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.