Embassy of Finland in India and UNOPS sign MoU to strengthen collaboration
The Embassy of Finland in India and the United Nations Office For Project Services (UNOPS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today as an endeavor to jointly develop a road map to establish replicable models of resource efficiency in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and circular economy practices in India.
The signing ceremony was attended by Mr Sanjay Mathur, Regional Director, UNOPS Asia Region and His Excellency Kimmo Lähdevirta, Ambassador of Finland in India. Also present on the occasion were Mr Charles Rochford Callanan, Director UNOPS - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan & Sri Lanka; Mr Vinod Mishra, Country Manager, UNOPS India and Dr. Antti Herlevi, Trade and Investment Counsellor, The Embassy of Finland in India.
“We are proud to embark on this transformative journey with UNOPS, which signifies the Embassy of Finland's unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable development in India. From innovative solutions for efficient water management to sustainable practices in circular economy, our partnership aims to empower India with the knowledge and tools needed to address water challenges and build a sustainable future for all. We believe that this partnership will not only address critical challenges in the WASH sector but also unlock many opportunities for future cooperation,” said Ambassador Kimmo Lähdevirta.
The MoU will establish the basis for a cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote bilateral technical cooperation in the field of WASH and circular economy practices for sustainable development to be able to scale up by the Government of India and other partners.
The Embassy of Finland is working together with the Indo Nordic Water Forum (INWF). The aim is to bring the Finnish, Nordic and Indian stakeholders together to solve the challenges and to find the opportunities in the rapidly growing Indian water sector.
"Fostering sustainable development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in India requires a harmonious blend of shared knowledge, expertise, and the collaborative spirit that ignites partnerships between Finland and India. Through visits, workshops, and seminars, we aim to forge a brighter future for India, driven by innovation and cooperation," said Sanjay Mathur.