Baltic
Rectors’ Forum

Foreword

The First Baltic Rectors’ Forum marked the inauguration of a permanent regional platform bringing together universities, public institutions, industry leaders and international partners to discuss the future of the Baltic Sea Region. While the challenges facing our region are increasingly complex, ranging from geopolitical security and energy transformation to environmental resilience and technological innovation, the Forum demonstrated that they can only be addressed through sustained cooperation and mutual trust.

The discussions held in Gdańsk confirmed that universities have a unique responsibility in this process. Beyond their traditional missions of education and research, higher education institutions are becoming strategic partners in shaping public policy, supporting innovation, developing future leaders and strengthening regional resilience. Throughout the Forum, a common conviction emerged: the future of the Baltic Sea Region will depend on our ability to connect scientific excellence with public leadership, entrepreneurial capacity and international collaboration.

One of the most significant outcomes of the Forum was the signing of the Gdańsk Declaration, reaffirming a common commitment to strengthening academic cooperation, research, innovation and sustainable development across the Baltic Sea Region. Equally important was the announcement that Klaipėda University will host the Second Baltic Rectors’ Forum, confirming our shared ambition to establish this initiative as a permanent platform for regional dialogue and cooperation.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all speakers, panellists and participants whose expertise, openness and commitment shaped the quality of the discussions. My appreciation also extends to our two strategic partners – ORLEN and Ministry of Science and Higher Education, all sponsors, honorary patrons and institutional partners whose support made this inaugural Forum possible.

The inaugural Baltic Rectors’ Forum demonstrated that the greatest strength of our region lies not only in its scientific excellence or economic potential, but in its willingness to work together. It is my sincere hope that this spirit of cooperation will continue to guide our common efforts in the years ahead.

Prof. Piotr Stepnowski

UG Rector, Chair of the Organising Committee

Signatories to the Gdańsk Declaration

56 signatories from 9 Baltic Sea Region countries

🇵🇱 Poland

🇸🇪 Sweden

🇩🇰 Denmark

🇩🇪 Germany

🇱🇹 Lithuania

🇱🇻 Latvia

🇪🇪 Estonia

🇫🇮 Finland

🇺🇦 Ukraine

Signatories