Helsinki Policy Forum; dialogue process

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

Helsinki Policy Forum (HPF) is a dialogue process founded in February 2014 to facilitate a peaceful dialogue and understanding between politicians and other stakeholders from Europe and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf region in order to mitigate the tension in the region. HPF has set up its position and the network has been expanded. The dialogue meetings are attended by high-level participants from governments, parliaments, business world, science and civil society from European countries and MENA/Gulf region. Activities and working methods will be further developed and the network further broaden. In order to answer to these objectives, in 2020 Helsinki Policy Forum is organized in the form of a bigger conference. The seminar will mainly benefit developing countries. The next Helsinki Policy Forum meeting will take place in Helsinki in summer 2020 most likely at ministerial level and in the form of a conference. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs Unit for Middle East and North Africa co-operates with the Forward Thinking -organization in arrangements of the meeting. Helsinki Policy Forum is in line with the Finnish development policy by contributing to the peaceful and functioning societies, capacity building of the private sectors, employment and taxation capability of the countries in MENA/Gulf region. The project supports the action program of the sustainable development accepted in UN in September 2015 as well as Finland's mediation action program. Helsinki Policy Forum aims to promote confidential high-level dialogue. Helsinki Policy Forum offers the participants a dialogue forum which is secure, confidential and unofficial. It aims to deepen the scrutiny of the current focal challenges and to phrase guidelines to moderate internal and regional tension and to create foundation to common solutions. Unit for the Middle East and North Africa is proposing a funding of 310 000 euros allocation scheme 24306621 (maa- ja aluekohtainen kehitysyhteistyö) for facilitation of four meetings (ministerial dialogue conference, two steering committee meetings, additional ministerial meeting,) and to support Helsinki Policy Forum activities in general during the year 2020.