President Halonen,
Ambassador Viinanen,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,

Let me say one thing to begin this evening – thank you!

Thank you for your gracious hospitality in hosting us this evening. But also “thank you” for something else – a precious gift that you bestowed upon us this summer ... a gift that is rare in the daily life of a UN Secretary-General.

Ladies and gentlemen, a few months among Mrs. Ban and I took up an invitation from President Halonen to visit her and her husband, Doctor Arajärvi, at their home in Finland.

I do not often get a vacation, even for a few days. On this trip to Finland, amid so much natural beauty, I was able to relax and enjoy life's pleasures in a way that is hardly ever possible.

Surely, the summer residence at Kulturanta is among the most beautiful places on Earth. Your famous gardens are beyond description. In fact, one of the photos we took now hangs in the living room of our residence in New York.

There are 3,000 varieties of roses in those gardens, I am told. President Halonen, I assure you that none are so fair as you yourself.

Let me add that I also learned a bit about diplomacy, Finnish-style. I think you call it Sauna Diplomacy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I do not exaggerate: there is one sauna for every Finn. A story has it that, when Finns build a country house, they first build the sauna – and only afterwards the house!

Needless to say, every overseas mission has its own sauna for diplomats to take time to relax and contemplate.

As you can imagine, President Halonen insisted I take at least one during my stay at Kulturanta.

Here's the problem: I can never go anywhere alone. So ... into the sauna I went – with my security detail.

I insisted they not take their weapons – of course! Who needs second-degree burns? They say they enjoyed the experience ...

Ladies and gentlemen,

This evening, let us also thank President Halonen – and Finland – for their incredible contribution to our work at the United Nations.

During my visit this summer, I participated in a robust and lively public debate on sustainable development, televised to the nation.

Finns care deeply about these issues. Sustainable development, climate change and protection of the environment are also top priority for me.

In my speech to the General Assembly yesterday, in fact, I called it the imperative of our time – a truly generational opportunity for change.

In all this, President Halonen and I are true partners.

As co-chair of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization, she contributes greatly to our understanding of these important issues.

I am also honoured to have President Halonen as co-chair of the Global Panel on Sustainability, and I look forward to the Panel's report in early 2012.

At her initiative this June, the General Assembly held its first-ever retreat, with the participation of both the outgoing and incoming GA Presidents.

Finland had already hosted a similar retreat for Security Council members.

Finland has been a steadfast contributor to the UN Trust Fund to end Violence against Women and was a significant force behind the creation of UN Women.

Not only is President Halonen a true champion for women, she is a strong believer in preventive diplomacy.

And as you also heard me say yesterday, this too will be a top UN priority for the coming years.

In all this, I know we can count on Finland.

President Halonen,

I am sorry to learn that this 66th Session of the General Assembly will be your last – at least as President of Finland!

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let us give this exceptional leader a great round of applause.

We thank you, Madame President, for your commitment and leadership. We wish you every success during the remainder of your term of office.

This evening, we salute you. And I know I speak for all of us in saying how much we will miss you.

Thank you. And Kiitos.