Implementation of a global sustainable development action plan to start in Finland

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä: the work of the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development will be reformed

The Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development met Tuesday 10 November for the first time under its new presidency. The Commission discussed the new global sustainable development action plan (Agenda 2030) and its implementation in Finland.

‘The sustainable development action plan approved by the UN in September forces us to reform our actions – for the first time in the world history, it combines global development policy, environmental targets and sustainable growth. The government has decided that a national plan will be drawn up for the implementation of the sustainable development action plan. The composition and work methods of the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development will also be renewed at the beginning of next year’, said Prime Minister Juha Sipilä, the chairman of the Commission.

‘The societal commitment to national sustainable development is a diamond created by the committee, and now we need to make it shine’, said Prime Minister Sipilä. He promised to introduce this commitment to the government’s Centre Party and challenged all members of the Commission to find at least two more commitments.

Commission member Lenita Toivakka, the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, said that the government is currently drafting development policy guidelines, which will concretely define the focal points of Finnish development cooperation. She also highlighted that the sustainable development agenda will become the frame of reference for Finnish development policy and cooperation for the next 15 years, too. Minister Toivakka emphasised the significance of the business sector in particular, and highlighted the cooperation between civil society and business life, which is a vital part of new development thinking.

The vice chairman of the Commission, Kimmo Tiilikainen, Minister of Agriculture and the Environment, pointed out that Finland’s possibilities for implementing the global sustainable development goals are very good.

‘Finland already has many mechanisms in place, which facilitate quick and concrete implementation. Society’s commitment to sustainability is an excellent example of one such mechanisms. Several goals of Agenda 2030 can be implemented through the government programme, and advancements can be made, for example, in regard to renewable forms of energy, clean solutions and circular economy’, Tiilikainen said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini’s Secretary of State, Samuli Virtanen, emphasised that the global challenges of sustainable development, such as climate change and the increasing inequality within states and between them, are not only development issues to Finland but also safety issues. As the climate change continues, the number of refugees will continue to rise.

‘It is important that the Agenda is implemented so that society participates as extensively as possible. If its implementation becomes the duty of only the civil service sector, the goals will not be achieved’, Virtanen said.

The members of the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development instructed the government in implementation

The Commission members presented their thoughts concerning the implementation of Agenda 2030 to the government and administration.

‘This new agenda for sustainable development is based on the combined efforts and responsibilities of all countries, in accordance with their resources. The people and our planet are at the centre of this agenda. Preventing inequality within countries and between them and achieving equality between sexes are the most important social objectives’, said Jouni Nissinen from Kepa, who gave the address on behalf of civil society organisations.

On behalf of sports, education and consumer organisations, Tytti Pantsar and Hanna Lämsä highlighted that the action plan must be instilled throughout civil society and transformed into actions. The organisations can produce information, draft new kinds of models and, in particular, create dialogue and learning opportunities for civil society.

Tuuli Mäkelä spoke on behalf on the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) and the business world, highlighting Finnish companies’ possibilities for providing solutions for implementing the goals of sustainable development in practice.

‘Finland can facilitate the introduction of these solutions on a global scale and become a more significant operator in implementing the goals than its size would indicate.’

Leila Kurki from the Finnish Confederation of Professionals STTK saw Agenda 2030 as a great opportunity for Finland: if the action plan is implemented, it could allow us to move towards a low-carbon society in a more equal manner.

According to professor Eva Heiskanen from the expert panel on sustainable development, the biggest challenges for Finland in regard to the implementation of Agenda 2030 are the possibilities for supporting the development of poorest countries and the creation of a more sustainable economic model for Finland.

‘Finland must be able to reduce social inequality and make our production and consumption more sustainable’, Heiskanen said.

The panel facilitator Eeva Hellström stated that the Commission has an excellent foundation and tools to introduce sustainable development in practice. Commitment, ownership, courage and actions are now needed to change operational methods and increase the influence of actions. The Commission will next meet in early 2016 in order to design the new action plan and define the focal points and methods of the work.

More information:

Secretary General Annika Lindblom, tel. 0295 250 163, [email protected]

Deputy Secretary General Marja Innanen, tel +358 40 777 5582, [email protected]