VIII General Conference in Turku
29 September - 2 October 2005

Over 270 participants from 67 UBC member cities including guests from governments and organisations gathered at the VIII UBC General Conference in Turku, Finland, to discuss the challenges which the Baltic Sea Region faces nowadays as well as to think of the future role of the UBC.

The theme of the Conference was Towards a New Baltic Agenda. The first two days 29 and 30 September were full of various presentations devoted to this issue. The third day, 1 October, was dominated by the UBC internal matters like elections, fees, budget etc.

Keynote speakers
Traditionally, conference participants were warmly welcomed by the Mayor of the hosting city of Turku - Mr Armas Lahoniitty. Moreover, Mr Pertti Paasio, Chairman of Turku City Council conveyed on behalf of the Prime Minister of Finland Mr Matti Vanhanen a greetings to the General Conference. Also, the Prime Minister of Estonia, Mr Andrus Ansip delivered the address to the GC presented by Ms Laine Jänes, Mayor of Tartu. The Conference was opened by the UBC President Mr Per Bodker Andersen.

The main theme of the Conference was discussed from many different points of view. The honorable speakers presented many aspects of the Baltic Sea Region development. Among the lecturers there were: Mr Pavel Telicka, European Coordinator for Rail Baltica, Ms Elisabeth Helander, Director, European Commission, DG Regional Policy, Carl Cederschiöld, Mayor Emeritus (Stockholm), Mr Viktor Surikov, Mayor of Kronshtadt, Mr Emilio D'Alessio, Vice-Mayor of the City of Ancona. The Conference hosted guests from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda whose representative Mr Stephen Kabuye, Chairman of Lake Victoria Region Local Authorities Cooperation, submitted address on behalf of LVRLAC.

The participants could contribute to the general discussion more directly by taking part in forums which were held concurrently during the second dayof the conference: 1. Maritime Logistics Corridors in the BSR 2. Promoting Human Contacts in the BSR 3. BSR Cities and the EU Budget Framework 4. BSR Cities and the New Neighbourhood Policies 5. Active and Attractive City: physical activity promotes wellbeing 6. LVRLAC - UBC Cooperation Forum. After the forums, concluding reports were presented to the audience.

Memorandum of Understanding
During the closing plenary, the UBC endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Port and Maritime Policy for the Baltic Sea Region signed by 15 major Baltic ports and port cities. This document's aim is to ensure the common environmental practices at the ports dealing with ships' emissions to the air, handling of waste and managing waste waters.

General Assembly
The General Assembly was opened by President Andersen who submitted the report on UBC activities during the period October 2003 - September 2005. The President thanked the outgoing Vice-Presidents, - Mr Armas Lahoniitty, Mr Arno Poeker and Mr Gundars Bojars, for their outstanding contribution to the UBC success. Subsequently, the representatives of the UBC Commissions and Networks presented reports and action plans to the assembly.

UBC Finances
Mr Pawel Zaboklicki, UBC Secretary General, presented the auditor's report on UBC accounts for 2003-2004, prepared by the licensed auditing company BILANS from Gdansk. The report confirmed that the Union financial transactions and records have been handled properly. The conference approved as well the Executive Board proposal for the UBC budget and membership fees for 2006 and 2007. Additionally, Mr Bartlomiej Sochanski, Szczecin, outgoing member of the Board of Audit, presented the report of the Board of Audit. The conference elected and welcomed the new members of the UBC Board of Audit - Ms Ewa Back, Mayor of Sundsvall, Sweden, Ms Marta Chelkowska, Vice-Mayor of Leba, Poland and Ms Silvia Loebner, Head of Audit Department, Wismar, Germany.

Elections
The General Conference elected Mr Per Bodker Andersen as President of the Union, Ms Marie-Louise Rönnmark, Mayor of Umea, as first Vice-President of the Union, Mr Aleksi Randell, Chairman of City Board, Turku and Ms Laine Jänes, Mayor of Tartu, as Vice-Presidents of the Union. The Conference elected the new UBC Executive Board as well.

Next Conference
President Andersen presented the proposal of the resolution from the VIII UBC General Conference which was unanimously adopted by the conference. The effects of works of the Union within the next two-year period will be evaluated during the IX General Conference which will be held in the City of Pärnu, Estonia, in 2007. Mr Armas Lahoniitty handed over the UBC flag to Mr Mart Viisitamm, Deputy Mayor of Pärnu, wishing Pärnu a successful conference in 2007.