Regional seas conventions are important building blocks in maritime security governance. In the Baltic sea the Helsinki Commission (known as HELCOM) works on scientific cooperation, the fight against marine pollution, and coast guard collaboration since 1974.

At an event titled “Baltic Green and Gray: HELCOM and the Environment-Security Nexus in the Baltic Sea Region”, co-organized by HELCOM and the Polish embassy in Finland, I had the opportunity to share my thoughts on the changing security landscape, and how Regional Seas Conventions can help us to adapt to a sea that is increasingly seeing grey zone strategies and tactics.