MFA: Minister Haavisto to attend the high-level week of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Minister Skinnari will represent Finland at meetings virtually

Topical themes on the agenda in the high-level meetings of the session will include, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic and health security, climate issues, the promotion of human rights, and the situation in Ethiopia and Afghanistan. Other topics on the agenda include Finland’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council, the strengthening of multilateral cooperation and the reform of the UN.

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 21 September. President Niinistö will also deliver Finland’s address at the UN Food System Summit, which will be held virtually on Thursday 23 September.

Heads of state and ministers will attend the programme of the week physically in New York but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the size of the delegations travelling to New York has been restricted, and many high-level events are mainly held virtually and spread over two weeks (20–27 September).

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

The themes of Minister Haavisto’s programme during the high-level week will focus on topical crises, especially the situation in Afghanistan, digitalisation, mediation and support for multilateral cooperation. He will also have bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries and UN specialised agencies.

Minister Skinnari will attend events relating to, for example, the strengthening of the multilateral system, climate, innovations, circular economy, education, school meals, the least developed countries, and the role of companies in sustainable development. Minister Skinnari will deliver Finland’s address at the Ministerial Meeting of the Least Developed Countries (17 Sept.), the SDG Business Forum (22 Sept.), the launch event of the Coalition for School Feeding (23 Sept.) and a high-level panel discussion on climate training that takes girls into account (24 Sept).

The SDG Moment, which supports the Sustainable Development Goals, will be held on 20 September, and a High-level Dialogue on Energy on 24 September. The high-level meetings will also commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action at an event to be held in hybrid format on 22 September.

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

More information about the 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 Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 50 478 2587
 

More information about the programme of the Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade:
Satu Lassila, Director, Unit for Sustainable Development and Climate Policy, tel. +358 295 350 022,
Kirsi Airio, Special Adviser to the Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, tel. +358 50 522 1729

The Foreign Ministry’s email addresses are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi.