President Halonen at the World Economic Forum in Davos

President of South Africa Jacob Zuma (right), President Tarja Halonen and Secretary-General of the UN Ban Ki-moon in Davos. President Zuma and President Halonen co-chair the UN High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen attended the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum on 26–29 January 2011. Around 2,500 participants took part to the Forum this year.

On Friday, 28 January 2011, President Halonen discussed about future views on sustainable development. Other debaters at the session were Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wal-Mart Stores Mike Duke, President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Chair, President of Mexico Felipe Calderon and Co-Chair of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation William H. Gates III. In the afternoon President Halonen discussed, along with other Nordic leaders, experiences of Nordic welfare societies. Also in the program were sessions on the new global growth model and reform of the international monetary system.

In Thursday, 28 January, President Halonen led meetings, which set up ground for the work of the UN High-level Panel on Global Sustainability. The Panel is co-chaired by President Halonen and President of South Africa Jacob Zuma. The Presidents discussed about the work of the with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Also leaders of other UN organisaations presented their views of the sustainable development.

Participation in WEF meetings is by invitation only and limited to political leaders and the heads of selected organisations and businesses. 

• World Economic Forum
• UN High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability
• 9.8.2010 President Halonen to chair a UN Panel

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