Sustainable development is mainstreamed into the programmes of Finnish government. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, each government has presented a report to the Parliament on how it plans to implement the SDGs during its term. The latest Government Report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda was presented to the Parliament in November 2024.

The government has integrated sustainability aspects into the preparation of the state budget since 2018. Each administrative branch provides details about measures related to sustainable development.

The strategy of the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development for 2022-2030 provides a framework for the sustainability work of a broader number of actors in Finland. It was drafted and approved in 2022 by the Prime-Minister led Commission, which includes key stakeholders from different parts of Finnish society. The current Commission has drafted an action plan for the strategy for the years 2025-2027.

Government Report on Agenda2030 implementation: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-383-714-0

Strategy of the Commission on Sustainable Development: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-383-084-4

The Prime Minister’s Office

Taru Savolainen, Senior Adviser

taru.savolainen@gov.fi

National implementation of the 2030 Agenda is coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Office and done in close cooperation with all line ministries. A Coordination Network consisting of representatives from all ministries convenes 8-10 times per year to exchange information on topical matters. It is also a key actor in producing the Government Report to Parliament on 2030 Agenda implementation and Finland’s VNRs. Key policies and legislative initiatives are discussed at regular meetings of Permanent Secretaries from all ministries.

Political level coordination of policy preparation is done in thematic inter-ministerial working groups and regular meetings of political State Secretaries. 

The Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development serves as the main forum for bringing together different stakeholder groups. Members of the Commission include representatives from the national Parliament, government ministries, the Sami Parliament, the autonomous Åland Islands, the business sector, municipalities and regions, trade unions, civil society, science and research institutions, media and others. The main task of the Commission is to ensure that the international objectives of sustainable development are integrated into national policies.

Finland strives to develop methods to better measure its spillover effects with the aim to mitigate the negative effects. Work in done in close cooperation between the government, academia and research institutes as well as the private sector. The government also wants to grow the positive handprint of Finnish businesses on the sustainability transformation.

Government coordination network: https://kestavakehitys.fi/en/coordination-network

Ministerial Committees and Working Groups: https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/governments/ministerial-committees-and-ministerial-working-groups

Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development: https://kestavakehitys.fi/en/commission

Finland’s approach to sustainable development monitoring and reporting is firmly anchored in evidence-based, systematic, and innovative data practices, which reflect its strong commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

At the core is Statistics Finland, the national statistics bureau, which annually compiles data related to 248 global SDG indicators. Finland’s decentralized statistical system involves over 20 contributing organizations from various sectors.

All SDG monitoring data are openly accessible through Statistics Finland’s National Reporting Platform.

Finland has also developed a process of holistic societal sustainability assessments conducted by the Prime Minister’s Office. These assessments evaluate five dimensions of sustainability: ecological; human capital and culture; social and health; economic; and security, rule of law and democracy. [only available in Finnish]

Statistics Finland, SDG indicators: https://stat.fi/tup/kestavan-kehityksen-yk-indikaattorit-agenda2030_en.html

Finland has presented Voluntary National Reviews to the UN in 2016, 2020 and 2025. Drafting the VNRs is coordinated by the PMO and work is done in close cooperation with all ministries, particularly the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and with the strong support of the National Statistics Office. The VNRs also include independent assessments of Finland’s SDG implementation made by stakeholders. These assessments are not edited by the government. In 2025, particularly representatives from civil society, business and youth produced such independent assessments regarding each SDG. Additionally, a broad number of stakeholders and independent officials produced more holistic contributions to the VNR.

The Government also reports to the Finnish Parliament annually on how it has implemented the Government Report on Agenda2030 implementation and the recommendations given by the Parliament to the Government regarding SDG implementation. The Parliament gives these recommendations when discussing the Government Report. [only available in Finnish]

Finland’s VNRs

3rd VNR (2025)

2nd VNR (2020)

1st VNR (2016)