Highlights from the 58^th UBC Board Meeting

The role of the UBC in implementing the EU Strategy for BSR and discussion on the UBC Commissions' activities were the main points of the 58^th meeting of the Executive Board held on 4 June 2010 in Trelleborg, Sweden, upon the invitation of Mr Ulf Bingsgård, Mayor of Trelleborg.

58th UBC Executive Board was held in Trelleborg on 4-5 June 2010

Following the recommendation of the Board of Audit, it was decided to invite 3-4 UBC Commissions to the Board Meetings to get acquainted with the Commissions' current activities and achievements. At the meeting in Trelleborg four Commissions were present: Business Cooperation, Education, Energy, Environment. The Board discussed the ways on how the commissions should cooperate with each other as many of the areas of activity are common. It was decided that possible mergers of the Commissions, evaluation of their work and allocation of money would be discussed at the next Board meeting.

Ms Catharina Sørensen representing the DG Regio, European Commission, made the presentation on the EU Strategy for the BSR and its latest developments. The Board members took the opportunity and asked questions concerning the implementation of the Strategy and the role of the cities. President Per Bødker Andersen stressed that the UBC had to be active to have an impact on implementation of the Strategy. He reminded the flagships selected by UBC: 5.1 "Anticipate regional and local impacts of climate change through research", 8.1 "Promote young entrepreneurs", 8.4 "Make the Baltic Sea an Eco-efficient region", 11.1 "Complete the agreed priority transport infrastructures".

Also, the new UBC Strategy and its implementation was discussed. The Board appointed Mr Mikko Lohikoski as a UBC Strategy Coordinator.