Prime Minister Marin talks with UN Secretary-General Guterres

Prime Minister Sanna Marin has spoken on the telephone with UN Secretary-General António Guterres about the UN’s actions to deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

Finland is a strong, long-term supporter of the UN. Prime Minister Marin emphasised that Finland fully supports the efforts of the UN and its specialised agencies in dealing with the global pandemic crisis.

Finland has decided to provide a total of EUR 30 million in support for global measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic. This includes an additional EUR 5.5 million in funding for the World Health Organization (WHO) and EUR 22 million in additional funding for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women.

Prime Minister Marin and Secretary-General Guterres also discussed the effects of the pandemic on international peace and security. Conflict prevention and crisis management are important priorities for Finland, including during the pandemic. Finland supports Secretary-General Guterres’ call for a global ceasefire.

The discussion was also a follow-up to their meeting on 6 March in New York. In her discussions with UN Secretary-General Guterres, Prime Minister Marin has emphasised the importance of the multilateral order and the UN in general, and has also highlighted the need for closer EU–UN cooperation.

Inquiries: Lauri Voionmaa, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister (International Affairs), tel. +358 50 421 0422