United Nations (UN)
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health takes part in shaping Finland’s UN policy with respect to social, health and gender equality affairs. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health participates in the preparation of conventions belonging to its administrative branch and is responsible for the implementation of those conventions.
Finland’s objective in the UN is to promote human rights and people’s inclusion and participation in society. The most important matters that guarantee involvement in decision-making in society are:
- social inclusion
- health
- equality
- education
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is involved in the work of various UN organs, particularly the Commission for Social Development, Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health implements and monitors the UN’s human rights agreements, action plans and recommendations in Finland, and presents statements to the UN, its specialised agencies and organisations.
In September 2015, UN member states adopted a set of Sustainable Development Goals and an agenda that together shape the promotion of sustainable development until 2030.
Each of the goals of the Sustainable Development Agenda is relevant, in one way or another, to the administrative sector of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action
The UN organised the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen in 1995. It was the first global high-level conference focusing particularly on social development issues. The Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, which were approved at the summit, set out the following primary global objectives: eradicating poverty, reaching full employment, and fostering societies that are stable, safe and just.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health monitors the implementation of the Programme of Action through the Commission for Social Development, which operates under the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In its annual meetings, the Commission discusses the themes of the Programme of Action and prepares related reports, resolutions and action proposals.
Regional Implementation Strategy for the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA/RIS)
The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) published its Regional Implementation Strategy for the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA/RIS) in 2022. The strategy is based on the Madrid International Plan of Action and consists of 10 commitments to support the implementation of diverse age policy.
A review and appraisal meeting on the implementation strategy is held once every five years. The next review and appraisal meeting will be held in Rome in June 2022.