Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at a civic event organised by FinnChurchAid at the Helsinki Cathedral on 15 March 2009

Several Finnish foreign policy decision-makers have recently visited Africa. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Väyrynen made a trip to Southern Africa, Foreign Minister Stubb and President Ahtisaari went to Addis Ababa, while I, together with Minister Astrid Thors, toured the West African states of Senegal, Liberia, Nigeria and Benin. During our journey, we participated in a women’s colloquium in the Liberian capital Monrovia; Finland and Liberia were the prime movers behind this event – with the cooperation of different UN organisations and the EU, of course. Development discussions need to focus more attention on Africa than before if we really intend to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals.

This is why it pleases me greatly to be here now, at this civic debate organised by FinnChurchAid, the Helsinki Cathedral Congregation and the magazine Suomen Kuvalehti.

The fact that the world has been rapidly confronted with a set of entirely novel challenges provides another reason. The ongoing global economic crisis, which stemmed from the financial markets, is in some shape or form affecting almost all of the world's countries and continents, impacting negatively on the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable people in particular. International development cooperation is also being affected by it.

Finland's most recent development policy programme dates back to 2007. It is more cursory than the previous 2004 programme and grants greater discretionary powers to the government, as was pointed out by Parliament. On the other hand, an absolute improvement in the new programme is its greater emphasis on the issues of sustainable development and its recognition of differing operating practices as a necessary whole. Economically, socially and ecologically sustainable development is needed in the worldwide effort to eradicate poverty.

Development cooperation is not the only way forward, however. A good example of this is provided by globalisation. The prevailing global economic crisis will have a greater impact on the developing countries than all global development aid combined. The weaknesses of the international financial architecture have been known for a long time. I think many considered me a spoilsport when the report of the ILO World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation was completed five years ago because I brought some of the problems with globalisation, such as the architecture of international finance, into discussion. I still feel that we need a fairer form of globalisation, one in which productive and decent jobs for all must be a shared objective, while simultaneously striving to achieve a balance between growth, social cohesion and economic dynamism as well as the sustainable utilisation of natural resources and the environment.

The support provided through development cooperation is still important to the developing countries. Finland, the European Union and its other Member States as well as the overall development aid donor community must now think about the methods of development cooperation – about quantity, quality and effectiveness. At the same time, we must have the ability and boldness to talk about global development policies and development cooperation in such clear terms that attract the support of the citizenry for these activities also in times of economic difficulties.

Development policy forms a part of Finland's foreign and security policy. Development policy is a part of wide-reaching security. Finland committed to the 0.7% goal for the first time in 1970, and every government elected to office since then has incorporated this goal into its government programme. We must keep these promises, not just for the sake of our own credibility, but because this safeguards the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals and also our own future. A lot of work remains to be done.

To support the UN's goals, the Member States of the EU have established their own development cooperation objectives. Thus Finland, too, has made a commitment in the European Council to increase its development aid spending. We have on several occasions confirmed our pledge of allocating 0.51% of GDP to development in 2010. I am pleased with the government's definition of policy, according to which Finland will stick to her goal of gradually increasing development aid to the UN's target of 0.7% of GDP.

Resolving the questions associated with international trade has become even more significant for the future of the developing countries. For this reason, too, the ongoing WTO free-trade negotiations must be brought to a positive conclusion without delay.

The most important goals for Finnish development cooperation are the reduction of poverty and the promotion of sustainable development. These objectives are well in line with the UN Millennium Development Goals.

Democracy, respect for human rights and adherence to the principle of the rule of law are the fundamental pillars of national stability and development. Good governance remains an important goal, and the weeding out of corruption is a significant aspect of this.

The realisation of economic, social and educational rights strengthens people's ability to control their own lives and to act for the development of their societies. The survival of communities is often dependent on women, even though women form the majority of the world's poor.

To conclude, if I may for my part raise one special theme for discussion, it would be women and girls. Literally from birth, a female child has to endure discrimination because of her gender. This is a human rights violation, this wastes development resources. Promoting the education and equal participation of women and girls supports peace, stability and sustainable development. The recent Monrovia colloquium, for example, was also a useful addition to the Copenhagen climate change conference.

Finland as a nation enjoys a good reputation. Others wish to learn from us, and we are known as reliable cooperation partners who strive to achieve a dialogue with the recipient countries of development aid. Our development aid budget is necessary and we possess competence that can be employed to increase the effectiveness of our development cooperation. Finland must remain an active, enterprising and credible cooperation partner – one in whose word others can trust. In this, the assistance provided by civic society is invaluable.