Under-Secretary of State for international trade Ms. Nina Vaskunlahti visits Istanbul
On December 8-9, the Embassy of Finland in Ankara had the pleasure to host Ms. Nina Vaskunlahti, Under-Secretary of State for international trade at the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, during her visit to Istanbul. During her visit, Ms. Vaskunlahti was a panelist at the Istanbul Economy Summit’s Nordic Talks, and met with prominent members of the business community.
At the ‘Nordic Talks: A Nordic Perspective on Sustainability in Business’ panel, public and private sector representatives of Nordic countries shared their know-how on green transformation and sustainability. The panel highlighted the importance of private sector and public cooperation for the green transition.
As pioneers of green transformation and sustainability Nordic countries share their know-how and unique experiences in terms of sustainable business and private-public partnership on the green economy transition with the Turkish business world. Industrial transformation, which focuses on green solutions, also serves the climate goals. Nordic countries are inspiring the Turkish business world, which has taken important steps in this regard in recent years, in building green, inclusive, fair and sustainable businesses.
In this context, the third event of Nordic Talks, ‘A Nordic Perspective on Sustainability in Business’ was held at the Istanbul Economic Summit, hosted by the Consulate General of Denmark, the Consulate General of Sweden, the Embassy of Finland and the Embassy of Norway.
With the panelists Finn Mortensen, Executive Director, State of Green, Denmark (on “Why Green Business is Good Business”), Nina Vaskunlahti, Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (on “A Green and Gender-Equal Nordic Region”), Cecilia Ekholm, Ambassador for Sustainable Business, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden (on “Trends for Swedish Sustainable Business: New Business Models & Managing Supply Chains”) and Børge Bjørneklett, Founder and CEO, Ocean Sun AS (Norway, on n “Floating Solar”), the panel was moderated by Sibel Kulaksız, Senior Economist, World Bank.
The panelists discussed Nordic experience and their approach to sustainability, solutions and cooperation opportunities in green transformation and sustainability, which are indispensable conditions for competitiveness and success in today's business world.
While there is no one-size-fits all solution to green transition, a combination of energy efficiency and renewable energy is the cornerstone of any successful transition – whether for nations or companies. “We have the solutions, now we need swift action to ensure a fair and just transition that will create thousands of new green jobs,” said Finn Mortensen, CEO of State of Green.
SUSTAINABILITY NOT SEPARATE TRACK BUT THE VERY CORE
Ekholm, Ambassador for Sustainable Business, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden stated: “Sustainability has shifted from being a separate track to the very core of how Swedish and Nordic businesses operate and innovate. The fundamental need for a green transformation and higher demands on value chain sustainability pushes the agenda and creates opportunities and challenges in the global economy. Corporate sustainability champions today will be the ones to last the race and survive into the future”.
Nina Vaskunlahti, Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland emphasizes the role of cooperation, stating “we live in a world of complex global value chains where green transition needs to be international. On the Nordic level, we also promote international cooperation on the connections between climate action and gender equality, working together towards our vision to become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030.”
While Børge Bjørneklett, founder and CEO, Ocean Sun AS (Norway) said: “Rooted in traditional Nordic industries; hydropower, silicon processing and ship building, a promising new technology has emerged. Floating solar power on thin membranes brings hope for widespread installation of affordable energy on hydro dams and coastal waters. In the sun rich parts of Europe, these systems will displace most of the fossil energy sources in near future”.
PARTNERSHIP OF FOR NORDIC COUNTRIES
Nordic Talks events are organized in partnership with the Consulate General of Denmark in Istanbul, the Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul, the Consulate General of Norway in Istanbul and the Embassy of Finland. The goal is to share the knowledge of the Nordic countries in the field of sustainability with Turkey. The Nordic Talks touch on many SDG goals, notably no. 5 (gender equality), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), 12 (responsible consumption and production) as well as 17 (partnerships).
For further information, please visit https://www.nordictalks.com