New non-permanent members on UN Security Council elected in New York

The UN General Assembly has voted on the member states to take up five non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council. The election took place in New York on 18 October. South Korea, Argentina, Rwanda, Australia and Luxembourg were elected. Finland was a candidate of the Western European and Others Group (WEOG).

“We had a good campaign that focused on the issues. The Foreign Service worked tirelessly for many years on behalf of Finland’s candidature. The whole of Finnish society was united in support of our candidacy. Membership of the Security Council was a national goal, with both the Government and the opposition behind it. Warm thanks go to all our cooperation partners,” Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said in New York. Thanks also go to the other Nordic countries; their support for the campaign was valuable.

“Finland’s campaign for a place on the Security Council was in itself a great opportunity to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones. The importance of many regional organisations, for instance, has opened up to us in a new way. The resulting contacts are worth preserving,” said Ambassador Jarmo Viinanen of Finland’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

The election result will not change Finland’s foreign policy. The United Nations remains a cornerstone of Finland’s global cooperation, and Finland will continue its active influence in the UN. Mediation and strengthening the role of women in conflict prevention and resolution are still central flagship projects of Finnish foreign policy.

Foreign Minister Tuomioja congratulates Australia and Luxembourg: “Two good countries representing the same values as Finland were elected. I wish Australia and Luxembourg the best success in handling their position of trust.”