Opening speech by Minister Tavio at the the Least Developed Countries Future Forum
Opening Statement, LDC Future Forum 1 April 2025, Lusaka, Zambia Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio
Your Excellency President Hichilema, distinguished ministers, Under Secretary-General, Permanent representatives,
Ladies and gentlemen,
A year ago, I had the pleasure of hosting the second LDC Future Forum in Helsinki. Today, it is my great honor to be here with all of you in Lusaka at the third LDC Future Forum. I highly value the collaboration between Finland, Zambia and the UN in organizing this timely event.
The LDC Future Forum series, with five Forums in 2023–2028, is a concrete example of Finland’s long lasting commitment as a reliable partner to LDCs and in accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals. Since the beginning, support to the LDCs has been at the core of our development cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally.
These Forums will bolster LDCs in harnessing their full potential to achieve social and economic growth, and advance sustainable development so that no one is left behind. I would like to highlight the Forums’ multi-actor approach, with an emphasis on practical solutions and policy recommendations.
Most importantly, LDC Future Forums are a platform for constructive multilateral dialogue, and as such, highly valuable in today’s geopolitical environment.
Last year’s agenda in Helsinki focused on the role of innovations in transforming the economy and society. Those discussions built a solid base for this year’s Forum with the focus on ”Enhancing Resilience”.
Finland has a long tradition in enhancing comprehensive security. This foundation ensures the resilience of the Finnish society under all circumstances. Our model is not directly applicable to all countries and circumstances, but it provides experiences that we believe would be of broader interest: a horizontal approach, common goals, involvement of the private and third sectors, and participation of people. And the greatest strength – society’s broad awareness of preparedness.
Today, Finland is known worldwide as a stable, modern and competitive country with high-tech innovations, good schools and equal opportunities for men and women. This has not always been the case. About a hundred years ago, at the dawn of our independence, Finland was a poor fragile state – a rural, developing country with small family farms and a large landless population. Only five per cent of the population received more than a very basic education at school.
Building resilience, sometimes with smaller steps, and on other occasions, through larger structural transformations, has been one of the cornerstones in Finland’s own development story.
Based on our experience, we are keen to link Finnish innovations to LDC countries’ efforts in enhancing their resilience. I have with me in the delegation Finnish companies and actors with specific knowhow and a comprehensive set of solutions in this field.
Overall, Finland’s objective is to emphasize the links between trade and development, and in the coming years, this will be demonstrated when we implement the Doha Programme of Action together.
Dear participants,
I want to thank the Office of the High Representative for the hard work in organising this Forum, and the partners – UNU-WIDER and the LDC5 Monitor – for their contributions. Moreover, a thank you to every one for attending this Forum, to share ideas and learn from each other.
I hope to see you again in Helsinki next year, in the fourth LDC Future Forum. With these words, I wish us a successful Forum with concrete ideas that we can build on.
Thank you.