Finland, 2008

Let me first congratulate

you, Sir, on your election to preside over the sixty-third

session of the General Assembly. We express our full

support for your presidency. I also thank the Secretary-

General for his resolute efforts to promote the United

Nations and its values.

Finland aligns itself with the statement of the

European Union.

Our world is facing unforeseen challenges, such

as climate change and the food crisis. The current

economic turmoil also requires decisive action. At the

same time, we have not been able to rid ourselves of

conventional crisis. Unfortunately, armed conflicts are

still a reality all over the world. Too often, we — the

international community — are unable to agree on a

common response. Too often, people affected by

poverty and conflicts are let down.

The need to adapt the international architecture to

these challenges is deeper than ever. We need an

efficient United Nations to find common solutions for

our future. The United Nations represents collective

security in its most global form. Finland is committed

to building a more secure, fair and just world through a

reformed and credible United Nations.

I had the pleasure earlier this week of presenting

to the Secretary-General the final report of the Helsinki

Process on Globalization and Democracy. The main

political message of this joint initiative of Finland and

the United Republic of Tanzania is that some of the

challenges posed by globalization can be solved only

through multi-stakeholder dialogue, and that the United

Nations could play an important role in facilitating and

developing new practices for such cooperation.

Climate change must be addressed with vigour.

Otherwise, it can wipe out our achievements in the

field of sustainable development and even bring into

question the whole future of mankind. Recent extreme

weather phenomena can be a serious indication of the

challenges we are about to face. Multilateral

engagement and shared responsibility are the only

effective means to tackle this global menace. Others’

indifference is no excuse for inaction. Climate change

is a matter of our responsibility to future generations.

There is no place for petty politics or recrimination.

The United Nations has to play a leading role in

the global response to climate change. We must reach a

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comprehensive global agreement on a new

international climate regime. The Copenhagen Climate

Change Conference will take place in December next

year. It is evident that global commitments need to be

implemented and also supplemented by national and

regional action. It is important to include all

stakeholders, from non-governmental organizations to

private enterprises, and from individual citizens to

Governments. We need everybody; it is necessary that

women too can participate fully in this work.

Industrialized countries have to bear their share

in mitigating climate change. However, international

negotiations on the new climate regime cannot succeed

without extensive participation by the developing

countries. We must actively support the most

vulnerable developing countries in adapting to and

combating climate change.

There is mounting evidence that poverty,

especially in rural areas, can be reduced by sustainable

management of natural resources. Forests are crucial in

reducing greenhouse gases. Finland has a long history

of sustainable forest management, and we understand

its impact on rural development and employment. We

would like the United Nations to intensify its efforts to

assist Governments and communities to improve their

capacities for rural development and sustainable forest

management. We are of course ready to work with

others in this respect.

I am pleased to be a co-host, together with the

President of Liberia, Ms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, my

friend, of the International Colloquium on Women’s

Empowerment, to be held in Liberia next March. The

conference will address women’s role in climate

change, security, governance and leadership.

Rising food prices are a challenge with

worldwide consequences. Once again the poorest and

the most vulnerable — women and children — suffer

the most. Food shortages lead to deterioration of diets,

and can provoke social unrest. Effective Government

action and improved donor coordination are crucial in

tackling the food crisis. The United Nations

Comprehensive Framework for Action is an excellent

initiative in addressing this global challenge.

Parallel to the short-term response, attention must

be paid to medium- and long-term policies in

enhancing food security. Support for the rural sector is

crucial for sustainable and equitable development,

growth and well-being. Moreover, the promotion of

good agricultural practices is among the best

approaches to adaptation to climate change.

This food issue can also provide opportunities. If

developing countries are supported in the spirit of the

Aid for Trade agenda, they can better take advantage of

their agricultural potential, including exporting. And

we need to ensure, again, that both women and men

benefit from support, keeping in mind that women

produce most of the food in many developing

countries.

The United Nations currently deploys well over

100,000 military and civilian personnel in

peacekeeping operations. This is a remarkable figure,

and we, the Member States, must continue to support

the United Nations efforts in this field. The United

Nations and regional organizations should work closer

together in carrying the burden in preventing and

resolving conflicts.

Increased cooperation should be extended to the

African Union. We already have good cooperation and

experience in our own region, because improving

efficiency and improving cooperation between the

European Union and the United Nations remain a top

priority. In Kosovo, and most recently also in Georgia,

we continue close cooperation between the United

Nations, the European Union and the Organization for

Security and Cooperation in Europe.

That is why I also dare to say that increased

cooperation should be extended to the African Union.

A continued United Nations peacekeeping presence in

Chad and in the Central African Republic would

contribute to wider stabilization efforts, both locally

and regionally.

Tackling today’s multifold conflicts requires a

comprehensive approach to security. Trade,

development policy and humanitarian aid need to be

utilized alongside traditional crisis management tools.

We must — even better than today — take women and

children into account in conflicts and post-conflict

peacebuilding.

We have made good decisions. We have to make

them become reality. I am pleased to inform the

Assembly that last Friday Finland published a national

action plan on implementing Security Council

resolution 1325 (2000). We hope that more and more

member countries will do the same.

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Furthermore, there can be no sustainable peace

without justice. Finland strongly supports the

International Criminal Court in rejecting impunity for

the most serious international crimes.

Finally, I want to share my memories and

experience. I had the privilege to co-preside over the

Millennium Summit with President Sam Nujoma of

Namibia eight years ago. We witnessed leaders having

the spirit and the courage to adopt the Millennium

Declaration and to make a commitment on the

Millennium Development Goals. It is our duty to fulfil

these commitments. Africa requires our devoted

attention and support, as was agreed yesterday. Let us

work for it, because today, in this Hall, it is once again

time to pledge our joint commitment to the ideas and

values of the United Nations.

Everyone present may remember what the

Charter calls us to do: “to unite our strength to

maintain international peace and security”. While the

concept of security has changed and become broader,

the onus is on us to follow this call of the Charter and

translate it into action.