On 28^th April 2023 VASAB Committee on Spatial Planning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region (VASAB CSPD/BSR), acting also as the Steering Group for Policy area ‘Spatial Planning’, met for its 89^th meeting online, being the last meeting under VASAB German Chairmanship 2021-2022.

In the spotlight of the meeting discussions and preparatory work for the upcoming VASAB Experts Conference and 9^th VASAB Ministerial Conference that will be held on 1-2 June in Wismar (Germany) took place.  The Experts Conference will bring together the specialists in spatial planning and development to celebrate the completion of the VASAB Vision 2040 and to discuss how to make the Vision reality. The Expert’s Conference will take place back-to-back with the endorsement of the VASAB Vision 2040 by the Ministers responsible for spatial planning and development in the Baltic Sea Region countries.

After adoption of VASAB Vision 2040, VASAB CSPD/BSR initiated discussions about the implementation of the Vision, as well as assessment of its progress. VASAB CSPD/BSR discussed implementation opportunities and agreed on general approach how to succeed it. The work will be continued in the next VASAB CPSD/BSR meeting when further tasks and activities for VASAB cooperation supporting the implementation of the Vision will be identified.

Further on, VASAB CSPD/BSR discussed the recent development within the EU Strategy of the Baltic Sea Region, as well as the achievements of the Policy area ‘Spatial Planning’. VASAB CSPD/BSR, acting also as a Steering Group for the Policy area ‘Spatial Planning’, expressed its satisfaction with the progress achieved in coordinating the policy area and emphasized such achievements as elaboration of VASAB Vision 2040, collaborative work with other policy area coordinators, VASAB Young Planners Summer School 2022, as well as continuation of the Maritime Spatial Planners Forum.

Next VASAB CSPD/BSR meeting is planned in November 2023, under the VASAB Finnish Chairmanship.