Minister Väyrynen: Social sustainability underlies all development

Press release 446/2008
1 December, 2008

Socially sustainable development is grounded, first and foremost, in rule of law, good governance, democracy and human rights, Paavo Väyrynen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, stressed in Finland’s statement that he delivered at the UN Conference on Financing for Development held in Doha, Qatar.

Socially sustainable development is important for people’s well-being, but it is also necessary for reducing poverty both by means of direct measures and indirectly, through sustainable economic growth.

“It must be asked whether some of the South’s donors are short-sighted when they emphasise that they do not interfere in their partner countries’ internal affairs,” Minister Väyrynen said, accentuating that social sustainability is the precondition for all development. “ If that’s neglected, we risk losing the investments made in development and may even endanger the safety of people whom we have sent to work for development cooperation.”

“Partners negotiate and agree on aid. However, social sustainability is something that need not be negotiated. All countries, whether developed or developing, are committed to the principles of economically, environmentally and also socially sustainable development.”

In his statement, Minister Väyrynen confirmed Finland’s commitment to the European Union’s development aid objectives, and stressed the quality of aid as well as its quantity. Earlier at the conference, Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, confirmed the EU objectives and pointed out that the European Union gives 60 per cent of the world’s development aid.

Minister Väyrynen urged donors to use more funds for developing the infrastructure and production sector of developing countries.

Additional information: Ossi Martikainen, Special Adviser to the Minister, mobile tel. +358 40 592 6769, and Deputy Director General Pasi Hellman, mobile tel. +358 40 761 1551