In welcoming the participants of the event, the Director of Panevėžys City Administration Rimantas Pauža reminded that already in 2008, Panevėžys City Council approved the Declaration of Baltic Sea Challenge and contributed to join the forces for the improvement of the status of the Baltic Sea. "Despite of the fact that we are an in-land city, we have the river "Nevėžis", a tributary to the largest river in Lithuania "Nemunas" and the latter- to the Baltic Sea. We are the first municipality in Lithuania which has already prepared the Local Baltic Sea Action Plan  (BSAP). Environmental, economical, social and investment measures improving the status of water and improving the city climate for investments",- said R. Pauža.

The project background, objectives and research study have been presented by Lotta Samuelson, Swedish Water House (SIWI) , Marc Klaus organisation RACE FOR THE BALTIC. The Professional Secretary of HELCOM Dmitry Frank-Kamenetsky presented the actions of HELCOM and the role of municipalities in achieving the national BSAP commitments.

The workshop discussed the challenges of the improvement of the Baltic Sea status, further steps and plans to be taken.