Finland to lead the way in organising sustainable meetings – detailed guidelines for domestic events of Finland’s OSCE Chairpersonship

The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs introduces the guidelines for sustainable meeting practices that it has updated in cooperation with WWF Finland. The principles outlined in these guidelines will be observed in all events of the OSCE Chairpersonship organised in Finland in 2025. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is committed to promoting sustainability in all events.

The guidelines for environmentally responsible meetings developed in cooperation with WWF Finland in 2017 have been updated to cover the social and economical sustainability goals. The updated guidelines offer concrete ways to minimise the environmental impacts of events and promote sustainable development.

The revised principles will be observed in all meetings of the OSCE Chairpersonship in Finland in 2025.

“It is important that Finland not only talks about sustainability but also sets an example in international contexts. Face-to-face diplomacy is necessary, and organising these events in a sustainable manner is very important,” says Conference Adviser Annariina Kukkonen from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Sustainable meeting practices are followed especially in the choice of the venue and in catering, procurement and planning side events. These practices aim to minimise negative impacts on the environment and to drive positive societal and economic change.

“I am pleased that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is willing to assume its responsibility for the environment and the sustainable consumption of our natural resources. The new principles are an excellent example of how sustainability can be integrated into international meeting practices,” says Anne Tarvainen, Programme Director at WWF Finland.