Kanerva wants Finland to practice active UN policy
Press release 182/2007
18 September 2007
Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva wants Finland to continue its active UN policy and keep it also nationally profiled, in spite of the coordinated EU actions in the UN. According to Kanerva, Finland's priorities in the 62nd UN General Assembly, starting today on Tuesday, 18 September, include the UN Millennium Development Goals, action for human rights, and continuing the UN reform. This prioritisation is based on the Finnish government programme.
Kanerva presented Finland's UN goals on Tuesday, 18 September, when opening the special hearing on UN affairs the Ministry for Foreign Affairs organised for NGOs.
The Millennium Development Goals were approved when Finland was acting as the President of the General Assembly in 2000. "This legacy of President Tarja Halonen and Councillor of State Harri Holkeri places Finland under a special obligation. Now that our UN Ambassador Kirsti Lintonen was elected chair of the Second Committee of the General Assembly, Finland holds an important position of influence," Kanerva said. The issues to be handled by the Second Committee include, for instance, follow-up of the Monterrey development financing commitments, three-year review of UN development operations, and environmental issues. In accordance with the Finnish government programme, Finland also supports peace processes. Finland has made a commitment to support UN-mandated peacekeeping operations. In addition, Finland will continue its support for the UN Peacebuilding Fund, which recently had Under Secretary of State Marjatta Rasi, former Chair of the UN Economic and Social Council, named as its leader.
After Finland's term at the UN Human Rights Council came to an end in summer, Finland will continue its work for the human rights of women, children, minorities, persons with disabilities, and indigenous people in the General Assembly. During the beginning session of the General Assembly, the EU will endeavour to push through an initiative against capital punishment. "This is an important challenge for Finland, since the last effort to push it through was made in 1999, during Finland's term as President. It is a major challenge, but we are serious about it," Kanerva emphasised.
Kanerva also said that Finland will continue its work for the reform and increased efficiency of the UN system. "In accordance with the Finnish government programme, for us, the UN is the key instrument of multilateral cooperation. The General Assembly is the only one of the main UN organs where Finland is currently represented. The goal is, however, to have Finland elected also as member of the UN Security Council for the term 2013-2014. The membership campaign is currently being launched. This is an important project in Finland's active UN policy."
The special hearing for NGOs was attended by representatives from approximately 30 organisations. Minister Kanerva expressed his will to continue the hearings in order to increase interaction in UN affairs between the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and NGOs.
The 62nd Session of the UN General Assembly will bring together the representatives of the 192 UN member states. The Finnish delegation will participate in the High-Level Event next week under the chairmanship of President of the Republic Tarja Halonen and Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva.
Additional information: Director Kai Sauer, tel. +358 9 1605 5281, and First Secretary Juha Mustonen, tel. +358 9 1605 5187, Unit for General Global Affairs