SYKE: New association in Finland promotes international water projects

A recently established non-governmental organization in Finland, the Finnish Water Forum, wants to promote the international use of Finnish water know-how. The members of the association are private enterprises within the water sector, bodies of public administration, research institutes, universities, and non-profit associations. The number of members is at present 38.

FWF forwards information from international water fora to its members. It helps to start water-related international projects and participates in the promotion of export within the water sector. Development issues are a high priority. FWF wants to participate in the efforts to reach the millennium goals defined by the United Nations. 

The expertise in water issues is of a high standard in Finland. The new association wants to help to further develop the know-how and to promote cooperation within the country in order to enhance the competitive power of Finnish experts at the international markets. Another aspect of these activities is the need to promote the cooperation between water experts of the private and public sectors.

The Finnish Water Forum will help to plan and promote water-related projects and to increase the visibility of Finnish water know-how at international events of the water sector.

Membership of the Finnish Water Forum is open to all organizations within the water sector and related sectors. At present its members have know-how in fields like water supply, waste water treatment, sanitation, water resource planning, hydropower, automation, research, development issues, monitoring, water administration, and international water-related conventions.

The first president of the association is Ms Marjatta Rasi, under-secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The temporary executive manager is Mr Seppo Rekolainen, research professor at the Finnish Environment Institute. The first meeting of the association took place on 27 April 2009 at the House of Estates in Helsinki.