Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö at the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg on 26 April 2023

In a speech delivered at the South African Institute of International Affairs on 26 April 2023, President Sauli Niinistö of Finland addresses the intersection of global crises, including climate change, food insecurity, and the war in Ukraine. He emphasizes the necessity of international cooperation, the importance of a fair climate transition for Africa, and Finland's decision to join NATO in response to Russian aggression.

• President Niinistö identifies a series of interlocking global crises that reinforce one another, specifically citing the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, food and energy crises, the health crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic, and inflation. He notes that these challenges are compounded by ongoing wars and conflicts, specifically mentioning the situation in Sudan and Russia's war in Ukraine.
• Climate change is described as the most significant test for the global community, with a "rapidly closing window of opportunity" to ensure a sustainable future. Niinistö highlights that African countries are disproportionately affected despite being least responsible. To support a fair transition, Finland intends to increase international climate finance for developing countries and supports the commitments made at COP26 in Glasgow.
• The war in Ukraine is cited as a primary driver of global instability, particularly regarding food security. The destruction of agricultural land, logistics infrastructure, and the blocking of trade routes have severely impacted Ukraine's grain exports, making the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative vital.
• Finland's application for NATO membership is presented as a security measure prompted by Russia's attempts to establish spheres of influence and subordinate its neighbors. Niinistö asserts that this membership is not targeted against any specific entity and is intended to maximize Finland's own security while maintaining its status as a stable Nordic country.
• The speech emphasizes the growing geopolitical importance of Africa, noting that its population is projected to exceed one-quarter of the total world population by 2050. Niinistö calls for African leadership to strengthen multilateral cooperation with the UN and advocates for engaging African youth to provide fresh perspectives on global issues.

APA

Niinistö, S. (2023). Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö at the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg on 26 April 2023. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/research/speech-by-president-of-the-republic-of-finland-sauli-niinisto-at-the-south-african-institute-of-international-affairs-in-johannesburg-on-26-april-2023/

Chicago

Niinistö, Sauli. Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö at the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg on 26 April 2023. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2023. https://saiia.org.za/research/speech-by-president-of-the-republic-of-finland-sauli-niinisto-at-the-south-african-institute-of-international-affairs-in-johannesburg-on-26-april-2023/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Niinistö |first1=Sauli |title=Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö at the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg on 26 April 2023 |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=26 April 2023 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/speech-by-president-of-the-republic-of-finland-sauli-niinisto-at-the-south-african-institute-of-international-affairs-in-johannesburg-on-26-april-2023/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{niinist2023speech, author = {Niinistö, Sauli}, title = {{Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö at the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg on 26 April 2023}}, publisher = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2023}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/speech-by-president-of-the-republic-of-finland-sauli-niinisto-at-the-south-african-institute-of-international-affairs-in-johannesburg-on-26-april-2023/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }