The Nordic governments are working together to drive progress toward the UN 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This DKK 74 million (≈ EUR 9.94 million) initiative will present Nordic knowledge of green transition, gender equality at work and sustainable food and welfare solutions.
The Nordic PMs decided to go ahead with the initiative back in 2015, at the time the historic Paris Agreement and the UN 2030 Agenda were adopted. As they meet again just outside Bergen, 29-30 May 2017, “Nordic Solutions to Global Challenges” is ready for its international launch.
The initiative– Nordic Solutions to Global Challenges will be an effective tool in Nordic work to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, says Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway and chair of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2017.
One of the basic ideas is to use the Region as an example of the fact that sustainable development does not need to get in the way of economic growth. By mobilising political experts, researchers, private stakeholders and the Nordic embassies, export councils and international stakeholders, the various projects will feed the demand for Nordic sustainability policies and products.
Dialogue has already been initiated with global players such as the UN, the ILO, the WHO and the World Economic Forum. The initiative Nordic Solutions to Global Challenges will be an effective tool in Nordic work to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
Six flagship projects
The two-year initiative involves six flagship projects, spanning sustainable town planning, regional energy cooperation, investments in gender equality, sustainable food production, smart welfare- and climate solutions –-and addresses several of the 17 Agenda 2030 SDGs.
The flagship project Nordic Energy Solutions is based on existing Nordic co-operation and addresses SDG 7 “Sustainable energy for all”.
The Nordic Region is a pioneer in renewable and integrated energy systems, and many of our solutions could be deployed elsewhere. Our project targets East Africa, which has a wide range of renewable energy, says Svend Søyland, project manager.
Attractive towns and cities
The flagship project Nordic Sustainable Cities addresses SDG 11 “Sustainable cities for all”. The Nordic Region has expertise in supplying whole systems for environmentally friendly water and waste treatment but above all else of incorporating quality of life into its planning.
What the world wants from the Region is our ability to build attractive towns and cities to live in and that work well, explains Hans Fridberg, project manager.
Gender equality boosts productivity
The flagship project Nordic Gender Effect at Work addresses SDG 5 “Gender Equality” and SDG 8 “Decent work and economic growth”.
There is great demand to learn from the Nordic countries about investing in gender equality. The Region has proven that equal rights for women and men at work generate prosperity, productivity and economic development, says Julia Fäldt-Wahengo, who came up with the idea for the project.
Facts
The Nordic Council of Ministers
The Nordic Council of Ministers is the official inter-governmental body for co-operation in the Nordic Region. Representatives of the Nordic governments meet at the Council of Ministers to draft Nordic conventions, etc.
