President to visit USA on Sep 23-28 to attend UNGA

President Sauli Niinistö will visit the United State of America from September 23 to September 28 to attend the opening week of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, said an official press release.

The President will also visit Washington, D.C. during his tour to USA.

On 24 September, Niinistö will attend the High-level plenary meeting called Nelson Mandela Peace Summit organised in honour of Nelson Mandela as well as the Welcome Reception hosted by the President of the United States Donald Trump.

Niinistö will deliver Finland's National Statement at the Opening of the General Debate of the UN General Assembly on 25 September. He will also speak at the High-level meeting on action for peacekeeping hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

On 26 September, the President will attend the HeForShe event organised by UN Women, the UN agency for gender equality and women’s rights. He has been part of the HeForShe campaign’s group of public leaders since 2015. At the event, Niinistö will deliver a speech on behalf of the Heads of State and Government belonging to the group. Leaders of the campaign called the IMPACT Champions are committed to advancing the gender equality and encouraging especially men and boys to participate in actions towards equality.

He will also attend the One Planet Summit on the mitigation of the effects of climate change hosted by the President of France Emmanuel Macron.

On 27 September, Niinistö will deliver a speech entitled “A Stronger Europe: Our Common Interest” at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. The event belongs to the Alan and Jane Batkin International Leaders Forum series organised by the Brookings Institution.

His programme will also include several bilateral meetings in both New York and Washington.

Niinistö will serve as Chair of the Delegation of Finland at the UN General Assembly. The Finnish delegation will also consist of the Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Anne-Mari Virolainen, and Minister of Social Affairs and Health Pirkko Mattila.