Ministers Haavisto and Skinnari to attend high-level week of UN General Assembly in New York

The high-level week of the UN General Assembly will discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and especially its global impact, such as the global food crisis. Russia’s aggression has aggravated the effects of global challenges (climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, pandemics). The high-level week is an opportunity to emphasise the significance of multilateral processes and international rules-based cooperation in solving global challenges.

Finland’s delegation will be led by President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö, who will deliver Finland’s statement in the general debate on Tuesday 20 September.

The ministers’ programmes focus on finding common solutions to global crises

Events during the high-level week include the Transforming Education Summit on 19 September, the SDG Moment in support of the Sustainable Development Goals on 19 September, a high-level meeting on the food crisis on 20 September and a high-level meeting on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities on 21 September.

Minister Haavisto’s meetings during the week will focus on topical crises, including the global effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (e.g. food crisis) in particular as well as mediation and regional crises, promotion of human rights and gender equality, and support to multilateral cooperation in this challenging global situation. He will have bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of other countries and with leaders of UN specialised agencies. Minister Haavisto will also attend a meeting of EU foreign ministers in New York on 19 September.

Minister Skinnari’s meetings during the week will discuss the strengthening of Ukraine’s education sector, climate change adaptation, equal and digital society, the rights and status of women and girls, the reinforcing of the multilateral system, and the role of companies in sustainable development, among other topics. He will have bilateral meetings with ministers of other countries and with leaders of UN specialised agencies. Minister Skinnari will also have a Team Finland programme to promote commercial and economic cooperation. The programme topics include security of supply and digital matters.

Finland’s activities in the UN are based on defending the rules-based international system and on strengthening multilateral cooperation, where our key priorities include sustainable development and climate change mitigation, conflict prevention and mediation, and the promotion of gender equality and human rights. The UN high-level week is a valuable opportunity to strengthen cooperative relations, to engage in dialogue and to highlight themes that are important for Finland.

Inquiries

Programme of the Minister for Foreign Affairs:

Anna Salovaara, Director, Unit for UN and General Global Affairs, tel. +358 295 350 018

Joel Linnainmäki, Special Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 50 478 2587

Programme of the Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade:

Satu Lassila, Director, Unit for UN Development Issues, tel. +358 295 350 022,

Emmi Mäkelä, Special Adviser to the Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, tel. +358 50 473 6694

The email addresses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi.