Prime Minister Marin participates in UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

The UN's annual High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) will convene virtually on 7–16 July. The meeting will review the global progress of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Prime Minister Sanna Marin and UN Secretary-General António Guterres will give a speech at the opening session of the meeting on 14 July.

This year, the meeting will focus on the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on achieving the objectives of the 2030 Agenda and on sustainable reconstruction. Finland emphasises the importance of sustainable recovery after the crisis.

In addition to the opening speech, Prime Minister Marin will present Finland's 2030 Agenda Voluntary National Review to the UN. Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen will also be present at the meeting to answer questions about the report. During the meeting, 47 countries will present their national reviews, which examine the countries' progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals on a national level. This is the second time Finland is publishing a national review. Finland last reported to the UN in 2016.

Finland enjoys a good reputation as a leader in the planning and administration of a national implementation policy for sustainable development, and in broad-based cooperation with the civil society. The national review was also produced with extensive participation from Finnish society. Various parties contributed to the report, including representatives from industry, civil society, cities and regions, the scientific community and youth.

The report focuses on assessing Finland’s progress towards each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The assessment was carried out jointly by the Government authorities and more than 50 organisations.

The annual HLPF is the most significant global follow-up forum on sustainable development. Its attendees include a wide variety of representatives of civil society organisations and national and international institutions. On 7 July, Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen was among the speakers at the meeting.

Inquiries: Lauri Voionmaa, Special Adviser (International Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 306, Laura Kotila, Communications Specialist, tel. +358 504 706 965, Prime Minister’s Office.