Foreword

Quality education, renewable energy, tax revenue for developing countries and legislation strengthening the status of women. Finland’s Development Policy Results Report illustrates that long-term development policy and cooperation based on Finland's strengths and values will produce significant impact and results.

Section 1 of the Constitution states that Finland shall participate in international cooperation to protect peace and human rights and to develop society. Development policy is part of Finland's foreign and security policy, and through international cooperation we influence the direction in which the world develops. Our own security is strengthened when we act for an equal, fair and sustainable world. For example, a significant part of Finland's support for Ukraine, which was illegally invaded by Russia, comes from development cooperation funds.

The previous development policy results report was submitted to Parliament in 2018. The world is now a more unstable place, and poverty has begun to rise for the first time in decades. The COVID-19 pandemic weakened economies, shut down schools and entire societies as well as connections between countries in an exceptional manner. Many of our partner countries suffer from new or prolonged conflicts. Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine has brought a war to Europe, along with additional global implications for food security and other issues.

We have adjusted our cooperation to respond to the rapidly changing circumstances. The increased need for assistance brought about by crises has demonstrated the importance of our development cooperation priorities, while the results achieved show the flexibility of our procedures. We have continued to support the resilience and well-being of societies in our partner countries, which will help countries attain their own goals and cope with crises. In the midst of crises, the world needs extensive solutions and the ability to bring actors together across traditional sectoral boundaries. Technologies and innovations such as distance learning and weather observation systems improve the possibilities for solving development problems. Thus, Finland can be especially influential globally in these sectors.  

Finland's most important channel for influencing development policy is the EU, whose international role has grown with renewed external relations funding and closer cooperation between Member States. The EU has played a key role in the global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Cooperation with UN organisations, development banks, civil society organisations, partner countries, the private sector and other actors is equally important. Everyone's contribution is needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The objectives will not be achieved with only public funding. For this reason, Finland has significantly increased private sector cooperation during the reporting period. At the same time, investment and trade opportunities are created for Finnish companies.

Cooperation between Nordic Development Ministers has been exceptionally close during the reporting period. The COVID-19 pandemic provided an initial impetus for more frequent discussions on each country's own and common Nordic objectives and positions. The support and reconstruction of Ukraine and the global discussion on the impact of development cooperation will also emphasise this need in the future.

The Report on Development Policy Extending Across Parliamentary Terms adopted by Parliament in spring 2022 confirms the principles, values and objectives of Finland's development policy. The report was prepared by a wide range of actors and thus forms a solid shared vision to act as a basis for strengthening the effectiveness of Finnish development cooperation also in coming government terms. Continuing our work on the basis of this report will strengthen the effectiveness of Finnish development cooperation also in coming government terms.

Helsinki 9 November 2022

Ville Skinnari
Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade