Prime Minister Vanhanen's address at the 50th anniversary of Finland's UN membership

Address by Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, Chairperson chair of the Jubilee Delegation of the Finnish UN Association, at the 50th Anniversary of Finland’s Membership in the UN at the Finlandia Hall on 14 December, 2005

Check against delivery

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Excellencies, Dear Guests

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations and the 50th anniversary of Finland’s membership in the UN, we have an excellent opportunity to sum up what the organisation and Finland as its member have accomplished during the years. The UN and the organisations operating under the aegis of the UN have done valuable work in enhancing people’s lives around the world. The UN has been able to prevent wars, prolong life, help people in desperate conditions, protect natural resources of our planet and promote universal respect for human rights.

Finland, as also the other Nordic Countries, has been one of the recognised long-term donors of development and humanitarian aid and a loyal participant in peace-keeping operations. We have actively supported the UN reform process and provided both personnel and financial resources for the development of various UN functions.

Furthermore, we are committed to the UN Millennium Development Goals.
Achieving the membership in the UN was for Finland a significant step towards consolidating our international status. Together with other steps taken at the time, such as the accession to the Nordic Council, the membership in the UN marked a mental liberation from the status of a losing country in WW2. Return of the Porkkala area from the Soviet troops had similar connotations. Finland has succeeded in fulfilling its new international responsibilities.

The world today is very different from that of 50 years earlier. Achievements in the development goals and the well-being of people are greater than one would expect when watching the news. Financial prosperity has been promoted by lowering the barriers for cross-border movement of goods, factors of production and services. People’s health has been enhanced by medicine and education. At the same time, common global threats have transformed and even increased. Regional problems arising from conflicts and natural disasters in Africa as well as elsewhere are still significant.

Development and security go tightly hand in hand and they both relate to human rights and the rule of law. Poverty, illnesses, contamination of the environment, bad administration and conflicts are the most important threats for the people in emerging countries. Development aid in itself is not enough to conquer these problems. The governments of the emerging economies must commit to opening up their markets and to the enhancement of their democracy and administration. An opportunity to development must be ensured to all poor countries.

Proliferation of terrorist groups and weapons of mass destruction is a serious threat for the citizens of both the rich and poor countries. The incapacity of the UN World Summit in September to deal with terrorism and weapons of mass destruction was a disappointment to all the countries committed to preserving peace.

The UN has lately also received rather questionable publicity related to malpractices. It is essential that any malpractices be dealt with immediately. Emerging problems should be discussed openly and thoroughly. In order to avoid similar problems in the future, transparency of the UN administration should be increased and monitoring mechanisms of the organisation strengthened.

A keen debate over the reform of the United Nations has continued for several decades. All through the post-war period, challenges have been one step ahead of the UN measures and the UN has been constantly criticised of its inadequacy. In the future, to be able to meet new threats in an adequate manner, the reform of UN structures should be handled with serious new efforts.

Despite all difficulties, it is obvious that the world would be significantly weaker in facing global problems without the United Nations or other multilateral arrangements. Regional cooperation structures will have an ever greater importance in enhancing international cooperation in the future. EU Member States should also aim towards a more coherent foreign policy and to talk in the UN with one voice.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The year 2005 has also been an important year for the Finnish UN Association. A year earlier when the Finnish UN Association had its 50th anniversary, a broad-based delegation of citizens was established with an aim to increase interest among the Finns in international issues, to inform of Finland’s role in the UN and current themes considered by the UN.

The delegation comprises over a hundred citizens in high places, academics, artists and researchers as well as representatives of industry and culture who all have an interest in international issues. It has been an honour to me to chair this delegation. The delegation has in many ways supported the Finnish UN Association’s work in disseminating information and providing expertise. A special effort to this work has been given by the delegation of Finnish companies led by Mr Pekka Tarjanne, Doctor of Science in Technology, and the think tank delegation led by Rauno Merisaari, Human Rights Adviser. The discussions and seminars organised by the citizens’ delegation have highlighted many key themes, such as issues related to the social responsibility of companies, and provided citizens with an opportunity to participate more actively in the Finnish UN policy debate.

During the year, the Finnish UN Association has managed to reach a large number of Finns, for example during its summer tour organised in the framework of international sports and physical education. The Linja 2015 Tour (‘the policy 2015’) that has disseminated information of the Millennium Goals and the UN’s achievements showed that Finnish citizens follow international issues actively and still have respect for the UN as an organisation promoting peace and justice.

The world is today in many ways smaller than it used to be. The earlier rather distant international problems like riots, migration and natural disasters are now felt even in the everyday life of individual citizens. That is why we need to hear the citizen’s voice in global decision-making, too. Finland and the other Nordic Countries have strong traditions in cooperating with the NGOs. The international community should extend the scope of dialogue towards the citizens’ society. A broad-based support is needed to ensure the United Nations’ strength and efficiency.

Finland will continue to support the effort to increase transparency of the UN and the reform and consolidation of its structures when facing new challenges.

On this occasion, having said all this, I wish the United Nations and its important functions success in confronting the great future challenges.