YouSaid · the spoken record

Sauli Niinistö

lines on the record

117

first

2012-09-24

most recent

2023-09-24

sittings or episodes

11

sources

un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

1. “Passively complaining about the crisis of multilateralism will not help; instead, we have to become more active and determined in defending it. Trust in institutions is ours to rebuild and the international order is ours to shape. We, together, are the United Nations. The United Nations as an Organization also bears a responsibility in that regard. It has to show that it deserves the trust of its Members. Finland has steadfastly supported the Secretary-General in his reform agenda. Again, the results are what matters. The disappearing trust in institutions and regimes is particularly dangerous in the field of arms control. On nuclear weapons, we are actually losing the last elements of control altogether.”

   2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)

2. “Finland and Chile are co-chairing the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, while the Helsinki principles of the Coalition are driving the systematic change we need with concrete deeds and the powerful tools of finance ministers — taxation and budgeting, public investment and procurement. When those instruments work for climate action, the prospects for a carbon-neutral world are much better. There are now 40 committed members in the Coalition and we warmly welcome new ones. Secondly, I want to raise the issue of trust in institutions. We have all seen how rapidly that trust has evaporated in recent years. The whole concept of multilateralism is increasingly under threat — from the competition among great Powers and from a lack of respect for existing agreements. The entire rules-based order is endangered.”

   2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)

3. “We cannot afford to wait for others to move first. The climate crisis calls for leaders, not just followers. As for Finland, we have recently set ourselves new climate targets. The Finnish Government is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 and to be carbon negative soon after that. We have already decided to ban the use of coal for energy by 2029 and we will stop using fossil fuel for heating by 2030. We are rightly proud of those targets, but targets are just the beginning. Only verifiable results matter and only concrete deeds serve as a credible example to others. I would like to draw the Assembly’s attention to one example.”

   2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)

4. “The rapidly growing impact of climate change also makes achieving the other SDGs more difficult. The scientific evidence on climate change has long been clear, but it is no longer just a question for the future. Climate change is already here in the form of melting glaciers, large-scale forest fires and extreme weather events across the globe from the Arctic to the Amazon. Even if we were able to end all of our carbon dioxide emissions tomorrow, we would have to live for decades to come with the climate change we have already caused. We are no longer able to completely avoid the climate crisis. We also have to achieve concrete results in adapting to the inevitable, although that should not distract us from what we can do to prevent further damage. We all have to accelerate our efforts, reduce our emissions and increase our carbon sinks.”

   2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)

5. “The inability to keep our promises on matters of this magnitude will inevitably erode trust — the trust of citizens in their leaders, to be sure, but also trust among generations and, above all, our collective trust in our common future. Nothing less than the fate of our planet is at stake. For yesterday’s Climate Action Summit, the Secretary-General asked us to come with a plan, not with a speech. Indeed, a good plan is already more concrete than a speech, but that is only the beginning. In order to build trust in our common future what we really need are results — deeds, not just promises; and action, not just targets. The pressing need for action applies to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Still, Goal 13, “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”, stands out as the most urgent.”

   2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)

6. “Without trust in institutions, we are less capable of acting together to address the challenges of the future; without trust in a sustainable future, we will not trust each other. That vicious cycle needs to be broken. First, let me begin with trust in a sustainable future. Crucial questions concerning that trust are at the heart of two major summits here in New York this week — one on sustainable development in general and another on climate action in particular. Under both headings, we already have the framework for the transformation we need. And yet, despite our joint commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement, the results are far too meagre. Recent reports show that we are not nearly on track to achieve the goals that we set together.”

   2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)

7. “Let me congratulate Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande on his election as the President of the General Assembly at its seventy-fourth session. He can count on Finland’s strong support in his work to guide this important organ. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, for his tireless efforts in leading the United Nations. I have been glad to note how the new President of the General Assembly has stressed a trust deficit as a key concern for the world today. I could not agree more. I believe trust to be a central prerequisite for any functioning community — local or national, regional or global. Without trust, even the best of institutions cannot deliver.”

   2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)

8. “Finland appeals to all Member States and the Secretary-General to consistently keep human rights, non-discrimination and gender equality at the top of the agenda of the United Nations. It was with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of Mr. Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations. His legacy is an inspiration to us all. Like the Secretary-General earlier today, I would like to conclude by remembering the following words from him: “More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together. And that, my friends, is why we have the United Nations”.”

   2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)

9. “Finland promotes the role of women’s effective participation in peace processes through the Nordic Women Mediator’s Network. That and other similar networks provide a useful platform for advocacy and self-education. As a HeForShe Impact Champion, I highly value those efforts. As we celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, its importance in the international order deserves special attention. Human rights not only protect the individual, but they also help us to prevent conflicts, build sustained peace and speed up development. If we are serious about human rights, then accountability mechanisms for crimes against international law are needed. Perpetrators must be brought to justice.”

   2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)

10. “It is vital for the future of mediation that experience gained in the past be passed on to future mediators. It was an honour for my country to host the meeting of the Secretary- General’s High-level Advisory Board on Mediation in June. We remain strong supporters of the mediation activities of the United Nations and other actors. Where appropriate, Finland also continues to offer its good offices to facilitate concrete discussions among parties, from track-two diplomacy to high-level meetings. Peace and security, human rights and development are not sustainable without the participation of women and youth. Female voices and young voices must be heard and acted upon. The needs of women, children and youth are still all too often marginalized in peace talks.”

    2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)

11. “The momentum to take steps towards a peaceful Korean peninsula should be maintained and supported. A successful outcome in that region could also set a powerful example for non-proliferation and disarmament elsewhere. Where peace has been achieved, the relevance of United Nations peacekeeping remains beyond doubt. But the Blue Helmets will also need to adapt to changing realities. We support the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping initiative to make United Nations peacekeeping more effective. While existing conflicts need to be solved, our priority must be to prevent future ones. Finland welcomes the efforts to strengthen the United Nations conflict-prevention capacity. Mediation is an invaluable tool when it comes to conflict prevention.”

    2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)

12. “About 100 million people worldwide are in urgent need of basic humanitarian assistance, and that number is growing. There are no quick and easy solutions, but doing nothing is not an option. I therefore welcome the global compact for migration and look forward to participating in the conference to adopt it in Marrakesh in December. Full-scale wars, conflicts of varying intensity and breaches of international law continue to haunt us. They constantly remind us of the immense human suffering involved. We, the international community, need to remain persistent in our efforts to solve ongoing conflicts, regardless of how deep-rooted and long- lasting they may be. On a positive note, we have been encouraged by recent attempts to hold a genuine dialogue between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the international community.”

    2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)

13. “In the North, we are witnessing how the Arctic region is warming at an alarming pace. That is not just a regional problem, as it poses a threat to the entire global climate system. One important factor in accelerating the melting of sea ice in the Arctic is black carbon emissions. Reducing black carbon that lands on the white ice would have immediate positive effects in preventing melting. A commitment to curbing those emissions would be a key objective of an Arctic summit, which Finland, as the current Chair of the Arctic Council, is ready to host. Without mitigation, climate change will also lead to a further increase in migration flows. Approximately 65 million people across the world are already displaced, the highest figure since the Second World War.”

    2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)

14. “In that regard, I refer to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the global compact for migration and the global compact on refugees. Issues such as sustainability, climate change and migration are not only about development and human rights, but they are also essential questions of peace and security. Climate change is the prime example of the need for prompt global action. The upcoming report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will further underscore the urgency of our response. It will also show how much remains to be done. So far, the voluntary contributions from the States parties to the Paris Agreement are not enough to keep the global temperature rise well below 2°C. We must do a lot more, and more quickly.”

    2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)

15. “That is particularly true for an organization that stresses the importance of equality and human rights. I am proud to be a member of the Circle of Leadership on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and I welcome the efforts taken to prevent and combat all forms of abuse throughout the United Nations system. The three pillars of the United Nations — peace and security, human rights and development — have stood the test of time. However, we have also discovered that many present global challenges do not respect the boundaries among them. The pillars are increasingly interlinked, as are the challenges themselves. The most important achievements of the United Nations system in recent years are testimony to that.”

    2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)

16. “We can no longer take the rules-based order for granted. It is our common responsibility to actively defend and develop it. Finland sees the United Nations as the core of the multilateral system. The defence of multilateralism must therefore begin here. The United Nations and its Members need to show their will to act together, not past each other. We fully support the Secretary- General’s ambitious and comprehensive reform agenda. Now is the time to implement those reforms. We must ensure that the United Nations of the future is more transparent, accountable and efficient. For the United Nations to be credible, it has to practice what it preaches. For any organization, every single case of sexual exploitation in its own ranks is one case too much.”

    2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)

17. “I wish to start by paying tribute to Secretary-General António Guterres for his vision in leading the United Nations. Finland wholeheartedly supports him in his important task. My country has always been a strong advocate of multilateral cooperation. For Finland, the rules-based international order is of fundamental importance. At home, being able to rely on commonly agreed rules is a cornerstone of our own national security and welfare. At the global level, common solutions and rules are needed to address the most pressing challenges of our time. Unfortunately, for those of us who believe in the benefits of multilateralism, there is now reason to be worried. The international system that we have built together is under pressure and its capability and credibility are being questioned.”

    2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)

18. “Peace and security, human rights and development belong to all of us. Only together can we make this world a better place.”

    2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)

19. “The emissions should be reduced in the Arctic area first and foremost, but global action is also needed, as much of the black carbon is transported in from outside the area. I firmly believe that tackling this issue will be a genuine win-win for 17-29389 3/27 the whole of humankind. Finland currently chairs the Arctic Council, and combating climate change is one of our priorities. Finland celebrates 100 years of independence this year, and the theme of our centennial is “Together”. Since our independence began, Finland has supported and respected the rules-based international order. In our interconnected world, promoting national interests also requires international efforts. I strongly believe that global challenges and threats must be addressed not by individual action alone but by the international community.”

    2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)

20. “The Agreement has a clear goal — keeping rising temperatures below 2°C. At the moment we are not on that path, and we must speed up our efforts, because the window for action is closing. Our transition from fossil fuels to renewables and energy efficiency must be much faster than what we are seeing right now. Everyone’s efforts are needed. The Arctic is at the forefront of climate change. It is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world. If we lose it, we will lose the whole world. We must find effective ways to slow down the warming of the Arctic. One of those is reducing emissions of black carbon and methane and their impact on the Arctic. The sources of black carbon are well known and solutions exist. What we need is shared willingness and determined steps to deal with the issue.”

    2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)

21. “Gender equality is a key priority in Finnish foreign policy. As a HeForShe IMPACT Champion, I attach great personal importance to this. Universal access to sexual and reproductive health and ensuring sexual rights and comprehensive sexuality education for all are key factors in sustainable development. As a candidate for the UNESCO Executive Board, Finland also considers gender equality, high-quality education and fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to be priorities. Climate change binds the South and the North together. None of us will be spared its destructive effects. Besides the direct environmental impact, it affects security and is a cause of forced migration. The rapid implementation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement is even more urgent than it was a year ago.”

    2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)

22. “Although the most rapid phase of global population growth is receding, in many places populations are still growing. That is particularly the case in some African countries, where the potential exists for a four-fold increase by the end of the century. Growing populations often result in rapid urbanization. Cities offer people many possibilities, and urbanization’s positive potential is huge. But if it is mismanaged it can also increase rootlessness, hopelessness and even radicalization. One antidote is to ensure that all individuals can reach their potential. Economic opportunities and human rights are vital. People must have a positive stake in their own societies. That will require dedicated efforts to empower individuals, including ensuring their access to education and basic services.”

    2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)

23. “First, countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism is a shared priority. As a global body, the United Nations is well placed to promote the fight against terrorism. I look forward to the leadership of the new United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism in that area. Secondly, we must take health security more seriously. Diseases travel across borders rapidly and synthetic biology is an emerging threat. We need better prevention and national preparedness, and a global, multi-partner collaboration. The Global Health Security Agenda is an important forum in this area, and Finland and Australia are co-chairing an alliance in support of health-security capacity-building. We must take action before the next pandemic arrives. Population dynamics are of great importance.”

    2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)

24. “The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons remains the cornerstone of global non-proliferation and the foundation for nuclear disarmament. Finland’s approach to the issue is result- oriented and pragmatic. It is crucial to ensure that the countries possessing nuclear weapons are on board for any negotiations. I call on all nuclear-weapon States and countries possessing such weapons to take concrete action on disarmament as soon as possible. It is also important to ensure that the nuclear deal on Iran is honoured by all parties, and I welcome the recent talks on strategic stability between the United States and the Russian Federation. We hope that they will re-start the arms-control talks in Europe and globally. We must also pay closer attention to other threats, of which I would like to focus on two examples.”

    2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)

25. “The international community has not succeeded in maintaining peace and security. The grave situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is an urgent concern. The North Korean nuclear-weapon programme is a threat to global peace and must be stopped. The Security Council’s cooperation on North Korea has been successful, and it is important to ensure that unity can prevail. At the same time, North Korea has continued its provocations, and such behaviour cannot be tolerated. Finland, as part of the European Union, stands firmly behind the sanctions and urges everyone to do the same. We will be able to find a solution only through negotiations, and the North Korean Government must participate without preconditions. Nuclear weapons represent a severe threat to humankind. As long as they exist there is a risk of a catastrophe.”

    2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)

26. “Finnish police officers, including a specialized team for sexual and gender-based violence, are now deployed in seven United Nations peacekeeping operations. It is my firm view that no United Nations peacekeeper or any other United Nations personnel should be associated with misconduct in any shape or form. There must be zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse, and the Secretary-General’s initiative for a circle of leadership is timely and welcome. In wars, there are no winners, and yet conflicts continue. In 2016, 157,000 lives were lost in violent conflicts globally. There are almost 68 million refugees in the world today. The conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and eastern Ukraine are all examples of untold human suffering, and they are not the only ones.”

    2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)

27. “Those who are marginalized must be given a voice in peace processes. Women, children and young people often pay the highest price in conflicts, but they can also help to find a way out of crises. Finland has helped to establish a Nordic network of women mediators that aims to sustain peace through women’s inclusive and meaningful participation in every phase of a peace process. Peacekeeping and special political missions are at the core of the United Nations mandate. With experience of United Nations operations since 1956, Finland supports the Secretary-General in his efforts to reform and make United Nations peacekeeping more effective. Following the pledge we made in 2015, Finland has significantly increased its participation in United Nations police missions.”

    2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)

28. “Our thoughts today are with the people of Mexico and the Caribbean. I congratulate you, Sir, on your election to preside over the General Assembly at its seventy-second session. Finland fully supports your six priorities and we appreciate the focus on people as your mandate’s centrepiece. I would also like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Secretary-General António Guterres. His determination to reform the United Nations is laudable. Transparency, accountability, efficiency and gender balance should be the guiding principles of the United Nations system. I also welcome his focus on conflict prevention, which, when successful, saves lives and financial resources. Finland continues to advocate the use of mediation in conflict resolution, which can prevent conflicts and decrease human suffering.”

    2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)

29. “We too have a message for the incoming United Nations leader. We would like to see the new Secretary- General work closely together with, and, if necessary, sometimes even one step ahead of, the Security Council in fulfilling the mandate of the Charter of the United Nations. Another challenge is to improve the United Nation’s functions as an organization. The next Secretary-General can do that by ensuring that the various United Nation activities complement each other, so that the United Nations truly delivers as one. Let me finish by assuring the Assembly of Finland’s full support for the incoming Secretary- General — whoever she or he may be.”

    2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)

30. “Gender equality and the political, economic and social empowerment of girls and women are key drivers for sustainable development and for combating climate change. In my own country, gender equality has been vital in our rise from poverty to prosperity. I welcome all efforts that raise the issue, such as the HeForShe movement initiated by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. I am personally involved in that important work. However, the United Nations and its Member States still have a long way to go to meet their target of gender equality. The next Secretary-General will be subject to almost colossal expectations. Finland welcomes a selection process that is more transparent and more inclusive. We also welcome the fact that there are so many female candidates interested in the position.”

    2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)

31. “The true test, however, will be the implementation of those instruments, which, in Finland, is being carried out in an inclusive way. We are focusing on establishing partnerships among the Government, the private sector, universities and civil society. All Finnish citizens are encouraged to get involved. I have personally committed to reducing my carbon footprint by half over a decade by signing up with the Global Citizens Climate Pledge initiative. The initiative was made global a couple of weeks ago in an event hosted by the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. A similar mechanism exists for inclusive participation in support of the 2030 Agenda.”

    2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)

32. “We welcome the Secretary-General’s efforts to bring United Nations peacekeeping into the twenty-first century. The Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping hosted by President Obama of the United States last year was a significant step in the right direction and needs to be continued. The problem of the illicit flow of conventional weapons persists, but finally progress has been made — the Arms Trade Treaty has entered into force. However, two tasks remain — the Treaty needs to be adopted by all and implemented effectively. It has not been ratified by many of the Member States whose contributions are needed, and so I urge Members to join without delay. The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a year ago was a milestone, as was the conclusion of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change.”

    2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)

33. “There is a need to foster closer cooperation between different actors, such as traditional and religious leaders, and to draw more participation from civil society. We are pleased that progress is being made, as evidenced by the adoption of the latest General Assembly resolution on mediation (resolution 70/304) just two weeks ago. This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of Finland’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping. Since 1956, some 50,000 Finnish men and women have served in United Nations operations around the world. Finnish citizens continue to serve in the Middle East and elsewhere, and some of them have made the ultimate sacrifice. We honour the work of those men and women. Finland is committed to ongoing efforts aimed at strengthening the various aspects of peace operations.”

    2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)

34. “Humanitarian action will never compensate for the inability to address the root causes of forced migration. It is important to take a longer-term perspective. The conflicts that we are now facing require urgent humanitarian action, and yet the underlying causes are long term. Economic, social and political progress is, therefore, imperative. The international community can and must assist. The United Nations, for its part, can help to defuse latent conflicts through conflict prevention, mediation and, if necessary, preventive peace operations. However, the ultimate responsibility for redesigning societies lies with the peoples concerned and their Governments. Local ownership is the solution. For a number of years Finland and Turkey have led efforts to strengthen United Nations-based mediation.”

    2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)

35. “We have to work together to find sustainable solutions at the global and regional levels to better control borders, while safeguarding the rights of those seeking international protection on the basis of a well-founded fear of persecution. That requires vision, courage and leadership. The alternative is stark: borders will become walls closed even to those entitled to refugee status. The problem is severe. Every day tens of thousands of people are displaced as a result of conflict, persecution or natural disasters, while others are on the move seeking a better life. There is an increasing need for humanitarian assistance. The European Union and my country, as a member, will continue to shoulder their share of responsibility in efforts to deal with the crisis, but it will never be enough.”

    2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)

36. “The complex and horrendous conflicts in and around Syria and Iraq continue to affect not only the Middle East but, indirectly, also Europe, including my own country, Finland. Such conflicts have already killed and maimed hundreds of thousands and displaced many more. They have given rise to unprecedented flows of asylum- seekers towards and into Europe. European societies are compassionate, but today they are under stress. Their capacity to provide for asylum-seekers and to integrate them at home, or to provide humanitarian assistance abroad, has limits. During the week of the United Nations high-level meeting, we discussed refugees and migration, and for good reason.”

    2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)

37. “The United Nations is the embodiment and arbiter of the rules-based international system of sovereign States. It is the only truly global body that we have, but we must work together to ensure that it functions better in fulfilling its many tasks. Unfortunately, the world continues to confront challenges to international peace and security all over. Narrow-minded nationalism, racism and violent extremism are on the rise. We must battle those destructive ideologies. The recent nuclear test by North Korea is a cause for grave concern. The conflict in Ukraine still awaits its resolution. All illegal actions, including the annexation of Crimea by Russia, are to be condemned.”

    2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)

38. “I wish to congratulate you, Sir, upon your election as the President of the General Assembly at its seventy-first session. You can count on Finland ́s full support in your important responsibilities. This will be the last General Assembly for the current Secretary-General in that capacity. I thank him for his untiring efforts to advance the common good of humankind. During his time in office, he has been instrumental in setting an ambitious agenda for sustainable development and for tackling climate change. Those achievements will make a difference for generations to come. We had the pleasure of hosting the Secretary-General last December, when Finland marked its sixtieth anniversary as a Member of the United Nations. It was an opportunity to remind ourselves of what the United Nations stands for.”

    2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)

39. “Actually, it is not only a job — it is an institution of which the whole United Nations membership should feel a sense of ownership. Strong political leadership is required, especially in cases where the international community is unable to find common views. I very much welcome efforts to enhance the transparency and inclusiveness of the selection process of the next Secretary-General. As a nation that has championed gender equality throughout its 60-year United Nations membership, my country, Finland, expects to see many excellent female candidates for the position. It is high time that the other half of humankind took up that challenge.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

40. “For the very first time, we have a real programme for sustainable development binding all Member States. Now it is up to us to implement that ambitious agenda. I urge the United Nations to once again demonstrate its convening power. We must get everybody on board to make the commitments a reality. The private sector and civil society are in a key position to take the Agenda forward, together with Governments. Even individual persons have a role to play. Another vital step in tackling global challenges is yet to take place; I refer to the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris in December. Let us make it a success. We must care for our children and their children. The post of the Secretary-General has been called the most impossible job in the world.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

41. “Let me add that this year also marks a major success of international diplomacy — the historic agreement reach on the Iran nuclear programme. We look forward to the swift implementation by Iran of all the nuclear measures and its full engagement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to resolve all outstanding issues. Humankind faces the need for profound change. We cannot continue business as usual, which is a way of life transcends our planet’s boundaries and exhausts the Earth’s resources. We have all the facts at our disposal. For example, on global warming, it is up to us to act. We can choose or lose our future. I believe that we are on the right track. We have just adopted the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1), which has the potential to transform the world.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

42. “It rightly stresses the primacy of politics; political solutions must always guide the deployment of United Nations peace operations. The United Nations prevention and mediation capacities must be strengthened and sufficiently funded. Finland is proud to have contributed to that shift of paradigm, especially by co-chairing the Group of Friends of Mediation, together with Turkey. The Group of Friends will continue its efforts to advance the recommendations of the Panel. Since the beginning of its membership, Finland has contributed 50,000 men and women to United Nations peacekeeping operations. In per capita terms, we are the second-largest contributor in Europe, and we will further increase our contribution. We will shoulder our responsibility.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

43. “Wars and their consequences continue to threaten stability far beyond the war zone itself. United Nations peace operations are at the very heart of its efforts to maintain international peace and security, yet the scope and complexity of today’s violent conflicts have surpassed the ability of the international community to address them properly. Critical thinking, flexibility and decisive action are needed to manage and resolve those crises. The initiative to carry out major reviews of the United Nations peace and security architecture was therefore most timely. 15-29431 11/51 A/70/PV.16 29/09/2015 I very much welcome the excellent report produced by President Ramos-Horta’s High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (A/70/357).”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

44. “The Security Council and the countries in the region in particular must work together to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria. Finland welcomes all constructive efforts that pave the way for realistic, workable and lasting peace within a framework of international cooperation. Finland also remains committed to the work of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL. The conflict in Ukraine has not been resolved, although an agreement to this end has been approved. We welcome the steps taken towards the implementation of the Minsk agreement. All illegal measures, such as the annexation of Crimea to Russia, cannot and must not be accepted. These conflicts are not the only ones. Last year alone, there were 42 armed conflicts that resulted in approximately 180,000 fatalities.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

45. “We are facing a new era of migration, largely due to wars and conflict. Around 60 million refugees, the largest number since the Second World War, clearly attest to this. The current refugee situation in the Middle East, in many parts of Africa and in the Mediterranean is unbearable for everyone. Although neighbouring countries bear the heaviest burden, the refugee crisis is causing serious political tension in Europe. Finland is also receiving a very high number of asylum-seekers. Not providing assistance is not an option for us, but we have to find more effective and sustainable ways to help those in need. Resolving the conflict in Syria and elsewhere is essential to any lasting solution. The international community must show that it cares.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

46. “We felt this concern when Finnish national composer Jean Sibelius passed away in 1957. The General Assembly decided to honour him with a moment of silence. The President of the Assembly at that session, Mr. Leslie Munro, described how Sibelius belonged to the whole world. We also understood what shouldering responsibility means by participating in the first United Nations peacekeeping operation in Suez. We are now facing an extremely dangerous crisis in Syria, Iraq and parts of North Africa. We are also witnessing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe unlike any other since the Second World War. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and its horrendous terror are a direct by-product of the conflicts in Syria and Iraq. It threatens the peace and stability of the Middle East, Africa and even Europe.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

47. “Let me begin by congratulating you, Sir, on your election as President of the General Assembly at its seventieth session. You have the full support of Finland in your important task. We are celebrating the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations. The Charter of the United Nations was written in a world that lay in ruins after the Second World War. Today, we must face our challenges with the same determination our predecessors had in 1945. By adopting the ambitious new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1) we are taking equally, or even more important steps, for humankind. This year also marks the sixtieth anniversary of Finland’s membership of the Organization. Finland joined a family of countries that care and shoulder their responsibilities.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

48. “The best way to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations next year is to adopt transformative commitments that set us on a path towards sustainable development. I started by describing the grim state of international relations. My analysis is not an excuse for inaction, but a call to redouble our diplomatic efforts. We must act with determination, and we must act now. Finland will support efforts to restore peace and prevent further damage to our rule-based international system. We must also aim high in addressing together the broader global challenges of climate change and sustainable development.”

    2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)

49. “Public funding for development is still important for the poorest and those affected by conflicts. But at the same time, domestic resource mobilization, innovation, trade and technology and investments must play a stronger role in sustainable development. Many countries of the global South enjoy a robust economic growth. That provides an opportunity to invest in tax systems, which in turn generates public resources for sustainable development. A just tax and redistribution policy is one of the most efficient ways to reduce inequalities and fight marginalization. The rule of law and the fight against corruption play a huge role as well. I trust the Secretary-General to be both visionary and concrete when setting the scene for the intergovernmental negotiations. This process will culminate next year in this very Hall.”

    2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)

50. “We share the same global challenges, such as climate change. Ebola is another serious threat. To help, Finland will double its assistance. It is critically important to us and our planet that we address them together. Here, I want to express my gratitude to the Secretary-General for his leadership in addressing those challenges. Intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 agenda will commence soon. We should aspire to a new kind of global commitment to fulfil both the needs of mankind and planet Earth. We owe this to our children and their children. To achieve sustainable development, we need clear objectives. We need to be able to monitor our commitments in an efficient way. All resources and means should be mobilized. We cannot rely only on traditional resources any more.”

    2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)