Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
Press release 40/2012
28 September 2012
During the opening week of the UN General Assembly, President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö promoted Finland’s bid for non-permanent membership of the Security Council. Finland is running for membership for 2013–2014. The membership vote will take place at the UN General Assembly in New York on 18 October.
During the week President Niinistö’s programme comprised nearly 40 meetings and events, including bilateral meetings with, among others, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the heads of state of Libya, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Nigeria, Tunisia, Congo and South Africa. President Niinistö also held bilateral talks with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian National Authority. The President hosted an event for the representatives of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) together with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Niinistö also visited the event for the heads of state and government of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS).
On Thursday, 27 September President Niinistö attended a meeting of the Group of Friends of Mediation, hosted by Finland and Turkey. The aim of the Group of Friends is to improve cooperation among countries and international organisations involved in mediation activities. Mediation is also one of the focus areas of Finland’s campaign for Security Council membership.
Earlier in the week President Niinistö also attended the High-level Meeting on the Rule of Law, the high-level event on “Women’s Access to Justice”, the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, and a reception hosted by President of the United States Barack Obama. On the opening day of the General Assembly, 25 September, President Niinistö delivered Finland’s statement as part of the general debate.
President Niinistö will return to Finland on Saturday, 29 September.
The President’s speech at the UN, as well as photos and more information on the programme of the opening week of the UN General Assembly, is available on the website www.president.fi.