Estonia

Estonia

Author: Miguel Ángel Macias Group: 2° D Subject: Model United Nations / Global Issues Teacher: Jesus School: Universidad de Celaya Date:18/10/26

“Hello! My name is Eeva, and I live in Estonia, a small country in Northern Europe. Estonia is located in the Baltic region, next to Latvia and Russia, and across the Baltic Sea from Finland. Our capital city is Tallinn, famous for its beautiful medieval Old Town. Although our country is small, we have an important story to tell about technology, nature, education, and sustainability!”

“Everyone deserves a safe home, enough money for basic needs, and access to social support. Estonia has social protection systems, but poverty remains a challenge, especially for older people and some families. In 2024, 19.5% of the population was at risk of poverty, according to Statistics Estonia. This shows that economic growth does not automatically benefit everyone equally.”

The goal is to make sure everyone has access to nutritious food. Estonia has an agricultural sector and is developing ways to make food production more sustainable. The country promotes healthy eating and has a plan to prevent food waste. However, food affordability and access to healthy meals remain important issues for some households. Progress and challenge: Estonia can improve food security by reducing food waste, supporting sustainable farming, and ensuring that low-income families can afford nutritious food.

Good health means more than treating illnesses. It also means preventing diseases and supporting mental well-being. Estonia provides healthcare services, but access, healthy life expectancy, and health inequalities remain challenges. People should be able to receive medical care regardless of their income or where they live. Progress and challenge: Estonia needs to strengthen prevention, mental health support, and timely access to healthcare.

Education is one of Estonia's important strengths. Estonian students perform very well in international learning assessments, and digital skills are part of our modern society. However, quality education must be available to everyone. Differences in family income, language, and location can affect students' opportunities. Progress and challenge: Estonia has strong educational outcomes, but it must continue supporting equal opportunities and lifelong learning.

Girls and boys should have the same rights, opportunities, and freedom to choose their future. Estonia has made progress in education and women's participation in society, but gender pay differences and unequal representation remain concerns. Equality also means preventing gender-based violence and ensuring that everyone is treated with respect. Progress and challenge: Estonia needs to address pay gaps, improve equal opportunities in leadership, and prevent violence and discrimination.

Clean water is essential for people, animals, and ecosystems. Estonia has substantial freshwater resources, and 52% of its surface water bodies and 74% of its groundwater bodies were assessed as being in good condition in the European Environment Agency's 2025 profile. Still, not all water bodies meet this standard. Progress and challenge: Estonia must continue monitoring water quality, reducing pollution, and protecting lakes, rivers, and groundwater.

Estonia is working to increase renewable energy, including wind and bioenergy. Statistics Estonia reported that renewable sources accounted for 42.2% of final energy consumption in 2024. However, Estonia has historically relied on oil shale, a fossil fuel that produces greenhouse gas emissions. Progress and challenge: The country aims to transition toward cleaner energy and has a target of 100% renewable electricity consumption by 2030. It must expand renewable energy while keeping energy reliable and affordable.

A strong economy should create safe jobs, fair wages, and opportunities for young people. Estonia has a growing technology and start-up sector, but economic difficulties have affected some industries. The country must also make sure that workers have fair conditions and opportunities to develop new skills. Progress and challenge: Estonia needs inclusive economic growth, stable employment, and better opportunities for young people entering the labor market.

Innovation is a major part of Estonia's identity. Digital public services and technology businesses help people and companies work efficiently. The country is also investing in transport infrastructure. However, innovation must reach more sectors and regions, and industries need to become more resource-efficient. Progress and challenge: Estonia can build on its digital strengths by investing in research, sustainable industries, and modern infrastructure.

A fair society gives everyone the chance to participate, no matter their income, age, disability, language, or background. Estonia has systems that support residents, but income differences and the risk of poverty show that not everyone experiences the same opportunities. Progress and challenge: Estonia should strengthen social inclusion, improve access to services, and reduce the gap between vulnerable groups and the rest of society.

Our cities and communities should be safe, accessible, and environmentally friendly. Tallinn and other Estonian cities are investing in public transport and greener mobility. New electric trains and plans for improved cycling routes can help people travel with less pollution. Progress and challenge: Estonia needs affordable housing, accessible public transport, and services that also reach people in rural areas.

Every product uses resources, energy, and materials. Estonia is developing circular-economy solutions, encouraging better resource use, and working to prevent food waste. In 2024, its municipal waste recycling rate was 36.4%, according to Statistics Estonia. Progress and challenge: Estonia needs to recycle more waste, reduce unnecessary consumption, and reuse materials instead of sending them to landfills.

Climate change affects the whole world, including Estonia. Our country is working toward climate neutrality by 2050 and investing in cleaner energy and transport. However, moving away from fossil fuels takes time, investment, and changes in how energy is produced and consumed. Progress and challenge: Estonia must reduce emissions faster, especially in energy and transport, while ensuring that the transition is fair for workers and communities.

Estonia borders the Baltic Sea, which is important for wildlife, fishing, transport, and recreation. Protecting marine life means reducing pollution, preventing harmful runoff, and using marine resources responsibly. The Baltic Sea faces environmental pressures that require cooperation among the countries around it. Progress and challenge: Estonia needs to protect marine habitats, improve water quality, and cooperate with neighboring countries to reduce pollution and biodiversity loss.

Nature is one of Estonia's treasures. About half of the country is covered by forests, which provide habitats for many species and help store carbon. Recent European environmental assessments also report improvements in the conservation status of some protected species. Still, forests and habitats must be managed carefully. Progress and challenge: Estonia must protect biodiversity, manage forests responsibly, and make sure that economic activities do not damage natural habitats

Peaceful societies need trustworthy institutions, equal treatment under the law, and protection of people's rights. Estonia's digital public services make many government services accessible online. However, strong institutions also need transparency, cybersecurity, public trust, and equal access to justice. Progress and challenge: Estonia should continue protecting democratic institutions, preventing corruption, and making justice and public services accessible to everyone.

No country can achieve sustainable development alone. Estonia works with the European Union, the United Nations, other countries, businesses, and communities. Sharing knowledge, technology, funding, and research helps countries solve problems that cross borders. Progress and challenge: Estonia needs to continue building international partnerships and sharing its digital expertise while learning from other countries' experiences

After exploring the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, I have learned that Estonia has many strengths, especially in education, digital innovation, and environmental protection. However, the country still faces challenges related to poverty, health, inequality, and the transition to clean energy. In my opinion, progress should not only be measured by technology or economic growth. It should also be measured by how well people live and how responsibly we protect our planet. Estonia has made important efforts, but reaching the 2030 goals requires continuous work, cooperation, and commitment.

Apa references

thank you !