First DPR Report submitted to parliament

The first Development Policy Results Report of Finland was submitted to parliament on Thursday.

The report points out significant positive results in developing countries of the support received from Finland and its partner countries.

According to the report, women’s and girls’ right to bodily integrity has improved and Finland’s support has helped people adapt to climate change: approximately 1.5 million women and girls have received sexual and reproductive health services, nearly six million people have been provided with toilets, and 2.5 million people have received access to clean water.

The report comprises results that have been reported in 2015-2018, said a government press release.

“The Report describes Finland’s participation in the resolution of the big problems of our time. People in Finland can be proud of this work. I am particularly happy about the achievements reached in the promotion of the rights of women and girls,” said Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Anne-Mari Virolainen.

She said, “One of the key messages of the Report is need for long-term commitment. Changes in society take time. In the coming years, it is important to adhere to the kind of work that produces good results. At the same time, development cooperation must renew itself to be able to respond to changes in the operating environments.”

The Development Policy Results Report 2018 also provides a review of external evaluations of development policy and risk management.

“It is clear that development cooperation involves risks: it is not possible to anticipate everything and the desired results are not always reached. However, the Report shows how funding and its results and impacts are monitored,” said Virolainen.

The report will be discussed in parliament this month.