The Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area β also known as the Helsinki Convention β was originally signed in by all Baltic Sea coastal countries, seeking to address the increasing environmental challenges from industrialisation and other human activities and that were having a severe impact on the marine environment.
The Helsinki Convention includes the protection of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution from land, air and sea. It also commits the signatories to take measures on conserving habitats and biological diversity and for the sustainable use of marine resources. The Convention covers the whole of the Baltic Sea area, including inland waters as well as the water of the sea itself and the seabed.
Measures are also taken in the whole catchment area of the Baltic Sea to reduce land-based pollution. It entered into force on 3 May The Helsinki Convention was updated in to take into account the geopolitical changes and emerging environmental challenges in the region. The updated Helsinki Convention of entered into force on 17 January , after the ratification instruments were deposited by the European Community, Germany, Latvia and Sweden in , by Estonia and Finland in , by Denmark in , by Lithuania in , and by Poland and Russia in November The Convention is amended whenever deemed necessary, such as to follow the developments in international environmental and maritime laws.
The latest amendment of the Convention entered into force on 1 July Seven annexes are currently appended to the Helsinki Convention, containing more detailed procedures, measures and regulations linked to specific ecological objectives, principles or obligations that are set out in the Convention. CONSCIOUS of the indispensable values of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea Area, its exceptional hydrographic and ecological characteristics and the sensitivity of its living resources to changes in the environment;.
BEARING in mind the historical and present economic, social and cultural values of the Baltic Sea Area for the well-being and development of the peoples of that region;. DECLARING their firm determination to assure the ecological restoration of the Baltic Sea, ensuring the possibility of self-regeneration of the marine environment and preservation of its ecological balance;. WELCOMING the improved opportunities for closer co-operation which have been opened by the recent political developments in Europe on the basis of peaceful co-operation and mutual understanding;.
