President Halonen the new Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders

On 7 March 2009 President of the Republic Tarja Halonen became the new Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders (CWWL). She follows Mary Robinson, the former President of Ireland, in this post. The CWWL is a network of leading women politicians that includes heads of state and prime ministers. In accepting the post President Halonen said that it is important for the Council to continue its work to strengthen women's role in preventing conflicts and building peace. The Council met in Monrovia, Liberia in connection with a large international colloquium on women's leadership that is being co-chaired by President Halonen and President Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia.

Presidentti Halonen and President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia are co-chairing the colloquium on women's leadership.
Photo: Office of the President of the Republic

The purpose of the colloquium on 7-8 March is to deal broadly with women's participation in decision-making. The general theme is Women, Peace and Security according to a UN Security Council Resolution. Participants include heads of state and government, ministers and NGO leaders from around the world.

One of the key themes of the colloquium is climate change. At a session that addressed this subject on 7 March, President Halonen noted that climate change will have the most serious effects on the poor people of the world, 70% of whom are women. She pointed out that women in developing countries are important actors when it comes to preventing climate change, since they play a key role in agriculture and in obtaining food and water.

Trip will continue to Nigeria and Benin

President Halonen and Dr Arajärvi are in Liberia on a state visit. Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors is among the delegation accompanying them.

On Friday, 6 March President Halonen spoke at the Liberian Parliament. Discussions with President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf focused on the situation in Liberia, particularly the country's high unemployment and the need to develop education.

The state visit to Liberia is part of a series of visits to West African countries that began in Senegal on 3 March. In Senegal President Halonen met with President Abdoulaye Wade and discussed the political situation and stability in West Africa as well as sustainable development particularly in preparing for the upcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen in December. They also discussed cooperation between the EU and the African Union as well as economic cooperation with the countries of West Africa.

From Liberia President Halonen will continue to Nigeria, where she will meet with President Umaru Yar'Adua, learn about measures to prevent human trafficking and visit a shelter for victims of human trafficking.

On 11-12 March President Halonen will make an official visit to Benin, where she will hold political talks with President Yayi Bon and tour the Finnish-African Cultural Centre Villa Karo.

President Halonen and Dr Arajärvi will return to Finland on 12 March.

Council of Women World Leaders

International Colloquium on Women's Leadership

Opening statement by President Halonen at Colloquium