The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) is a regional intergovernmental organisation working on three priority areas: regional identity; regional safety and security; regional sustainability and prosperity.

These three priority areas aim to address the themes of sustainable development, environment, sustainable maritime economy, education, labour, culture, youth engagement, civil security, children's rights and human trafficking.

Member states

The CBSS has 11 members – 10 Member States as well as the European Union. The Member States are:

  • (1995)

Former Member States

  • (suspended in March 2022 and withdrew in May the same year)

Observer States

11 other countries have observer status:

  • (suspended in 2022)

Directors General of the CBSS Secretariat

thumb|261x261px|Gustav Lindström – Director General of the Permanent International Secretariat of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in Stockholm (since 2024)

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|Jacek Starosciak

|1998–2002

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|Hannu Halinen

|2002–2005

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|Gabriele Kötschau

|2005–2010

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|Jan Lundin

|2010–2016

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|Maira Mora

|2016–2020

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|Grzegorz Marek Poznański

|2020–2024

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|Gustav Lindström

|2024 – current

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thumb|757x757px|CBSS Members and observers|center

History

The CBSS was established by the region's Foreign Ministers in Copenhagen in March 1992 as a response to the geopolitical changes that took place in the Baltic Sea region with the end of the Cold War. The CBSS founders were Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, Thorvald Stoltenberg, Lennart Meri, Jānis Jurkāns, Algirdas Saudargas, Henning Christophersen, Paavo Väyrynen, Andrei Kozyrev, Margaretha af Ugglas, and Krzysztof Skubiszewski.

On 3 March 2022, a declaration from 11 members of the CBSS suspended Russia from the Council's activities with immediate effect as a result of 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, Belarus, with observer status, was suspended from participating in CBSS activities.

Presidencies

The Council Presidency rotates between the ten Member States on an annual basis. The European Union does not hold the Presidency. Each Presidency lays down a set of specific priorities to guide the works of the Council for the Presidency year and lasts for one year from 1 July until 30 June.

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|2012–2013

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|Stricter environmental standards for maritime transport, synchronizing regional strategies, improving the ecological state of the region

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|2011–2012

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|2010–2011

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|Fight against trafficking in human beings, Maritime policy

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|2009–2010

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|2008–2009

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|2007–2008

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|2006–2007

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|2005–2006

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|2004–2005

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|2003–2004

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|2002–2003

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|2001–2002

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|2000–2001

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|1999–2000

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|1998–1999

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|1997–1998

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|1996–1997

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|1995–1996

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|1994–1995

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|1993–1994

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|1992–1993

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Structure

Committee of Senior Officials

The Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) consists of high-ranking representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the ten CBSS Member States as well as of a high-level representative of the European Union. The CSO serves as the main discussion forum and decision-making body for matters related to the work of the Council between Ministerial Sessions. The CSO monitors, facilitates and aims to coordinate the work of all CBSS structures.

The period chaired by each country rotates on an annual basis and follows the Council Presidency. The CSO Chairman is a representative, usually at ambassadorial level, appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country which holds the Council Presidency.

A number of CBSS structures are operating under the auspices of the CSO.

The CSO monitors the work of the Expert Groups and coordinates the work undertaken in the agreed three long-term priorities 'Regional Identity', 'Sustainable & Prosperous Region' and 'Safe & Secure Region'.

Expert Groups

  • CBSS Expert Group on Sustainable Maritime Economy
  • CBSS Expert Group on Children at Risk
  • CBSS Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings

The CBSS Expert Group on Sustainable Development, which managed the Baltic 2030 Action Plan, ceased its operations in 2023.

Secretariat

A Permanent International Secretariat of the CBSS was established following a decision taken at the 7th Ministerial Session of the CBSS in 1998 in Nyborg, Denmark. The Secretariat was officially inaugurated at its premises on the island of Strömsborg in Stockholm on 20 October 1998. From November 2010 until July 2020 the Secretariat was located at Räntmästarhuset at Slussplan 9, Stockholm, Sweden. Since July 2020, Momma Reenstiernas Palace at Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 23 is the new home of the CBSS Secretariat.

The mandate of the Secretariat is as follows:

  • to provide technical and organisational support to the Chairman of the CBSS and the structures and working bodies of the Council;
  • to ensure continuity and enhanced coordination of CBSS activities;
  • to implement the CBSS Information and Communication Strategy;
  • to maintain the CBSS archives and information database;
  • to maintain contacts with other organisations operating in and around the Baltic Sea region, the national authorities of Member States and the media.