Finnish Water Way - International Water Strategy of Finland.

This International Water Strategy of Finland forms the framework for Finland s water-related ambitions and actions until the year 2030 and provides guidance on the implementation of SDG 6 through international collaboration. It introduces the concept of the Finnish Water Way. The Finnish Water Way provides novel approaches for water-based solutions aiming at ensuring a water-secure world by 2030. The Strategy acknowledges water as a critical element for sustainable development and an essential resource for all human activities. The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set a common vision for global development in 2015. The self-standing and interlinked water-specific SDG 6 aims to Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all . This underlines the increased attention to water security and sanitation on the global political agenda. Water supply and sanitation are also critical prerequisites to achieving almost all other SDGs, such as poverty reduction, gender equality, food security and health. The Finnish Water Way means an integrated approach from the grass-roots level to the national level towards sustainable water management (a multi-stakeholder approach towards sustainable water management). It aims at long-term capacity building and good governance accompanied by cooperation between the public and private sectors and the active participation of the civil society and local stakeholders alike. like.
At the core of this Strategy are three pillars that, together with cross-cutting objectives provide, a platform for cooperation and pave the way towards water security. The Strategy is complemented by an Action Plan that guides its implementation and that will be updated on a regular basis. The three pillars are the following objectives: I Water for Sustainable Development; II Water for People; III Water for Peace. Each pillar has specific objectives that contribute to selected SDG 6 targets. The objectives of each pillar are complemented by cross-cutting objectives. The Strategy specifies means to achieve the objectives grouped under the three pillars. Cross-cutting Objectives are: Promoting water as a human right; Good governance; Equitable and sustainable water use; Climate change mitigation and adaptation; Gender equality; Policy coherence; Responsible and rights-based use of water resources; Enhancing international collaboration and business opportunities in the water sector; Water, energy and food security nexus.
As for sustainable development, Finland promotes the management of water resources in an integrated and sustainable manner. The aim is to secure sufficient availability of good quality water for all uses: human consumption, industry, energy, food, and fibre production. At the same time, substances posing an environmental risk such as nutrients and emerging pollutants, including micro-plastics and pharmaceutical residuals, need to be taken into account. Finland promotes and provides water-smart circular economy solutions, for example in industrial and agricultural settings. Finland also strives to maintain and protect water-related ecosystems and ecosystem services. In addition, it seeks to increase the resilience of societies by maintaining the infrastructure needed for water supply and sanitation to reduce the risks of disasters and enhance adaptation to climate change. Lastly, Finland encourages water stewardship actions to ensure the sustainable use of water in production and throughout international value chains. Circular economy solutions and nature-based solutions are among the important means being pursued. Furthermore, a commitment to water stewardship and joint actions helps companies, the public sector and other stakeholders alike to develop sustainable water use and governance.