Ministry for Foreign Affairs Press release 58/2013

Future peace and growth depends on systems and institutions that save lives and protect investments from wars and disasters

More than 100 delegates from more than 20 countries met in Helsinki on 13 March to discuss how to make sure that countries around the world will be able to better prevent the fallout of conflicts, wars and disasters from reversing the gains in development, economic growth and provision of services to their people in the future global development agenda.

The Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations, UNICEF, UN Women, WaterAid and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. New York, 21 February 2013.

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Today, the Government of Finland, UNICEF, UN Women, WaterAid and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation call on the international community to place equality, human rights and sustainability as the foundation of the post-2015 development priorities.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Press release 239/2012

By decision of Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has granted its humanitarian assistance funds for the last part of the year, totalling 9.46 million euros, to people suffering from the world’s crises. The humanitarian assistance granted by Finland in 2012 thus rises in total to more than 83 million euros. In the distribution of funds this autumn, the humanitarian assistance targets Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

An international initiative was announced on Wednesday 26 September in New York to expand access to long-lasting and reliable birth control to 27 million women in developing countries.

”The initiative improves access to contraceptives and therefore provides options for women and girls. Safe contraceptive methods reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, and empower women to decide on their own body,” Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala says.

By decision of Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is directing EUR 1.5 million in emergency assistance to Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Chad, which suffer from the crisis in the Sahel region.

In Nepal, the introduction of running water and proper toilets has meant less disease and illness among the people. In addition, because water no longer has to be carried home from far away, there are more hours that can be used for going to school, taking care of the home, and making more varied and nutritious meals. There is also time for new work that provides a source of income.

Finland has signed an agreement with the Palestinian National Authority to support an education sector programme; ‘Education Development Strategic Plan (EDSP) 2008 - 2012 - Towards Quality Education for Development’.

Public health concerns

“It's great to see the many areas in which the country has developed in recent years. On the other hand, development always needs a free civil society, and I hope that this will also take place here," said Heidi Hautala, Minister for International Development, during her visit to Ethiopia.

“What will you grow up to be?”, Heidi Hautala asked children in Lideta slum of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. “A doctor”, “a scientist” and “an airline captain”, said 13 and 14-year-old girls.