Espoo’s expertise in sustainable development showcased at the UN World Cities Day in Shanghai
Mayor Jukka Mäkelä participated in the UN city event’s discussion on the role of cities in sustainable development. Hosted by the United Nations Human Settlements Program and the City of Shanghai from 28–30 October 2023, the event was attended by dozens of cities around the world and UN representatives.
The event encouraged cities to speed up the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Globally, only 12% of the UN 2030 Agenda’s SDG targets are on track. Progress on half of the goals is running behind schedule, with almost a third not progressing or going backwards.
In her opening speech, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, UN Under-Secretary-General and the Executive Director of UN-Habitat pointed out that as cities generate 80% of global GDP and will by 2050 be home to almost 70% of the world’s population, they play a crucial role in promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The City of Espoo promotes sustainable ecological, economic, social and cultural development. We intend to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2025 and be carbon-neutral by 2030.
“The UN Sustainable Development Goals are an excellent tool for promoting sustainable development and dialogue between countries and actors. We need local, national and international cooperation to succeed. In Espoo, we promote the goals together with residents, companies, education and research actors, organisations and our national and international partners. Espoo’s innovation community produces globally scalable solutions,” said Mayor Jukka Mäkelä of Espoo’s stance in the Mayors’ panel discussion.
In addition, Espoo experts presented their sustainable development work and the Espoo-led Cities for Sustainability Governance (CSG) network.
UN Sustainable Development Agenda guides Espoo and Shanghai’s cooperation
The Mayor and the accompanying delegation met with Hua Yuan, Vice Mayor of Shanghai in charge of international cooperation and commerce, foreign trade and investment. The meeting noted the 25-year sister city friendship between Espoo and Shanghai and discussed the extension of the sister city agreement, which will end in 2023, to promote the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The meeting was also attended by representatives of companies operating in Shanghai and headquartered in Espoo.
Espoo implements the sister city cooperation in accordance with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ China policy and as part of the national Team Finland network.
The Consulate General of Finland organised a reception to celebrate the anniversary of the sister city relationship. Besides the Consul General, Anu Vuori, the Consulate staff and the Mayor of Espoo with the accompanying delegation, the event was attended by representatives of the City of Shanghai and Espoo-based companies and actors operating in Shanghai.
Inquiries
Annika Forstén, Head of International Affairs, +358 40 6369681, annika.forsten@espoo.fi
Ville Taajamaa, Project Manager, tfn +358 40 5083806, ville.taajamaa@esbo.fi