Agenda 21 is an uncommonly successful initiative in the international arena. From its origins at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development the work with local, regional and national Agenda 21 undertakings has spread throughout the world. It is a matter of identifying signposts that point the way towards a sustainable society in the 21st century.
For our part the goal is clear: A clean Baltic Sea and sustainable development of the Baltic Sea Region. A gigantic challenge certainly, but it also presents tremendous opportunities in the form of the level of investment required. Investment of tens of billions of ECUs in the environment are necessary. They can serve as a motor for economic development, which in turn provides a foundation for the development of democracy, health and welfare. Conversely, unabated environmental damage constitutes a genuine threat to these same values.
The Meeting of Prime Ministers at Visby in May of 1996 decided that an Agenda 21 for the Baltic Sea Region was to be created. Work to this end has been started by environment ministers of the border states and is to be completed during 1998. The Union of the Baltic Cities has been invited to participate in this undertaking which has been entitled Baltic 21.
It is our firm conviction that the member cities have an important role to play in this process. In the transition from action plan to action one must, sooner or later, enter the local arena. It is there one meets the politicians, general public and business community directly concerned. It is among these groups that alliances must be created to achieve our common goals. Ultimately, "All business is local".
Peter Gavelin Director, Environment and Health Office, City of Sundsvall Member of UBC´s Commission on Environment and the Senior Officials Group for Baltic 21
