the Commission on Environment. Mr Engström stressed that sustainable development and LA21 work must be considered as a basis for all UBC activity. The Conference decided to adopt the UBC LA21 Action Program.

Financial matters

Mr Pawel Zaboklicki, the Secretary General of the Union, presented the auditor's report on UBC accounts for 1997- 1998, which was prepared by the licensed auditing office 'Bilans' from Gdansk, stating that the Union financial transactions and records within the mentioned period have been handled properly. The Conference took note of the report. President Anders Engström presented the Executive Board's proposal for the UBC budget and membership fees for the financial period 2000- 2001. The Conference approved the budget and membership fees.

Elections

The following cities were elected as members of UBC Executive Board for the next two- year period: Aalborg, Bergen, Gdansk, Liepāja, Pori, Rostock, Šiauliai, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Tartu.

The General Conference elected Mr Anders Engström, Kalmar, as President of the Union, and Mr Eugenijus Gentvilas, Klaipėda and Mr Armas Lahoniitty, Turku, as Vice- Presidents of the Union, for a two- year period. Mr Anders Engström expressed his thanks to outgoing UBC Vice- Presidents

Mr Michael Bouteiller and Mr Bartlomiej Sochanski for their outstanding contribution to the work of the Union.
The Conference elected the following persons to the Board of Audit: Ms Silvia Lobner, Head of Auditing Department, Wismar; Mr Kim Roessell, Head of International Affairs Department, Copenhagen; Mr Bartlomiej Sochanski, City Councillor, Szczecin.

Commissions

President Engström reminded the Conference that the Executive Board decided to create two new UBC Commissions in 1998, i. e. the Commission on Education and the Commission on Urban Planning. The General Conference approved the creation of mentioned Commissions. The Conference also approved the Executive Board decision to terminate the Commission on Communication.

Environmental Award

The idea of Best Environmental Practise in Baltic Cities Award came from the Commission on Environment. The intention of the award is to encourage member cities to develop their administration and services in innovative ways for the good of the whole municipality and its citizens. The first award was granted during the V General Conference to the City of Tartu for the project "Tartu Agenda 21".

Next Conference

Following the proposal of the Mayor of Rostock, Mr Arno P ker, the General Conference decided to hold its 6 th Meeting in the City of Rostock in the year 2001.

Resolution

President Anders Engström presented the Conference Resolution on European Union Enlargement in the Baltic Sea Region. The Conference adopted the Resolution. President Engstrom expressed his warm thanks to the City of Stockholm, delegates from member cities, speakers, guests and the UBC Secretariat for their outstanding contribution to the success of the V UBC General Conference.