34th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference - “The Baltic Sea – Our Lifeline”

On 24-26 August 2025, the Baltic Assembly actively participated in the 34th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC), which took place in Mariehamn, Åland Islands. The conference brought together parliamentarians, experts, youth representatives and international guests from across the Baltic Sea Region to address pressing topics such as energy resilience, maritime sustainability, youth engagement and democratic security under the theme “The Baltic Sea – Our Lifeline.”


The President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, addressed a keynote in which he placed the war of aggression directed by Russia against Ukraine at the centre by stating that “Russia has violated the basic principles of international law, and that must not go without consequence.” Additionally, he welcomed the unity among the Baltic Sea states and urged joint efforts to defend critical undersea infrastructure against hybrid threats.

Additionally, Antoņina Ņenaševa, Chair of the Health, Welfare and Family Committee of the Baltic Assembly and Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, called for joint action against the "shadow fleet" and hybrid threats posed by Russia. She stressed that the destruction of the environment should not be viewed as an environmental problem, but as a matter of common security of the Baltic Sea region.

Working Groups

Led by the Baltic Assembly, the Working Group on Energy Security, Self-sustainability, Resilience and Connectivity concluded during the conference after two years of dedicated cooperation, expert dialogue and recommendations made. Chair of the Working Group Andris Kulbergs stated that “work does not stop with the end of the Working Group. We have to ensure recommendations are realised by our governments!” The conclusive set of political recommendations related to accelerating the transition to renewable and climate-neutral energy sources, advancing hydrogen strategies and regional energy interconnections, enhancing civil preparedness and digital resilience, supporting large-scale cross-border infrastructure projects and promoting regional stockpiling and rapid repair capabilities for critical systems. See the final report here. 

Succeeding is a new Working Group on Strengthening Cyber and Information Resilience to Promote Democracy, which was also established on the initiative of the Baltic Assembly. The goal of this Working Group is to address the growing challenges posed by cyber threats and disinformation through regional cooperation and shared strategies. Future discussions will primarily revolve around two main directions: 1) Cybersecurity and digital connectivity in the region; 2) Strengthening democracy against the weaponisation of information. Meelis Kiili, Member of the Security and Defence Committee of the Baltic Assembly, presented the plans of the Working Group as the Chair by stating that “we all know too well that cyber and information threats do not know borders. It is important that the democratic Baltic Sea region is strong! By joining our forces, we will try to find new ways to strengthen our defence, close security gaps and build trust in our people.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, the BSPC adopted a comprehensive Resolution setting joint priorities for security, ecological resilience and democratic cooperation in the region, in which steadfast support for the sovereignty of Ukraine was also reaffirmed. The Resolution also called for closer NATO-EU cooperation and the long-term maritime security presence in the Baltic Sea. Read the full Resolution here.

Additionally, the presidency of the BSPC was formally handed over from the Parliament of Åland to the Schleswig-Holstein Parliament. 

During the meeting, the Baltic Assembly was represented by the President Jānis Vucāns, Chair of the BSPC Working Group on Energy Security, Self-Sustainability, Resilience and Connectivity and Chair of the Economics, Energy and Innovation Committee Andris Kulbergs, Chair of the Health, Welfare and Family Committee Antoņina Ņenaševa, Vice Chair of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee Tiit Maran, Member of the Economics, Energy and Innovation Committee Kaspars Briškens and Member of the Security and Defence Committee Meelis Kiili.


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