Finland a UN member for 50 years
13 December, 2005
On Wednesday, 14 December exactly 50 years have passed since Finland became a member of the United Nations. That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Finland as an active participant in multilateral cooperation. The UN has been a cornerstone of Finnish foreign policy ever since.
Within the sphere of the United Nations, tens of international agreements have been concluded and more than 80 former colonies have been guided to independence. Development, peace and human rights remain keystones of the UN’s activities to this day, although the organisation itself is undergoing major reforms. Finland supports the reforms in all ways.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of UN membership, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Finnish UN Association are holding an event at Finlandia Hall. The main address in honour of the occasion will be given by Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland. The festivities will be opened by Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja; Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen and Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva, will address the gathering. Minister Max Jakobson and Jutta Urpilainen, Vice President of the Finnish UN Association and Member of Parliament, will also deliver speeches.
In a series of articles produced by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and published on the Ministry’s website, researcher Jussi Pekkarinen examines the process of Finland’s joining the UN. Other articles in the series are written by Paavo Lipponen, Speaker of the Parliament of Finland, Under-Secretary of State Marjatta Rasi, Minister Max Jakobson and Kirsti Lintonen, Finnish Ambassador to the UN.
Additional information: Erja Tikka, Head of Information Unit, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, tel. +358 9 160 55818.
The Finnish United Nations Association(Link to another website.)