Regional Cooperation for a Healthy Baltic Sea in Focus at Council of the Baltic Sea States Event

Race For The Baltic, together with the Polish Embassy in Sweden and the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), convened an event in Stockholm on 27 March 2026 under the title “Advancing a Sustainable Baltic Sea through Regional Cooperation”.

The meeting brought together representatives from government, regional organisations, academia and business to exchange perspectives on strengthening collaboration across borders. Particular attention was given to cooperation between Poland and Sweden, highlighting how bilateral efforts can contribute to wider regional impact. This perspective framed discussions around how joint initiatives can translate political commitments into tangible environmental outcomes, including through hands-on cross-country projects in the region.

Opening the meeting, Polish Ambassador to Sweden Karolina Ostrzyniewska and CBSS Director General Gustav Lindström emphasised that, despite wider geopolitical challenges, environmental pressures on the Baltic Sea remain significant and require continued joint action.

Participants highlighted the importance of cross-border partnerships, knowledge and data sharing, and linking policy commitments with practical implementation, including through concrete collaborative initiatives across the region.

Two panel discussions brought together policymakers, scientists and communicators. The first featured Daniel Westlén, State Secretary at Sweden’s Ministry of Climate and Enterprise; Paula Hanasz, Advisor to the Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment; and Johan Wullt, Head of Communications at the European Commission Representation in Sweden.

The second panel, moderated by Marcin Kotlarek, CEO of Race for the Baltic, included Rüdiger Strempel, Executive Secretary of HELCOM; Henrik Österblom, Professor at Stockholm University; and Fanny Tham Ratz, Deputy CEO of Race for the Baltic, focusing on how collaboration between policy, science and the private sector can support tangible progress.

The discussion reinforced the importance of sustained regional cooperation as a foundation for achieving long-term results in the Baltic Sea region.

Panel discussion with Rüdiger Strempeln (Executive Secretary of HELCOM), Fanny Tham Ratz (Deputy CEO of Race For The Baltic) and Henrik Österblom (Professor at Stockholm University), focusing on how collaboration between policy, science and the private sector can support tangible progress; moderated by Marcin Kotlarek (CEO of Race For The Baltic).