strengthening of the European Union’s Arctic policy. Finland promotes the EU’s infrastructure projects aimed at utilising Arctic prospects and allocating R&D funds to Arctic topics. Finland develops its cooperation on Arctic issues both bilaterally with its key partners and in the Arctic Council. Finland maintains and advances the participation of indigenous peoples in Arctic cooperation. Promoting the rights of indigenous people is a core element in Finland’s Arctic and human rights policy. During its 2017–19 presidency of the Arctic Council Finland will emphasise the importance of implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change and the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Arctic cooperation. Finland will strengthen Arctic cooperation and its continuity during its presidency, also at the highest political level. 5.8 Sustainable development as a goal for foreign and security policy When responding to the threats caused by global trends or when utilising the prospects of them, Finland draws on tried and tested, solution-oriented models and develops them. They are based on Finnish know-how, Finnish values and cooperation. Finland also engages in closer cooperation with civil society and the private sector. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the member states of the UN, establishes an international set of goals for dealing with many global threats and challenges. The 2030 Agenda applies to all states. Finland’s policy will be in line with the Agenda. The most important sustainable development goals from the perspective of Finland’s foreign and security policy are: gender equality and empowering women and girls; reduction of inequality; fighting against climate change and its impacts; promoting peaceful societies; guaranteeing legal services for everyone; and accountable institutions. While participating in solving international problems Finland simultaneously strengthens its foreign policy and economic status, and its international influence. Safe living conditions, human rights and the possibility for people to make a difference in their affairs, sufficient livelihoods and safe living environments are important global objectives for Finland. Finland promotes these aims nationally and as a member of the UN and the EU along the lines of the focus areas and modi operandi presented in the Government Report on Development Policy, among other things. Development policy is an important element of Finland’s foreign and security policy. 25