International Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region starts on Wednesday September 28th in Lappeenranta, Finland

Published

The Annual Forum of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) will take place on 28-29 September 2022 in Lappeenranta. The forum will bring several hundred international experts and decision-makers to the city.

The City of Lappeenranta and the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) secretariat are cooperating with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland as the main organizers of the Annual Forum of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

–  We are expecting most interesting program with the hot topics of Europe, like energy, climate change and security, says Development Director Markku Heinonen from the City of Lappeenranta.

–  We are very happy to have Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto to take part in the opening plenary of the event. Other speakers include e.g., Minister of Interior Krista Mikkonen, President, Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra Jyrki Katainen and Minister of science, culture, Federal and European Affairs, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Bettina Martin. We are honored to have high level visitors from the EU Commission, too.

Putting Plans into Practice

The objectives of the EUSBSR are saving the Baltic Sea, connecting the region, and increasing prosperity. The Annual Fora communicate information on the strategy. They are important events for information exchange, discussion, and networking. The forum to be held in Lappeenranta will be the 13th Annual Forum, and its theme is:

”EUSBSR Annual Forum 2022: Putting plans into practice  a prosperous, connected and green Baltic Sea Region”.

­– The theme refers to the practical implementation of the new EUSBSR action plan and how both the various stakeholders in the Baltic Sea Region, says Heinonen.

–  This year the event – after two pandemic years organized face to face – will offer a lot of networking opportunities, and the role of young people will be seen all over the program. For the future and continuity of the strategy these are very important issues, Heinonen underlines.

The main venue of the forum will be Lappeenranta City Hall. The two-day program will consist of discussions, networking events and evening programs.

The program and other additional information can be found on the Lappeenranta forum website: www.annualforum2022.eu

Read more about the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region: https://www.centrumbalticum.org/en/eusbsr

Further information:

Markku Heinonen
Development Director, City of Lappeenranta
tel. +358 40 581 1998
markku.heinonen