The new HELCOM Key results from the streamlining process Photo: Francisco Alvarez Bao

First: inspection of the existing structure and workflow Streamlining started: October 2013 Mission completed: September 2014 Photo: the U.S. National Archives

Few words on the key aims of streamlining HELCOM

Why streamline? Make HELCOM more effective flexible responsive

Why streamline? Photo: Jim Goodwin/Flickr IMPROVE what has not worked so well USE BETTER the limited resources …but also: BUILD on the existing strengths

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. National 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 Parties in 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 data 2. Capture important topics for the countries into working groups’ work 3. One responsible actor for leading a specific item 4. 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 group Group on Ecosystem-based Sustainable Fisheries Solutions on how the sector could further contribute to reaching Good Environmental Status of the Baltic Sea by data gaps in assessing human pressures -fishing practices in MPAs -migratory fish species -aquaculture Photo: Samuli 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