President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö is visiting the United States on 19–25 September 2022. In New York, President Niinistö leads the Finnish delegation during the high-level week of the 77th United Nations General Assembly. During his trip, President Niinistö will also visit Washington D.C.
On Tuesday 20 September, President Niinistö delivered Finland’s National Statement at the Opening of the General Debate of the UN General Assembly. In his speech, the President said that Russia’s offensive war is in blatant violation of the UN Charter, and that the ripple effects of the war are already far-reaching and severe. The international community has a common obligation to uphold the international rules-based order. President Niinistö said that more than ever we need a renewed commitment on multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core:
“We must not become indifferent or apathetic in the face of these multiple crises. We must not get used to violations of international law and human rights. Not close our eyes to the growing needs of the vulnerable. Not sleepwalk into a climate and biodiversity catastrophe. Nor should we lose sight of hope: There is still time to act.”
On Tuesday, President Niinistö held bilateral meetings with, among others, UN Secretary General António Guterres, Hungarian President Katalin Novák and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
In addition, the President delivered a video speech at a high-level side event in preparation for the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP-15).
On Monday 19 September, President Niinistö delivered Finland’s statement at the UN Transforming Education Summit. “Education is an investment. It is an investment in equality and peaceful, democratic and resilient societies,” the President said in his video speech.
On Wednesday 21 September, President Niinistö attended a meeting of the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The President’s programme also included bilateral meetings with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Moldovan President Maia Sandu, among others.
The Finnish delegation to the UN General Assembly also consisted of Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto and Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.
On Thursday 22 September, President Niinistö travels to Washington, where he has several bilateral meetings.
- Statement by President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö at the 77th General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly, New York, 20 September 2022
- Statement by President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö at the Transforming Education Summit in New York on 19 September 2022
- Video statement by President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö at the Countdown to COP15: Landmark Leaders’ Event for a Nature Positive World in New York on 20 September 2022
- President Niinistö met with the President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi
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President Niinistö met with President of Hungary Katalin Novákin at the UN General Assembly in New York on 20 September 2022. Photo: Ville Hukkanen/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Presidentti Niinistö met with President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis at the UN General Assembly in New York on 20 September 2022. Photo: Linda Hyttinen/Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN
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President Niinistö delivered Finland's National Statement at the Opening of the General Debate of the UN General Assembly. Photo: Agaton Strom/Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN
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President Niinistö delivered Finland's National Statement at the Opening of the General Debate of the UN General Assembly. Photo: Agaton Strom/Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN
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President Niinistö delivered Finland's National Statement at the Opening of the General Debate of the UN General Assembly. Photo: Agaton Strom/Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN
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President Niinistö with President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis at the UN General Assembly in New York on 20 September 2022. Photo: Ville Hukkanen/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö met President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the UN General Assembly in New York on 20 September 2022. Kuva: Aliisa Tornberg/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö met with Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres on on 20 September 2022 in New York. Photo: Agaton Strom/Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN
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President Sauli Niinistö met with President of Moldova Maia Sandu at the UN General Assembly in New York on 20 September 2022. Photo: Ville Hukkanen/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö spoke at the 10th Meeting of the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Photo: Linda Hyttinen/Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN
We must not get used to violations of international law and human rights. Not close our eyes to the growing needs of the vulnerable. Not sleepwalk into a climate and biodiversity catastrophe. Nor should we lose sight of hope: There is still time to act.https://t.co/cNKzRCaAgy
— Sauli Niinistö (@niinisto) September 20, 2022
As always, many useful encounters at #UNGA in New York. Good to update views with @RTErdogan. pic.twitter.com/LPawaEPBRi
— Sauli Niinistö (@niinisto) September 20, 2022
First encounter with President of Hungary @KatalinNovakMP. Talked about security and Finland’s NATO membership. I’m looking forward to continuing our cooperation. #UNGA77 pic.twitter.com/rrbyS6ffBB
— Sauli Niinistö (@niinisto) September 20, 2022
I met this morning with President of Moldova @sandumaiamd. We exchanged views about the war in Ukraine, security in the region and Russia’s partial mobilisation. Finland support’s Moldova’s EU path and reforms. pic.twitter.com/g0UNMXJaVH
— Sauli Niinistö (@niinisto) September 21, 2022
Preventing the development of nuclear weapons and achieving nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation is now critically important. https://t.co/HZFDpFVTO6
— Sauli Niinistö (@niinisto) September 21, 2022
Work continues in Washington D.C. A series of good meetings today at the Capitol Hill. Discussions on transatlantic security, Finland’s NATO membership, Russia and Finland’s bilateral relations with the US. Thank you, @SpeakerPelosi, @SenatorRisch and @LeaderMcConnell. pic.twitter.com/nVevvMRtyc
— Sauli Niinistö (@niinisto) September 22, 2022
“The world needs to tackle the triple crisis on biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution. Now is the time to act.” – President of Finland @Niinisto at the Countdown to #COP15: Landmark Leaders Event for a Nature Positive World on 20 September 2022 https://t.co/M6QCoBlGty
— TPKanslia (@TPKanslia) September 21, 2022
“Education is an investment. It is an investment in equality and peaceful, democratic and resilient societies.” – President of the Republic of Finland @Niinisto at the #TransformingEducation Summit on 19 September 2022#UNGA | #FIUNGA77 https://t.co/IDOT7G3qMd
— TPKanslia (@TPKanslia) September 19, 2022