Shaping a sustainable future – one impactful meeting at a time

Biodiversity loss is affecting all areas of human life, including peace and security. For this reason, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and WWF Finland have joined forces and developed guidelines for sustainable meeting practices. The revised principles will be followed in all meetings related to the OSCE Chairpersonship in Finland in 2025.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs promotes responsibility strategically and in practice

The work of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs plays an important role in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) both globally and in Finland. The Ministry is also working to reduce the negative impacts of its operations on sustainable development and examining the progress of its sustainability goals in an annual responsibility report. 

 The guidelines for environmentally responsible meetings prepared in cooperation between WWF Finland and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 2017 have been updated to cover the social responsibility goals. The revised principles will be followed in all meetings related to the OSCE Chairpersonship in Finland in 2025. 

A future in which people and nature live in harmony 

 The Earth’s biodiversity is depleting at an alarming rate. There is an ongoing global wave of extinction, for the first time caused by humans. According to the WWF Living Planet report, there has been an average 73% reduction in the populations of wild vertebrate species during the previous period of just 50 years.

The main causes of biodiversity loss are land use destructive to habitats and the overconsumption of natural resources. Climate change is also accelerating biodiversity loss. Meanwhile, biodiversity loss is accelerating climate change.

 Biodiversity loss and climate change are also security issues. They affect competition for decreasing resources, food, water and energy crises and political instability. These phenomena may further highten/increase/add to existing tensions. At best, nature conservation can build peace and stability. 

 We are all responsible for combating biodiversity loss and the climate crisis. Organisations have not only the opportunity but also the responsibility to take care of the environment and ensure the sustainable consumption of our natural resources. Together, we can create a future where nature and humans live in harmony. 

Responsible meeting practices

Promoting sustainable meeting practices aims to minimise the negative impacts of events and strengthen their positive impact on the environment, society and the economy. The role of sustainable choices is emphasised in the cooperation with service providers. Responsibility is visible in meeting venues, catering, procurement and side-events. The aim is to combine sustainability and diplomacy to support the SDGs.

Selecting venues 

 We collaborate with venues that are: 

  • implementing energy-saving programmes 
  • minimising their water consumption 
  • ensuring accessibility 

Procurement 

We are committed to:   

  • promoting the circular economy by leasing, recycling and favouring recycled materials 
  • favouring operators that monitor, develop and verify their responsibility work  
  • supporting local production to promote social sustainability and regional vitality 

Catering  

We are committed to:  

  • increasing the amount of plant-based food in catering 
  • taking WWF’s Seafood Guide recommendations into account when ordering meals 
  • taking local food, organic production and certification principles into account when ordering meals 
  • minimising food waste together with the service provider  

Meeting arrangements 

We are committed to: 

  • promoting sustainable modes of transport 
  • implementing the Safe Space principles 
  • presenting the participants with sustainable development solutions from Finland’s perspective 

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