After two years of active engagement at the helm of the Baltic Sea States Subregional Co-operation (BSSSC), the German state of Schleswig-Holstein has handed over the chairmanship to the Vidzeme Planning Region (Latvia).

The handover took place during the BSSSC Day of Cities and Regions in Sopot, Poland – this year’s BSSSC Annual Conference, hosted by the City of Sopot in close cooperation with the Pomorskie Region. The event brought together representatives from politics, administration, youth organisations and civil society from across the Baltic Sea Region.

“Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region is more important than ever. It strengthens our societies, our democracies and our economic resilience,” said Werner Schwarz, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Areas, Europe and Consumer Protection of Schleswig-Holstein. “By passing the chairmanship to Vidzeme, we are sending a strong signal of unity and innovation – and we are proud that, for the first time, a Baltic region will take over this responsibility.”

The conference, held under the motto “Breaking Down the Silos in Baltic Sea Region Cooperation”, offered a diverse programme with practical sessions on key future issues.
A morning workshop focused on multi-level governance in regional policymaking, followed by a Future Lab where participants developed ideas for the upcoming Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme (2027–2034).
In the afternoon, a panel on security and social resilience examined the role of regions in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. A fishbowl discussion added the perspective of young people, highlighting how intergenerational exchange is key to a resilient and forward-looking Baltic Sea Region.

During the event, the new BSSSC Joint Statement 2025 was presented and adopted. It summarises the key political conclusions and shared priorities for the months ahead and will guide the network’s work until the next annual conference in 2026.

“Our strength lies in cooperation across borders and sectors,” Schwarz emphasised. “Security today is about much more than defence – it is about trust, inclusion and our shared ability to find solutions together.”

The conference concluded with a keynote by futurist Florence Gaub, who offered insights into possible futures of the Baltic Sea Region and the need for adaptive, creative governance in uncertain times.

The ceremonial highlight came with the symbolic handover of the traditional BSSSC bell to Inese Suija-Markova, Chair of the Vidzeme Regional Development Council. With this, for the first time in the network’s history, the BSSSC presidency passes to both a Baltic region and a woman.

To close the day, the Baltic Sea Cultural Pearls project invited participants to a cultural evening at the historic St. John’s Centre in Gdańsk. The event showcased how culture – in line with the project’s concept – connects people and fosters social resilience throughout the Baltic Sea Region.

With inspiring discussions, new partnerships and a shared vision for the future, the BSSSC Day of Cities and Regions in Sopot successfully concluded — setting a confident tone for continued cooperation in the years ahead.

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