Position Paper for the World Summit on Sustainable Development

There are three pressing issues that are being addressed by the World Summit on Sustainable Development: Conflict and the Environment, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and Climate Change.  The citizens of the Republic of Finland have shown great concern for the state of Finland's environment, but also for all the environments around the world.  Finland is a participant in over one hundred international agreements that have helped to put issues regarding the environment on the top of the world's agenda.  Finland remains firm in its commitment to address the following three topics on the agenda.

I. Conflict and the Environment

Finland believes that that damage done to the environment during times of conflict is of extreme importance.  Finland believes that the world's geology, animal life, habitats, and plant species are integral parts of the ecological system.  Finland believes that with the rise of Intrastate Warfare more must be done to protect the aforementioned.  The Republic of Finland firmly supports the principles set out by the 1972 Stockholm Declaration, The Hague Recommendations, and the Rio Summit.  Finland believes that the first step is to try and alleviate the causes of conflict, with steps to promote economic stability and the mediation of disagreements before they lead to war. Finland also supports initiatives to protect the environment during conflicts.  These initiatives include the use of non-governmental organizations to monitor delicate areas that might be harmed.  Finland has been a major supporter of sending special teams into clean up areas after conflicts; Finland helped to finance the UNEP task force to the Balkans, which began in May of 1999. Finland believes in a hands on policy of cleaning up environments harmed by conflict.  Finland further supports the destruction of unexploded munitions as well as continuing to work to promote the declarations of the Montreal agreement.  Finland has agreed to destroy it's own personal anti-personnel landmines by the year 2010.  The Republic of Finland monetarily supports those nations which have land mines including , Afghanistan and Cambodia.  Finland believes that monetarily assistance should come from the developed countries of the north and Finland's government gave over four million US dollars for mine clearance in the year 2000.  Finland remains firm in its commitment to protect the environment from the damages of conflict.

II. Convention on Biological Diversity

The Republic of Finland believes that the preservation of biological diversity is of great importance.  Species, habitats and plant life must continue to be revered at the highest level.  The Republic of Finland, having ratified the Convention on Bio-diversity since 1994, has taken steps to promote such preservation. Finland advocates the use of education in promotion of sustainable development and protecting the bio-diversity.  Finland believes that developing countries and their citizens must be educated on the economic, social and ecological benefits of being committed to sustainable development.  The country of Finland offers its expertise in the areas of forest preservation and the development of forests.  Finland further supports the advancement of research into biological safety in issues such as Mad Cow Disease.  In addition to education Finland believes that each country should have ecologically sound plans for sustainable development.  Finland believes that not only developing nations should have these plans, to balance their current environment with their rapidly growing industrialization, but industrialized nations should have them as well, to sustain their current environment.  These plans would show how to use land and resources without destroying the environment or the nations' biological diversity.  Finland remains a strong supporter of preserving biological diversity.

III. Climate Change

Finland believes the climate change is the most urgent environmental issue facing the international community.  Finland remains firmly committed to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change since it entered into force in our country in 1994.  The Republic of Finland is committed to slowing the growth of Greenhouse gases and hopes that a reversal of levels can take shape by the year 2010. Finland believes that countries, NGO's, I.O.'s, businesses and citizens must all work together to stop the issue of climate change from progressing any further.  Agreements must be made between governments and businesses for more ecologically sound ways of production.  The Republic of Finland believes that developing nations must be given technological and financial assistance in order to develop environmentally friendly energy production.  Finland also stresses the use of natural gas and reusable energy sources and the researching the idea of environmental taxation.  Finland wants to be a leader in the environmental fight for protecting against climate change.

The Republic of Finland and its people remain strongly committed to the promotion of the environment, sustainable development as well as efforts to end global climate change.  Finland recognizes the interconnectedness of the earth and all of its inhabitants.  The people of Finland remain firm in their commitment to articulating a plan to encourage the development of countries in an environmentally friendly capacity.