The UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development to tackle challenges facing the 2030 Agenda goals

Finland emphasises the importance of international multilateral cooperation in delivering the 2030 Agenda. Its focal areas include human rights, gender equality, the rights of women and girls, sexual and reproductive health and rights, education, and water.

The Forum is significant and extremely topical, as the implementation of several SDGs is running behind the target schedule. Achieving the SDGs will help the most vulnerable people in particular, promoting their ability to cope and participate in society’s development.

Finland emphasises the need to improve water resources management as a prerequisite for delivering other SDGs. The goal of clean water and sanitation is of key importance for food safety and hygiene. It also helps safeguard energy supply and reduce environmental load. Accelerating progress in this field calls for faster implementation and stronger cooperation and partnerships, especially in developing countries.

Finland will participate in an event discussing the interlinkages between water issues and other sustainable development themes and economic aspects. The event will be organised by a transboundary water cooperation coalition comprising international and non-governmental organisations. Jaana Husu-Kallio, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, will discuss Finland’s experiences of transboundary water cooperation. She will also deliver Finland’s statement concerning the goal of clean water and sanitation.

“Improving water security is the key to food security, which currently faces a host of international challenges. Measures and cooperation in all areas of water use are now required both locally and between nations,” says Husu-Kallio.

Finland will participate in the Forum with its own side events. An official side event will be organised jointly with Tanzania to discuss the sustainable development efforts of cities and municipalities.

The Finnish delegation will include central government representatives from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of the Environment, and the Prime Minister’s Office. Other participants include the City of Helsinki, the Association of Finnish Municipalities, Fingo – the umbrella organisation of Finnish NGOs, the UN Association of Finland, WWF Finland, and the Agenda 2030 Youth Group. Fiskars Group will participate as a business representative.

Inquiries

• Petra Paasilinna, Agenda2030 Coordinator, Unit for UN Development and Innovation Issues, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 50 478 3840
• Annukka Lipponen, Chief Specialist on Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tel. +358 295 162 067
• Juulia Suuronen, Specialist, Unit for International and EU Affairs, Ministry of the Environment, tel. +358 50 473 2411
• The email addresses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format firstname.lastname@gov.fi.