Download - The new HELCOM Key results from the streamlining process 2013-14 Photo: Francisco Alvarez Bao
The new HELCOM
Key results from the streamlining process 2013-14
Photo: Francisco Alvarez Bao
First: inspection of the existing structure and workflow
Streamlining started: October 2013Mission completed: September 2014
Photo: the U.S. N
ational Archives
Why streamline?
Make HELCOM more• effective• flexible• responsive
1. Better focus • Where HELCOM has
clear added value• Better planning -
clear deliverables• Target (policymakers
are No. 1)• Improved
documentation
Less issues raised, but more visibility!
2. Country ownership
• Strengthen HELCOM’s role as a policy-maker for regional cooperation
• Synchronizing with other policies and legislation • Create ‘conditions’ for CP’s to engage more
Photo: Addison Berry
3. Reaching out to other sectors and processes
• mainstreaming marine protection to other policies
• address obstacles in delayed implementation• Incorporate socio-economic considerations
Photo: the U.S. N
ational Archives
Coordination with other processes
• synergies especially with other Regional Seas Conventions & EU
• identify and use opportunities for joining efforts• h
Photo: Gilad Kavalerchik
The results:new structure
Results
Mandates and deliverables of the groups are clearer
Photo: American Life
league (edited)
Results• Clearer role for the Gear group: to boost synergies
with national & other regional players on marine policies
Photo: Cactus Farmland
Photo: Stuar Richards
How the groups can put all this into practice?
By following the new HELCOM Roadmap, with exact timelines until 2021
How to do it in practice • Common format for groups’ working plans • Policy documents more concise and to the
point• More video conferences
How to do it in practice Focus on policy relevance
Modified from
image of TheBlackFin
Involving better Contracting Partiesin elaborating HELCOM documents and/or inputs:
• Clear definition of the type and timing of input needed from processes outside HELCOM
• Better coordination nationally
Photo: Marina del Castell
Strengthening contribution
…to other policies and legislation the Contracting Parties must comply with
…to be more targeted to relevant processes outside HELCOM
Photo: Peter Thoeny
Improving efficiency
1. Transparent and timely reporting and presentation of monitoring data2. Capture important topics for the countries into working groups’ work3. One responsible actor for leading a specific item4. A consultation plan
Photo: Alex Berger
More means for efficiency• longer term planning for reporting e.g. HELCOM
recommendation, new BSAP follow up under preparation
• Seek synergies - lead countries and joint working groups/meetings/outputs with other bodies, in particular OSPAR
Photo: David Finell
Current main groups one by one
Gear –Group for the implementation of the
ecosystem approach
• Region-wide co-operation on marine strategies• Regional coordination for MSFD implementation,
for EU members, and for RF Maritime Doctrine• Cooperation and coordination with other RSCs• Integration & coherence between other HELCOM
groups
Permanent
group
Photo: Tristan Martin
State* Working Group on the state of the environment
and nature conservation*Two themes, two co-chairs:1. Monitoring and assessment (biodiversity, status of & effects on marine environment)2. Nature conservation and biodiversity protection (develop measures & MPAs)• Working across monitoring-indicators-assessment chain• Holistic assessment on the ecosystem health
* Tentative name
Permanent
Pressure* Working Group on Reduction of Pressures from
the Baltic Sea Catchment Area*• Technical basis to the work on nutrient and
hazardous substances inputs on land• Follow-up of the implementation of the nutrient
reduction scheme• Monitoring and assessment for water- and airborne
inputs• Coordination of marine litter and underwater noise
* Tentative name
Permanent
group
Photo: Anu Suono
Fish groupGroup on Ecosystem-based Sustainable Fisheries
• Solutions on how the sector could further contribute to reaching Good Environmental Status of the Baltic Sea by 2021
- data gaps in assessing human pressures - fishing practices in MPAs- migratory fish species- aquaculturePhoto: Sam
uli Korpinen
Time-limited
group
Agri group Group on Sustainable Agricultural Practices
• Review and update part II Annex III of the Helsinki Convention
• Work on standards for nutrient content in manure• Work on annual nutrient accounting on farm level• Promote development of methodology for nutrient
recycling
Time-limited
group
Maritime group + Response group +HELCOM-VASAB Working Group on
Maritime Spatial Planning
• Prevention of pollution from ships• Swift national and international response to maritime
pollution incidents• Coherent regional maritime spatial planning processes in the
Baltic Sea• No changes in the Terms of Reference
Time-
limited
Permanent
groups
+ Many expert groups, networks, projects
striving for the same goals Photo: Bob Boyer
New HELCOM will be a more
dynamic team
Photo: Dodik Putro