On 13^th December 2022 VASAB Committee for Spatial Planning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region (VASAB CSPD/BSR) met for its 88^th meeting and discussed recent developments in the field of spatial planning.

After long and intensive work, VASAB CSPD/BSR approved the VASAB Vision for the Territorial Development of the Baltic Sea Region in 2040. This document sets long-term territorial perspective for the Baltic Sea Region, observes land and sea as well as land-sea interactions, addresses emerging trends and challenges. Furthermore, the VASAB Vision 2040 proposes potential future actions that could be implemented jointly with stakeholders. VASAB Vision 2040 is expected to be endorsed by VASAB Ministerial Conference that will be organized on 1-2 June 2023. In addition, VASAB, being also the lead coordinator for Policy area ‘Spatial Planning’, will communicate the Vision 2040 with other Policy areas and stakeholders within the network of EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and beyond.

VASAB CSPD/BSR gave its approval to the nomination of Ms. Tiina Tihlman from Finnish Ministry of Environment to act as Vice-Chair of the HELCOM-VASAB Maritime Spatial Planning Working Group, as well as approved Working Group`s Work plan for 2022-2024. The Work plan indicates the tasks for the Baltic Sea Region cooperation on maritime spatial planning issues, supporting the implementation of the Regional Baltic MSP Roadmap 2030.

It was decided to prolong the hosting of VASAB Secretariat in Riga by the end of year 2029.

Next VASAB CSPD/BSR meeting is planned in April next year.