Thank you very much. I am delighted to be back in Finland again to participate in the 60th anniversary celebration and thank you for your invitation and hospitality.

President Niinistö and I just held very productive talks to strengthen our partnership. We discussed the issues of refugees and migrants coming to Europe, sustainable development, countering violent extremism and climate change.

I have just come from the Climate Change negotiations which are now being held in Paris – and I will return there from here.

This is a critical moment for all countries to come together for the sake of our planet and for humanity.

I thank President Niinistö for his strong will and leadership, his own participation, and showing solidarity and vision for humanity, working together with other world leaders to address this climate change.

While there are still several outstanding issues in this current negotiation process, I am more and more encouraged to observe that there is growing political momentum and that leaders have been showing such a strong commitment. This is the right time to take action. This is for humanity and for the planet.

I am pressing developed countries to recognize their historical responsibility and therefore provide necessary scientific –and based on science – technological and financial support before and after 2020, to mobilize $100 billion per annum by 2020, and also post-2020. And I am urging developing countries to do more as their capabilities grow.

Our goal is to have a universal and robust agreement that truly addresses climate change – and puts the world on track for long-term prosperity, stability and peace, through low-carbon future.

Climate action is essential to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We can realize its vision to end poverty and usher in lives of dignity for all people on a peaceful, healthy planet.

Finland is making its mark across the international agenda.

I have come here to mark the 60th anniversary of Finland’s membership in the United Nations. Earlier today, I spoke about Finland’s enormous contributions to peacemaking, peacekeeping, mediation, development, human rights and more.

Now, I call on Finland to strengthen its invaluable engagement with the United Nations.

I especially urge Finland to continue its proud tradition of financing development.

We must continue to finance development while also meeting humanitarian needs.

I appreciate the generosity of the Finnish government and people – and I ask that, even at this difficult financial time, we take the long-term view and act for humanity.

The world confronts many grave security threats, especially the rise of violent extremism.

Our response must be robust – with full respect for human rights.

War and violence are driving millions of people from their homes.

In May next year, the United Nations will hold the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul to shape the global response. I count on Finland to be represented at the highest level.

Human mobility presents challenges and opportunities. We need honest and constructive dialogue – not polarization and xenophobia.

I urge political and community leaders to foster this dialogue in Finland. Your society depends on your leadership to remain open and compassionate. In that way, Finland will benefit from the richness that comes with diversity.

I welcome Finland’s work to prevent social exclusion, foster understanding between cultures and religions, and promote human rights, equality and democracy.

I thank President Niinistö for his leadership in supporting the United Nations as we work for a more peaceful, inclusive and sustainable world.

Thank you.

Kiitos.

Q: How does the reduction by Finland of its development aid affect its credibility within the United Nations?

SG: Finland is one of the biggest donors in the world, and one of the leaders of the world for the development agenda and empowerment, and for peace and human rights. It is a model Member State and I asked many other Member States to emulate from that shining example.

As all these crises continue – financial difficulties and migration and refugee crisis – I appreciate the difficulties and the challenges facing many European countries. Finland is one of them and I really fully appreciate that.

At the same time, I commend such compassionate leadership and generous support for many refugees who are seeking better opportunities and safety.

In that regard, while I appreciate such difficulties, I ask the rich countries, the European countries, to increase their financial support and generous support for all these migrants and refugees, rather than diverting their already ear-marked development aid.

I know that there is a limit to resources, always, so inevitably, they may have to temporarily divert and use this development money for humanitarian purposes but in the longer term, if this kind of trend continues, it will only perpetuate this bad balancing between humanitarian and development.

If development doesn’t move on, it will create more jobless people, it will create more frustration and then, they may have to flee their homes again for better opportunity. So I think you have to address this in a balanced and comprehensive way - that is my earnest appeal to many European countries.

Q: Do you think Finland should join the coalition against Da’esh?

SG: Terrorism and violent extremism have been happening so often in so many places, brutally killing so many people around the world. This has really terrorized the whole of our society and in many cases, normal daily life of our society has been seriously hampered.

On many occasions in the past, even now, I am condemning in the strongest possible terms, such brutal terrorist attacks against our people, civilian population. There is no justification whatsoever for such crimes against humanity.

Therefore there should be a global solidarity, combined efforts by the international community. Not a single country, however powerful it may be, can do it alone, not even a single organization, however big like the United Nations, can do it alone. We need to have some solidarity and combined efforts.

In that regard, I have welcomed the coalition by certain countries. Whether Finland should participate in that coalition, that will have to be decided by the President and the Cabinet and the people of Finland.

But as Secretary-General, in general and in principle, I have been asking and hoping that whoever has the capacity to render their support in defeating and combating violent extremism and terrorism, I think they should do – whoever has the capacity.

Therefore, regional and global support should be mobilized. This issue has become a global issue. The United Nations is now working in close consultations with Member States of the United Nations to provide to member States a Plan of Action to counter violent extremism. This report, I am going to present it to Member States, sometime in January next year – that is next month.

I have been asking Member States to share their experiences and their views so we can make this as comprehensive, as concrete, as solid a foundation for taking common measures.

Q: Sweden and Finland plan on using tents for migrants and refugees, despite winter. How do you feel about that?

SG: Refugees are fleeing their homes because of imminent danger in their lives and to their safety. So we have to appreciate why they have to flee their homes. Nobody wants to flee their homes.

It is important that first of all, whichever country or community should [provide] life-saving support and protect their safety and security. That is the number one priority. And their human dignity and human rights should be fully protected.

I know that there is a limit and the resources – and capacity even – when tens of thousands are all coming at once. Then, it is difficult for any country, whether big or small, to help them and process theses problems.

My appeal as Secretary-General is that humanitarian assistance is urgently necessary but long-term development is also very important for our sustainable path. Therefore there should be a balance […]. Funds can be diverted temporarily, I can understand but in the middle and longer term, there should be some increased support for humanitarian aid.