep-cobsea.bsky.social. Thank you for the opportunity to present! @helcominfo.bsky.social

Thank you for visiting us!

Do you sometimes wonder what you can do for the Baltic Sea, or if individual actions have an impact? Our 'Everyday actions' leaflet helps you take positive actions towards a healthier Baltic Sea. Small efforts do add up. 💪 🔗 buff.ly/7Q2ccK4 #StateOfTheBalticSea #HOLAS3 #HELCOM #BalticSea

Very pleased to provide a snapshot of the state of the Baltic Sea at this week’s #OurBaltic Conferenceand explain why the full and timely implementation of the @helcominfo.bsky.social 2021 BSAP is crucial to the recovery of our Sea ! Images: U.Andersson (1-3), Shootday (4)

📰 HELCOM's News Blast September 2025 issue is out now! Includes: ✅ News roundup ✅ Latest publications ✅ New projects ...and much more! Read here and subscribe to get it delivered straight to your inbox! 👇 buff.ly/qRVaOk7

📢 Call for tender: legal analysis of CCS in accordance with the Helsinki Convention We are seeking two qualified legal consultants/firms to evaluate whether CCS activities are legally permissible under the Helsinki Convention and relevant international legal instruments. ℹ️ buff.ly/RoPnCZL

Thank you for the opportunity to deliver a video address on the last day of the #BalticCoastDialog conference “Sea of Opportunities!” @helcominfo.bsky.social

Very pleased to share this. Congratulations to our former German HOD and staunch defender of the #BalticSea, Heike Imhoff! @helcominfo.bsky.social

Great to be back in #Stralsund, Germany, at the spectacular #Oceaneum, and to deliver a presentation on @helcominfo.bsky.social’s role in restoring marine and coastal ecosystems in the #BalticSea during the #BalticCoastDialog conference “Sea of Opportunities.”

Very pleased to deliver a presentation and participate in a panel on better linking science and policy at the #ICES Annual Science Conference in #Klaipėda, #Lithuania today. Thank you, #ICES, for inviting me! @helcominfo.bsky.social @icesmarine.bsky.social

What an amazing sky over #Helsinki today! #Helsingfors #Suomi #Finland

NEW REPORT! This report evaluates the UNEP/MED Guidelines for monitoring riverine inputs of marine litter by testing their scope, transferability and feasibility through field trials on macrolitter and microlitter. Download here: buff.ly/hyw1c4C

🗳️ Today is #DemocracyDay. Built on voting, speaking up, and staying informed. We’re not just celebrating it. Together, we’re nurturing it every day. Democracy, fundamental rights, and the rule of law are the backbone of our European Union.

It was a pleasure to welcome Jimin Hong from the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (@unep-cobsea.bsky.social) to our premises today for very productive talks on current and future cooperation between our organizations. Thanks for visiting @helcominfo.bsky.social

Happy to share that the current edition of the German magazine #andersLeben (3/25) contains a very brief piece on the #BalticSea, authored by Anja Schäfer, and a short interview with me. @helcominfo.bsky.social

We joined the final presentations for “Reimagining the Baltic Sea” course at the School of Fine Arts and were blown away by the project ideas! From sailing on the imaginary ship to tasting activism through fishy cookbooks, the proposals were bold and inspiring. Art & science enrich each other!

Very pleased to contribute to yesterday’s conference “Voices for the Baltic Sea: Science, Art and Action” in Hanasaari and to reflect on the relevance of science and art in working to protect the #BalticSea. @helcominfo.bsky.social

📢 Call for tender: legal analysis of CCS in accordance with the Helsinki Convention We are seeking two qualified legal consultants/firms to evaluate whether CCS activities are legally permissible under the Helsinki Convention and relevant international legal instruments. ℹ️ buff.ly/RoPnCZL

Today we welcomed art students to our office to learn more about HELCOM, the Baltic Sea & science/policy/activism. During "Reimagining the Baltic Sea" KUNO course the students will explore how artistic practices might bring new perspectives on the state of the Baltic Sea. @taideyliopisto.bsky.social

1st day of the 2025 Mtg of Heads of Secretariats of the European River/Water Commissions and RSCs at the #ViennaInternationalCentre in Vienna.Excellent discussions on issues of common interest in working to protect Europe’s aquatic environments. Thank you #ICPDR for hosting! @helcominfo.bsky.social

🦭 The long wait is over! Today on the Baltic Sea Day, HELCOM, Julibert Games and Reaktor are launching Ecosfera Baltica, a new educational game that turns science into play. Today you can try it out at the EU@Oodi stand, Helsinki, 12:00–19:00. 👉 buff.ly/E7Tr9o4 #EcosferaBaltica #BalticSea

💙 Celebrate the Baltic Sea Day with us! Come and try out new Baltic Sea–themed games! Play on your own or team up with others while learning about the Baltic Sea ecosystem and the challenges it faces. 📍 EU@Oodi stand, 1st floor of Oodi, from 12:00 to 19:00 #BalticSeaDay #Itämeripäivä

The 34th #BalticSeaParliamentaryConference ends with the adoption of a substantial resolution, which, among many other important points calls on the governments in the Baltic Sea Region and the EU to “Strengthen the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan.” @helcominfo.bsky.social

Thank you for the opportunity to deliver a presentation and take part in the panel discussion moderated by Mr. Ola Elvestuen, MP, during today’s session on Marine Ecosystems, Fisheries and Climate Change at the 34th #BalticSeaParliamentaryConference (#BSPC)! @helcominfo.bsky.social

Thrilled to be in #Åland for the 34th #BalticSeaParliamentaryConference (#BSPC). Speakers at the opening session stressed the importance of security, sustainability, democracy and the rules-based international order, + the increased sense of unity among BSPC countries. @helcominfo.bsky.social

Today, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by filmmakers Ka Pethke and Christoph Rohrscheidt, who are shooting a feature about the m #EUNIC project #GuardingTheBalticSea, of which HELCOM - Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission is a partner, for German public broadcaster #3sat.

Want to assess your plan checking the effects & pressures of maritime activities on habitats & ecosystems? Watch this video to learn how the Cumulative Impact Assessment Tool can help you. 📽️ buff.ly/fjdqtHo #Data #MSP

Registration now open! A conference in Hanasaari "Voices for the Baltic Sea: Science, Art and Action" on 2 Sept. Our Executive Secretary @rudigerstrempel.bsky.social joins the panel discussion on how science & art can spark action for the Baltic Sea. Register here: lnkd.in/g2cSxZRQ

The Baltic is a very busy sea. My latest article, which I am happy to share, offers a concise overview of @helcominfo.bsky.social ‘s contribution to promting sustainable and safe #shipping and #MaritimeSecurity in the #BalticSea region. links.springernature.com/f/a/ohyggEC4...

HELCOM Red List II reports are now out! 🐬 The HELCOM Red List II assessment shows the health of threatened species and habitats/biotopes in the Baltic Sea, building on findings from the Red List in 2013. Vol 1, species: buff.ly/OxhGtPQ Vol 2, underwater biotopes and habitats: buff.ly/a1aXDIF

After years of lobbying by vulnerable island nations, the U.N. asked the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion, a non-binding but important basis for international obligations.