Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations, New York

For our Finnish-speaking followers: Suomen pysyvä edustusto YK:ssa hakee kielitaitoista, palveluhenkistä, organisointi- ja yhteistyökykyistä assistenttia määräaikaiseen työsuhteeseen. Hae 3.11. mennessä, lisätiedot sivuillamme ⬇ https://lnkd.in/eM-g2Zus

Happy United Nations Day! The UN has been Finland's most important channel for multilateral cooperation since it joined the organization in 1955. As a Member State, Finland is committed to participating in maintaining international peace and security and in peaceful resolution of conflicts. Finland has been a major contributor to the UN's peacekeeping operations since the late 1950s, including hosting the first UN peacekeeping training center in the world, and it was the first country to adopt a National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) in 2015. Human rights are another key element for Finland in the UN, as are developing international law, disarmament diplomacy and multilateral development cooperation. To highlight the importance of #YPS as well as the focus on future generations in the newly adopted #PactfortheFuture, we asked some of our young colleagues what they would like to say to the UN on this year's #UNDay.

Get ready for COP16! 🌍 Colombia will host the biannual Conference on Biodiversity 21.10. - 1.11. in Cali, bringing together global leaders to tackle urgent biodiversity challenges. The main goal is to agree on the implementation of the 2022 global biodiversity targets - the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework - and their monitoring. The Finnish delegation comprises representatives from various ministries, civil society, and the business sector, with over 14,000 participants expected to attend from around the world. The Nordic embassies will host a series of joint side events with Nordic and Colombian partners, focusing on topical circular economy challenges and solutions. See below greetings from our ambassador in Colombia, Antti Kaski. #COP16 #Biodiversity #Sustainability #CircularEconomy

For our Finnish-speaking followers: Kiinnostaako korkeakouluharjoittelu Suomen pysyvässä YK-edustustossa New Yorkissa? Haemme harjoittelijoita alkuvuodelle 2025. Työtehtäviin kuuluu virkamiesten avustaminen, osallistuminen kokouksiin ja niistä raportoiminen, tiedonhaku ja taustamateriaalin tuottaminen sekä muut avustavat tehtävät. Tehtävän hoitaminen edellyttää kiinnostusta kansainvälisiin poliittisiin kysymyksiin ja YK-asioihin. Hae 3.11.2024 mennessä! https://lnkd.in/eMnY78SQ

Our Executive Director Sima Bahous met with H.E. Minister Ville Tavio, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development of Finland, during #UNGA79. This year, we received the highest level of core contributions from #Finland since 2014 – a reflection of the trust and confidence placed in UN Women and our shared vision in a gender-equal world. In the challenging global context of pushback and regression of women’s rights, Finland’s consistent support over the years has been critical. Together, we are influencing impactful action across public and private sectors, delivering crucial support and services to women and girls in need, and ensuring the multilateral system is a force for real change in their lives. Thank you, Finland, for your leadership in advancing the rights of women and girls and unwavering support to UN Women. 

In his opening address at the #UNGA General Debate, António Guterres delivered a stern warning to world leaders: “The state of our world is unsustainable. We can’t go on like this.” Describing humanity as entering a period of epic transformation, he called on leaders to work together toward global solutions to the myriad of challenges facing the world today. “Let’s move our world towards less impunity and more accountability, less inequality and more justice, less uncertainty and more opportunity.”

The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly is underway in New York. The high-level general debate is taking place this week. Find out more about #UNGA: https://lnkd.in/dQzxCqqA

The Summit of the Future kicked off with the Action Days, the first day led by the youth. It was uplifting to listen to many young changemakers, as well as United Nations agencies advocating for human rights, gender equality, and youth empowerment in SRHR. UN Women Deputy Executive Director Kirsi Madi reminded us that while we are discussing gender equality and future challenges here in New York, it is essential to remember all those people, especially young people, women, and girls, who are living in very challenging situations in different parts of the world, and do not have access to these spaces. She also referred to the recently published UN Gender Snapshot, which shows us that while we can see a lot of progress in implementing the SDG on gender equality, it is not fast enough, and there are many gaps. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem reminded us of the ever-important relevance of the #ICPD Programme of Action, reproductive freedom, and bodily autonomy. "Rights and choices are determined to belong to individuals." Aura L., #ICPD30 youth advocate, called for the operationalization of the ICPD30 Cotonou Youth Action Agenda and investing in youth empowerment. María José Carranza Padilla highlighted the importance of the human rights of persons with disabilities and the need for a paradigm shift in the care economy. The Summit of the Future is more than its deliverables. It can foster new partnerships and empower new and diverse voices when discussing the future. I am already looking forward to Day 2 of the Action Days.

The Summit of the Future and the High-Level Week of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly are just around the corner. Multilateral processes and international rules-based cooperation are more important than ever in solving the global challenges we face. The Finnish delegation led by President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb will include Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio and Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen. President Stubb will deliver Finland’s National Statement at the Assembly’s General Debate on Wednesday September 25. Minister Valtonen and Minister Tavio will attend ministerial events in New York and have bilateral meetings with their counterparts and with representatives of the UN, including representatives of the business community. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its global impacts will continue to be on the agenda this year. The situation in the Middle East is also expected to feature prominently in the discussions. Finland strongly supports UN in its task to uphold global peace and security. In addition to security policy, the agenda will include topics such as the future of the UN, #digitalization and sea level rise. Make sure to follow us on X (FinlandUN) and Instagram (finland_un) to stay updated on the latest developments! #UNGA79 #SummitOfTheFuture Ulkoministeriö

“Here at the United Nations, peace is our raison d'être, our guiding light, and our founding creed. At Peace Bell ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, António Guterres warned that peace is under threat globally, urging greater efforts to nurture the conditions needed for the world to flourish. https://lnkd.in/evhejZ7b