Chairmanship priorities

ESTONIAN CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE VASAB COMMITTEE ON SPATIAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE BALTIC SEA REGION

The VASAB Committee on Spatial Planning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region (VASAB CSPD/BSR) is chaired by Estonia from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.

Mr. Tiit Oidjärv from the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture will chair the VASAB CSPD/BSR meetings.

Estonian Chairmanship of the VASAB CSPD/BSR undertakes to explore the links between the emerging topic of spatial resilience and VASAB Vision 2040. Russian aggression against Ukraine has also shifted the focus of spatial planning, highlighting the importance of resilient spatial structures and communities. Similar issues were stressed during Finland’s 2023-2024 VASAB chairmanship. Additionally, Estonian chairmanship prioritises include strengthening collaboration between land-based spatial planners to fully utilise VASAB as informal knowledge and best practice hub for practitioners in spatial planning. Estonia is preparing a new national spatial strategy to support regional equity, and support high quality and sustainable spatial decision across governance levels. To share best practices and experiences of national level spatial policies, an international webinar will be held in early 2025 where experts from the Baltic Sea Region countries will be invited to share their experience.

Estonia takes VASAB chairmanship over from Finland. The next chairing country after Estonia will be Poland (2025-2026). Estonian VASAB chairmanship goes hand in hand with Estonian presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States.