UN Forum on Sustainable Development boosts achievement of development goals

Finland is participating in the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development in New York on 8–17 July. The Forum assesses annually what progress has been made in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in different countries.

This year, 38 countries will provide a voluntary national review of their progress in achieving the SDGs at the national level. In addition to representatives of states, the Forum will be attended by representatives of several companies and non-governmental organisations. 

In the SDG Summit last September, the UN Member States committed themselves to accelerating the implementation of the SDGs set in the 2030 Agenda, and the HLPF offers an opportunity to monitor this commitment.

The Finnish delegation will be led by Under-Secretary of State Pasi Hellman from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and at the high-level segment, State Secretary Risto Artjoki from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Eradicating extreme poverty at the heart of all efforts

Some of the themes at the heart of the gathering are eradicating poverty globally, achieving food security, taking action to combat climate change as well as promoting peace, good governance and justice. In addition, Sustainable Development Goals related to international partnerships are on the agenda at the Forum. 

Finland is committed to achieving the SDGs both at home and through international cooperation. Finland’s development cooperation supports this commitment.

One of the key SDGs is to improve food security globally. As one of the founding members of World Food Programme, Finland is an active participant in the international School Meals Coalition.

In developing countries, school meals may be a student’s only warm meal of the day. As such, they have a significant impact on learning and food security.

Finland supports youth involvement in decision-making

The Agenda 2030 Youth Group was set up in 2017 and it operates under the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development. The aim is to increase the involvement of 15–18-year-old Finns in the planning and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals at the national level and to provide opportunities for those interested in the themes around sustainable development.

The Agenda 2030 Youth Group has two objectives: to work towards achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and to participate in the planning and implementation of the goals in Finland.

In a recent international comparison by the UN, Finland ranks top in the implementation of the SDGs at the national level.