On 29 June 2025, the Ministers responsible for spatial planning and development of Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, and Estonia adopted the VASAB Ministerial Tallinn Declaration on Spatial Resilience. The declaration was adopted through a written procedure during the Estonian Chairmanship of the VASAB Committee on Spatial Planning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region.

Responding to the increased natural and man-made hazards and mounting geopolitical instability in the Baltic Sea Region, the Ministers responsible for spatial planning and development participating in VASAB intergovernmental multilateral co-operation of the Baltic Sea Region reaffirmed their commitment to spatial and territorial resilience. The declaration emphasizes the critical role of spatial planning and territorial development in addressing emerging threats, enhancing regional security, and fostering sustainable development across all governance levels.

The Ministers unequivocally condemned Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, reaffirmed the suspension of Russia and Belarus from VASAB activities, and committed to supporting Ukraine’s spatial and regional development.

The declaration underscores the importance of:

• Advancing the VASAB Vision for the Territorial Development of the Baltic Sea Region in 2040 as the backbone for spatial and territorial development of the Baltic Sea Region;
• Coordinating maritime spatial planning activities across the region in close collaboration with HELCOM;
• Supporting green and digital transitions;
• Promoting spatial preparedness across all governance levels;
• Engaging the next generation of spatial planners.

As VASAB marks 30 years since the 1994 Tallinn Declaration, this Ministerial Declaration reinforces VASAB’s role as a platform for turning regional challenges into opportunities. The Ministers also expressed gratitude to the German, Finnish, and Estonian Chairmanships and entrusted the upcoming Polish Chairmanship with continuing to contribute towards strengthening adaptive and exaptive spatial resilience to crises and integrating the spatial and territorial aspects of the whole-of-society security approach into VASAB strategic activities and documents.

Read full declaration here.