Delegation: Republic of Finland
Committee: United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)
Topic: Arctic Governance
Date: May 17, 2025
Honorable Chair, Esteemed Delegates,
The Republic of Finland speaks from the edge of the Arctic, where one-third of our land meets the silence of ice and the pulse of life. This region is no distant frontier—it is our home: a fragile treasure now melting under the weight of climate change and stirring the ambitions of the world.
Finland stands firm: the Arctic demands governance that protects, not plunders; unites, not divides.
As a founding member of the Arctic Council, Finland has led by example—pioneering green technologies, safeguarding the rights and heritage of the Sámi people, and investing over €300 million in Arctic sustainability initiatives.
Yet the stakes are rising: ice recedes, maritime traffic increases, and geopolitical tensions escalate. The Arctic must not become a stage for rivalry or ruin. It is a shared legacy of humanity—and we must treat it as such.
Finland calls for the following actions:
- A UN treaty to protect the Arctic environment,
- The creation of an Indigenous Council to elevate native voices, and
- A Global Arctic Science Partnership, headquartered in Rovaniemi, to guide policy through scientific truth.
Furthermore, we pledge €50 million to a Resilience Fund supporting Arctic communities most at risk.
Distinguished delegates, the Arctic’s fate is a test of our collective will. Let us choose stewardship over strife, cooperation over conquest.
Finland is ready to lead—and to stand with you in this vital mission.
Thank you.