UN high-level week begins – Finland’s programme focuses on COVID-19 pandemic, climate questions and human rights
The high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly, which marks an annual special event for global cooperation, begins on 20 September. The week provides Finland with an opportunity to strengthen its cooperative relations and to highlight themes that are important for foreign and security policy.
The UN General Assembly meets for the 76th time. The General Assembly is the only of the six main organs of the United Nations where all Member States have equal representation: one country, one vote. The themes of this year’s UN General Assembly (UNGA 76) are resilience and building back better after the COVID-19 pandemic, response to the needs of the planet, respect for human rights and the reform of the UN.
The UNGA 76 high-level week begins on Monday 20 September. The high-level week brings the world government leaders and international organisations together in New York every year. In addition to the General Assembly, a number of other events and meetings will be held. Due to the pandemic, the high-level week is now held in hybrid format.
Read more on the official website of the General Assembly of the United Nations.
High-level week offers an opportunity to strengthen cooperative relations
Finland’s activities in the UN are based on defending the rules-based international system and on strengthening multilateral cooperation. The UN high-level week provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen cooperative relations with states and civil societies. In UNGA 76, Finland will lay special emphasis on matters reflecting the value base of Finnish foreign and security policy: the promotion of human rights, the rule of law, democracy, peace, freedom, tolerance and equality in all international activities.
In the programme of the Finnish delegation, topical themes will include the COVID-19 pandemic and health security, climate questions, the promotion of human rights, and the situation in Ethiopia and Afghanistan. Other topics on the agenda are Finland’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council in 2022–2024 and the strengthening of the UN.
The Finnish delegation is led by President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will attend ministerial events in New York and have bilateral meetings with his counterparts and with representatives of the UN. Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will represent Finland at several high-level meetings held in virtual format during the week.
Read more about the Ministers’ programmes on the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Read more about the President's programme on the website of the President of the Republic.
President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö will deliver Finland’s statement at the General Assembly on Tuesday 21 September at about 11.45 pm Finnish time. Several public statements delivered during the week will be webcast live on the UN Web TV.
Follow the General Assembly on Twitter using the hashtags #UNGA76 and #UNGA, and Finland’s participation using #FIUNGA76.
Live webcasts and video recordings of the speeches:
22.9. SDG Business Forum, Minister Ville Skinnari's speech
22.9. Accelerating adaptation finance, Minister Ville Skinnari's speech
23.9. Food Systems Summit, President Sauli Niinistö's speech
23.9. Food Systems Summit, Minister Ville Skinnari's speech
Speeches:
21 September: Finland's statement in the 76th general debate, President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö
Press releases and news:
21.9. YouTuber Mikirotta raises young people’s awareness of world food systems
23.9. UN Food Systems Summit: Finland as a trailblazer as provider of school meals