After intensive and fruitful collaboration BSR countries agreed on coherent approach for MSP output data structure. The BSR MSP Data Expert subgroup had elaborated "The Guidelines on transboundary MSP output data structure" that were agreed by the joint HELCOM-VASAB MSP Working Group in its 17th meeting on 14-15 November 2018 in Riga.

The 7th Baltic LINes project partner meeting took place on 13 – 14 November 2018 in Riga, Latvia. This was the last meeting before the final conference on 13 – 14 February 2019 in Hamburg, Germany.

Talented young students and professionals from around the Baltic Sea are invited to join the Young Planners Contest “Livable places and spaces of tomorrow”.

From 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, Latvia presided over the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS). Latvia also chaired VASAB Committee on Spatial Planning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region (CSPD/BSR) – a steering body of this cooperation.

VASAB and HELCOM as a EUSBSR Horizontal Action “Spatial Planning” coordinators have received a technical assistance grant for the new HASPS 3 project. Starting from September 2018 project will continue the work of the previous HASPS and HASPS-2 projects. Grant is financed by the European Union through the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2014-2020.

VASAB has initiated “Baltic Sea Region Young Planners Contest” to collect fresh ideas and enhance perspective of young planning professionals about the Baltic Sea Region`s future. During the competition the best planners from all VASAB countries will come together and via intense summer camp will bring their ideas and spatial solutions to the rising challenges of Baltic Sea Region in 2050. Best idea(s) will be presented in the VASAB Ministerial Conference.