Pääministeri Petteri Orpon puhe Kestävän kehityksen poliittisen foorumin (HLPF) täysistunnossa New Yorkissa 21.7.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo gave a speech at the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York on Monday 21 July. Speech to be checked against delivery. Puhe vain englanniksi.

Mr. Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

We are gathered here today at a time when the world is facing unprecedented, complex and interconnected global challenges. At the same time, we have only five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 

With this in mind, I see that multilateralism and cooperation is not a choice – it is a necessity. I am here today to reaffirm Finland’s unwavering commitment to effective multilateralism, with the UN at its core.

First, we need a strong multilateral system. The illegal and unprovoked aggression by Russia against Ukraine, which is now ongoing for its fourth year, is one example of what is at stake – the foundation of the rules-based international order. This aggression violates the UN Charter, and its far-reaching consequences set back global efforts to achieve sustainable development. 

We must ensure that international law and the UN Charter are upheld not only in Ukraine but also in Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar and everywhere else where peace and security, sustainable development, human rights and gender equality are under threat. 

Second, Finland strongly supports the UN80 reform. The reform must succeed in a way that strengthens, not weakens, the ability of the UN to act in its key areas of peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. We expect to see a UN that is fit for purpose and able to deliver on the promises we have made – for people and the planet. 

Third, we must ensure that the United Nations is representative and inclusive and reflects the modern world. Every nation must have a voice that is heard and a role that is meaningful. This is not only a matter of fairness – it is essential for the legitimacy and effectiveness of the UN. A more democratic United Nations, which also gives a strong voice to youth and civil society, is a stronger one. 

And fourth, achieving the SDGs requires leadership. Not only by the UN, but by all of us, the Member States as well. In Finland, it has always been the task of Prime Ministers to coordinate national efforts. That is why I am here today: to report to you on our progress.

Finland is for the fifth year the country furthest ahead in the implementation of the SDGs. But I say this with humility, as lots of hard work still remains to be done also in my country. We also need to be better in supporting others.

Finally, together, through a revitalized, more inclusive United Nations that delivers on its core mandates, we can find the solutions that we the peoples of the United Nations urgently need. Finland stands ready to do its part.