Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Toivakka: Development cooperation works well but is in need of an overhaul 

Press release 146/2015
4 June 2015

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Lenita Toivakka reminds that the world has taken major steps forward in, for example, the eradication of extreme poverty and improvement of health and education.

"Despite the conflicts, catastrophes and corruption, the world is getting a better place to live all the time. Many of the development targets have been reached although we are still lagging far behind in a number of other objectives. Development cooperation brings results but of course there is always room for improvement and reform," Minister Toivakka says.

Toivakka spoke at a seminar organised by the Finnish Parliament and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, focusing on the results of development cooperation. A report on the effectiveness of the Finnish development aid, which was commissioned by the Foreign Ministry and put together by Ritva Reinikka, was published at the seminar.

In her address, Toivakka underlined the need to pool the Finnish resources more effectively in order to achieve better results. Currently, the resources are too scattered.

Minister Toivakka presented her own priorities for Finland's development cooperation. According to Toivakka, the most essential issue is to concentrate on the improvement of the living conditions and rights of the poorest people.

"I want Finland to invest in four areas: The position of women and girls; well-functioning democracy; sustainable energy, food and water; and thriving, responsible business in the developing countries," says Toivakka.

Due to its internal economic situation, Finland must cut its development cooperation appropriations.

"We must act now, so that in the future we will be able to ensure the funding base of public services, income transfers and also development cooperation. Finland is committed to raising the level of its development cooperation contribution to 0.7 % of gross national income. This is possible only if we manage to turn the direction of the Finnish economy."

Inquiries: Pasi Rajala, Special Adviser, tel. +358 400 464 393.